Parky: My Autobiography
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Review
"I recommend it heavily. It's a wonderful book" (Melvyn Bragg )
"Wonderfully readable... packed with revelations and insight, and offer an unrivalled glimpse into the lives of practically every giant personality of the past three decades" (Daily Mail )
"Nothing less than riveting" (Mirror )
"Parky's book is a joyous, breezy read, as much for the improbability of his early escapades as for his backstage anecdotes about the stars. It is also beautifully written" (Daily Telegraph )
"The early chapters about his childhood and early career ... are disarmingly modest and offer a proper glimpse into another world" (Independent )
"Crisp and detailed prose ... with an especially impressive account of a pre-second world war childhood in the north" (Mark Lawson, Guardian )
"Funny and self-deprecating and just as laid-back as he is on camera" (Boyd Tonkin, Independent )
"Wonderfully readable... packed with revelations and insight, and offer an unrivalled glimpse into the lives of practically every giant personality of the past three decades" (Daily Mail )
"Nothing less than riveting" (Mirror )
"Parky's book is a joyous, breezy read, as much for the improbability of his early escapades as for his backstage anecdotes about the stars. It is also beautifully written" (Daily Telegraph )
"The early chapters about his childhood and early career ... are disarmingly modest and offer a proper glimpse into another world" (Independent )
"Crisp and detailed prose ... with an especially impressive account of a pre-second world war childhood in the north" (Mark Lawson, Guardian )
"Funny and self-deprecating and just as laid-back as he is on camera" (Boyd Tonkin, Independent )
Product Description
All Michael Parkinson really wanted to do was play cricket for Yorkshire and England. However, he soon realised that to be paid to watch films, football and cricket would be the best way to spend life, and he became a journalist.
Television beckoned and for three decades Parkinson interviewed the movers and shakers of the late twentieth century, making his television programme the must-see event of the week. In singing with Bing Crosby, dancing with Billy Connolly, flirting with Miss Piggy and sparring with Muhammad Ali, Parkinson proved himself one of the most engaging and durable hosts in both Britain and Australia.
In Parky he recalls a full life with honesty, insight and humour.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Michael Parkinson is a celebrated journalist and TV broadcaster who forced his way into our households in the 1970s, with his perfected manner of being able to sit on a chair opposite a much larger profiled celebrity, whilst pretending to be interested in their personal lives. Undoubtedly the man will only ever be recognised for his chatshow in which he interviewed some of the worlds most famous people and creating some of the most memorable interview moments. From Muhammad Ali to Tony Blair there's no doubting that "Parky" has met them all and who would have thought that a man such as this could carry a chat show for so long.
When comparing "Parkinson" to some recent chat shows in the UK, we will notice that the new shows are very much comedy based and don't really tell us much about the celebrity. Michael Parkinson had a talent for speaking with what some would believe to be some of the more private celebrities and allow them to open up to the world. He would feed them a well planned and well fitting question and sometimes make that one question the entire interview. Other celebrities such as Orson Welles simply told Michael to get rid of the questions and just talk to each other as friends would.
Although many of the celebrities who appeared on "Parkinson" made his show famous, there's no doubting the celebrity making power of the show. He's created a few superstars in his time by inviting people on as guests who were at the time relatively unknown entertainers and thanks to "Parky" they became household names. Some of the biggest names that will openly accept that it was their appearance on "Parkinson" that launched their careers would be Billy Connoly, Peter Kay and Katy Melua. His interviewing style managed to bring out something special in all his guests as he had them telling hysterical stories, going on political tyrades or simply opening up. The new format of "Chat Shows" will never allow interviews like his to take place as comedy only masks what a celebrity really wants to say
The Autobiography now gives Michael the format that will allow him to talk about himself and his life in its entirety. Going from his childhood talking about his relationship with his Mother and Father, his time in grammar school all the way up to his very last series of "Parkinson" on ITV in 2007. The relationship between him and his Father is very heartwarmingly documented as he talks about his Father with fondness as they played Cricket together, and how his Father always wanted Michael to become a professional cricket player. His wife, Mary and his three sons are also documented with obvious heartwarming fondness.
I think many British and American fans will agree that he's someone they would want in their family. Whether that be a distant relative or as my title suggests, your replacement grandfather. When finishing this book, I was brought to tears when coming to the conclusion that we will never have a man like this again. Michael was truly one of a kind, his interviewing style was second to none and there's no doubt that he had that magical friendly touch. He's not a man you could see yourself spending a night on the town with, but he's a man you could see sitting in your living room having a nice cup of tea and a chat with.
A wonderful book and it gets one of my highest recommendations.
When comparing "Parkinson" to some recent chat shows in the UK, we will notice that the new shows are very much comedy based and don't really tell us much about the celebrity. Michael Parkinson had a talent for speaking with what some would believe to be some of the more private celebrities and allow them to open up to the world. He would feed them a well planned and well fitting question and sometimes make that one question the entire interview. Other celebrities such as Orson Welles simply told Michael to get rid of the questions and just talk to each other as friends would.
Although many of the celebrities who appeared on "Parkinson" made his show famous, there's no doubting the celebrity making power of the show. He's created a few superstars in his time by inviting people on as guests who were at the time relatively unknown entertainers and thanks to "Parky" they became household names. Some of the biggest names that will openly accept that it was their appearance on "Parkinson" that launched their careers would be Billy Connoly, Peter Kay and Katy Melua. His interviewing style managed to bring out something special in all his guests as he had them telling hysterical stories, going on political tyrades or simply opening up. The new format of "Chat Shows" will never allow interviews like his to take place as comedy only masks what a celebrity really wants to say
The Autobiography now gives Michael the format that will allow him to talk about himself and his life in its entirety. Going from his childhood talking about his relationship with his Mother and Father, his time in grammar school all the way up to his very last series of "Parkinson" on ITV in 2007. The relationship between him and his Father is very heartwarmingly documented as he talks about his Father with fondness as they played Cricket together, and how his Father always wanted Michael to become a professional cricket player. His wife, Mary and his three sons are also documented with obvious heartwarming fondness.
I think many British and American fans will agree that he's someone they would want in their family. Whether that be a distant relative or as my title suggests, your replacement grandfather. When finishing this book, I was brought to tears when coming to the conclusion that we will never have a man like this again. Michael was truly one of a kind, his interviewing style was second to none and there's no doubt that he had that magical friendly touch. He's not a man you could see yourself spending a night on the town with, but he's a man you could see sitting in your living room having a nice cup of tea and a chat with.
A wonderful book and it gets one of my highest recommendations.
21 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Many of us only know Michael Parkinson through his second career as a talk show host, but he has a strong background in "serious" journalism, having worked his way up from being a reporter for local newspapers in his native Yorkshire.
What this means is that, unlike many autobiographers, Parky not only has a tale (or three) to tell; he has the skill the tell it.
Despite his TV popularity and 25-odd years hob-nobbing with the famous and (occasionally) infamous, this gritty miner's son has successfully kept his feet firmly on the ground. A wide range of interests, a passion for sport and, above all, cricket make for a rounded personality and a genuinely interesting life.
This classy autobiography is well above the run-of-the mill and will be a much-appreciated addition to many a seasonal stocking.
What this means is that, unlike many autobiographers, Parky not only has a tale (or three) to tell; he has the skill the tell it.
Despite his TV popularity and 25-odd years hob-nobbing with the famous and (occasionally) infamous, this gritty miner's son has successfully kept his feet firmly on the ground. A wide range of interests, a passion for sport and, above all, cricket make for a rounded personality and a genuinely interesting life.
This classy autobiography is well above the run-of-the mill and will be a much-appreciated addition to many a seasonal stocking.
38 of 43 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Bought this at a signing last week and I haven't put it down since. Parky has met some of the most important people of the last 40 years and lead a fascinating life. Despite all that success he remains extremely charming and humble, wrote a lovely message in the book I bought for my mum. Perfect xmas gift.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Very engaging account of a fascinating life and career
This book chronicles the amazing transformation from son of a miner, through journalist to TV star, set against the background of enormous changes in society in Britian over this... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Pete
Cracking read
Treat yourself to a cracking read. Humourous, sad at times, informative and hurray well written in good plain english.
Best bit, father in furs on a cruise ship.
Best bit, father in furs on a cruise ship.
Published 7 months ago by K. Watton
Excellent writing
If fans of Parky - and I'm one of them - were unaware that before his celebrated television show he was a reporter and journalist, they will be in no doubt as to his journalistic... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Mr. R. D. M. Kirby
The man who met everyone
The Parkinson show holds a special place in my childhood, its eclectic but always entertaining mixture of guests enlivening many a 1970s Saturday night. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Chris White
A good read, despite other reviews
One thing to say at the start. He's spent his life as a journalist, so he can string the words together, without the aid of a ghostwriter, and make the thing interesting... Read more
Published 13 months ago by Rod
disappointed
This was supposed to be a birthday gift. I placed the order on the 7th March allowing ample time for delivery. Read more
Published 14 months ago by A. Barnett
what an ego
What a load of 'aren't i wonderful'...i wasn't that keen on the man before i started reading it, so i thought i would give it a chance, but no.... Read more
Published 17 months ago by glittergal
Parky
This was a good read, but, having read about him over the years, i did know a lot of it already.
Published 19 months ago by Leslie A. Heaps
great Book
as one would expect from him a great amount of anecdotes with lots of interesting stories
Published 20 months ago by K. R. Failoni
Parky Delivers Again
Michael Parkinson, who entertained millions of TV viewers for many years with his talkshows, has delivered again with his autobiography. Read more
Published 24 months ago by A. Byrne
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