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Review
An A-Z history that's tremendously interesting and might even be an Important Social Document. EJ Thribb, `talking about Uganda', Dave Spart, Glenda Slag: the origins of all are explained, and the Eye's truly poisonous streak in the late 1970s owned up to. Not everyone on the staff is a hero. There's never a dull page. --Ian Jack, Guardian, September 24, 2011
BOOK OF THE WEEK: Many gems in this sumptuous coffee-table production, which is sure to be a Christmas bestseller. It's arranged as one huge index, an A-Z of Private Eye since the beginning, with articles on the first edition, its founders (Paul Foot, Ingrams, Christopher Booker and Willie Rushton), and the origins of just about every spoof byline and column for which the paper is famous. --Edwina Currie, Times, September 17, 2011
Excellent... What is the secret behind the institution described in this enjoyable if slightly self-congratulatory tribute as `Britain's first, most successful and indeed only fortnightly satirical magazine'? --Sunday Times, September 25, 2011
Private Eye: the First 50 Years, an A-Z -- so glossy that it dazzles the eye and packed with coloured pictures, unlike the magazine -- is different from the publications that are satirised as littering the "lounges" of suburbia. The beautifully written commentary, which holds the book together, contains less than complimentary stories about the men and women who made the magazine it celebrates. And the text dares to offend against even the most sacred of taboos. --Roy Hattersley, Times, September 13, 2011
BOOK OF THE WEEK: Many gems in this sumptuous coffee-table production, which is sure to be a Christmas bestseller. It's arranged as one huge index, an A-Z of Private Eye since the beginning, with articles on the first edition, its founders (Paul Foot, Ingrams, Christopher Booker and Willie Rushton), and the origins of just about every spoof byline and column for which the paper is famous. --Edwina Currie, Times, September 17, 2011
Excellent... What is the secret behind the institution described in this enjoyable if slightly self-congratulatory tribute as `Britain's first, most successful and indeed only fortnightly satirical magazine'? --Sunday Times, September 25, 2011
Private Eye: the First 50 Years, an A-Z -- so glossy that it dazzles the eye and packed with coloured pictures, unlike the magazine -- is different from the publications that are satirised as littering the "lounges" of suburbia. The beautifully written commentary, which holds the book together, contains less than complimentary stories about the men and women who made the magazine it celebrates. And the text dares to offend against even the most sacred of taboos. --Roy Hattersley, Times, September 13, 2011
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
27 of 29 people found the following review helpful
By Belochka
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
As a fairly recent reader of Private Eye (for only the last five years or so), initially I held back from buying The First 50 Years thinking it might have too many in-jokes for a relative newbie to read. I'm gladly proved wrong as it's very informative and an excellent quality hardback.
It wasn't necessary to get further than opening the front cover before starting to laugh. The choice, derogatory, quotes from a wide variety of The Eye's enemies over the last half a century is just marvellous. (Favourite being: Pornographer Richard Desmond, 2010 "I've never bought a copy. I won't give them the satisfaction.")
The inclusion of a cross-reference system for section entries I found a very useful way of keeping track of the stories discovered, writs issued and the internal ructions. All of which benefit from being read consecutively. It's here that I really appreciated the research that went into the various different recollections of some of the less than glorious moments in the magazine's history. It's blunt, contradictory, no-one comes out smelling of roses and it explains a lot of background that was fuzzy, for me anyway. For all the the strife and not always prepossessing personalities at work; the coverage of all the great, the good and the bad is fascinating. There's more than enough detail to keep me coming back to read this for a long time.
Also, I can now get some of the jokes.
Here's to another fifty years! And thank you to Bogbrush for the review title.
It wasn't necessary to get further than opening the front cover before starting to laugh. The choice, derogatory, quotes from a wide variety of The Eye's enemies over the last half a century is just marvellous. (Favourite being: Pornographer Richard Desmond, 2010 "I've never bought a copy. I won't give them the satisfaction.")
The inclusion of a cross-reference system for section entries I found a very useful way of keeping track of the stories discovered, writs issued and the internal ructions. All of which benefit from being read consecutively. It's here that I really appreciated the research that went into the various different recollections of some of the less than glorious moments in the magazine's history. It's blunt, contradictory, no-one comes out smelling of roses and it explains a lot of background that was fuzzy, for me anyway. For all the the strife and not always prepossessing personalities at work; the coverage of all the great, the good and the bad is fascinating. There's more than enough detail to keep me coming back to read this for a long time.
Also, I can now get some of the jokes.
Here's to another fifty years! And thank you to Bogbrush for the review title.
46 of 51 people found the following review helpful
By Jazzrook
TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
As a reader and occasional contributor(where's my 10 quid?) to Lord Gnome's organ since the early 1960s, I found Adam Macqueen's A-Z history of the first 50 years of Private Eye a hugely entertaining and informative read. All of the Eye's creations and its victims are here along with revealing portraits of the main founders and contributors such as Richard Ingrams, Paul Foot, Auberon Waugh, Willie Rushton, Tony Rushton, Peter Cook, Claud Cockburn, Barry Fantoni, Francis Wheen, Michael 'Slicker' Gillard & Ian Hislop.
Although once described by a former contributor as "the most unpleasant thing in British journalism", Private Eye's brilliant mix of jokes, satire and investigative reporting now enjoys fortnightly sales of around 226,000.
Adam Macqueen's labour of love deserves to be read by all fans of the Eye and long may the mag continue(2094).
Do I get my O.B.N. now?
Although once described by a former contributor as "the most unpleasant thing in British journalism", Private Eye's brilliant mix of jokes, satire and investigative reporting now enjoys fortnightly sales of around 226,000.
Adam Macqueen's labour of love deserves to be read by all fans of the Eye and long may the mag continue(2094).
Do I get my O.B.N. now?
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By NorfolkBooks
Format:Hardcover
This could have been a rather pompous, fairly dull, chronological record of the life and times of Private Eye. It isn't. It is a warts and all A-Z of all the major happenings in the life of the Mag over its fifty years. I've read the magazine for the best part of 30 years now - admittedly intermittently during the 1990's - but as a subscriber for a number of years. This trawl through its archives is a brilliant snapshot of Britain over the last fifty years. Private Eye has played a part in unearthing some of the biggest scandals this country has known. Some (like Phil Hammond's work on the hospital in Bristol) don't necessarily bring down the Government but they do make a difference. Holding people to account, pricking pomposity and doing so with wit and irreverence are all part of the Private Eye mixture and this book just captures it perfectly.
And it is honest about the fall outs and the arguments between the contributors. That's refreshing. No-one would believe it if Adam MacQueen had tried to pretend that there had been no major rows in 50 years so making it clear that there have and about what is great.
As with the magazine itself you can find yourself reading about a serious issue one moment and falling about laughing at some outrageous cartoon the next.
Another thing the book conveys, without setting out to do so, is just how well the magazine has done to keep up with the times. The message boards contributions which feature today are just hilarious.
When I ordered this I wasn't sure whether the A-Z approach would work but it makes it perfect to dip into, with brilliant cross references to take you to related items, or just to read straight through.
Great book.
And it is honest about the fall outs and the arguments between the contributors. That's refreshing. No-one would believe it if Adam MacQueen had tried to pretend that there had been no major rows in 50 years so making it clear that there have and about what is great.
As with the magazine itself you can find yourself reading about a serious issue one moment and falling about laughing at some outrageous cartoon the next.
Another thing the book conveys, without setting out to do so, is just how well the magazine has done to keep up with the times. The message boards contributions which feature today are just hilarious.
When I ordered this I wasn't sure whether the A-Z approach would work but it makes it perfect to dip into, with brilliant cross references to take you to related items, or just to read straight through.
Great book.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
great extra Christmas Present
I cannot review the plot as this was bought as a gift. But it arrived quickly, was in perfect condition, well-packed, and for a fair price. I would buy from this seller again.
Published 29 days ago by Mrs. J. A. Canfield
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Pressy!
Bought as a present for my Husband who is an avid reader of Private Eye!
So a great read for someone who enjoys this publication. Read more
So a great read for someone who enjoys this publication. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Pauline Mitchell
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great present
Bought this for my husband who is an avid private eye reader.
This book goes back into the past of th magazine and is great fun to read.
This book goes back into the past of th magazine and is great fun to read.
Published 6 months ago by Janie U
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful collectionar of memories
This book captures the FIRST fifty years of PE in word, photo grapa and cartones. Extremely good valué for money
Published 8 months ago by Nicholas Ollins
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Very English Affair
Like the magazine this is a bit of a mess but again like the magazine somehow it works. Written by an insider it deals with all the key events and personalities since the... Read more
Published 10 months ago by P. J. Connolly
5.0 out of 5 stars
PRIVATE EYE THE FIRST 50 YEARS
A comprehensive historical account of the development of this wonderful satirical journal. Many pithy pieces from earlier writers and mischievous cartoonists, some sadly missed. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Mr. N. C. Bacon
4.0 out of 5 stars
Private Eye the first 50 years an A-Z
Bought this for my Hubby who is a big Private Eye fan. Was well received. I am sure this will keep him quiet for hours.
Published 15 months ago by Angie
1.0 out of 5 stars
Private Eye The First 50 Years
I've been reading the eye for years and am a fan. This book might be OK for someone who hasn't read the eye and doesn't mind paying 3 times the true price, but I have to say that... Read more
Published 15 months ago by C. A. Rayfield
5.0 out of 5 stars
I am a fan
Books that you can randomly dip into have great charm. This was a favourite Christmas book, given by a relative who knows that I delight in everything to do with Private Eye. Read more
Published 16 months ago by NorthBrit
5.0 out of 5 stars
50 Years of Private Eye
Although I didn't buy this for myself and there for can not comment on the content, I do know that this book is a very good read. Read more
Published 16 months ago by M Isherwood
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