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Review
Praise for George MacDonald Fraser:
’Thanks to Fraser’s passion for history, his rare gift for rattling narrative and his infectious delight in robust, rollicking language, we can rejoice in a work of genius worthy of being ranked with – there can be no higher accolade – P.G. Wodehouse’ Daily Telegraph
‘As well as providing a fine assortment of treats, George MacDonald Fraser is a marvellous reporter and a first-rate historical novelist’ Kingsley Amis
Product Description
From the author of the ever-popular Flashman novels, a collection of film-world reminiscences and trenchant thoughts on Cool Britannia, New Labour and other abominations.
In between writing Flashman novels, George MacDonald Fraser spent thirty years as an "incurably star struck" screenwriter, working with the likes of Steve McQueen, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Cubby Broccoli, Burt Lancaster, Federico Fellini and Oliver Reed. Now he shares his recollections of those encounters, providing a fascinating glimpse behind the scenes.
Far from starry-eyed where Tony Blair & Co are concerned, he looks back also to the Britain of his youth and castigates those responsible for its decline to "a Third World country … misruled by a typical Third World government, corrupt, incompetent and undemocratic".
Controversial, witty and revealing – or "curmudgeonly", "reactionary", "undiluted spleen", according to the critics – The Light's on at Signpost has struck a chord with a great section of the public. Perhaps, as one reader suggests, it should be "hidden beneath the floorboards, before the Politically-Correct Thought Police come hammering at the door, demanding to confiscate any copies".
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
21 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
GMF is not to everybody's taste. In terms of philosophy, his is the antithesis of liberal. However, his arguments are made with great intelligence, thought and care.
As other reviewers have stated, this is a book of two parts; there is anecdote and wit in abundance in the sections about movies and there is craft and, above all, great truth in his "Angry Old Man" sections, which cover everything from capital and corporal punishment to Blair and his ghastly "new" Labour cronies, political correctness and the European fiasco. I admire people who write with passion and intelligence from any side of the political coin, and this book has both in spades.
There is nothing here fashionable to add to the cacophony eminating from bleeding hearts, nor is there any party political posturing in this book. However, GMF and his publisher are to be commended for daring to speak the truth with power, courage and candour. Top marks.
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
George MacDonald Fraser is invariably an entertaining writer:. his Flashman books have afforded me great pleasure as have his other historical novels: "Mr American" and "Black Ajax" and his wartime reminiscences.
This particular book is something of a departure in that weaves together two distinct aspects of his life: a description of his life as a film scriptwriter and his reflections upon modern mores and attitudes within "Cool Brittania'.
Fraser writes intrigingly of his work among the great and famous in the film world and he drops distinguished names with delicious abandon. It is all very readable and good fun.
But, predictably ,it is the other theme of his book which has drawn fire from the critics. Personally,I believe myself to be a kindly Social Democrat yet I am by no means unsympathetic to many of the arguments he proffers. As an Australian I can certainly affirm that his comments upon the Olympic Games opening ceremony in Sydney was right on target! On the other hand he draws several long-bows which take some swallowing (please forgive the mixed metaphor) : the new-found English liking for garlic is symptomatic of national decline? Come on George!
Still, it is written by GMF so ,regardless if you agree with his opinions or not, it is all very readable, thought-provoking and above-all entertaining.
Long may his light continue to shine !
This particular book is something of a departure in that weaves together two distinct aspects of his life: a description of his life as a film scriptwriter and his reflections upon modern mores and attitudes within "Cool Brittania'.
Fraser writes intrigingly of his work among the great and famous in the film world and he drops distinguished names with delicious abandon. It is all very readable and good fun.
But, predictably ,it is the other theme of his book which has drawn fire from the critics. Personally,I believe myself to be a kindly Social Democrat yet I am by no means unsympathetic to many of the arguments he proffers. As an Australian I can certainly affirm that his comments upon the Olympic Games opening ceremony in Sydney was right on target! On the other hand he draws several long-bows which take some swallowing (please forgive the mixed metaphor) : the new-found English liking for garlic is symptomatic of national decline? Come on George!
Still, it is written by GMF so ,regardless if you agree with his opinions or not, it is all very readable, thought-provoking and above-all entertaining.
Long may his light continue to shine !
30 of 31 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
GMF is fifty years older than me but his writing doesn't show it and seems more in tune with what my contemporaries think than any current tabloid newspaper.
His life has been varied and often quite interesting. In this book he reveals a side to the film-world that is usually overlooked i.e. the non-starters.
However, the chapters beginning 'Angry old man...' are what make this book a must. GMF gives political correctness a long overdue kick up the backside, doing so in a way that reveals its hypocrisy and intolerance; yet remaining studiously apolitical throughout - all double standards and dishonesty are treated equally harshly.
I commend this book to anyone who wants a refreshing read about the real world, rather than a regurgitation of fashionable manifesto waffle.
His life has been varied and often quite interesting. In this book he reveals a side to the film-world that is usually overlooked i.e. the non-starters.
However, the chapters beginning 'Angry old man...' are what make this book a must. GMF gives political correctness a long overdue kick up the backside, doing so in a way that reveals its hypocrisy and intolerance; yet remaining studiously apolitical throughout - all double standards and dishonesty are treated equally harshly.
I commend this book to anyone who wants a refreshing read about the real world, rather than a regurgitation of fashionable manifesto waffle.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
We're Doooomed!
This book, by a proudly Scottish Scotsman with strong opinions, is, as others have observed in their reviews on Amazon, two books, the autobiographical chapters interrupted by... Read more
Published 17 months ago by Ian Millard
brilliant
As with all of GMF books this is a classic with some great insights on our present political morass.
Published on 26 May 2009 by Grapeel01
Top stuff
Depressingly accurate review of the UK which articulates why people are leaving in droves (like us).
Published on 10 Jan 2009 by E. Paler
Victor Meldrew
It might be advisable not to read this book until you have securely entered middle age. On the other hand if, like me, you have found it difficult to articulate your rage at the... Read more
Published on 21 Aug 2007 by Andrew C. L. Stewart
Wait for the Posthumous Biography
Probably like many others, I was drawn to read this autobiography having been extremely entertained by GMF's Flashman series. Read more
Published on 13 Nov 2006 by Malvolio
Marvellously Entertaing Read
One can see from some of the reviews that this book has received that it has annoyed all the sort of people that GMF would, one can appreciate from having read this book, doubtless... Read more
Published on 1 Mar 2006 by Bohemond
Good anecdotes, appalling politics
As other reviewers have said, this is two books interleaved. One is a collection of anecdotes written by a good writer who has led an interesting life, and is well worth reading. Read more
Published on 18 Jan 2006 by Alec Cawley
Angry Flash
I read this book because I have read all GMF's works and have enjoyed them all, so I didn't want to let the side down on this one. Read more
Published on 25 July 2005 by David Westerby
With ineffable cheek
"I write as a convinced Imperialist - which means that I believe that the case for the British Empire as one of the best things that ever happened to an undeserving world is... Read more
Published on 12 May 2004 by Joseph Haschka
His Least Entertaining Book
I've read all of Fraser's Flashman books, his McAulsan trilogy, and hismemoir of soldiering in Burma, and have loved every one. Read more
Published on 23 April 2004 by A. Ross
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