Product Description

For the first time, comedian Jack Dee reveals the highs and lows of his early life and disastrous day jobs. You don't just wake up jaundiced and bitter; it's taken Jack years of dedication and commitment to brew his unique cocktail of disillusionment and bile. What turned this once optimistic young man into a grumpy middle-aged git? Was it working in an artificial-leg factory? Or delivering incontinence pads for the NHS? Or was it the time when he was shunned by his peers for daring to thrash a one-armed man at tennis? In this hilariously frank account of his life, Jack finally answers the question, 'So how did you get started in comedy then?' Along the way, he shares his blatantly unreasonable views on everything from personal trainers to boutique hotels, via the overrated moon landing and 'people who hold their cutlery the wrong way'. Once you've read this book, you'll never think of Jack Dee as a smiling, happy-go-lucky, friendly face again

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #66 in Books
• Published on: 2009-10-22
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 288 pages

Review
Painfully funny
--Mail On Sunday, October 4, 2009

A brilliant book. It's my bible. --Paul O'Grady

This is just as funny and grumpy as the great man himself. --Heat

Deadpan humour at its most brilliant. --Woman & Home

About the Author
Writer, stand-up comedian and actor, Jack Dee is famous for his sardonic, dead-pan style. Winner of three British Comedy Awards and nominated for the Best Entertainment Performer Bafta in 2005, his first big break came with a Perrier nomination in 1991. He has since had his own comedy shows on Channel 4, ITV and BBC1, performed in numerous TV dramas and on the West End stage. Jack also co-hosted BBC 1's Comic Aid in 2005 and has written and starred in his own BBC 2 award-winning series Lead Balloon since 2006. The hit comedy show was nominated for a British Comedy Award in 2007 and a RTS Award in 2008. He makes frequent TV appearances, including hosting BBC 1's Have I Got News For You and as a guest on Shooting Stars and Friday Night With Jonathan Ross. Radio includes regular team appearances on News Quiz, Just A Minute and as chairman for I'm Sorry I Haven't Got A Clue. Jack has toured extensively throughout the UK, playing to well over 500,000 people since 1990 and has released 5 bestselling stand-up DVDs.

Customer Reviews

Sad but true
This review is for the unabridged CD read by the author. This is always going to be a love it or hate it series of views. If you really don't like Dee and his style of grumpy reflection then this is going to do nothing to change your mind.
If however you are someone born in the 60's who has grown fed up with the worrying and frankly downright annoying mess we call life then step right up your ride is here.
Dee delivers an endless tirade on everything from the tedium of sport to the modern man and his ladylike pampering to his own childhood fantasies. In truth he tells very little of his own personal history as he always ends up wandering off on a tangent about some subject or other that gets his goat. Thats not to say he has no personal stories worth sharing. There are some great personal tales, such as the cringe worthy assault launched on an innocent hotel toilet or his hapless one and only attempt at employing a personal trainer, but he is really using this as a chance to rage against the world and life in general.
The endless tirade would soon descend into dull and repetitive were it not for his potty imagination, the fact that so much of what he says is just so true and that he has a disarming ability for honesty that shows him warts and all but makes this all the better for it.
The different stories move along at enough of a pace to keep you interested but linger long enough to give some insight and depth.
This was never going to be the in-depth self analysis of Clive James autobiographies or the show biz revelations that are so popular nowadays. This does however have a certain charm and as the chapters go by it becomes very easy to settle in to this and go for 'just one more chapter'.
Dee's voice is fairly flat and of one tone but this works well with the content and his voice is clear and easy to follow. It's also great to have the olympian standard grump reading his own musings and rants.
This is a well judged release that works very well for Jack Dee's many fans and has much to laugh at, agree with and just simply enjoy.
The CD packaging itself is a bit spartan with all 7 CD's stacked upon one another on a single spindle. This style of storage will doubtless mean their scratching one another in time. There is also no booklet and the vinyl case is a little flimsy. This though has to be balanced against the fact that it is well recorded and you get an unabridged seven and a half hour audio book at about the same price of a two disc abridged release.
All in all the packaging can be lived with and the book itself, which is what really matters, is well worth a listen and is likely to be returned to again. Well recommended.

Insightful, surprising and funny
I wasn't really sure what to expect. I love Jack's observational humor, but the book? I chose the audiobook over the paperback wondering who would better deliver the story than the master of stand-up himself? And it sure was the right choice. If you looking just for more Jack's humor - forget it. If you are interested how it all happened, what shaped him... Get ready for a surprise. A big one too. It's just excellent. And the worst bit for me - I want more! Can't see that happening though, since it would mean he'd have to have another life to cover. Too bad. Anyway, it was money well spent. Don't hesitate! Grab it as soon as you can.

Refreshingly different.
This is one autobiography that tries to be different, and it succeeds perfectly. Jack has shied away from the usual, "I was born, I went to school, this is what happened to Me." type of life story that so many famous people write and that usually make me lose interest after a couple of dozen pages or so. Sure, he does talk about that, but it is done in a way that makes you want to keep reading. Stories about his past are mixed with anecdotes of the modern day things and people who annoy him the most. There are some great laugh aloud moments and some stories you will want to read out to friends. Also the ending is not rushed and has been left open for an updated version or sequel, which I for one am looking forward to already.