Product Description

A Spike Milligan opus, containing everything from classics to hidden gems, with a foreword by Eddie Izzard. This stunning anthology of Spike Milligan's work comprises of favourites from his classic books ('Adolf Hitler: My Part in his Downfall', 'Goodbye Soldier', 'Puckoon'!) as well as scripts from the now-classic Goon Show. Interspersing such comic genius is also a touching collection of letters and his celebrated and liberating writings on depression, demonstrating the diverse talent of a man whose creative output spanned over half a century. A selection of children's poetry and writings ('Unspun Socks for A Chicken's Laundry', 'A Book of Milliganimals', 'Silly Verse for Kids' and much more) reveals Spike's irresistible connection with the childlike imagination and a brillant sense of the ridiculous. All the favourite and funniest stories are there. For those who want an excellent introduction to the mind of Milligan or a welcome return to a much-loved genius, this is the ultimate Milligan reader.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #52781 in Books
• Published on: 2003-06-02
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 352 pages

Review
'Wonderful anthology. A superbly sustained piece of comedy. Like so mush else in this collection, these excerpts inspire a return to the source.' Chris Power, The Times 'The most comprehensive compendium of the troubled genius' work. This volume spans his entire career!making this a testament to one of our most absurdly talented comedians. Poignant, nonsensical and hilarious. The Essential Spike Milligan is a more than appropriate epitaph.' Ben Arnold, Jockey Slut 'A joyous and wondrous thing!Alex Games has done a fine job!A sound and neatly timed volume and perfect for filling a Milligan-shaped gap in anyone's life.' Marcus Berkmann, Literary Review 'Successfully shows why Spike Milligan deserves his place at the heart of British comedy.' Simon Webster, TLS 'Wonderful anthology. A superbly sustained piece of comedy.' Times

Chris Power, The Times
Wonderful anthology. A superbly sustained piece of comedy.

From the Publisher
Spike was one of the most loved and influential figures in post war comedy. This collection, compiled by Alexander Games is the essential volume for fans both young and old as well as the perfect introduction for those wishing to get to know him a little better.
Foreward written by Eddie Izard

Customer Reviews

brilliantly childish, genius and silly! I luv ya Spike
Only Spike Milliagan could be so brilliantly childish and observational.... so many try yet cant carry off the innocent yet deep poems and humour in this book.
Although I found reading the Goon show scripts sections a bit hard - and skipped most of them... (they wern't really of my generation, more my dads era....im sure i'll go back and read them later ).... but i really take my time reading the poems and re-reading them as they as genius yet silly and one can get.
A fabulous piece of escapism.... and his biography bits are great too..... a must read! A true eccentric!

The Essential Spike Milligan
This book is a stroll through the work of one of the most productive comic writters of modern times.This book contains extracts from his many books and scripts of some the most memorable Goon Shows.Also interleaved between these gems are poems ,silly verse for kids and letters he sent and recieved when championing his many causes.