Product Description

"Anything Goes" traces the life and career of John Barrowman, from his Glaswegian childhood and American adolescence to his first big break starring alongside Elaine Paige in "Anything Goes". Since then, John has made a name for himself with outstanding West End achievements, including an Olivier Award nomination, and success in the movies the "Producers" and "De-Lovely". His triumphant transition into television was confirmed when "Torchwood" won a Best Drama BAFTA. John also lays bare his personal life: his emigration as a child, coming out to his family and his 2006 civil partnership with long-term boyfriend Scott Gill. "Anything Goes" is revelatory and insightful, told with real heart and characteristic Barrowman charm. This is a wonderful tale of how one boy achieved his dreams.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2943 in Books
• Published on: 2009-01-29
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 256 pages

Review
John's path to success has been a long and interesting one...and it's all documented here, told with all the fun and charm John has become loved for in the public eye. --South Wales Argus, January 24, 2009

Daily Telegraph, February 2, 2008
A charmingly lurid memoir

Woman's Way Magazine (Ireland), Feb 08
Anything Goes is a refreshingly honest, funny and engaging read that hooks readers from the opening chapter.

Customer Reviews

An invitation.....
As a long-time fan of John, I have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of his autobiography. It seems an age ago that the announcement was first made. In reality, it was only last June. Imagine the lovely surprise then, when I arrived home from work yesterday, and there it was, my copy of the book, a whole week ahead of schedule!

First impressions are good. The front cover has a true-to life photo of John looking natural and very happy. Colour theme is blue and silver - his colours, and very classy.

The book is short - just 245 pages, so no room for wasted words! Many more pictures inside. And a final treat - on the back cover one of him as a boy, one as Captain Jack, and one of him in his bathers!!!!! At that stage, I melted all over the floor.

And so, at 11pm last night, I started to read. And I just HAD to finish in one go. Forgive me if I'm not making sense today; I turned the last page at 4am. I don't ever do well on two hours' sleep, as my family will testify. But maybe adrenaline is keeping me going, or perhaps some of John's legendary energy levels evaporated off the pages and into my brain, because I really don't feel too bad today.

In the introduction, John asks us to imagine that we're sitting in our pyjamas in the lounge of his Cardiff sitting room, sharing a drink, some music and the memories. That's almost an invitation isn't it??????

The book is divided into chapters, each named after a song from some of John's favourite musicals. So themes such as "Being Alive", "Live, Laugh, Love" and "High, Flying Adored" very aptly set the scene for what is to come.

The events described in the book are not arranged in chronological sequence, but as a series of reminiscences. So I found myself travelling, to and fro in time, as the themes developed. Good job Captain Jack is a Time Agent!

The style of the book is witty and intelligent, with just the right blend of content and comedy. I can imagine that John and his sister Carole had much fun and many a laugh whilst writing! I had quite a few laughs myself too.

What a life! John has packed more into his 40 years than many of us would struggle to manage in 400. John's explanation for this is simple, his mother taught him that, "You're a long time dead, son. You can sleep when you're dead." It's hard to imagine that John currently gets any sleep at all.

If the book has a down side, then for me it's that there's very little of John the man. I have seen and heard John many times, met him a few, and follow him in the media, albeit here with a very large shed load of salt. I have therefore heard many of the stories and anecdotes before, and for me there was very little new material. What I had been hoping for from the book was this: a better insight into the beautiful person, inside and out, that John is. His thoughts, feelings, opinions and emotions. I didn't get it. The content is very action and event-oriented. I finished the book feeling a tad disappointed that I didn't actually know John the person any better than when I started it.

All in all though, a very enjoyable and worthwhile read. The true value of the book for me is that at last I have this collection of stories direct from John's mouth, and all together in one place. That's worth its weight in gold.

And hey, this is theatre, so it's not all over till the fat lady sings. There's always Act 2, so bring it on, John and Carole!!!!

Fantasic Fantastic Fantastic
Tis book is acctually amazing :) am 14 and obsessed with john barrowman. i was weary about buying the book cause of other readers reviews but seriously this is a book to read, its got all the highs and lows of his life and it gives and insde and more personal view of his life. and what a fantastic life hes had :)

A fascinating insight
Knowing very little about John Barrowman other than his work in Doctor Who and Torchwood, this helped me learn much more about him and his life. I had no idea that he was so cheeky! He really has had an extraordinary life, and he recalls it in such an entertaining fashion. I laughed a lot while reading this. And though it concentrates a LOT on musical theatre - which I know zilch about - it didn't matter. It was entertaining anyway. Too short, though.