Parky - My Autobiography: A Full and Funny Life

Description

All Michael Parkinson really wanted to do was play cricket for Yorkshire and England. However, he soon realised that to be paid to watch films, football and cricket would be the best way to spend life, and he became a journalist. Television beckoned and for three decades Parkinson interviewed the movers and shakers of the late twentieth century, making his television programme the must-see event of the week. In singing with Bing Crosby, dancing with Billy Connolly, flirting with Miss Piggy and sparring with Muhammad Ali, Parkinson proved himself one of the most engaging and durable hosts in both Britain and Australia. In Parky he recalls a full life with honesty, insight and humour.

Michael Parkinson is not only a legendary TV and radio presenter, both in the UK and Australia, but an award-winning journalist. In 2007 he announced his retirement from his ITV chat show, but will continue his involvement with TV and radio. Michael Parkinson was awarded a knighthood for services to broadcasting in the 2008 New Year's Honours list.

I recommend it heavily. It's a wonderful book - Melvyn Bragg Wonderfully readable... packed with revelations and insight, and offer an unrivalled glimpse into the lives of practically every giant personality of the past three decades - Daily Mail Nothing less than riveting - Mirror Parky's book is a joyous, breezy read, as much for the improbability of his early escapades as for his backstage anecdotes about the stars. It is also beautifully written - Daily Telegraph The early chapters about his childhood and early career ... are disarmingly modest and offer a proper glimpse into another world - Independent Crisp and detailed prose ... with an especially impressive account of a pre-second world war childhood in the north - Mark Lawson, Guardian Funny and self-deprecating and just as laid-back as he is on camera - Boyd Tonkin, Independent