Sidgwick and Jackson Digital
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What the F Did I Do Last Night
Rivron Rowland
- Sidgwick and jackson digital
- 4 Février 2011
- 9780283071331
Rowland Rivron was a stalwart of the 1980s Alternative Comedy movement - part of a band of comedians who tore up the scene with a new, anarchic, unapologetically irreverent comedy we now take for granted. He toured with The Young Ones and The Comic Strip, was a regular on The Tube, played Dr Scrote on Jonathan Ross's The Last Resort, and, of course, created the shambolic Dwayne, one half of inimitable pop duo Raw Sex on French & Saunders. He would be the first to admit that alcohol has played a large part in his story, and he has spent a fair proportion of the time out to lunch, in both senses. Then theres the occasional nudity and a dislike of self-important celebrities which landed him in trouble with his bosses as often as it won him fans in the public. The result is a series of hilarious and occasionally death-defying escapades that hark back to a time when PR didn't get in the way of a good night out and, as with punk and music, comedy was the medium whereby anyone who dared to get up on stage could find themselves famous.
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In the world's most dangerous and war-torn trouble spots, you will find a small band of men risking their lives to fly the planes that bring in desperately needed aid and supplies. But they're not heroes. These combat-hardened veterans fly giant Soviet-era superplanes which carry a dark secret: 15 tonnes' worth of secret compartments which they fill with illicit payloads. Their hidden cargo is virtually impossible to detect, and these cowboys of the air will carry anything, from drugs, guns, diamonds and money to people - whatever you've got, to anywhere you want them to take it. But they pay a heavy price: crews routinely lose their lives to gun-toting pirates, terrorists, hostile state forces, jealous competitors and alcohol. Matt Potter has flown with these men, and in Outlaws Inc. he follows their incredible, action-packed story around the world. On the way he discovers a secret society populated by mecenaries, dictators, secret policemen, gangsters, businessmen and real-life Bond villains, and finds a story that is all the more terrifying for being true.
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Simon Murray was nineteen when he joined the French Foreign Legion. Inspired by the romantic myths of Beau Geste, he found himself in the ranks of one of the world's greatest - and toughest - fighting forces. He kept a unique diary of the hard living, harsh discipline, and the military tradition of 'March or Die' which he turned into this gripping book. 'Simon Murray's personal account of a gently reared, well-educated British youth's coming of age in the French Foreign Legion has the drama, excitement and colour of a good guts-and-glory thriller . . . Murray is a talented storyteller, and his fellow legionnaires and their disciplined and proud Corps are vividly portrayed. I was hooked from the first page.' Dr Henry Kissinger 'One of the greatest adventure stories in recent years.' Chris Patten
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If you've ever been paralyzed by shyness when faced with a room full of strangers, overwhelmed when making a speech, awkward in an interview or too nervous to approach that gorgeous person across the bar, this book can change your life. Whether it's landing the job you really want or sparkling at a party, performance expert Caroline Goyder and her panel of stars are here to help improve your confidence, give you presence and boost your self-esteem. A-List stars like Sarah Jessica Parker, Susan Sarandon, Kate Winslet, Bill Nighy, Frances McDormand, Helen Mirren, Gael Garcia Bernal and Ewan McGregor share their secrets in exclusive interviews with Caroline Goyder, who explains the methods behind their advice and shares her own tricks of the trade. With their help you can learn above all how to unlock the real you, embracing what makes you different and special. Real star quality is about trusting yourself. With this invaluable guide you will learn how to shine in any situation.
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On 29 June 1988 Michael Forwell (aka The Fox) had it all fast cars and speedboats, a nightclub in Singapore, a private island, a beautiful wife and children. And a ship heading towards California carrying 72 tons of highgrade Thai marijuana, his last deal before going straight. On 30 June the DEA seized the ship in the biggest dope bust in history . . . and very soon Michael had nothing at all. A mildmannered, public school educated Englishman who abhors violence, Michael was not the most likely drug smuggler but he was certainly one of the most successful. Now he shares his astonishing adventures as he found ever more inventive ways to smuggle dope from SouthEast Asia to the US. By the eighties Michael was juggling aliases, dodging the authorities and making millions of dollars. Until that final deal, too good to pass by, went horribly wrong and he was forced to go on the lam. Fastpaced and funny, The Fox takes us on an adrenalincharged journey with a charming rogue, revealing the fun he had and the price he ultimately paid.
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A book to bring laughter, consolation and solid advice for every mum who's found herself wandering blearily round her kitchen in a milkstained dressing, too exhausted by yet another sleepless night to remember what day of the week it is, or been left wondering where it all went wrong as her teenager screams, 'I hate you!' and storms out of the room. Coleen has been a stayathome mum and a working mum, steered her children through toddler tantrums and sibling rivalry, helped with their homework and cheered them on at football, handled their heartbreak at her divorce and the transition to living with a stepfather. She knows how rewarding motherhood is, and how hard. In this book she shares some of her funniest and happiest moments as a mother, as well as the frustrations and tough times every parent faces. She also gives lots of tried and tested, practical advice for each stage of your child's development as well as tips on dealing with issues like bullying, bereavement and divorce. Above all, she reassures us that real mums aren't always perfect, and no one gets it right all the time. Loving your kids and doing your best is what matters.
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He was the first celebrity chef, the swashbuckling cook who crossed the high seas, on a BBC budget, communicating his love of food to millions of viewers. Make a wonderful dish and have a bloody good time: that was the criteria of Keith Floyd's mission (a mission that lasted several decades). Along the way he inspired a generation of men to get into the kitchen. After starting out in a hotel kitchen in Bristol, he made and lost fortunes, was married four times, and dealt with a level of fame that bemused him. Now, in his honest and revealing memoir, completed just before he died, Keith reflects on the ups and downs of his career. Above all, the much loved, often copied, Keith Floyd whooshes the reader through his adventures, from the hilarious to the downright lunatic. As irrepressible, funny and charming as Keith himself, Stirred But Not Shaken is a mustread for anyone who loves life, food, women . . . and a quick slurp.
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One of our most popular actresses, Denise Welch got her television break in the BBC's Spender opposite Jimmy Nail and followed it by achieving success in ITVs worldwide hit drama Soldier Soldier. She really became a household name when she took on the role of Rovers Return landlady Natalie Barnes in Coronation Street. Today she stars in the awardwinning drama Waterloo Road and is a regular on the hugely popular Loose Women, where her warmth and honesty have won the nation's hearts. But even as her career was taking off, Denise was hiding a secret that she was suffering from a crippling post natal depression so severe that she was at times suicidal. As she concealed her heartbreak on the set of Coronation Street, she turned to alcohol and drugs to cope. She even had an affair that threatened her marriage. Now she reveals for the first time the full details of her battle with depression and alcoholism, how she fought back and, helped by the love of her husband Tim Healy, turned her life around. Powerful and moving, Pulling Myself Together is ultimately an uplifting book that will appeal to her many fans old and new. Biographies
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When Steve Duno found a puppy fleabitten and emaciated on a Californian roadside, he had no idea what he was letting himself in for. Lou, as he called the dog, was the offspring of marijuana farm guard dogs; a halfRotweiller, halfAlsatian bundle of intelligence, loyalty, and mischief. Despite his traumatic beginnings, Lou went on to achieve great things, from foiling an armed robbery and fighting kidnappers, to comforting elderly war veterans and Alzheimers patients. Most importantly, he inspired his owner to become a pet behaviourist, and worked with him to rehabilitate hundreds of aggressive dogs that would otherwise have been put to sleep. With a vocabulary of over 200 words, there was never any doubt that Lou was smart. But he was also funny, heroic, and, for 16 years, Steves best friend and companion. This is their story.
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Loose Women's Andrea McLean is much loved for her bubbly, warm personality. But her life has seen its share of heartache, as well as love and happiness, and now she's finally ready to tell the full story. She takes us from a childhood spent constantly on the move, leaving her feeling like an outsider, to landing a dream job as a weathergirl on GMTV. She describes the tough lessons she had to learn to survive in TV and her hilarious - and sometimes disastrous - encounters with celebrities as a showbiz reporter. She reveals how she pushed herself to be the perfect daughter, the perfect wife and mother - so when she had an affair that ended her first marriage, the guilt and self-loathing drove her shockingly close to a breakdown. Looking for happiness in her second marriage, it took almost dying to give her the impetus she needed to change her life. Warm, funny and moving, this honest memoir shows a new side to Andrea - one that women everywhere will understand.
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When South African conservationist Lawrence Anthony was asked to accept a herd of 'rogue' elephants on his reserve at Thula Thula, his commonsense told him to refuse. But he was the herd's last chance of survival - notorious escape artists, they would all be killed if Lawrence wouldn't take them. He agreed, but before arrangements for the move could be completed the animals broke out again and the matriarch and her baby were shot. The remaining elephants were traumatised and very angry. As soon as they arrived at Thula Thula they started planning their escape... As Lawrence battled to create a bond with the elephants and save them from execution, he came to realise that they had a lot to teach him about love, loyalty and freedom. Set against the background of life on the reserve, with unforgettable characters and exotic wildlife, this is a delightful book that will appeal to animal lovers everywhere.
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Robbie Williams and Gary Barlow - together and apart, these two men have dominated the charts for the best part of twenty years. And it is their fractured 'bromance' that has shaped the history of one of the world's most successful bands. Based on years of in-depth research, this authoritative biography uncovers the truth about their tortured relationship. It reveals why sixteen-year-old Robbie idolised the older and more talented Gary when, as unknowns, they were put together in the newly formed Take That. We see how the stresses brought on by fame and money destroyed their fragile friendship and resulted in Robbie trying to take Gary's position as front man. We also discover how far they'd go to hurt each other during a feud that lasted fifteen years and continued to shape their solo careers. Explaining why the two men finally reconciled in 2010, and analysing how their reunion is coping with the stresses of touring once more, Robbie and Gary offers a unique insight into the lives of these much loved stars.
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Even though they are the most famous comedy double act Britain has ever seen, until now there has never been a biography of Ernie Wise. Seen by some as just the straight man in the partnership, in fact 'Little Ern' was regarded by his peers as a great comedian in his own right. It took no ordinary talent to be the perfect foil for the genius of Eric Morecambe, and to be his friend, business partner and co-performer for nearly forty years. Morecambe's personality flared with ego and insecurity, and theirs was a personal relationship that had to be nurtured as carefully as were their on-screen personas. Nearly thirty years after their last appearances, the pair still dominate the landscape of British comedy, and are loved and revered as ever. With the cooperation of Ernie's widow Doreen, and drawing on unpublished material from the family archive as well as interviews with friends, Robert Sellers and James Hogg have shifted the spotlight sideways to examine for the first time the true and patient genius of one of the greatest entertainers of his generation.
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Exclusive to the ebook - a photographic tour of iSandlwana and Rorke's Drift battlefields with commentary by Ian Knight. On 22 January 1879, in the shadow of an imposing rocky outcrop called iSandlwana, the bloodiest defeat inflicted on the British Army during the Victorian age took place. Now Ian Knight skilfully weaves together the lives of Zulu patriots like Mehlokazulu kaSihayo and Matshana kaMondise and professional British soldiers such as Anthony Durnford and Charlie Harford - the men who were at the human heart of the savage and iconic Anglo-Zulu War. He presents not only a gripping picture of the pressures that drove both sides to a terrifying and bloody confrontation, but a definitive history of the battle that has shaped the political fortunes of the Zulu people to this day. 'I loved it . . . full of fresh thinking, new ideas and new wisdom' Neil Oliver 'Exceptional . . . exposes the bloody truth about the two famous clashes in the 1879 Anglo-Zulu War' Sunday Times 'A fine book' Richard Holmes
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A magical memoir of Dad's Army star John Le Mesurier: one of the greatest actors - and gentleman - of his generationSome years after John Le Mesurier's death, his widow Joan re-read her carefully stored cache of John's letters - to her, and to him from his closest friends. Dear John is her letter back to him today, helping us to understand their remarkable life together, taking us with her behind the scenes on Dad's Army and his many films, and into the world of their friendships - including with Clive Dunne and maverick Beatles publicist Derek Taylor.Through her own recollections and John's correspondence, Joan reveals the real John Le Mesurier, a man of kindness, charm and integrity. She describes how they first met when John was unhappily married to Hattie Jacques. It was Hattie - a wonderful woman who became a lifelong friend - who encouraged Joan and John to get married. Their marriage lasted 21 years and survived Joan's love affair with Tony Hancock. Although deeply hurt, John nevertheless welcomed her back.Honest, touching, nostalgic, this is a story that will warm every reader's heart as well as give a new understanding of a remarkable man.
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In the 1970s Bruce Lee emerged as the world's greatest fighting star - an accolade he has kept ever since. He battled to succeed in America in spite of the racial prejudice that denied him a starring role, eventually making films in Hong Kong that turned him into a star - the highest-paid movie star of his day. His controversial death, at the age of thirty-two when he was at the height of his powers, has given him a James-Dean style enduring appeal. In Bruce Lee - Fighting Spirit, Bruce Thomas has written a complete account not only of Lee's life and death, but of the fighting philosophy he developed (jeet kune do) which made him the greatest exponent of martial arts in modern times. In this updated edition he reassesses Lee's skills and examines the enduring impact of his legacy - on action films and martial arts today. As an icon Bruce Lee's popularity continues to grow and this book is a fitting tribute to an extraordinary man whose achievements have never been surpassed. 'An endlessly stimulating accout of Lee's life and times' Loaded
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This bibulous, drug-indulgent and anarchic rock legend was born on a small farm in Tipperary, won a scholarship to Westminster, was rapidly expelled, became a rent boy, then a central figure of punk and the hugely influential star of The Pogues. MacGowan's music, innovative and powerful, is as distinctive as his chaotic, breakdown-scarred, drug and alcohol-fuelled lifestyle. MacGowan has an enormous fan-base hungry for stories of his wild behaviour, but this is also a book that celebrates this unique and charming musician, and offers insight into his remarkable perspective on this world - and the next! 'One of the freshest, most original biographies I've ever read . . . Buy the book, it's great.' Lynn Barber, The Observer 'All human life is here.' Q Magazine
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Glenys Carl's life changed for ever with one phone call - her son Scott, who was halfway round the world in Australia, had suffered a traumatic head injury and was not expected to live. It was the start of a remarkable journey for Glenys - and for Scott, who survived with his personality intact but could only move one arm. In this inspiring book Glenys describes her fight to rehabilitate Scott after the doctors advised that that no more could be done to help his mobility and he should be put in a home. Glenys was determined she would look after Scott herself and teach him to walk again. Alone in Sydney, she put out leaflets asking for help. Complete strangers turned up at her door, a flood of volunteers all touched by Scott's unquenchable spirit. When they moved to London the same thing happened as volunteers helped with Scott's therapy until he was able to take his first difficult steps. Along the way Glenys learnt to trust her instincts as a mother, to treasure each moment with her son and accept her situation without bitterness, even when tragedy struck again. Scott's courage and his mother's determination to give him the best life possible imbue this incredible book with a powerful message of hope.
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Claire Richards, young, fit and with a figure to die for, reached the dizzying heights of fame in the hit band Steps when she was only twenty. When she left, and Steps split shortly after, the world was shocked by the news. Now, writing with incredible honesty, Claire tells her story, from her teenage music career to her big break with Steps. She reveals that while in the band she faced harsh pressure to stay thin, and starved herself for years. Feeling broken by the experience, she finally left and sank into a pit of depression, gaining huge amounts of weight and losing all self-esteem. Believing her career was over, she also had to cope with a painful split from her Steps dancer husband. Thankfully finding love with her now husband, Reece, got her back on track. He didn't care about her size; he just wanted Claire. And, after seeing her weight go up and down for years, Claire has refused to diet any more. Happily married, with two kids, she's finally comfortable in her own skin on stage and screen. In this book, with humour, grace and sincerity, she shares her journey to her happy ending.
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UFOs remain essentially a military and intelligence problem - and one demanding unprecedented security and deception, with access to information on a strictly 'need to know' basis. As early as 1960 former CIA director Admiral Hillenkoetter confirmed that, 'Behind the scenes, high-ranking air force officers are soberly concerned about the UFOs. But through official secrecy and ridicule, many citizens are led to believe the unknown flying objects are nonsense.' The same could be said today. Based on many years of research by one of the world's most respected authorities on alien phenomena, Need to Know draws on top-secret documents, reports of encounters with large craft of unknown origin from pilots and personnel aboard aircraft carriers and destroyers and interviews with high-ranking military insiders. It is full of revelations, including the alarming escalation of aircraft accidents and the disappearance of hundreds of military aircraft during UFO encounters and recent near-misses with UFOs. The evidence is clear, balanced - and irrefutable.
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Life on Lawrence Anthony's game reserve, Thula Thula, is rarely dull, what with spitting cobras endangering his rangers and the unpredictable behaviour of his herd of elephants. But at least his orphaned rhino Heidi is calm around people, and a favourite of staff and guests alike. Until she is brutally slaughtered for her horn. Furious and heartsick, Lawrence heads off to track down the poachers, but also embarks on a bid to save the Congo's last few northern white rhino from extinction. Diplomatic efforts are failing, so he takes action himself, flying into a warzone to negotiate with rebels. Will he survive his most dangerous adventure yet, and will Thula Thula survive the drought that threatens the region? Peopled with unforgettable characters, from the local witch doctor to eccentric conservationist Brendan and the elephants who have such an extraordinary bond with Lawrence, The Last Rhinos is a sometimes funny, sometimes moving, always gripping read.
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A memoir by the woman who knew Bob Marley best--his wife, Rita.
Rita Marley grew up in the slums of Trench Town, Jamaica. Abandoned by her mother at a very young age, she was raised by her aunt. Music ran in Rita's family, and even as a child her talent for singing was pronounced. By the age of 18, Rita was an unwed mother, and it was then that she met Bob Marley at a recording studio in Trench Town. Bob and Rita became close friends, fell in love, and soon, she and her girlfriends were singing backup for the Wailers. At the ages of 21 and 19, Bob and Rita were married.
The rest is history: Bob Marley and the Wailers set Jamaica and the world on fire. But while Rita displayed blazing courage, joy, and an indisputable devotion to her husband, life with Bob was not easy. There were his liaisons with other women--some of which produced children and were conducted under Rita's roof. The press repeatedly reported that Bob was unmarried to preserve his "image." But Rita kept her self-respect, and when Bob succumbed to cancer in 1981, she was at his side. In the years that followed, she became a force in her own right--as the Bob Marley Foundation's spokesperson and a performer in her reggae group, the I-Three.
Written with author Hettie Jones, No Woman No Cry is a no-holds-barred account of life with one of the most famous musicians of all time. In No Woman No Cry, readers will learn about the never-before-told details of Bob Marley's life, including:
How Rita practiced subsistence farming when first married to Bob to have food for her family. How Rita rode her bicycle into town with copies of Bob's latest songs to sell. How Rita worked as a housekeeper in Delaware to help support her family when her children were young. Why Rita chose to befriend some of the women with whom Bob had affairs and to give them advice on rearing the children they had with Bob. The story of the attack on Bob which almost killed the two of them. Bob's last wishes, dreams, and hopes, as well as the details of his death, such as who came to the funeral (and who didn't).
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Denise Welch has always been open about her life, and has refused to let media intrusions and lies slow her down. But now, as she starts a whole new chapter in her life, she wants to set the record straight and reveal the true story of the last few tumultuous years. She writes movingly about the breakdown of her marriage and how she and ex-husband Tim Healy really feel about each other - and how she is coping as a single parent. She comes clean about the recent claims of an affair that have sold millions of tabloid papers. She also takes us behind the scenes on Dancing on Ice and describes coping with the fall out from her winning appearance on Celebrity Big Brother, including the vicious cyber stalker who urged her to kill herself. Intimate, funny, completely honest, just like Denise herself, Starting Over is one woman's very personal journey. It shows that it is never too late to follow your heart.
