Book – Audrey Hepburn, An Elegant Spirit by Sean Hepburn Ferrer

Oh Audrey! What an impact you had on the world.

This is not my first Audrey book; the last one that came out came to me as a much wanted birthday present a couple of years ago. I had a look through it at the time; it’s a most beautifully put together scrap book of momentous occasions, complete with copies of theatre tickets and other documents tucked inside but now it’s with all my other belongings in New York so I got this one out of the library to keep me going.

I had read that Audrey’s eldest son had written a book although admittedly it is at least half filled with the most gorgeous family photos. Did the lady ever look anything less than serene, gracious and elegant yet with a girlish demeanour?

Although Audrey is my style icon, I had never read anything about her, I just like her aura so it was nice to get to know Funny Face albeit that her life, like most artistes had a fair amount of uncertainty and sadness. I was quite taken when I realised she was born in England and not Holland or the US although it’s clear she had some English heritage.

It makes the story all the more sweeter and inspiring.

8/10

Inspiration Factor 8/10

Book – Toast by Nigel Slater

 

I had come across this book before but not having any knowledge on the author, I hadn’t picked it up.

The title intrigued me to choose it up this time plus I have my resolve to read a book per week. It is an autobiography, or rather a memoir as I have been taught in writing class, but in a totally unusual way which is exactly how I want to write at least one of my books although I won’t eat into that just now.

Each chapter regales a story from his childhood by relating it to food which I loved but what was really interesting was the humour laced throughout. Even the sad events of both his parents passing and anecdotes of the gold digging, wicked step mother didn’t fudge the humour. His distaste for his Father’s second choice of bride is clearly evident although I doubt if this book would have been written if his parents were still alive, as much as he adored his mother despite her handicap in the kitchen.

I love food so entirely understood his passion for both discovering new tastes and savouring every morsel of all his favourites through the years. It started in the 1970’s so it was full of prawn cocktail, trifle and worst of all cheese and pineapple on sticks before moving to the steaks and profiteroles with hot chocolate sauce in the excessive 1980s.

Profiteroles with hot chocolate sauce, now that sounds good to me now.

8½/10

Inspiration 8/10 (Mainly to write my own)

Book – Lance Armstrong – It’s Not About The Bike

Over the years people have told me that this is the most inspiring autobiography/sports autobiography/book ever. I would probably give Johnny Mac’s ‘Serious’ that prize but this was good.

My first book in an age and I now plan to stick with my book a week goal. I started the next one the very next day.

Yes the boy done good because he fought cancer. Or rather the doctors and medicine fought cancer as he put it but he sure had the absolute determination to live. I feel determination and belief go a long way in achieving what you want.

I’m not quite sure of the hype surrounding his come back. What was he supposed to do? Become a bartender? Become a beach bum or carry on doing what he had trained for? Yes he came back better than ever because he was ecstatic to be alive. Wouldn’t you be?

All in all the book was inspiring and a lesson in that we should all get off our buts, stop moaning and do something we want to do.

7/10

Inspiration Factor 7 ½/10

Richard and Judy, The Autobiography by Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan

Another book I bought years ago and was determined to read, and then put in storage, before my upcoming American adventure started.

 

An interesting structure that I thought would bug me but worked out really well.

 

They wrote separate and alternate chapters so it was their own individual take on particular episodes. Only occasionally did I forget whose chapter I was reading. Richard swore more and Judy was steadfast in her determination, be it to have a large happy family, a solid marriage or a career built on principles. They are both journalists after all.

 

Throughout, I got the impression Judy didn’t like being the centre of attention, unusual given the job she has had for 2 decades – a point made by Richard. Richard is known to say what’s on his mind although he is careful not to upset anyone in his chapters – unless he really wanted to – and that’s only right and fair.

 

They both talk about gaffs, mainly Richards. Oddly there was a recent story in the Sunday Times, an interview with Richard by a lady who I believed to one of their old colleagues, regarding his new book. There appeared to be a few ‘gaffs’ in this article that contradict what R& J had written about in their own autobiography. She didn’t appear to have done her own research and therefore wrote a few inaccuracies. The biggest one of which was to completely disregard that Richard had already written a book. His autobiography!

 

This was an interesting and warm look at their lives, how they got together and the pains they suffered in the early days to be together and to start a family – never mind the early career struggles. A big issue was how Richard was going to become a stepfather to Judy’s first two children but it seems to have been happy families ever since.

 

My one question would be why they felt the need to take time off during ‘term time’ for operations and other major events, whilst they were presenting This Morning for all those years, when they had the whole of summer and all the school holidays off work. Seemed cheeky to me!

 

The oddest moment came when I put the book down to watch R&J’s new chat show, which launched a new digital channel, ‘Watch’. I thought it would be odd to carry on reading whilst they were talking in the background. They were interviewing actor, Josh Hartnett and commented on meeting him some years ago. When I picked the book up again, mid-chapter, I was at the very point when they met him and Judy talked about one of the perks of the job was when their children could meet their heroes. Their daughter Chloe had a childhood thing for Josh Hartnett and they had arranged for a surprise meeting for her then. I wonder if she was in the Green Room for this meeting too?

 

Oh yes, and Paula Yates got a mention in this book too. If you recall, I’m noting how many times her name crops up in the autobiographies I’m reading. Sadly, the lovely lady was interviewed by them soon after she was widowed by Michael Hutchence’s death. Shortly thereafter, she also died.

 

It just goes to show how much they have experienced and how much they have given us.

 

Long reign the King and Queen of daytime (and now night time) TV.

7.5/10
Inspiration Factor 5.5/10

John McEnroe

Serious by John McEnroe

I ended Gary Barlow’s book where he wrote about being on one of the trains involved in the 7^th July bombings.

 

I started John McEnroe’s with September 11^th. The amazing thing is, I didn’t even realise, or rather had never thought about the fact that McEnroe is a New Yorker. Of course now it seems obvious; how could I not know?

 

I picked the book up when I heard Chris Evans on the radio saying it was the best autobiography he had ever read, or words to that affect. I may have picked it up anyway of course, who knows. Most people talk about Lance Armstrong when they choose their favourite sports autobiography. I will still go with Sir Alex Ferguson of course followed by Ryan Giggs but this one was pretty damn close.

 

He was never my favourite tennis player of that era or any era since. My favourite was always Ivan Lendl who devastatingly did not win Wimbledon although he won so much else and seemed to be seeded in the top 2 for so long. However, I always enjoyed watching the brash New Yorker and tennis/Wimbledon has not been the same since he stopped playing in the regular tournaments. It’s fantastic he still plays in the Seniors and perhaps I will try and watch him in that but I ultimately stopped watching Wimbledon soon after these great players quit. It’s all about the fast serves now. I used to take the second week off work to watch all of it and made it to Wimbledon a few times. One of my favourite days ever was going to Wimbledon when they played for the first ever time on the middle Sunday because of the rain. All I wanted to do was see Lendl and I was delighted to catch his whole match on Court 1. However, a huge bonus was seeing both Navratilova and McEnroe on centre court as well as a young Pat McEnroe on court 203 (or something).

 

It gave me some comfort to know that The Mac thinks tennis isn’t as exciting as it was in those days although of course he would say that! It kind of gives me permission too not watch it when I used to be such an avid supporter. in the same way I don’t feel I need to watch the England football team – because they are rubbish. It’s way too dissapointing and heartbreaking.

The man’s arrogance shines through but as Samantha would say in Sex and the City, he has the goods to back it up. I look at it more positively as confidence and self-belief. What are you if you don’t have these two traits?

 

McEnroe does take a fair few humble

credits for major events, wins, losses, retirements – all sorts of reactions including the way tennis has changed. I guess he certainly helped to put tennis on the mainstream agenda.

 

What shocked me was the amount of times he mentioned throwing games. They deliberately will lose one or 2 games in a set to make it last longer for the paying punters – only in exhibition games or friendlies, as we would call it in the football world.
Equally, I was disappointed that money was ever a motivation to get McEnroe out of bed. I guess he got used to playing for the big bucks so would play an exhibition match or go into the odd tour just for the money. Your outgoings sure go up when you buy multiple properties and have multiple children!

 

It thrilled me that Madonna crept into yet another autobiography. Apparently they shared the same trainer for a while and socialised with Mr & Mrs Penn. No Paula Yates in this one though.

It was also fantastic to learn that McEnroe was not only passionate about being The Greatest Tennis Player That Ever Lived and a wannabee rock star, but that he developed an interest in Art through a doubles partner whilst playing a tournament in Paris very early on. After retiring from professional tennis and starting his commentating career, this lead to him opening an art gallery in SoHo, New York. I’ll be sure to look that one up when I’m next there.

 

In an equal measure and by his own admission, The Mac was also selfish and put himself, and his career before anyone or anything else. As he says, if everyone puts you on a pedestal when you are number one in the world and does everything for you, wouldn’t you become selfish?

Just because you can?

The sort of things that people were prepared to do for him then even made McEnroe’s head spin.

 

He does come across as a hugely dedicated father – a role he clearly relishes. His kids may have calmed him down a little and forced him to change his priorities, but even when he tried to embark on a musical career (apparently tennis pro’s, like top footballers, also just long to be rock stars) he still put himself first, knowing full well that it was his name and legacy rather than his musical ability or talent that people paid to see. Hell, I would pay to see that.

I can imagine, without it being documented, that this didn’t go down well with his second wife, Patty Smyth who was already established musician from the early 1980’s and now sat at home with 6 children watching her former tennis star husband, turned wannabee rock star go out on the road with the John McEnroe band. Eventually he changed the name to the Johnny Smith Band, in honour of his obviously talented wife and managed to get her on stage at one point.

However, eventually she told him he was rubbish (or words to that affect) and to let her get one with her job whilst he got on with is. He admits he knew who she was when he first spotted her across a crowded room at a Hollywood party (do they make this up?) and her musical talent and reputation was one of the things that attracted him but they so obviously make a great partnership and have a wonderful family life. I recall seeing her in the background at some documentary that included filming at their to-die-for 4 story apartment on Central Park West. I’ll be looking upwards next time I walk down that road.

I love the fact that The Mac is a fellow muso who really knows his stuff and just loves music. All credit to him for following his dream. He’s been on stage with some of his heroes, some legendary musicians and socialised with the likes of the Rolling Stones and Madonna. All because he was a Tennis ace. Good for him.

I quite liked McEnroe before and obviously he is a tennis legend and arguably one of the best tennis players ever – argued by him quite frequently in his own book (and no doubt by his nemesis, Jimmy Connors in his) but now I think he is just fabulous, and a New Yorker to boot.

I borrowed the book out of the library but by the time I had finished reading it, I wanted to buy it so I could own it. The sign of a good book for sure.
 
I guess as far as the book is concerned for the Super Mac – mission accomplished.
I’m a fan.

8.5/10
Inspiration Factor 8.5/10

Rupert Everett

Book – Rupert Everett, Red Carpets and other Banana Skins

I thought this book would a funny read so without delay it went onto the Christmas list.

Certain particulars struck me about Rupert’s life within just a few chapters:

Paula Yates got everywhere. She was even popped up in Gary Barlow’s books so I will be looking out for her in every autobiography from now on.

Rupert witnessed an astonishing amount of deaths amongst his friends (loose term) and acquaintances. More than any 40 something person should really experience. I assumed because of the huge amount of people he got to know over the years

Whereas the rest of us have maybe a handful of best friends in a lifetime, Rupert picked one up on every film, project or location where he chose to live. They generally died or went away and he may bump into them years later. An entirely different interpretation of the words ‘best’ and ‘friend’ from mine and most likely yours.

Rupert was always broke. He appeared to have a privileged upbringing, including servants, followed by a well paid job, albeit on a freelance basis, whether it was most famously as an actor, one time as a singer and lucratively as a model, he clearly went through money like water and yet still managed to spend the vast majority of his time living like a lord, either at 5 star hotels or in the homes of the rich (and sometimes) famous. There were times that I quite liked the idea of doing that and not having monthly expenditure commitments..……..

The one fact that I was quite looking forward to reading about is that Madonna appears to be exactly as we imagine her to be. I was hoping he would portray a little more warmth from her but then again – he clearly does adore her. He certainly wasn’t going to write anything derogatory about her unless it was true. And I certainly wouldn’t have picked up this book if that was the case. Lady Madonna can do no wrong.

He seems to have met every iconic figure of the 20^th century from Andy Warhol to Madonna.

Rupert also seems to have worked his way through every gay actor (and a couple ladies) along the way. Like his fellow actors and occasional ‘best friends’ each seemed to fall under his spell willingly, until it was time for both to move on.

I expect every artistic type to be needy, unsure of themselves and shallow so Mr Everett did not disappoint on that front.

Rupert is undoubtedly very well read and extremely well travelled. This brings me on to my unforeseen favourite part of the book; Learning about all his travels. He spent a huge amount of time living in Paris and other parts of France and Miami, none of which I would have been interested in although Miami in the 80s and 90s sounded quite fascinating. I would still like to visit now. Of course he had some stints in my beloved New York, including the days of Andy Warhol, but who hasn’t?

• Rupert was filming in Moscow when Communism was somewhat bought down.
• He was in Haiti before anyone seemed to know about their problems
• In France when the National Front party enjoyed unprecedented success in the elections.
• Of course he was in New York on September 11^th. (Again who wasn’t?)
• He was in all probability there when the Berlin wall came down but he didn’t mention.

I just loved reading about all his exploits in various parts of the world. Most recently, stories about getting a lift back each Friday to New York in Julia Roberts’s private plane from Chicago where they were filming together were hilarious. I thought the book would have more of these funny anecdotes but it was the nomadic lifestyle that engrossed me more.

As well as being comical, Rupert is extremely creative and perhaps his stereotypical artistic and gay shallowness (so twice as shallow then the rest of us) over shadows his talent occasionally.

It’s a great read if you happen to be in the acting profession which I’m not. However, the cattiness and sarcasm were right up my street.

A long read but worth it.

7/10

Inspiration Factor 7/10 I liked his determination at times but the living in luxury for free was what impressed me most  

Gary Barlow

Book – My Take, by Gary Barlow

 

I was surprisingly drawn into this book.

 

I loved Gary’s first solo album and have been amazed over the years why such a talented and crazily successful songwriter can be ridiculed in the press at an alarming rate.

Did Elton John get this?

Did George Michael?

He is up there with them and I’m not particular fans of the other two although George has created some extraordinary tunes, but I do have respect for their work. I’m astounded that Gary doesn’t have the same respect as a song writer at the very least.

 

The book skips back and forth which drew me in even more. It made me turn back pages to re-read paragraphs for an enhanced understanding. A little like some clever films and TV dramas that show you the ending first and then start at the beginning, showing the steps of how the ending came about. Of course we know that already with the tremendously successful Take That comeback.

 

It is very candid, although as always, I’m aware that what’s published is what the author is happy for us to read.  Gary did gallantly admit to some mistakes, particularly in the treatment of Robbie Williams and also the rest of Take That. Plus he admits to a few errors at the expense of Nigel Martin Smith, the manager.

 

This is part of the reason I was immersed. I read all about the down times knowing what happened in the up times. There were some parts where I just thought if only we (the fans) knew. We could have been a comfort. No-one that talented and uber- successful should ever be that sad. For other things but not about their career.

 

There were some fresh facts, which I at least, not being a tabloid reader, learnt as new. One was that Robbie had turned up at their come back tour – twice – at their hotel. I thought Gary was amazingly forgiving for all that Robbie had publicly and humiliatingly said. I would not have been so magnanimous and Gary probably did not want to be but he clearly didn’t like the animosity to go on.

 

The other startling fact is that Gary had been on a train which was involved in July 7th bombings.

Lucky to be alive or what?

 

Who knew?

 

9/10

Inspiration Factor 9/10 Anyone can do it with talent and determination

Ryan Giggs

Book – Giggs, the Autobiography. By Ryan Giggs

As my all time favourite United hero, this was a must read, although it took me nearly 3 years to pick it up. (I know, my priorities have changed now, honest!)

 

I always believe the word ‘hero’ is over used but not as much as ‘legend’. I don’t think you can really be a legend until after you’ve gone, or at least after the age of 75 (I’ll regret saying that when I reach 74)

 

Hero = brave man, conqueror, champion, idol

Legend = fable, myth, fairy tale, marvel, prodigy

 

To me, a hero is someone who most of the time, does the right thing and inspires others to do the same.

 

In any case, Giggs has mostly been compared with George Best. 2 words more often than not followed by another 2, ‘United Legend’. Not something I agree with although I‘m aware I’m in the minority. As far as I can see, GB did the right for about 5 minutes, the rest of the time he did not although by my own definition, I guess he was still an inspiration to some.

 

Giggs is so much more of an all round nice guy and a gifted footballer much like one of his own favourite United player’s, Eric Cantona. ‘Gifted’ is another term I find difficult to associate with football. Talented maybe, but surely as David Beckham will testify, it takes practice, dedication, practice, patience, practice, training and practice. Talent can come with practice. With the ‘arts’ gifted can come into it but not really sports. Having said that, Springsteen’s E Street Band are the most gifted group of musicians I’m aware of but isn’t that where 20-30 years of intense practice gets you?

 

Talking of hero’s, my main football inspiration is undoubtedly Sir Alex Ferguson. The only other person to put the fear of God into me, other than my own Dad. There’s no way I would say ‘no’ to either. Ever.

Having said that, the likelihood of either asking anything of me is nil.

 

I have the utmost respect for Fergie, not that I would ever call him that to his face. It would be ‘Sir’, even before the Knighthood.

My respect for him is as a manager. As a ‘determined, won’t take second place, only the best will do, type of manager.

He is up there at the top of my list of business inspirations along with Dale Carnegie, and Richard Branson. None of these can be described as conventional in their time.

 

I wonder if Fergie would be on the list if I wasn’t a United Supporter but in the end, I’m grateful that I have had the opportunity to learn from the ‘Gaffer’.

 

While Dale Carnegie inspired my lifestyle choice as well as my management style, Branson inspired me to market well and use brands and not to care what others think. Also, that you can start a business from a shoe box. (That’s what they call spare rooms in Milton Keynes).

Ferguson taught me attitude; Think only about being the best. It’s the reason the picture of Old Trafford hands above my desk, not the team, but the ground. It represents the winning attitude during Fergie’s long reign that has made the team what it is.

 

Giggs book was a great, easy read. I love people who punctuate with ! to make a point! I do it but I’ve been told that it means the sentence wasn’t good enough! I’m going to do it anyway! Lots!

 

He talks about Ferguson and the times he did go against orders. He’s not the goody two shoes we think but he is but he is a dedicated footballer, team member and family man who likes to have fun, like the rest of us. He talks about winning and losing but more about winning. He talks about Cantona, ‘the best United footballer I have ever played with’, the famous boot incident with Beckham, marking the start of DB’s exit from Old Trafford.

 

I felt privileged to be on the inside of his story or at least the parts he is happy to share.

 

I look forward to the updated version that I trust will come with his dreaded but inevitable retirement from the beautiful game and the best team in the world.

 

9/10

Inspiration Factor 9/10 (It couldn’t be any less)

Ralph Gold

Book – Good as Gold, Rags to Riches by Ralph Gold

I love business biographies.

It’s great to read about successful people.

It’s good to learn about their ideas, decisions and vision for their business and how they want to live their life.

I knew of the Gold Brothers, mainly for the purchase of Birmingham City Football Club but also because of Anne Summers, their ‘porn’ connection with David Gold, co- owner of Birmingham City FC.

I picked up Good as Gold as it was the only one of any interest in a tiny, one room library close to where I had just moved to. OK, I picked up a Martha Stewart publication too but just for added light reading.

From the minute I started reading, Ralph Gold, the younger of the 2 Gold brothers, had me hooked. It started in Gold’s wartime childhood. Talk of bombs, air raid sirens, lost friends, new friends, family and of course food rations.

However, as much as Gold talks about their poor start in life, they weren’t as poverty stricken as he makes reference too throughout the early chapters. I figure virtually everyone was poor in the war, except aristocracy. England wasn’t full of gazillionaire entrepreneurs as it appears to be now. Both, Ralph and his elder brother were keen on competitive sports and indeed Ralph boxed at national level. That took them away from the bread line by their late teens as did their wayward and often absent father who was an early entrepreneur, before the word was widely used. In fact he started the Gold publishing empire that the 2 brothers eventually became equal partners in as they got older.

Rags to Riches in true enough but the rags weren’t around for long. They were comfortable in their early adulthood and wealthy thereafter. The revelations and ongoing battle they had with the authorities in constantly proving their innocence of their ‘porn’ crimes were fascinating. They lived in anticipation of raids whereby their magazines were confiscated and sometimes never returned or otherwise returned months later. You have to admire them for their cash flow systems in place during the early years.

It was an enormously, riveting read to the very end and incredibly hard to put down.

I can’t explain why.

Read it and see.

8/10

Inspiration Factor 7/10