Give Me Ten Seconds

by John Sergeant

John Sergeant's acclaimed memoir takes us from his somewhat eccentric childhood to his thirty years' service with the BBC.Memorably handbagged by Margaret Thatcher on the steps of the Paris Embassy as she lost the leadership contest, and the man to whom Ron Davis confessed his midnight perambulations on Clapham Common, Sergeant has been the man on the spot in most of the major news stories of the last twenty years. His mordant wit, keen sense of the absurd and acute powers of analysis pervade the book and his understanding of the labyrinthine workings of Westmister - and of the corridors of Broadcasting House - is second to none.

Genres: Biography, Politics, Nonfiction, Autobiography, Memoir, Humor, History

308 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[Alastair · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this autobiography- would not have been so enjoyable if I had not lived through the period , had an interest in current affairs and were familiar with many of the characters referred to.

[Waleed · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great insider account of life at the BBC, as well of the politics of the 70s through the 90s. The book is full of funny little stories and anecdotes and can bring the personalities of some famous political figures such as Sir Edward Heath and Alastair Campbell down to earth.
The ending of the book however, is rather, abrupt. Although does perhaps suit the style of a reporter - short and to the point. As well as news itself - unexpected - a subject which is prevalent throughout.

[chucklesthescot · Rating 3 out of 5]

This follows the varied parts of his life from growing up as a vicar's son and getting educated based on where his father was. It follows his flirtation with comedy, appearing in a sketch TV series with Alan Bennett and then appearances on popular TV comedy shows later in his career. It is about how as a young man on an American adventure he was there to witness Martin Luther King's 'I Have A Dream' speech, how he reported from Vietnam near where the most famous photo of the conflict took place. It covers his reporting from war zones like Cyprus when it was invaded and trouble spots like Northern Ireland, and then his political career during the reign of Thatcher, Major and Blair.

I particularly liked the war and political reporting that he did which was the best part of the book for me. This was what I really wanted to read but frankly there wasn't enough of it. I felt it was too heavy on his childhood, covering the life of his grandparents and parents and being a vicar's son and way too much on the comedy side of things. There was a lot of talk about the comedy sketches and all the people he met who went on to be famous, which could have been cut down a fair bit as I didn't get the clever comedy or most of the punchlines. It was a decent read but too much padding and not enough of his journalism career.

[Zubair Ashraf · Rating 3 out of 5]

Why is that every non-fiction book written by a Brit has a calm feeling to it. It’s enjoyable how John Sergeant takes us through his life from the early days and then to his rise in the Media, in a nonchalant sort of way. The book is worthy for me because much of it is centred around BBC where he worked for a good 30 years, it easily explains its policies and the way things go on inside. Quite a read for a journalism student yet also interesting for general public. Meanwhile, isn’t it amazing how journalists easily get on with every party / politician? That’s the art.

[James Wilson FRHistS · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sergeant is a good egg who reported on many an interesting event but this book has far too much detail without much of a payoff - time and again he tells a story that just doesn't go anywhere, or have any particular appeal. It was written not long after his personal 15 minutes of fame, when he was greatly entertaining and charming on Have I Got News For You.

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I expected it to be funnier, and there's too much name dropping

[Patrick · Rating 1 out of 5]

not for me

[Lorraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

superb informative well written ..dont bother with supposedly best sellers read biographies instead

[Pam Strachan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit dull

[Nigel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book while on holiday and found it fitted the bill of a holiday read perfectly. This is not quite an autobiography but he takes us through his early life and his work life. While Mr. Sergeant has succeeded in his career as a political reporter his heart seems to be in comedy and entertainment and I think we've all recognised this in him which is how he ended up on Strictly Come Dancing.

Though his style is light Mr. Sergeant's is by no means a lightweight reporter. He's been in Vietnam, the middle East and most famously West Minster. Though this main seem a bit serious the memories he recounts are of the people and the good times.

[Chris · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like John Sergeant whenever I see him on TV – he’s a jovial chap and his dry wit often makes me chuckle. The book, however, does not.

Tedious and at times really rather dull, this autobiography led me to believe that Sergeant bumbled his way through a journalistic career, helped along the way by chums in the BBC.

In reality, that may or may not have been the case but he was clearly bored himself writing this. As such his two-book contract with publisher Macmillan was ended by mutual agreement. Sergeant revealed he had paid back the advance because he could not face writing a second memoir.

Thank goodness for that.

[Kate Millin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this very readable - and surprising in places as I had not realised John had started out in comedy before becoming a journalis. He is vey wry in the way he explains things as his broadcasting manner transfers neatly to the page.
John Sergeants deliciously funny bestselling memoir now available in paperback.For thirty years, John Sergeant worked for the BBC, latterly as Chief Political Correspondent. Give Me Ten Seconds is a riveting and frequently hilarious account of life at the BBC coalface, but it also gives us a unique insiders view of British politics.

[Raj · Rating 3 out of 5]

John Sergeant has had an interesting life. He was in the crowd during Martin Luther King's 'I have a dream' speech, he was in a comedy series written by Alan Bennett and, of course, he's spent most of his life as a journalist and reporter. His dry wit shines through and he writes well. His anecdotes, both political and non-political, are interesting and entertaining and his commentary on political matters is definitely worth reading. Shame it was let down by a rubbish last sentence.

[Richard Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

An intreguing insight into the world and lifestyle of this most respected broadcast journalist.

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliant book, even if it did take me a long time to read due to tiredness. A good insight into a reporter and journalists role at the BBC.

[Mike · Rating 2 out of 5]

A nice autobiography, though desperately weighed down by dull political fact in the last quarter.
Pleasant enough...

[Toby White · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book very interesting, and also a pleasantly surprising dip-in-dip out read!

[David Highton · Rating 4 out of 5]

amusing and self-deprecating

[Joseph McHale · Rating 2 out of 5]

very dry for the first half, mainly talk on about areas i had little interest in, and the real interesting stuff only really began 2/3rds of the way through. Still interesting though.