The Essential Dave Allen by Graham Mccann (13-Jul-2006) Paperback

by Graham McCann

The spotlight picked him out: the cool, calm, darkly handsome man sitting up smart and straight in his black leather chair, with a glass of the good stuff by his side and more than an evening's worth of mischief sparkling inside his eyes. He was Dave Allen, the smooth, suave sit-down stand-up comic, and this book is an official celebration of his very special craft.

Genres: Humor, Biography, Nonfiction, Comedy

Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Harry Whitewolf · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're a fan of Dave Allen, you'll find his very best here.

If you're not familiar with Dave Allen, then you really should be. Don't read this book. Watch him perform instead: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxo81...

If you're not a fan of Dave Allen, there's something seriously wrong with you.

Goodnight, thank you and may your (no) God go with you, sir.

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very funny - made me laugh out loud at some of the humour.

Here's a website that is worth a look, as it relates to jokes in the book.

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=D...

Dave Allen was humorously furious about political hypocrisy, the church domination of Ireland, and, in fact, all forms of authoritarianism. His stance was uncompromising, which made him a godfather of comedy and won him the admiration of a later generation of stand-ups.

[Sean Riagain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing man

I'm Irish so I didn't grow up with Dave Allen in my TV consciousness because well, the church apparently banned him here! Anyhow, in more "modren" Ireland,I caught a BBC documentary about Dave Allen and thought,fuck this guy is amazing. I thought the sketches were amusing (if of their time) but I really much more enjoyed his wisdom and what he had to say about Ireland and the world and his sense of humanity.The idea that were not here long so just get on and enjoy it. Beautiful! I loved how he was unafraid and willing always to ruffle feathers. If you're a child of the 90's then you realise how lucky you are to have been the last generation to grow up the grim place he rightly takes aim at here. So the sketches on a page are actually kinda dry but I'd come for his wisdom and this is well captured more so by the short essays in each chapter than the sketches themselves. There's love,wisdom and truth from Dave Allen in these pages and for that alone it's worth "a gawk"

[Karen-Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

To me Dave Allan was the funniest comedian I ever saw. He made me laugh till the tears would flow and I would be gasping for air. Years have gone by since I last saw him perform but lately I caught up with him on video on YouTube and it was the same, I laughed till I cried and choked. So I googled his name to see if there were books and found this one and it was the same, I could hear his voice in my head and see him in my mind's eye and I laughed through tears and hiccups. He was definitely one of a kind.

[Steve Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved Dave Allen as a kid. Didn't get all the jokes but the sketches were funny. Bought a 'best of' DVD and it is great. This book brings back memories of siting in front of the TV with the whole family, everyone laughing out loud.

[T.I.M. James · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is not to much to review in a book like this.

It is a direct transcript of some of the Irish comedian’s most funny monologues. They are arranged in a rather simple but effective manner, following the path of life, from childhood through to death (and the afterlife).

Each section is introduced by a short text piece talking about Dave Allen’s views and thought on the particular time in his life, what he was doing at the time and what made him think about that time of his life, giving a little bit of perspective.

If you are a fan or someone who remembers the comedian, you will have no problem as you read through the tales, you will snigger and laugh and perhaps come to an appreciation of how good he was, if not you might be interested and appreciative, but I do not think it would have been as funny if you did not have the image in your head and hear that voice on your shoulder.

[Jack Hughes]

The author G McCann provides an interesting introduction to a private man who could express the universal, the obvious and draw you into a story. But he lets Dave tell it his way, with transcripts that work almost as well on paper. Allen subtly skewered the hype and hypocrisy of our ingrained institutions and spun a story like a seanachi .
Personal point my Dad would allow me watch DA at the age of nearly 3.
Good book + I'm sure Dave's having a laugh with his God

[Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yes there are laugh out loud moments but some of the material written down is not as funny as actually hearing it from the mouth of the great Dave Allen. He was a private man however more information about the man himself would have made this a better read. Stick to the DVDs of this wonderful comedian.

Ray Smillie

[Dora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fabulous book …. I loved it and I could hear Dave Allen’s voice as I read every page.
He was the best comedian ever, cool, sharp, handsome, hilarious and his timing was spot on.
My Mum was Irish Catholic and she used to sit and watch it while tutting, giggling and clapping. My Dad was just sitting there with tears rolling down his face. We all loved Dave Allen and this book is a gem.

[Mrs Sisi Bramble · Rating 5 out of 5]

Makes me miss him even more

What a funny clever man. I can feel the laughs bubbling as I read. I can hear his voice as I read gone too soon. A great book and reminder of a genius comedian.

[Waffles · Rating 5 out of 5]

You'll probably read a lot of these jokes and realize you've heard them before, you just didn't know who wrote them. I was disappointed that the story of the guy in the bars with no arms wasn't in thos book. Otherwise, it's a solid collection.

[Christine Margaret Costello · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful People Watcher

Dave Allan was truly a different kind of comic. Subtlety, observant of people's strange and complex ways. Loved reading This book and reminiscing over some of the most funny sketches ever written.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve never watched Dave Allen’s performance. My neighbor gave me this book a while ago and I just had the time to read this. The book makes me want to watch him perform his jokes. He is brilliant. Excellent best jokes collection according to the life stage edited by Graham McCann.

[Ronald · Rating 5 out of 5]

brings back fond memories from late 70's early 80's watching on the telly in Indiana, I believe. Warning: uncensored.

[Darla Ebert · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bland and tepid especially in the outdated jokes. I would have preferred more background on the life of Dave Allen himself.

[Steve Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always remembering Dave was good but this confirms how good he was. Charity shop bargain £2

[Adz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyable read, found myself picturing the man telling the jokes, observations, and tales. Just enough associative text for each of the chapters before Dave’s material let’s fly. Great stuff!

[Paul Lawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shows that Dave Allen was much more than a comedian. Intelligent and well respected by those in his field and beyond. His views and comedy certainly get you thinking outside of the box.

[Awilk -never sleeps- · Rating 5 out of 5]

My dad had this book out when I was visiting him. I have many happy memories of watching the extremely talented Dave Allen with my dad as a kid.
This brought back many happy memories. I could hear Dave's voice in my ear telling me his oh so funny stories.
Loved it.

[Fiona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant - I can hear the man when reading some of his "stories"

Excellent book to delve into and giggle....

Lovely

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

So funny - it was almost as if you could hear the man himself telling the stories.

[Graham Richards · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book is to long in the tooth based on third party hearsay tails