This is the F#$%ing News: My Story

by Patrick Gower

Paddy Gower has spent decades telling New Zealanders' stories. Now, he's telling his.

Paddy Gower has never been afraid to stand up for what he believes in. From his teenage and university years where he learnt to defend himself from cruel bullying about his looks, to the pressure-cooker years he spent in the Press Gallery holding politicians to account, to advocating for the families of the Christchurch terrorist attacks and for sufferers of cystic fibrosis, he has scrapped and fought for the truth and justice for others.

This unrelenting drive has come at a cost - culminating in a serious alcohol addiction, anger issues at times, and bouts of anxiety and depression. Ironically, it was through his own work - a documentary about the outsized role that alcohol plays in many Kiwis' lives - that Paddy's wake-up moment came. It led him to quit the booze for good, a decision he has never regretted despite the knockbacks that kept coming, including the shock of the decision to close down the entire Newshub news division.

Funny, brutally honest and packed with amazing yarns and incredible stories from a huge and varied career, this is Paddy Gower, unleashed.

Genres: Audiobook, Nonfiction, Biography, Biography Memoir

272 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 24, 2024

Reviews

[Tessa Worthington · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful, vulnerable and fascinating memoir. Made me cry multiple times! Truly a whirlwind tour of NZ’s media and politics landscape in the last 25 years. Might be one of the best audiobooks I’ve listened to this year.

[Ruby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such an interesting and honest read about life as a political journalist. Paddy is an excellent story teller - I really loved this!

[Sharon Daly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to say I enjoyed this more than I expected to. The behind-the-scenes insights to some of Paddy’s amazing stories were fascinating. And Paddy’s vulnerability regarding his own story was courageous and touching.
The retelling of the Newshub shutdown was particularly poignant for me. It’s hard to fathom that was less than a year ago but Paddy’s words at that fateful meeting expressed so well what many of us were feeling.
Good on ya mate. Go well.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this! An easy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I highly recommend listening to this as an audiobook narrated by Paddy himself. I thoroughly enjoyed this vulnerable and powerful memoir and found myself constantly fascinated by his journalistic POV of major political and historical events in NZ.

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ex

[Amanda Houlahan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably the best biography I've read. Such a great look into some of NZ's more recent history while also hearing about Paddy's life and struggles.

Note: Contains a lot of swearing.

[Simon Sweetman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely could not put this book down, until I was done with it all. Which really is the best review you can have, no?
For more read here: https://open.substack.com/pub/simonsw...

simonsweetman.substack.com

[sheerin · Rating 5 out of 5]

this randomly slayed

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paddy tells an excellent yarn in this book. He can be quite egotistical and a bit of a munter at times, but he has seen some shit and that shit is quite interesting.

In this book you get to know the real Paddy, but the real Paddy is sometimes a bit of a dickhead. However, he is also his own harshest critic. I listened to this as an audiobook and there were moments when you could hear in his voice that he was getting choked up.A nice easy read that left me unsure if I wanted to give him a hug or punch him in the face.

I hope for Paddy that he manages to stay sober, keep his private life private and continues works on his self confidence and inner peace.

Would recommend.

[Caitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book during the Queenstown Writers Festival, after hearing Paddy speak. His energy was matched exactly in the book - extraordinary detail while feeling consistently fast paced, deep relationships on show and heartfelt throughout.
An easy read, a truly interesting look behind the curtain of one of NZ’s most well known faces.

[Jess Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

A darn good yarn - I f#$%ing loved it. Paddy is a magnificent storyteller, the way he weaves anecdotes from his life together with memorable current events throughout his career makes one hell of a good read.

[Melissa Gibson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed listening to the audio of this - I learned a lot about Paddy Gower and the news media in NZ. I wish we had more investigative journalists like PG here in NZ. This was vulnerable and real. My only request would be that it was longer! Part two please!

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened to the audio book, read by the author. I found it really enjoyable and engaging, Paddy really opens up and lays a lot on the line. My only dislike was that it did jump around in time a lot, which has left me a bit lost as to what happened when...

[Lucy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty averagely written for a book by a journalist. Not a huge fan of the structuring - but other reviews seem to enjoy the fast flicking about! Last third is definitely the stronger part. Some interesting insights if you're into NZ journalism /media.

[Francie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a strong penchant for autobiographies. I love reading how other people have lived their lives.
I wasn’t necessarily a great fan of Paddy Gower, but I loved this telling of his life - as a school child, working as a Journalist, his mental breakdown, and alcoholism.

[Sean Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was unable to put it down, a great read.

[Tracy Poihipi-Boyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Great reporter, who comes across as real and down to earth. I especially loved the chapters on growing up and family.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paddy, Paddy, Paddy.

[R Hinchco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honest, raw and insightful. What more can you expect. A fantastic f$&@ing read.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not sure how I feel about the man, but the book is excellent.

[Andrew Fraser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely entertaining right to the last page. Couldn't put it down. Paddy is such an inspiration.

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting read of behind the scenes in what I've seen on tv

[Jessie Noone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read on the highs and lows of Paddy! There were almost tears and lots of laughs but overall a really interesting story of Paddy’s life thus far, a life well lived that’s for sure

[Lorie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook
Really enjoyed hearing his voice tell his story

[Christopher Hynes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great way to learn a bit about New Zealand history and see a nice story of personal transformation.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fascinating read about the career of one of New Zealand most well-known political and current affairs journalists. The book covers his early life and building his career to what it was like to cover some of Aotearoa's biggest political and historical moments. From political coups to the March 15 terrorist attack and everything in between.

[Laura Andrews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very easy read, he’s got great humour! Gave me a great insight into journalism also.