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I Swear: My Life with Tourette’s
The funny and moving autobiography offering extraordinary insight into what it is like to live with a severe form of Tourette's Syndrome. From the award-winning Scottish campaigner.
NOW A MAJOR FILM STARRING ROBERT ARAMAYO AND MAXINE PEAKE.
Born in the 1970s on the Scottish Borders, John’s was ten when his tics first arrived, as if from nowhere. Previously a happy, popular, football-mad boy he was labelled disruptive, rude, and even mad. As his condition progressed, from blinks and jerks to involuntary rude and obscene shouting, John was bullied, rejected - alienated from his family and a society that had no idea what to make of him.
Hospitalized and drugged for months, it was only an extraordinary and transformative friendship, and John’s dogged optimism, that turned his life around, making I Swear an inspirational story of triumph over adversity.
Through John’s eyes, we see Tourette’s not just as a medical condition, but as a lens through which we can all better understand the importance of human connection. And how essential, as well as ultimately rewarding, it can be to keep going and never give up.
NOW A MAJOR FILM STARRING ROBERT ARAMAYO AND MAXINE PEAKE.
Born in the 1970s on the Scottish Borders, John’s was ten when his tics first arrived, as if from nowhere. Previously a happy, popular, football-mad boy he was labelled disruptive, rude, and even mad. As his condition progressed, from blinks and jerks to involuntary rude and obscene shouting, John was bullied, rejected - alienated from his family and a society that had no idea what to make of him.
Hospitalized and drugged for months, it was only an extraordinary and transformative friendship, and John’s dogged optimism, that turned his life around, making I Swear an inspirational story of triumph over adversity.
Through John’s eyes, we see Tourette’s not just as a medical condition, but as a lens through which we can all better understand the importance of human connection. And how essential, as well as ultimately rewarding, it can be to keep going and never give up.
297 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 21, 2025
16 people are currently reading
171 people want to read
About the author
John Davidson
2,034 books5 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
John Davidson has been a lifelong educator. He is an avid outdoorsman and Internet entrepreneur running online businesses since 2001. He has more than 200 websites and has written or published more than 1000 books. His books include:
• Health Learning series
• Amazing Animal Books for Young Readers series
• Learn to Draw series
• Learn to Airbrush series
• Learn to Paint with Pastels series
• How to Build series
• Entrepreneur Book series
John Davidson has been a lifelong educator. He is an avid outdoorsman and Internet entrepreneur running online businesses since 2001. He has more than 200 websites and has written or published more than 1000 books. His books include:
• Health Learning series
• Amazing Animal Books for Young Readers series
• Learn to Draw series
• Learn to Airbrush series
• Learn to Paint with Pastels series
• How to Build series
• Entrepreneur Book series
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
October 10, 2025
Absolutely amazing!
The pacing was great, the writing wasn’t confusing and it was so hard to put down!
Relatable, funny, emotional and moving.
One of the only times I’ve ever cried at a book too 🥲❤️
Very good, I think everyone should read this!!!
The pacing was great, the writing wasn’t confusing and it was so hard to put down!
Relatable, funny, emotional and moving.
One of the only times I’ve ever cried at a book too 🥲❤️
Very good, I think everyone should read this!!!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
just brilliant. I cried sad and happy tears. what a story, what an inspirational man and what great support from those who gave him a chance. hats off to all. this is a book not to be missed. a real adventure but most importantly, a real education.
October 21, 2025
brilliantly told, would recommend everyone to read this.
January 23, 2026
AMAZING!!!
read it in one sitting. one of my fav books ever i think. funny, devastating, cringe at times, & super honest
cant wait to see the movie!!
read it in one sitting. one of my fav books ever i think. funny, devastating, cringe at times, & super honest
cant wait to see the movie!!
January 25, 2026
I write this with tears in my eyes. This is a heart-felt book and so very important to gain an understanding of what life was like for John growing up with Tourettes. Im pretty sure I saw the documentary when I was growing up and never really understood what it was really like for him, especially during a time when little was really known about tourettes. This book made me understand how hard it must have been. His descriptions were heartbreaking. Im so glad he found Dottie. What a wonderful woman she is, understanding and loving, and exactly what he needed most. I am just so happy he found his people, Tommy, Paul, it just goes to show how important the right people are in having a positive impact on people's lives. It saddened me to read about some of his less positive experiences, and it makes me sick to my stomach to know that there were people like that, making an already struggling little boys life hell. I implore you to read this. It may make us all a little bit more understanding of those who are different, have a little bit more empathy, and be more Dottie.
January 29, 2026
An insight into the life of the remarkable John Davidson.
There's no sugar-coating here, and the relentless stress that living with a severe case of Tourette's Syndrome is depicted with real honesty. I had no idea, for example, that in some cases, Tourette's can not only mean saying the worst thing you can think of, but also 'doing' the worst thing - such as grabbing the steering wheel and forcing a car to crash. Davidson describes, matter-of-factly, how he combats this by sitting in the back of a car, but still has to wrap his hands tightly with a seatbelt, so he can't reach forward to punch the driver.
What's most impressive about this book is that although it addresses the harsh realities of living with this badly misunderstood syndrome head-on, it in no way feels 'worthy' or didactic. Davidson's humour shines through, as does the love of those who gave him a chance in life, thereby saving his. A direct, funny, and important memoir.
There's no sugar-coating here, and the relentless stress that living with a severe case of Tourette's Syndrome is depicted with real honesty. I had no idea, for example, that in some cases, Tourette's can not only mean saying the worst thing you can think of, but also 'doing' the worst thing - such as grabbing the steering wheel and forcing a car to crash. Davidson describes, matter-of-factly, how he combats this by sitting in the back of a car, but still has to wrap his hands tightly with a seatbelt, so he can't reach forward to punch the driver.
What's most impressive about this book is that although it addresses the harsh realities of living with this badly misunderstood syndrome head-on, it in no way feels 'worthy' or didactic. Davidson's humour shines through, as does the love of those who gave him a chance in life, thereby saving his. A direct, funny, and important memoir.
Review of advance copy
The film version of 'I Swear' was one of my favourites of 2025 so when I seen this in Waterstones I knew I had to pick it up. It was interesting to compare the two and see what stories were either enhanced or made up for the film. Maybe John gave the director some new stories, who knows! Either way, this book was a brilliant companion and even if you have already seen the film it is well worth a read.
I really enjoyed getting to hear John's honest thoughts and feelings on everything that has happened in his life due to having Tourette's Syndrome. He has been through so much but still carries on trying to be as positive as he can. The work that he has done for other families and people with Tourette's is really inspiring to read about, he seems like a truly good person. I think that Tourette's is probably still a very misunderstood medical condition and I'm glad that he was encouraged to tell his story.
I really enjoyed getting to hear John's honest thoughts and feelings on everything that has happened in his life due to having Tourette's Syndrome. He has been through so much but still carries on trying to be as positive as he can. The work that he has done for other families and people with Tourette's is really inspiring to read about, he seems like a truly good person. I think that Tourette's is probably still a very misunderstood medical condition and I'm glad that he was encouraged to tell his story.
January 21, 2026
Outstanding. Davidson tells his story with such brutal honesty, but also at times with great humour (I found myself laughing out loud a few times walking to work while listening to this). As a teacher, it was especially painful for me to hear about the cruelty of some of his teachers at school, who on the one hand can be forgiven for not knowing about Tourette's Syndrome, but on the other cannot be forgiven for failing to show kindness and patience. You can't help but feel so proud of John when he recalls the day the queen awarded him an MBE, or just how much of a difference his work has made in bringing together people with Tourette's and raising awareness about the condition. The book ends with a strong sense of hope regarding revolutionary new treatment for Tourette's coming out this year. Definitely need to see the recent film adaptation of this.
October 21, 2025
John Davidson’s memoir ‘I Swear’ guides the reader through his discovery, diagnosis, and life with Tourette’s syndrome.
While John is treated like a disgrace for having a taboo condition, it’s easy to say his family, friends and foes are the disgraceful ones in their ostracising treatment of him. However, it’s more complex than that because of the lack of understanding of Tourette’s syndrome back in the 80s... but there’s no excuse now.
Removing the condition’s surface humour, John shows humanity beneath the condition, italicising the tics as a separate voice. I’m often a deep-rooted tree, but the book and film are incredibly moving and continue to move mountains in destigmatising a misunderstood condition.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
While John is treated like a disgrace for having a taboo condition, it’s easy to say his family, friends and foes are the disgraceful ones in their ostracising treatment of him. However, it’s more complex than that because of the lack of understanding of Tourette’s syndrome back in the 80s... but there’s no excuse now.
Removing the condition’s surface humour, John shows humanity beneath the condition, italicising the tics as a separate voice. I’m often a deep-rooted tree, but the book and film are incredibly moving and continue to move mountains in destigmatising a misunderstood condition.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
November 1, 2025
This memoir will make you laugh (John Davidson has a great sense of humour) and cry as he guides you through his life with Tourettes. It not only gives insight into a condition which can be debilitating, emotionally exhausting and isolating, but also into the character of the author, who has spent his life serving both his local community and the Tourettes community, as well doing everything possible to educate the general public about the syndrome.
I can only admire the openness and honesty of his writing. If you wish to find out more about Tourettes I cannot imagine a more informative - or enjoyable - way of doing so.
I can only admire the openness and honesty of his writing. If you wish to find out more about Tourettes I cannot imagine a more informative - or enjoyable - way of doing so.
July 27, 2025
A tragic yet hopeful story of John’s journey with Tourette’s syndrome.
I learned a lot from reading John’s story and I’m full of admiration for his courage, honesty and determination. Reading about the struggles he has experienced - and the ignorance of many people around him - broke my heart.
This is a well paced, easy and entertaining read and I’ll definitely be watching the film based upon John’s life when it is released later this year.
An inspirational man.
Thanks to Random House UK, Transworld Publishers | Doubleday and NetGalley for the ARC.
I learned a lot from reading John’s story and I’m full of admiration for his courage, honesty and determination. Reading about the struggles he has experienced - and the ignorance of many people around him - broke my heart.
This is a well paced, easy and entertaining read and I’ll definitely be watching the film based upon John’s life when it is released later this year.
An inspirational man.
Thanks to Random House UK, Transworld Publishers | Doubleday and NetGalley for the ARC.
September 30, 2025
What a touching, honest and compelling read. I couldn't put it down.
there's so much reflection here on what it's like to grow up different, to be othered and to think of yourself as a bother at best, a burden at worst. it's also a very true to life account of living in the borders in the 80s and 90s and there aren't enough of those.
the bit about being compelled to be helpful to make up for the sense of always being in the way - that might resonate with other neurodivergent people.
there's so much reflection here on what it's like to grow up different, to be othered and to think of yourself as a bother at best, a burden at worst. it's also a very true to life account of living in the borders in the 80s and 90s and there aren't enough of those.
the bit about being compelled to be helpful to make up for the sense of always being in the way - that might resonate with other neurodivergent people.
November 29, 2025
I read the book after seeing the film so I knew what to expect. It’s about John who is learning to live with Tourette’s in a world no one knows about it. He is discriminated and bullied, seen as an outcast. This book will make you laugh, cry and feel angry. I do watch various known people online, who have Tourette syndrome. The interest and empathy for people living with Tourette Syndrome was already there, way before I watched the film or read the book. I highly recommend
August 26, 2025
From the start to finish this book has made me laugh and cry. The insight and understanding it gives into living life with Tourette's is so beneficial but with an amazing personal story. Thank you so much for sharing so much of yourself. A must read for everyone but a tough read for anyone who loves someone living with Tourette's.
December 29, 2025
John Davidson is a national treasure.
I knew that, as someone who also has Tourette's, going into this book would be difficult for me. I'm already familiar with John and his work with Tourette's Action (my mum had the chance to meet him at one of their events) so I already know of him. Truth be told, until the film was announced, I didn't know he wrote a book, so this was straight on the list of books to read that, ironically, my mum lent to me. Thanks mum!!
Thankfully, my Tourette's isn't vocal based, but is rather motor/kinetic based, meaning I will tic more with my eyes, hands, neck and mouth instead of outwardly shouting expletives. But this doesn't mean that the pain doesn't exist. I will physically tire myself out to the point of exhaustion if I have a tic attack - if it involves rolling my eyes, I may even get severe headaches/migraines. But reading what it's like for someone who has kinetic tics as well as vocal tics is hard to read too, as it really makes me feel and relate to him that much more.
Some of the childhood chapters hit me hard especially - like for example, John having to walk home a different way from school so that no one would see him tic? I did that too. I had a whole new route laid out that I would take in case I needed to let my eyes, hands and/or neck loose after an already-stressful day of school. John was bullied for having "something wrong with him" and so did I - the humilation and self-guilt I felt from some awful bullies was all too real. Sometimes, it was almost like reading a memoir from my high school self, and that was wild to think.
In short, I Swear is a fantastic book that I feel everyone should read, regardless of how much, or how little, they know of the condition. It's informative, personal, and very insightful, all at the same time. Now all that's left to do is watch the film, which I can guarantee will make me cry 10x more!
I knew that, as someone who also has Tourette's, going into this book would be difficult for me. I'm already familiar with John and his work with Tourette's Action (my mum had the chance to meet him at one of their events) so I already know of him. Truth be told, until the film was announced, I didn't know he wrote a book, so this was straight on the list of books to read that, ironically, my mum lent to me. Thanks mum!!
Thankfully, my Tourette's isn't vocal based, but is rather motor/kinetic based, meaning I will tic more with my eyes, hands, neck and mouth instead of outwardly shouting expletives. But this doesn't mean that the pain doesn't exist. I will physically tire myself out to the point of exhaustion if I have a tic attack - if it involves rolling my eyes, I may even get severe headaches/migraines. But reading what it's like for someone who has kinetic tics as well as vocal tics is hard to read too, as it really makes me feel and relate to him that much more.
Some of the childhood chapters hit me hard especially - like for example, John having to walk home a different way from school so that no one would see him tic? I did that too. I had a whole new route laid out that I would take in case I needed to let my eyes, hands and/or neck loose after an already-stressful day of school. John was bullied for having "something wrong with him" and so did I - the humilation and self-guilt I felt from some awful bullies was all too real. Sometimes, it was almost like reading a memoir from my high school self, and that was wild to think.
In short, I Swear is a fantastic book that I feel everyone should read, regardless of how much, or how little, they know of the condition. It's informative, personal, and very insightful, all at the same time. Now all that's left to do is watch the film, which I can guarantee will make me cry 10x more!
August 26, 2025
Brilliant, amazing, made me cry, made me laugh, such a brilliant book, John you are an amazing person and a credit to the world!
Can’t wait to until the film comes out! Thank you for sharing your life!
Can’t wait to until the film comes out! Thank you for sharing your life!
December 4, 2025
This is an amazing book and gives a real inside view of what it must be like with Tourette’s. What an advocate John Davidson is. I would recommend the film and the book. I read it after seeing the film.
February 4, 2026
5 stars are not enough for this book. 1st book I have EVER read from front, right to the very last page. Laughed (with not at) and cried from start to finish. Brilliant. John Davidson MBE is a National Treasure !!!
February 6, 2026
After watching the trailer for I Swear, I found out it was based on a book and sought it out. I found the book to be a very endearing and honest account of John's life with tourettes. Would recommend to others, its certainly worth a read.
August 21, 2025
this book gets all of your emotions, a true and honest story of an exceptional man's life
October 30, 2025
I laughed, I smiled, I teared up, incredible book John - congratulations 👏🏻
November 24, 2025
Read the book. Watch the movie. Educate, educate, have empathy and educate!
January 14, 2026
wow what a book! never cried and laughed so much at a book John's story is incredible and dottie is an absolute angel of a woman!
November 15, 2025
A really interesting insight into a condition I knew very little about.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews