I Swear: My Life with Tourette’s

by John Davidson

From the remarkable man whose life inspired the heartstopping film, ‘I Swear’, a book that offers extraordinary insight into what it’s like to live with a severe form of Tourette’s a fascinating, complex condition that’s more common than most of us think ( 1 in 100 schoolchildren have the condition) , and yet is chronically misunderstood.

Born in the 1970s on the Scottish Borders, John’s was twelve 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.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Disability, Biography

304 pages, Paperback

First published August 21, 2025

About the author

Librarian 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

Reviews

[Helen Cooley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Swear tells the true life story of John Davidson, who many of us first came across in 1989 when he was the subject of the QED documentary John’s Not Mad (available on YouTube). John has Tourette Syndrome, and sadly for him, with the most extreme symptoms any sufferer of this condition can get.

I Swear tells the story of John’s life, from his young years before the condition when he was a normal, football obsessed and popular kid; through his deeply traumatic teenage years - his Tourette’s started around age 11 and escalated from blinks and neck twitches, to full on uncontrollable swearing, spitting and punching. His teenage years were a cruel kind of hell, it took several years for a diagnosis and through this time John was bullied horribly by other kids and unsupportive teachers. He was institutionalised and put on drugs that didn’t reduce his tics but zombified him. A chance encounter with a doctor from another hospital brought his diagnosis, but also the knowledge there was no cure.

Imagine the social isolation of shouting out the most offensive words your brain can come up with, risking getting beaten up by strangers any time you leave your home. The fact he could never learn to drive - a tic or irresistible compulsion could cause death through car crash if he swung the wheel. The near impossible challenge of having a romantic relationship, as who could cope with their boyfriend shouting out someone else’s name during sex, calling them a slut and especially punching them in the chest. His family sadly collapsed as they struggled to cope with his condition.

The QED documentary was a step towards educating the rest of us about this challenging condition - it was where I first heard of Tourette’s.

John’s amazing friend Dottie supported him in ways his mum couldn’t, both in encouraging a positive outlook and ability to laugh at his tics at times, but also getting him into work and finding a purpose.

John has spent his adult life as a spokesperson and educator about Tourette’s. He organises support weekends for families of kids who have the condition, so they can meet others like them, feel less alone and share coping strategies. He gives talks in schools, to the police and to medics. Johns purpose is now to raise awareness and so understanding and empathy for this extraordinary rare condition.

And empathy is what comes across most strongly in this book. It is very well written - he told his story to a psychotherapist and she wrote the book from their interviews, telling his story with clarity, empathy and dignity. We get inside John’s head and get a strong understanding of how it would be to live a life like his. It is absolutely compelling, will probably make you cry - and will make you laugh on occasion too - some of his tics are genuinely hilarious (“my Crown Jewels are bigger than yours”, “Spunk for milk!”).

The film (also called) I Swear has just been released on Netflix - this is excellent too. But for a much deeper insight into John’s story and Tourette’s, read this book. Very highly recommended.

[Donnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!!!

[Em Nightreader · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Hazel · Rating 5 out of 5]

brilliantly told, would recommend everyone to read this.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

This memoir tells the life of John Davidson, a Scottish man who developed Tourette’s syndrome at the age of ten and how his life has turned out from growing up in 1980s Scotland, where Tourette’s was extremely unknown, to his life today as a campaigner who was awarded an MBE in 2019.
This memoir was both heartbreaking and really interesting as it gave an insight into what it is like to live with Tourette’s. I don’t read a lot of nonfiction, but I learned a lot from this book. It’s a tough read, but there are some really lovely and funny moments as John writes about his life, including his friendship with Dottie, who is a mother of a childhood friend, and helps John throughout his life, becoming a mother figure to him. This memoir is very short, and occasionally becomes anecdotal, but it’s a book that should be read by everyone because it’s truly eye-opening.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

after reading an article about a man with Tourette’s shouting out a racial slur at the BAFTAS, i was really interested to understand why there were people outraged by this. i truly believe if everyone read this book they will understand that with Coprolalia (one of the types of Tourette’s John Davidson has) it is simply the LAST thing he wants to say - he has no control over it. the constant fear and pressure that your body will betray you and offend others, my goodness.

the book takes you through his childhood and how there was no awareness or understanding - children AND ADULTS can be so mean :(

i am looking forward to watching Kirk Jones’ I Swear on Netflix to see the book come to life

an extra star for the photos at the end - saved me from googling everyone 🥹⭐️

[Chloe Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding

An absolutely incredible book, so educational and heartwarming.

The way in which John has overcome so much, dealt with so much bullying and misunderstanding broke my heart. He didn't shy away from being honest at any point.The people gathered around him really understood him and his needs, showing how important having a support system is.

I laughed, cried, and learnt a lot.

[Fleury · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh what an incredible book. I just finished it after recently watching the Movie on TV.

This is a brilliant book, one I'm going to keep close so I can reread it at some stage in the future.

I loved this a fantastic book but I actually think the movie was better. I laughed and then I cried, once I stopped crying I'd be laughing again.

I can only highly recommend both the Movie and this book.

[Jayne Hood · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's an incredible book, so inspiring and insightful. It is heartbreaking when John writes about his early years and the ignorance around him. I found it very informative and truly heartwarming of an amazing man who deserves every happiness and success in life in all his achievements and helping others. It is slightly different from the film but both are brilliant.

[Isabella Valenzuela · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!!

[Maurene · Rating 5 out of 5]

You wonder sometimes how some people get through their childhoods, dont you ? well thats how I felt about Davidson. This an amazing book about an amazing man and the life he lived from 10 years onwards.
At times it is gut wrenchingly so sad, and another its laugh out loud funny.
i think this is a book that should be in all school libraries.

[Mandy Packham · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Connor Stompanato · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Suzuka · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Ruth Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a book. It was so easy to read, yet full of depth.
John developed tourettes in year 6 and his time at secondary school is utter hell.
His mum did what she could but tourettes was a complete unknown even to the medical profession. Through this book I finally understand the sheer involuntary nature of it and the things it makes you say and do.
John does some really outrageous things - putting his hands over the eyes of his beloved Dottie when she's driving him either to a hospital appt or a meeting (I can't remember which) spring to mind, because the tension in car was just too much.
Dottie - a friend's mum, who welcomes him in and makes him part of her family, she is his life saver.
And the community centre giving him value and purpose.
There is so much good stuff here to celebrate, but a lot of the book is harrowing and really sad, which should not be over looked.

[cobra bubbles · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Alison Draper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant book

I remember some of the documentaries made about Tourettes. I found them both fascinating and thought provoking. This book written by John, who is very badly affected by the condition is heart breaking. The way he was treated before he had a diagnosis was unforgivable, particularly by the bullys and bullying teachers. I hope they were ashamed of themselves. However, I sympathise with his mother because she didn't know what to do, she was totally out of her depth and things were hidden in the 1980s due to lack of knowledge and embarrassment. I am pleased John got through his younger years and learned how to cope and has helped many people affected by tourettes. He is truly an inspiration.

[Joyce Combe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Swear

I knew about john from his documentaries years ago. So it was good to refresh myself by watching the film I Swear and just finished reading the book on tourettes. Found it funny and heartbreaking.think everyone needs a dottie in their lives. Heartbreaking what he went through in life, with family ,at school and getting beaten up was so upsetting to watch and read.also losing his best friend Tommy to. John is amazing man especially educating people into understanding about tourettes. I have now going to give money to tourettes Scotland each month for john & other people with tourettes especially after the way john was treated after the Baftas film awards recently.

[Ninaminacat · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Triin · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[izzy :) · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘I Swear’ by John Davidson is a memoir about a man growing up in Galashiels in the 1980s with Tourette’s syndrome. This was an absolutely beautiful book - heartbreaking but also so hopeful at the same time. I really thoroughly enjoyed seeing John’s progress - he didn’t hide the harder, more depressing bits that come with having Tourette’s (especially the mental health aspect), but also seeing him share his journey with volunteering and doing good for his community was really inspirational.

[Laura Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listened to this audiobook shortly after watching the film, I had no idea the film was based on a book but glad to have read this as find John’s life so interesting and this provided deeper insight into some of the key scenes in the film. There are also additional stories not covered and it’s nice to hear the full details as some have understandably been adapted for a film.

Engaging, enlightening and a fantastic book!

[OAS · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t know how I feel about rating stuff like this to be honest, because it feels like you’re rating how entertaining you found that person’s experience and I’m not. This is a really good insight into what having tourette’s is like, and I will definitely watch the film. I am glad that he managed to find his place and his people, and it’s really nicely written. Very conversational, solidly in his own voice. Great stuff.

[Gemma Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember seeing the documentary years ago and I absolutely adored the film I Swear.

John Davidson has had it tough, tougher than most and his sheer perseverance, struggling with Tourettes and overcoming all the bias is heart-warming.

I enjoyed this audiobook immensely, John thoroughly deserved his MBE and especially after the misplaced outrage at the BAFTAS, we all need to be better educated on this disease.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Joe Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[Christopher Hood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly astounding true story of an inspirational man,I first knew of John Davidson from the documentary John's not mad.
This book charts what a varied and tough life John's has had but his humour,determination and love shines through at all times,a must read for anybody and goes to show you should never judge a book by it's cover.

[Tricia Sykes · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!