Marvellous: Neil Baldwin - My Story

by Neil Baldwin, Malcolm Clarke

BISHOPS AND ARCHBISHOPS, TOP FOOTBALLERS, POLITICIANS AND ACTORS… THEY ALL COUNT HIM AS THEIR FRIEND. PRIME MINISTERS AND SENIOR ROYALS STOP AND LISTEN TO HIS OPINIONS. HE’S GOT AN HONORARY DEGREE AND HIS VERY OWN FOOTBALL CLUB. HE HAS EVEN BEEN ON TV BUT WHO IS NEIL BALDWIN?As a boy in a working-class part of the Potteries in the fifties and sixties, the education system wrote him off. But Neil, who believes you can just ‘get things by asking for them’, knows his late Mum wanted him to have a happy life, and it’s his duty to her to have one.So he does.At Keele University, they hold regular celebrations and services for the decades he’s been a friend to the students, academics and vice-chancellors; but he’s never been a student, a teacher, or had any formal connection with the place.At Stoke City Football Club, he’s ‘more famous than the players’.He’s even got a dialogue going with the queen - though that one’s still a little one-sided.This is the inspiring, moving and at times hysterically funny story of Neil Baldwin’s marvellous life. ’You don’t feel sorry for Neil Baldwin, you want to be like him.’ - Gary Linekar’My best-ever signing’ - Lou Macari

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction

270 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 13, 2015

Reviews

[Phil · Rating 4 out of 5]

A heartwarming series of recollections from Neil and his close friend Malcolm. The narrative doesn't flow so best read in bite size chunks but the picture which emerges of a man who really does treat everyone the same and consequently has friends in every strata of society is inspiring. A valuable commentary on an outstanding film.

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Elements of this book are lovely but much of it is just disjointed anecdotes from varying viewpoints. Whist some habits may be endearing, there was much to irritate too. Really wanted to like it more but just didnt.

[Luke · Rating 5 out of 5]

A marvellous story, told partly by Neil Baldwin himself, and partly by his long term friend and collaborator Malcolm Clarke, and partly by other people he has met along the way.

The experiences Neil has had could fill several lifetimes, never mind just one that was probably expected to be deficient given his special needs.

The book goes beyond and gives more detail than the associated brilliant film, with additional details on how the players in the Stoke team made fun of and played pranks on Neil when he was kit man, and other people who have played prominent roles in Neil's life as he went from circus clown to Keele University ambassador to celebrity, never changing in his world view as these things happened to him. The most amazing thing about Neil is his inspirational life mantra: "I always wanted to be happy, so I decided to be"

[Barbara Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Saw the film first and just had to read the book. It was good but wished I had done it the other way around as some characters never made it from the written page to the screen and sadly, once a timeline is established in one's mind, it is difficult to reset the order of things.
Nevertheless, this is a wonderful story of one man's achievements in the face of adversity. A lesson to us all and, as Neil would say, if you don't ask you won't get.

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Saw the film earlier this year, having missed out on it first time around and both laughed and cried. Finally got around to reading the book the film is based on and loved it even more than I expected. There is an honesty about Neil Baldwin which is wonderful and shines through in his story. Everybody who has met him loves him. And he loves budgies which makes him a legend to me.

Ray Smillie

[Judethmc · Rating 4 out of 5]

Firstly I recommend watching the film before reading the book. I saw the film early in the 2020 lockdown and it was definitely the sort of uplifting medicine needed. The book not only compliments the film but adds so much more depth in context. I like the alternating narrative between Neil and Malcolm.

[Phil Altimas · Rating 5 out of 5]

what an amazing book
its so uplifting its unreal
he said at an early age he wanted to be happy so he was
you cant help but smile at some of his antics

[Andrew Hynd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Had no idea what this was about or knew who Neil was - having finished it I am so inspired and in awe of this amazing man. Wow!

[Dave B · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enlightening tale which shows the life someone with SEN can lead despite society telling then they can't.

[Liam · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I always wanted to be happy so I decided to be". A great outlook on life and a truly inspirational person. Great book.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant, or 'Marvellous' as Neil would say!
An excellent read, especially if you're from round the Potteries.
I am told by "a very good friend of mine" (one of Neil phrases) who is mentioned and, quoted, in the book, that Neil is exactly as portrade in the film of his life; 'Marvellous' (Toby Jones, as Neil) a genuine, down to earth guy, he takes everyone at face value & treats all who he meets, exactly the same.
This is a brilliant book to accompany the equally brilliant film.

[Andy Sheppard · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very optimistic and encouraging book, Neil thought when he was young that he would like to be happy, and so he decided that he would be. As a graduate of Keele University the book brought back happy memories for me.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life affirming stuff

[Julie Deakin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must for everyone. Neil Baldwin is an example of how we all should live our lives

[Wayne Lloyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiring stuff !