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Call The Midlife
During his run into turning FIFTY, CHRIS EVANS is on a MISSION. To take stock of WHERE HE IS and WHERE HE'S AT in order to figure out how BEST to get the MOST out of what he BELIEVES are the BEST YEARS yet to come.
His typically positive and upbeat journey involves ONE HUNDRED DAYS of contemplation, research, focus, frustration and DECISION MAKING while SECRETLY:
*Training for The London MARATHON
*Bringing back his cult Nineties TV show TFI FRIDAY
*And the small matter of suddenly being asked to take over TOP GEAR.
HEALTH, LOVE, MARRIAGE, SEX, DEATH and even RELIGION all come under his witty microscope as he poses the conundrum - MIDLIFE: CRISIS vs OPPORTUNITY ?
There can only be one winner.
- GenresAutobiographyBiography
438 pages, Hardcover
First published October 22, 2015
23 people are currently reading
103 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
December 11, 2015
Although this has three parts really it is broken up into two distinct parts, the first part focuses on Chris taking stock of matters that are important to someone turning fifty and gives his account on them and then his marathon diary as well as including TFI Friday and Top Gear. For me the first part was dire, there were interesting subjects looked at and I liked some of what Chris was saying or could see his point of view if I did not entirely agree however it is really badly written. The section does not flow and it all feels a bit random. However the second part is hilarious! It was really entertaining to read about his marathon training and get a glimpse into behind the scenes of TFI Friday and what happened with the Top Gear job. The second half more than saved the book for me and I thought you could feel Chris running from each of the words, if you are a fan of Chris Evans then this is brilliant based only on the second part.
July 22, 2020
Not great. Poorly written and no flow or organization, though there are rare bursts of insight in his Lists of Ten. Evans seems soulless somehow, or at best he has an adolescent maturity level but he's at least looking for something of depth (exemplified with his meetings with the archbishop and his marathons) but just hasn't found it yet. Gives a good window into the life of a British celebrity radio presenter if someone is interested in that.
March 19, 2022
Another enjoyable read from Mr Evans. Really interesting insights and he has a really good outlook and approach to life. Funny to think how annoying I used to find him when I was younger! This book covered his marathon training which was really interesting- I remember him surprising everyone by revealing his entry last minute.
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September 23, 2016Beware the SHOUTY CAPITALS and the one who all too freely enlists the mark of exclamation!!!!!!!
Lists, typos, name dropping, more typos, more lists and even more glaring typos abound, with a dose of preachiness thrown in. Appreciated the use of lists in section 1 at first as a method of condensing information, until they began to read more like part of a "how to live your life correctly" manual than anything else.
Evans' mantra of "you cannot buy happiness" rings somewhat hollow as what he appears to have overlooked is that he is acquiring his happiness advice largely from various professionals which is unconvincing. Add to this the aforementioned lack of proofreading (one professional that ironically this book could have done with), evident from not only the typographical errors, but repetition of an uninteresting anecdote on pages 10 & 258 of the book (sections 1 & 3).
This book at times appears to be the writings of a person with the attention span of a gnat so often does Evans flit from one thought to another. (No offence intended to any gnats reading). Not only that, but from one style of writing to another - from narrative to diary style and back to narrative again without explanation.
For someone with so much media experience, and who writes about the importance of editing to ensure a 'tight show', it is a pity the same was not applied to this book, which has been produced in what can only be described as a sloppy fashion - frequently doing exactly what Evans warns against: filling silence with words simply for the sake of it.
There were some interesting ideas and anecdotes present in the book, though for me these were overshadowed by the typographical errors and flighty nature of writing.
Lists, typos, name dropping, more typos, more lists and even more glaring typos abound, with a dose of preachiness thrown in. Appreciated the use of lists in section 1 at first as a method of condensing information, until they began to read more like part of a "how to live your life correctly" manual than anything else.
Evans' mantra of "you cannot buy happiness" rings somewhat hollow as what he appears to have overlooked is that he is acquiring his happiness advice largely from various professionals which is unconvincing. Add to this the aforementioned lack of proofreading (one professional that ironically this book could have done with), evident from not only the typographical errors, but repetition of an uninteresting anecdote on pages 10 & 258 of the book (sections 1 & 3).
This book at times appears to be the writings of a person with the attention span of a gnat so often does Evans flit from one thought to another. (No offence intended to any gnats reading). Not only that, but from one style of writing to another - from narrative to diary style and back to narrative again without explanation.
For someone with so much media experience, and who writes about the importance of editing to ensure a 'tight show', it is a pity the same was not applied to this book, which has been produced in what can only be described as a sloppy fashion - frequently doing exactly what Evans warns against: filling silence with words simply for the sake of it.
There were some interesting ideas and anecdotes present in the book, though for me these were overshadowed by the typographical errors and flighty nature of writing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 18, 2016
First off I must say that this book would almost certainly have received a four star rating from me were in not for the sheer number of typos. I remember hearing Chris Evans on his Radio show last year saying that he was late getting his edits to the publisher and it appears that when they finally did get there not much care was taken with the finished product, the book could definitely have done with a good proof read.
That said I enjoyed this book. Rather than being a straight autobiography it's part memoir, part Chris's guide to approaching middle age and making the best of life. The book is split into three parts, the first Chris's (and that of some professionals he consulted on the way) thoughts on such subjects as health, sleep, love and money and how to make the best of them, the second a diary of Chris training for and running the London marathon last year and the third part a snap shot of his life as he prepared for the come back of TFI Friday and took the presenting job of his dreams, Top Gear.
Part one of the book didn't really do a lot for me, possibly because I'm at a different stage of my life to Chris but it was a quick read and I soon found myself onto what I consider to be the better sections of the book. Both parts two and three were particularly interesting and I felt as though I could almost hear Chris' voice coming of the page. The anecdotes that Chris shares are often funny, sometimes moving and give us an interesting look into the busy and somewhat unusual life that he leads.
Overall I would say this book is definitely worth a read but if typos bother you perhaps wait for the paperback by which point they will hopefully have been corrected.
That said I enjoyed this book. Rather than being a straight autobiography it's part memoir, part Chris's guide to approaching middle age and making the best of life. The book is split into three parts, the first Chris's (and that of some professionals he consulted on the way) thoughts on such subjects as health, sleep, love and money and how to make the best of them, the second a diary of Chris training for and running the London marathon last year and the third part a snap shot of his life as he prepared for the come back of TFI Friday and took the presenting job of his dreams, Top Gear.
Part one of the book didn't really do a lot for me, possibly because I'm at a different stage of my life to Chris but it was a quick read and I soon found myself onto what I consider to be the better sections of the book. Both parts two and three were particularly interesting and I felt as though I could almost hear Chris' voice coming of the page. The anecdotes that Chris shares are often funny, sometimes moving and give us an interesting look into the busy and somewhat unusual life that he leads.
Overall I would say this book is definitely worth a read but if typos bother you perhaps wait for the paperback by which point they will hopefully have been corrected.
February 19, 2019
God, this is a fucking appalling book.
If you leaf through my reviews, you might come away with the notion that I'm some sort of Pollyanna. But no, I don't love everything I read. In fact, I should probably be thanking Chris Evans as Call The Midwife provides a wonderful opportunity to prove this isn't the case.
Cards on the table - I have read and not-much-minded Evans' earlier memoirs. But while those books were concerned with his business and personal lives, here the DJ serves up a guide to life, shot through with a smug air of certainty that would be sickening were it not rendered hilarious by the autobiography's final act of the autobiography.
For it's in the closing pages that Evans is hired to present and produce Top Gear, the "job of a lifetime" he'd prove so ill-suited too, he was out before the end of the first year of his three year contract. The Top Gear stint exposed the author as pretty much everything he spends Call The Midlife insisting his isn't. And in so doing, he rendered the contents of this book utterly purposeless. For it's when the shit's coming down that real character comes to the surface. Call The Midlife merely proves that Chris Evans is a character. The quality itself is all but absent.
If you leaf through my reviews, you might come away with the notion that I'm some sort of Pollyanna. But no, I don't love everything I read. In fact, I should probably be thanking Chris Evans as Call The Midwife provides a wonderful opportunity to prove this isn't the case.
Cards on the table - I have read and not-much-minded Evans' earlier memoirs. But while those books were concerned with his business and personal lives, here the DJ serves up a guide to life, shot through with a smug air of certainty that would be sickening were it not rendered hilarious by the autobiography's final act of the autobiography.
For it's in the closing pages that Evans is hired to present and produce Top Gear, the "job of a lifetime" he'd prove so ill-suited too, he was out before the end of the first year of his three year contract. The Top Gear stint exposed the author as pretty much everything he spends Call The Midlife insisting his isn't. And in so doing, he rendered the contents of this book utterly purposeless. For it's when the shit's coming down that real character comes to the surface. Call The Midlife merely proves that Chris Evans is a character. The quality itself is all but absent.
September 25, 2018
I didn't enjoy this as much as the other two autobiographies he's done.
I found the first third of the book where he is musing on various elements of life just plain awful. How can you be even vaguely interested in someone's opinions of death, religion, marriage, etc when he is probably worth over £100m, considers buying houses in Primrose Hill at the drop off a hat and finishes work most days at 2pm? It's just a million miles away from a normal person's thinking. I love ya Chris but no. Don't do that.
The marathon diary was great and after several heart operations of my own has made me consider running again. Thanks for the gee up!
The last third about Top Gear and TFI was interesting until he kept going on about letting go and no blowing a fuse anymore. At 50 years of age it's not worth it yada yada. Rumours abound that's why he left Top Gear. So maybe that's for the next book.
Oh and there are some truly horrendous typos in the copy I read. Worst I've ever seen in a released book.
Pick up his first two for a great story and entertainment. This one not so much for me.
I found the first third of the book where he is musing on various elements of life just plain awful. How can you be even vaguely interested in someone's opinions of death, religion, marriage, etc when he is probably worth over £100m, considers buying houses in Primrose Hill at the drop off a hat and finishes work most days at 2pm? It's just a million miles away from a normal person's thinking. I love ya Chris but no. Don't do that.
The marathon diary was great and after several heart operations of my own has made me consider running again. Thanks for the gee up!
The last third about Top Gear and TFI was interesting until he kept going on about letting go and no blowing a fuse anymore. At 50 years of age it's not worth it yada yada. Rumours abound that's why he left Top Gear. So maybe that's for the next book.
Oh and there are some truly horrendous typos in the copy I read. Worst I've ever seen in a released book.
Pick up his first two for a great story and entertainment. This one not so much for me.
January 15, 2020
Having read the previous two books of his I found this one to a be a far calmer and a more thoughtful read. A much slower pace to the second especially. It is exactly as the title suggests as Mr Evans takes us through his mid life contemplations and his new life goals and aims. I really enjoyed this for the most part, especially parts 1&2, I found part three to drift in more places and felt more like he was padding it out with whatever to reach his word count quota towards the end. Pleased he seems calmer more in control and settled now than he previously was and will definitely take away a few tips for a calmer lifestyle and am seriously contemplating the marathon now!
April 19, 2020
If you like Chris Evans, you'll like this. If you don't, why would you want to read it.
He is by now an interesting chap, in terms of what he's done and achieved, but this book, as the title suggests, gets to a point where he's questioning the value of things. To be fair, some of his views are easy to express when you've had, spent it and still got loads to fall back, but it does ring true.
The first 2 sections are the best, with the 3rd feeling a bit odd, especially when we know how Top Gear turns out. Still a great read.
NB he needs to get a better proof reader.
He is by now an interesting chap, in terms of what he's done and achieved, but this book, as the title suggests, gets to a point where he's questioning the value of things. To be fair, some of his views are easy to express when you've had, spent it and still got loads to fall back, but it does ring true.
The first 2 sections are the best, with the 3rd feeling a bit odd, especially when we know how Top Gear turns out. Still a great read.
NB he needs to get a better proof reader.
August 3, 2019
I found Chris's first two books really entertaining and candid so I was really looking forward to reading this.
But it is the oddest book I've ever read. It doesn't know what it wants to be. I was hoping for part 3 of his autobiography but what I got was a somewhat condescending self help guide, a diary of the run up to his first marathon and a bit about the TFI Friday comeback show shoved on the end.
But it is the oddest book I've ever read. It doesn't know what it wants to be. I was hoping for part 3 of his autobiography but what I got was a somewhat condescending self help guide, a diary of the run up to his first marathon and a bit about the TFI Friday comeback show shoved on the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 12, 2021
This book had been sat on my To Read shelf for a couple of years. I finally picked it up a couple of weeks ago, and wished I’d done so sooner! I am approaching the (dreaded) middle age myself and can relate to a lot of what Chris talks about, especially the sorting of the wheat from the chaff of life, and being medically aware of yourself.
Loved reading the marathon part. I am ever the runner who doesn’t feel worthy of that title. I’m inspired to try a bit harder now!
Loved reading the marathon part. I am ever the runner who doesn’t feel worthy of that title. I’m inspired to try a bit harder now!
June 26, 2021
I’m not sure what to make of this book. Lectures in here about treating staff with fairness and respect , while at the same time stories circulate about bullying.
Gets into the London Marathon “because he’s famous” and never seems to acknowledge what a uniquely privileged life he lives.
I kind of liked it, but this is an early example of Celebrity Hypocrisy and the joy of Luxury Opinions that’s become rife by 2020.
Gets into the London Marathon “because he’s famous” and never seems to acknowledge what a uniquely privileged life he lives.
I kind of liked it, but this is an early example of Celebrity Hypocrisy and the joy of Luxury Opinions that’s become rife by 2020.
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April 23, 2022I really enjoyed the first 2 books but the first half of this book consisted of Chris talking to people and being boring philosophical on various midlife topics. Finally I skipped through this tedium to get back to the story and I really enjoyed the rest of the book which mainly consists of his secret marathon journey. 1/5 for the first half of the book and 5/5 for the second.
July 10, 2025
Initially I was enjoying this book, but it seemed to have its own midlife crisis when it jumped to a day-by-day breakdown of his marathon training schedule. The following section on the reboot of TFI Friday was interesting and his enthusiasm over being offered Top Gear, but it lost focus. So many spelling errors it can't have been copy-edited or proofread, which was quite distracting.
July 24, 2020
I like Chris Evans but this felt a bit flat. Taking lifestyle tips from a celebrity multi millionaire sticks in the craw a little. His marathon diary segment was excellent though. I still like him as well lol
February 18, 2025
A really odd book... Part midlife motivational musings, part autobiography, part marathon training .... but no less interesting for all of that. Really interesting to follow the evolution of one of my contemporaries...
Just wish the audio had been read by Evan's himself.
Just wish the audio had been read by Evan's himself.
May 24, 2017
One of the most profound books I have read recently; more-so for being an autobiography.
October 15, 2017
Not as enjoyable as the previous two I'd read by him, but still a fair light read. I do like his positivity about life.
January 8, 2019
A good book from Chris. I got it as a present and enjoyed it.
October 14, 2023
Many lists of nothingness. Then he ran a marathon.
November 19, 2025
If you’re heading to or in midlife … great read. Lots of very useful tips and read beautifully by Vassos ! X
March 3, 2017
Isn't the title clever? The book is not; it is a little testament to the out-sized ego of one man.
November 11, 2015
A strange hybrid of self help and autobiography, this reads just like Chris speaking on his morning show. Hung on the hook of reaching 50 and taking stock, the book is in 3 parts. First are interviews with experts on subjects of particular concern in midlife such as health and relationships. Second is Chris' secret preparation for the London marathon. His blow by blow description of training and participating is enjoyable. Third is the reappearance that is the madness of TFI Friday, and his negotiations to front Top Gear.
The book has many glaring typos. I wonder if a copy editor even glanced at it.
The book has many glaring typos. I wonder if a copy editor even glanced at it.
January 23, 2016
Very good. Evans does philosophy
I spent most of my younger years watching his antics with a mixture of envy and incredulity, during the original Toothbrush/TFI years. I never thought he'd carry off the Radio 2 Breakfast Show, until I started to listen to it more closely. And, as both he and I are of similar ages, one thing has dawned on me about him over the last few years... in amongst all the frivolity and the japery and the bouncy outlook, every now and again as a radio broadcaster, he will drop in a pearl of wisdom that can only come with age and experience that resonates really deeply.
This book is full of that and is an uplifting read. Recommended.
I spent most of my younger years watching his antics with a mixture of envy and incredulity, during the original Toothbrush/TFI years. I never thought he'd carry off the Radio 2 Breakfast Show, until I started to listen to it more closely. And, as both he and I are of similar ages, one thing has dawned on me about him over the last few years... in amongst all the frivolity and the japery and the bouncy outlook, every now and again as a radio broadcaster, he will drop in a pearl of wisdom that can only come with age and experience that resonates really deeply.
This book is full of that and is an uplifting read. Recommended.
January 2, 2016
I read this out of sheer obligation and OCD in that I had read his others and midly enjoyed them but this book was a complete surprise. It's actually quite inspiring. Instead of 'Part Three' of his autobiographies, Chris looks upon life and the many aspects of it now he is approaching fifty and gives us all a much needed pep talk. I really enjoyed it. He interviews inspiring figures and takes us through his quest to run the London marathon, revive his brilliant cult late night music show and takes us through the events leading up to getting the Top Gear job. Highly recommend this.
February 3, 2016
Apart from a surprising amount of typos in this book (I can only assume they were in a hurry to get it out before the Christmas sales!) I really enjoyed this book. Different from his other two autobiographies, this gives a wider perspective on Chris's thoughts and where he finds himself in life. I really enjoyed it and would recommend it - humourous, thought provoking at times, touching at others, well worth a read.
January 20, 2016
A great book! I have been a fan of Chris Evans since the days of The Big Breakfast and the Radio 1 Breakfast Show and reading this has only endeared him to me more. He has an energy and a zest for life that is both contagious and exhausting. However, Chris also has a deeper, more reflective side which comes across really well in his writing as well as a profound sense of gratitude both for his wealth and success but more importantly for his wife and family.
A really uplifting read.
A really uplifting read.
June 6, 2016
I almost gave up reading this book - the first third felt like I was being preached to - and what is with all the capital letters?? The second third was all about his marathon training and being a runner I found it very interesting. Final third was about the rebirth of TFI Friday (which I didn't watch) and about being offered the job on Top Gear (think I am in the minority of enjoying the new series.) Have to say his first two books were better as they were more about him and his life.
December 26, 2016
A very interesting perspective on life by a man who just turned fifty and wrote it! Happens to be the presenter of top gear. I will remember things he mentioned about facing adversities in life -' things are so transparent in the beginning and in the end, and so fuzzy in the middle'. If you make it in one piece! And also "Before we set out worrying for what we haven't got and how to get it, we need to take a beat and reflect on what we have got, and how to keep it".
November 1, 2015
Entertaining read particularly about return of TFI and getting Top Gear job.....exploits concerning London marathon dragged on for far too long. Interesting insights into getting older and making the most out of life
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews