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Do You Know What?: Life According to Freddie Flintoff
What's the worst that can happen?
Are there aliens out there somewhere?
What happens when I die?
What's it like to be an ant? In Do You Know What? , our favourite sportsman-turned-comedian-slash-leftfield thinker Freddie Flintoff expels an eclectic and entertaining smorgasbord of anecdotes, impressions, reflections, ruminations, musings, cogitations, observations, rants, confessions and pearls of wisdom on all aspects of life's rich tapestry. The result is an hilarious - and unexpectedly helpful - brain dump on family, romance, wrestling, the universe and everything in between.
Are there aliens out there somewhere?
What happens when I die?
What's it like to be an ant? In Do You Know What? , our favourite sportsman-turned-comedian-slash-leftfield thinker Freddie Flintoff expels an eclectic and entertaining smorgasbord of anecdotes, impressions, reflections, ruminations, musings, cogitations, observations, rants, confessions and pearls of wisdom on all aspects of life's rich tapestry. The result is an hilarious - and unexpectedly helpful - brain dump on family, romance, wrestling, the universe and everything in between.
304 pages, Hardcover
Published November 1, 2018
40 people are currently reading
174 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
May 29, 2024
Trying to get into the cricket as the Aussies go bananas about it. Not much cricket in this though, but Freddie is a really likeable, down to earth guy. Funny read
September 5, 2022
Surprised at how much sense he talks to be honest!
Very funny, not much cricket talk except poop and pee stories whilst he was playing cricket 😅
Very funny, not much cricket talk except poop and pee stories whilst he was playing cricket 😅
January 16, 2022
Good book, really funny at times, not as much cricket as I thought unfortunately
May 3, 2019
Depsite knowing precisely nothing about cricket, I have a soft spot in my heart for Freddie after seeing him on various TV programs. An easy, entertaining read, the book provides glimpses into what goes on in that head of his without being gossipy or bogging down the reader with excrutuating detail. (My only criticism is that I wish he had explored some things more deeply. It's clearly more his style to move on from past negative experiences, but I was hoping for a bit more reflection since he went to the trouble of writing a book.) While some have commented on the meandering ramble of the narrative, I enjoyed the structure and felt it added to the charm. It read as if Freddie were there, telling you a story, instead of like a over-edited autobiography.
Side note: I happened to be reading Malcom Gladwell's "David and Goliath" at the same time and kept stumbling on real life Freddie examples of what Gladwell looks at from a more academic perspective: The concerns of wealthy parents about having children that never have to struggle; How adversity, being out of your comfort zone, can lead to strength and success; how authority has to be legitimate in the eyes of the governed or no amount of cajoling or abuse will matter. Just an odd coincidence that made me think about the truth of what both men wrote.
Side note: I happened to be reading Malcom Gladwell's "David and Goliath" at the same time and kept stumbling on real life Freddie examples of what Gladwell looks at from a more academic perspective: The concerns of wealthy parents about having children that never have to struggle; How adversity, being out of your comfort zone, can lead to strength and success; how authority has to be legitimate in the eyes of the governed or no amount of cajoling or abuse will matter. Just an odd coincidence that made me think about the truth of what both men wrote.
November 17, 2019
I liked Freddie Flintoff as a cricketer. Only liked though, as for the every once he played to his potential he would disappoint a dozen times with an irresponsible shot or a seemingly thoughtless piece of bowling. As usch, he was quite an infuriating sportsman.
This book follows much the same pattern - there is the odd gold nugget, insight on life, which is quite different and thought provoking - but then the next dozen pages will be filled with fairly pointless drivel, interspersed with the odd throwaway comment which is designed, I suspect, to shock but which just ends up as being toe curlingly embarrassing.
Every now and again he starts on an interesting train of thought - for example, when he talks about his mental health issues and gives his views on Brexit - but as with many of his cricket innings', he gives up the ghost long before his notion reaches any sort of constructive output.
Disappointing - yet promised so much more.
This book follows much the same pattern - there is the odd gold nugget, insight on life, which is quite different and thought provoking - but then the next dozen pages will be filled with fairly pointless drivel, interspersed with the odd throwaway comment which is designed, I suspect, to shock but which just ends up as being toe curlingly embarrassing.
Every now and again he starts on an interesting train of thought - for example, when he talks about his mental health issues and gives his views on Brexit - but as with many of his cricket innings', he gives up the ghost long before his notion reaches any sort of constructive output.
Disappointing - yet promised so much more.
January 22, 2019
If you’ve listened to the podcast or seen him on A League of Their Own, you’ve heard all of these stories before. Good stories but that, combined with the constant schtick of ‘grumpy Northerner’, already trademarked by Karl Pilkington, made it feel like I’d read this book years ago. Disappointing, and I like Flintoff for the most part.
June 26, 2022
Surprisingly there was hardly any mentions of cricket, but what you do get is Freddie at his finest and his no holds barred honesty as he talks everything; from religion, flat earth, his short lived wrestling career, relationships and so much more.
Humorous with plenty of laugh out loud moments, some serious when discussing his personal battle with mental health and his injuries.
I can't wait to read another of Freddie's books and hope he shares more of his pearls of wisdom.
Lighthearted, highly enjoyable and very entertaining.
Rating 🏏🏏🏏🏏🏏
Humorous with plenty of laugh out loud moments, some serious when discussing his personal battle with mental health and his injuries.
I can't wait to read another of Freddie's books and hope he shares more of his pearls of wisdom.
Lighthearted, highly enjoyable and very entertaining.
Rating 🏏🏏🏏🏏🏏
April 19, 2020
very factual, freddie is actually a very reflective and smart man. The only negative is there is too much cricket and not much about anything else fred has done.
I learnt many interesting facts in this book, here is my top 12:
1) whilst in dubai, fred got steve bruce to buy his meal as freds cards got declined
2) he was ment to take on the undertaker for sky but broke 2 ribs training
3) before a league of their own , fred would drink to calm his nerves - now he is a non drinker
4) fred interviewed will smith, margot robbie (neighbours), mark wahlberg (ted 1+2) and harrison ford (star wars)
5) fred had 2 boxer pups who chaed after a little brown dog owned by roy keane
6) fred did a charity fahion show for naomi campbell
7) fred had dinner with the archbishop desmond tutu, met puff daddy @ davids beckhama world cup party, got drunk and had dinner with ian bothan. his kids go to school with the children of rooney,kompany, van persie and les dennis.
8) fred nearly went brank rupt but his agent chubby chandler paid his tax bill , fred did loose his cars and his house though
9) at 17 , fred lost his virginty and got his first mobile
10) fred used to make himself sick ( he was bulmic)
11)his favorite book is to kill a mocking bird
12) fred suffocated a goat and drank its blood
I learnt many interesting facts in this book, here is my top 12:
1) whilst in dubai, fred got steve bruce to buy his meal as freds cards got declined
2) he was ment to take on the undertaker for sky but broke 2 ribs training
3) before a league of their own , fred would drink to calm his nerves - now he is a non drinker
4) fred interviewed will smith, margot robbie (neighbours), mark wahlberg (ted 1+2) and harrison ford (star wars)
5) fred had 2 boxer pups who chaed after a little brown dog owned by roy keane
6) fred did a charity fahion show for naomi campbell
7) fred had dinner with the archbishop desmond tutu, met puff daddy @ davids beckhama world cup party, got drunk and had dinner with ian bothan. his kids go to school with the children of rooney,kompany, van persie and les dennis.
8) fred nearly went brank rupt but his agent chubby chandler paid his tax bill , fred did loose his cars and his house though
9) at 17 , fred lost his virginty and got his first mobile
10) fred used to make himself sick ( he was bulmic)
11)his favorite book is to kill a mocking bird
12) fred suffocated a goat and drank its blood
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 23, 2020
A man with a busy mind, some chapters made me wonder if his brain ever switches off 😊
Seriously though, I do like his “fake it ‘til ya make it” approach. The stories in this book just go to show a little self-belief and a give it a go attitude goes a long way. It especially conveys that the more you try, the more you learn, and you don’t have to be the best as long as you do your best.
The writing style had me reading it in Freddie’s voice in my head which added to the humour in places. Worth a read, an enjoyable insight into the mind of Freddie Flintoff.
Seriously though, I do like his “fake it ‘til ya make it” approach. The stories in this book just go to show a little self-belief and a give it a go attitude goes a long way. It especially conveys that the more you try, the more you learn, and you don’t have to be the best as long as you do your best.
The writing style had me reading it in Freddie’s voice in my head which added to the humour in places. Worth a read, an enjoyable insight into the mind of Freddie Flintoff.
January 16, 2019
I know nothing about cricket but really enjoy him on tv. This is not an autobiography, rather ramblings on various topics that actually give a great insight into the man. I could almost hear his voice as I read it. Felt like a long chat. I probably enjoyed it so much because I agree with him on most things. Not shy in his opinions, some controversial (.cyclists😀). Great book for the loo, easy to put down and pick up again. He hates praise but I'm praising him anyway!!! Raised a smile on many occasions. Recommended.
August 30, 2019
Very much a personal view on living the Flintoff life.
Think it is brave to put your views across in the written format which opens oneself up to criticism and accolades in abundance.
I like the way he writes but I do not necessarily agree with all he says, definitely his own view about his own observations.
Funny in places with a lot of retrospective thoughts on a career in professional sport and more recently the media. His personal journey has been highly publicised and this book tells his own story.
Think it is brave to put your views across in the written format which opens oneself up to criticism and accolades in abundance.
I like the way he writes but I do not necessarily agree with all he says, definitely his own view about his own observations.
Funny in places with a lot of retrospective thoughts on a career in professional sport and more recently the media. His personal journey has been highly publicised and this book tells his own story.
August 12, 2019
An alright read. Freddie seems to contradict his outlook on life repeatedly throughout the book. 6/10
March 29, 2021
Premise: Freddie Flintoff’s pearls of wisdom on an eclectic array of topics. Of course, the obligatory cricket is covered (I am not particularly a fan of the sport but I genuinely laughed out loud at his description of the locker room hijinks), there is a bit about his wrestling life, performing in a musical, and all kinds of other areas of his life.
Much of the book is very, very, funny, although it does cover some serious aspects including depression and some of the ups and downs of his life and career also. The writing style is great, and it does feel like he is actually talking, having a conversation in his own words, not what some journalist thinks he should be saying. It felt like a real insight into his personal and professional life.
I often think it’s useful to see an extract of a book to get an idea of the writing style. Here is a brief extract so that you can see a sample of the writing yourself:
Overall View: Honestly, highly recommended. Freddie comes across as open, honest, likeable and so much more human than the media persona everyone thinks they know. Funny with a tad of seriousness when needed. In fact, I enjoyed it so much, I have bought his new book – Right Said Fred. Hopefully, it will be more of the same.
Please leave a like if you think my review/feedback of the item was helpful to you. Alternatively, please contact me if you want me to clarify something in my review.
I’ll be honest, I’m not often a fan of these celebrity, blow-their-own trumpet, did they even really write them, autobiographies, but for some reason, I was drawn to Freddie’s. I adore him in his new role at top gear, his camaraderie with the team is brilliant. I have found him quite hilarious in many of his other TV roles, so when I saw this pop up in the sale, I thought I’d give it a go and I was not disappointed.
Much of the book is very, very, funny, although it does cover some serious aspects including depression and some of the ups and downs of his life and career also. The writing style is great, and it does feel like he is actually talking, having a conversation in his own words, not what some journalist thinks he should be saying. It felt like a real insight into his personal and professional life.
I often think it’s useful to see an extract of a book to get an idea of the writing style. Here is a brief extract so that you can see a sample of the writing yourself:
… I can’t handle rudeness, it makes my blood boil. Dishonesty really gets me as well. If somebody stitches me up, they’re done, it’s non-negotiable. Through the years, I’ve had plenty of people use me to climb the social ladder. People I thought were friends have used me and then dropped me. I won’t name them, but I hope they get found out.
I’ve also been betrayed by teammates, coaches and financial advisors. Sportspeople are easy prey, quite naïve in a lot of ways. When I retired from cricket at 31, I’d never paid any bills, that was all done for me. I was a sucker, used to lend money to friends willy-nilly and throw myself into things. My money was invested for me, a lot of it in....
Overall View: Honestly, highly recommended. Freddie comes across as open, honest, likeable and so much more human than the media persona everyone thinks they know. Funny with a tad of seriousness when needed. In fact, I enjoyed it so much, I have bought his new book – Right Said Fred. Hopefully, it will be more of the same.
Please leave a like if you think my review/feedback of the item was helpful to you. Alternatively, please contact me if you want me to clarify something in my review.
May 12, 2020
I purchased this book based on the fact I had watched Freddie on A League of Their Own and found him funny with some interesting things to say. This book is frequently funny but it's also really motivating, which I wasn't expecting it to be. Freddie has a really refreshing outlook on life and the bigger picture in general and I found myself often agreeing with his outlook of - does it REALLY matter?
I haven't read his previous books as I'm not a big fan of cricket and was slightly concerned that cricket might be a big focus of this book but I needn't have worried as although Freddie does frequently highlight his points/opinions using examples from his cricket career, he does so in a way that is accessible and not boring to those who don't understand/have no interest in cricket.
I highly recommend this book, Freddie writes in a friendly, conversational way and it was an easy, light read.
I haven't read his previous books as I'm not a big fan of cricket and was slightly concerned that cricket might be a big focus of this book but I needn't have worried as although Freddie does frequently highlight his points/opinions using examples from his cricket career, he does so in a way that is accessible and not boring to those who don't understand/have no interest in cricket.
I highly recommend this book, Freddie writes in a friendly, conversational way and it was an easy, light read.
February 11, 2021
For me this book has left me a little bit confused.
I find it hard to critique peoples work, when they’ve spent possibly a good amount of time writing something; however Freddie leaves too many of the salient points left open.
There are some amazing parts of this book where he talks about mental health and professional cricket. But for me the book sounds like one big room 101 style rant.
I appreciate that this is an autobiography so his points of view, should be his points that he is making. However the constant negativity to everything going on around us is hard to read for a whole book.
I find it hard to critique peoples work, when they’ve spent possibly a good amount of time writing something; however Freddie leaves too many of the salient points left open.
There are some amazing parts of this book where he talks about mental health and professional cricket. But for me the book sounds like one big room 101 style rant.
I appreciate that this is an autobiography so his points of view, should be his points that he is making. However the constant negativity to everything going on around us is hard to read for a whole book.
December 19, 2022
I’ve always been a Freddie Flintoff fan, his cheeky tv character was always guaranteed to cheer me up and make me laugh.
He always appeared very confident on TV until he did a program about suffering from depression, so there is more to him than the TV persona.
Also think he is brave to put such honest views across in the written format which opens oneself up to criticism and accolades in abundance.
Much of the book is very, very, funny, although it does cover some serious aspects including depression and some of the ups and downs of his life and career also. The writing style is great, and it does feel like he is actually talking, having a conversation in his own words, not what some journalist thinks he should be saying. It felt like a real insight into his personal and professional life.
I thoroughly enjoyed it and at times I was honestly creased up laughing. What a guy, will definitely read his other books and would recommend this to anyone. No cricket interest necessary.
He always appeared very confident on TV until he did a program about suffering from depression, so there is more to him than the TV persona.
Also think he is brave to put such honest views across in the written format which opens oneself up to criticism and accolades in abundance.
Much of the book is very, very, funny, although it does cover some serious aspects including depression and some of the ups and downs of his life and career also. The writing style is great, and it does feel like he is actually talking, having a conversation in his own words, not what some journalist thinks he should be saying. It felt like a real insight into his personal and professional life.
I thoroughly enjoyed it and at times I was honestly creased up laughing. What a guy, will definitely read his other books and would recommend this to anyone. No cricket interest necessary.
January 10, 2021
As ‘A League of their Own’ fan, I can’t help myself but be in love with Freddie Flintoff. This autobiography (of sorts?) sees Flintoff try to answer the big questions through life experiences. It’s an easy read and if you’re a Freddie fan, you’ll know some of the stories. But it’s got a good heart and plenty of good intentions.
September 24, 2025
I'm not a cricket fan and nor do I pretend to be but Flintoff is entertaining and loveable none the less. His stories and anecdotes are interesting and funny and I found a lot of his things quite relatable. I don't agree with some of his conspiracy theories like the flat Earth stuff but you can't win them all! Very easy read and broken down into relevant chapters.
February 6, 2019
One of those books that is easy to pick up and put down on the commute but could equally be read in one or two sittings. Not ground breaking literature, but that's not what it is trying to be. Very enjoyable (as a big Freddie fan).
July 17, 2019
Decent enough book, very easy read and gives an insight into how he thinks and feels about various everyday life events and topics. Did become a little repetitive but wouldn’t discourage anyone from buying as an interesting read for the plane/train.
November 4, 2022
Great read
Refreshing and honest Freddies take on life
Interesting to read his thoughts behind different periods of his life I would definitely recommend
No cricket interest necessary :-)
Refreshing and honest Freddies take on life
Interesting to read his thoughts behind different periods of his life I would definitely recommend
No cricket interest necessary :-)
January 28, 2019
Not the book I was expecting. A bit boring in places.
January 30, 2019
Not what you would expect from a cricketer thinking it would be full of cricket anecdotes but more about the demons in his life and how he overcame them. A very good and interesting read.
April 14, 2019
Being a Freddie fan before reading this book does mean you will have heard a lot of the stories before, which then leaves the book lacking in direction
October 29, 2019
Really refreshing to read a celebrity book, who writes with this guards down. Tells it like it is.
April 3, 2020
Badly written, flits from one thing to another. Funny at times, Freddie comes across nice at times but not so much at others.
October 29, 2020
Love Freddie Flintoff and this book was just him down to a T
March 17, 2021
Pleasant read - good guy
March 27, 2021
Good read
Good read
Good read good read
A bit repetitive tone through
W bit of same theme all way kept me interested
Good read
Good read good read
A bit repetitive tone through
W bit of same theme all way kept me interested
April 6, 2021
Ain't gonna win any literary awards but its an easy on the mind read which raises a chuckle.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews