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Only Fools And Stories
In his first book David Jason told us about himself from his early years training as an electrician through to making it as one of Britain's greatest actors. In this follow up autobiography, he tells us about the many other lives he has lived - through his characters. From Del Boy to Granville, Pop Larkin to Frost, he takes us behind the scenes and under the skins of some of the best loved acts of his career. And in the process he reflects on how those characters changed his life too. The result, told with his characteristic charm and wit, is both funny and poignant, honest and heart-warming.
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Published August 1, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
March 24, 2020
It's very 'Dad humour' orientated, if you know what I mean. But then that is what David Jason is famous for. Many poignant moments, and more than a few cases of him 'blowing his own trumpet' as it were - but then I'll let him off, seeing as it is quite a substantial trumpet that he has created :)
Enjoyable, especially if you are an 'Only Fools' fan. Occasionally there's a touch of sad wistfulness that I really felt. It gives some sort of idea of how entrenched that show has become in the national (British) consciousness, how much it meant to so many people (across such a wide time period) - and makes you appreciate how he managed to continue his career beyond good old 'Del Boy', which was quite a feat.
I haven't read his earlier 'My Life', but if I come across it, I will.
Enjoyable, especially if you are an 'Only Fools' fan. Occasionally there's a touch of sad wistfulness that I really felt. It gives some sort of idea of how entrenched that show has become in the national (British) consciousness, how much it meant to so many people (across such a wide time period) - and makes you appreciate how he managed to continue his career beyond good old 'Del Boy', which was quite a feat.
I haven't read his earlier 'My Life', but if I come across it, I will.
March 29, 2021
Excellent! Just like the series. Laughing out loud funny, and so true to life at the same time. And just like the show, it has that potential to make you happy and a tad sad all in the course of one episode. Why is that I wonder? Maybe because of the very reason of the immense popularity of this absolute, legendary, monumental masterpiece. I'd say it's because many people recognize themselves in those characters as they are, were, or might be one day.
I really have no idea if David Jason is really so good with words, or if he used a ghost writer as so many stars do these days, but this book is brilliant piece of writing. Lots of info about other great shows he starred in, like Darling Buds of May.
And pieces of trivia about controversies you'd never imagine even existed. Like, what on earth could be controversial about Only Fools? Turns out, it's those hilarious, self-inflating dolls that, accidentally, happen to be equipped with highly explosive propane as inflating agent. And the man himself doesn't even try to defend it as a great piece of comedy and potentially exact thing that might realistically happen to Trotters in their career. So it's like they're all, BBC and actors, almost ashamed for having filmed that particular episode.
This is where you're wrong, David, you plonker! It's probably the best episode ever and whenever there's a rerun (which, blessedly, is at least once a year), I'm waiting for that one as a special treat. I was maybe twelve or thirteen when I saw it the first time - and with my grandmother of all persons - and we both ended up screaming and crying from laughter. Now, if that ruined purity of my soul in any sort of way, so be it. It was worth it!
I really have no idea if David Jason is really so good with words, or if he used a ghost writer as so many stars do these days, but this book is brilliant piece of writing. Lots of info about other great shows he starred in, like Darling Buds of May.
And pieces of trivia about controversies you'd never imagine even existed. Like, what on earth could be controversial about Only Fools? Turns out, it's those hilarious, self-inflating dolls that, accidentally, happen to be equipped with highly explosive propane as inflating agent. And the man himself doesn't even try to defend it as a great piece of comedy and potentially exact thing that might realistically happen to Trotters in their career. So it's like they're all, BBC and actors, almost ashamed for having filmed that particular episode.
This is where you're wrong, David, you plonker! It's probably the best episode ever and whenever there's a rerun (which, blessedly, is at least once a year), I'm waiting for that one as a special treat. I was maybe twelve or thirteen when I saw it the first time - and with my grandmother of all persons - and we both ended up screaming and crying from laughter. Now, if that ruined purity of my soul in any sort of way, so be it. It was worth it!
March 13, 2018
Listened to in audio format.
David Jason OBE and the late John Shaw are my most favourite British character actors of all time.
David rarely does TV interviews but I always believed he was a quiet, unassuming man in real life, and that shone through in this book. The bulk of this book is about Only Fools and Horses from how David won the part of Del Boy Trotter to Del becoming a millionaire after selling the famous maritime watch found in his lockup.
I have watched Only Fools so many times I can honestly recite the script. He described a lot of the funniest and poignant scenes from the programme. It made me want to watch the full episodes all over again. I think any Only and Fools fans would appreciate this book.
As a child I remember David was the voice of Danger Mouse and the Count in the spin-off Count Duckula. These cartoons were part of my childhood and I would of enjoyed listening about his time doing them.
I recommend this funny and at times sentimental book.
David Jason OBE and the late John Shaw are my most favourite British character actors of all time.
David rarely does TV interviews but I always believed he was a quiet, unassuming man in real life, and that shone through in this book. The bulk of this book is about Only Fools and Horses from how David won the part of Del Boy Trotter to Del becoming a millionaire after selling the famous maritime watch found in his lockup.
I have watched Only Fools so many times I can honestly recite the script. He described a lot of the funniest and poignant scenes from the programme. It made me want to watch the full episodes all over again. I think any Only and Fools fans would appreciate this book.
As a child I remember David was the voice of Danger Mouse and the Count in the spin-off Count Duckula. These cartoons were part of my childhood and I would of enjoyed listening about his time doing them.
I recommend this funny and at times sentimental book.
October 16, 2017
This is a brilliant book! I loved it from start to finish... I am quite young and have therefore only really followed David’s career because of reruns on television. But let’s face it, David’s work has a longevity that will never cease. Only Fools and Horses is commonplace in my house on a Sunday. I love watching Open All Hours. I can remember watching Frost when I was younger too!
As a keen (yet somewhat haphazard) amateur dramatist myself, some of the anecdotes David mentions during his career made me smile because I could connect with what he was saying, especially his comment about performing in front of an audience and wondering why he puts himself through it - I think that same thing every night before a performance during show week too!
We’re quite clearly all Fools and Horses here ...
A wonderful read. I’d highly recommend it!
As a keen (yet somewhat haphazard) amateur dramatist myself, some of the anecdotes David mentions during his career made me smile because I could connect with what he was saying, especially his comment about performing in front of an audience and wondering why he puts himself through it - I think that same thing every night before a performance during show week too!
We’re quite clearly all Fools and Horses here ...
A wonderful read. I’d highly recommend it!
January 8, 2018
I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. My husband bought me it for Christmas and its definitely not one I'd have chosen for myself. I loved the stories behind 'Only Fools and Horses', 'The Darling Buds of May ' 'Open All Hours' and 'A Touch of Frost'. It has made me want to watch all David Jason's programmes all over again, especially 'Only Fools'. What a lovely decent man he comes over as. A comedy legend.
September 3, 2020
David Jason has always been one of my favourite actors who can do comedy AND drama superbly. I thoroughly enjoyed his autobiography which was released a few years ago. This book concentrates on some of the characters David has played through the years, how he managed to get the role and the actors he's starred alongside. A fantastic read!
July 30, 2021
Oh dear! what a self-serving book, arrogant, tried to be funny whilst blowing his own trumpet, written as Del Boy... Should only be read by his biggest fans - and now I am definetly not one of them.
January 5, 2025
Like listening to your granddad on a Sunday telling stories of his youthful. Lovely and heartwarming but monotonous after a bit. Love this man so much, shame he is a Tory.
January 26, 2023
As a big Only Fools and Open All Hours fan I had to read this and it did not disappoint, I felt like David Jason was in the room with me telling me all his stories which had me laughing and surprised and delighted at some facts that I didn't know. Overall a fascinating read, although the books is mainly about his time in the roles he plays I now need to track down and read his other autobiography to read his personal stories
February 20, 2019
This is an amazing read, reading what David Jason does on camera and behind it, to get into the characters and his little laughs and pranks puts you right there with him, like it's a little joke between you and him, through the highs and lows of all the people he has portrayed and the people who have impacted on his career is something you just have to read.
This is just 'Lovely Jubbly' and you would be a 'Plonker' not to read
Happy reading peeps!! Xx
This is just 'Lovely Jubbly' and you would be a 'Plonker' not to read
Happy reading peeps!! Xx
April 25, 2022
Good insight to Sir David Jason's career. Enjoyable read.
April 1, 2020
A lot of wording literally copied from the previous autobiography, made all the more obvious by my reading them sequentially. But he does have a lot of good anecdotes. It's made me want to rewatch the Inspector Frost series again.
January 24, 2018
A compelling and warmly humorous account from a fascinating character. That’s partially what drew me into the book but the writing style is brisk and logical, even with its flashes through time. It reads in the manner of someone telling it to you on the sofa, a sofa you should take care to lean on properly.
One other reviewer complained of the book containing too much on ‘Only Fools & Horses’. Though it is true there is a heavy focus on it, this programme plays a big part in David Jason’s life, and the title is a significant hint. His other major acting roles are considered in good depth, without digging too far. There’s good use of tone, and subversions to make one laugh. There’s some sage advice and recognition of learning from mistakes. There’s advice to quietly persist but also to be humble and kind to others. There’s a simple guide to falling through a bar.
Even for things I never got to see, I feel as though I’m right there with him — primarily because of his characteristic attention to detail. Well written.
One other reviewer complained of the book containing too much on ‘Only Fools & Horses’. Though it is true there is a heavy focus on it, this programme plays a big part in David Jason’s life, and the title is a significant hint. His other major acting roles are considered in good depth, without digging too far. There’s good use of tone, and subversions to make one laugh. There’s some sage advice and recognition of learning from mistakes. There’s advice to quietly persist but also to be humble and kind to others. There’s a simple guide to falling through a bar.
Even for things I never got to see, I feel as though I’m right there with him — primarily because of his characteristic attention to detail. Well written.
February 12, 2018
brilliant funny book. you get a real insight into how he became his iconic characters right from the dress code to the accent. realising that many of the funny things that occurred in scenes, David actually put in himself, which is what makes David Jason a truly amazing actor.
April 13, 2020
As someone who only ever saw one episode of OFH, and that one was the legendary one where Del Boy fell backwards in the bar, I came to this not really having been part of the whole Del Boy experience. I know that her lived in Nelson Mandela house only because I’ve watched a lot of quiz shows.
But I have memories of David Jason that go all the way back to the Blit Men. I am also old enough to know of almost everyone he mentions.
The thing with autobiographies is that they are people’s recollections off their lives, they don’t really have any higher aims. I doubt a Booker or Pulitzer will ever be awarded for one, I’d be very interested to read one if it did.
As for this one, I claim to have a partisan interest because I am English, of a similar age and outlook, and grew up not far from him, so I found plenty to resonate with. I am not judging this book as I would a novel.
I liked it and thoroughly enjoyed it. There.
But I have memories of David Jason that go all the way back to the Blit Men. I am also old enough to know of almost everyone he mentions.
The thing with autobiographies is that they are people’s recollections off their lives, they don’t really have any higher aims. I doubt a Booker or Pulitzer will ever be awarded for one, I’d be very interested to read one if it did.
As for this one, I claim to have a partisan interest because I am English, of a similar age and outlook, and grew up not far from him, so I found plenty to resonate with. I am not judging this book as I would a novel.
I liked it and thoroughly enjoyed it. There.
January 18, 2018
3.5/4 stars
“Fun to recall those times and those laughs and those scenes. But I don’t go back and watch the show these days. Sometimes I might stumble across it when I’m flicking through the channels and I might pause for a while and watch a bit, just to remind myself what it was like, and that I was there. But I never watch for long. It’s too painful, looking at that young bloke on the telly - the bloke I still think of myself as being, really, inside my head, until I look in the mirror and remember that I’m not. How bittersweet to see yourself as you once were. It’s one thing in a photograph, but moving images on the television are so completely realised, somehow, and I find their impact is far heavier. It’s a version of yourself that’s gone, but television makes it alive. That’s a very difficult bridge to cross in my mind.”
“Fun to recall those times and those laughs and those scenes. But I don’t go back and watch the show these days. Sometimes I might stumble across it when I’m flicking through the channels and I might pause for a while and watch a bit, just to remind myself what it was like, and that I was there. But I never watch for long. It’s too painful, looking at that young bloke on the telly - the bloke I still think of myself as being, really, inside my head, until I look in the mirror and remember that I’m not. How bittersweet to see yourself as you once were. It’s one thing in a photograph, but moving images on the television are so completely realised, somehow, and I find their impact is far heavier. It’s a version of yourself that’s gone, but television makes it alive. That’s a very difficult bridge to cross in my mind.”
November 8, 2017
Absolutely fascinating. A really wonderful book and insight into the characters played by David Jason. I struggled to put it down and finished it in two days. I would recommend to anyone and it left me with a lovely heartwarming feeling. David Jason is a national treasure and this book only confirms that.
August 12, 2020
A bit of a rehash of his biography with some new stuff added.
March 28, 2018
Straight and to the point, the title is a fair summary of what to expect. This is very largely a homage to the show and the writer (John Sullivan) that contributed most to David Jason’s fame and clearly loom largest in his memories. Unlike some celebrity autobiographies which, after some initially interesting stuff about childhood and early experiences tend to degenerate into an orgy of name-dropping and trotting out a list of performance credits, this is a genuine and very funny book that allows readers to join in the reminiscences of golden moments in the phenomenally successful career of a great comedy actor.
Jason was far from unknown at the outset of the “Only Fools” years, and has, before and since, very successfully inhabited a number of quite different TV roles.
He tells his story with great aplomb and the humour that has endeared him to so many people. You might say there’s more than a little of Del Boy coming through in the writing.
Some of the roles that followed Del get a passing mention, including “Pop” in “The Darling Buds of May” and “Jack Frost” in “A Touch of Frost”, and in truth, although criticism here seems almost churlish, it would have been nice to hear a bit more about the “Frost” years and that transition to a darker realm, that being, I would argue, his second most successful starring role - or possibly even equal first.
Laying such quibbles aside, though, I found myself picking this one up at every opportunity and grudging the workaday world that I occasionally had to allow to drag me away from it. A breath of fresh air.
October 18, 2018
As a huge fan of ‘Only Fools and Horses’, a lot of this book was really interesting to me - it goes into a lot more detail about the show than David’s first autobiography, ‘My Life’ and pays perfect homage to the late, great John Sullivan.
There are lots of points I don’t agree with David on (particularly his claim that ‘You smell like a vegetarian’s fart’ was as rude or offensive as ‘Only Fools’ ever got - someone seems to have erased from his memory the many mentions of ‘bastard’, ‘piss’ and ‘Pakis’ in those original scripts...) but my main gripe was that he comes across as quite a know-it-all, listing his many contributions to scripts and character development when it came to ‘Only Fools’ and ‘Frost’ particularly. A lot is made of his going against the instincts of directors and writers, with his way invariably being the right way. Strangely enough, we don’t hear of many - if any - times when he was proven wrong.
David also doesn’t seem to understand brevity, taking a painstaking seven whole pages to weigh up the pros and cons of going to the National Film Awards 2017 - and his many, many attempts at humour throughout the book fall quite flat.
Despite all of this though, a lot of the anecdotes and background information about ‘Only Fools’, ‘Frost’, ‘Darling Buds’ and ‘Open All Hours’ are quite interesting - and I didn’t actually have the heart to give the book just 3 stars. If a 3.5 option had been available, however, I would have chosen it.
There are lots of points I don’t agree with David on (particularly his claim that ‘You smell like a vegetarian’s fart’ was as rude or offensive as ‘Only Fools’ ever got - someone seems to have erased from his memory the many mentions of ‘bastard’, ‘piss’ and ‘Pakis’ in those original scripts...) but my main gripe was that he comes across as quite a know-it-all, listing his many contributions to scripts and character development when it came to ‘Only Fools’ and ‘Frost’ particularly. A lot is made of his going against the instincts of directors and writers, with his way invariably being the right way. Strangely enough, we don’t hear of many - if any - times when he was proven wrong.
David also doesn’t seem to understand brevity, taking a painstaking seven whole pages to weigh up the pros and cons of going to the National Film Awards 2017 - and his many, many attempts at humour throughout the book fall quite flat.
Despite all of this though, a lot of the anecdotes and background information about ‘Only Fools’, ‘Frost’, ‘Darling Buds’ and ‘Open All Hours’ are quite interesting - and I didn’t actually have the heart to give the book just 3 stars. If a 3.5 option had been available, however, I would have chosen it.
February 10, 2020
This was a pure joy to read! I am a huge fan of David Jason and his work but this book is slightly different to his first autobiography; this time around, he delves into the stories behind the characters he has played over the years, giving behind-the-scenes insights and sharing interesting stories from the shows.
You can tell Sir David has undertaken this project himself (it just screams “his” style, if that makes sense), which makes a nice change from the celeb books by ghost writers, and it’s a relaxing read in that you could almost imagine he’s sitting opposite you and telling you these stories. He comes across as a humble man and a gentleman throughout. While most of the book does focus on his 'Only Fools And Horses' days, there are also references to 'Porridge', 'A Touch Of Frost' and 'The Darling Buds of May'. I’d recommend this to any DJ fan.
You can tell Sir David has undertaken this project himself (it just screams “his” style, if that makes sense), which makes a nice change from the celeb books by ghost writers, and it’s a relaxing read in that you could almost imagine he’s sitting opposite you and telling you these stories. He comes across as a humble man and a gentleman throughout. While most of the book does focus on his 'Only Fools And Horses' days, there are also references to 'Porridge', 'A Touch Of Frost' and 'The Darling Buds of May'. I’d recommend this to any DJ fan.
April 19, 2018
This isn’t a sequel to the brilliant autobiography by David Jason, (My LIfe), it’s more like an equal - as in equally brilliant, informative, fascinating and so entertaining! He really has a brilliant way with words. The titles of the two books do exactly what they say in the tin. There was a bit of necessary repetition in here, but a lot more depth and detail of his work since Only Fools and Horses. And what he’s been doing since he wrote the last book. He’s refreshingly honest and his voice is very clear throughout. You can’t help but feel good after reading this. Now I need to buy some serious DVD boxed sets, so I can watch the programmes he has stared in (as I’ve only seen Danger Mouse & Count Duckula).
August 31, 2019
Apologies to David Jason, but this book was really disappointing. "From Del Boy to Granville, Pop Larkin to Frost", the title said, so I was expecting ... roughly a quarter of the book for each one. What it should have said was (although this wouldn't have sold as well): "Del Boy, Del Boy and More Del Boy, and One Token Chapter Each for the Rest". My main reason for buying this was that I hoped for some stories from the making of "Darling Buds". They must have had some fun with those kids on-set, but there were none; only a story of him driving to their reunion.
I found "David Jason: My Life" far superior. There was more about the series in that, and I learnt much more about Frost too. Of course, if you're an "Only Fools" fan, you'll love this one.
I found "David Jason: My Life" far superior. There was more about the series in that, and I learnt much more about Frost too. Of course, if you're an "Only Fools" fan, you'll love this one.
February 5, 2018
What can I say I really loved this book!
I don't tend to read a lot of non fiction books but I will always read biographies of people that I am a big fan of.
This book was so lovely and funny and heart warming. It was lovely to be able to learn more about the various TV characters he has played and to delve deeper into his thought process in moulding and shaping each character, the ups and downs of each project he was faced with.
I've been a huge fan of David Jason since I could walk and this book just proves what a humble, kind and funny man he is. I'm just so sad its over :(
5 stars from me and for fans of David I can't recommend this book enough! :)
I don't tend to read a lot of non fiction books but I will always read biographies of people that I am a big fan of.
This book was so lovely and funny and heart warming. It was lovely to be able to learn more about the various TV characters he has played and to delve deeper into his thought process in moulding and shaping each character, the ups and downs of each project he was faced with.
I've been a huge fan of David Jason since I could walk and this book just proves what a humble, kind and funny man he is. I'm just so sad its over :(
5 stars from me and for fans of David I can't recommend this book enough! :)
August 20, 2019
Loved this book and who could not?! David Jason is a National Treasure, I have followed/watched him since he was working on his earliest work looking like a young cherub actor,,,,
His life has been hard at times just like anyone from that generation but David used comedy to get him through his life.
I love to read Autobiographies and David has not let me down, he covers all his most famous characters with his usual wit, charm & well documented facts.
Thank you David Jason a cracking read!!!...
His life has been hard at times just like anyone from that generation but David used comedy to get him through his life.
I love to read Autobiographies and David has not let me down, he covers all his most famous characters with his usual wit, charm & well documented facts.
Thank you David Jason a cracking read!!!...
July 16, 2018
I was sceptical at first wondering can David match or beat his autobiography, will this book have substance to it or is he making a quick few quid? well it didn't take him long to silence my doubt I loved this book as an only fools and horses fan this really let you in the inner workings and makes you feel part of the family. a great read. well done Jason please write some more 'governor'.
January 6, 2021
This book had me belly laughing, I loved it so much!
David Jason creates a connection with the reader and it makes me want to sit and watch all his shows again. I’ve even ordered Ghostboat after he had mentioned it in this book.
If you are a fan of Davis Jason or anything he has been in, definitely give this one a read
David Jason creates a connection with the reader and it makes me want to sit and watch all his shows again. I’ve even ordered Ghostboat after he had mentioned it in this book.
If you are a fan of Davis Jason or anything he has been in, definitely give this one a read
November 15, 2021
My favourite book of David Jason’s and I’ve read my life and a del of life very recently. This book is my favourite because there is more detailed stories in this book regarding only fools and horses, darling buds of may and touch of frost. Amazing how a man like David Jason got so nervous doing different roles considering how successful only fools and horses was.
October 29, 2017
I liked the humour and the clever analogies David Jason used. I
was amused and most interested in his interesting story of the ups and downs of acting. A real insights of the acting profession.
was amused and most interested in his interesting story of the ups and downs of acting. A real insights of the acting profession.
November 1, 2017
I enjoyed this looking more at the programs that he has made and the stories around them. Most of the book is regarding only fools and horses, maybe more could have been said about the other shows. Still a good read and an easy writing style.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews