Something Sensational to Read in the Train: The Diary of a Lifetime

by Gyles Brandreth

This is a diary packed with famous names and extraordinary stories. It is also rich in incidental detail and wonderful observation, providing both a compelling record of five remarkable decades and a revealing, often hilarious and sometimes moving account of Gyles Brandreth's unusual life -- as a child living in London in the 'swinging' sixties, as a jumper-wearing TV presenter, as an MP and government whip, and as a royal biographer who has enjoyed unique access to the Queen and her family.

'Something Sensational to Read on the Train' takes the reader on a roller-coaster ride from the era of Dixon of Dock Green to the age of The X Factor, from the end of the farthing to the arrival of the euro, from the Britain of Harold Macmillan and the Notting Hill race riots to the world of Barack Obama and Lewis Hamilton. With a cast list that runs from Richard Nixon and Richard Branson to Gordon Brown and David Cameron -- and includes princes, presidents and pop stars, as well as three archbishops and any number of actresses -- this is a book for anyone interested in contemporary history, politics and entertainment, royalty, gossip and life itself.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Humor, Diary

706 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Full name: Gyles Daubeney Brandreth.
A former Oxford Scholar, President of the Oxford Union and MP for the City of Chester, Gyles Brandreth’s career has ranged from being a Whip and Lord Commissioner of the Treasury in John Major’s government to starring in his own award-winning musical revue in London’s West End. A prolific broadcaster (in programmes ranging from Just a Minute to Have I Got News for You), an acclaimed interviewer (principally for the Sunday Telegraph), a novelist, children’s author and biographer, his best-selling diary, Breaking the Code, was described as ‘By far the best political diary of recent years, far more perceptive and revealing than Alan Clark’s’ (The Times) and ‘Searingly honest, wildly indiscreet, and incredibly funny’ (Daily Mail). He is the author of two acclaimed royal biographies: Philip Elizabeth: Portrait of a Marriage and Charles Camilla: Portrait of a Love Affair. In 2007/2008, John Murray in the UK and Simon & Schuster in the US began publishing The Oscar Wilde Murder Mysteries, his series of Victorian murder mysteries featuring Oscar Wilde as the detective.

As a performer, Gyles Brandreth has been seen most recently in ZIPP! ONE HUNDRED MUSICALS FOR LESS THAN THE PRICE OF ONE at the Duchess Theatre and on tour throughout the UK, and as Malvolio and the Sea Captain in TWELFTH NIGHT THE MUSICAL at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Gyles Brandreth is one of Britain’s busiest after-dinner speakers and award ceremony hosts. He has won awards himself, and been nominated for awards, as a public speaker, novelist, children’s writer, broadcaster (Sony), political diarist (Channel Four), journalist (British Press Awards), theatre producer (Olivier), and businessman (British Tourist Authority Come to Britain Trophy).

He is married to writer and publisher Michèle Brown, with whom he co-curated the exhibition of twentieth century children’s authors at the National Portrait Gallery and founded the award-winning Teddy Bear Museum now based at the Polka Theatre in Wimbledon. He is a trustee of the British Forces Foundation, and a former chairman and now vice-president of the National Playing Fields Association.

Gyles Brandreth’s forebears include George R. Sims (the highest-paid journalist of his day, who wrote the ballad Christmas Day in the Workhouse) and Jeremiah Brandreth (the last man in England to be beheaded for treason). His great-great-grandfather, Benjamin Brandreth, promoted ‘Brandreth’s Pills’ (a medicine that cured everything!) and was a pioneer of modern advertising and a New York state senator. Today, Gyles Brandreth has family living in New York, Maryland, South Carolina and California. He has been London correspondent for “Up to the Minute” on CBS News and his books published in the United States include the New York Times best-seller, The Joy of Lex and, most recently, Philip Elizabeth: Portrait of a Royal Marriage.

Reviews

[poppyshake · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've never particularly liked Gyles, he just doesn't appeal and more often than not when you see him on TV the word that comes to mind is 'irritating' but, I've enjoyed his novels so when I saw this at the library I thought I'd dip in. I'm glad I did because it's an insight into a world that's so completely unlike my own it's fascinating. To say that he's an obsessive diarist is an understatement, since childhood he has kept a daily diary (plus a private diary) along with carefully collated archives of notices, reviews, letters, articles etc, and what we have here is only about a fiftieth of that material (and this is quite a large tome.) His jobs, and therefore his diaries, have been so varied (he once did a book signing tour for his publishers dressed as Snoopy to promote Snoopy's first foray into fiction, apparently the public went mad for him much to the annoyance of other book signing celebrities) and he has a lively, chatty, gossipy style. The book is littered with anecdotes, especially of the great actors such as Gielgud, Richardson and Redgrave (Gyles collects them), he had aspirations once to be an actor and performed in several plays but somehow he knew he'd never be great and if Gyles can't be the best at something then he's not really interested (he is godfather to several children but he freely admits he's a terrible godparent he simply isn't interested.) He has produced lots of plays, written many, many books, opened a teddy bear museum in Stratford (which housed the original Fozzie Bear and also at one point Tony Blairs teddy) and of course been an elected Tory minister. He also bizarrely was once best known for his enormous collection of knitted jumpers (there was even a book with various celebs wearing them.) The book is split into six parts: Schoolboy, Child of the Sixties - Man of the Seventies, Husband and Father, Under the Jumper, Member of Parliament and After the Fall. The part documenting his time as Tory MP for Chester is an eye opener, it turns out that 'Yes Minister' was more true to life than you might think. Probably it will only really be of interest to people in the UK because so much of the book deals with British TV/cinema/showbiz and politics etc. He's fairly indiscreet, I winced at a lot of his observations (Princess Diana) 'I thought (ungallantly) her skin had rather gone to pot: a sort of light pebble-dash effect on her beaky nose' .. (Barbara Cartland) 'she looked like a very old version of the sugar plum fairy' .. (Elizabeth Taylor) 'she has no presence, she is overweight and underwhelming'. I think his childhood interested me the most, he lived in London and went to Bedales boarding school before gaining entrance to Oxford, life was a succession of theatre, cinema, restaurants and travelling abroad. He probably had seen more plays by the time he was fourteen than I have in my whole lifetime .. miles more infact.

Great fun in places and even though Gyles' self interest is breathtaking there's something about the way he writes that makes him able to get away with stuff that would make other people seem insufferable. Quite outrageous and rude at times (he was once lewdly propositioned by Frankie Howerd .. and he seemed almost sorry that he couldn't accomodate him) but immensely readable. He's nicked the title of course from Gwendolen in Oscar Wilde's 'The Importance of being Earnest' .. Oscar being another of GB's favourite subjects.

[Flapper72 · Rating 4 out of 5]

It almost feels unbelievable that someone could have met and knows so many different people, so many of whom are/were famous - politicians, actors, statesmen etc. It does feel like the musings of someone from a completely different world. I feel like saying from a completely different time, and I supposed the middle classes (proper middle class - public school educated, white, privileged) in the post war were just that. Something that feels completely alien to me today. The story of his young life and education was interesting and not particularly challenging. He was precocious, confident, liked and a high achiever. During his adult life I found some of his writing more difficult to read, almost quite uncomfortable - the language, the way he described people - but, it felt completely and utterly honest. He describes his time as an MP and I found it interesting that although he was very clear who was on his side he was also honest about what individuals were like despite being on the other side of the house. It's a diary and just a factual account of his life until the very last chapter which is a letter to his best friend, Simon Cadell, who had died four years earlier. We hear about Simon and Beck throughout the book and about his death but the letter is touching. It tells Simon what has happened since his death and is emotionally honest about the love he had for his friend and the void it has left in his life. I found that touching because it was so kind and sensitive; completely at odds really with the rest of the book. There was the odd page in the book that frustrated me so much that I nearly gave up on the book (usually because Brandreth was condescending and patronising) but I kept going and, most of the book was fun, honest, enlightening and, 'a life well lived' (well, up until now).

[Kexx · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a really good dipper in - dip out book which I've kept handy for 3 or 4 months - reading a page here, a page there. Self indulgent - totally, but with great humour sums up a hard working man living a rich and pampered life style with right Political views which sums up a Class within Britain who not only have no clue how the other half live, they don't care.

[Alicia Mikolajczyk · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've got this book by a sheer accident but it was really lucky strike - this book is so funny.
I've never heard about this author before and I've learn that he was a very popular television personality and so much more....I would say extraordinary life..
The book has been written in a form of a diary - since it's authors early childhood.
It's hilarious at some points and highly recommended.

[Christopher Day · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like reading political diaries and those set in the Entertainment Industry, Royalty, and diaries in general - so this one ticked all my boxes! I found it very entertaining throughout. GB has an almost unbelievable list of approximately 2,000 people mentioned in this doorstop of a book - at 760 paes the longest I have ever read!
He has a nice line in self-deprecating stories and anecdotes, as well as lots of gossip about almost everybody you have ever heard of! Some of his comments regarding others can be surprisingly blunt - particularly in his days as an MP.
He seems to have decided to leave all such comments intact - despite having the opportunity to redact some of the more acerbic ones during the edit process - perhaps he did take some out!
Similarly, history has rendered some of his early opinions on people in public life to be questionable, but these are balanced by some others where he expressed reservations about people for no specific reason - and those gut feelings have proved to have been well founded.
The diary starts on his first day at Boarding School when he was 11 in April 1959. Once he meets his long-suffering wife Michele the writing is then peppered by very amusing cryptic comments from her, who was very astute at deflating the GB ballon when needed. It ends on 1st January 2000 with a beautiful and moving posthumous letter to his best friend the actor Simon Cadell, who had died 4 years earlier. If you find it in a book shop I recommend reading this letter if nothing else.

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed these diaries which reflect the times from the 50s through to the millennium and the happenings and language of the times. It is a very long book.
It was totally honest and not edited in light of future events. He says what he thinks and there are some very enlightening comments about the people he encountered which is a complete who's who with everyone from royalty to porn stars. I wasn't so interested in the political years but even those were livened up with the constant scandals. Gyles writes in the same way as he speaks, engaging and entertaining.

[Michael Macdonald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lengthy record of a varied life

From the inescapable smugness of the pushy young Brandreth to the moving eulogy for his best friend, Simon Cowell this is am honest and amusing record of a kind but gullible man. With a soft spot for blatant crooks like Jeffrey Archer described in his full pompous horror to the dismal corrupt Hamiltons, Gyles gives an insight into the bizarre worlds of showbiz and politics. The last give pages are so honed and moving that they compensate for Gyles sad wish to be liked by some obvious tossers.

[Finn Cullen · Rating 5 out of 5]

An epic read that I enjoyed a great deal. Brandreth has kept a diary since he was a child and this book is an extensive selection detailing a life actively lived. From his early days at prep school, to the strange and rather predatory teacher he became the favourite of, through university, courtship, journalistic and television careers, his growing role as a speaker and organiser of charities and causes, through to his political career and beyond -- he's met everyone, done everything and shares it all with an exemplary enthusiasm and openness to life.

[Darla Ebert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not being British I knew nothing of Mr. Brandreth but was intrigued by the title of his book and the very idea of his having kept a near-daily diary/journal beginning when he was just learning to write up until present day. There is a lot of history included (from the perspective of a British aspiring press person).

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everytime I picked up this book I smiled, which during lockdown has been just the tonic! I enjoyed his anecdotes and what he thought of famous people, some were a bit harsh but probably fair! I'm still not sure what to make of him but I like him more after reading this!

[Malcolm Watson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun read.
Gyles has met everyone and done most things and worn the pullover!
These diaries cover from his early life, school, University, TV, MP and beyond.
All life is here and he has a lovely way with gossip.

Thoroughly enjoyable escapism as the title suggests.

[Sue Sjuve · Rating 2 out of 5]

Endearing school boy diary section but becomes rather self congratulatory over time. Difficult I imagine to decide whether to edit it it too make it more interesting for the public and if do yo what extent , or to leave it in the raw fir honesty’s sake

[Sheffielder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Without a shadow of a doubt the most entertaining book of diary entries I've ever read. Sometimes moving, often hilarious, feeling authentic throughout, and never boring.

[Ian Rodwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

My review is at my website, so please click on the link and take a look!

https://workingwow.net/2022/02/02/som...

Thank you!

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating! And the letter at the end made me cry.

[Nigel Redford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gyles knows everyone. This could be seen as tiresome name-dropping but there is a humanity and humour at work here. I would have loved to have read more about his time in Westminster.

[Daniel Jeffery]

Abandoned.
In the early part it is just the diary of a precocious 12 year old.

[Steve Kay · Rating 1 out of 5]

Mostly diary entries from his school days. Boring. Abandoned after a few chapters.

[Christine Power · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite enjoyable to hear about Gyles earlier years and his rise through celebrity and literary circles - but gave up half way through as the name dropping and middle class entitlement grated.

[Adam Windsor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've never been a diarist, but Gyles Brandreth certainly is. The 700+ pages here apparently represented only about 2% of his diaries at the time of publication. I'm not sure how he found time to do all the things he writes about, to be honest!

Containing entries across the period 1960-2000, we see Gyles as a boarding school boy, college student, aspiring actor, writer, entrepreneur and politician. We don't see much of him as a husband or father; his wife and children get mentioned, of course, but he made a decision to keep such material at a minimum within the work.

As someone who is about 25 years younger than Brandreth, I found this fascinating reading. Not always for Brandreth himself, but for the view it gave of English society. First in the generation just prior to my birth, and then over the years of my childhood. It's very clearly just one view of those years - and the view of a socially privileged white man, at that - but it brought home just how much has changed since 1960, and just how tumultuous the early 1970s were for the UK.

I'm not sure I would recommend just reading this cover to cover, but it is definitely an interesting personal history of last forty years of the 20th century, and I enjoyed having it as a secondary read, dipping into it for a few pages a night while focusing most of my attention on other books.

[Alex Hunter · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't generally read biographies or (as in this case) published diaries, but I made an exception here. This book doesn't set out to be funny (it contains plenty of humour, but that is largely incidental) as beyond the process of selecting which diary entries to include, the content is determined by Mr Brandreth's (GB's) life experience. That said, we all view the world through our own eyes and each see our own version of it. GB's perspective does season his diaries with a certin abount of comedy but I wasn't left feeling I'd read a funny book.

I did find certain things fascinating - reading about GB's childhood, and being able to 'watch' the development from childhood to adulthood was an interesting psychological exercise - I was also intrigued to read about the circumstances and chain of events through which he became the person we see today. I didn't particularly enjoy the section on his political career, but I suspect that was as much because I didn't feel he enjoyed it either as because I'm not very interested in the subject matter.

These diaries are candid and (apparently) honest without being unnecessarily sensationalist. They do provide some fascinating insights into some of the more 'significant' people and events of the last half century. They are (as one might expect) well written, and perfectly judged. They are also poignant, and (whether or not you like him) leave you feeling you know the realMr Brandreth a great deal better.

[Lara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had never had an interest in Gyles Brandreth - a bit too smug - but got this book after seeing some positive reviews, and I am so glad I did. He wrote detailed diaries ever since he was seven years old, and this book is the very entertaining condensed result. At Oxford Gyles put on numerous plays while rushing often to London to negotiate his future with the media, whilst researching prison reform and falling in love and writing a book. And this manic pace never let's up in later years. Unable to say no to an opportunity, even when he has made a name for himself he accepts the job of dressing up as Snoopy and going on a book publicity tour. And even this humiliating activity has a positive spin as, changing in the ladies loos, he surprises an occupant who he subsequently goes into business with.

Having seemed to have met every name in public life, and seen politics as an insider when he was a government whip, Gyles is wonderfully gossipy, though very discreet when it comes to his own immediate family. I did sometimes wonder whether he had tinkered with the entries as he often seemed to be able to foretell future events. Wouldn't blame him at all, and I didn't want this delightful diary to end.

[Millie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think it's the first time I've read the biography of a personality who is still alive. I've very much enjoyed all the gossip and ambition that shines through these diaries.

[Alhaslam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gossipy, about theatre & politics & who's who & who isn't about London (or was & wasn't.it ends about 1999.

[Greet Pole · Rating 2 out of 5]

Did not enjoy this book one bit! He seems such a nice man on TV, but I found the book precocious and arrogant. Shame. Did not finish the book.