What do you think?
Rate this book
Remarkable People: Extraordinary Stories of Everyday Lives
In Remarkable People, Dan Walker, the host of BBC1's Breakfast, recounts inspiring stories of the courage and selflessness of people he has met throughout his career. An uplifting tonic for the darkness and negativity of recent times.We live in an age of anxiety, besieged by bad news and uncertainty. But Dan Walker, the host of BBC1's Breakfast and Football Focus, is determined to shine a light onto stories of selflessness and compassion that seldom make the headlines. In the course of his professional life, Dan has encountered many inspiring stories of bravery and kindness. In Remarkable People, he recounts tales of incredible humanity, empathy, compassion, and a steely determination to transform lives, restore trust, renew hope.Remarkable People is the perfect book for these challenging times; an escape from the negativity of our everyday news cycle, and a tribute to courage and positivity.
302 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 29, 2020
67 people are currently reading
167 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
October 28, 2021
This was a struggle- remarkable people indeed but just too long and wordy. You could half each chapter easily and it would be 4 or 5 stars.
Sorry Dan.
Sorry Dan.
December 4, 2021
What a great palette cleanser for the end of a Twitter toxic year. Dan Walker takes us on a journey of remembering the good in people and society… The book was refreshing, looking at ordinary people doing extra ordinary things. A real encouraging read. I love how he leaves his faith into situations, and people talk about being taken to church by him. If you want to be encouraged, and weep a little at some emotional stories, this is the book for you.
March 18, 2023
Inspirational
February 21, 2021
Absolutely loved this book. Couldn’t put it down. Dan’s writing can have you weeping and laughing all on one page. Dan brought so much interest to each story and draws out lessons he himself has learned from the individuals lives he has come across. If everyone read this book and took the lessons Dan draws from it to heart the world would be such a better place. Thank you Mr Walker you are a remarkable person.
January 28, 2021
What an incredible book!
Was leant to me and recommended by a friend and what a recommendation it was. Sad, happy, tears, laughter a book with a rollercoaster of emotions.
So many incredible stories of such amazing and inspiring people and Dan tells the story in such a great way.
Could not recommend this book enough.
Was leant to me and recommended by a friend and what a recommendation it was. Sad, happy, tears, laughter a book with a rollercoaster of emotions.
So many incredible stories of such amazing and inspiring people and Dan tells the story in such a great way.
Could not recommend this book enough.
May 28, 2021
Heart warming series of stories for all to appreciate
March 21, 2021
Dan Walker opens the book by saying, in the course of his work, he has met the last six prime ministers, many members of the royal family and numerous celebrities and none of them appear in this book. I knew I was going to like this one. It starts with Winnie, in South Africa, who started an orphanage with the help of Lisa – a BBC researcher. Sound familiar? In fact, most of that first story will sound familiar to my friends. The section on the Armed forces at Camp Bastion was moving as were so many other stories. His description of the surgeon discussing open heart surgery was a bit too close for comfort - especially the part where they stop the heart, do what is needed, then hope the heart starts again. I loved the tale of the chance meeting with Tony Foulds, in Endcliffe Park, while he was tending the Mi Amigo memorial and how this led to 75th anniversary memorial flypast. I just wish I’d been there to see it. Then there was Terrence, the lonely OAP from Oldham who, in 2019, had the best Christmas thanks to the kindness of the students at Oldham College. The chapter on 2020 was especially hopeful. Despite my constant tears, this really was an uplifting book. A timely reminder of just how much good there is in the world.
September 27, 2021
Dan Walker will be well known to viewers of BBC Breakfast and (formerly) Football Focus. This collection of stories of people that have inspired him over his years in journalism was published deliberately during the pandemic in order to try to lift peoples' spirits at a really tough time. As such it succeeds; there are heartwarming recollections that will jog memories and lift the heart, especially in the examples of people who have overcome adversity in remarkable ways.
Who can forget the story of Tony Foulds, the man who has tended a war memorial for nearly 70 years, to honour American airmen who died inadvertently saving his life? That's just one example amongst other inspiring biographies in the book.
Whilst not a brilliant read this is certainly a worthy one that does show the value of somebody in the media using his influence for good (in stark contrast to some characters on the 'other side' perhaps!). The real thing that stands out above everything else is the author and his evident Christian faith - he doesn't hold back from this which is a credit to somebody working at the BBC especially. It's clear that this faith is what is behind Dan Walker's desire to do good and lift people's spirits, and for this he should be commended.
Who can forget the story of Tony Foulds, the man who has tended a war memorial for nearly 70 years, to honour American airmen who died inadvertently saving his life? That's just one example amongst other inspiring biographies in the book.
Whilst not a brilliant read this is certainly a worthy one that does show the value of somebody in the media using his influence for good (in stark contrast to some characters on the 'other side' perhaps!). The real thing that stands out above everything else is the author and his evident Christian faith - he doesn't hold back from this which is a credit to somebody working at the BBC especially. It's clear that this faith is what is behind Dan Walker's desire to do good and lift people's spirits, and for this he should be commended.
January 1, 2021
All I can say is that everyone should read this book. I saw Dan Walker interviewed about this book on The One Show and decided that it had to go on my wish list. He had been asked to write an autobiography, but his modesty and attitude that people would rather hear about some of the amazing people he had met rather than read about him, made you want to read the book.
I did not realise that Dan had been around so long in journalism so it was good to learn more about him. And wow, was this an inspiring read? Many people claim that certain books are 'unputdownable' and this is certainly one of them.
I will not spoil the book save to say, it is fascinating to think of the good that can come of just a quiet, passing, unassuming comment in the right place and at the right time.
Thanks Dan for an amazing read. May God bless you in all you do.
I did not realise that Dan had been around so long in journalism so it was good to learn more about him. And wow, was this an inspiring read? Many people claim that certain books are 'unputdownable' and this is certainly one of them.
I will not spoil the book save to say, it is fascinating to think of the good that can come of just a quiet, passing, unassuming comment in the right place and at the right time.
Thanks Dan for an amazing read. May God bless you in all you do.
February 9, 2022
Dan Walker is clearly an accomplished and professional presenter and interviewer. From his TV work, and from this book, he is also clearly a very compassionate and empathetic human being. The stories he recounts in this book are fascinating and, in some cases, tear-jerking. They highlight the best of humanity at a time when we need that more than ever.
However, for all his accomplishments and positive traits, Dan doesn’t do it for me as a writer. I’m really sorry Dan! The way the stories are presented is too often disjointed and sometimes repetitive. This makes it’s hard to determine whether it’s Dan or the chapter’s subject speaking. I suspect this was not ghost-written - but it might have benefited if it had been.
However, for all his accomplishments and positive traits, Dan doesn’t do it for me as a writer. I’m really sorry Dan! The way the stories are presented is too often disjointed and sometimes repetitive. This makes it’s hard to determine whether it’s Dan or the chapter’s subject speaking. I suspect this was not ghost-written - but it might have benefited if it had been.
February 1, 2021
Dan lets these inspirational stories speak for themselves and lets the reader see them how they are. My feeling is that are probably slightly better writers in this genre (which made me waver between a 4 & 5 rating) and also sometimes journalists embellish parts to suit a narrative/emotionally manipulate.
The skill in Dan's writing here is that the honesty of the actual stories is kept and the people behind them rightly so are elevated. His connection with the people comes across as genuine borne out by ongoing contact. This is a rare thing these days when news stories quickly become 'chip paper' and are quickly forgotten.
The skill in Dan's writing here is that the honesty of the actual stories is kept and the people behind them rightly so are elevated. His connection with the people comes across as genuine borne out by ongoing contact. This is a rare thing these days when news stories quickly become 'chip paper' and are quickly forgotten.
November 23, 2020
This was just the book we all needed to read in 2020.
Full of amazing stories about amazing, ordinary people and their lives. This book gives so much hope and joy in what has been a very dark year for everyone.
I loved the variety of stories covered - I was riveted throughout and sad when each chapter ended (though also immediately hooked on the next story also).
I listened to the audiobook version of this on my way home from work and it just left me with the loveliest warm feeling. It really reminds you of the genuine goodness in humanity. The smallest things really can make such a huge impact.
Definitely recommend.
Full of amazing stories about amazing, ordinary people and their lives. This book gives so much hope and joy in what has been a very dark year for everyone.
I loved the variety of stories covered - I was riveted throughout and sad when each chapter ended (though also immediately hooked on the next story also).
I listened to the audiobook version of this on my way home from work and it just left me with the loveliest warm feeling. It really reminds you of the genuine goodness in humanity. The smallest things really can make such a huge impact.
Definitely recommend.
December 30, 2021
The stories that Dan tells in this book swing between heart-wrenching and heart-warming in the best ways. This was a real pick me up at the end of the year.
While being nitpicky I feel it could have been edited to be more streamlined, that in no way detracts from an incredible book.
If you want to be encouraged from the stories of many 'normal' British people then this is a must read.
While being nitpicky I feel it could have been edited to be more streamlined, that in no way detracts from an incredible book.
If you want to be encouraged from the stories of many 'normal' British people then this is a must read.
July 25, 2024
My partner bought me this book sort of as a joke, as we used to watch a lot of BBC Breakfast and enjoyed Dan Walkers Partridge-esque presenting style. I have to say I enjoyed this more than what I thought. The chapters vary between deeply harrowing and very funny/uplifting. My only criticism is some of the chapters seemed to drag on longer than necessary.
January 9, 2021
A must read
This book will capture you and bring tears, smiles and a sense of hope that there is still so much good in the world. Dan’s writing style is engaging and I can’t recommend this book highly enough.
This book will capture you and bring tears, smiles and a sense of hope that there is still so much good in the world. Dan’s writing style is engaging and I can’t recommend this book highly enough.
Read
August 23, 2021Absolutely loved this book. The stories of these remarkable people was just so heartbreaking and heartwarming. There are truly remarkable people out there and thank you Dan Walker for portraying these people and bringing their stories to us.
December 5, 2021
This book restores the faith in humanity.
Throughout the book author tells the stories of ordinary people who from little made a huge impact on the society.
It serves a bigger purpose and hopefully we can learn from these good examples
Throughout the book author tells the stories of ordinary people who from little made a huge impact on the society.
It serves a bigger purpose and hopefully we can learn from these good examples
February 1, 2023
The first full book I’ve read in years. Came at the right time as I needed to hear some amazing stories or resilience and kindness. Dan is an amazing example to us all of what the power of kindness can do. I feel a duty to help now I’ve read such great stories from people around the world.
November 15, 2020
Brilliant, but too many typos
December 31, 2020
Had me moving between laughter and wild sobs. Great book, well written with some incredible stories of mankind.
January 12, 2021
What a awesome read! So uplifting!
January 20, 2021
Well written, honest account of how some of those news stories impacted the author personally. Really quite uplifting
January 23, 2021
Some truly heartwarming stories. Brought back some good memories, some sad memories, I cried a bit, and will be making sure I say "how are you?" to more people when out walking the dog.
January 23, 2021
Loved this book! Full of hope, positivity and a reminder of the good there is in the world even in the bleakest of times. Up lifting and a tear jerker all in one.
February 4, 2021
Lovely uplifting stories, a very pleasant gentle read 😊
February 9, 2021
These are certainly extraordinary and remarkable people that have made an impact on not only Dan Walkers life but also everyone who reads this book.
March 4, 2021
A very uplifting book in difficult times for us all. Walker highlights the realness of being human and the goodness of the human spirit.
March 10, 2021
Inspiration for everyone.
It's a book that makes you think of what others have done and what you can do or others .
It's a book that makes you think of what others have done and what you can do or others .
March 18, 2021
Excellent
Amazing stories told in an engaging manner that inspire the reader to go make a difference in the world today
Amazing stories told in an engaging manner that inspire the reader to go make a difference in the world today
April 6, 2021
Really liked it. Touching stories and Dan has an informal and easy-reading style. Thank you Dan for these stories!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews