Right, Said Fred

by Freddie Flintoff

Does anybody else watch Donald Trump as a guilty pleasure? When social distancing is over, can people still keep their distance? And these days, why has everyone got an opinion on everything and insist on sharing it? Oh. Scratch that one. From one of Britain's most-loved national treasures comes a much-needed Bible of straight-talking honesty and sharp observational humour. Fresh from months of staying at home, Freddie is ready to impart his effortless charm and wisdom on a wild array of topics. From the significant: climate change - maybe it's our time to go? To the vital: I'm only doing things I like doing now, not the things I should. From time-worn questions: what even is political correctness and has the world really gone mad? To our new reality: what are the politics of zoom and is it okay to keep pretending my computer has crashed? Freddie takes you on a whirlwind tour of his brain as he ponders more of life's most unfathomable questions. Like, just what do you get when you receive the coveted Toby Carvery Gold Card?

Genres: Biography

288 pages, Paperback

Published October 15, 2020

Reviews

[Guy Strangways]

Very enjoyable and entertaining read about life, and Freddie’s take on things and Freddie’s life as a cricketer and after his career moving into tv and family life. Well worth a read especially if you like Freddie flintoff

[KL Caley]

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 Freddie’s descriptions help to make it sound more interesting), Top Gear (Woohoo) and many other random facts and ideas from all other aspects of his life.

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 after reading his earlier book “Do you know what?”, which genuinely had me laughing out loud at times, I thought I’d give this one a go too and I was not disappointed.

Much of the book is very funny. 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. In fact, it often feels like a conversation with a bloke down the pub, putting the world to rights and questioning the bizarre and intriguing in the world that rarely tends to pop up in day-to-day conversation.

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:

When my fourth child was born, I didn’t tell anyone about it apart from family. I did an interview in Australia for Ninja Warrior and the bloke said, ‘I understand your wife is expecting your fourth child’, and I replied, ‘Yeah, it’ll be brilliant when it happens.’ The fact was, he was already about three months old. I just didn’t think anyone apart from family needed to know about it.

Any Negatives: Not quite as funny as “Do you know what?”. I genuinely laughed out loud reading parts of that book. But it’s still really pretty good.

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. A bit of light-hearted reading which after 2020, I think we all needed.

[Stephen Wood]

A very funny whinge book; however lots of contradictions.

I’m a big fan of Andrew (freddy).
This books is exactly what you expect from him, a standard northern lad, a very funny book which sets the world to rights on lots of different issues and topics. It was a book that I couldn’t put down, the only reason I have rated it 3 stars is because he seems to contradict himself a lot which sort of dampens it a little for me. I would still recommend reading if you want a light hearted read.

[David Mitchell]

Freddie's lockdown book, I'm not even a cricket fan in the slightest bit just like the bloke. Easy read and broken down into topical chapters for Flintoff to share his musings. Lots of anecdotes and stories about him growing up and reflecting back now as an adult. Humourous in places and can relate to bits and pieces too being a fellow northerner.

[Kirstie May]

Such an eclectic interesting range of topics covered by Cricket's Andrew 'Freddie' Flintoff. Highly enjoyed reading this book, having a glimpse into his views and opinions expressed from Covid Lockdowns, to cricket and cars (and becoming a presenter on Top Gear). Such a funny and quick read, and how he has written this book, makes it sound like he is having a conversation with you the reader, making it more personal.

[Megan]

Funny, blunt and honest! I would expect nothing less from Flintoff as he rambles about different topics and expresses his opinion and life experiences on the subject. I particularly enjoyed the line "One time, my missus wanted to get me out of bed and threw a box of raisins at me". It was a very quick, lighthearted and insightful read into Flintoff's thinking and some of his life experiences.

[Apneet]

Honest, riveting and an absolute delight to read.. It's the kind of book that just resonates all one feels on a good or a bad day. A book that once you finish says to you " now what are you going to read? "

[Adam]

I'm not into cricket!
And to be honest, the chapter about cricket was the hardest for me to read!
That said, Flintoff is a fun character and I have grown fond of him as a Top Gear presenter.
This is a fun read, cricket aside!

[Becky]

Brilliant funny quick read

[mark feenan]

Love Fred. Very funny guy.

[Donna]

I really enjoyed reading this book. It was interesting to hear Freddie's views and to get an insight into his life.

[Paul Ingrey]

Entertaining and Freddie talks a lot of common sense. Skipped the two sport chapters, not my interest.

[Spencer Preece]

Blasted through this. A fun read!

[lily-ella mcenhill]

as a freddie lover, this was always going to be a 5 ⭐️ read for me!

[James Lindley]

Good and funny. His random thoughts on life were enjoyable to hear.