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Keep Talking: A Broadcasting Life
, David Dimbleby has interviewed prime ministers and presidents, made award-winning documentaries, chaired Question Time for 25 years, and anchored the BBC's live coverage of historic national and world events.
KEEP TALKING is David's wry look at his own extraordinary career, and the people, events and controversies he has encountered along the way. As a broadcaster for the BBC, David had an obligation to appear a neutral observer. Now finally 'off the leash' he writes without inhibition but with his characteristic wit, clarity and insight, about monarchy, politics, and the state of Britain.
His book is enlivened with honest accounts of broadcasting from the inside - from commentating on Diana's funeral to anchoring ten successive General Election night results programmes. The faux pas, the secrets of the craft and what he was really thinking are shared for the first time. He reveals his own battles with politicians; queries the purpose and effect of political interviews; and considers the power of broadcasting - through programmes such as Question Time - to explore and amplify the public voice. Whilst profoundly British, the book ranges wider, in particular reflecting David's time in many countries, including Southern Africa and the United States.
David has been there for us at nearly every major national event of the last fifty years. Serious, outspoken, and leavened with humour, KEEP TALKING reveals how David has seen it all - and is now telling it as he sees it.,
KEEP TALKING is David's wry look at his own extraordinary career, and the people, events and controversies he has encountered along the way. As a broadcaster for the BBC, David had an obligation to appear a neutral observer. Now finally 'off the leash' he writes without inhibition but with his characteristic wit, clarity and insight, about monarchy, politics, and the state of Britain.
His book is enlivened with honest accounts of broadcasting from the inside - from commentating on Diana's funeral to anchoring ten successive General Election night results programmes. The faux pas, the secrets of the craft and what he was really thinking are shared for the first time. He reveals his own battles with politicians; queries the purpose and effect of political interviews; and considers the power of broadcasting - through programmes such as Question Time - to explore and amplify the public voice. Whilst profoundly British, the book ranges wider, in particular reflecting David's time in many countries, including Southern Africa and the United States.
David has been there for us at nearly every major national event of the last fifty years. Serious, outspoken, and leavened with humour, KEEP TALKING reveals how David has seen it all - and is now telling it as he sees it.,
304 pages, Hardcover
Published May 9, 2023
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66 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 30, 2023
Interesting autobiography
November 5, 2022
He sounds like a decent bloke with some interesting bits but not dynamically written as I had hoped.
September 24, 2023
Looking for something to read that had nothing to do with animal rights or the plight of elephants I turned recently to reading David Dimbleby’s memoir Keep Talking: A Broadcasting Life. Although I’ve never met him I’ve always liked him and appreciated him whenever I watched him on the telly or listened to him on the radio. David Dimbley always comes across as thoughtful, intelligent, serious, insightful, and funny. He’s someone who I admire and would love to spend an evening in his company. Even if the feelings were reversed and David didn’t want to spend time with me but was forced to do so he would be polite and let me come away believing he was equally interested in me.
But, one lesson I learnt from being involved with animal rights is not to let people whom I know become heroes I admire. Please don’t get me wrong: there are many, many people involved with animals in all different ways who I admire. But the bitter lesson to learn is to never put a living person on a pedestal as either a hero or heroine. I once did this with a prominent activist. Then lived to regret it after their treatment of me was unprofessional and vindictive. Now, some may feel this is how I treated them. In this case, I’m truly sorry. I hope I’ve learnt the lesson from my bitter experience that this is not the way to treat people.
Anyway, what’s all this got to do with David Dimbleby and his book?
I confess it’s a diversion of mine but it is relevant. This is an interesting and enjoyable read to read; however, I came away disappointed. The subtitle is ‘A Broadcasting Life' and it’s his career as a journalist that is at the forefront of the book. It’s also about growing up in a family whose father, Richard Dimbleby, was a prominent and beloved broadcaster. He writes about his father and the relationship he had with him as well as his family life and education and so on. Mostly, the book is about his extensive and long career in broadcast journalism. This is all interesting and what I expected. However, I didn’t take away from reading his book a healthy serving of his personality, humour, and insight. I can’t help but think David held back and the really interesting bits, the personal anecdotes, the personal takes, the amusing incidents, well, they’re not there or not enough to satisfy my, perhaps gossipy needs.
I’m not saying don’t read this book. Do read it. I’m glad I did. But if I ever have the opportunity to hear David Dimbleby talk freely about his life, well, that would be interesting. That would be close enough for me to satisfy my prurient needs but also keep him safely at a distance on his pedestal.
But, one lesson I learnt from being involved with animal rights is not to let people whom I know become heroes I admire. Please don’t get me wrong: there are many, many people involved with animals in all different ways who I admire. But the bitter lesson to learn is to never put a living person on a pedestal as either a hero or heroine. I once did this with a prominent activist. Then lived to regret it after their treatment of me was unprofessional and vindictive. Now, some may feel this is how I treated them. In this case, I’m truly sorry. I hope I’ve learnt the lesson from my bitter experience that this is not the way to treat people.
Anyway, what’s all this got to do with David Dimbleby and his book?
I confess it’s a diversion of mine but it is relevant. This is an interesting and enjoyable read to read; however, I came away disappointed. The subtitle is ‘A Broadcasting Life' and it’s his career as a journalist that is at the forefront of the book. It’s also about growing up in a family whose father, Richard Dimbleby, was a prominent and beloved broadcaster. He writes about his father and the relationship he had with him as well as his family life and education and so on. Mostly, the book is about his extensive and long career in broadcast journalism. This is all interesting and what I expected. However, I didn’t take away from reading his book a healthy serving of his personality, humour, and insight. I can’t help but think David held back and the really interesting bits, the personal anecdotes, the personal takes, the amusing incidents, well, they’re not there or not enough to satisfy my, perhaps gossipy needs.
I’m not saying don’t read this book. Do read it. I’m glad I did. But if I ever have the opportunity to hear David Dimbleby talk freely about his life, well, that would be interesting. That would be close enough for me to satisfy my prurient needs but also keep him safely at a distance on his pedestal.
July 2, 2024
More interesting than I thought it would be- fun to hear his first hand experiences of major moments in British politics as well as his thoughts on role of the BBC in society etc
January 16, 2023
Bit of a dissapointing start to my 2023 reading.
I am a huge fan of David (he is a big reason for my love of politics) and I was very excited to read about his life and work in this book.
The biggest issue I found with the book was that I felt like I didn’t learn anything new about him, I have recently watched a few interviewers he has given and a documentary about his time at the bbc which seemed to basically cover what was in the book.
Whilst there are very interesting moments in the book, we never get to look into the details of events or his feelings on them. Though the book definitely has his voice the whole thing felt in dynamic.
However as I mentioned there were some interesting sections and it’s a quick read.
I am a huge fan of David (he is a big reason for my love of politics) and I was very excited to read about his life and work in this book.
The biggest issue I found with the book was that I felt like I didn’t learn anything new about him, I have recently watched a few interviewers he has given and a documentary about his time at the bbc which seemed to basically cover what was in the book.
Whilst there are very interesting moments in the book, we never get to look into the details of events or his feelings on them. Though the book definitely has his voice the whole thing felt in dynamic.
However as I mentioned there were some interesting sections and it’s a quick read.
January 3, 2024
An entertaining insight into the man who covered ten general elections and two EU referendums. A stalwart of BBC television from a revered family. Whilst his father commentated on the Queen's ascent as monarch, he commentated on her funeral. I never particularly looked beyond my preconceived notions of him so it was especially interesting hearing about his life beyond Britain filming doing shows in America etc and also his life beyond the BBC. It was also particularly valuable for learning more about the background to Question Times be that the ones filmed in South Africa, China, Russia etc or him only having missed one after (an unfortunate farm accident?)
The length of his career is encapsulated throughout his reflections be that in the row with Wilson which ensued following the creation of Yesterday's Men or within the work itself where he passes strong value judgements on politicians of today and BBC directors too...
The length of his career is encapsulated throughout his reflections be that in the row with Wilson which ensued following the creation of Yesterday's Men or within the work itself where he passes strong value judgements on politicians of today and BBC directors too...
September 1, 2023
Comes to life not so much reviewing high profile broadcasts such as Question Time and election specials but more so recollecting overseas reports from the Middle East, the US and South Africa. The portrait of Mandela over the course of several interviews is particularly revealing.
Also excellent rallying of the troops for the BBC's cause, arguing that it's one of the few institutions to consistently reflect soft power at its best for the nation.
Also excellent rallying of the troops for the BBC's cause, arguing that it's one of the few institutions to consistently reflect soft power at its best for the nation.
January 16, 2024
4½/5
Over 70 years of broadcasting - mostly at the BBC - David Dimbleby has seen everything. This isn't an autobiography in the traditional sense: we learn almost nothing of his life outside broadcasting. It's a timely record of the importance of true, fair journalism - especially political journalism - in a fractured and fractious world. It's also a strong defence of the BBC, despite its flaws. Great for news nerds like me.
Over 70 years of broadcasting - mostly at the BBC - David Dimbleby has seen everything. This isn't an autobiography in the traditional sense: we learn almost nothing of his life outside broadcasting. It's a timely record of the importance of true, fair journalism - especially political journalism - in a fractured and fractious world. It's also a strong defence of the BBC, despite its flaws. Great for news nerds like me.
December 31, 2023
This was such an interesting take on broadcasting and the role the BBC plays in society. Dimbleby has clearly lead an extraordinary life and his writing is equally engaging as it is witty. I hope his sparkling career continues for a while yet!
October 24, 2022
Great Read
Brilliant autobiography from a legendary broadcaster who has had an extraordinary career. A real page turner from start to finish.
Brilliant autobiography from a legendary broadcaster who has had an extraordinary career. A real page turner from start to finish.
April 5, 2023
Very interesting but could’ve been much more.
September 12, 2023
An illuminating account of a very long career in such a high profile job as broadcast media - indeed a career of longevity that we may never see again.
The book is a good mixture of a view of life behind the camera, what it is like to work for the BBC (as well as the author's candid views of the organisation's strengths and weaknesses) as well as some material regarding his work overseas. I felt that he got the pitch of the book just about right - we are told enough to hold our interest and provide an insight, but he does not fall into the trap seen with many autobiographies of going on too long.
Along with his career, we also learn a little of life in one of the UK's most famous broadcasting families - another thing that we may not see the like of again.
The book is a good mixture of a view of life behind the camera, what it is like to work for the BBC (as well as the author's candid views of the organisation's strengths and weaknesses) as well as some material regarding his work overseas. I felt that he got the pitch of the book just about right - we are told enough to hold our interest and provide an insight, but he does not fall into the trap seen with many autobiographies of going on too long.
Along with his career, we also learn a little of life in one of the UK's most famous broadcasting families - another thing that we may not see the like of again.
October 9, 2023
Insightful and engaging account from a broadcasting icon.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews