Книги, похожие на «Jeremy Paxman, A Life in Questions»

‘“How did a short bald, man with a speech impediment have such an impact?” How indeed? Like his life, “Inside Story” is a pacy romp. Honest and heartfelt, it should be required reading.’ ObserverOn 28 January 2004, four years to the day after becoming a much-loved Director-General of the BBC, Greg Dyke left his post and entered the public eye after the publication of the Hutton Report.But Greg Dyke’s story started long before he reached the BBC. Written off as a failure at school, unemployed at thirty, his big break came as a current affairs researcher at London Weekend Television in 1977. From there he rose through the ranks of independent television, becoming the person responsible for briefly saving TV-am, thanks to Roland Rat, before running LWT, Channel Four and Pearson Television. In his riveting and frank autobiography, Dyke charts his astonishing and unconventional rise to the top, his unwavering determination and courage in improving the BBC and his defiant stand against Downing Street’s campaign of harassment. His autobiography is the story of a man of our times and of the power of television: entertaining, funny and explosively revealing.

'Packed with insight and anecdote, his story brings the Tower ravens to vivid life, each bird with a personality of its own. I've been fortunate enough to tour the Tower and meet the ravens a few times in years past; after reading this book, I cannot wait to go back' George R. R. MartinFor centuries, the Tower of London has been home to a group of famous avian residents: the ravens. Each year they are seen by millions of visitors, and they have become as integral a part of the Tower as its ancient stones themselves. But their role is even more important than that – legend has it that if the ravens should ever leave, the Tower will crumble into dust, and great harm will befall the kingdom.One man is personally responsible for ensuring that such a disaster never comes to pass – the Ravenmaster. The current holder of the position is Yeoman Warder Christopher Skaife, and in this fascinating, entertaining and touching book he memorably describes the ravens’ formidable intelligence, their idiosyncrasies and their occasionally wicked sense of humour.Over the years in which he has cared for the physical and mental well-being of these remarkable birds, Christopher Skaife has come to know them like no one else. They are not the easiest of charges – as he reveals, they are much given to mischief, and their escapades have often led him into unlikely, and sometimes even undignified, situations.Now, in the first intimate behind-the-scenes account of life with the ravens of the Tower, the Ravenmaster himself shares the folklore, history and superstitions surrounding both the birds and their home. The result is a compelling, inspiring and irreverent story that will delight and surprise anyone with an interest in British history or animal behaviour.