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  • A Better Me

  • This is Gary Barlow as honest, heartfelt and more open than ever before
  • By: Gary Barlow
  • Narrated by: Gary Barlow
  • Length: 10 hrs and 23 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (1,854 ratings)
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A Better Me

By: Gary Barlow
Narrated by: Gary Barlow
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Summary

Best-selling audiobook; shortlisted for the Specsavers National Book Awards 2018

Includes an additional new chapter.

Gary Barlow is one of the most successful British musicians and songwriters of all time, but 15 years ago, as he himself admits, he hit rock bottom - he was out of shape, out of work, depressed.

Food for him had become an addiction, a means not only of comfort but almost of self-medication as he grappled with the cruel twists of fate of musical stardom. In 2003, as he struggled with the disappointment of an underperforming solo career alongside the tireless media taunts; Gary turned to food. Relentlessly. In the space of nine years he had been on 20 diets in the hopes of a resolution to all his woes. After asking the doctor what the 'cure' for obesity was, it sunk in that he was the only one who could take control of his health. Gary describes this realisation and the task that lay ahead - 'it was like being at the foot of a massive mountain'.

So how did he go from an obese, out-of-work and depressed pop icon, to a superstar of music and TV and an accomplished musical songwriter and producer who is full of vitality, fitter, happier and more successful than ever before. What happened?

In his extraordinarily honest memoir A Better Me, Gary tells of his journey back to professional success and mental and physical health. From reforming Take That to critical and commercial acclaim and reigniting his own legendary songwriting career; to overcoming his weight problems and crippling obsession with food; to TV judging panel stardom on The X Factor and Let It Shine and at last finding balance in both his personal and professional life.

A Better Me is a remarkably frank memoir of Gary's life as he battled with weight, stress, fitness and depression, and staged one of the most thrilling professional comebacks in years. In his warm, witty and authentic voice, he recounts his story with compelling insight, captivating honesty and a human side that people rarely see. Here is one of the UK's most beloved pop stars open, honest and raw and as we've never seen him before.

©2018 Gary Barlow (P)2018 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Its ok

Kept my interest throughout. I know it's a big part of his life but I did get totally bored about all the words dedicated about food. It seemed to come up in every chapter. By the time you've heard of his 20th diet, 20th exercise regime and new personal trainer - you are sick to death of hearing about it. Seriously about 25%, if not more, of this book must be about this.

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17 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Couldn't stop listening!

Loved it. Very honest autobiography. It was funny, really interesting to listen to but also so very sad. Some bits heart breaking to listen too. For a Gary or TT fan, you'll love it and relive the years through your own memories.

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11 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Highly recommended

I’ve loved listening to Gary read his autobiography. He gives it so much character, humour and emotion. It wouldn’t have been as good if it was read by someone else. It’s a delight of Northern-ness and more than enough to make Northern expats homesick. I’ve loved Gary’s company in the car on the way to work this week 👍🏼 It’s going to be lonely next week 😢

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10 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Brilliant book, well-read by Gary too

A real eye-opening account into Gary’s mental health issues after going solo, diet and weight-control misery, his family life, and a behind-the-scenes insight into the tougher side of the music industry. I had no idea Gary was a keen health-hacker; a supporter of shunning ultra-processed foods and sugar. There are also some good cooking tips in the book!

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8 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

A food fest

An interesting perspective on what it means to be famous and the importance and power food can assume. I did become fatigued with the numerous food related anecdotes however this doesn't take away from the openness and honesty. Just hope GB does what he says and takes a much needed break.

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7 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Very honest and incredibly real.

listened in one hit. very easy on the ear, and incredibly moving to hear Gary talk about his dad and the loss of Poppy.

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3 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

O.K Read,Well written.

Its all me,me,me UNFORTUNATLY...... I did this I did that, I went through this and that and missed this then lost that.The man IS VERY talented obviously and he's been through A LOT ! But it became boring with his obsession with Robbie,in places.
However,I still enjoyed the book but please read and decide yourself, this is my opinion entirely.
Would I meet this man and discuss this book and his life ? YES, It's a genuine, personal and private insite into Gary's life !
WELL DONE,FOR BEING HONEST.

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Better - hopefully for good.

A fascinating and, I believe, frank biography delivered by Gary himself which made the book for me. He seemed to be driven in his early life to carve a career at the expense of others. His success and obvious talent counted for nothing in his career crash and he developed wight problems and mental doubt but our local hero rose again through his own hard work ethic and he found the way to let go of his ego and collaborate with others to produce some of his best work.

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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BRILLIANT A PROPER EYE OPENER !!

Couldn't put this book down, not only was it extremely interesting but changed the way i think about my forever ongoing battle with food
It was read clearly by Gary and i would say well worth the credit
Well done Gary 👍☺

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Love it

I loved how open and honest Gary is in this book. It was great listening to him read it. I certainly didn't want it to end!

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2 people found this helpful