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Absolute Pandemonium: The Autobiography

The Autobiography: My Louder Than Life Story

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About this listen

There is no one quite like Brian Blessed. He's an actor, film star, trained undertaker, unlikely diplomat, secret romantic, martial artist and mountaineer. He's also a brilliant storyteller who will - and you must brace yourself - simply leap out of the pages at you.

Ready? Then open Absolute Pandemonium and you'll be taken on a riotous journey from his childhood, growing up the son of a miner in Goldthorpe, to finding fame in Z-Cars. You'll see Brian falling for Katharine Hepburn on the set of The Trojan Women, suffering wires strapped round his wotsits as he was hoisted into the heavens on Flash Gordon, almost causing an international incident when meeting the Emperor and Empress of Japan, and winning round George Lucas to get the role of Boss Nass on Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace.

Along the way he takes secret revenge on headmistress Mrs Jarman and her very big bottom, punches Harold Pinter, loves and hates Peter O'Toole, woos his beautiful wife Hildegard Neil and braves the shocking death toll on cosy TV drama My Family and Other Animals. Crammed with anecdotes from his illustrious career, this is a funny, warm-hearted, life-affirming, LOUD and unique memoir from a much-loved figure.

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Critic reviews

Stuffed with riotous and hilarious tales . . . never less than entertaining and in some parts, as in his relationship with Peter O'Toole, even quietly revelatory.
Fizzing entertainment
A hoot
Absolute Pandemonium is exactly what you would expect only louder, taller and bigger and more so . . . pleasingly bonkers and bloody entertaining. (Viv Groskop)
The pages of Absolute Pandemonium reverberate with the sound of that inimitable voice and his appetite for life. (Andy Miller)
He bursts onto the page and then roars through his experiences. It's very funny.
The beauty about actor, adventurer and Everest climber Brian Blessed's uproarious memoir is that his huge voice leaps out at you from every page.
All stars
Most relevant
I have been toying with the idea of joining audible for a while. I have stated a job that has me driving long distances and after listening to lots of radio, I thought audio books might be a good change. Absolute Pandemonium has been a good start, I've always been a fan of Brian and he did not disappoint with stories from his early life in Yorkshire moving on to elements of his later life and relationships with Peter OToole and other famous names. Brian has fabulous anecdotes from his life on stage and screen, some will have you in stitches.

a great first listen.

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Would you consider the audio edition of Absolute Pandemonium: The Autobiography to be better than the print version?

I do think that Brian's voice enhances the experience

What was one of the most memorable moments of Absolute Pandemonium: The Autobiography?

His stories about his parents

Have you listened to any of Brian Blessed’s other performances? How does this one compare?

Love it

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Brian laid bare

Brian at his best

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This is how an autobiography should be written and performed, top quality entertainment from the talented Mr Brian Blessed.

Great stuff

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What made the experience of listening to Absolute Pandemonium: The Autobiography the most enjoyable?

Brian Blessed's narration of course! While not everyone's cup of tea, for those who enjoy his no-nonsense loudness will find this a treat. A brilliant performer who could be the only choice for this book.

What does Brian Blessed bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

There are a number of extras included in the audio book which I don't believe are included in the print version. These only help to put the listener at ease and see Mr. Blessed's personality.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Louder than life!

As boisterous as you'd expect

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Hilarious, heartfelt and humbling. Brian is a wonderful narrator. It's like chatting with an old friend.

A fantastic insight into a national treasure

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