An Improbable Life

The Autobiography

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An Improbable Life

By: Trevor McDonald

Narrated by: Trevor McDonald

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About this listen

Sir Trevor McDonald is an extraordinary man - and he has led an improbable life. Now in his 80th year, he is known and loved by people the world over for his humility, charm and natural ease. As a natural storyteller and communicator, he has few equals.

In An Improbable Life, Sir Trevor recounts his personal experience of world events and interviews with globally famous - or notorious - figures. He has witnessed war and death and risked his own life to meet and talk with despots and liberators. We read about his first trip to South Africa, and obtaining the first British television interview with Nelson Mandela; his reflections on the Windrush generation; and experiencing Barack Obama's momentous inauguration as President of the USA. We are also present at his dramatic meetings with Saddam Hussein (the first and only one by a British television correspondent) and Muammar Gaddafi.

Engaging, intimate and moving, this is the life story of an exceptional journalist and broadcaster who over decades has expertly revealed to us history in the making.

Trevor McDonaldTrevor McDonaldWeidenfeld & Nicolson

20th Century

21st Century

Modern

Words, Language & Grammar

Writing & Publishing

Inspiring

Thought-Provoking

Africa

Middle East

Iran

War

Social justice

Biography

20th Century 21st Century Modern Words, Language & Grammar Writing & Publishing Inspiring Thought-Provoking Africa Middle East Iran War Social justice Biography

Critic reviews

The broadcasting legend's autobiography is written in his trademark charming and enigmatic style (Nina Pottell)

Veteran broadcaster Sir Trevor McDonald tells his life story through his in-depth experience of world events and vivid encounters with important political figures in the engaging An Improbable Life

Covering the election of Barack Obama as President of the United States in 2008 was the final act of Trevor McDonald's six-decade broadcasting career, but it comes at the start of his autobiography, An Improbable Life. That life is an extraordinary one: as a reporter and newsreader, 80-year-old McDonald has grilled some of modern history's most revered and reviled figures, from Nelson Mandela to Saddam Hussein. In his memoir he offers a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at these moments and reflects on his own remarkable journey, from Radio Trinidad to ITV's News at Ten

As he reflects over a career that encompassed meeting leaders and dictators, as well as the deeply personal Windrush scandal, the eighty-year-old journalist and broadcaster offers an insight into the history that has shaped our world and his

A fascinating read

Most relevant

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to Trevor’s story; what an engaging person and a life well lived. Listening to it, soon after the Black Lives Matter protests, reinforced my view that the U.K’s racist attitudes are preventing so many other black people from achieving their potential. It’s not a problem that is easily solved but he faced any racism he encountered, with absolute confidence, personally overcoming the hurdles put in his way and proved his worth. What a role model!