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What Does This Button Do? cover art

What Does This Button Do?

By: Bruce Dickinson
Narrated by: Bruce Dickinson
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Summary

A long-awaited memoir from the larger-than-life, multifaceted lead vocalist of Iron Maiden, one of the most successful, influential and enduring rock bands ever.

Pioneers of Britain's nascent rock and metal scene back in the late 1970s, Iron Maiden smashed its way to the top, thanks in no small part to the high-octane performances, operatic singing style and stage presence of its second but twice-longest-serving lead singer, Bruce Dickinson. As Iron Maiden's front man - first from 1981 to 1993, and then from 1999 to the present - Dickinson has been, and remains, a man of legend.

But OTT frontman is just one of the many hats Bruce wears. In addition to being one of the world's most storied and well-respected singers and songwriters, he is an airline captain, aviation entrepreneur, motivational speaker, beer brewer, novelist, radio presenter, and film scriptwriter. He has also competed as a world-class level fencer. Often credited as a genuine polymath, Bruce, in his own words (and handwritten script in the first instance!), sets forth many personal observations guaranteed to inspire curious souls and hard-core fans alike.

Dickinson turns his unbridled creativity, passion, and anarchic humour to reveal some fascinating stories from his life, including his 30 years with Maiden, his solo career, his childhood within the eccentric British school system, his early bands, fatherhood and family, and his recent battle with cancer.

Bold, honest, intelligent and very funny, What Does This Button Do? is an up-close look inside the life, heart, and mind of one of the most unique and interesting men in the world - a true icon of rock.

©2017 Bruce Dickinson (P)2017 HarperCollins Publishers

What listeners say about What Does This Button Do?

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Scream for me Audible

A brilliant audio book. I couldn’t wait to listen to Bruce telling his own story! Wasn’t disappointed.

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21 people found this helpful

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A very well written autobiography.

I really enjoyed this book. So often autobiographies are self indulgent, full of rambling anecdotes aimed at self justification, but this is a tight, disciplined book with a coherent and interesting narrative. There is a very nice balance between the music and his other interests and nice bits of travelogue when describing his visits to foreign shores. To be honest the delivery was a bit Clarksonesque but easily forgivable in light of such wonderful story telling. Some parts made me laugh out loud whilst others made me feel sad, but Dickinson never deliberately tweeks the heart strings. All in all a fine piece of work, well worthy of the fascinating life it seeks to portray.

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16 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars

Eagerly anticipated, but a little disappointed

First things first. I love Iron Maiden, and I think Bruce is a talented, cool guy. However, while this book is entertaining enough it doesn't function all that well as an autobiography. The main problem is that you learn very little about his life. Which, I would suggest, is the subject that people would purchase an autobiography for.

We get a decent amount on his passions for fencing and flying. These sections could have been condensed, in my opinion. What I wanted to hear about is Bruce! His relationships inside and outside of Maiden. His beliefs, political and spiritual beliefs, how he coped with major life events, marriages, divorces, deaths and everything in between. He does explain in the afterward message that he deliberately left these out. Maybe this should have been moved to the front of the book? The book would also have benefited from more rock and roll lifestyle anecdotes. And more details about how each album was written. He could have also included details on his legendary dodgy performances during the Somewhere In Time tour. Plus the bad blood between the band after their split. All of this is skimmed over.

Its polished, superficial and like a huge version of one of his online interviews. Sure it's easy to read but the lack of jucy Maiden details and omission of his personal life means this is "thin" in terms of an autobiography.

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10 people found this helpful

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So glad I listened to this!

There was nothing to suggest that I would like this book but the chaps in my household are great admirers of this gentleman both for his music and for his flying exploits so I gave it a try. It was absolutely brilliant! He has had a very interesting life indeed and he writes about it very engagingly. Just a teeny weeny little bit of megalomania maybe when he tells of having finally made it to world celeb status (I could not have told you his name personally before reading this book!) but i found 99% of it very listenable. And I'm old and grumpy and don't like loud music :)

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6 people found this helpful

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What a bore fest!

So ridiculously boring, even if you are a diehard maiden fan. Avoid this one folks.

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5 people found this helpful

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The Book of Soul

Utterly utterly excellent audiobook. Bruce tells his story like a master storyteller and there were plenty of laughs along the way. I cannot recommend this thoroughly enough for anyone who likes life stories - rockers or not!

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4 people found this helpful

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Trooper

What a great listen. Lots of good stories of rock n roll life and plenty of humour. Crack open a bottle of Trooper stick your cans on and listen. Highly recommended

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4 people found this helpful

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Interesting even if you're not a Maiden fan

Didn't really know anything about Bruce or Iron Maiden but thoroughly enjoyed his narration and the story.

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3 people found this helpful

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Funny and interesting

A good autobiography (he admits that he has left certain subjects out) by a highly entertaining polymath - a singer, airline pilot, fencer, writer & broadcaster. This book is entertaining and thought provoking as he details his life in Rock and the trials and tribulations he has faced on the way.

The fact it’s read by the Author himself makes it even more entertaining.

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3 people found this helpful

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Great book and very entertaining to listen to

Great book and very entertaining to listen to. very interesting account of his and Maidens exploits.

Bruce is a compelling narrator

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3 people found this helpful