Over the Top and Back cover art

Over the Top and Back

The remarkable autobiography from a national treasure

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About this listen

Penguin presents the unabridged, downloadable, audiobook edition of Over the Top and Back by Tom Jones, read by Jonathan Pryce.

In a career that has spanned six decades, Sir Tom Jones has performed with almost every major recording artist, from Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis and Sinatra, to Robbie Williams, Van Morrison and Jessie J, across every imaginable genre, from rock and pop to country, blues and soul. The one constant throughout has been his unique musical gift and unmistakable voice.

In this, his first ever autobiography, Tom will revisit his past, both personal and professional, exploring the twists of fate that took a boy from a poor Welsh coal-mining family to global celebrity status. He will chart the stories behind the hits as well as the ups and downs of his professional life - from the heyday in Las Vegas and subsequent fallow years in the 1980s to his renaissance and comeback, thanks to the direction and management of his son, Mark - as well as shedding a light on the life he has led behind the cameras and the stage.

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Critic reviews

A story brilliantly told ... Hold up your banners: "Sir Tom F****** Jones". Yeah! (Bryan Appleyard)
Packed with the kind of showbiz tales you don't get any more ... Jones is a charming, matey voice and the book is a terrific, star-studded journey through the world of entertainment. Even after meeting some of the greats, such as Elvis and Sinatra, Jones still retains an innocence and freshness that is rare
Over the Top and Back is a great read and funny. It charts his youth in the coal mining town of Pontypridd. It captures his Welshness
a book that gets to Jones's core
The book lays bare a career that has spanned 60 years, Tom revisits his past and tells tales from his journey from wartime Pontypridd to LA and beyond. He reveals the ups and downs of his remarkable life, from his early heyday to his subsequent fallow years to his later period of artistic renaissance
You tell the story of an Electrolux vacuum cleaner with the same gusto as you talk about Elvis Presley, and that's why it's brilliant Tom
Tom Jones really has had the most astonishing life, one which he recounts here with verve, energy and a vivid eye for detail - this is a hugely enjoyable read
This lively, thoughtful and entertaining account does justice to a remarkable life and career
A story, brilliantly told... hold up your banners: "Sir Tom F****** Jones". Yeah!
A brilliant read full of charm and anecdote that captures the spirit of each decade as well as giving a great behind-the-scenes snapshot of the music world. (Fanny Blake)
All stars
Most relevant
A fascinating insight into the man, the legend which is, Tom Jones. From start to finish, thoroughly entertaining.

Thoroughly entertaining!

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Loved it! Very interesting. Narration amazing. The last chapter was very touching. Well done Sir Tom !!

Brilliant !!

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Jonathan Pryce narrates this book so well that it could almost be Tom.
It was as if I was on the journey with Tom. I remember when he was struggling to make a go of it, i was part of that era and it's a joy to read this book.
. I loved him on the voice and I am upset he won't be back. It won't be the same without him.

THE VOICE.

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Loved Tom’s autobiography, he comes across as a genuine man, no bs, funny, and loyal, in an industry that’s not.
Also loved the narration by Jonathan Pryce, who in my mind WAS Tom Jones, excellent book.

Authentic.

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Really enjoyed it. Some journey for a Welsh lad with a big voice. The narration was excellent too . Among the best I’ve heard on an audio book

On yersel Tom

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