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A Life in Questions

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About this listen

The witty, incisive and frank memoirs from the legend of Newsnight and long-standing quiz master of University Challenge. Filled with views, opinions and stories from 4 decades in front of the camera.

‘Bursting with good things’ Daily Telegraph

During 25 years as BBC Newsnight’s supreme inquisitor, Jeremy Paxman proved himself as the master of the political intervview. From John Major to Theresa May and Tony Blair to Ed Miliband, he has them quaking in their boots. But it wasn’t just politicians. Paxman’s interviews with Dizzee Rascal, David Bowie, Russell Brand and Vivienne Westwood are legendary. He discussed belief with religious leaders and philosophers, economics with CEOs and bankers, books with writers, and art and theatre with artists. After 23 years on University Challenge, Paxman is also the longest-serving active quizmaster on British television.

In A Life in Questions, the tables are turned: the quizmaster answers our burning questions, telling terrifying stories and laughing at much of the silliness in the world. These are the long-awaited memoirs of the greatest political interviewer of our time.

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Critic reviews

‘[Paxman] records his childhood and the highs and lows of his subsequent career with a sharp eye, an acerbic wit and a lingering trace of melancholy.’ Daily Mail

‘Funny, sad and revealing’ David Aaronovitch, The Times

‘Entertaining’, Books of the Year, Observer

‘[A] trenchant memoir’ Daily Mail

‘Eye-opening … [an] entertaining and anecdote-rich book’ Daily Express

‘Revealing memoir’ Observer

‘Gripping’ Literary Review

Praise for Jeremy Paxman:

‘Intelligent, well-written, informative and funny … A book to chew on, dip into, quote from and exploit in arguments’ Andrew Marr, Observer

‘He writes with wit and penetration, and every page of Empire can be read with relaxed pleasure’ Spectator

‘Paxman is witty, incisive, acerbic and opinionated . . . In short, he carries the whole thing off with panache bordering on effrontery’ Sunday Times

‘A very engaging account … with a good sprinkling of jokes, funny nicknames and sexual references. Paxman makes some very sharp points and writes well’ Guardian

‘Bursting with good things’ Daily Telegraph
All stars
Most relevant
I can't say I'm the biggest fan of Jeremy paxman but thought it might be good as he's quite outspoken and it certainly didn't disappoint plus I enjoy listening if the writer actually reads it. Lots of interest and good humour got me through this is double quick time. I'd highly recommend it

Worthy listen

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Great book that hetld my interest throughout. Paxman is genuine and honest man that says it how it is!

.

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Loved it ... he tells it as it is, that we bumble around on this mortal coil makng mistakes and taking ourselves far too seriously ... both poignant, as in his relationship with his father and funny eg. assuming 50% of the people in the reading room of the British Museum were mad!

Classic Paxman

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Loved this and it's made me look up other work by Paxo. Interesting and droll by turns. I liked him before. I like him more now. Top job Jeremy! :)

Absorbing

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Early life chapters ground the rest of the book (I detest when reviews whine about these). Being Northern Irish, really appreciated Jez's impartial and compassionate summary of the conflict (see also Hitchen's Catch 22.)

Really appreciated the author narrating - would love to his whole collection up here.

Jump right on this!

A delight - warm, funny and honest

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