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A Day Like Today
- Memoirs
- Narrated by: John Humphrys
- Length: 13 hrs and 2 mins
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A Day Like Today
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Summary
Read by John Humphrys, with extracts from his fiercest on-air interviews.
For more than three decades, millions of Britons have woken to the sound of John Humphrys’s voice.
As presenter of Radio 4’s Today, the nation’s most popular news programme, he is famed for his tough interviewing, his deep misgivings about authority in its many forms, and his passionate commitment to a variety of causes.
A Day Like Today charts John’s journey from the poverty of his post-war childhood in Cardiff, leaving school at 15, to the summits of broadcasting. Humphrys was the BBC’s youngest foreign correspondent, the first reporter at the catastrophe of Aberfan, an experience that marked him for ever; he was in the White House when Richard Nixon became the first American president to resign, in South Africa during the dying years of apartheid, and in war zones around the globe throughout his career. John was also the first journalist to present the Nine O’Clock News on television.
Humphrys pulls no punches and now, freed from the restrictions of being a BBC journalist, he reflects on the politicians he has interrogated and the controversies he has reported on and been involved in, including the interview that forced the resignation of his own boss, the director general. In typically candid style, he also weighs in on the role the BBC itself has played in our national life – for good and ill – and the broader health of the political system today.
A Day Like Today is both a sharp, shrewd memoir and a backstage account of the great newsworthy moments in recent history – from the voice behind the country’s most authoritative microphone.
Critic reviews
"Offers readers the best bits of an extraordinary – and lucky – life that canters through key moments of recent history...Humphrys even offers us glimpses of his human side off-mic." (Sunday Times, Best Books of the Year 2019)
"This is one of the best books ever written about our industry." (Piers Morgan)
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What listeners say about A Day Like Today
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- Machiavelli
- 15-05-20
excellent. entertaining & informative
content was very good; delivery unparalleled. John Humphreys is the man at the BBC and the conscience of the nation.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- rm
- 25-04-20
Honest and brilliant
Many years ago, I read Moab is My Washpot by Stephen Fry.. Perhaps odd to say about an autobiography but its honesty and quality of writing actually made me want to go out and read more and more. Not necessarily by the same author. I'm no scholar but what I can say, as way of praise for A Day Like Today is that I hold it in the same regard as Fry's book: Candour and quality of writing as well as telling the author's story - especially their ups and downs make this an excellent listen. I detest reviews that drag on and on so I'll simply say that, whether you are a fan of the author or not, any fan of the BBC's Today programme, or anyone who believes power should be held to account will love this book. Beautifully written - and as you would expect - beautifully narrated as well.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Dave one
- 29-09-20
Very interesting read
A very good book, made even better because the author read it. He tells the story of some pivotal moments in history which kept me intrigued to the end.
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- Amazon Customer
- 26-10-19
a great book
i loved this book from start to finish a must read or listen great life experience
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1 person found this helpful
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- John D
- 24-11-19
Fascinating.
For someone who’s been part of our lives on the radio for so many years it was remarkable to hear the stories of the arguments and the stress and the anger behind the man. Raging against authority and there at major moments in history.
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- Malcolm Gibbs
- 01-11-19
A great insight into the BBC and John Humphrys
A brilliant memoir, compelling listen, as good as live on Radio 4. Will no doubt listen again soon.
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- Alec Sharples
- 27-02-20
An amazing insight in to people & politics
An amazing insight in to the BBC, politics and people and what makes them all tick.
John Humphrys takes us on a thoroughly absorbing guide behind the scenes at the BBC and it doesn't disappoint. The detail is amazing as is the slow sharpening of the butcher's knife as he prepares to fillet several high profile targets. The surgical precision is so silky that the poor sap in question has been cut in to a thousand microscopic pieces before you even realise what is going on.
A superb book and one I'd thoroughly recommend.
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- Graham G Grant
- 09-12-19
Parting shot from an expert marksman
From the very start, this is a compelling listen. It begins with the clever trick of Humphrys interviewing himself. The tone is introspective and even self-critical, as Humphrys revisits his career and some of his most combative or significant encounters with leading politicians and figures in public life. It’s honest, blunt, and highly revealing about the institutional mindset of the BBC - and Humphrys’ long-lasting love-hate relationship with it. The sections reprising the Andrew Gilligan and Jimmy Savile affairs are the most fascinating. The candour and the trademark gravelly delivery are enough to make this an instant hit. Listen today!
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- Paul S
- 25-06-20
Brilliant
An enjoyable frank listen. Most informative from a man with morals, I wish there were more like him around today.
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- London Girl
- 07-10-19
Bloody fantastic
Wasn't sure when I first started listening and nearly returned it. So glad I didn't. Very interesting.
The author narrates the book very well.
well worth the listen
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7 people found this helpful