What Does This Button Do?
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What Does This Button Do?
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Narrated by:
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Bruce Dickinson
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By:
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Bruce Dickinson
About this listen
‘I was spotty, wore an anorak, had biro-engraved flared blue jeans with “purple” and “Sabbath” written on the thighs, and rode an ear-splittingly uncool moped. Oh yes, and I wanted to be a drummer…’
Bruce Dickinson – Iron Maiden’s legendary front man – is one of the world’s most iconic singers and songwriters. But there are many strings to Bruce’s bow, of which larger-than-life lead vocalist is just one. He is also an airline captain, aviation entrepreneur, motivational speaker, beer brewer, novelist, radio presenter, film scriptwriter and an international fencer: truly one of the most unique and interesting men in the world.
In What Does this Button Do? Bruce contemplates the rollercoaster of life. He recounts – in his uniquely anarchic voice – the explosive exploits of his eccentric British childhood, the meteoric rise of Maiden, summoning the powers of darkness, the philosophy of fencing, brutishly beautiful Boeings and firmly dismissing cancer like an uninvited guest.
Bold, honest, intelligent and funny, this long-awaited memoir captures the life, heart and mind of a true rock icon, and is guaranteed to inspire curious souls and hard-core fans alike.
©2017 Bruce Dickinson (P)2017 HarperCollins PublishersListeners also enjoyed...
Critic reviews
‘A chatty and anecdote-filled autobiography… There is much fun to be had, such as trying to put a certain part of his anatomy in the ear of the singer in rival band Quiet Riot (clue:not his finger) Sunday Times Books of the Year
‘The entertaining chronicle of a spotty anorak who escaped his grey existence into the absurd drama of life as Iron Maiden’s frontman’ Daily Telegraph Books of the Year
‘What Does This Button Do? is a genuinely fascinating and funny look back at Dickinson’s life. From his early days growing up in the Nottinghamshire mining town of Worksop (where he was raised by his grandparents until the age of six) to his roller-coaster 40-year music career, it paints a candid picture of a life well lived.’ Classic Rock Magazine
‘If you only read one book this year, it absolutely must be Bruce Dickinson’s new autobiography, What Does This Button Do? … The book is every bit as entertaining and bursting with energy as you might expect.’ Metal Hammer
‘Whether you are a Maiden fanatic, an aviation enthusiast, a fencing aficionado or none or even all of the above, you will most definitely get something from this extremely well written and entertaining book, such is the calibre of the man, his philosophies and the level of his accomplishments.’ Metaltalk
What listeners say about What Does This Button Do?
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Caz
- 07-10-18
A fascinating life story!
Well, yes I’m a fan of Iron Maiden. Yes. I buy a lot of things related to Iron Maiden. Yes. I also drink the beer. However, this is also one of the most fascinating autobiographies I’ve ever read.
I bought this book purely because I went to see Bruce on one of his book launch tours. As part of the cost of the ticket you were given a stunning hand-signed copy. Great. It’s sat proudly on my shelf. Thing thing was, having heard Bruce read a few excerpts from the book, I realised that the only way I’d really get the feel for the characters in his life was to let Bruce tell me the whole story. So, I bought this book! It’s fantastic. Bruce has led an amazing life and I think it’s admirable that he’s told his story while avoiding his personal life. You won’t hear anything about his marriages or kids.
If you are a fan of Iron Maiden, you’ll probably have bought the book. If you are a fan of a riveting read, laughing your socks off and could give a flying monkey about Iron Maiden, buy this book! You won’t regret it.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Simon D. Elsworth
- 30-04-19
Interesting book without descending into tabloid stories
Not a Maiden diehard fan although I do own one of their albums. First thing I’d say is Bruce has kept any stories about his spouse/kids out which is fine as I wanted to know about Bruce the musician and pilot. I’m sure he missed some other stories/controversy out as they may be not fit to print. But this kept me interested. His fight with cancer was well written as well. His love of flying as well as the music. Bit of an anorak with planes and details. So if you are expecting a rock’n’roll, tales of drugs and sex orgies you are going to be disappointed.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 12-03-18
Great book
great to listen about a person life that i have grown up with
wow wow
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- Amazon Customer
- 11-06-19
Inspirational, unputdownable
A b c d e, f g h I j k l, m n o
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mrs M-C
- 21-11-17
An excellent book. Well Read and Engaging
Very much enjoyed this book. Well read and engaging from the start. He comes across as a very nice guy. Highly recommended.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 23-11-17
Outstanding
I find it only fair that I begin the review by saying I am a huge Iron Maiden fan, and queued for hours just to fulfil one of my ambitions of meeting Bruce and shaking his hand.
I should learn never to be surprised by the man, with his well known ventures in the skies and his swashbuckling with the foils, through to his writing and film making jaunts. This aside from Maiden makes his life story very interesting, and every expectation I had of the book was met.
I decided upon an audio download of the book simply because I didn’t want to spoil my hard copy, and I am so pleased I did. Narrated by Bruce himself in wonderful fashion. He speaks with such passion and is very articulate throughout. I’d love to hear more stuff narrated by Bruce, he puts everything into it and you feel like you’re there with him through all steps of his life.
My one thought at the end was why he didn’t discuss certain things relating to his family etc, but he clears up why in the last chapter.
All in all... a MUST for any Iron Maiden fan, and for people interested in aviation, it’s really eye opening to hear about his path into the profession. Wonderful stuff!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Angela Gatfield
- 04-09-18
You don't have to be an Iron Maiden fan...
you don't have to be a fan of Bruces music to appreciate this brutally honest, laugh out loud funny doccumentation of a life well lived. He is an incredible human being. And this is a must listen (or read) for everyone
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- samantha Gibbins
- 17-01-18
Not just about iron maiden
Having being a fan of Bruce for years and a big iron maiden fan it’s was nice to get a insight into his world and life. A intelligent and interesting story, there is more to the man than just iron maiden.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Keith Anderson
- 23-01-18
Very good and considerably better than expected.
Although admittedly a fan, I expected less and came away with more - well done!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Kate Thompson
- 12-01-18
Bloody brilliant!
What did you like most about What Does This Button Do??
All of it but particularly Bruce's narration
What was one of the most memorable moments of What Does This Button Do??
Captain Clusterfuck and the marzipan covered fruit cake
Any additional comments?
Even if you haven't heard of Iron Maiden (really??) this is well worth a listen.
When he's not jumping around stage wailing like an air raid siren, you will discover Bruce Dickinson is an articulate, talented and rather clever sort of a chap. Fencing, brewing beer and airline captain to name but a few of his achievements.
(And on the off chance that he reads this, I'd quite like to meet him for a pint and a chat!)
#IronMaiden
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