Bestselling hilarious memoir from New Zealand's most controversial media star. Paul Henry is a natural-born story teller who spins a great yarn, and who says, 'I'll apologise for hurting people's feelings but I'll never apologise for being outrageous'.Paul Henry is a natural-born story teller who spins a great yarn, and who says, 'I'll apologise for hurting people's feelings but I'll never apologise for being outrageous'. From the man whose controversial comments on TV divided the country, and almost caused an international incident, comes this very funny memoir. Packed with stories from his eventful childhood and his long and adventurous career in journalism, this is a gripping, often hilarious and always entertaining read. It gives a fascinating insight into the complex character of Paul Henry. He's surprising he doesn't subscribe to any expected set of beliefs, he's an individual with contradictory opinions. He's bold he set himself up as an international news correspondent working out of his Masterton lounge, watching CNN and jetting off to the latest hotspot.
He's talked himself into getting interviews with people as diverse as Peter Ustinov and the Prime Minister of Malaysia; he was there for the funerals of Diana and Mother Theresa; he's been thrown into jail in Iraq. He's versatile starting with drama school, then broadcasting at the BBC, head of Radio NZ, standing for parliament against Georgina Beyer, international correspondent as well as protesting at Mururoa and running an antique shop and his own radio station. And, he's all-round entertaining!
Collect Fly Buys when you purchase this title
Kerre's Choice
21 Jun 2011, 12:31pm | Review by Kerre Woodham
Paul Henry’s memoir has been ghost written by the go-to guy for all best selling memoirs, Paul Little, so the book is well-crafted and Henry’s voice is absolutely authentic. He holds little back about his family life and his many job experiences and career choices although the prurient will be disappointed as he draws a veil on his romantic exploits. For all that, he is very open about the fact that his Dad never wanted children and came from the treat em mean, keep em keen school of fathering which Henry has emulated with his own daughters It seems a surprisingly successful parenting philosophy as Henry became very close to his dad before he died in 2001, and his three daughters appear to have a great relationship with him. Probably everyone knows Henry’s political ambitions were thwarted early on when he lost the battle for Wairarapa to a flamboyant transsexual; however, you may not know that he once sailed to Mururoa on a peace flotilla to protest French nuclear testing in the Pacific. Well written, packed with great photographs and wonderful illustrations from his mum, fans of Paul Henry will love this memoir and those who’ve never understood his charm may think again after reading this account.
|
Comment on this review...
What Was I Thinking: A Memoir
10 Feb 2012, 3:02pm | Review by Christobel Downs
This is a beautifully written introduction to the "off screen" Paul. Without being invasive we learn of his evolving career in broadcasting, his childhood, his marriage, his polilical dalliance and other little known aspects of his live. The little drawings add to the book which is almost a must read in one sitting book. I finished it with a new respect for a public figure with whom most have a love or hate relationship. A great read.
25 Sep 2011, 11:55am | Review by Pearl Piper
The book uncovers all that we didn't know about this special man - he may be a tad eccentric in his ways.. but hey, he's interesting, and has been around the block a few times. Life has been good to him, but he's also seen the harder side of life. You could never call him boring.. love him.
