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A Day Like Today

Memoirs

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A Day Like Today

By: John Humphrys
Narrated by: John Humphrys
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About this listen

‘The bombshell book everyone is talking about’ DAILY MAIL

‘A radio genius … the maestro of the show’ EVENING STANDARD

As presenter of Radio 4’s Today, the nation’s most popular news programme, John Humphrys was famed for his tough interviewing. He has been at the heart of journalism for decades. Now, he offers his life story from the poverty of his post-war childhood in Cardiff, leaving school at fifteen, to the summits of broadcasting. Along the way, he recalls the experiences that have marked him most: being the first reporter at the terrible disaster in Aberfan, reporting from South Africa in the dying days of apartheid, from Ireland during the Troubles, and from the White House on Richard Nixon’s historic resignation.

With his trademark tenacity and no punches pulled, John also weighs in on the controversies of his career, the role and limitations of the BBC, and the broader health of political debate today. He hopes you’ll tune in.

©2019 John Humphreys (P)2019 HarperCollins Publishers Limited Art & Literature Europe Journalists, Editors & Publishers Political Science Politics & Government Words, Language & Grammar World Writing & Publishing Memoir War Thought-Provoking

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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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content was very good; delivery unparalleled. John Humphreys is the man at the BBC and the conscience of the nation.

excellent. entertaining & informative

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A brilliant memoir, compelling listen, as good as live on Radio 4. Will no doubt listen again soon.

A great insight into the BBC and John Humphrys

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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.

An amazing insight in to people & politics

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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.

Honest and brilliant

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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.

Very interesting read

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i loved this book from start to finish a must read or listen great life experience

a great book

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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.

Fascinating.

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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

Bloody fantastic

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It was a pleasure to hear the broadcaster tell his personal story in his own words. Events such as the Newsnight scandal and the Hutton Inquiry were particularly thrilling drive-through's of recent political history. I can think of no better narrator and guide than the author.

The Entwhistle interview was the high-point for me. The interview, played in full, is brilliantly framed to even greater dramatic impact than it had at the time. The same can be said of several other items too. The Aberfan tradgedy is also very movingly described.

Humphrys' sage reflections on the state of political debate and on persons in politics and the BBC were very welcome too.

My only criticism would be a slight lack of coherence or lack of weight on certain issues on which Humphrys opines, but perhaps to ask more of a journalist in this respect is unreasonable. Such reflections are best when they relate to the state of our present culture and its immediate future. It's certainly a fascinating insight into the man and his times and particularly the organisation he worked for.

Fascinating account

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Great memoirs from Humphrys! No punches pulled and great to get some honest reflections from his career in media. I found myself disagreeing with his takes at times, but he’s inviting listeners to make up their own mind.

Fascinating

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