The Pythons' Autobiography By The Pythons (Tape)

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Graham Chapman (Estate), Bob McCabe

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Pages: (Audio Cassette)

ISBN: 075286064X

Pub: Orion

Pub date: 2003-09-25

Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 558166

Editorial Review:

That The Pythons by the Pythons is going to be an absolute treat is evident even from the book's blurb. The six men behind Monty Python's Flying Circus--the most influential of all British TV satires--are actually four Englishmen, one Welshman and an interloping American, and it's largely in the words of John Cleese, Eric Idle, Michael Palin, Graham Chapman, Terry Jones and Terry Gilliam that we're told about the fractious process through which one of the great glories of British TV and film came into being.
Yes, Graham Chapman is here too, although sadly he died some years ago. The acerbic Chapman would have loved the frequent irreverent references to the fact that now he's dead. But nobody is spared in the hilarious introduction: its unsparing analyses of the post-Python careers of the participants would have most showbusiness types phoning their lawyers. But that's just one of the many joys in this chunky, arm-straining celebration of the glorious and surrealistic humour of the Monty Python team. Bob McCabe, the man who managed to corral the unruly members of the team here, has helped create this marvellous tome. It functions as a history of a well-loved comedy phenomenon, a biography of six extremely talented men and also a really eye-catching object: the book's design utilises the unmistakable animation style, created by Terry Gilliam, that was so much a part of the TV series and films. The iconoclastic attitude to the participants is perfect, but who would have accepted anything less from social critics as deadly as the Python team?

In fact, the revelation here that they were often at each others' throats suggests that inter-Python conflict may have been the catalyst that produced their inimitable humour. The only problem with The Pythons by the Pythons is resisting the temptation to read it at a sitting. --Barry Forshaw

Reader Reviews:

Half the Meat (0/0 people found this helpful)

My problem with this book is you get the lowdown on intergroup politics and business wranglings, production technicalities etc but very little colourful anecdotal material about inspiration behind sketches and the like. Whole series can be covered with little more than a passing mention of any of the material involved! Very frustrating.

Six autobiographies rolled neatly into one (1/1 people found this helpful)

The only book about Monty Python you'll ever need- six autobiographies rolled into one, great value, insightful, funny and very readable.

It tells the story of each of the Pythons in roughly chronological order, from their childhood and growing up to their first comedy work, then how Python formed, then how it fell apart. It does this solely using the Python's own words from new and in-depth interviews with each one,or in Graham Chapman's case (what with him being dead), quotes from his previous autobiography and interviews with his long-term partner and his brother. It makes sense without any words, apart from a foreword, from Bob McCabe who has done an excellent job of compiling and ordering everything.

If I had to criticise I would say that the pre-Python school days and revue days sections are possibly a little too long, and the post-Python "what happened next?" section is too short- not even a tiny biography of what each of the Pythons has been up to solo.

Don't buy this book expecting it to contain unpublished sketches or alternative punchlines or anything like that (like a reviewer below seems to have done). There are a few anecdotes but there aren't any gags, as such. But if like me you think Monty Python's Flying Circus and their films are some of the funniest TV shows and films ever made, then this is a great in-depth insight into how it all came to be.

Wish It Was Something Completely Different!!! (0/25 people found this helpful)

Well this was the first Autobiography I have read, and I didn't like it. Maybe autobiographies are not my type of book but for me this book was VERY boring. And I love Monty Ptyhon! It was, in my opinion, very slow and uninteresting for the main part of the book. It did improve a little to the back of the book but wether that was the book getting better or the anticipation of finishing it.... I dont know. I would advise people who like reading this style of book to get it because it's probably very good, but for anyone else, I wouldn't recommend it.

A TRUE MUST!!! (12/13 people found this helpful)

This is by far the best book ever written about monty python. Even if you haven't seen everything they did or even you are a die hard fan (like me) here is every detail anyone could want to know. You need hours, weeks, months to see all the pictures and read everything. You can find out everything about their lives, the situation in british comedy in the sixties, how they met, the extremely detailed story of the flying circus, all the movies, the books, the albums and an enormous amount of unseen fhotos. A true achivement. Nothing less could satisfy the fans of those geniouses who made us laugh, made us think, made us better people, gave us great memories and now finaly... talk about it.
Thank you John,Eric,Graham,Terry,Michael and Terry.

Do you mean to tell me coconuts migrate? (3/8 people found this helpful)

The shear volume of material in this book is enough to keep one entertained for hours. I am also among the breed of younger python fans and have found this book incredibly interesting since I wasn't around to experience the python phenomenon first time round.

This book is filled with python facts and is a must for any die-hard fan. The only downside is the size and weight, but this downside is far outweighed ('scuse the pun) by the indepth material.

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