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It's Not What You Think. Chris Evans (2009)

by Chris Evans(Favorite Author)

3.89 of 5 Votes: 2

ISBN

0007333269 (ISBN13: 9780007333264)

languge

English

genre

Memoir & Autobiography

publisher

HarperCollins Publishers

review 1: This autobiography charts part of the life so far of Chris Evans – a Northern British media figure who has, at periods, dominated TV and radio output in the UK.In recent times I have warmed to Evans as a knowledgeable persona who is gently entertaining and seems to sense what listeners and viewers want. I now listen to him almost daily as he presents the morning drive to work slot on BBC radio 2. It’s worth noting that further back in his career I found Evans a bit loud and brash but this book has given me more knowledge about his media ascent and, as a result, I have gained more respect for him.Earlier on in his life and despite being academically bright and sharp, Evans eschewed a formal university education and became a working man as his career of schooling came to... more a close. As he explains his early morning exploits leaving his house before daybreak to mark up newspapers at a local shop, you get the sense that graft matters to this man and soon realise that his uber-successful media career was earned as a result of a likeable personality, a hint of cheekiness and a heavy dose of hard graft. His career break happened as a result of scamming Manchester DJ Timmy Mallett by posing as a fake interviewer for hospital radio. Lucky for Evans, his scam paid off and after hearing about an unpaid position ‘chez Mallett’ he applied and got the job – the rest, as they say, is history. After moving to London, Evans moved further into media circles developing a career in production and becoming infamous as a presenter on TFI Friday and Don’t Forget Your Toothbrush. The book ends as he discusses aspects of his media ownership and entrepreneurship and elaborates on his media buying negotiations with Richard Branson. Obviously you leave the book thinking and firmly believing that Evans has come such a long way. Yet somehow he seems still in touch with his roots – that’s the beauty of the narrative via which he appears to give an honest and uplifting account of an ambitious life.This book has various levels of appeal. It appeals to me as I like to read autobiographies and memoirs and it has given me much more of an admiration of Evans as a plucky character – he’s an optimist and has obviously worked damn hard to get his breaks by not being prepared to settle for second best. This book will also appeal to anyone who is passionate about the media industry and entrepreneurship – Evans worked his way up in the industry with initially no contacts or connections. Working against our British class system it’s inspirational and refreshing to see this kind of progression where a working class lad from Warrington can now call the shots as he does.Recommended!
review 2: Not a big fan of celebrities in general, but I did used to enjoy TFI Friday as a teenager and was curious to know the story behind the story of Evans fall from the grace of the media spotlight. This book is rich with stories in the entertainingly snappy style CE is known for, but also offers insight and honest reflection into the often crazy world of a creative yet highly impulsive ginger-haired man. All in all a very enjoyable read - especially his interactions with Richard Branson, which left me grinning from ear to ear! less

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