Amazing story definitely listen !!

What a great book so honest and so clear, Gary is a legend I urge you to listen to his new album it is a wonderful collection of incredible song’s like no other today. He is a unique talent, much respect!

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Nothing missing

A little too long for me but interesting and very open a must for fans

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Surprisingly emotional in places

Always enjoyed listening to Gary Numan’s music so I was keen to listen to this autobiography. I couldn’t stop listening to it.

Gary made a great stab at reading the book but he’s a singer not an actor so on the odd occasion that was obvious. Nonetheless I’d much rather hear an audiobook read by the author so good job.

As for the content I loved it: it tells the story of Gary’s meteoric rise to fame and his equally quick plummet and rise again. His family life is much revealed and unlike the robotic characters he portrays in his shows, he comes across as a charming, loving devoted husband and father. It would be amazing to hear Gemma’s version of the same story - from her perspective. Just a thought.

On occasion I was moved to tears. I could hear Gary’s voice cracking when he had to tell about his child’s birth and more poignantly, his mum’s passing. I’m sure I cried with him!

This man deserves to be where he is and I’m sure the imminent Intruder album is going to smash it. I very much hope so.

This book was very much worth the wait. Loved it.

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Still Gary after all these years...

To be fair, I was a fairly hardcore Numanoid until his Dance album lost me in 1981 and I've collected all of his Beggars Banquet material on CD over the last 2 decades.

He was always an interesting character and if anything this book expands upon that quite widely. I remember lots of the negative press that dogged his early career and always suspected there was a strong campaign by the UK media to stunt his success, but was shocked to hear of the efforts of the BBC - who, ironically, launched him in to the public consciousness via the John Peel show in the first place - to deny him the exposure other artists were able to take for granted.

His failed audition for a certain band who were eventually politically and artistically at the other end of the scale was a surprise (I've got all of their stuff too, for balance). No names, no pack drill: get the book and find out for yourselves!

His family's repeated health issues - especially those of his wife Gemma - are covered in depth, as are the couple's struggles to start a family. In the end they were successful but the way Gary tells it really involves the listener.

Finally I'm glad he agreed with something I've always said since October 1979: he really should have released Metal as a single instead of Complex!

Thanks for providing all the memories, stories, triumphs and disasters, Gary - and congratulations on your rise to the top once more.

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It's a story of two halves.

Ok, so Gary is a songwriter and musician, not an author. The book's prose is fairly simply constructed, but if (like me) you've been a Numanoid since 1978 (when I was 6), this is essential listening for you.
It's made all the better, in my opinion, by Gary reading it, and since he was there, it adds credibility.
It's written from the heart, he comes across as genuine and open in the dialogue and it's fascinating to hear the origins of all the pop culture that I have adored about both Tubeway Army and Gary himself since I first heard him on a Peel session (we had no TV in 1978, radio was my world).
If you're looking for a book that helps you to connect with Gary in a real way, this is the one.

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4 people found this helpful

Told with real passion

Well done Mr Numan amazing biography told with feeling. A must hear story. Well done

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3 people found this helpful

A great listen for all Numanoids.

Great listen for all Numanoids. Nice to hear the story from Gary himself. What a varied life.

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Really Enjoyed this book!

I bought this book because I was 14 in 1979 and I loved Are Friends Electric at the time and I recently read that Gary had Aspergers and flown around the world. Other than that i'd have no interest in a music industry type of book. i was also looking for a change in the type of book id been listening to so I figured I'd give it a go. I really enjoyed it... it brought back a lot of memories for me from that era of course but it was also a great insight into aspects of the music industry and how it works. Gary kind of had huge overnight sucess in 1979 but it turns out that this was just the beginning of a very long journey for him. i was amazed at his songwriting ability and process and how he is able to keep writing new stuff and of course how he moves with the times and is constantly learning new skills to keep ahead. Garys aspergers allows him to be slightly obsessive and clearly focused on things which are important to him and he can compartmentalise things too fairly easily which is a handy tool. of course compartmentalising harmful emotions can be a short term fix but eventually they need to be dealt with... Great book and great example of how to be a success in that business... and no drink or drugs involved... Gary Numan - true talent, honest, a real artist who has stuck uncompromisingly to his principles!

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Fantastic autobiography! Loved every minute!

As a person with Asperger's, he articulates how we think so well! Thank you Gary :)

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A thoroughly enjoyable audiobook

Having been an admirer of Gary's music since I was a teenager I came across this book and bought it on a whim. I was a fantastic read and takes you from the beginning of Gary's career with all the ups and downs to the present day. What a career he's had!

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