Author:Dave Gorman,Dave Gorman,Full Cast
The complete Genius radio series, in which Dave Gorman and his celebrity guests consider the ridiculous, unworkable, but sometimes genius inventions of the public.
Guests such as Stewart Lee, Johnny Vegas, Germaine Greer and Charlie Brooker peruse a parade of proposals, be they innovations, gadgets, gizmos, philosophies or follies, in an attempt to sort the worthy from the worthless. Will they unearth some genuine gems of genius? And which pitch will win the legendary Genius trophy?
Ideas include the use of breathalysers on mobile phones to stop you making regrettable calls, a 99p coin, genetically-engineered mini-elephants as pets, Bovril as a fizzy drink, virtual reality headsets for chickens, Lego prisons and the best thing since sliced bread – perforated bread.
If you've ever had an ingenious invention, a sublime plan for solving problems both small and large, or a twisted scheme for making the world a better, or more interesting, place then Genius is the midwife to your brainchild.
The guests are Paul Daniels, Richard Madeley, John Fortune, Neil Innes, Stewart Lee, Johnny Vegas, Armando Iannucci, Chris Addison, Brian Sewell, Carol Vorderman, Sid Waddell, Germaine Greer, Gyles Brandreth, Matthew Wright, Rob Newman, Charlie Brooker and Simon Munnery. This complete collection also includes the Christmas Special edition of the show featuring Lee Mack.
Bonus content: Dave Gorman’s Pub Olympics. In this one-off, very silly panel show, contestants Chris Addison, Roisin Conaty, Geoff Lloyd and Seymour Mace compete for gold medals in a series of ridiculous rounds, very loosely based on sports. Usain Bolt can run the 100m in 9.58 seconds. What do the panellists think they could do in 9.58 seconds? And what Olympic themed panel show would be complete without Quiz Akabusi?
The definitive book on Bowie
—— The TimesDylan Jones made absolutely the right decision to frame his superb life of David Bowie as a multi-voiced oral biography. David Bowie: A Life suits the shape-shifting, beguiling, enigmatic complexities of its subject perfectly. It’s hard to imagine
anything that will do Bowie better justice
Jones constructs an oral-history mosaic that will engage even those whose lives
were not changed by the appearance of Ziggy Stardust on Top of the Pops in 1972
The best book on David Bowie you’ll ever need or read.
—— Irish Independent, BOOKS OF THE YEARWorthy of the Starman … Of all the volumes to appear since Bowie’s death, this is the most useful: an oral history that brings together the most incisive reminiscences and memorials
—— Evening StandardDylan Jones has excavated the cacophony of voices that make up a life and curated a phenomenal portrait of the artist from childhood to the final days. The witnesses who comprise this oral biography animate the pages like characters in a non-fiction novel. Damn nigh peerless.
—— David Mitchell, author of Cloud Atlas
Studded with shiny nuggets
The perfect present for music mums and dads
—— Daily MirrorFunny, enlightening, gossipy’
—— The HeraldSparks with admiration and grievances, lust and envy
—— Sunday TelegraphEngrossing
—— Mail on SundayThere have been many books about David Bowie ... but Dylan Jones's is among the best
—— ObserverThe definitive account of the great man’s life, in the words of those who knew him best … lively, funny and warm – and the story, even the well-known bits, still staggers and amazes. It’s a brilliant story, and it is tremendously well-told here
—— EsquireA magisterial compilation of startling insights
—— The OldieOne of the most colourful and intimate portraits yet painted of Bowie
—— VogueA vivid catalogue of anecdote, opinion, gossip and memoir
—— Telegraph MagazineThere is literally no better way to spend your time than by reading about the late, great, beautiful and brilliant David Bowie, brought to you by fellow superfan and GQ editor Dylan Jones
—— TatlerThis oral history is by far the best … It’s gossipy, fascinating stuff
—— The SunThe perfect accompaniment to roaring fires and languid winter evenings, this book
guarantees to see any man through the festive period
A must-have for Bowie fans
—— Daily MirrorRevelatory and surprising – perfect for the Ziggy completist
—— New York MagazineBeguiling … the fabulosity of Bowie’s life and times lends itself extraordinarily well
to the oral history form
An affectionate, sometimes surprising, always fascinating picture of a Star Man in the real world
—— STELLA magazineOf all the volumes to appear since Bowie’s death last year, this is perhaps the most useful
—— i paperA treat for enthusiasts […] it bulges with essential and telling Spinal Tappish gossip
—— GuardianAn intimate, detailed and gossip-spangled survey of the life of the great enigma
—— Strong Words magazineThere are sixty-two and a half million books written about David Bowie; this is the one that has been unanimously praised. Indeed, David Bowie: A life might be the only one that you really need.
—— Loud and Quiet MagazineYou can go to any page and read something really interesting. It’s the only book about another artist that I’ve really enjoyed.
—— Chris Difford , Daily Express