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Diaries 1969-1979: The Python Years (Abridged): The Python Years Audiobook
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(3.02) - 996 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Michael Palin's diaries begin in the late 1960s when he began writing for hugely popular programs. He recounts how Monty Python emerged and triumphed. From the success and cult status brought by Monty Python, Palin shares stories from their world tours, their stay at hotels recently trashed by Led Zeppelin, their battles over censorship, and how individually the Pythons went their separate ways. Yet at the same time they were working on the now celebrated series of films, including The Holy Grail, many of whose lines are known by heart to a considerable portion of the English-speaking world. The birth and childhood of his three children, learning to cope as a young man with celebrity, his friendship with George Harrison, and all the trials of a peripatetic life are also essential ingredients of these diaries. A perceptive and funny chronicle, the diaries are a rich portrait of a fascinating period.
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"I love Palin, I love Python, and I love the 70s. What's not to love about this book? Fantastic recounting of the Python years and Palin's burgeoning family life. Very interesting to see Palin remain remarkably even-keeled throughout a period of rapidly-growing fame and increasing personal and professional responsibilities. Also, I particularly liked his in-depth coverage of the brainstorming, writing, and filming of Life of Brian, one of my all-time favorite movies."
— Andrew (5 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“Michael Palin is not just one of Britain's foremost comedy character actors, he also talks a lot. Yap, yap, yap he goes, all day long and through the night...then, some nights, when everyone else has gone to bed, he goes home and writes up a diary.
— John Cleese -
Palin's prose is spry and insightful, identifying the true warmth felt for Hemingway in these locales...Any trout-fishing, bull-running, wing-shooting Hemingway fan worth his martini shaker should wind this book fun.
— Library Journal on Michael Palin's Hemingway Adventure -
Is there anything Michael Palin can't do?
— Washington Post on Hemingway's Chair
Diaries 1969-1979: The Python Years Listener Reviews
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Craig, 10/7/2018
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" Very good book--Palin writes very well and offers some insight into the Python creative process, as well as an interesting view of British and American culture in the seventies. "
— Dave, 2/13/2014 -
" I'm a big Monty Python fan, so I was excited to read this. I wish there had been more detail about the making of the Holy Grail; it's my favorite movie, so I could've read an entire 600 pages on the movie alone. "
— Beth, 2/8/2014 -
" Absolutely fascinating (and FUNNY) first-hand account of the Python years. I'm not fond of non-fiction, usually, but this was terrific!! "
— Bobby, 1/26/2014 -
" A really fascinating account of life in the seventies - the description of living through the three-day week was almost as interesting as learning about the genesis of Monty Python! "
— Lewis, 1/26/2014 -
" It was extremely interesting to learn how Monty Python formed, planned and carried out their projects. Also, I got to know more about that decade in terms of politics, arts, etc. A must for all Michael Palin and Monty Python fans! "
— Isabel, 1/19/2014 -
" Great for python fans. A rare insight. "
— Alannah, 1/9/2014 -
" this was okay, it sort of confirms my theory that the nicest people have the most boring diaries, whereas people you wouldn't want to be trapped in a lift with write much more interesting and gossipy prose (ie. piers morgan's diaries) "
— Kathryn, 1/1/2014 -
" Enjoyed this book of 10 years worth of diary entries from my favorite Python member, Michael Palin! Look forward to reading about the next 10 years, 1980-1989, whenever he comes out with it. "
— Shannon, 12/28/2013 -
" Really enjoying this so far. It's like catnip to the Anglophile in me. Also, my weird fascination with the 70s. "
— Caroline, 12/24/2013 -
" A lifelong Monty Python fan, I entered the book with great expectations. While the working life of Palin is facinating,the everyday accounts are all to familiar with my everyday life. I confess I read the first hundred pages and then skimmed the rest. "
— Tracy, 12/22/2013 -
" excellent account of the days of the groundbreaking monty python team "
— mac, 5/25/2013 -
" Interesting to see the different real personalities of the Monte Python members "
— Brent, 3/25/2013 -
" I chuckled out loud a few times. No, it wasn't gut-bustingly funny, but it was interesting to read (hear) what Palin thought was worthy of jotting down. "
— Laura, 9/21/2012 -
" I listened to this on Audible audio book. Read by Michael Palin. Can't wait for the next decade. "
— Kevin, 9/26/2011 -
" Learned a little about Monty Python but the gossip about friends of Palin's is the best. "
— Jeanne, 8/6/2011 -
" Great for python fans. A rare insight. "
— Alannah, 4/5/2011 -
" I really liked this book.....but who can't fail to warm to Palin!!!! "
— Ian, 3/3/2011 -
" I'm currently on hiatus from this book. It is very interesting so far, but I feel like I need a break and am reading other books at the moment. I will return to it soon though! "
— Sarah, 2/5/2011 -
" it's a big damn book. i can't imagine anyone that doesn't like palin or python making their way through this one. but if you do you're bound to really like the guy. and it's a hell of a journey too. "
— Bryon, 10/9/2010 -
" I chuckled out loud a few times. No, it wasn't gut-bustingly funny, but it was interesting to read (hear) what Palin thought was worthy of jotting down. "
— Laura, 6/4/2010 -
" excellent account of the days of the groundbreaking monty python team "
— mac, 1/3/2010
About Michael Palin
Michael Palin established his reputation with Monty Pythonˆs Flying Circus and Ripping Yarns. His work also includes several films with Monty Python as well as The Missionary, A Private Function, an award-winning performance as Ken in A Fish Called Wanda, and Fierce Creatures. He has also written books to accompany his very successful travel series, Around the World in 80 Days, Pole to Pole, Full Circle, and Hemingway Adventure.