My Take - Gary Barlow

Advantages: Great reading
Disadvantages: Would have liked more gossip about him and Robbie's arguments

I was really looking forward to reading this book to learn about the real man and not just what we were told from the tabloids, I can easily say that I was not disappointed with this book. Gary starts the booki n 2000 and tells about how his life is and what he is up to. He then starts to take us back on a journey from his childhood. He tells us all about his apprenticeship in the working mens clubs in the North and how his family would save up ...
...how he gets his insperation for song writting which he started at such an early age and how hard it was trying to get his big break. He tells of when he first met Nigel Martin-Smith who was a modelling agent and how he had an idea of starting a boy band. We are told the truth about how Take That actually did get made and it is very suprising to find out that what we were all told is not the truth. He does go on to talk about the pressures of being ... Read review

Advantages: Well written, great story, honest detailed account of his life
Disadvantages: None

...That fan but Gary isn't my favourite so it took me a while to pick up the book to read. But it's BRILLIANT! I read it straight after reading Chris Moyles's book and the difference in the standard of writing is huge. Gary has used a ghost writer and it works so well as it is really well written with good use of language and well edited. Gary's story is amazing. It's so inspiring how he discovered his love of music and worked so hard onhis dream. ...
...age. His story makes you feel really pleased for him in all his success. The book gives a great insight into the life in the 'Take That bubble' and into all the other members and the management team. It seems to be a really honest account. I found the part when Gary was struggling for solo success a little bit uncomfortable to read as he went through some bad times and wasn't treated that well by people in the industry and found it hard to deal ... Read review

Advantages: very easy read, interesting story
Disadvantages: none

Even though I'm not a big fan of this autobiography boom that is going on at the moment, I asked to have Gary Barlows autobiography as a Christmas present and I just got round to finish it. The only autobiography I read before this was Robbies and I have to say, there is no comparison. Gary's is a very easy read and very interesting whereas I felt like Robbies was dragging on a bit. It might be because Gary used a ghost-writer, which gives the book ...
...live, from his childhood, through to his days as a soloartist in clubs to his time in Take That and afterwards up to the reunion. The book gives you a lot of inside in the music industry and into his private live (incl. celebrities like Elton John) It is a very interesting book with lots of little stories, that even Take That fans wouldn't know about. You think, by reading all the interviews, seeing the videos and reading the Take That books, you ... Read review

Advantages: Nicely written, honest and revealing
Disadvantages: As you'd expect it won't win a literacy prize

I only got this book because I quickly needed to find something to take advantage of WHsmiths 2 or 1 offer. I'm not really a Take That fan although I do like some of their songs and I like Gary Barlow as a songwriter. The book is actually a really good read. Obviously it won't win any prizes for literacy but it's got some really interesting stories. The book takes from Gary's early beginnings, from when he got his first musical equipment and started ...
...Take That days and the solo career and if you buy the updated version the reunion. Probably the most interesting parts concern his relationships with key people such as the Take That manager Nigel Martin-Smith and Robbie Williams. Gary is also honest enough to admit failings and some levels of immaturity in certain situations which is refreshing. A funny moment entails Gary's idolisation of Elton John's money and lifetstyle to the point of getting ... Read review

Advantages: A must for all Gary and Take That fans - even for Robbie fans, too!
Disadvantages: None

I cannot add much to the other reviews. This is an excellent read, and a 'must' for all Gary and Take That fans. Here we see the truly sensitive side of a man who was treated mercilessly by the tabloid press, especially when Robbie had his 'big break' with 'Angels' and other massive hits. This is a book written from the heart, by an intelligent, caring and loveable family man, who also happens to be one of the greatest singer/songwriters around. ...
...really brings it home to the reader about how bad the current times are. There is no doubt that Gary's life was greatly influenced by this. It's great that the acrimony between Gary and Robbie seems to have evaporated. I can well recommend this, as a great read. Looking forward to the new album, later this year. (Tony in Matlock, Derbyshire) ... Read review