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 to buy him the latest model of keyboard. He tells 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 in such a high profile band and how it does drag you down.
We do get some insight into the so-called Robbie battle, but not quite as much as I would have liked.
Gary goes on to talk about his struggle to make a good solo career for himself and how it was always compared to Robbie's solo career.
He learn a lot about how Gary changed when out of the public eye and how he met and married his wife. He talks about his wonderful family and children. Gary is also quite open about his drastic weight gain which became tabloid gossip.
We are then taken back to present time where I was very shocked to read that he was on the London underground when it was bombed and he is lucky to be alive.
He does montion the band reforming and we do get insight into the hard work that was involved in making the sell-out tour and how it was hard for the band to get fit for it!
I have the hard back copy of this book which is priced at £18.99 but can be bought cheaper now. Even if you have to pay full price it is well worth it.
The book has a great cover which is plain and simple with just a picture of Gary on. The dust cover is removable which is a bonus as it can be romoved whilst reading to stop it getting creased or damaged. There are a lot of great glossy photograph contained in this book from throughout his career.
When you open the book the covers inside are full of a collage of Gary photos and notices about his gigs, if you look at them closly enough you get a real insight into some of the places he played trying to make a name for himself.
This book is written completely in his own words and has been published by Bloomsbury Publishing Plc.
I would Highly recommend this book as a fantastic read.