A charming and delightful book
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I enjoyed this book immensely. It is very tempting to describe the book by what it is not, not autobiography, not a companion to "Sorry I haven't a clue", not about Jazz... Though I think anyone with an interest in these areas will enjoy it.
The book is quite literally a collection of rambling thoughts and reminiscences - which does not sound very appealing. But Humphs love of language and music shine though continually, and it flows along in a delightful manner.
While his achievements in Jazz and Comedy are well known, Humph's journalism successes are perhaps less well known - and in my opinion his abilities as a writer are every bit as great, and that shines from the pages of this book. I really think anyone with a sense of humour will like it - a smile on every page!
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Random thoughts of Chairman Humph
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The title says it all - this is a collection of thoughts and memories and definitely NOT an autobiography. On the first page Humph desribes it as "a hotchpotch of thought and memories and this is exactly what it is.
The book is a wonderful encapsulation of the wit and considerable wisdom of the inimitable Humph, with at least one laugh per page and frequently more as Humph seamlessly elides from the consideration of 3 a.m. transport caff meals to the subject of crimes against the decent pronunciation of English within the space of about 30 words. Devoting six hilarious pages to this, he moves, with his own brand of logic to school days at Eton and and thence to dispense a cornucopia of stories and anecdotes about eccentric relations, jazz greats and his own life.
In no particular order we are treated to a wondrous sequence of cameos from the very full and fully-lived life of a man whose humour never conceals his innate wisdom and humanity.
If you enjoy the lunatic humour of "I'm Sorry I haven't a Clue" or if you have an interest in jazz or if you just want a good read, this is it!
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