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What I Learnt: What My Listeners Say – and Why We Should Take Notice
Having started on Radio 2 in January 2003, Jeremy Vine realised he was soon to take his 25,000th listener call to his lunchtime show. As the magic number approached he decided to take stock of the wisdom his listeners have imparted over the airwaves by way of anecdotes on everything including love, life and poisonous plants.
The moment of self-reflection couldn't have come at a better time, with his doctor warning him about 'sniper's alley' - when people get taken out by all kinds of illnesses between 47 and 52. When Jeremy's brother - the comedian Tim Vine - buys him a watch for his 50th birthday, Jeremy concludes that if the watch was bought by comedy, then perhaps every second of his life was now a joke. Which was when he decided to go on Strictly Come Dancing. This is his hilarious memoir of lessons learnt from life, listeners and Len Goodman.
The moment of self-reflection couldn't have come at a better time, with his doctor warning him about 'sniper's alley' - when people get taken out by all kinds of illnesses between 47 and 52. When Jeremy's brother - the comedian Tim Vine - buys him a watch for his 50th birthday, Jeremy concludes that if the watch was bought by comedy, then perhaps every second of his life was now a joke. Which was when he decided to go on Strictly Come Dancing. This is his hilarious memoir of lessons learnt from life, listeners and Len Goodman.
341 pages, Hardcover
Published November 14, 2017
9 people are currently reading
34 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
April 11, 2018
A fantastic read! Highly recommended for fans of Jeremy Vine, radio or just how the world has changed in terms of the audience / listeners now having more control than ever.
I must admit, I’m a huge fan. I listen to Jeremy’s show on Radio 2 almost everyday and I’ve seen him present stuff in person. I don’t think this book would have a lot of appeal to those outside of the UK. The book focuses largely on major events in the UK (Brexit, etc) as well as popular shows such as Strictly Come Dancing along with lots of BBC patter.
In the same way as his show does everyday, this book gave me lots to think about, particularly around what it means to be a Father. There are also some very quotable lines in here:
Knowledge is just a fact surrounded by questions.
Age is a narrowing agent.
Old age is poverty, no matter how rich you are. Which is why the old should never have to explain themselves to the young.
Errors spread ruin and a special kind of joy.
We can learn more from a moment of foolishness than a lifetime of wisdom.
The slower day will never arrive.
That last one nearly toppled me and is one I’d absolutely echo to anyone expecting their first child.
All in all, a great read but probably a narrow audience.
I must admit, I’m a huge fan. I listen to Jeremy’s show on Radio 2 almost everyday and I’ve seen him present stuff in person. I don’t think this book would have a lot of appeal to those outside of the UK. The book focuses largely on major events in the UK (Brexit, etc) as well as popular shows such as Strictly Come Dancing along with lots of BBC patter.
In the same way as his show does everyday, this book gave me lots to think about, particularly around what it means to be a Father. There are also some very quotable lines in here:
Knowledge is just a fact surrounded by questions.
Age is a narrowing agent.
Old age is poverty, no matter how rich you are. Which is why the old should never have to explain themselves to the young.
Errors spread ruin and a special kind of joy.
We can learn more from a moment of foolishness than a lifetime of wisdom.
The slower day will never arrive.
That last one nearly toppled me and is one I’d absolutely echo to anyone expecting their first child.
All in all, a great read but probably a narrow audience.
January 5, 2018
When my Dad bought me this for Christmas I wasn't sure what to think. I know Jeremy Vine from his role on Eggheads as I don't listen to his radio show and to my shame had always thought him a little arrogant and false [probably as he has to say the exact same things on every program so it would be difficult to come across as spontaneous ]. It turns out he's really rather adorable
The book covers many issues from current political and social affairs, many seen from his listeners points of view but also showing his own thoughtful reflection. He tells some hilarious stories , many at his own expense . I do like a man, especially one in the public eye, who can laugh at himself . Jeremy has obviously been a deep thinker since very young . He comes across as honest, very sensitive and very intelligent.
I learnt some new terminology to familiar situations:
a witches post - something that distracts us from an issue and will eventually become the only thing we remember from the event or talk
Bonapartes- things that people in general believe to be true so sincerely that their behaviour is based on that fact , but in fact aren't true at all.
Jeremy has observed that people of a certain age [like him and myself in our 50s] start unintentionally narrowing their lives . They only mix with people like them and of the same political opinion, listen to the same sort of music , read only the same genres that they know they like .I became aware of how very true this is for me . Now Jeremy is going to rather drastic lengths to halt this process ie only listening to music he hates . I am not going to go that far but I am going to intentionally open my mind to new ideas people and culture.
So the results of this reading are threefold
1 Jeremy Vine has a new fan and a new listener
2 I am much more well informed about current affairs
3 I am about to embark on a new soul enlarging time of my life which is very exciting
The book covers many issues from current political and social affairs, many seen from his listeners points of view but also showing his own thoughtful reflection. He tells some hilarious stories , many at his own expense . I do like a man, especially one in the public eye, who can laugh at himself . Jeremy has obviously been a deep thinker since very young . He comes across as honest, very sensitive and very intelligent.
I learnt some new terminology to familiar situations:
a witches post - something that distracts us from an issue and will eventually become the only thing we remember from the event or talk
Bonapartes- things that people in general believe to be true so sincerely that their behaviour is based on that fact , but in fact aren't true at all.
Jeremy has observed that people of a certain age [like him and myself in our 50s] start unintentionally narrowing their lives . They only mix with people like them and of the same political opinion, listen to the same sort of music , read only the same genres that they know they like .I became aware of how very true this is for me . Now Jeremy is going to rather drastic lengths to halt this process ie only listening to music he hates . I am not going to go that far but I am going to intentionally open my mind to new ideas people and culture.
So the results of this reading are threefold
1 Jeremy Vine has a new fan and a new listener
2 I am much more well informed about current affairs
3 I am about to embark on a new soul enlarging time of my life which is very exciting
February 26, 2018
I love eggheads and Jeremy’s Radio 2 program and found this book entertaining, witty, interesting and really easy to read. Lots of interesting founds and even found myself questioning myself about things and life and how I could change my outlook.
Interesting
Loved it
Interesting
Loved it
September 3, 2021
Nice book from a guy who seems nice. I only say 'seems' because I've never met him and you never can tell, but on the strength of this book - he's okay. I'd read any other books he wrote. This book makes me want to look up his brother: the comedian Tim Vine (on the internet) and see what he's about.
I only read this book because it's the only one in the York library system that's even tangentially about how to be a radio presenter. And the reason I wanted to read a book like that is that I presented a radio show of my own last night (on www.5townsradio.co.uk). It was a bit of research to begin with, but it turned into something that I enjoyed (reading the book that is).
Bit were laugh out loud funny, bits were poignant, bits were entertaining and bits were informative. I don't really think that I want any more from a book.
Read this if you like autobiographies from people who have something upstairs and know how to share it. Can't really think of any reasons to avoid it except to say that I've been told that JV is a Marmite experience and so, if you don't like him then you can supply your own reasons for not reading this book.
I only read this book because it's the only one in the York library system that's even tangentially about how to be a radio presenter. And the reason I wanted to read a book like that is that I presented a radio show of my own last night (on www.5townsradio.co.uk). It was a bit of research to begin with, but it turned into something that I enjoyed (reading the book that is).
Bit were laugh out loud funny, bits were poignant, bits were entertaining and bits were informative. I don't really think that I want any more from a book.
Read this if you like autobiographies from people who have something upstairs and know how to share it. Can't really think of any reasons to avoid it except to say that I've been told that JV is a Marmite experience and so, if you don't like him then you can supply your own reasons for not reading this book.
December 17, 2019
Brilliant
November 1, 2017
It's fascinating to get a take on the trends of the way people think and act from the perspective of his Radio 2 show and the background that informs his personal take on how the world is now. Sadly it's a depressing read the more I read about ourselves as a community the more I detest how small minded and less tolerant people are
January 8, 2024
Interesting, witty, pootling, laugh out loud, seriously worrying, thought-provoking, a cacophony of sound … a 3.5 stars for the 25,000 listener call which was by itself hugely disappointing.
Enjoyable dip into JV’s life on the radio… and Facebook, and cycling, and the link in to Terry Wogan’s funeral service where R2 cancelled the News at Noon….and into many other diverse and unlinked discussion ideas…
Enjoyable dip into JV’s life on the radio… and Facebook, and cycling, and the link in to Terry Wogan’s funeral service where R2 cancelled the News at Noon….and into many other diverse and unlinked discussion ideas…
September 21, 2018
Very funny in places. Good to have on audio in the car. It is true that the most interesting and also funny people are those of us in the general public. Long may we have Jeremy Vine and the like to allow us a voice and to be heard and to share.
February 19, 2018
A really entertaining read.
March 27, 2018
Just a bit dull. Not what I was expecting from someone who has been involved in discussions with so many experts and interviewed so many interesting characters.
September 13, 2019
An interesting read.
September 16, 2020
Excellent, especially on Witch's Posts, Bonapartes and two mentions of my friend Tim Johns. Also good on religion, generational warfare and Strictly.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews