Taskmaster: 200 Extraordinary Tasks for Ordinary People

by Alex Horne

Build yourself a box and think outside of it. Your time starts now … In the TV show and on my marriage certificate, my job description is ‘Taskmaster’s Assistant’. That’s what I do and it’s an honour. I like Taskmaster a lot. And, of course, I love The Taskmaster. He’s mountainous. If you feel in any way the same as me then you should enjoy this paperback version of the official Taskmaster book.There are tasks for you, your friends and your family. There are new tasks, secret things and sneaky tricks. And there is one swear word. So it’s almost exactly like being on the show.Good luck. Make good choices. Let’s do Him proud.Alex HorneTaskmaster’s Assistant

Genres: Nonfiction, Humor, Reference, Comedy, Mystery

352 pages, Paperback

Published September 5, 2019

About the author

Alex Horne (born 10 September 1978) is a British comedian. He is the host of "The Horne Section", a live music variety show which has been broadcast on BBC Radio 4.

Horne was educated at Lancing College (Fields House, 1991–1996) and the University of Cambridge, where he was a member of Footlights.
He made his first appearance at the Edinburgh festival in 2000 with his show, "How To Avoid Huge Ships". His 2003 Edinburgh show, "Making Fish Laugh" was nominated for a Perrier newcomer award. In 2004 he won a Chortle Award for Best Breakthrough Act. His shows with Tim Key have been "Every Body Talks" and "When In Rome", both of which featured unusually extensive use of Microsoft PowerPoint for a comic act. Horne toured Roman towns of the UK with the "When In Rome" show in early 2006.
More recently he has worked alongside fellow comedian Owen Powell, in the attempt to find a person from every nationality living in London. After a year's search, they finally managed to meet people from 189 of the UN's 192 countries whilst satisfactorily proving that there is nobody in the capital from Tuvalu, Palau or the Marshall Islands.
As a solo performer, Horne then wrote and performed "Birdwatching" at the 2007 Edinburgh Festival and "Wordwatching" at the 2008 Edinburgh Festival. He has signed a two-book deal with Virgin Publishing to write up both of these stories as books. The first, entitled Birdwatchingwatching, came out early in 2009. The second came out in early 2010.
On January 18, 2007, Horne became the first ever comedian to perform in Second Life for a feature on Sky News.
As of April 2010, Horne is attempting to become the oldest man in the world with the Long Live Alex project.
In 2011 he compered "The Horne Section", a comedy variety show with live music which was later broadcast on BBC Radio 4.

Reviews

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you watch the show, you'll already know what this is all about. If you don't, you basically get five comedians to carry out several semi-sadistic tasks per episode over a series of ten(ish) episodes before the ultimate champion is declared. It might not sound like much from my admittedly oversimplified description but there aren't many tv shows that regularly make me explode with laughter like Taskmaster.

This book contains some of the tasks from the show and many, many more designed specifically for this book collected for the purpose of allowing the reader to run their own Taskmaster tournament with their friends. Depending on the type of person you are, this will either be a dream come true or your worst nightmare.

It's tricky to rate a book like this but suffice it to say it was an entertaining read but not as funny as watching the show. Will I try some of these tasks myself? I'd say the chances were good...

My next book: Marvel Masterworks: The Avengers vol. 15

[Sophie Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Book has been a GOD Send During this Epidemic, Liked the layout of the book and the fact it had the same format as the TV show, good for a good night in with your friends or Family.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a treat from Taskmaster's Alex Horne. It is exactly what it says on the tin- a paperback list of 200+ tasks the average person can complete eirher alone or with friends. The book encourages you to setup your own Taskmaster competition at home but through laziness and general social awkwardness I did the exact opposite of what the book tells you to do and read through it without actually completing any of the tasks. I still loved every second of it.

It's been a funny old pandemic year and the highlight has probably been the discovery of Taskmaster and No More Jockeys. I am sure there is no chance Alex Horne will actually read this but thanks for making this year bearable!

[Jason Koivu · Rating 5 out of 5]

My five star review might be a little biased since I have become a huge fan of the Taskmaster show. During the lockdown years, my whole life was engulfed by this quirkiest of shows. Comedians (mostly) competing to complete completely nonsensical tasks as competently as they possibly can? Yes, please! The show is a full handbag of highly humorous embarrassment and fun. Whether it is embarrassing or fun seems to depend upon if you are a contestant or viewer. When I discovered there was a Taskmaster book, I knew I needed to soak myself sopping wet within its silly pages. Recommended!

[Nau · Rating 4 out of 5]

I discovered this show at the beginning of 2021 and to be honest, this show engulfed my life. Not in the bad way, but in the most hilarious and comforting way. This book is a great companion for anyone who loves Taskmaster. It will leave you sopping in your laughter tears. There's lots of brilliant tasks and fun behind-the-scene stories. Even there's the cheeky texts excerpt from S5! Plus, the book fits in your handbag, especially if you read the digital version.

Consider this as my Task 219's submission (since I don't and might never have an Amazon account).

[Maryna Ponomaryova · Rating 5 out of 5]

Чудова книга для задротів по Таскмастеру. Таски поки не читаю, бо маю надію, що колись назбираю групу задротів, щоб зробити своє Таскмастер шоу. Але тут також купу бонусних фактів, трівії, і взагалі. <3

[Emma Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this show and I love this book. My sisters and I have enjoyed completing many of the tasks and there's still many more to do. Great fun!

[Inês Martins dos Santos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Watch Taskmaster and read this book because a) it's outstanding and b) Little Alex Horne is a bloody genius.

You have all the time in the world.

Fastest wins.

Your time starts now.

[Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

sorry not sorry to all my pals who I will subject tasks onto

[(a)lyss(a) · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a big fan of the Taskmaster series I was thrilled to get this book!

The book is full of tasks, footnotes, easter eggs, and outcomes from the TV series.

The tasks are broken down by solo and group. The book also talks about submitting tasks to Little Alex Horne via Twitter and highlights some Twitter users and the Global Taskmaster recognition. The book is definitely written from Horne's perspective of fear and reverence of the Taskmaster himself.

The tasks are mostly clever. I don't love that so many tasks involve destroying the book or tearing out pages so if you want to complete every task you need more than one copy. But it's definitely creative and unique!

[Sam Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

200 Extraordinary tasks for ordinary people of all ages. Whether your playing by yourself, with your granny, down the pub or with family you will find tasks that everyone can enjoy. The book has a mixture of quick & longer tasks and ones that can be done in different settings. You can also use social media hashtags to log your own tasks or watch others.
Great gift for anyone who likes games - even if they haven’t seen the television show.
Happy Tasking!

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book. Lots of fun. Would definitely recommend if you have to organise a hen/stag do, birthday party or family holiday and you're friends and family are up for a laugh.
Added bonus of Mark Watson's cheeky texts at the end are a real treat.
Some of the tasks are difficult to complete as I have the e-book.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic book full of great tasks to do solo, in a team or as a competition. I am using this book for some fun tasks at Christmas with the whole family. My main use will be with my 14-16 group at College as a year long competition as many of the tasks can help with English and Maths skills as well as logical thinking but mainly just to have a bloody good laugh.

[Kirsty · Rating 5 out of 5]

love the series (only started watching it this summer) and as soon as I saw that this book was out I had to buy it, i have since read it through twice and cant wait to try out some tasks (eyeing up christmas!
a must buy if you love taskmaster and want to do random tasks!

[Jen-Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Taskmaster is one of my favourite shows and I was so happy to discover this book! It was a lot of fun to read the tasks and all the insights into the TV show contestants. I can see myself having a games night were it is totally focused on all these tasks! I can't wait to get started!

[Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so incredibly fun! I've tabbed so many hilarious sounding tasks in the hopes of completing them with my Cub Pack or even just my friends!
Definitely recommend for anyone who may need a good giggle!

[Logan Stormblessed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely amazing with Great Challenges rather an amazing book!
Love Alex’s great and Unique Changes, Great fun and it’s always enjoyable to read the Tasks and Humour!

Definitely Recommend!

[Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

there is no end to my fandom

[Faith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh it’s so good I can’t wait to force my friends to do some with me

[Christian Holland · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a fun book. My son had a Taskmaster party for his 12th birthday. We had so much fun watching the videos of everyone doing tasks in different ways.

[Rob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Task # 219: "My newspaper was sopping wet and ruined after becoming an impromptu umbrella, so I sought something new and engaging to read. Alex Horne delivered! With this compilation of over two hundred tasks, some completely new to me, Mssr. Horne turned the empty handbag resting on my neck into a skin-covered skull engulfed with ideas! You can also become the envy of your circle of friends by ordering Taskmaster: 220 Extraordinary Tasks for Ordinary People today! Will it attract a mate? No. Don’t be silly. It will, however, make you the most interesting person on at least 220 occasions. Good luck!"

[JC · Rating 4 out of 5]

This interactive, handbag-sized book is perfect for a holiday. Written by Alex Horne, the brains behind the wildly popular British television show of the same name, it lovingly dedicates tasks that you too can do for the Taskmaster, Greg Davies. There are tasks for solo or group exploration and they make for a sopping good time. A few details about the show are included, but the focus is on the over 200 tasks that fans of the show can enjoy working through on their own. Grab a whistle, a stopwatch app, and your time starts now. It’s Task #219.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a big fan of Taskmaster, I naturally had to get the book. As advertised, most of it is just suggestions for tasks to do yourself and with friends/family, most or all of which I'll honestly never do. But it was fun for a quick read-through, and Alex Horne's voice clearly comes through in all of it. There are some fun extra tidbits in the last section as well. I'd love a whole book of just behind the scenes stories and "easter eggs" from the show!

[Mel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick, fun read, with lots of ideas for Taskmaster parties or to amuse myself when I am bored. The only thing I wish it had that it does not is color pictures (this would be especially helpful for task 174). Also, task #98 is impossible, because any picture with the Taskmaster in it cannot be improved, and one would think Little Alex Horne should know that by now.

[Xanthi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just love all things Taskmaster, so when my partner gifted me this book I was tickled pink. My only criticism was that several of the tasks required the reader to damage the book, which just made me wince.

[Colin Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full with fantastic ideas that I plan to shamelessly steal to liven up my workshops. Oh and my family life. Which will make me the best facilitator and Dad ever. Unless they don't.

[Ricky Skingsley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book especially during the Corona virus isolation. Not one you'd call a classic read our anything but it achieves everything it says out to do.

[captainamy ✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely wonderful, funny read. I love Taskmaster and this book is full of such great ideas.

[Jonathan Cassie · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exceptionally creative and inspiring book for anyone interested in creativity.

[Elissa Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't wait to start tasking!