Trevor McDonald An Improbable Life

by Trevor McDonald

Trevor McDonald has few equals as a natural storyteller and communicator. In An Improbable Life he recounts his personal experience of world events and interviews with globally famous - or notorious - figures. He describes his first British television interview with Nelson Mandela; reflects on the Windrush generation; and experiences Barack Obama’s momentous inauguration as President of the USA. There are dramatic meetings with Saddam Hussein (the first and only by a British television correspondent) and Muammar Gaddafi. Engaging, intimate and moving, this is the life story of an exceptional broadcaster who over decades has expertly revealed to us history in the making.

322 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2020

Reviews

[Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

some parts of this book were really good and great to read. others were very slow and a hard slog. I was a bit disappointed that this was a book about his career and not about his private life

[Sian Swann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolute legend.

[Victoria Wingfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating, personable and honest - a wonderful read for the most part.

“There comes a point in all revolutions when the established order can outwit its opponents by acknowledging their strengths and stealing their ideas. But they never do.”

My first impressions were that McDonald is gifting a snippet of world history through the lens of the people, just as his career did. You can tell straight away that each word is carefully considered and each point well thought out. It is impossible to expect anything less from such an experienced News Correspondent.

It’s always wonderful to hear from someone who clearly loves their job - their calling - and McDonalds admiration for Channel Four News is clearly evident. In an unexpected way, the stories that resonate with McDonald the most are the smaller, human responses be that an offhand comment from a child or the pained resignation to harsh times. This is something he calls attention to in the perceptions of the individual news reporter and the culture of the world media. How strange to think that there are industries who look forward to war and national strife.

The last few chapters were unforgivably rushed and I can not think of why. To blur together interviews with Gaddafi and Hussein, to include the KKK in the same chapter as inmates of death row and worse, to have the Windrush scandal confined to the last three pages was entirely nonsensical. It made what would have made a 5 star read to 3.5. I started the book thinking I was going to read all of Trevor McDonalds books - now I just can’t see that it would be worthwhile. Let me know if I’m making a mistake.

To follow up, Trevor would probably recommend “Long Walk to Freedom” by Nelson Mandela. I recommend Trevor Noah’s “Born a Crime”.

Now, dare I read “Say Nothing” by Patrick Radeon Keefe?

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to Trevor's life experiences and also the frank review of some of the decisions that he made during his career. I was particularly interested in his open views regarding journalism then verses today, along with giving some insight as to why journalists sometimes ask the questions that they do ask. In my youth the BBC and the BBC World Service had a fantastic reputation, in particular with foreign correspondants, but with the modern internet age, I feel this reputation is now under considerable pressure with the need to have "clickbate" and speed rather than accuracy and importance, so it was interesting to read a very experienced journalist view about this. It is indeed a remarkable achievement to have grown up in Trinadad and be able to achieve what he has, a trailblazer, an example to many young people. I found it a delight to read his father's reaction to all of this, even though he may not have fully understood it all.

[Rachel Usher · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book trevor McDonald provides a very moving account of some of the most poigniant events he covered during his work as a journalist. I was particularly fascinated and moved by his account of his experience interviewing nelson mandella so soon after his release from prison. Trevor gives us an an amazing idea of what mandella was like as a person (something which i've always been fascinated by), his honesty, and charm.

I thoroughly enjoyed trevor's informative and honest perspective on what journalism is like. Thank you trevor for a truly amazing read.

[Gemma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. Made me realise and appreciate the enormity of major historical events, good and mostly horrific I've been alive for.