Gift of a Radio

My Childhood and other Train Wrecks

By Justin Webb | Publisher: Transworld

About the book

'Searingly honest... gripping... fascinating and hugely entertaining.'- Sunday Times

'Moving and frank ... A story of a childhood defined by loneliness, the absence of a father and the grim experience of a Quaker boarding school. It is also one of the most perceptive accounts of Britain in the 1970s.'- Misha Glenny

'A crisp, unself-pitying memoir of a 'trainwreck' youth ... I've always likes Webb on the radio. But I like him much more after reading this book. He offers precisely the kind of brisk honesty and considered analysis he expects from his interviewees. Our politicians should all read it, and step up their game.' -Telegraph
.........................................................................................................................................................


Justin Webb's childhood in the 1970s was far from ordinary.

Between his mother's un-diagnosed psychological problems, and his step-father's untreated ones, life at home was dysfunctional at best. But with gun-wielding school masters and sub-standard living conditions, Quaker boarding school wasn't much better.

Candid, unsparing and darkly funny, Justin Webb's memoir is as much a portrait of a troubled era as it is the story of a dysfunctional childhood, shaping the urbane and successful radio presenter we know and love now.
........................................................................................................................................

'I thoroughly enjoyed Justin Webb's bonkers childhood. He captures the middle class of the age with a tenacity only possible in one of its victims.' -Jeremy Paxman

Editions of Gift of a Radio

Hardcover
ISBN 9780857527721
Paperback
ISBN 9781804990896
EBook
ISBN 9781473589667

Read an Excerpt

'Searingly honest... gripping... fascinating and hugely entertaining.'- Sunday Times

'Moving and frank ... A story of a childhood defined by loneliness, the absence of a father and the grim experience of a Quaker boarding school. It is also one of the most perceptive accounts of Britain in the 1970s.'- Misha Glenny

'A crisp, unself-pitying memoir of a 'trainwreck' youth ... I've always likes Webb on the radio. But I like him much more after reading this book. He offers precisely the kind of brisk honesty and considered analysis he expects from his interviewees. Our politicians should all read it, and step up their game.' -Telegraph
.........................................................................................................................................................


Justin Webb's childhood in the 1970s was far from ordinary.

Between his mother's un-diagnosed psychological problems, and his step-father's untreated ones, life at home was dysfunctional at best. But with gun-wielding school masters and sub-standard living conditions, Quaker boarding school wasn't much better.

Candid, unsparing and darkly funny, Justin Webb's memoir is as much a portrait of a troubled era as it is the story of a dysfunctional childhood, shaping the urbane and successful radio presenter we know and love now.
........................................................................................................................................

'I thoroughly enjoyed Justin Webb's bonkers childhood. He captures the middle class of the age with a tenacity only possible in one of its victims.' -Jeremy Paxman

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Gift of a Radio about?

'Searingly honest... gripping... fascinating and hugely entertaining.'- Sunday Times

'Moving and frank ... A story of a childhood defined by loneliness, the absence of a father and the grim experience of a Quaker boarding school. It is also one of the most perceptive accounts of Britain in the 1970s.'- Misha Glenny

'A crisp, unself-pitying memoir of a 'trainwreck' youth ... I've always likes Webb on the radio. But I like him much more after reading this book. He offers precisely the kind of brisk honesty and considered analysis he expects from his interviewees. Our politicians should all read it, and step up their game.' -Telegraph
.........................................................................................................................................................


Justin Webb's childhood in the 1970s was far from ordinary.

Between his mother's un-diagnosed psychological problems, and his step-father's untreated ones, life at home was dysfunctional at best. But with gun-wielding school masters and sub-standard living conditions, Quaker boarding school wasn't much better.

Candid, unsparing and darkly funny, Justin Webb's memoir is as much a portrait of a troubled era as it is the story of a dysfunctional childhood, shaping the urbane and successful radio presenter we know and love now.
........................................................................................................................................

'I thoroughly enjoyed Justin Webb's bonkers childhood. He captures the middle class of the age with a tenacity only possible in one of its victims.' -Jeremy Paxman

What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Gift of a Radio?

Biography, Literature and Literary studies > Biography and non-fiction prose > Biography: general > Biography: writers > Autobiography: writers

Where can I read a sample of Gift of a Radio?

You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780857527721

How long is Gift of a Radio and how many pages does it have?

Gift of a Radio has 256 page(s)

Who is/are the Author/s of the book Gift of a Radio?

Justin Webb

Who is the Publisher of the book Gift of a Radio?

Transworld

What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?

Gift of a Radio is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780857527721) and paperback(ISBN 9781804990896) and ebook(ISBN 9781473589667)

Where can I buy Gift of a Radio online or support local independent bookshops?

You can buy Gift of a Radio from below

Where can I buy Gift of a Radio?