Tommy Cooper: Always Leave Them Laughing (56 page)

‘ ‘‘The definitive biography of a comedy legend’’ – for once a book
lives up to its blurb.’                                                                                    
MICHAEL PARKINSON

‘A monumental and masterly biography of the great Cooper.’

                                                                                                  Daily Mail

‘A masterful work that will deservedly find its way into the Christmas
stockings of anyone interested in showbiz.’                                 
The Stage

‘It’s a measure of how funny he (Cooper) was that this book had
me on the floor even when reading about gags I’ve never seen. Yet
this is no hagiography. While it has chapter and verse on how
Cooper’s comic chaos came into being, it also tells how one of
our country’s greatest bringers of joy was a boozy, tight-fisted,
foul-mouthed, faithless old misery.’                  
The Sunday Times

‘This book is an accolade to a truly talented and complex man
who was much more than just a comic.’                             
The Sun

‘John Fisher’s biography admirably captures the Cooper magic.’
 
                                                                                                          The Oldie

‘A moving and illuminating showbiz biography. The book deserves
a standing ovation.’                                                                  
Irish Examiner

‘Fans of more old-fashioned biography (and comedy) will prefer
Tommy Cooper: Always Leave Them Laughing, a book with
unrivalled access to (and knowledge of) its elusive subject.’

                                                                                               The Independent

‘Not the least of the pleasures in John Fisher’s fine biography is
that he describes many of the routines in loving detail, so that they
come to life again in the theatre of the mind’s eye.’

                                                                                                 Sunday Telegraph

‘An affectionate and informative memorial to by far the greatest
of all the surrealists.’                                                          
Mail on Sunday

‘Fisher’s research and sources are impeccable.’            
The Guardian

‘There have been other memoirs of the gentle giant of an entertainer,
but acclaimed TV producer Fisher is well placed as a friend
and colleague to present this as the definitive biography – warts
and all.’                                                                        
Manchester Evening News

‘This exhaustive study is never less than sympathetic and contains
many illuminating insights into the craft of comedy, the vital
importance of visual technique and movement, and the sheer slog
of showbiz.’                                                                                   
The Spectator

‘The flyleaf describes Fisher’s book as being the ‘‘definitive biography’
of Cooper, I wouldn’t disagree.’                             
Yorkshire Evening Post

‘For all his popularity as one of Britain’s best-loved post-war entertainers,
Tommy Cooper’s life away from stage and screen is little
known. John Fisher’s excellent new book, Tommy Cooper: Always
Leave Them Laughing, does much to change that.’                    
Yorkshire Post

‘A superb read and it will make you laugh and cry.’                 
Belfast News Letter

‘This entertaining, heroically researched biography isn’t a labour
of love, it’s a labour of adoration.’                         
Eastern Daily Press

‘This is a wonderful book that will be devoured and treasured by
Tommy Cooper’s legions of fans.’                                     
Magic Week

‘I don’t think that I have ever read a book, written about a star,
with more love and understanding by the author. John Fisher has
caught him exactly, in all his many moods.’                  
BOBBY BERNARD

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The Magic of Lewis Carroll
Call Them Irreplaceable
George Formby: The Ukulele Man
‘Never Give a Sucker an Even Break’
Paul Daniels & the Story of Magic
Body Magic

About the Publisher

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