Absolute Pandemonium: The Autobiography

By: Brian Blessed

Narrated by: Brian Blessed

Length: 13 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's summary

Memoir from national treasure Brian Blessed. There is no one quite like Brian Blessed. He's an actor, film star, trained undertaker, unlikely diplomat, secret romantic, martial artist and mountaineer. He's also a brilliant storyteller who will - and you must brace yourself - simply leap out of the story at you.

Ready? Then listen to Absolute Pandemonium, and you'll be taken on a riotous journey from his childhood, growing up the son of a miner in Goldthorpe, to finding fame in Z-Cars. You'll see Brian falling for Katharine Hepburn on the set of The Trojan Women, suffering wires strapped round his wotsits as he was hoisted into the heavens on Flash Gordon, almost causing an international incident when meeting the Emperor and Empress of Japan, and winning round George Lucas to get the role of Boss Nass on Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace.

Along the way he takes secret revenge on headmistress Mrs. Jarman and her very big bottom; punches Harold Pinter; loves and hates Peter O'Toole; woos his beautiful wife, Hildegard Neil; and braves the shocking death toll on cosy TV drama My Family and Other Animals.

Crammed with anecdotes from his illustrious career, this is a funny, warm-hearted, life-affirming, LOUD, and unique memoir from a much-loved figure.

©2015 Brian Blessed (P)2015 Pan Macmillan Publishers Ltd.

Critic reviews

"After reading Blessed’s just-published autobiography, Absolute Pandemonium, CW thought that all bets were off for the book of the decade." "Caitlin Moran’s Celebrity Watch." ( Times2)
"The pages of Absolute Pandemonium reverberate with the sound of that inimitable voice and his appetite for life." (Andy Miller, S Magazine)

Can’t love him enough

He is just so much fun to listen to, his attitude is infectious and his enthusiasm is inspiring

Amazing storytelling.

Really feels like you are just sitting across the table from Brian having a conversation.

This is amazing!

Blessed's voice is the only one to give this justice. it felt more like trading stories with the man at a campfire than just listening to an audio book. His stories put me in mind of a modern day, and some what more believable Baron Münchhausen. Read with the same gusto and enthusiasm Brian puts into everything in life, is was a true joy to listen to.

I love this Man!

So very Funny, wicked, naughty & nice. Brian Blessed was born to own his name,
with a voice that could only be a gift from the Gods of Olympus. You will absolutely enjoy this book, & if you don't then "bugger off love".

The Riveting Tales Of The Blessed Mr. Blessed!

What did you love best about Absolute Pandemonium: The Autobiography?

The authors enthusiasm and heartfelt authenticity, make this, one of my favorite listens, from my library of over 200 audio books.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Absolute Pandemonium: The Autobiography?

This gentleman's life is one of the most interesting and riveting tales I have ever heard. Every chapter is memorable.

Have you listened to any of Brian Blessed’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have seen many of his film and television appearances and the narration of this book is up there with his best performances.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

The Riveting Tales of the Blessed Mr. Blessed!

Any additional comments?

I would like to thank the author and publisher for this wonderful autobiography.

thoroughly enjoyable experience. loved it

absorbing story narrated perfectly! it felt as if I were there in Brian's minds eye as he recounted events.

absolute brilliance

this audio, read by the man himself, has to be the best way to enjoy this book. Gordon' alive!!!

Absolutely brilliant performance!

I am a fan of Brian Blessed. When I found out he had written an autobiography, I was of course a little curious. However, I thought it was such a shame to read without hearing Brian's amazing, booming voice. Then I thought, just in case, I should check audible real quick. How great would it be if he'd actual narrated it?!?

To my joy and amazement, I found the book, and with him as the narrator! Now anyone who is familiar with Brian Blessed will know that his voice is a true treasure. He comes from that great class of Shakespearean actors, in the same vein as Patrick Stewart (interestingly, they actually went to the same drama school). The style, the power, the emotion... It truly is remarkable. I believe I would even listen to Brian narrate the phone book; he's just that good.

Now I will acknowledge, some people may find a few parts of the book a little slow. Brian goes into some detail through his life, including shows and experiences that are not going to be familiar to most modern readers or listeners. Personally, I still enjoyed them and I found his anecdotes thoroughly entertaining to listen to.

I've listen to this book in its entirety straight through twice, and I've listened to various chapters many more times. As narrators go, Brian is on another level. Absolutely top-notch.

I highly recommend you take a chance, and give "uncle Brian" a listen. This book is like sitting in front of the fire with your favorite uncle , listening to him regale you with wonderful and amusing stories of his life.

shouted at you by the man himself

If you could sum up Absolute Pandemonium: The Autobiography in three words, what would they be?

Absolute Pandemonium in person

Who was your favorite character and why?

Whichever chapter we were on at the moment. Brian brings wonderful enthusiasm to every story he tells.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Why read the book when you can have it shouted at you by the man himself?

A delightful autobiography

Brian Blessed is an immense talent that's not as well known in the United States but there's definitely a reason many in the UK call him a national treasure. He's Vultan from Flash Gordon, Boss Nass from Star Wars Episode I, The Duke of Exeter from Kenneth Brannagh's 1989 Henry V, among many other roles. As a fan of British film and television, I've enjoyed him immensely over the years with my favorite role of his being Augustus from I, Claudius and the aforementioned Duke of Exeter from Henry V. But I have seen many You Tube videos of various clips he's done over the years and honestly, he's a man I would love to invite over to dinner just to hear the stories he tells.

His autobiography isn't the best written but that is something that can be easily forgiven and overlooked with the delightful stories he tells from his childhood, to being friends with Peter O'Toole (which towards the end of the chapter caused me to shed some tears as it became clear he misses his friend and I suspect wrote the chapter shortly after O'Toole's death in 2013), for his most famous line ("Gordon's Alive!") and how he got his script for the Phantom Menace. He tells all of his stories with the booming gusto he's known for and he gives what I see to be sage advice on many occasions for how to live a happy and joyous life as he has. He seems incredibly grateful for all the opportunities he's been given. I found listening to this to be a delightfully humbling experience. So I would use this review to thank Brian Blessed for taking the time to write an autobiography that reflects the life he has lived: delightful and fun.