
Craig Edward Moncrieff Brown (born 23 May 1957, Hayes, Middlesex) is a British critic and satirist from England, probably best known for his work in British magazine Private Eye.
Winner of the 2020 Baillie Gifford Prize for Non-FictionA distinctive portrait of the Fab Four by one of the sharpest and wittiest writers of our timeIf you want to know what it was like to live those extraordinary Beatles years in real time, read this book. --Alan Johnson, The SpectatorThough fifty years have passed since the breakup of the Beatles, the fab four continue to occupy an utterly unique place in popular culture. Their influence extends far beyond music and into realms as diverse as fashion and fine art, sexual politics and religion. When they appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1964, fresh off the plane from England, they provoked an epidemic of hoarse-throated fandom that continues to this day.Who better, then, to capture the Beatles phenomenon than Craig Brown--the inimitable author of Ninety-Nine Glimpses of Princess Margaret and master chronicler of the foibles and foppishness of British high society? This wide-ranging portrait of the four lads from Liverpool rivals the unique spectacle of the band itself by delving into a vast catalog of heretofore unexamined lore.When actress Eleanor Bron touched down at Heathrow with the Beatles, she thought that a flock of starlings had alighted on the roof of the terminal--only to discover that the birds were in fact young women screaming at the top of their lungs. One journalist, mistaken for Paul McCartney as he trailed the band in his car, found himself nearly crushed to death as fans climbed atop the vehicle and pressed their bodies against the windshield. Or what about the Baptist preacher who claimed that the Beatles synchronized their songs with the rhythm of an infant's heartbeat so as to induce a hypnotic state in listeners? And just how many people have employed the services of a Canadian dentist who bought John Lennon's tooth at auction, extracted its DNA, and now offers paternity tests to those hoping to sue his estate?150 Glimpses of the Beatles is, above all, a distinctively kaleidoscopic examination of the Beatles' effect on the world around them and the world they helped bring into being. Part anthropology and part memoir, and enriched by the recollections of everyone from Tom Hanks to Bruce Springsteen, this book is a humorous, elegiac, and at times madcap take on the Beatles' role in the making of the sixties and of music as we know it.
She made John Lennon blush and Marlon Brando clam up. She cold-shouldered Princess Diana and humiliated Elizabeth Taylor.Andy Warhol photographed her. Jack Nicholson offered her cocaine. Gore Vidal revered her. John Fowles hoped to keep her as his sex-slave. Dudley Moore propositioned her. Francis Bacon heckled her. Peter Sellers was in love with her.For Pablo Picasso, she was the object of sexual fantasy. “If they knew what I had done in my dreams with your royal ladies” he confided to a friend, “they would take me to the Tower of London and chop off my head!”Princess Margaret aroused passion and indignation in equal measures. To her friends, she was witty and regal. To her enemies, she was rude and demanding.In her 1950’s heyday, she was seen as one of the most glamorous and desirable women in the world. By the time of her death, she had come to personify disappointment. One friend said he had never known an unhappier woman.The tale of Princess Margaret is pantomime as tragedy, and tragedy as pantomime. It is Cinderella in reverse: hope dashed, happiness mislaid, life mishandled.Combining interviews, parodies, dreams, parallel lives, diaries, announcements, lists, catalogues and essays, Ma’am Darling is a kaleidoscopic experiment in biography, and a witty meditation on fame and art, snobbery and deference, bohemia and high society.
With equal measures of wit and wisdom, the author of 99 Glimpses of Princess Margaret draws a deeply original, hilarious, and telling portrait of the Queen herself.She was the most famous person on earth; she first appeared on the cover of Time magazine at the age of three. When she died, few people were old enough to recall a time when she was not alive.Her likeness has been reproduced—in photographs, on stamps, on the notes and coins of thirty different currencies—more than any since Jesus. It is probable that, over the course of her ninety-six years, she was introduced to a greater number of different people than anyone else who has ever lived—likely well over half a million. Yet this most closely observed of all women rarely left any real impression on those she encountered beyond vague notions of her "radiance" and "sense of duty." A high proportion of those she met can remember what they said to her, but not a word of what she said to them.Up until now, the curious tactic employed by biographers of the Queen has been to ignore what is interesting and to concentrate on what is not. Craig Brown, the author of 150 Glimpses of the Beatles and Hello Goodbye Hello, rejects this formula, bringing his kaleidoscopic approach to the most famous—and most guarded— woman on earth, examining the Queen through a succession of interlocking prisms. With Q, this fantastically funny, marvelously insightful journalist gives us an unforgettable portrait of the omnipresent, elusive Queen Elizabeth II.
From “one of the funniest writers in Britain—wise, clever, hilarious, and a national treasure” (Helen Fielding, author of Bridget Jones’s Diary) comes this delightful book of “101 ingeniously linked encounters between the famous and the infamous” [The Observer (London) Best Books of the Year]. Can you imagine more unlikely meetings than these: Marilyn Monroe and Frank Lloyd Wright; Sergei Rachmaninoff and Harpo Marx; T. S. Eliot and Groucho Marx; Madonna and Martha Graham; Michael Jackson and Nancy Reagan; Tsar Nicholas II and Harry Houdini; Nikita Khrushchev and Marilyn Monroe? They all happened. Craig Brown tells the stories of 101 such bizarre encounters in this witty, original exploration into truth-is-stranger-than-fiction.
From the bestselling and award-winning author of Ma'am Darling and One Two Three Four , a selection of Craig Brown's finest writing collected together for the first time. What is James Bond's middle name? How does Jacob Rees-Mogg's nanny set about cleaning him up in the morning? When did Piers Morgan introduce his special guest Kim Jong-Un as “the straight-talking boy from North Korea who grew up to become a global superstar”? All these important questions, and a great many more, are answered in Craig Brown's Haywire . Featuring handy household tips from Mary Berry (‘When eating a boiled egg be careful to remove the shell first, or it can be a little crunchy’) and historic admissions from Queen Elizabeth 1st to Oprah Winfrey concerning her mother's beheading (‘Thank you for having the courage to share that with us’), Haywire presents a survival guide to the 21st century. In one chapter, Brown writes about the influence of Blackpool on Sigmund Freud and Les Dawson. In another, he unearths the Historical Online Archive and discovers that the invention of the wheel in Mesopotamia in 4000 BC drew fierce criticism on social media. “My mate tried it, says it's total rubbish” wrote Brian from Sumeria. The acclaimed biographer of Princess Margaret and The Beatles delivers essays on such diverse figures as Ronald Searle, John Stonehouse, Bruce Springsteen, Richard Dawkins, Katie Price, Stanley Spencer, Harry and Meghan, Brian Epstein, Kenneth Williams, Ronald Reagan, Simon Dee and the Marx Brothers. With the full battery of the humourist's armoury – clerihews, tongue-twisters, whimsy, parody, farce, satire, social observation, nonsense – Brown skewers the passing fads and delusions of the contemporary world. ‘Our greatest living satirist’ Sunday Times ‘Exquisitely naughty and hilarious’ Guardian ‘Craig Brown’s humour will outlive his victims … his journalism is one of the few compensations for being British now’ Sunday Telegraph Craig Brown's book 'One Two Three Four' was a Sunday Times bestseller w/c 19-04-2021.
An utterly brilliant follow-up to the humour classic, by Britain's funniest writer. 75 years on from the first publication of 1066 and All That, Craig Brown takes over where Sellars and Yeatman left off. With all the zest and exuberance of the original, 1966 and All That takes us on a half-remembered journey of imperial decline, loss of moustaches, The Sewers Crisis, angry young men, slightly cheesed-off young ladies, the onset of rock 'n' roll, the doomed romance of Princess Margaret and Pete Townshend, the decade of the Ironing Lady - and an unstoppable increase in the quantity of Royals. 1966 AND ALL THAT - all the modern history you can't remember, narrated in a way you can't begin to understand. There'll be an exam too, so please pay attention.
This collection of wit, whimsy, parody and satire from the funniest humorist in Britain today captures the essence of British life. He is as funny on soaps, Posh Spice, and the Little Chef as he is on art and politics.
Collects facts and trivia concerning the lives of the members of the British Royal Family
An awful lot has happened since that bright, fateful May morning in 1997 when New Labor swept to power. Things, we were told, could only get better. Instead, things took a turn for the worse. To console Tony Blair as he embarks on his long, grinning journey into oblivion, Craig Brown has packed a special time-capsule of Britain during the Tony from Cool Britannia to ASBOs and from Posh and Becks to Charles and Camilla, the nation’s funniest satirist makes sense—and nonsense—of it all.
Sir Harvey Marlowe, publisher, engages in a sprightly correspondence with his old schoolmaster Gerald Marsh. From his home in Shuffling, Marsh waxes lyrical on the subject of household manners (“I blow my nose with an handkerchief. Et toi?”) and the pleasures of reading books backwards. Meanwhile, Sir Harvey, darting from meal to meal with gifted young writers, sends his old friend the hottest news from the literary front. But despite their passion for literature (“I imagine you already know that steak is an anagram for Keats?”), 1983 proves a testing year for their friendship. At the same time as Marsh is completing Pass the Fruitcake, Iris, his 1,000-page study of music hall gaffes, Sir Harvey is becoming strangely attracted to his wife. This is a wickedly funny send-up of literary pretension.
Craig Brown's 'Imaginary Friends': parodies 2000-2004
Craig Brown-The Hounding of John Thomas.
by Craig Brown
Rating: 3.3 ⭐
Why do you continue to hide your pain, shame and guilt? You carry it with you everywhere you go, knowing that one day you need to deal with it; yet, you keep procrastinating. And another year has gone by. This book will help you discover how to be set free from the pain and shame of your past so that you can experience freedom and live a life of meaning and purpose. In the 1980s, Craig Brown, Author of Stop Hiding Start Healing, lived the high life. He worked for one of the biggest cocaine dealers on the east coast and partied with music moguls and professional athletes while self-medicating on drugs and alcohol. Brown is now walking in his God-given purpose and has led thousands of others to freedom as a Recovery Pastor in the Washington, D.C. area. He has helped countless families find wholeness and healing for their loved ones struggling with pain and shame. Today, in the midst of an opioid epidemic, mental health crisis, and a pandemic, Brown felt the call of God to share his story and vast knowledge of recovery with as many people as possible. Brown’s message could not be more timely. In 2019, nearly 50,000 Americans died from opioid overdoses. In 2017, 1.7 million people suffered from substance abuse disorders related to opioids. Unfortunately, drug abuse has a stigma that prevents many from getting the help they need, and family members are often at a loss with how to assist in the road to recovery. According to Brown, most seek help because of their pain, not their addiction. Brown shares life-saving counsel to Christians and communities grappling with these mental health issues. In Stop Hiding Start Healing, Brown offers loving, redemptive counsel for readers. In this book you will *Why we hide and what masks we wear to hide our pain, shame and guilt *How our character defects and shortcomings influence our desire to hide *How to create a new past and deal with the old one Endorsements Emotional pain is a part of life. For some, it is a bump in the road, but for many, it has a devastating impact, causing missed opportunities, broken relationships, and addiction. In this book, Craig Brown presents engaging stories of redemption which will inspire even those in the most hopeless situations. Because this book is filled with a diversity of human experiences, it can speak to anyone, but because Craig writes from decades of experience with Christian recovery ministry, it will speak especially to those open to a deeper spiritual experience of life. I recommend this book to anyone struggling with alcoholism or other addictions who wonders if guilt, shame, or past trauma might hold them back from living their best life. I know Craig's work, and I have met people he writes about in this book. -John C. Umhau MD MPH CPE,Alcoholrecoverymedicine.com We all are children at heart. And that children's innocence can be a blessing, or a curse. Its sweet vulnerability interrupted can lock us down to old traumas and shame that brand us permanently (we think) to fearful limitations and soulful wounds that we think we can never overcome. Craig Brown's timely book arrives on the surging tragic confusing wave of the Covid virus, when old fears find new roots to prosper — if we let them. Craig's lifetime of Christian recovery ministry informs a profound book that will help families and individuals out of pain, fear and shame into the sunlight of our own innate Spiritual power to heal ourselves and those around us.
Aiming to help making good career decisions, this book is intended for all age groups "This book is an eye-opener and for some could be a life-changing influence...What impressed me most was not just the information but the guidance...I recommend this book to all age groups. It could really help make some good career decisions." - "Career Scope." Whether you want to devote your life to a cause, do paid or unpaid work in the UK or abroad, the opportunities are enormous. There are over 400,000 voluntary sector organisations in the UK alone. REVIEWS: "A comprehensive guide to charities and voluntary organisations in the UK and abroad, with case studies and practical tips to help you find employment in the industry." Evening Standard; "This book is an eye-opener and for some could be a life-changing influence...What impresed me most was not just the information but the guidance...I recommend this book to all age groups. It could really help make some good career decisions." Career Scope AUTHOR BIOG: Author CRAIG BROWN draws on his extensive experience of working in the voluntary sector to show how you can do the same. He has specialised in recruitment for an overseas development charity. CONTENTS: 1. Understanding the voluntary sector 2. Working in the voluntary sector 3. Finding the right work for you 4. Looking at opportunities for young people 5. Giving your free time 6. Making a career in the voluntary sector 7. Moving up, moving on 8. Working overseas 9. Working with people 10. Working for animals and the environment
A boy grows up in Dorchester, Massachusetts. He is gay, and he has to come to terms with his sexuality. He has a very religious family, but they are able to accept him for who he is. He falls in love with this boy named Sean in high school. They enjoy their high school years together in pure bliss until they reach college. That's when everything changes and all hell breaks loose. I wrote this book to help inspire young people, gay or straight, to stand up for family and friends and to never give up on who you are just because it's easier to do that than to stand and fight for who you are and what you believe in.
It wasn't enough for Tracy Atkins to watch every TV show Trey Logan is in or to follow his every tweet. She wants him just for herself. When Trey tweets Tracy her obsession intensifies and by using the power of the internet, she learns everything she needs to know to become Mrs Trey Logan.
Raise Responsible Children and Create Harmony in Your HomeWhy do children misbehave repeatedly — even when they are punished? Does it seem that no matter what you do, your children continue to behave in ways that drive you crazy? Are you often frustrated and discouraged as a parent? Keep It Positive is a method of parenting based on research and proven results that will transform your home into a loving, peaceful, and respectful environment. With this book, you will learn new skills to develop positive, healthy relationships with your children that will last a lifetime. Through concrete examples and real-life situations, you will learn how to:• Create an environment in which your child will WANT to behave. • Minimize temper tantrums. • Foster an internal sense of respect and responsibility in your child. • Minimize sibling rivalry. • Effectively reinforce positive behavior. • Use consequences without punishment. • Structure your routines to encourage positive behavior. • Communicate with and understand your child in a new way. • Use Biblical principles to undergird all of the above. “Thank you so much for caring about parenting our little ones. Our house is more peaceful. We are not ‘sweating the small stuff.’ Excellent, easy, practical advice. The fact that there were lots of examples made it simple to follow.”—Mark, father of two daughters. “I wish I had learned this method five years ago! We have had beautiful changes in our home.”—Sandra, mother of three sons.
Included in this one of a kind 4 in 1 Omnibus are the books:The Perfect WomanThe LetterLovefoolThe Little CTHE PERFECT WOMANIt wasn't enough for Tracy Atkins to watch every TV show Trey Logan is in or to follow his every tweet. She wants him just for herself. When Trey tweets Tracy her obsession intensifies and by using the power of the internet, she learns everything she needs to know to become Mrs Trey Logan.This book has already recieved a 4/5 star review!THE LETTERWritten to her sister in despair at her situation, Simone believes something bad is going to happen to her. She recalls the first time Calum Owens comes into her life and how over time she has come to fear him. LOVEFOOLUnlucky in love Deana can't believe it when she starts dating Daniel. He's kind, caring and nothing like her other boyfriends. But dating Daniel brings surprise after surprise that pushes Deana right out of her comfort zone and onto the front pages. How will she handle the truth?THE LITTLE CWhen Mary-Ann is diagnosed with terminal cancer she is given two options, aggressive treatment to prolong her life or to let nature take its course. Spurred on by her wanting to live her best until the end of her life she embarks on a journey of discovery to help prolong her life. With her family in tow she begins to change her lifestyle but with a startling realisation, Mary-Ann finally achieves some peace.There's something for everybody in this collection. Happy reading.
OPTIMUM HEALING is an essential guide to everyone interested in what good health really means - and how to encourage it. Through case histories which mirror the lives of ordinary people everywhere, Dr Craig Brown shows that physical illness is often the expression of a deeper emotional and spiritual problem. He explains that five negative attributes underly all anger, depression, guilt, attachment and worry, and that unless these are released, as one physical symptom is cured, so another will inevitably occur.In this highly readable book, Dr Brown offers practical suggestions, excercises and ideas to help *Confront and release your own negative attributes*Find a balance between your body, mind and spirit*Establish harmony with your environment*Discover your own path to optimum healing and inner peace
Which sportsman refused the Oxford University Chair of Poetry? What do Ian Botham, Geoff Capes, Barry Sheene and Bob Taylor have in common? What does Giant Haystacks have for his midday meal? Which was Lester Piggott's favourite horse?All these questions - and scores more - are answered in over 200 diverse sporting lists. Anything related to sport, however loosely, comes within the scope of this book: top speeds, dead heard, bad sports, riots, insults, drugs, gambling disqualifications, Casanovas, millionaires, swindlers, memorable blinders, peculiar fan letters, premature victory celebrations... Here, a wealth of detail has been uncovered, often surprising, sometimes bizarre, about a wide range of sports personalities, many of whom have contributed their own personal lists.
by Craig Brown
Written to her sister in despair at her situation, Simone believes something bad is going to happen to her. She recalls the first time Calum Owens comes into her life and how over time she has come to fear him.
by Craig Brown
This updated and expanded second edition of Book provides a user-friendly introduction to the subject, Taking a clear structural framework, it guides the reader through the subject's core elements, which can be used as a learning material for students pursuing their studies in undergraduate and graduate levels in universities and colleges and those who want to learn the topic via a short and complete resource. We hope you find this book useful in shaping your future career.
by Craig Brown
When Mary-Ann is diagnosed with terminal cancer she is given two options, aggressive treatment to prolong her life or to let nature take its course. Spurred on by her wanting to live her best until the end of her life she embarks on a journey of discovery to help prolong her life. With her family in tow she begins to change her lifestyle but with a startling realisation, Mary-Ann finally achieves some peace.
by Craig Brown
Get ready for the upcoming 2010 Royals baseball season with the Royals Authority Annual. This year's edition features a look back at The Process of 2009 and includes articles about applying Pitch f/x to the Royals, how the Royals failed at the art of baserunning, prospects in Omaha, a look back at the 2000 season and a preview of the AL Central. Also included are in-depth player profiles and notes on every minor leaguer who took the field in the organization in 2009.