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Danny Baker
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Going to Sea in a Sieve: The Autobiography Kindle Edition

by Danny Baker (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 out of 5 stars 2,450 ratings

The first hilarious volume of comedy writer, journalist, radio DJ and screenwriter Danny Baker's memoir, and now the inspiration for the major BBC series CRADLE TO GRAVE, starring Peter Kay.

'And what was our life like in this noisy, dangerous and polluted industrial pock-mark wedged into one of the capital's toughest neighbourhoods? It was, of course, utterly magnificent and I'd give anything to climb inside it again for just one day.'

In the first volume of his memoirs, Danny Baker brings his early years to life as only he knows how. With his trademark humour and eye for a killer anecdote, he takes us all the way from the council house in south-east London that he shared with his mum Betty and dad 'Spud' (played by Peter Kay) to the music-biz excesses of Los Angeles, where he famously interviewed Michael Jackson for the NME. Laugh-out-loud funny, it is also an affectionate but unsentimental hymn to a bygone era.

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  1. Print length
    273 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Weidenfeld & Nicolson
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    6 Nov. 2012
  6. File size
    3.9 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Product description

Review

Danny Baker's passion runs deeper still as he attempts to squeeze the maximum amount of amusement from everything in his path in this hilarious first chronicle of his wonderful life. ― THE OLDIE

A lively, memorable autobiography. ― THE SUNDAY BUSINESS POST

Full of warmth and laughter -- Ian Hyland ― Daily Mirror

From the Inside Flap

Danny Baker is one of the most recognisable voices on British radio. Working as writer, presenter and broadcaster he has seen, as an insider, much of what has come to pass in British popular culture both in music and TV for over 30 years. Now, Danny tells his own story. Born in 1957 to a boisterous working-class family in Deptford and leaving comprehensive school at fourteen he traded a rich, if hard-edged, upbringing for an almost immediate, if accidental, life in London's (very) fast lane.

In Going to Sea in a Sieve, the first volume of his memoirs, Danny explosively and honestly recalls the extraordinary roots of his long career. From the lie of being David Essex's brother and the myth that he killed Bob Marley, to real-life dealings with Marc Bolan, The Clash, John Lennon, Elton John, Tommy Cooper, Spike Milligan and, most famously, Michael Jackson. Danny Baker's autobiography is a wild and wildly funny take on the collision between an incident-packed British childhood and a wild rock-and-roll youth. By the time his life in TV comes along, the Deptford boy had well and truly been around the block.

"I think these years," he says, "are why I never bought a big red car in my 40s or have never envied a single soul."

Some people knuckle down and plan their life's voyage. Just a few will recklessly go to sea in a sieve...

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B009EA90NU
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Weidenfeld & Nicolson
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ 6 Nov. 2012
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ Reprint
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3.9 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 273 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0297863427
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Customer reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 2,450 ratings

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Danny Baker

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Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
2,450 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this autobiography engaging and entertaining, with many noting it had them laughing out loud throughout. The book is well-written with great insight into past times, and customers appreciate its honest, down-to-earth approach. They value the author's radio career, with one customer describing him as the greatest British broadcaster, and many mention it brings back nostalgic memories. Customers consider the Kindle version a bargain.

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356 customers mention ‘Enjoyment’343 positive13 negative

Customers find the book enjoyable, describing it as a brilliant and fantastic autobiography, with one customer noting it keeps readers interested throughout.

"I thought the Rod Stewart autobiography was pretty good, easy-going and written with a joie de vivre and chatty style that drew you closer to the..." Read more

"Enjoyable read." Read more

"...The real winner amongst all the brilliant stories and anecdotes is Danny's frankness, honesty and willingness to point out some of his less than..." Read more

"...“aired I couldn’t wait to see it and was not disappointed it was so enjoyable that I just had to buy the book...." Read more

203 customers mention ‘Humor’200 positive3 negative

Customers find the book humorous, with several mentioning it made them laugh out loud throughout, and one noting its exuberant and joyous way with words.

"...Rod Stewart autobiography was pretty good, easy-going and written with a joie de vivre and chatty style that drew you closer to the person and the..." Read more

"A brilliant, funny memoir including some of the people Danny Baker had met when he started his first job in a record shop in London and then as a..." Read more

"Best autobiography I`ve read in a long time. So funny I laughed out loud more than once. Nice to read about someone totally not up his own back side...." Read more

"...It is genuinely funny in many places, particularly the early parts detailing his family life in South East London, which I think is the most..." Read more

73 customers mention ‘Insight’73 positive0 negative

Customers find the book insightful and evocative, with one customer noting its realistic depictions of effing and blindin, while another appreciates the footy references.

"...approach to things. This could be annoying but is actually quite endearing, and I laughed along with his tales of working in a record shop in Soho..." Read more

"A brilliant, funny memoir including some of the people Danny Baker had met when he started his first job in a record shop in London and then as a..." Read more

"...make your own luck and Baker has plenty of tales to tell and he tells them very well...." Read more

"...Actually , I think; a very aware and clever fellow.And so clearly a bright spark who got away...." Read more

66 customers mention ‘Writing quality’66 positive0 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, describing it as a wonderfully written memoir that is easy to read, with one customer noting it reads like the author's radio persona.

"...The writing is like his radio persona; erudite, witty, intelligent and absolutely engaging...." Read more

"...It’s all most as if you can hear Danny narrating the whole book, Danny was from a working class , London family, His dad Spud, a Docker was a larger..." Read more

"...it needs to be said that the man can tell a story, he has a great way with words, which is probably why he had a successful radio career for so many..." Read more

"...Adequately amusing and a definite toilet book - ie one to be read in small stages, well suited for the smallest room." Read more

49 customers mention ‘Memories’49 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate how the book brings back memories and provides great insight into past times, with one customer specifically mentioning its interesting music anecdotes.

"...No talk of being on a journey, no horrendous childhood to go on about, no depressing sad stories of growing up. Just pure well told anecdotes...." Read more

"...I loved the music sections, Danny's tales of working in the record shop and later at the NME were very interesting, I particularly liked that he has..." Read more

"...I am not sure but if it was he has lead a charmed life and had a happy upbringing...." Read more

"...His book evoked memories of Silwood Estate and the culture back in the day although not every family was on the take...." Read more

28 customers mention ‘Honesty’28 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's honesty, describing it as brilliant, down-to-earth, and unpretentious.

"...winner amongst all the brilliant stories and anecdotes is Danny's frankness, honesty and willingness to point out some of his less than enobling cons..." Read more

"...of the day (Marc Bolan, Elton John, Michael Jackson...) are not conceited or boastful, but matter-of-fact and told with a warmth and honesty which..." Read more

"...He's not pretentious, is working class and proud of it (from back in the day when working class WAS something to be proud of, not just to be), and..." Read more

"...Danny Baker's acerbic wit, cheeky charm and absolute chutzpah never gets irritating and the love for his family - and Father in particular - is..." Read more

16 customers mention ‘Radio personality’16 positive0 negative

Customers praise the author's radio show, describing him as one of the greatest British broadcasters.

"...great way with words, which is probably why he had a successful radio career for so many years...." Read more

"...Great on the radio, rubbish and embarrassing on the TV...." Read more

"...weekly radio show I thought I'd give this book a go - he tells a good yarn on the radio and his charm and wit translate to the page with ease...." Read more

"...Praise: Like his radio show, full of great stories and a generally "happy" read (Not much misery here) and I can't wait for volume 2...." Read more

16 customers mention ‘Value for money’16 positive0 negative

Customers find the book well worth the money, particularly noting it's a bargain on Kindle.

"I read write ups of this book in 2013 and saw it was cheap so bought it to read,..." Read more

"...As wonderful a read as Andy Kershaw's auto last year, this is well worth buying, with as much to tell and in half the pages." Read more

"...a life well lived, not planned, and fair amount of luck and good fortune...." Read more

"...asked for this book as part of his Christmas present,It , I was priced reasonably and it meant i didn't have to go round the shops looking for it, I..." Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • Jim
    5.0 out of 5 stars Not Drowning, but Waving
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 28 December 2012
    Verified Purchase
    I thought the Rod Stewart autobiography was pretty good, easy-going and written with a joie de vivre and chatty style that drew you closer to the person and the life being recalled. Danny Baker, however, comes along and shows Rod how it's really done. Frankly, I could never really be bothered with Danny Baker on the TV or radio, but the good reviews of this book attracted me to it. He always struck me as some sort of wannabee Cockney wide-boy who probably in reality spent most of his youth in his bedroom absorbing Seventies trivia about pop music and football. I was unaware of his career as a journalist for the NME, or his early days in TV, and thought he'd come to fame through knowing Chris Evans (another erstwhile Southern mighty mouth, whose autobiography is supposed to be excellent and is sitting on my Kindle awaiting its day.) I was pleasantly surprised, therefore, to become immediately caught up in Danny's tales of growing up in working-class London, and a large part of the book is devoted to his years at school and giving us the background to his world view. He develops the theme of loving life from the carefree standpoint of having a secure family and community background behind him, giving the impression that as long as he has loved ones around him the world can do its worst. But the world is kind in the early days to Baker and opens doors for him in an effortless way that makes you think it really could have happened to you, thereby painting over what is probably quite a steely personal streak of work ethic, ambition and drive within the man himself. Baker wants to come over as one of the lads who just happened to love life and it loved him back - and maybe there's a healthy dose of truth in that.
    The tone of the book and the reminisces are akin to one of a kid being let loose in a sweet shop, with a kind of "Cor blimey, can you believe it?" approach to things. This could be annoying but is actually quite endearing, and I laughed along with his tales of working in a record shop in Soho that brought him into contact with some pop icons of the Seventies, Queen, Elton John, Rod Stewart and so on. His following days at the NME continue the theme, recounting dalliances with The Sex Pistols, The Jam and Michael Jackson to name but a few, and he always seems to find something pretty interesting and original to say or tell about all of them. You can't help but envy him, but in a likeable way unlike, say, Piers Morgan (whose book "The Insider" is also a belter, despite the fact that you still finish it thinking "Pass the sick bag".)
    I look forward to the next installment of Danny Baker's autobiography, and wouldn't hesitate to recommend this to all and sundry.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Shargal
    4.0 out of 5 stars Very funny
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 1 April 2024
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    Enjoyable read.
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  • M. E. Doherty
    5.0 out of 5 stars Danny Boy - pure entertainment
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 7 November 2012
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    A brilliant, funny memoir including some of the people Danny Baker had met when he started his first job in a record shop in London and then as a writer on Sniffin' Glue and NME including legends such as Elton John and Marc Bolan, Queen, The Clash, The Sex Pistols, Mick Jagger, Peter Cook and Ian Dury and his minder Fred Rowe, spending time with the latter on a tour of Europe, which is a highlight for me as a huge Dury fan. The writing is like his radio persona; erudite, witty, intelligent and absolutely engaging.

    The real winner amongst all the brilliant stories and anecdotes is Danny's frankness, honesty and willingness to point out some of his less than enobling cons, gaffes, tricks and humiliating experiences, which compliment the amazing experiences and people he met. The book ends somewhere around the early 80's (squeezed into somewhere around 250 pages) and there's so much incredible fun packed in there god knows how many more pages he'll need for the subsequent 30 years of his career.

    It is a brilliant read (I finished it in a day and a half... and that's just when I wasn't working!) and in it he entices us with the promise of volume two.

    If you love DB this is essential. If you love entertaining autobiographies, it's still essential. And worth it alone for the recurring tale of David Essex's brother and his fantastic, straight-talking dad (his hero, I think).
    29 people found this helpful
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  • RedGala
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good laugh out loud read !
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 20 November 2015
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    I remember listening to Danny Baker years ago on radio 1 and as well as playing good music his nonstop chat , off the wall sense of humour and his phone ins always made me laugh out loud. So when the TV series of this book “From the cradle to the grave “aired I couldn’t wait to see it and was not disappointed it was so enjoyable that I just had to buy the book. If you were a teen of the 70’s this is definitely for you and will bring back happy memories. It’s all most as if you can hear Danny narrating the whole book, Danny was from a working class , London family, His dad Spud, a Docker was a larger than life character and would be worthy of a book of his own ! Danny admits his childhood was free of all the teenage angst, he just loved life and had no issues . He loved music at an early age and on leaving school went to work at a record shop in Soho where he met many of the stars of the 70’s , his stories of Marc Bolan giving him a shirt and of him making out he was David Essex’s brother are hilarious. He was in at the start of the punk movement as the co-founder of a fanzine sniffin glue and later became a writer for NME, touring with several of the top bands of the time. This is obviously the first volume of his life and finishes in the 80’s after he meets the love of his life, his wife Wendy. I will definitely be reading the 2nd volume .
    3 people found this helpful
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  • tracey jones
    5.0 out of 5 stars loved it.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 3 November 2013
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    Best autobiography I`ve read in a long time. So funny I laughed out loud more than once. Nice to read about someone totally not up his own back side. No talk of being on a journey, no horrendous childhood to go on about, no depressing sad stories of growing up. Just pure well told anecdotes. I especially enjoyed the bit about being David Essex`s brother. After seeing the pics at the back of book I can sort of see how people fell for that one! As for the stories about the record shop, they had me reminiscing when you could go into one and listen to a record in a booth. Could go on about this book all day long(as I did at work while reading it). I was sorry when I got to the end and I was chuffed to read he`s going to do a follow up book. Can`t wait. Favourite book of the year by far. Going to read it again after a suitable break. I would strongly recommend this book to anyone who wants a laugh at times that have long gone. God bless you Mr. Baker, you`re a star.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Dave
    5.0 out of 5 stars pure entertainment
    Reviewed in Germany on 7 January 2013
    Verified Purchase
    This guy is a music journalist ,wit and funny radio dj who nowadays does phone in shows in the Uk. Almost as funny on the page as he is on the radio. Well written,nostalgic. Never takes himself seriously. Lovely book
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars life in south london circa 1970s. I lived there ...
    Reviewed in Canada on 24 October 2016
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    life in south london circa 1970s. I lived there then and this is gold! Also the music scene....Spot- on!
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  • Douglas S.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Blue-collar Sophistication, Clever Humor, Punctuated by Unusual Positivity
    Reviewed in the United States on 9 June 2017
    Verified Purchase
    I first discovered Danny Baker on the radio while traveling overseas in 2002. I appreciated his blue-collar sophistication punctuated by an unusual positivity. His anecdotes were funny and he was equally quick with a clever turn of phrase. 14 years later I stumbled upon this autobiography completely by chance. Was it the same Danny Baker who wrote for the NME, was at ground zero during the explosion of punk and alternative music in the UK, and heard on the radio at the BBC those many years ago? Much to my delight, it was, and fame hadn't changed him one bit. Going to Sea in a Sieve details his early years growing up in a rough part of town along with his first taste of fame. The highlight is arguably Baker's now infamous interview with Michael Jackson in which the world got its first preview of "Wacko Jacko." My only regret... I wish I would've ordered Volume 2, Danny Baker Going Off Alarming at the same time to avoid having to wait to learn what happens next.
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  • GaryE
    4.0 out of 5 stars Really enjoyable and interesting
    Reviewed in the United States on 4 October 2019
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    My wife and I were watching the first episode of the tv show based on this book and I decided I had to read the book before proceeding further watching the show.

    I’m really glad I did. I did not know exactly what to expect . . . I thought it would be like the first episode of the show a funny story about Danny and all of the scams his dad pulled as a dock worker. Well that is only a small part of the story.

    The bigger part is all of Danny’s stories as someone working in fringes of the music industry as punk changes everything and then all of the other changes that occurred in the middle 70’s to early 80’s. These stories were brilliant and it was the most enjoyable part of the book for me. Being from America I didn’t know much about Danny Baker so the story of how he became a TV personality while they were interesting were not the reason I was reading this book.

    The bottom line is that this was very enjoyable for me because I love that period in music history if you like it as well this book is worth reading for that alone.

    If you know and like Danny Baker and just want to learn about his early life you will also find this book enjoyable and worth reading.
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  • beetroot
    5.0 out of 5 stars Danny's lived the life we all want to live.
    Reviewed in the United States on 9 January 2014
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    From his humble(ish) beginnings in South London to his rather bizarre rise to fame Danny Baker's outlook on life is a lesson to us all. He has such a sunny disposition that people gravitate towards him and therefore want to employ him. I l reveled in the stories about the various Pop Stars that bumbled into his shop in Soho and the blasé way he dealt with the people on the phone as the receptionist at the NME. The music business was clearly a lot more fun in those days and more creative for it.
    Great book - can't wait to read the next installment,
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