Based on a True Story

Reviews / Votes

'A writer's life told by a born writer - beautifully observed, brilliantly written, wonderfully evocative. It's a story of our time - featuring some of the most remarkable characters of our time - funny, moving and telling; a roller-coaster of a good read, at times hilarious, at times heart-breaking. My book of the year.' -- Gyles Brandreth 'Unputdownable ... Everything Holden touches, whether Arsenal or Tchaikovsky, he lights up with a fresh eye and zest. I can't think of a more enjoyable memoir, which is also a portrait of a man of remarkable talents, expressing his own brilliance with politicians in Washington, with the literati in London watering-holes, and pursuing a never-ending affair with Shakespeare.' -- Melvyn Bragg 'An absolute page turner ... A latter-day Laurence Sterne hurtling through a picaresque life of creative adventure. What is truly inspiring is the way Anthony has nourished so many amazing friendships with extraordinary people. This should be read by every young person of ambition to remind them that what lasts is the love of friends and family.' -- Tina Brown 'What a life! I admired and enjoyed the colossal range of Holden's interests, his energy and delight in the daily business of writing, along with his gift for friendship. And what a rich cast his life embraces, each player so vividly evoked. His prose is deftly turned, with a clear smack of authority, intelligence and wit, of which his very opening sentence is a fine example. His generosity and sweetness of spirit in the face of a sudden, profound affliction touched me deeply. This is a lovely, varied, fizzy life, in which so much was achieved, so much pleasure rendered.' -- Ian McEwan 'I read Holden's book pretty much in one sitting and enjoyed it so much. Those Sunday Times years are still of course the pinnacle of serious journalism, and remain so vivid and amazing in his chapters. But the whole story is so deftly told, and left me marvelling at his energy and multiple talents. The last few years have been tough for him, but even these he writes about with humour and grace.' -- Alan Rusbridger 'I read this book pretty much in one sitting and enjoyed it so much. Of course, those Sunday Times years remain the pinnacle of serious journalism and his chapters render them still so vivid and amazing. But the whole story is so deftly told and left me wondering at Anthony's energy and multiple talents. The last few years must have been tough, but even these he writes about with humour and grace.' -- Alan Rusbridger * Prospect * 'Explosive' * Daily Mail * 'Must-read' * Mail on Sunday * 'Entertainingly buccaneering ... a rip-roaring salute to a bygone age of journalism' * The Observer *