My Hearts Symphony - Gary Lewis & The Playboys

Advantages: Great reading
Disadvantages: Would have liked more gossip about him and Robbie's arguments

...I was really looking forward to reading this book to learn about the real man and not just what we were told from the tabloids, I can easily say that I was not disappointed with this book. Gary starts the booki n 2000 and tells about how his life is and what he is up to. He then starts to take us back on a journey from his childhood. He tells us all about his apprenticeship in the working mens clubs in the North and how his family would save up to buy him the latest model of keyboard. He tells how he gets his insperation for song writting which he started at such an early age and how hard it was trying to get his big break. He tells of when he first met Nigel Martin-Smith who was a modelling agent and how he had an idea of starting a boy band. We are told the truth about how Take That actually did get made and it is very suprising to... Read review

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Advantages: A must for all Gary and Take That fans - even for Robbie fans, too!
Disadvantages: None

...I cannot add much to the other reviews. This is an excellent read, and a 'must' for all Gary and Take That fans. Here we see the truly sensitive side of a man who was treated mercilessly by the tabloid press, especially when Robbie had his 'big break' with 'Angels' and other massive hits. This is a book written from the heart, by an intelligent, caring and loveable family man, who also happens to be one of the greatest singer/songwriters around. The chapter on the 7/7 Underground bombings of 2005, really brings it home to the reader about how bad the current times are. There is no doubt that Gary's life was greatly influenced by this. It's great that the acrimony between Gary and Robbie seems to have evaporated. I can well recommend this, as a great read. Looking forward to the new album, later this year. (Tony in... Read review

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Advantages: Nicely written, honest and revealing
Disadvantages: As you'd expect it won't win a literacy prize

...I only got this book because I quickly needed to find something to take advantage of WHsmiths 2 or 1 offer. I'm not really a Take That fan although I do like some of their songs and I like Gary Barlow as a songwriter. The book is actually a really good read. Obviously it won't win any prizes for literacy but it's got some really interesting stories. The book takes from Gary's early beginnings, from when he got his first musical equipment and started to get gigs in working mens clubs, through to the Take That days and the solo career and if you buy the updated version the reunion. Probably the most interesting parts concern his relationships with key people such as the Take That manager Nigel Martin-Smith and Robbie Williams. Gary is also honest enough to admit failings and some levels of immaturity in certain situations which is... Read review

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