For years Spike Milligan has lovingly collected and collated over a dozen volumes of family photographs and memorabilia, stretching from army life in India in 1869, through his birth in 1918 and his childhood, to his career as an entertainer and the arrival of his own family. Spike has carefully selected scores of these delightful photographs to illustrate the story of his life. Notes in diary form are expanded into anecdotes and reminiscences in Spike's inevitably irreverent style, making light of the major emotional hurdle Spike had to overcome in writing this deeply intimate book. At times touching and sincerly personal, The Family Album includes details of how Spike was plagued by manic depression stemming from his war time experiences, his traumatic mental breakdown and the collapse of his first marriage, all of which let him to believe that he could never write an autobiography such as this. Also included, of course, are some of his adventures in showbusiness, from the early days with The Goons and his innovative work on television to his stage appearences and film work. Along the way there are famous friendships with famous friends as diverse as Barry Humphries and the Prince of Wales.

Author Biography

After the war, Spike concentrated on comedy, with the famous Goon Show established him as Britain's top comedy writer and performer. The Goons caused mayhem on BBC Radio throughout the 1950s, paving the way for a whole new style of comedy. Spike's innovative Q series on TV inspired countless new comedians, and when he wasn't breaking new ground as a broadcaster, Spike found time to appear on stage in plays and shows, star in over a dozen movies and begin writing books. Since the publication of his first book , Silly Verse For Kids in 1959, Spike has produced more that 90 titles covering poetry, scripts, general humour, childrens stories, novels and his highly acclaimed series of war memoirs, making him one of Britain's most successful and best-loved authors. In 1992, Spike was awarded the CBE for his work as an entertainer, broadcaster and writer, and in 1994 he recieved the Lifetime Achievement Award at the British Comedy Awards.