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Over the Top and Back

The Autobiography

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Over the Top and Back

By: Tom Jones
Narrated by: Jonathan Pryce
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About this listen

In a career that has spanned six decades, Sir Tom Jones has performed with almost every major recording artist, from Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis and Sinatra to Robbie Williams, Van Morrison and Jessie J, across every imaginable genre, from rock and pop to country, blues and soul. The one constant throughout has been his unique musical gift and unmistakable voice.

In this, his first ever autobiography, Tom will revisit his past, both personal and professional, exploring the twists of fate that took a boy from a poor Welsh coal-mining family to global celebrity status.

He will chart the stories behind the hits as well as the ups and downs of his professional life - from the heyday in Las Vegas and subsequent fallow years in the 1980s to his renaissance and comeback thanks to the direction and management of his son, Mark - as well as shedding a light on the life he has led behind the cameras and the stage.

©2015 Penguin Audio (P)2015 Penguin Audio Entertainment & Celebrities Music Celebrity Biography Funny
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Most relevant
I enjoy all the many biographies I read .
Most are fascinating .
This one was riveting and Moving .
It felt like Tom and I were mates and he was trusting me to hear the truth.
Clearly a man who knows that real men aren’t afraid of the truth.
I now know in some detail what I love about Tom Jones.
Everything!
Ps the narrator made it easy to think it was Tom speaking. Superb job Sir

Simply the best written bio I have read in a long time.

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I was born in the sixties and observed my Mother's friends really liking this Man Tom Jones. So I feel like he has always been in my life. I've been to one of his concerts in Melbourne and I guess he has been "just there all the time" So I wanted to know why, what and how and the book did not disappoint.
This human has had an amazing life and career and I really enjoyed the parts about his childhood because that's were this Man's character was formed. And boy it's as tough as those Welsh mountains. The narrator also was a reason I liked the book as whilst I knew it wasn't Tom ,,yet it was the bloody best next thing.
This man is Tom Woodward first then layered as much as the sheets of Welsh slate are, layers upon layers and together these layers forge something strong and fiercely protective. Pure talent , pure letting the Music rip and that's why I enjoyed it. Thank you Sir Tom and Mark and his whole family. Love was the glue that held it tigether and oh yes a lot of champagne and cigars,,but this legend is true Welsh Gold .

An important story

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The choice of narrator was spot on, it felt like Tom talking....it was a fairly basic no frills account of his time in show biz, but gave you an insight into his journey.

Great read

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Long but he had a big life, he did keep the other women out of the story, but thts okay

The narrator

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An amazing & intriguing life story that I very much enjoyed and thank you for sharing Sir Tom! My only disappointment was that you didn't narrate it yourself. Nothing gives your story the wonderful authenticity than one that is told with your own voice.

The lad from Pontypridd

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Outstanding career. The book takes you on a journey from Tom’s youth. Beautifully narrated and written. What a life.

Takes me on a journey

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What a great listen, a historical timeline of music, a life well lived and a love letter to his childhood sweetheart

One of the best auto biographies

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Adore Tom Jones singing. Hoped this book would tell me more about the man and his life, rather than his career being an Autobiography.
Left feeling a little disappointed. I knew much about his career having followed it from the beginning. It was the gossip and innuendo about his private life I thought this book would clarify but there was little of that.
At times he came over as rather egocentric. The position if any in the charts was everything.. lots of competition with his music peers but I guess all performers come over like that. It’s their living, they have to be above the next guy to survive and when they are , they celebrate.
I really wasn’t interested in his time in America. Didn’t like how Vegas changed him. Got to the point I started skipping much, which means I’ve no right to comment on his recollection of his life there.
What I’m trying to express, not very well, is that this autobiography is not about his real life, it’s more about his professional life, it’s ups and downs and considerable success after the lean years in America.
The first few chapters were lovely. I couldn’t wait to get back to listening. I felt the choice of narrator was perfect. It could have been Tom himself.
The best part of the book by far was the last half hour when he talked about his wife and their constant love for each other.
That’s the Tom I wanted to read about.
If he has the time, I’m sure there is anotherTrue Autobiography for him to write.

Like a catalogue of songs.

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I liked the fact he always mentioned his family was with him throughout this journey

His journey to fame.

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From start to finish a great story with lots of hilarious commentary. He’s done it alll but remains a humble, authentic man who can clearly write. Thanks Tom for a thoroughly great read

Bloody funny read.

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