Diaries 1969-1979

The Python Years

By: Michael Palin

Narrated by: Michael Palin

Length: 4 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

Michael Palin's diaries begin in the late 1960s when he began writing for hugely popular programs. He recounts how Monty Python emerged and triumphed. From the success and cult status brought by Monty Python, Palin shares stories from their world tours, their stay at hotels recently trashed by Led Zeppelin, their battles over censorship, and how individually the Pythons went their separate ways. Yet at the same time they were working on the now celebrated series of films, including The Holy Grail, many of whose lines are known by heart to a considerable portion of the English-speaking world.

The birth and childhood of his three children, learning to cope as a young man with celebrity, his friendship with George Harrison, and all the trials of a peripatetic life are also essential ingredients of these diaries. A perceptive and funny chronicle, the diaries are a rich portrait of a fascinating period.

©2006 Michael Palin (P)2006 Orion Publishing Group Ltd.

Critic reviews

"Michael Palin is not just one of Britain's foremost comedy character actors, he also talks a lot. Yap, yap, yap he goes, all day long and through the night. Then, some nights, when everyone else has gone to bed, he goes home and writes up a diary." (John Cleese)

"A wealth of fascinating stuff about Monty Python." (The Independent, UK)

A great romp.

What a treat to have Michael Palin read his own diary. The audio format of this book adds in another wonderful dimension to a great story of the ascension to fame, and the difficulties of keeping five incredible comedic geniuses focused and from flying apart at the seams.

The telling of his hosting of Saturday Night Live had me crying from laughter in my car. Other things such as John Cleese' apparent desire to branch out, Graham Chapman's alcoholism, and how Michael deals with the death of his father, are deeply touching and show that he is still an ordinary guy that just happens to be an international icon.

A great listen, and a great performance from Palin in the reading.

always wanted to know what he was thinking

I really loved hearing the thoughts of an aspiring Michael Palin. I watched Monty Python's Flying Circus as a kid and loved the movies whenever I could. just hearing his adventures was fantastic, made me feel like I was having a drink with a friend.

Great Biography Of An ICON

Great Biography of a great actor/comedian/story teller. His life was well told through his own words from his book. This is a great book on an icon's life during a period of time.

I was surprised how much I liked it

Though I've been a lifelong Python fan, I never realized how observant and interesting Michael Palin really is. I was expecting a long recitation of dates and mundane events with a few gems here and there. Instead, I was immediately sucked in and transfixed by Michael's descriptions and impressions.

Besides filling in a lot of gaps in my knowledge of the Pythons through the years, this book also reinforced my sense of just how deep the intellectual and artistic veins run through these guys.

A very enjoyable, enlightening and memorable listen. Really hope there's going to be a 1980-now sequel coming.

I have fallen in love with MP

I had no idea he was such a gentle, thoughtful person and his terse but poetic diary entries provide such contrast and depth to the Python world and priceless anecdotes.

An achingly modest genius

Amazing

Michael Palin has been my favorite python since I was a child and this insightful diary of his time as a python on cements his position as my favorite. He is a wonderful father, husband and friend. He also loved what he did and was always humble. Loved it!!

Loved Loved Loved This (Audio)Book!

I've been a Monty Python fan, and Michael Palin fan for years, so this seemed like a potentially fun book to listen to.

I loved it! It really is laid out like a diary, but a very thorough one. The book takes us through the beginning of Monty Python, with the tv show, and then on through "The Life Of Brian" movie. That's sadly where it ends, leaving me wanting more more more!

Anyway, it's a must-read/listen for anyone that likes Monty Python.

Too Short

Loved it and wish it lasted longer. John Cleese's "So Anyway.." is 9+ hours and lead me here.

Very nice.

This was an interesting view of Monty Python from within. Palin's an excellent tour guide.

Best Python biography I’ve “read”

I have always felt that Michael Palin was my favorite Python. Cleese was so sharp and witty, Chapman so fearless and earnest, Gilliam so trippy and creative, Idle so clever and musical, and Jones so carefree and philosophical. But Palin was, to me, the heart of Python. He was the Everyman or the Ego while the rest were the Id and Superego pulling in different directions. Palin was the center, holding it all together. Hearing him recount the diary entries from the start of the Python shows until the effects that Brian had on Britain is like catching up with a dear, dear friend from high school after too many years apart.