A Better Me

This is Gary Barlow as honest, heartfelt and more open than ever before

De: Gary Barlow

Narrado por: Gary Barlow

Best-selling audiobook; shortlisted for the Specsavers National Book Awards 2018

Includes an additional new chapter.

Gary Barlow is one of the most successful British musicians and songwriters of all time, but 15 years ago, as he himself admits, he hit rock bottom - he was out of shape, out of work, depressed.

Food for him had become an addiction, a means not only of comfort but almost of self-medication as he grappled with the cruel twists of fate of musical stardom. In 2003, as he struggled with the disappointment of an underperforming solo career alongside the tireless media taunts; Gary turned to food. Relentlessly. In the space of nine years he had been on 20 diets in the hopes of a resolution to all his woes. After asking the doctor what the 'cure' for obesity was, it sunk in that he was the only one who could take control of his health. Gary describes this realisation and the task that lay ahead - 'it was like being at the foot of a massive mountain'.

So how did he go from an obese, out-of-work and depressed pop icon, to a superstar of music and TV and an accomplished musical songwriter and producer who is full of vitality, fitter, happier and more successful than ever before. What happened?

In his extraordinarily honest memoir A Better Me, Gary tells of his journey back to professional success and mental and physical health. From reforming Take That to critical and commercial acclaim and reigniting his own legendary songwriting career; to overcoming his weight problems and crippling obsession with food; to TV judging panel stardom on The X Factor and Let It Shine and at last finding balance in both his personal and professional life.

A Better Me is a remarkably frank memoir of Gary's life as he battled with weight, stress, fitness and depression, and staged one of the most thrilling professional comebacks in years. In his warm, witty and authentic voice, he recounts his story with compelling insight, captivating honesty and a human side that people rarely see. Here is one of the UK's most beloved pop stars open, honest and raw and as we've never seen him before.

©2018 Gary Barlow (P)2018 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd

Outstanding Telling of a Life

I "discovered" Gary Barlow in November 2018 and have since come to love and admire him with a passion! This book is a raw and compelling story about the struggles of a famous person and weight, and his lifelong relationship with food. It is sprinkled with stories of fame and his Take That band with the humility and self deprecating humor that seems apparent in his interviews. Fantastic!

New fan

I didn't know who Gary Barlow was a month ago. I came across his music on YouTube and then found his book. After listening to his book, I'm forever a fan. He's authentic, he's talented, he's a rare find. Thank you for sharing your story. I have taken more from it than I thought I ever could. Now I'm off to discover the better ME!

Wow!

Simply loved it! Honest, funny and sad at the same time. And narrated by GB! Not a fan-book, a book for everyone.

an examined life

one of the most intriguing modern life stories there is, and to think his life is only half way done! mind blowing.

Brutally honest celebrity biography

A very frank biography of singer/songwriter Gary Barlow. I love the band Take That, so when this came out I had to read it. When I found out he was narrating the book himself, I had to hear it in his own voice.

Gary struggled with obesity and depression in the aftermath of the break-up of Take That in the 90's. His solo career bombed and he became a recluse, eating his way into anonymity. When the band reformed and became very successful in 2006, Gary found himself dealing with serial dieting, struggling to balance his personal and professional life and other out-of-control emotions. Being a bloke, he didn't handle it well.

The book was brutally honest and moving. I enjoyed listening to him, even though some of the passages were harrowing. Mr. Barlow has a very deadpan sense of humor. He makes an effort to use different voices to distinguish different characters. He's got a northern British accent, but I was able to understand everything he said. In fact, hearing him tell his story was better than just reading it, in my opinion.