Overview

NAMED A BEST BOOK OF 2022 BY THE NEW YORKER The incredible rags-to-riches story of acclaimed actor Brian Cox, best known as Succession's Logan Roy, from a troubled, working-class upbringing in Scotland to a prolific career across theatre, film and television. From Hannibal Lecktor in Manhunter to media magnate Logan Roy in HBO's Succession, Brian Cox has made his name as an actor of unparalleled distinction and versatility. We are familiar with him on screen, but few know of his extraordinary life story. Growing up in Dundee, Scotland, Cox lost his father when he was just eight years old and was brought up by his three elder sisters in the aftermath of his mother's nervous breakdowns and ultimate hospitalization. After joining the Dundee Repertory Theatre at the age of fifteen, you could say the rest is history -- but that is to overlook the enormous effort that has gone into the making of the legend we know today. Rich in emotion and meaning, with plenty of laughs along the way, this seminal autobiography captures both Cox's distinctive voice and his very soul.

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9781538707296

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Reviews

A life well lived and a story well told. From first page to last, Brian Cox the great actor is Brian Cox the great storyteller, and nobody is spared his sharp eye and his caustic wit, himself and some big Hollywood names included. He is brutally honest about who and what he likes and doesn't like, and honest too about his own failings. But what shines through every page is a man who loves being an actor and who has a deep understanding of why culture, and especially theatre and film, really matter. --Alastair Campbell Brian Cox is not only one of the greatest actors of his generation, he is a gentleman among men. Kind, wise, funny and intense in the best ways possible, Brian is also a wonderful tale-teller as this book proves. It is an honor to call him a friend and I'm so proud of him. What a life well lived. --Ryan Murphy It is much more than a rabbit Mr. Cox pulls out of his hat. In this candid vision of his life it is revealed how it is he is able so convincingly, authentically and uniquely to play such an abundance of characters. All of them different, all of them real, all of them him. --Hampton Fancher Rage and vulnerability, loss and passion, self-doubt, triumphs and laughs. Brian Cox's memoir brings to mind the Blake poem 'What is the price of experience? Do men buy it for a song? Or wisdom for a dance in the street? No, it is bought with the price of all that a man hath: his wife, his house his children.' What a treat and privilege to be invited in. I've never read a book that conveys the joy, grace and pain of the journey of being an actor and a human more honestly and with such straightforward blistering charm. --Kate Beckinsale There has always been a coiled-spring energy to Brian's acting and, now in his 70s, he has lost none of it. This book is like listening to him talk, switching from anecdote to diatribe to honest self-reflection and back to his original story before he interrupted himself. The effect is of undiminished curiosity and passion for life and work. All his observations are laced with his characteristic generosity, self-deprecation and cut-the-crap wisdom. --Harriet Walker Wisdom, a modicum of modesty, and delicious gossip make for an entertaining memoir. --Kirkus Reviews Wonderfully honest, touching and funny. --Gemma Jones

[C]andid and engaging. . . Theater fans and viewers of Succession will enjoy the personal stories this accomplished actor and raconteur has to tell. --Booklist The versatile actor's voice rings loud in this no-holds-barred memoir that traces his rags-to-riches story. --USA Today In this candid work, Scottish actor Cox (Salem to Moscow), of HBO's Succession, chronicles the triumphs and setbacks in his distinguished career. . . [I]ts prickly honesty is delightfully refreshing. --Publishers Weekly A life well lived and a story well told. From first page to last, Brian Cox the great actor is Brian Cox the great storyteller, and nobody is spared his sharp eye and his caustic wit, himself and some big Hollywood names included. He is brutally honest about who and what he likes and doesn't like, and honest too about his own failings. But what shines through every page is a man who loves being an actor and who has a deep understanding of why culture, and especially theatre and film, really matter. --Alastair Campbell Brian Cox is not only one of the greatest actors of his generation, he is a gentleman among men. Kind, wise, funny and intense in the best ways possible, Brian is also a wonderful tale-teller as this book proves. It is an honor to call him a friend and I'm so proud of him. What a life well lived. --Ryan Murphy It is much more than a rabbit Mr. Cox pulls out of his hat. In this candid vision of his life it is revealed how it is he is able so convincingly, authentically and uniquely to play such an abundance of characters. All of them different, all of them real, all of them him. --Hampton Fancher Rage and vulnerability, loss and passion, self-doubt, triumphs and laughs. Brian Cox's memoir brings to mind the Blake poem 'What is the price of experience? Do men buy it for a song? Or wisdom for a dance in the street? No, it is bought with the price of all that a man hath: his wife, his house his children.' What a treat and privilege to be invited in. I've never read a book that conveys the joy, grace and pain of the journey of being an actor and a human more honestly and with such straightforward blistering charm. --Kate Beckinsale There has always been a coiled-spring energy to Brian's acting and, now in his 70s, he has lost none of it. This book is like listening to him talk, switching from anecdote to diatribe to honest self-reflection and back to his original story before he interrupted himself. The effect is of undiminished curiosity and passion for life and work. All his observations are laced with his characteristic generosity, self-deprecation and cut-the-crap wisdom. --Harriet Walker Wisdom, a modicum of modesty, and delicious gossip make for an entertaining memoir. --Kirkus Reviews Wonderfully honest, touching and funny. --Gemma Jones

In this candid work, Scottish actor Cox (Salem to Moscow), of HBO's Succession, chronicles the triumphs and setbacks in his distinguished career. . . [I]ts prickly honesty is delightfully refreshing. --Publishers Weekly A life well lived and a story well told. From first page to last, Brian Cox the great actor is Brian Cox the great storyteller, and nobody is spared his sharp eye and his caustic wit, himself and some big Hollywood names included. He is brutally honest about who and what he likes and doesn't like, and honest too about his own failings. But what shines through every page is a man who loves being an actor and who has a deep understanding of why culture, and especially theatre and film, really matter. --Alastair Campbell Brian Cox is not only one of the greatest actors of his generation, he is a gentleman among men. Kind, wise, funny and intense in the best ways possible, Brian is also a wonderful tale-teller as this book proves. It is an honor to call him a friend and I'm so proud of him. What a life well lived. --Ryan Murphy It is much more than a rabbit Mr. Cox pulls out of his hat. In this candid vision of his life it is revealed how it is he is able so convincingly, authentically and uniquely to play such an abundance of characters. All of them different, all of them real, all of them him. --Hampton Fancher Rage and vulnerability, loss and passion, self-doubt, triumphs and laughs. Brian Cox's memoir brings to mind the Blake poem 'What is the price of experience? Do men buy it for a song? Or wisdom for a dance in the street? No, it is bought with the price of all that a man hath: his wife, his house his children.' What a treat and privilege to be invited in. I've never read a book that conveys the joy, grace and pain of the journey of being an actor and a human more honestly and with such straightforward blistering charm. --Kate Beckinsale There has always been a coiled-spring energy to Brian's acting and, now in his 70s, he has lost none of it. This book is like listening to him talk, switching from anecdote to diatribe to honest self-reflection and back to his original story before he interrupted himself. The effect is of undiminished curiosity and passion for life and work. All his observations are laced with his characteristic generosity, self-deprecation and cut-the-crap wisdom. --Harriet Walker Wisdom, a modicum of modesty, and delicious gossip make for an entertaining memoir. --Kirkus Reviews Wonderfully honest, touching and funny. --Gemma Jones

Author Information

Brian Cox currently stars as 'Logan Roy' in the HBO series Succession, for which he won the Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Drama and was nominated for the Best Actor - Drama Emmy, one of 18 nominations for the show. He most recently appeared on Broadway in Robert Shenkkan's The Great Society, for which he received rave reviews for his towering portrayal of LBJ. He has worked extensively with the Royal Shakespeare Company, and is also known for his roles in Super Troopers, The Bourne Identity, Braveheart, Rushmore, and more.

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