The Olivetti Chronicles Book

I didn't know this book existed. Actually, that's not true. I had seen in my Goodreads update that Neil Gaiman had just read a book about John Peel, but I didn't take a lot of notice. I hit delete and moved on. Therefore, it was a wonderful surprise when maria handed me a parcel from Amazon and wished me a happy father's day.

This is a collection of some of John Peel's writing, all of it hammered out on his Olivetti typewriter (hence the title). The articles are collected from several sources and span four decades, the 1970s to the 2000s.

It is wonderful to "hear" John's voice again. Through the stories you rediscover his love of his family, music, and Liverpool football club. Obviously, most people know Mr. Peel (I can't call him John) through his radio shows. In my case (and I am probably not alone in this) it was spending the night, listening through an ear piece, as the signal faded in-and-out, under the blankets - so I wouldn't get caught. From 1976 to 1979 I followed a revolution in music through its greatest reporter, John Peel.

Some of the articles in this book deal with the paucity of music in 1975/6. John Peel predicts (and often demands) a change in the music scene. When the change comes, centred around The Sex Pistols, John Peel leaps to their defence. In one article, his defence is more of an attack on the "old" establishment, and the Last Night of The Proms.

But not all the articles are about music, many cover his other interests; family, football, television, and TT racing.

This is a fantastic book for anyone who was ever touched by John Peel's own brand of magic. It is a great book for anyone who grew up through the years 74-84, as the book will cause you to reminisce over "the good olde days". It is a good book for anyone who enjoys well thought out writing.

Can you tell I really enjoyed this book?