This giant photo-riffic book is the Python equivalent of the now-standard Beatles Anthology. No fan of Cleese, Palin, Jones, Idle, Chapman and Gilliam should be without it.

After purchasing the complete set of DVD's and laughing so hard I was sick, I just had to find out out they did it. This book answered my question. I enjoyed it, but it was a bit long and somewhat redundant.

This is probably the most accurate history of the Monty Python television program and films.

It reveals the impressing background of the players and their problems in working together which resulted in their dispersing and ill will with each other.

This is probably the most accurate history of the Monty Python television program and films.

It reveals the impressing background of the players and their problems in working together which resulted in their dispersing and ill will with each other.

THE PYTHONS is a must for fans of the group but for the more casual reader it probably won't serve a purpose. It is an oral history of the group with contributions by the living members and statements culled from the late Graham Chapman's auto-biography. (A very funny book, but one that needs to be taken with a 16 ton grain of salt)If you are looking for specifics of how any of this marvelous group put together their sketches, look elsewhere; this is not a breakdown of how Monty Python's Flying Circus came to be, rather it is a bunch of reminiscences of early life, working together( and who worked with whom) and some still not quite healed wounds. Chapman comes off poorly, his drinking a constantly mentioned problem, Gilliam's story is so separate from the rest that he really doesn't seem to be a member of the group until The Holy Grail, although his animations were a key to the show's success, and Cleese is often seen here as standoffish, a bit out of the mix with the others. Memories often don't jibe for each member, an example being who chose "The Liberty March" as the theme, Palin lays claim to it as does Gilliam (with Idle agreeing with Gilliam.)But it is interesting to see how the group's personalities come forward as time goes on, and it does give some insight into the creative processes behind the scenes even though it does fall short of offering the aforementioned specifics. there are a number of great stories here and well worth the time (and strength!) to read this book. I did enjoy this slightly askew look at one of comedy's most influential and funniest groups ever; I just have difficulty recommending it to anyone but the converted.

THE PYTHONS is a must for fans of the group but for the more casual reader it probably won't serve a purpose. It is an oral history of the group with contributions by the living members and statements culled from the late Graham Chapman's auto-biography. (A very funny book, but one that needs to be taken with a 16 ton grain of salt)If you are looking for specifics of how any of this marvelous group put together their sketches, look elsewhere; this is not a breakdown of how Monty Python's Flying Circus came to be, rather it is a bunch of reminiscences of early life, working together( and who worked with whom) and some still not quite healed wounds. Chapman comes off poorly, his drinking a constantly mentioned problem, Gilliam's story is so separate from the rest that he really doesn't seem to be a member of the group until The Holy Grail, although his animations were a key to the show's success, and Cleese is often seen here as standoffish, a bit out of the mix with the others. Memories often don't jibe for each member, an example being who chose "The Liberty March" as the theme, Palin lays claim to it as does Gilliam (with Idle agreeing with Gilliam.)But it is interesting to see how the group's personalities come forward as time goes on, and it does give some insight into the creative processes behind the scenes even though it does fall short of offering the aforementioned specifics. there are a number of great stories here and well worth the time (and strength!) to read this book. I did enjoy this slightly askew look at one of comedy's most influential and funniest groups ever; I just have difficulty recommending it to anyone but the converted.

One should place the work of the Pythons in context that, outside of four films and the stage shows, the television show itself was only on for five seasons (that's five British seasons, which are significantly shorter), so I suppose it might be seen as quibbling that so much of, if not all of what is covered in this work most people who opted for a love of the Pythons over a social existence, either by force or by choice, are already familiar with.

If you have the Life of Python, the films with the commentaries/featurettes, Graham's Lecture Tour DVD, or any of the previous books, then you know this material probably better than you know most Python skits.

It's no wonder the text is remaindered now. Whether on film or in print, the surviving cast members can't/don't seem to want to come up with any new material.

Signed,
epsteinsmutha

For 30 years or so, I've been a major Monty Python fan, and bought this CD audiobook after thoroughly enjoying the hardback. What a disappointment! If I could give it zero stars, I would - and I've never wanted to do that before in a review.

Having read the book, I knew this wasn't a performance CD - I just wanted to hear the stories from the book as told by the Pythons themselves, in their own voices. Unfortunately that was exactly the problem: As has already been pointed out by others here, the audio quality is wretched.

I had to listen hard in most places to be able to make out the words, and that's no way to enjoy listening to a book. I tried it with speakers and with headphones, volume up and volume down, and nothing helped.

Here's my theory: I don't believe this audiobook was initially intended to be. I think that, after the hardback was published, someone thought it might work to release the interviews that went into the making of the hardback. All well and good, except that those interviews were recorded only for content, not for audio quality, and it shows.

So I don't think anyone did a sloppy job of putting together an audiobook. Instead, I think someone tried to push a square peg of recorded interviews through the round hole of retail. Even the art on the CD box seems to be an afterthought.

Unless you're prepared to listen to two CDs of muffled, echoing, low-volume, distant monologues, don't buy the audiobook of "Pythons" - instead, indulge yourself in the hardback. Not only will you "hear" the voices of the Pythons better in your own head, but you'll also get a lot of wonderful photos.

For 30 years or so, I've been a major Monty Python fan, and bought this CD audiobook after thoroughly enjoying the hardback. What a disappointment! If I could give it zero stars, I would - and I've never wanted to do that before in a review.

Having read the book, I knew this wasn't a performance CD - I just wanted to hear the stories from the book as told by the Pythons themselves, in their own voices. Unfortunately that was exactly the problem: As has already been pointed out by others here, the audio quality is wretched.

I had to listen hard in most places to be able to make out the words, and that's no way to enjoy listening to a book. I tried it with speakers and with headphones, volume up and volume down, and nothing helped.

Here's my theory: I don't believe this audiobook was initially intended to be. I think that, after the hardback was published, someone thought it might work to release the interviews that went into the making of the hardback. All well and good, except that those interviews were recorded only for content, not for audio quality, and it shows.

So I don't think anyone did a sloppy job of putting together an audiobook. Instead, I think someone tried to push a square peg of recorded interviews through the round hole of retail. Even the art on the CD box seems to be an afterthought.

Unless you're prepared to listen to two CDs of muffled, echoing, low-volume, distant monologues, don't buy the audiobook of "Pythons" - instead, indulge yourself in the hardback. Not only will you "hear" the voices of the Pythons better in your own head, but you'll also get a lot of wonderful photos.

It's a bad sign when a book about my favorite comedy act (apart from the three stooges) doesn't keep me coming back.

I found myself reading it is spurts and jumping around quite a bit.
What I did read was interesting but not enough to keep me going. (The story behind the topless scene in "The dull life of a city stockbroker" was particularly funny).

Of course as a Coffee table book it is awesome and full of pictures both in front of and behind the scenes.

I would have liked at least a few passages by Carol Cleveland as I've always considered her part of the group. The fact that she grew from just "a bit of totty" to somebody who played real parts is would be a good story on its own.

I think the cult status of the Pythons is a very American thing and it sometimes takes them aback. They are some of the funniest people who did some of the best comedy writing that ever lived and many modern comedians owe them a lot, however it is the fact that their humor is so educated (who else could do "the fish slapping dance and Coal miners arguing about the Treaty of Utrecht?) that raises it above.

Too bad it couldn't raise up this book higher.

It's a bad sign when a book about my favorite comedy act (apart from the three stooges) doesn't keep me coming back.

I found myself reading it is spurts and jumping around quite a bit.
What I did read was interesting but not enough to keep me going. (The story behind the topless scene in "The dull life of a city stockbroker" was particularly funny).

Of course as a Coffee table book it is awesome and full of pictures both in front of and behind the scenes.

I would have liked at least a few passages by Carol Cleveland as I've always considered her part of the group. The fact that she grew from just "a bit of totty" to somebody who played real parts is would be a good story on its own.

I think the cult status of the Pythons is a very American thing and it sometimes takes them aback. They are some of the funniest people who did some of the best comedy writing that ever lived and many modern comedians owe them a lot, however it is the fact that their humor is so educated (who else could do "the fish slapping dance and Coal miners arguing about the Treaty of Utrecht?) that raises it above.

Too bad it couldn't raise up this book higher.

Heavy, big, full of pictures, interview-type amazing book!I am a huge fan of Monty Python but I learned a lot from that. I could only say, buy it!

Mistakenly ordered this, thinking it was an actual performance CD.
Instead it's an AUDIO AUTOBIOGRAPHY.
Despite my disappointment, I listened to it all. Its wonderfully upbeat.
NOTES: Parts of this CD were heard on National Public Radio.
The voice interview of John Cleese is of terrible audio quality.
CONCLUSION: The Python Ethic of Work (PEW) really, really shines through and I'm gratified to see them give high billing to Plain Old Work (POW). Enthusiastic admirers will be pleased with the background info.

Mistakenly ordered this, thinking it was an actual performance CD.
Instead it's an AUDIO AUTOBIOGRAPHY.
Despite my disappointment, I listened to it all. Its wonderfully upbeat.
NOTES: Parts of this CD were heard on National Public Radio.
The voice interview of John Cleese is of terrible audio quality.
CONCLUSION: The Python Ethic of Work (PEW) really, really shines through and I'm gratified to see them give high billing to Plain Old Work (POW). Enthusiastic admirers will be pleased with the background info.

I listened to this audio book this week & found it to be very enjoyable. The history of "The Pythons" is given in the voices of those who lived it (although at times, the audio quality leaves much to be desired). How else would one want to learn the history of something? If you are interested in the beginnings, middles, and ends of Monty Python's existence, this may be the book for you!

At this point, there have been many, many tomes written on the now-legendary British comedy troupe Monty Python. The best of them are: George Melly's "The Life of Python" (one of the few written before member Graham Chapman's death); Kim Howard Johnson's two titles, "First 20 Years of Monty Python" and "Life Before and After Monty Python"; and David Morgan's "Monty Python Speaks." This 16 ton autobiography is quite good but, if you've read any or all of the aforementioned books, there will be far fewer suprises here. The way in which this book stands out from the rest is the increased detail of many of the oft-told tales and a handful of newer (if somewhat trivial) revelations. The larger reveals seem to take place during their individual childhoods and events which took place near the end of their partnership, with much detail given involving the writing of "Meaning of Life" and the proposed '90s reunion which never materialized. Also welcome are the comments of Chapman's brother John who provides a new perspective on the most conflicted Python. If you do not own or have never read any of the other finer titles, this could very well be considered the one stop shop for all Monty knowledge. There is NO editorializing in this book, simply anecdote after anecdote from those involved. This, and the other titles, are probably of most interest to those interested in the art of comedy writing in that they are largely accounts of the creation of the material and group dynamic. A great book!

From the overlong pre-Python segments (yes, we get it - some of them worked for David Frost) to the glossing over of Season Three (blink and you'll miss it) to the chronology-free pictures (look for pictures from Season Four routinely rubbing shoulders with pictures from Season One for no narrative reason)... this book is a delightful first draft. I look forward to the final version.

Following the arc of these six comedic heroes as they go from ballsy, non-conformist artists to men who argue like they are stuck in the Argument Clinic itself makes "The Pythons" a depressing read. It certainly needs a better ending than Eric Idle's terse "we'll never do anything again" - a fact that probably dawned on the rest of us after the (relatively) disjointed "Meaning of Life."

On the whole, the boys are just as you expect them to be. Terry Jones, the workaholic. Mike Palin, the nice guy. Terry Gilliam, the American. Eric Idle, the cunning linguist. John Cleese, the Tall One. Graham Chapman, the dead one. There aren't many revelations along the way, though a few interesting stories emerge from the group's earlier days. And some of the pictures - especially when they are relevant to the adjoining text - are absolutely delightful.

For those interested in the group's work and not how much Graham Chapman drank, a subject discussed more than any aspect of, say, creating an innovative televsion show, the lighter and more concise "Monty Python Speaks" is recommended.

...I can already tell you it's amazing and worth every penny.

As a lifelong fan of Python, I know the skits, have read the scripts, seen the flicks, watched the specials.

But this book brings so much never-before-seen, heard, or read information that any true fan of the boys will practically cry with happiness.

However, as another reviewer said, this is NOT a "Monty Python Book" per se, full of skits or songs. It's a book about the boys: growing up, meeting each other, and being Python.

But this doesn't mean it's not highly entertaining! Just the jacket notes had me laughing out loud. There are plenty of serious moments but they are rendered with the remarkable wit of very funny people. Even the sort of bits that should be dull in a biography are worthwhile and interesting.

When my children see things like scenes from "The Meaning of Life" they act like it is boring. I remember those scenes as incredibly shocking -- I would look over my shoulder even when there was no one there -- in case I might be caught watching such stuff. Today, it seems like only people like me who enjoyed it years ago are interested in it and still enjoy it today. Now, instead of watching things that are a complete waste of time like this, people watch things that are a complete waste of time and not very funny at all. Humor is different. Well, it was different for us too. Imagine your mom and dad laughing at the Monty Python? No. They would have thought it was sick. Now we get to think what our kids laugh at is sick. This book gets to the real life drama behind the nonsense and gives clues to why this sort of thing happens. Humor really is peculiar to a mind set and our minds set in different ways. To some extent, this book could be useful in a study to see why utterances and displays would be funny to one generation and not to another. Is it because it can only be funny once? "Nee" you say?

This book also shows us just how British the young boys (and girls) were. For fans of Harry Potter you might note all the class pictures that look just like Hogwarts minus the robes and owls.

The pictures are worth the book. But bring some device to carry it out to the car.

You know you've made your mark when: a) your name becomes part of the lexicon; and b) they start publishing huge coffee-table tomes about your lives and work. "Pythonesque," according to the ninth edition of the Concise Oxford Dictionary, is defined as "after the style of, or resembling the humour of, Monty Python's Flying Circus, a popular British television comedy series of the 1970s noted esp. for its absurdist or surrealist humour." [sic]

THE PYTHONS: An Authobiography is full of the loony business that made them global favorites.

The comedy troupe --- consisting of John Cleese, Graham Chapman, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones, Eric Idle and Michael Palin --- was its own "British invasion" in the late 1960s-early 1970s. Like the Beatles, they are still popular years after their break-up and, also like the Fab Four, the members of the "sweet six" have done well on their own.

Cleese, for example, has appeared in countless TV programs both here and in Great Britain, and is enlarging his fan base thanks to his role as "Nearly-Headless Nick" in the Harry Potter films. Idle has not been, keeping his face in the spotlight with TV shots and concerts. Palin and Jones collaborated on the BBC series Ripping Yarns (Jones is also the author of the just-published historical murder mystery WHO MURDERED CHAUCER). Gilliam, the token American (born in Minnesota), has turned his talents to directing usually strange films, including Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998); Twelve Monkeys (1995); The Fisher King (1991); Brazil (1985); and Time Bandits (1981), among others.

Sadly, Chapman, who earned a degree as a medical doctor, passed away in 1989, a victim of cancer.

THE PYTHONS follows its autobiographical style with each of the lads offering his personal warped spin on his background, how the group came to be. how it attained success and battled the powers that were (i.e., network heads and censors) over creative and philosophical differences, and all the ups and down concurrent with fame.

Their television program ran from 1969-74 and gave fans such universally shared memories as "The Parrot Sketch," "The Spanish Inquisition," "Spam," "The Ministry of Silly Walks," "Twit of the Year," "Crunchy Frog" and, of course, "The Lumberjack Song" --- images that still make them chuckle after thirty years. Each Python contributed a unique presence, making him perfectly suited for his frenetic roles.

Besides the small screen, but especially after the show's demise, the Pythons turned out several feature films including The Life of Brian, The Meaning of Life, and Monty Python and the Holy Grail, which --- according to Python's website (www.dailyllama.com) --- is to be resurrected as "Spamelot," a Broadway musical, in 2005 (although anything coming from that source should probably be taken with an extremely large grain of salt.)

Supplemented with photos and Gilliam's bizarre cartoons (his animations for the show were no doubt the product of substance-induced nightmares) THE PYTHONS runs somewhat contrary to their tag line: "And now for something completely different" --- THE BEATLES ANTHOLOGY used the same format. But that's fine. It's just what their devoted fans will enjoy: the same old silly stuff.

--- Reviewed by Ron Kaplan

( mind you,I am reviewing the AUDIO CD not The Book,but there still seems to be book reviews written below. )

Well....the Audio CD,leaves much to be desired. I'd recommend it for the extreme Python fan,who must absolutely have EVERYTHING Python. Why? Because a lot of the interviews are badly recorded! For example:every interview snippet of John Cleese,sounds like it was recorded in a railroad tunnel. The Michael Palin interviews are done in someone's office,presumably Michael's since every time the phone rings,the interview is cut short,and the audio fades away. A lot of the interviews get snipped short,just as the interesting bits are getting under way. Eric Idle gets distracted and drowned out a few times due to outside noises. Granted,these are all problems of interviewing in general,but it makes for a boring listen.The bits from the television show and the general Python ouvere,are never let run completely,never a whole sketch or song,just sound bytes. Terry Gilliam & Michael Palin do a few playful things with Bob,at the begining and end of the CD's,which there isn't enough of. ( The Python's all should've conspired to add a few little special bits,to entice buying.). Not an absolute waste of your money,but be sure you really really really really really must have it.