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  • (R)evolution

  • The Autobiography
  • By: Gary Numan
  • Narrated by: Gary Numan
  • Length: 14 hrs and 5 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (243 ratings)
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(R)evolution cover art

(R)evolution

By: Gary Numan
Narrated by: Gary Numan
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Summary

This audiobook opens and ends with music from Gary Numan's 2021 album Intruder.

A Daily Mail 'best TV and showbiz memoir' for 2020

From humble beginnings in Middlesex, where money was scarce but dreams were encouraged, to the award-winning godfather of electronica, Gary Numan has seen it all. His incredible story can be charted in two distinct parts....

The first: a stratospheric rise to success quickly followed by a painful decline into near obscurity. At school, Gary fell through the cracks of the system and was expelled. An unlikely but determined popstar, he earned his first record deal aged 19 and, two years later, had released four best-selling albums and had twice toured the world. But, aged just 25e, it felt like it was all over. Gary's early success began to hold him back and he battled to reconcile the transient nature of fame with his Asperger's syndrome.

The second: a 20-plus year renaissance catalysed by a date with a super-fan. Gary catalogues his 15-year struggle with crippling debts, his slow, obstacle-laden journey back to the top (and the insecurity that comes with that) and why Savage reaching number twi in 2017 meant more than the heady heights of 1979. Gary also candidly discusses the importance of his fans; why having Asperger's is a gift at times; the inspiration behind the lyrics; flying around the world in 1981; IVF struggles and the joy of fatherhood and his battle with depression and anxiety.

(R)evolution is the rollercoaster rise and fall (and rise) of one man, several dozen synthesisers, multiple issues and two desperately different lives. By turns hilarious and deeply moving, this is Gary Numan in his own words - a brutally honest reflection on the man behind the music.

©2020 Gary Numan (P)2020 Hachette Audio UK

What listeners say about (R)evolution

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    4 out of 5 stars

It's a story of two halves.

Ok, so Gary is a songwriter and musician, not an author. The book's prose is fairly simply constructed, but if (like me) you've been a Numanoid since 1978 (when I was 6), this is essential listening for you.
It's made all the better, in my opinion, by Gary reading it, and since he was there, it adds credibility.
It's written from the heart, he comes across as genuine and open in the dialogue and it's fascinating to hear the origins of all the pop culture that I have adored about both Tubeway Army and Gary himself since I first heard him on a Peel session (we had no TV in 1978, radio was my world).
If you're looking for a book that helps you to connect with Gary in a real way, this is the one.

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4 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Told with real passion

Well done Mr Numan amazing biography told with feeling. A must hear story. Well done

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Heart breakingly honest account of the Rise, Fall and rebirth of a Music Legend

Honest and down to earth recanting of the life and trials of one of my musical Idols. I was there at the beginning and found his music again about 10 years ago so this year by year account was just perfect in filling in the blanks. What an amazingly honest and open account of zero to hero, to near zero to almost cult status in 40 years. Being read by Gary himself made it all the more interesting and added to the emotion. What a life so far, what a survivor, what a legend!

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

The Rise & Fall & Rise of A Music Pioneer

Gary Numan's The Pleasure Principal was the very first LP, or album as we call them today, I bought way back in 1980 when I was just 13. I'd heard nothing like that sort of music before, having only really known disco and the pop music of the time.

Just two years later, as far as I was concerned, and Numan was gone from the music scene, a has-been, a flash in the pan etc. What I didn't know back then was just how prolific Numan Was in terms of making music. The lack of radio play and publicity in general for any of his albums post Telekon really put paid to his career as far as the mainstream was concerned.

This lack of publicity as well as a bad decision as far as touring went back in 1981 are all covered in brutal detail in Numan's new book. In fact, there were times when perhaps his honesty was too much!

I was riveted to this book from start to end, reading large chunks of it in single sittings. The cherry on the cake is that Numan himself reads this and is able to put across his feelings doing so. In particular, the raw emotion in his voice when describing his mothers death was heartbreaking to hear. There are so many stories to be told in this book and most of which most people will never have heard. Even if you're not a Numan fan, you will find the life of a struggling musician fascinating with all the ups and downs as well as stories of some of the characters in the music industry.

Numan doesn't hold anything back in this fascinating, funny, sad and happy story of the past 40 years of his life and I can thoroughly recommend it.

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2 people found this helpful

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Gary Human great book

Started reading the actual book but when I found out it was dead by Gary himself I knew this would and an extra element to it, it also includes 2 songs, the only downside is that you don't get to see the photos he included. I loved it from start to finish and hope he continues with another book,I'm sure he's not done yet.

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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More human than Android…

I didn’t know much about Gary Numan before listening to this but as I enjoy music autobiographies and grew up in the 70s/80s, it was of interest. Kept me entertained in the car for a few weeks! Gary comes across as a genuine guy and family man, who has often doubted his own abilities. I thought it was a good listen.

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1 person found this helpful

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5 STARS Made me love Gary even more!

I am a big fan of Gary Numan and wanted to find out what my favourite android is all about. this book is read perfectly by Gary himself and feels more like he's talking to you than just reading to you. this is a very engaging book and I highly recommend getting it!

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    2 out of 5 stars
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Boring boring boring

I thought this was boring and mediocre , maybe the diehard human fans will like this but unless you want something to put you to sleep don’t bother with this , probably could have told this story in a quarter of the words

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Great story

I enjoyed the book even more than I thought I would. You don’t necessarily need to be a fan of Gary Numan to enjoy this book but for the true fans it’s a brilliant story that is delivered really well.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Fantastic listen

I met Gary and Gemma by chance at my work back in 2008. So down to earth and genuine. Considering such an extraordinary life it’s amazing he is so grounded. This book is so enlightening and emotional - it’s been such a journey following this career so felt connected to each part. Highly recommend!!

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