Murray Walker: Unless I'm Very Much Mistaken [Hardcover]

Murray Walker (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 24, 2002

Murray Walker is a national institution. The turbo-tongued motor-racing commentator who played a key role in the shaping of Formula One's televised image over the past three decades, Murray's unique brand of boyish enthusiasm made even the dullest race sound like an unmissable thriller. There was no one remotely like him on television -- and the public loved him.

Ever since his first stint at the microphone in 1949 at the British Grand Prix, Murray has entertained us with his commentaries on car and motorcycle racing and in particular Formula One. In his autobiography, he describes his relationship with many of the key personalities of his era, from Geoff Duke to Mike Hailwood, Stirling Moss to John Surtees, Nigel Mansell to Ayrton Senna, and Damon Hill to current world champion Michael Schumacher.

He also recalls his celebrated commentary partnerships, initially with the inimitable James Hunt and later with martin Brundle, his surprise move from the BBC to ITV, and looks at how the sport has evolved from its humble beginnings to today's multi-billion pound industry.

Away from the pit lane, he talks about his early personal life and the influence of his father Graham, about his experiences in the war with the Royal Scots Greys, and later his fascinating and highly successful career as an advertising executive handling major blue-chip companies such as Esso and Mars.

In the drama-filled world of Formula One, Murray Walker's story is a refreshingly candid and straight-talking account of a sport he adores and which every one of his fans across the world should read.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'The sheer force and sincerity of his enthusiasm has long made him the most imitated as well as the most loved broadcaster in British life' Daily Telegraph

To most people in the UK and throughout the Commonwealth and beyond, Murray Walker is the voice of motor sport. There can be little surprise about that - he made his first radio and television broadcasts in 1949 and only retired from commentating in 2001 at the age of 78. In the intervening half-century Walker commentated on hundreds of engine-powered races involving everything from trucks to boats via motorcycles, his first love. He became best known, however, for his work in Formula One, delighting or irritating millions around the world with his full-throttle delivery. Walker could inject excitement into what might appear to the casual observer as the dullest of processions through the force of his personality. Given that Walker has always appeared to have excess energy to burn, it is little wonder that, until 1982, broadcasting was not even his full-time profession. He enjoyed a successful career in advertising, treating commentary work almost as a weekend hobby. Walker feels blessed to have been able to enjoy such a full life and shares some of the many highlights with typical gusto. He covers his childhood, his distinguished service in tanks during the Second World War, and his 'proper' job in advertising, but most people will come to this book for the roar of the engines and Walker does not sell them short. Page after page is devoted to discussion and reminiscences about all manner of motor sport and those who take part. Walker writes with great affection about the riders and drivers he has known and the thrilling races that have fuelled his passion: Fangio, Moss, Mansell, Surtees, Senna, Schumacher, the mere mention of these and other great names will delight enthusiasts. Walker rarely has a bad word to say about anybody - this is a celebration of a long and fulfilled life, not a tabloid-courting rant - but readers will sense some residual tension from his working relationship with the late James Hunt, the F1 champion who shared the commentary box with Walker for over a decade. Walker emerges as a decent, passionate, extremely hardworking man who is in no mood to slow down just yet. The book zips along with the same pace as one of Walker's commentaries and readers may find themselves stopping every few pages in order that both they and the author might catch their breath. (Kirkus UK) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Murray Walker was born in Birmingham in October 1923. His father, Graham, was a motorcycle racing champion and Walker jnr saw his first race when he was two. After active service in the Second World War, he forged a successful career as an advertising executive. His debut as a sports commentator came in 1949, when he covered the British GP at Silverstone for BBC Radio. He has since spent more than 50 years commentating on motor sport and in particular FI, initially for the BBC before moving over to ITV in 1997.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 393 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins Willow (September 24, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060542306
• ISBN-13: 978-0060542306
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.5 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,327,395 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Murray writes like he talks...., December 26, 2002

By 

Tina Morris "schultheiss" (Rockville, MD USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Murray Walker: Unless I'm Very Much Mistaken (Hardcover)

...and that's a good thing! This book is for all of us who miss his charismatic, knowledgable and breathless commentary of all things motorsport, but particularly Formula One. A national institution in Britain, Murray Walker was the voice of Formula One first on the BBC and later on ITV, and the sale of television feed globally made him known throughout the world. When he retired at the US Grand Prix at Indianapolis in 2001 he left millions of fans sad to see him go. His autobiography comes as a concentrated dose of Murray that will make you laugh out loud many times but will also let you pause at marvel at a life so full of wonderul experiences. The real meat on F1 starts about halfway through the book, but racing fanatics: don't spring forward and miss the fantastic account of Murray's childhood, his introduction to motorsports and broadcasting by his motorcycling enthusiast father and his account of his WWII experience. The book is a thoroughly entertaining read and an absolute must for every motorsport fan.

2.0 out of 5 stars Interesting but not riveting, July 3, 2010

By 

Robert D. Crane "Director CIAOPS" (Sydney, Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Murray Walker: Unless I'm Very Much Mistaken (Hardcover)

What I probably enjoyed most about this book was learning about the early part of Murray's life. I was amazed that he served in World War II and how success he was in his advertising career before Formula 1.

I found much of the story after this a little repetitive and hap-hazard in way that it was presented. I also felt it was also drawn out in many ways which was disappointing. The information about the growth in popularity and the behind the scenes of Formula 1 was certainly of interest to me being fan but as I said a little drawn out.

If you are a fan of Murray and are interested in how he came to be the voice of Formula 1 then I'd recommend you have a read. If you are looking for an insiders look at one of the biggest sports in the world I'd suggest another book maybe more appealing.

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Muzza!, March 27, 2003

By 

The Cross "trmccandless" (Kirkwood, MO USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Murray Walker: Unless I'm Very Much Mistaken (Hardcover)

An amazing book about an amazing chap! Sadly, being an American fan, I never had the privilege of hearing Muzza commentate. I've never seen one race he called, but I knew that he had to be something special judging by the Brit's rant about him. I grew to respect him over the years by reading all of my British F1 magazine subscriptions and when I heard this was coming out, I searched frantically to find it. I knew it was released but could not find it in the states. My wife ordered it from Amazon.co.UK in September 2002 for my birthday and I couldn't have been happier. What a great book about a great man. It's not chocked full of the intricate F1 details that you might suspect. Rather, a delightful tale of a man's life and how blessed he has been. Murray is certainly humble about his life and yet keenly aware of his brand equity and respect in the industry. This is not a tell all book about F1 but it is a story about a man who's life orbited a sport so dear to many people's heart's. If you are looking for a tell-all about Jos the Boss or a blow-by-blow about the constantly growing accomplishments of the "great" Senna, this is not that type of book. It takes you from childhood through the war and on to his greatest passion....that's right...motorcycles! I know, thought it would have been F1 didn't you? Well, that how charming this book is. You would never know Muzza was having an affair with F1, so dedicated was his work.

I highly recommend this book to any one wanting to learn how to live a life of success free from ego and pretense. To anyone who loves the sport of motor racing and the glory of the sport as it evolved. To anyone who wants to hear from the man who called every lap of motor racings evolution over all these years.