I really enjoyed reading this book. I’m nearly 30 years younger than Bailey but the times and so many of the people he writes about are well known and I personally find the stories fascinating. Yes, he swears a lot and I can’t say he’s always likeable - but does that bother me? Not at all. He was a trailblazer and you can’t question his talent as a photographer. I’ve read other reviews and some people seem quite horrified at the language and stories - I suspect because they are written by people of a much younger age, who have no concept of what life was like then without the immediacy of mobile phones, the internet and the ‘holier than thou’ sentiments that seems to pervade everything now. Bailey may be foul mouthed and an inveterate womaniser (though I like to hope age and Catherine have dealt with that now!), but at the same time he’s diverse, interested in supporting his community and the next generation - and all his exes seem on good terms with him. Sometimes good things don’t come perfectly wrapped but it doesn’t make them any less valuable or enjoyable. I’d put Bailey in that category.

Bailey’s sarcastic narration of the last half century of photography flies by in anecdotes and insight. A great read that takes a lot of unexpected directions, this is not a typical photography biography, but why would you expect that from David Bailey?

Thanks to the publishers for sending me a reading copy. I was really chuffed when it arrived but on reading I was so disappointed. He doesn’t come across well and the amount of swearing is ridiculous. I’m sad to say that I will not be reading this again.

Bailey comes across as a sexist, narcissistic person. There is unnecessary swearing- the book lacks content.