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Funny books guaranteed to make you laugh out loud

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Children's reading lists

The best poetry books for children

The best memoirs of all time including Michelle Obama's Becoming, Paul Kalanithi's When Breath Becomes Air, Chanel Miller's Know My Name and Patricia Lockwood's Priestdaddy.

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The best memoirs of all time, as chosen by our readers

Episodes from the classic BBC radio comedy series

The Goon Show Compendium Volume One: Series 5, Part 1

Immensely popular and hugely influential, legendary series The Goon Show changed the face of British comedy. 
 
This first compendium presents the episodes in chronological order of original broadcast date. This volume includes: 'The Whistling Spy Enigma', 'The Lost Gold Mine (of Charlotte)', 'The Dreaded Batter Pudding Hurler (of Bexhill-on-Sea)', 'The Phantom Head Shaver (of Brighton)', 'The Affair of the Lone Banana', 'The Canal', 'Lurgi Strikes Britain!' (aka 'Lurgi Strikes Again'), 'The Mystery of the Marie Celeste (Solved)', 'The Last Tram (from Clapham)', 'The Booted Gorilla (Found?)', 'The Spanish Suitcase', 'Dishonoured' (aka 'The Fall of Neddie Seagoon'), and 'Forog'. 
 
Also featured are some rare archive bonus items, including out-takes, the program Me and My Shadows: Peter Sellers and a PDF booklet of the bonus content which came with the original CD edition. Remastered using new material and the latest technology to give the best possible sound quality, these recordings are sure to appeal to all collectors of The Goon Show. 
 
The Goons is a classic comedy which reflects the broadcast standards, language and attitudes of its time. 
 
©2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Spike Milligan (Author, Reader) Born in India in April 1918, Terence Alan ‘Spike’ Milligan was a comedy writer and performer who created The Goon Show which ran from 1951 to 1960. Milligan soon established his own fresh style of comedy. A poet and a campaigning humanitarian, Milligan was universally acclaimed for his published war memoirs. Amongst his radio series were The Omar Khayam Show and The Milligan Papers as well as his television series such as A Show Called Fred, The Idiot’sWeekly Price 2d and later the Q series from Q5 to Q9. He died in February 2002.

Immensely popular and hugely influential, legendary series The Goon Show changed the face of British comedy. 
 
This first compendium presents the episodes in chronological order of original broadcast date. This volume includes: 'The Whistling Spy Enigma', 'The Lost Gold Mine (of Charlotte)', 'The Dreaded Batter Pudding Hurler (of Bexhill-on-Sea)', 'The Phantom Head Shaver (of Brighton)', 'The Affair of the Lone Banana', 'The Canal', 'Lurgi Strikes Britain!' (aka 'Lurgi Strikes Again'), 'The Mystery of the Marie Celeste (Solved)', 'The Last Tram (from Clapham)', 'The Booted Gorilla (Found?)', 'The Spanish Suitcase', 'Dishonoured' (aka 'The Fall of Neddie Seagoon'), and 'Forog'. 
 
Also featured are some rare archive bonus items, including out-takes, the program Me and My Shadows: Peter Sellers and a PDF booklet of the bonus content which came with the original CD edition. Remastered using new material and the latest technology to give the best possible sound quality, these recordings are sure to appeal to all collectors of The Goon Show. 
 
The Goons is a classic comedy which reflects the broadcast standards, language and attitudes of its time. 
 
©2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

The Goon Show Compendium Volume Two: Series 5, Part 2

Immensely popular and hugely influential, legendary series The Goon Show changed the face of British comedy. 
 
This box set collection presents the episodes in chronological order of original broadcast date. This second volume includes: 'Ye Bandit of Sherwood Forest', 'Nineteen Eighty-Five', 'The Case of the Missing Heir', 'Under Two Floorboards', 'The Missing Scroll', 'Nineteen Eighty-Five' (remake), 'The Sinking of Westminster Pier', 'The Fireball of Milton Street', 'The Six Ingots of Leadenhall Street', 'Yehti', 'The White Box of Great Bardfield' and 'The End'. 
 
Also featured are some rare archive bonus items, including the unbroadcast and previously unreleased version of 'The Dreaded Batter Pudding Hurler (of Bexhill-on-Sea)' and a PDF booklet of the bonus content which came with the original CD edition. Remastered using new material and the latest technology to give the best possible sound quality, these recordings are sure to appeal to all collectors of The Goon Show. 
 
The Goons is a classic comedy which reflects the broadcast standards, language and attitudes of its time. 
 
©2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Immensely popular and hugely influential, legendary series The Goon Show changed the face of British comedy. 
 
This box set collection presents the episodes in chronological order of original broadcast date. This second volume includes: 'Ye Bandit of Sherwood Forest', 'Nineteen Eighty-Five', 'The Case of the Missing Heir', 'Under Two Floorboards', 'The Missing Scroll', 'Nineteen Eighty-Five' (remake), 'The Sinking of Westminster Pier', 'The Fireball of Milton Street', 'The Six Ingots of Leadenhall Street', 'Yehti', 'The White Box of Great Bardfield' and 'The End'. 
 
Also featured are some rare archive bonus items, including the unbroadcast and previously unreleased version of 'The Dreaded Batter Pudding Hurler (of Bexhill-on-Sea)' and a PDF booklet of the bonus content which came with the original CD edition. Remastered using new material and the latest technology to give the best possible sound quality, these recordings are sure to appeal to all collectors of The Goon Show. 
 
The Goons is a classic comedy which reflects the broadcast standards, language and attitudes of its time. 
 
©2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

The Goon Show Compendium Volume Nine: Vintage Goons

Thirteen remastered episodes of the legendary series, plus bonus material. 
 
Immensely popular and hugely influential, the ground-breaking radio series The Goon Show changed the face of British comedy. 
 
This collection presents the available episodes in chronological order as they were scheduled to be broadcast. This volume includes: 'The Mummified Priest', 'Greatest Mountain in the World', 'Missing Number 10 Downing Street', 'Giant Bombardon', 'The Kippered Herring Gang', 'The Vanishing Room', 'Ink Shortage', 'Mustard and Cress Shortage', 'The Internal Mountain', 'The Silent Bugler', 'The Great Bank of England Robbery', 'The Albert Memorial', 'The Siege of Fort Night' and 'Dreaded Piano Clubber'. 
 
In addition, there are some rare bonus archive items including extracts from cast rehearsals and a PDF booklet of the bonus content which accompanied the original CD edition. 
 
Remastered using new material and the latest technology to give the best possible sound quality, these recordings are bound to appeal to all collectors of The Goon Show. 
 
The Goons is a classic comedy which reflects the broadcast standards, language and attitudes of its time. 
 
©2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Thirteen remastered episodes of the legendary series, plus bonus material. 
 
Immensely popular and hugely influential, the ground-breaking radio series The Goon Show changed the face of British comedy. 
 
This collection presents the available episodes in chronological order as they were scheduled to be broadcast. This volume includes: 'The Mummified Priest', 'Greatest Mountain in the World', 'Missing Number 10 Downing Street', 'Giant Bombardon', 'The Kippered Herring Gang', 'The Vanishing Room', 'Ink Shortage', 'Mustard and Cress Shortage', 'The Internal Mountain', 'The Silent Bugler', 'The Great Bank of England Robbery', 'The Albert Memorial', 'The Siege of Fort Night' and 'Dreaded Piano Clubber'. 
 
In addition, there are some rare bonus archive items including extracts from cast rehearsals and a PDF booklet of the bonus content which accompanied the original CD edition. 
 
Remastered using new material and the latest technology to give the best possible sound quality, these recordings are bound to appeal to all collectors of The Goon Show. 
 
The Goons is a classic comedy which reflects the broadcast standards, language and attitudes of its time. 
 
 ©2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

The Goon Show Compendium Volume Four: Series 6, Part 2

Immensely popular and hugely influential, the groundbreaking series The Goon Show changed the face of British comedy. 
 
This box set collection presents the episodes in chronological order as they were scheduled to be broadcast. This fourth volume includes: 'The Hastings Flyer - Robbed', 'The Mighty Wurlitzer', 'The Raid of the International Christmas Pudding', 'The Tales of Montmartre', 'The Jet-Propelled Guided NAAFI', 'The House of Teeth', 'The Choking Horror', 'The Great Tuscan Salami Scandal', 'The Treasure in the Lake' (aka 'The Treasure of Loch Lomond'), 'Fear of the Wages' (aka 'The Fear of Wages'), 'Scradje', 'The Man Who Never Was', and 'China Story'. 
 
In addition, there's a special live St David's Day performance, 'The Goons Hit Wales', and some rare archive bonus items, including Harry Secombe in The Laughtermakers. Also included is a PDF booklet of the bonus content which came with the original CD edition. Remastered using new material and the latest technology to give the best possible sound quality, these recordings are sure to appeal to all collectors of The Goon Show. 
 
The Goons is a classic comedy which reflects the broadcast standards, language and attitudes of its time. 
 
©2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Immensely popular and hugely influential, the groundbreaking series The Goon Show changed the face of British comedy. 
 
This box set collection presents the episodes in chronological order as they were scheduled to be broadcast. This fourth volume includes: 'The Hastings Flyer - Robbed', 'The Mighty Wurlitzer', 'The Raid of the International Christmas Pudding', 'The Tales of Montmartre', 'The Jet-Propelled Guided NAAFI', 'The House of Teeth', 'The Choking Horror', 'The Great Tuscan Salami Scandal', 'The Treasure in the Lake' (aka 'The Treasure of Loch Lomond'), 'Fear of the Wages' (aka 'The Fear of Wages'), 'Scradje', 'The Man Who Never Was', and 'China Story'. 
 
In addition, there's a special live St David's Day performance, 'The Goons Hit Wales', and some rare archive bonus items, including Harry Secombe in The Laughtermakers. Also included is a PDF booklet of the bonus content which came with the original CD edition. Remastered using new material and the latest technology to give the best possible sound quality, these recordings are sure to appeal to all collectors of The Goon Show. 
 
The Goons is a classic comedy which reflects the broadcast standards, language and attitudes of its time. 
 
©2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

The Goon Show Compendium Volume Five: Series 7, Part 1

Immensely popular and hugely influential, the groundbreaking series The Goon Show changed the face of British comedy. 
 
This box set collection presents the episodes in chronological order as they were scheduled to be broadcast. This fifth volume includes: 'The Nasty Affair at the Burami Oasis', 'Drums Along the Mersey', 'The Nadger Plague', 'The Spectre of Tintagel', 'The Sleeping Prince', 'The Great Bank Robbery', 'Personal Narrative', 'The Mystery of the Fake Neddie Seagoons' (aka 'The Case of the Fake Neddie Seagoons'), 'What's My Line?', 'The Telephone', 'The Flea', and 'Operation Christmas Duff'. 
 
Also, there are some rare archive bonus items, including: Curiouser and Curiouser, an anthology of Anglo-American humor featuring Peter Sellers and Spike Milligan; a recording of the cast rehearsal of 'The Nasty Affair at the Burami Oasis'; and a PDF booklet of the bonus content which came with the original CD edition. Remastered using new material and the latest technology to give the best possible sound quality, these recordings will appeal to all collectors of The Goon Show. 
 
The Goons is a classic comedy which reflects the broadcast standards, language and attitudes of its time. 
 
©2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Immensely popular and hugely influential, the groundbreaking series The Goon Show changed the face of British comedy. 
 
This box set collection presents the episodes in chronological order as they were scheduled to be broadcast. This fifth volume includes: 'The Nasty Affair at the Burami Oasis', 'Drums Along the Mersey', 'The Nadger Plague', 'The Spectre of Tintagel', 'The Sleeping Prince', 'The Great Bank Robbery', 'Personal Narrative', 'The Mystery of the Fake Neddie Seagoons' (aka 'The Case of the Fake Neddie Seagoons'), 'What's My Line?', 'The Telephone', 'The Flea', and 'Operation Christmas Duff'. 
 
Also, there are some rare archive bonus items, including: Curiouser and Curiouser, an anthology of Anglo-American humor featuring Peter Sellers and Spike Milligan; a recording of the cast rehearsal of 'The Nasty Affair at the Burami Oasis'; and a PDF booklet of the bonus content which came with the original CD edition. Remastered using new material and the latest technology to give the best possible sound quality, these recordings will appeal to all collectors of The Goon Show. 
 
The Goons is a classic comedy which reflects the broadcast standards, language and attitudes of its time. 
 
©2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

The Goon Show Compendium Volume Six: Series 7, Part 2

Immensely popular and hugely influential, the groundbreaking series The Goon Show changed the face of British comedy. 
 
Now, for the first time, this box set collection presents the episodes in chronological order as they were scheduled to be broadcast. This volume includes: 'Emperor of the Universe', 'Wings over Dagenham', 'The Rent Collectors', 'Shifting Sands', 'The Moon Show', 'The Mysterious Punch-up-the-Conker', 'Round the World in Eighty Days', 'Africa Ship Canal', 'Ill Met by Goonlight', 'The Missing Boa Constrictor', 'The Histories of Pliny the Elder', and the special episode, 'The Reason Why'. 
 
Also, there are some rare archive bonus items, including alternate sequences of The Goon Show and It's That Man Again. Additionally, a PDF booklet of the bonus content which accompanied the original CD edition is included. Remastered using new material and the latest technology to give the best possible sound quality, these recordings will appeal to all collectors of The Goon Show. 
 
The Goons is a classic comedy which reflects the broadcast standards, language and attitudes of its time. 
 
©2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Immensely popular and hugely influential, the groundbreaking series The Goon Show changed the face of British comedy. 
 
Now, for the first time, this box set collection presents the episodes in chronological order as they were scheduled to be broadcast. This volume includes: 'Emperor of the Universe', 'Wings over Dagenham', 'The Rent Collectors', 'Shifting Sands', 'The Moon Show', 'The Mysterious Punch-up-the-Conker', 'Round the World in Eighty Days', 'Africa Ship Canal', 'Ill Met by Goonlight', 'The Missing Boa Constrictor', 'The Histories of Pliny the Elder', and the special episode, 'The Reason Why'. 
 
Also, there are some rare archive bonus items, including alternate sequences of The Goon Show and It's That Man Again. Additionally, a PDF booklet of the bonus content which accompanied the original CD edition is included. Remastered using new material and the latest technology to give the best possible sound quality, these recordings will appeal to all collectors of The Goon Show. 
 
The Goons is a classic comedy which reflects the broadcast standards, language and attitudes of its time. 
 
 ©2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

The Goon Show Compendium Volume Eight: Series 8, Part 2

Immensely popular and hugely influential, the groundbreaking series The Goon Show changed the face of British comedy. 
 
This box set collection presents the episodes in chronological order as they were scheduled to be broadcast. This volume includes: 'The String Robberies', 'The Moriarty Murder Mystery', 'The Curse of Frankenstein', 'The White Neddie Trade', 'Ten Snowballs that Shook the World', 'The Man Who Never Was', 'World War One', 'The Spon Plague', 'Tiddlywinks', 'The Evils of Bushey Spon', and 'The Great Statue Debate'. 
 
In addition, there are some rare archive bonus items including 'The Royal Tiddlywinks Tournament', a special recording of the tiddlywinks match in which the Goons, as Royal Champions, took on Cambridge University. Also included is a PDF booklet of the bonus content which accompanied the original CD edition. 
 
Remastered using new material and the latest technology to give the best possible sound quality, these recordings are bound to appeal to all collectors of The Goon Show. 
 
The Goons is a classic comedy which reflects the broadcast standards, language and attitudes of its time. 
 
©2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Immensely popular and hugely influential, the groundbreaking series The Goon Show changed the face of British comedy. 
 
This box set collection presents the episodes in chronological order as they were scheduled to be broadcast. This volume includes: 'The String Robberies', 'The Moriarty Murder Mystery', 'The Curse of Frankenstein', 'The White Neddie Trade', 'Ten Snowballs that Shook the World', 'The Man Who Never Was', 'World War One', 'The Spon Plague', 'Tiddlywinks', 'The Evils of Bushey Spon', and 'The Great Statue Debate'. 
 
In addition, there are some rare archive bonus items including 'The Royal Tiddlywinks Tournament', a special recording of the tiddlywinks match in which the Goons, as Royal Champions, took on Cambridge University. Also included is a PDF booklet of the bonus content which accompanied the original CD edition. 
 
Remastered using new material and the latest technology to give the best possible sound quality, these recordings are bound to appeal to all collectors of The Goon Show. 
 
The Goons is a classic comedy which reflects the broadcast standards, language and attitudes of its time. 
 
 ©2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

The Bible According to Spike Milligan

The Old Testament: but more mad, more merry, more... Milligan! 
 
"And God said, Let there be light; and there was light, but Eastern Electricity Board said He would have to wait until Thursday to be connected." 
 
There have been many interpretations of the Old Testament over the centuries but never one quite like this. Spike Milligan has rewritten, in his own inimitable style, many of the best-known stories of the Old Testament, featuring characters like King "my brain hurts" Solomon, the great oaf of a giant Goliath and the lesser-known crossword clue, Hushai the Archite. 
 
Believers and non-believers alike will enjoy this hilarious re-working, where the jokes, jests and jibes tumble over each other from Chapter One, Verse One until kingdom come.

That absolutely glorious way of looking at things differently. A great man

Close in stature to Lewis Carroll and Edward Lear in his command of the profound art of nonsense

Manifestly a genius, a comic surrealist genius and had no equal

Spike Milligan was born in India in 1918, and received his first education in a tent in the Hyderabad Sindh desert. He then plunged into the world of show business, seduced by his first stage appearance, at the age of eight, in the nativity play of his Poona convent school. He began his career as a band musician, but has since become famous as a humorous scriptwriter and actor in both films and broadcasting. Spike's combined book sales total over 6 million copies, and he received an honorary CBE in 1992. He died in 2002.

"And God said, Let there be light; and there was light, but Eastern Electricity Board said He would have to wait until Thursday to be connected." 
 
There have been many interpretations of the Old Testament over the centuries but never one quite like this. Spike Milligan has rewritten, in his own inimitable style, many of the best-known stories of the Old Testament, featuring characters like King "my brain hurts" Solomon, the great oaf of a giant Goliath and the lesser-known crossword clue, Hushai the Archite. 
 
Believers and non-believers alike will enjoy this hilarious re-working, where the jokes, jests and jibes tumble over each other from Chapter One, Verse One until kingdom come.

The Goon Show Compendium Volume 11: Series 9, Part 2 & Series 10

Twelve classic episodes of The Goon Show, plus the complete series of The Omar Khayyam Show, The Army Show, The Naughty Navy Show and a wealth of bonus material.

Twelve classic episodes of The Goon Show, plus the complete series of The Omar Khayyam Show, The Army Show, The Naughty Navy Show and a wealth of bonus material. 
 
Immensely popular and hugely influential, the groundbreaking series The Goon Show changed the face of British comedy. Now, for the first time, this box set collection presents the episodes in chronological order as they were scheduled to be broadcast. 
 
This eleventh volume includes: 'Dishonoured - Again', 'The Scarlet Capsule', 'The Tay Bridge', 'The Gold Plate Robbery', 'The £50 Cure', 'A Christmas Carol', 'The Tale of Men's Shirts', 'The Chinese Legs', 'Robin's Post', 'The Silver Dubloons', 'The Last Smoking Seagoon', 'The GPO Show', 'The Omar Khayyam Show: Ned Kelly', 'The Omar Khayyam Show: The Ashes', 'The Omar Khayyam Show: The PM's Trousers', 'The Omar Khayyam Show: The Flying Dustman'; 'The Omar Khayyam Show: The America Cup', 'The Omar Khayyam Show: Waltzing Matilda', The Army Show and The Naughty Navy Show. 
 
In addition, there are some rare bonus archive items, including interviews with Peter Sellers and Spike Milligan and a rehearsal sequence from the soundtrack recording of 'The Lost Colony'. Two illustrated booklets tell the story of the show's development with reference to original archive paperwork, plus the history of the recordings themselves, while a third PDF booklet details the history of TV spin-off The Telegoons. 
 
The Goons is a classic comedy which reflects the broadcast standards, language and attitudes of its time. 
 
©2015 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2015 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Born in India in April 1918,Terence Alan ‘Spike’ Milligan was a comedy writer and performer who created The Goon Show which ran from 1951 to 1960. Milligan soon established his own fresh style of comedy. A poet and a campaigning humanitarian, Milligan was universally acclaimed for his published war memoirs. Amongst his radio series were The Omar Khayam Show and The Milligan Papers as well as his television series such as A Show Called Fred, The Idiot’s Weekly Price 2d and later the Q series from Q5 to Q9. He died in February 2002.

Twelve classic episodes of The Goon Show, plus the complete series of The Omar Khayyam Show, The Army Show, The Naughty Navy Show and a wealth of bonus material. 
 
 Immensely popular and hugely influential, the groundbreaking series The Goon Show changed the face of British comedy. Now, for the first time, this box set collection presents the episodes in chronological order as they were scheduled to be broadcast. 
 
 This eleventh volume includes: 'Dishonoured - Again', 'The Scarlet Capsule', 'The Tay Bridge', 'The Gold Plate Robbery', 'The £50 Cure', 'A Christmas Carol', 'The Tale of Men's Shirts', 'The Chinese Legs', 'Robin's Post', 'The Silver Dubloons', 'The Last Smoking Seagoon', 'The GPO Show', 'The Omar Khayyam Show: Ned Kelly', 'The Omar Khayyam Show: The Ashes', 'The Omar Khayyam Show: The PM's Trousers', 'The Omar Khayyam Show: The Flying Dustman'; 'The Omar Khayyam Show: The America Cup', 'The Omar Khayyam Show: Waltzing Matilda', The Army Show and The Naughty Navy Show. 
 
 In addition, there are some rare bonus archive items, including interviews with Peter Sellers and Spike Milligan and a rehearsal sequence from the soundtrack recording of 'The Lost Colony'. Two illustrated booklets tell the story of the show's development with reference to original archive paperwork, plus the history of the recordings themselves, while a third PDF booklet details the history of TV spin-off The Telegoons. 
 
 The Goons is a classic comedy which reflects the broadcast standards, language and attitudes of its time. 
 
 ©2015 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2015 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Silly Verse for Kids

A series of poetry titles for children by many of Britain's greatest poets.

Silly Verse for Kids - a hilarious collection of silly poems by Spike Milligan! 
 
A collection of the absurd, ridiculous, sublime and characteristically anarchic verse from the brilliant Spike Milligan. With his very own illustrations, this collection, which includes the famous On the Ning Nang Nong will make you laugh from the bottom of your belly - just like Spike did. 
 
The legendary and iconic figure, Spike Milligan was born at Ahmednagar in India in 1918. He received his first education in a tent in the Hyderabad Sindh desert and graduated from there, through a series of Roman Catholic schools in India and England, to the Lewisham Polytechnic. He then plunged into the world of Show Business, seduced by his first stage appearance, at the age of eight, in the nativity play of his Poona convent school. He began his career as a band musician, but became famous as a humorous scriptwriter and actor in both films and broadcasting. He was the creator, principal writer and performer of the infamous Goon Show. Spike received an honorary CBE in 1992 and Knighthood in 2000. He died in 2002. 
 
Other children's books by Spike Milligan: 
 
Bald Twit Lion; Badjelly the Witch; Dip the Puppy; Sir Nobonk and the Terrible Dreadful Awful Naughty Nasty Dragon; A Children's Treasury of Milligan: Classic Stories and Poems; The Magical World of Milligan

The legendary and iconic figure, Spike Milligan was born at Ahmednagar in India in 1918. He received his first education in a tent in the Hyderabad Sindh desert and graduated from there, through a series of Roman Catholic schools in India and England, to the Lewisham Polytechnic. He then plunged into the world of Show Business, seduced by his first stage appearance, at the age of eight, in the nativity play of his Poona convent school. He began his career as a band musician, but became famous as a humorous scriptwriter and actor in both films and broadcasting. He was the creator, principal writer and performer of the infamous Goon Show. Spike received an honorary CBE in 1992 and Knighthood in 2000. He died in 2002.

A collection of the absurd, ridiculous, sublime and characteristically anarchic verse from the brilliant Spike Milligan. With his very own illustrations, this collection, which includes the famous On the Ning Nang Nong will make you laugh from the bottom of your belly - just like Spike did.

The Goon Show Compendium Volume 10: Series 9, Part 1

Twelve episodes of the groundbreaking show starring Spike Milligan, Harry Secombe and Peter Sellers.

Twelve episodes of the groundbreaking show starring Spike Milligan, Harry Secombe and Peter Sellers. 
 
Immensely popular and hugely influential, legendary radio series The Goon Show changed the face of British comedy. This collection of episodes is taken from the first part of the ninth series, first broadcast in 1958-59. 
 
The episodes included are 'The Sahara Desert Statue'; 'I Was Monty's Treble'; 'The £100,000 Penny', 'The Pam's Paper Insurance Policy'; 'The Mountain Eaters'; 'The Childe Harolde Rewarde'; 'The Seagoon Memoirs'; 'Queen Anne's Rain'; 'The Battle of Spion Kop'; 'Ned's Atomic Dustbin'; 'Who Is Pink Oboe?' and 'The Call of the West'. Also included are a number of bonus items. 
 
The Goons is a classic comedy which reflects the broadcast standards, language and attitudes of its time. 
 
©2015 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2015 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Twelve episodes of the groundbreaking show starring Spike Milligan, Harry Secombe and Peter Sellers. 
 
 Immensely popular and hugely influential, legendary radio series The Goon Show changed the face of British comedy. This collection of episodes is taken from the first part of the ninth series, first broadcast in 1958-59. 
 
 The episodes included are 'The Sahara Desert Statue'; 'I Was Monty's Treble'; 'The £100,000 Penny', 'The Pam's Paper Insurance Policy'; 'The Mountain Eaters'; 'The Childe Harolde Rewarde'; 'The Seagoon Memoirs'; 'Queen Anne's Rain'; 'The Battle of Spion Kop'; 'Ned's Atomic Dustbin'; 'Who Is Pink Oboe?' and 'The Call of the West'. Also included are a number of bonus items. 
 
 The Goons is a classic comedy which reflects the broadcast standards, language and attitudes of its time. 
 
 ©2015 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2015 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Puckoon

DISCOVER PUCKOON, SPIKE MILLIGAN'S CLASSIC SLAPSTICK NOVEL 
 
'Pops with the erratic brilliance of a careless match in a box of fireworks' Daily Mail 
 
In 1924 the Boundary Commission is tasked with creating the new official division between Northern Ireland and the Irish Free State. Through incompetence, dereliction of duty and sheer perversity, the border ends up running through the middle of the small town of Puckoon. 
 
Houses are divided from outhouses, husbands separated from wives, bars are cut off from their patrons, churches sundered from graveyards. And in the middle of it all is poor Dan Milligan, our feckless protagonist, who is taunted and manipulated by everyone (including the sadistic author) to try and make some sense of this mess . . . 
 
'Bursts at the seams with superb comic characters involved in unbelievably likely troubles on the Irish border' Observer 
 
'Our first comic philosopher' Eddie Izzard

Bursts at the seams with superb comic characters involved in unbelievably likely troubles on the Irish border

Pops with the erratic brilliance of a careless match in a box of fireworks

Milligan is the Great God to all of us

Spike Milligan (1918-2002) was one of the greatest and most influential comedians of the twentieth century. Over the course of his astonishing career, he wrote over eighty books of fiction, memoir, poetry, plays, cartoons and children's stories.

When the new border between Northern Ireland and the Irish Free State is being drawn up, the unlucky village of Puckoon finds itself divided between the two - and a mad-cap, slapstick comedy ensues. Featuring one of the laziest protagonists in all of fiction, Spike Milligan's classic novel is bursting with his trademark wit and word-play.

Spike Milligan: Man of Letters

Spike Milligan's letters contain some of the best material he ever wrote . . . 
 
Collected here for the first time are the funniest, rudest and most revealing of them - most of which have never been seen before - from one of the greatest comics of the twentieth century to some of its most famous politicians, actors, celebrities and rock stars (as well as a host of unlikely individuals on some surprising subjects): 
 
- rounded teabags ('what did you do with the corners?') 
 
- backless hospital gowns ('beyond my comprehension') 
 
- heartfelt apologies ('pardon me for being alive') 
 
and the imbalance of male and female ducks in London's parks. Here, then, is the real Spike Miligan: obsessive, rude, generous and relentlessly witty. 
 
'Milligan's zaniness shines through' Telegraph 
 
'The godfather of alternative comedy' Eddie Izzard 
 
Spike Milligan was one of the greatest and most influential comedians of the twentieth century. Born in India in 1918, he served in the Royal Artillery during WWII in North Africa and Italy. At the end of the war, he forged a career as a jazz musician, sketch-show writer and performer, before joining forces with Peter Sellers and Harry Secombe to form the legendary Goon Show. Until his death in 2002, he had success as on stage and screen and as the author of over eighty books of fiction, memoir, poetry, plays, cartoons and children's stories.

The Godfather of Alternative Comedy

Close in stature to Lewis Carroll and Edward Lear in his command of the profound art of nonsense

That absolutely glorious way of looking at things differently. A great man

Manifestly a genius, a comic surrealist genius and had no equal

Pulls together bundles of Milligan's wonderfully witty and wacky correspondence spanning four decades

Spike Milligan (1918-2002) was one of the greatest and most influential comedians of the twentieth century. Over the course of his astonishing career, he wrote over eighty books of fiction, memoir, poetry, plays, cartoons and children's stories. 
 
Norma Farnes was Spike Milligan's agent, manager, mother confessor and friend for thirty-six years. Her books include Spike: An Intimate Memoir, Memories of Milligan and Milligan's Meaning of Life. She lives with her partner in London and Yorkshire.

Spike Milligan's letters contain the most revelatory, personal and outrageously amusing material he ever wrote. He was prolific and obsessive, brazen and rude. 
 
Each letter reveals an extra facet of the man, most of which have never been seen before. Eye-watering correspondence with heads of state, the BBC, with fans and friends, with the police, his parents and some altogether unexpected correspondents, this magnificent collection presents the richest, most intimate and most enjoyable portrait of the man since his legendary war memoirs.

Goodbye Soldier

Goodbye Soldier is volume six of Spike Milligan's outrageous, hilarious, legendary War Memoirs. 
 
'My namer is Maria Antonoinetta Fontana, but everyone call me Toni.''I'm Spike,' sometimes known as stop thief or hey you.'Yeser, I know.' 
 
The sixth volume of Spike Milligan's off-the-wall account of his part in World War Two sees our hero doing very little soldiering. Because it's 1946. Rather, he is now part of the Bill Hall Trio - a 'Combined Services Entertainment' inflicted on unsuspecting soldiers across Italy and Austria - and is largely preoccupied with the unbearably beautiful ballerina, Ms Toni Fontana ('Arghhhhhhhhh!). But he must enjoy it while he can before he is demobbed and sent home to Catford - so he does ... 
 
'The most irreverent, hilarious book about the war that I have ever read' Sunday Express 
 
'Desperately funny, vivid, vulgar' Sunday Times 
 
'Milligan is the Great God to all of us' John Cleese 
 
'The Godfather of Alternative Comedy' Eddie Izzard 
 
'That absolutely glorious way of looking at things differently. A great man' Stephen Fry 
 
Spike Milligan was one of the greatest and most influential comedians of the twentieth century. Born in India in 1918, he served in the Royal Artillery during WWII in North Africa and Italy. At the end of the war, he forged a career as a jazz musician, sketch-show writer and performer, before joining forces with Peter Sellers and Harry Secombe to form the legendary Goon Show. Until his death in 2002, he had success as on stage and screen and as the author of over eighty books of fiction, memoir, poetry, plays, cartoons and children's stories.

The most irreverent, hilarious book about the war that I have ever read

Brilliant verbal pyrotechnics ... throwaway lines and marvelous anecdotes

Spike Milligan was one of the greatest and most influential comedians of the twentieth century. Born in India in 1918, he served in the Royal Artillery during WWII in North Africa and Italy. At the end of the war, he forged a career as a jazz musician, sketch-show writer and performer, before joining forces with Peter Sellers and Harry Secombe to form the legendary Goon Show. Until his death in 2002, he had success as on stage and screen and as the author of over eighty books of fiction, memoir, poetry, plays, cartoons and children's stories.

'My namer is Maria Antonoinetta Fontana, but everyone call me Toni.''I'm Spike,' sometimes known as stop thief or hey you.'Yeser, I know.' 
 
The sixth volume of Spike Milligan's off-the-wall account of his part in World War Two sees our hero doing very little soldiering. Because it's 1946. Rather, he is now part of the Bill Hall Trio - a 'Combined Services Entertainment' inflicted on unsuspecting soldiers across Italy and Austria - and is largely preoccupied with the unbearably beautiful ballerina, Ms Toni Fontana ('Arghhhhhhhhh!). But he must enjoy it while he can before he is demobbed and sent home to Catford - so he does ...

Where Have All the Bullets Gone?

VOLUME FIVE OF SPIKE MILLIGAN'S LEGENDARY MEMOIRS IS A HILARIOUS, SUBVERSIVE FIRST-HAND ACCOUNT OF WW2 
 
'The Godfather of Alternative Comedy' Eddie Izzard 
______________ 
 
 'Back to those haunting days in Italy in 1944, at the foot of Mount Vesuvius, with lava running in great red rivulets down the slope towards us, and Jock taking a drag on his cigarette and saying, "I think we've got grounds for a rent rebate."' 
 
 Where Have All the Bullets Gone? sees our hero dispatched from the front line to psychiatric hospital and from there to a rehabilitation camp. Considered loony (and 'unfit to be killed in combat by either side'), he becomes embroiled in his own private battle with melancholy. 
 
But it is music, wit and a little help from his friends - including one Gunner Harry Secombe - that help carry him through to his first stage appearances . . . 
 ______________ 
 
'Desperately funny, vivid, vulgar' Sunday Times 
 
 'Milligan is the Great God to all of us' John Cleese 
 
 'That absolutely glorious way of looking at things differently. A great man' Stephen Fry

'Back to those haunting days in Italy in 1944, at the foot of Mount Vesuvius, with lava running in great red rivulets down the slope towards us, and Jock taking a drag on his cigarette and saying, "I think we've got grounds for a rent rebate."' 
 
The fifth volume of Spike Milligan's unsurpassed account of life as a Bombardier in World War Two sees our hero dispatched from the front line to psychiatric hospital and from there to a rehabilitation camp. Considered loony (and 'unfit to be killed in combat by either side'), he becomes embroiled in his own private battle with melancholy. But it is music, wit and a little help from his friends - including one Gunner Harry Secombe - that help carry him through to his first stage appearances ...

His Part in My Downfall

Mussolini

VOLUME FOUR OF SPIKE MILLIGAN'S LEGENDARY MEMOIRS IS A HILARIOUS, SUBVERSIVE FIRST-HAND ACCOUNT OF WW2 
 
 'Brilliant verbal pyrotechnics, throwaway lines and marvelous anecdotes' Daily Mail 
 
 'Desperately funny, vivid, vulgar' Sunday Times 
 ______________ 
 
 A voice is calling across the land, 'Bombardier Milligan.' 'Bombadier Milligan is dead,' I replied in a disguised voice. The voice replied, 'Then he's going to miss his breakfast.' 
 
 The fourth volume of Spike Milligan's legendary account of his time in the army during World War Two begins as he and his regiment land in sunny Italy in 1943 ('The ship touched the beach very gently, so gently I suspect it's not insured'). 
 
After a bout of Sandfly Fever, from which he soon recovers ('I'm ready to be killed again'), our plucky hero is piddled on by a farm dog ('Mussolini's revenge?') before forging his way inland towards the enemy and the sound of guns ('We're getting near civilisation'), where matters suddenly take a dark turn ('I was not really me any more') . . . 
 ______________ 
 
 'The most irreverent, hilarious book about the war that I have ever read' Sunday Express 
 'Milligan is the Great God to all of us' John Cleese 
 
 'The Godfather of Alternative Comedy' Eddie Izzard 
 
 'A totally original comedy writer' Michael Palin 
 
 'Close in stature to Lewis Carroll and Edward Lear in his command of the profound art of nonsense' Guardian

A voice is calling across the land, "Bombardier Milligan.""Bombadier Milligan is dead," I replied in a disguised voice.The voice replied, "Then he's going to miss his breakfast." 
 
The fourth volume of Spike Milligan's legendary account of his time in the army during World War Two begins as he and his regiment land in sunny Italy in 1943 ('The ship touched the beach very gently, so gently I suspect it's not insured'). After a bout of Sandfly Fever, from which he soon recovers ('I'm ready to be killed again'), our plucky hero is piddled on by a farm dog ('Mussolini's revenge?') before forging his way inland towards the enemy and the sound of guns ('We're getting near civilisation'), where matters suddenly take a dark turn ('I was not really me any more') ...

Peace Work

Peace Work is volume seven of Spike Milligan's outrageous, hilarious, legendary War Memoirs. 
 
'I had not informed my parents of my return, I wanted it to be a lovely surprise; it was, for me, they were away ...' 
 
The seventh and last volume of Spike Milligan's memoirs sees our hero returning from war and Italy ... but to what? Aside from shooting large, inaccurate guns at Germans, all he has done for five long years is blow a trumpet, tell rude jokes and write and perform sketches for the entertainment of bored and murderous soldiers - who on earth is going to pay a civilian to do more of that? From the giddy heights of Hackney Empire to a Zurich Freak Show and beyond, Spike makes his way through the backwaters of showbiz, first as band musician then as one-man wild-act and eventually in the company of a group of like-minded comedians called Harry Secombe, Michael Bentine and Peter Sellers. They decide to call themselves The Goons... 
 
'Desperately funny, vivid, vulgar' Sunday Times 
 
'Milligan is the Great God to all of us' John Cleese 
 
'The Godfather of Alternative Comedy' Eddie Izzard 
 
'That absolutely glorious way of looking at things differently. A great man' Stephen Fry 
 
Spike Milligan was one of the greatest and most influential comedians of the twentieth century. Born in India in 1918, he served in the Royal Artillery during WWII in North Africa and Italy. At the end of the war, he forged a career as a jazz musician, sketch-show writer and performer, before joining forces with Peter Sellers and Harry Secombe to form the legendary Goon Show. Until his death in 2002, he had success as on stage and screen and as the author of over eighty books of fiction, memoir, poetry, plays, cartoons and children's stories.

'I had not informed my parents of my return, I wanted it to be a lovely surprise; it was, for me, they were away ...' 
 
The seventh and last volume of Spike Milligan's memoirs sees our hero returning from war and Italy ... but to what? Aside from shooting large, inaccurate guns at Germans, all he has done for five long years is blow a trumpet, tell rude jokes and write and perform sketches for the entertainment of bored and murderous soldiers - who on earth is going to pay a civilian to do more of that? From the giddy heights of Hackney Empire to a Zurich Freak Show and beyond, Spike makes his way through the backwaters of showbiz, first as band musician then as one-man wild-act and eventually in the company of a group of like-minded comedians called Harry Secombe, Michael Bentine and Peter Sellers. They decide to call themselves The Goons...

A Confrontation in the Desert

'Rommel?' 'Gunner Who?'

VOLUME TWO OF SPIKE MILLIGAN'S LEGENDARY MEMOIRS IS A OUTRAGEOUS, HILARIOUS WW2 MEMOIRS 
 
'Brilliant verbal pyrotechnics, throwaway lines and marvelous anecdotes' Daily Mail 
 
'Desperately funny, vivid, vulgar' Sunday Times 
______________ 
 
'Keep talking, Milligan. I think I can get you out on Mental Grounds.' 
'That's how I got in, sir.' 
'Didn't we all.' 
 
The second volume of Spike Milligan's legendary recollections of life as a gunner in World War Two sees our hero into battle in North Africa - eventually. First, there is important preparation to be done: extensive periods of loitering ('We had been standing by vehicles for an hour and nothing had happened, but it happened frequently'), psychological toughening ('If a man dies when you hang him, keep hanging him until he gets used to it') and living dangerously ('no underwear!'). At last the battle for Tunis is upon them . . . 
______________ 
 
'The most irreverent, hilarious book about the war that I have ever read' Sunday Express 
'Milligan is the Great God to all of us' John Cleese 
 
'The Godfather of Alternative Comedy' Eddie Izzard 
 
'A totally original comedy writer' Michael Palin 
 
'Close in stature to Lewis Carroll and Edward Lear in his command of the profound art of nonsense' Guardian

'Keep talking, Milligan. I think I can get you out on Mental Grounds.''That's how I got in, sir.''Didn't we all.' 
 
The second volume of Spike Milligan's legendary recollections of life as a gunner in World War Two sees our hero into battle in North Africa - eventually. First, there is important preparation to be done: extensive periods of loitering ('We had been standing by vehicles for an hour and nothing had happened, but it happened frequently'), psychological toughening ('If a man dies when you hang him, keep hanging him until he gets used to it') and living dangerously ('no underwear!'). At last the battle for Tunis is upon them...

His Part in My Victory

Monty

Monty: His Part in My Victory is volume three of Spike Milligan's outrageous, hilarious, legendary War Memoirs. 
 
'It's all over, Von Arnheim has surrendered and he's very angry.''This could mean war...' 
 
The third volume of Spike Milligan's laugh-a-line account of life as a gunner in World War Two resumes on the eve of victory in North Africa. Now Britain's looniest war hero must combat some of the direst threats a soldier has ever faced - boredom ('Christ, I just thought of Catford'), a cold ('In this weather?' 'Yed.'), moving camp ('It's a sort of Brighton with camels'), relaxing on the beach ('Life was golden, and we were the assayers'), moving camp again ('We're already somewhere else'), a visit to Carthage ('It's terrible, it's like Catford') and a perilous encounter with the gloriously endowed Mademoiselle Villion ('"Help! massage," I said weakly'). Against the odds, they survive and are sent at last to Italy to be killed... 
 
'Desperately funny, vivid, vulgar' Sunday Times 
 
'Milligan is the Great God to all of us' John Cleese 
 
'The Godfather of Alternative Comedy' Eddie Izzard 
 
'That absolutely glorious way of looking at things differently. A great man' Stephen Fry 
 
Spike Milligan was one of the greatest and most influential comedians of the twentieth century. Born in India in 1918, he served in the Royal Artillery during WWII in North Africa and Italy. At the end of the war, he forged a career as a jazz musician, sketch-show writer and performer, before joining forces with Peter Sellers and Harry Secombe to form the legendary Goon Show. Until his death in 2002, he had success as on stage and screen and as the author of over eighty books of fiction, memoir, poetry, plays, cartoons and children's stories.

'It's all over, Von Arnheim has surrendered and he's very angry.''This could mean war...' 
 
The third volume of Spike Milligan's laugh-a-line account of life as a gunner in World War Two resumes on the eve of victory in North Africa. Now Britain's looniest war hero must combat some of the direst threats a soldier has ever faced - boredom ('Christ, I just thought of Catford'), a cold ('In this weather?' 'Yed.'), moving camp ('It's a sort of Brighton with camels'), relaxing on the beach ('Life was golden, and we were the assayers'), moving camp again ('We're already somewhere else'), a visit to Carthage ('It's terrible, it's like Catford') and a perilous encounter with the gloriously endowed Mademoiselle Villion ('"Help! massage," I said weakly'). Against the odds, they survive and are sent at last to Italy to be killed...

Spike Milligan In His Own Words

Comic genius Spike Milligan discusses his life and comedy career in this selection of interviews from the BBC archives.

In this fascinating collection of interviews from the BBC radio and TV archive, Spike Milligan talks about his life and career as one of the foremost comedy writers and performers of the 20th Century. 
 
 The interviews included are: It Takes All Sorts, broadcast on BBC Radio, 23 January 1967 (featuring Holmes Tolley); Line Up, broadcast on BBC Radio, 30 October 1969 (featuring Joan Bakewell); Laugh Till It Hurts, broadcast on BBC Radio, 10 June 1971 (featuring Ralph Rolls); Parkinson, broadcast on BBC Television, 13th January 1973 (featuring Michael Parkinson); Face Your Image, broadcast on BBC Television, 14 March 1975 (featuring David Dimbleby); In the Psychiatrist's Chair, broadcast on BBC Radio, 25 September 1982 (featuring Anthony Clare); Famous Last Words, broadcast on BBC Television, 29 September 1986 (featuring Peter France). 
 
Due to the age and nature of this archive material, the sound quality may vary. 
 
©2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Spike Milligan (Author) Spike Milligan was perhaps best known as one of the Goons. He went on to become one of Britain's foremost comic writers and performers. His bestselling titles include Adolf Hitler: My Part in His Downfall, Puckoon and Where have all the Bullets Gone? He died in 2002. Spike Milligan (Reader) Born in India in April 1918, Terence Alan ‘Spike’ Milligan was a comedy writer and performer who created The Goon Show which ran from 1951 to 1960. Milligan soon established his own fresh style of comedy. A poet and a campaigning humanitarian, Milligan was universally acclaimed for his published war memoirs. Amongst his radio series were The Omar Khayam Show and The Milligan Papers as well as his television series such as A Show Called Fred, The Idiot’sWeekly Price 2d and later the Q series from Q5 to Q9. He died in February 2002.

Spike Milligan

Harry Secombe

Peter Sellers

Immensely popular and hugely influential, the groundbreaking series The Goon Show changed the face of British comedy. 
 
This box set collection presents the episodes in chronological order as they were scheduled to be broadcast. This volume includes: 'Spon', 'The Junk Affair', 'The Burning Embassy', 'The Great Regent's Park Swim', 'Treasure in Tower' (aka 'The Treasure in the Tower'), 'The Space Age', 'The Missing Battleship', 'The Policy', 'King Solomon's Mines', 'The Stolen Postman', 'The Great British Revolution', 'The Plasticine Man', 'African Incident', and 'The Thing on the Mountain'. 
 
Also included is a PDF booklet of the bonus content which accompanied the original CD edition. Remastered using new material and the latest technology to give the best possible sound quality, these recordings will appeal to all collectors of The Goon Show. 
 
The Goons is a classic comedy which reflects the broadcast standards, language and attitudes of its time. 
 
 ©2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

The Goon Show Compendium Volume Seven: Series 8, Part 1

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