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Rating: 
Summary: A Rapid Trip Through a Long and Stellar Career
Review: "So Far, So Good" is a very fast-moving autobiography by the actor most known in the United States for his portrayal of Jim Hacker in the excellent British comedy series Yes, Minister and Yes, Prime Minister and of Jerry Leadbetter in The Good Life (Good Neighbors). From his peripatetic childhood, his Quaker roots, and countless plays, television series (Robin Hood, The Good Life, etc.), and diplomatic trips, Eddington takes the reader on a rapid journey through his eventful life with plenty of wit and good humor. His terrible skin cancer which took his life soon after this book was published is not dwelled upon. Placed in the background, the progression of the disease is brought up periodically between another string of theatre or television work. Unlike the autobiography of Yes, minister co-star Nigel Hawthorne ("Straight Face," which I highly recommend), Eddington is very upbeat in this work and usually focuses on his positive experiences. Even an attempt on his life is written with a touch of humor: "'Now if this were Belfast,' I thought, 'I would have said that that was a bomb. Oh my God, it is Belfast!'" and "I had been joking for years that the ultimate accolade for the success of Yes, Prime Minister would be for someone to attempt my assassination" (219). Unlike Hawthorne's work, this book does not go into much depth and seems to just scratch the surface; a humorous moment here, a witty quote there, and off to the next project. Anyone hoping this work will be a motivational testament to his great courage may be disappointed. It is not that Eddington does not come off as courageous, it is that he does not write about the pain he must have gone through working despite declining health. From this book, one gets the feeling that his illness never overshadowed the two priorities in his life: work and family. I highly recommend the DVD set for Yes, Prime Minister which offers a bio of Eddington.
Rating:
Summary: A Rapid Trip Through a Long and Stellar Career
Review: "So Far, So Good" is a very fast-moving autobiography by the actor most known in the United States for his portrayal of Jim Hacker in the excellent British comedy series Yes, Minister and Yes, Prime Minister and of Jerry Leadbetter in The Good Life (Good Neighbors). From his peripatetic childhood, his Quaker roots, and countless plays, television series (Robin Hood, The Good Life, etc.), and diplomatic trips, Eddington takes the reader on a rapid journey through his eventful life with plenty of wit and good humor. His terrible skin cancer which took his life soon after this book was published is not dwelled upon. Placed in the background, the progression of the disease is brought up periodically between another string of theatre or television work. Unlike the autobiography of Yes, minister co-star Nigel Hawthorne ("Straight Face," which I highly recommend), Eddington is very upbeat in this work and usually focuses on his positive experiences. Even an attempt on his life is written with a touch of humor: "'Now if this were Belfast,' I thought, 'I would have said that that was a bomb. Oh my God, it is Belfast!'" and "I had been joking for years that the ultimate accolade for the success of Yes, Prime Minister would be for someone to attempt my assassination" (219). Unlike Hawthorne's work, this book does not go into much depth and seems to just scratch the surface; a humorous moment here, a witty quote there, and off to the next project. Anyone hoping this work will be a motivational testament to his great courage may be disappointed. It is not that Eddington does not come off as courageous, it is that he does not write about the pain he must have gone through working despite declining health. From this book, one gets the feeling that his illness never overshadowed the two priorities in his life: work and family. I highly recommend the DVD set for Yes, Prime Minister which offers a bio of Eddington.
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