In the original dustsheet. Black cloth binding with silver title on the spine.

• F.B.A. provides an in-depth photographic presentation of this item to stimulate your feeling and touch. More traditional book descriptions are immediately available.

A Spike Milligan opus, containing everything from classics to hidden gems, with a foreword by Eddie Izzard. This stunning anthology of Spike Milligan’s work comprises favourites from his classic books (‘Adolf Hitler: My Part in his Downfall’, ‘Goodbye Soldier’, ‘Puckoon’…) as well as scripts from the now-classic Goon Show. Interspersing such comic genius is also a touching collection of letters and his celebrated and liberating writings on depression, demonstrating the diverse talent of a man whose creative output spanned over half a century. A selection of children’s poetry and writings (‘Unspun Socks for A Chicken’s Laundry’, ‘A Book of Milliganimals’, ‘Silly Verse for Kids’ and much more) reveals Spike’s irresistible connection with the childlike imagination and a brilliant sense of the ridiculous. All the favourite and funniest stories are there. For those who want an excellent introduction to the mind of Milligan or a welcome return to a much-loved genius, this is the ultimate Milligan reader.

Reviews:

• ‘Wonderful anthology. A superbly sustained piece of comedy. Like so much else in this collection, these excerpts inspire a return to the source.’ Chris Power, The Times

• ‘The most comprehensive compendium of the troubled genius’ work. This volume spans his entire career…making this a testament to one of our most absurdly talented comedians. Poignant, nonsensical and hilarious. The Essential Spike Milligan is a more than appropriate epitaph.’ Ben Arnold, Jockey Slut

• ‘A joyous and wondrous thing…Alex Games has done a fine job…A sound and neatly timed volume and perfect for filling a Milligan-shaped gap in anyone’s life.’ Marcus Berkmann, Literary Review

• ‘Successfully shows why Spike Milligan deserves his place at the heart of British comedy.’ Simon Webster, TLS

Spike Milligan was born in 1918. In the 1950s he wrote and performed in The Goon Show with Peter Sellers and Harry Secombe, and in the 1960s he had success as a stage and film actor. Active into his eighties, his one-man shows were always sell-out events. Milligan received lifetime achievement awards for writing and for comedy in 2000 and 2001. He died in 2002.

Alexander Games is a writer and journalist. He was comedy critic of the Evening Standard for six years and is the author of ‘Pete & Dud: An Illustrated Biography’ and ‘Backing into the Limelight: The Biography of Alan Bennett’.

Edward John “Eddie” Izzard is an English stand-up comedian, actor and writer. He has won numerous awards for his work.