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Look Again

The Autobiography
3.77 goodreads logo

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( 256 ratings, 40 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Look Again is David Bailey's captivating memoir, revealing the life of a true cultural icon. Rising from a challenging childhood marked by dyslexia and a stint as a debt collector, Bailey revolutionised photography in the 1960s with his fresh and informal style, reflecting London's vibrant street culture. His career intertwined with legendary figures like Mick Jagger, the Kray twins, Andy Warhol, and more, while his personal life was equally eventful, including high-profile relationships and marriages. Now in his eighties, Bailey reflects on an extraordinary, colourful career filled with creativity and compelling stories.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This memoir suits readers interested in photography, 1960s culture, and the stories behind iconic fashion and celebrity moments. It is ideal for fans of candid, engaging life stories by influential artists and those curious about London's social history during a transformative era.

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The extraordinary, riotous life of iconic photographer David Bailey - from the Second World War to the Swinging Sixties, from Eighties excess to the present day.

The extraordinary, riotous life of iconic photographer David Bailey - from the Second World War to the Swinging Sixties, from Eighties excess to the present day.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Eye-opening and candid, David Bailey's Look Again is a fantastically entertaining memoir by a true icon.

'Rollicking . . . with roguish tales as vivid as his era-defining photos' - Daily Mail

'Brilliant' - Telegraph

David Bailey burst onto the scene in 1960 with his revolutionary photographs for Vogue. Discarding the rigid rules of a previous generation of portrait and fashion photographers, he channelled the energy of London's newly informal street culture into his work. Funny, brutally honest and ferociously talented, he became as famous as his subjects.

Now in his eighties, he looks back on an outrageously eventful life. Born into an East End family, his dyslexia saw him written off as stupid at school. He hit a low point working as a debt collector until he discovered a passion for photography that would change everything. The working-class boy became an influential artist. Along the way he became friends with Mick Jagger, hung out with the Krays, got into bed with Andy Warhol and made the Queen laugh.

His love-life was never dull. He propelled girlfriend Jean Shrimpton to stardom, while her angry father threatened to shoot him. He married Catherine Deneuve a month after meeting her. Penelope Tree's mother was unimpressed when he turned up on her doorstep. 'It could be worse, I could be a Rolling Stone,' Bailey told her. He went on to marry Marie Helvin and then Catherine Dyer, with whom he has three children.

He is also a film and documentary director, has shot numerous commercials and has never stopped working. A born storyteller, his autobiography is a memorable romp through an extraordinary career.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Look Again has been praised for its vivid and roguish tales reminiscent of its era-defining photos. The Daily Mail calls it a rollicking read, while the Telegraph hails it as "brilliant." Other reviewers from the Observer, Spectator, and Esquire appreciate its raw honesty, entertainment value, and its vivid portrayal of several lost Londons.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781509896844

Publisher: Pan Macmillan

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 29 October 2020

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Macmillan

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 39.0mm

Width: 153.0mm

Height: 233.0mm

Weight: 846g

Pages: 384

About the Author

David Bailey was born on 2 January 1938 in North Leyton, East London. He left school at fifteen and was conscripted to the Royal Air Force in 1956. Bailey started working with fashion photographer, John French as his assistant in 1959. He left soon after to strike out on his own and published his first portrait of Somerset Maugham for Today magazine in 1960. In 1965 he published David Bailey's Box of Pin-Ups which is now seen as defining an era and shaped the future of photography.

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