I Swear, John Davidson
I Swear, John Davidson
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I Swear
My Life with Tourette’s - The funny and moving autobiography, now a BAFTA award-winning film

Author: John Davidson

Narrator: David Monteath

Unabridged: 7 hr 43 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 08/21/2025


Synopsis

Brought to you by Penguin.

From the remarkable man whose life inspired the heartstopping film, ‘I Swear’, a book that offers extraordinary insight into what it’s like to live with a severe form of Tourette’s Syndrome: a fascinating, complex condition that’s more common than most of us think ( 1 in 100 schoolchildren have the condition) , and yet is chronically misunderstood.

Born in the 1970s on the Scottish Borders, John’s was twelve when his tics first arrived, as if from nowhere. Previously a happy, popular, football-mad boy he was labelled disruptive, rude, and even mad. As his condition progressed, from blinks and jerks to involuntary rude and obscene shouting, John was bullied, rejected - alienated from his family and a society that had no idea what to make of him.

Hospitalized and drugged for months, it was only an extraordinary and transformative friendship, and John’s dogged optimism, that turned his life around, making I Swear an inspirational story of triumph over adversity.

Through John’s eyes, we see Tourette’s not just as a medical condition, but as a lens through which we can all better understand the importance of human connection. And how essential, as well as ultimately rewarding, it can be to keep going and never give up.

© John Davidson 2025 (P) Penguin Audio 2025

Reviews

Goodreads review by Iain on April 11, 2026

Davidson's story as told to the writer Abbie Ross. Heartfelt and moving it details the trials faced living with Tourettes, especially in his earlier years when there was little understanding of the condition. (Given recent events at the BAFTA awards, sadly it seems there are lots of people who are s......more

Goodreads review by Helen on March 19, 2026

I Swear tells the true life story of John Davidson, who many of us first came across in 1989 when he was the subject of the QED documentary John’s Not Mad (available on YouTube). John has Tourette Syndrome, and sadly for him, with the most extreme symptoms any sufferer of this condition can get. I S......more

Goodreads review by Em on January 10, 2026

just brilliant. I cried sad and happy tears. what a story, what an inspirational man and what great support from those who gave him a chance. hats off to all. this is a book not to be missed. a real adventure but most importantly, a real education.......more

Goodreads review by Donnie on October 10, 2025

Absolutely amazing! The pacing was great, the writing wasn’t confusing and it was so hard to put down! Relatable, funny, emotional and moving. One of the only times I’ve ever cried at a book too 🥲❤️ Very good, I think everyone should read this!!!......more

Goodreads review by Kat on March 15, 2026

This memoir tells the life of John Davidson, a Scottish man who developed Tourette’s syndrome at the age of ten and how his life has turned out from growing up in 1980s Scotland, where Tourette’s was extremely unknown, to his life today as a campaigner who was awarded an MBE in 2019. This memoir was......more


Quotes

Brave, shocking, funny and moving, I SWEAR opens our eyes to the reality of living with a complex condition. This is a really important book.

Most books have one plot twist, one villain and a happy ending, but this one has generous helpings of each ... Beyond its inevitable shock factor, this skilfully told tale deserves praise for how it lets us non-sweary people see inside the ordinary, albeit anxious, mind of someone with Tourette syndrome, The Times

An astonishing tale about an amazing man. If this book were given out to schools it would triple the empathy levels for Tourette's.

This superb book is an engaging and fascinating account of what it's like to live with Tourette's. Daily Mail