Seriously Silly, Robert Ross
Seriously Silly, Robert Ross
List: $31.99 | Sale: $22.40
Club: $15.99

Seriously Silly
The Life of Terry Jones (the authorised biography)

Author: Robert Ross

Narrator: Eric Idle, Robert Ross

Unabridged: 14 hr 4 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Coronet

Published: 11/06/2025


Synopsis

'This book is timely. I hope it will send people back to his work, whether it be films he's directed, roles he's played . . . and everything else that made him everybody's favourite polymath'
Michael Palin

Seriously Silly is an intimate portrait of Terry Jones - Python, actor, director, historian, reluctant national treasure and purveyor of sincere silliness - written by the man he chose to tell the story of his life.

From his Welsh upbringing in Colwyn Bay, to meeting his lifelong friend Michael Palin at Oxford through revue sketches, anarchic children's shows and the creative genius of Monty Python, this is the story of a comedy legend. Throughout this journey, Terry's extraordinary determination and resilience shine through, not least in his final years as he battled with dementia.

Written by his close friend Robert Ross, with a foreword from Michael Palin (and the blessing of and cooperation of his family and the people who knew him best) Seriously Silly is not only the definitive celebration of a true pioneer of comedy, but a loving portrayal of the man behind the laughter.

About Robert Ross

Robert Ross is Britain's comedy historian, whose books include biographies of Marty Feldman, Sid James and Peter Sellers, as well as the Monty Python Encyclopedia. He has also toured a number of 'comedy history' shows, including 'Oh, What A Carry On!', 'Christmas Crackers', and 'Forgotten Heroes of Comedy'. He was a close personal friend of Terry Jones and is very proud to have written his authorised biography.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Tony on December 07, 2025

This is an biography of Terry Jones written by a friend. It is not - quite - warts and all but as I was reading it I realised that I didn't want that. The world is too full of disillusionment to need a biography that would tell me that Terry Jones was a terrible arsehole. That seems not to have been......more

Goodreads review by Ward on November 30, 2025

I wish he’d interviewed Cleese, who has said many times how he hated being stuck in armor for hours while the Terry’s arranged the perfect shot for Holy Grail. Would have liked to hear what else he thought. Nevertheless, a splendid book, if a little too much of the kid glove.......more


Quotes

This book is timely. I hope it will send people back to his work, whether it be films he's directed, roles he's played . . . and everything else that made him everybody's favourite polymath.