I DIDN'T GET WHERE I AM TODAY by David Nobbs. Published in hardback by Heinemann priced £17.99

When the last bomb was dropped on Britain by the Germans during the Second World War, David Nobbs' bedroom ceiling collapsed on top of him. He hurt one of his thumbs.

Through comic stories of childhood mishaps and close-knit family life, comes a brutally honest autobiography from the creator of comedy legend Reggie Perrin, the man of the suburbs who revolted against his middle-class life. (The title refers to a favourite saying of Reggie's pompous boss CJ.)

Nobbs writes movingly about people he has encountered, his career, and emotional markers in his life. The horrific shattering of his innocence at age 14, and painful memories of school bullying, are mentioned in touching vignettes.

Satisfying anecdotes and wry witticisms are injected into accounts of his stint in the National Service, his years at Cambridge University and his job as a court reporter on the Sheffield Star.

His first big break came when he telephoned the That Was The Week That Was office to tell them he had a great joke for their show. He spoke to David Frost who liked the idea so much he sent a taxi out to pick it up.

Since then he has written for and worked with comedians including John Cleese, Billy Connolly, Jimmy Tarbuck and Ken Dodd.

One of our most talented post-war comic novelists, Nobbs delivers an eloquent, entertaining and intelligent interpretation of his own experiences.

As he says: "There is a basic, inextinguishable human need for stories. I ain't finished yet.''