When I started in radio, there were announcers, speakers, and hosts. Some read what others had written for them, while others prepared what they wanted to say in advance. I just spoke off the cuff. And that's what I do in this book as well. Thomas Gottschalk shares stories from his childhood and youth in Franconian Kulmbach, his rise to media stardom, and his encounters with the greats of this world, as well as his retreats and visions of happiness, family and friends, tragic and glorious moments. Thoughtful, self-ironic, wise about life, and honest.