Back Story (autobiography)

Back Story is an autobiography by British actor, comedian, and writer David Mitchell. The book was published in October 2012. The book entails stories about Mitchell's childhood, schooling and career as a television personality, including personal anecdotes, rants, political commentary and pictures.

Synopsis
The book revolves around a walk in Kilburn, London, on which Mitchell reflects on his childhood, university experiences and career. The book title is also a play-on-words, as Mitchell talks about the problems with his back.

Contents
• # Introduction

• # The Fawlty Towers Years

• # Inventing Fleet Street

• # Light-houses, My Boy!

• # Summoning Servants

• # The Pianist and the Fisherman

• # Death of a Monster

• # Civis Britannicus Sum

• # The Mystery of the Unexplained Pole

• # Beatings and Crisps

• # The Smell of the Crowd

• # Cross-Dressing, Cards and Cocaine

• # Presidents of the Galaxy

• # Badges

• # Play It Nice and Cool, Son

• # Teenage Thrills: First Love, and the Rotary Club Public Speaking Competition

• # Where Did You Get That Hat?

• # I Am Not a Cider Drinker

• # Enthusiasm in Basements

• # God Is Love

• # The Cause of and Answer to All of Life's Problems

• # Attention

• # Mitchell and Webb

• # We Said We Wouldn’t Look Back

• # The Lager's Just Run Out

• # Real Comic Talent

• # Going Fishing

• # Causes of Celebration

• # The Magician

• # Are You Sitting Down?

• # Peep Show

• # Being Myself

• # Lovely Spam, Wonderful Spam

• # The Work–Work Balance

• # The End of the Beginning

• # Centred

Reception
The book received generally positive reviews. The Guardian stated that it was an honest memoir, different from other celebrity memoirs and one that would resonate greatly with readers.