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‘Ian Clayton has written not just a masterpiece about music but a beautiful and important work of social history. He writes wonderfully, easily and conversationally about music’s capacity to electrify, liberate and expand one’s imagination, curiosity and sense of possibility. And no other book I have read captures the companionship of shared musical tastes as this does. Again and again, Bringing It All Back Home made me rush to the record shelves. But almost regardless of subject matter, this is a literary triumph of irrepressible humour, touching humility and downright humanity. At the end of this book, you’ll believe Ian Clayton is your best mate. Or you’ll really wish he were. Ian Clayton understands!’ – Andy Kershaw

‘Unexpectedly beautiful. Sheer sincerity.’ – Andy Miller, Daily Telegraph

‘The storytelling spins a musical web, glistening with treasured encounters and centred on home and family. Remarkable from both musical and human points of view…(it) crystallises Clayton’s humanity, candour and generosity.’ – Felicity Greenland, English Folk Dance and Song Magazine

‘An acutely observed and lovingly told tale.’ – John Aizleword, Q Magazine

‘Deeply moving. Devastatingly beautiful.’ – Leeds Guide

‘An unforgettable journey. Vibrant, life affirming, immensely readable.’ – Waterstone’s Book of the Month

‘An engaging memoir. A trip down memory lane via Tin Pan Alley.’ – Simon Show, Daily Mail

‘A moving story of reconnection… littered with laugh out loud quips.’ – Guardian

‘Ian Clayton has an unshakeable belief in the power of stories to bring people together, coming as he does from that great tradition of storytellers that includes the likes of Stan Barstow, Alan Sillitoe and his hero Barry Hines. Song For My Father reverberates with warmth, humour and joy and it’s a story people can relate to.’ – Yorkshire Post

‘Another humble masterpiece from our finest accidental social historian. Ian Clayton writes with such natural warmth, humour, joyous attention to detail, and – above all – humanity, that I, as a lesser writer, ought to chuck my laptop in the bin.’ – Andy Kershaw

‘Song For My Father breaks your heart then puts it back together, often with the kindness of strangers. Clayton unearths the poetry of the everyday and his journey makes us re-evaluate our own. A rare thing, a book that makes us laugh, cry and question.’ – Alice Nutter

‘This is a song for four generations of fathers, mothers and the whole tapestry of  humanity in a small mining town in the North of England; a kaleidoscope of characters which are brilliantly illuminated as Ian searches for a true perception of why we are what we are.  I envy his talent.’ – John Finch, creator of Sam and Family at War

Shortlisted for The British Guild of Beer Writers Awards for Best Beer Writer and for Best Writer about Pubs

‘You won’t read a better book about beer and pubs than this one. This is a truly wonderful book that will have you wiping away tears of laughter and gagging for a pint.’ (read full review here)
Roger Protz, Editor Good Beer Guide 2000-2018

‘A beautiful, strange, dark chronicle of a lifetime spent in pubs and bars. I rather like Ian Clayton. His style is so refreshing, so sweet, and ever so slightly nutty.’
Times Literary Supplement

‘Clayton writes that his drinking career began, as many do, by nicking some of grandad’s Guinness when he was four years old. Almost 60 years later, the pub – along with his other great passion of music – has shaped his life. This memoir is joyous, hilarious and life-affirming, nostalgic and sad, and vital and optimistic. It’s rooted in West Yorkshire and evokes the role of the pub in declining mining communities as successfully as any academic social history, but draws on commonalities that everyone will recognise, wherever their local happens to be.’
Morning Advertiser

‘Ian Clayton was four when he first tasted beer. That stolen mouthful from his grandad’s pint was important, it helped mark Ian’s path through life.  Here he develops this well-established theme and goes further by proving that every pub has a story to tell.  This book is filled with amazing characters who, along with Ian, have kept the pub alive and let the beer continue to do the talking.’
Barrie Pepper, former Chair of the British Guild of Beer Writers

‘I read it in one sitting. It’s true, hilarious and makes you feel that the world is still a great place to live.’
Norma Waterson

‘One of the best books I’ve read about beer, pubs, friendship and humanity for an awfully long time.’
Pete Brown

‘An amusing collection of stories, anecdotes and memories, all washed down with copious amounts of cask beer. As part of the endless search to find the perfect pub with the perfect pint, it’s well worth a read.’
What’s Brewing

‘Ian Clayton’s book is laced with anecdotal encounters with eclectic and eccentric characters. He’s obviously a seasoned traveller and imbiber and he certainly knows his stuff. It is witty, funny and delightfully set out, it positively talk’s beer – screams it even.’
Beer Buzz

‘To be sure, It’s The Beer Talking is something of a risible visitation upon the sort of beer induced watering holes, each and every one of us has sometimes had the utmost pleasure of waking into. And then eventually stumbling out of. Ian Clayton has a knack for spinning a yarn – quite often, out of almost of nothing – and then regaling it in such a way that one is compelled to keep coming back for more … it is this capturing of colour and nuance, that sets Ian Clayton’s terrific writing apart from an ever widening menagerie of soulless (colourless) others.’
David Marx

‘This is no lightweight style guide but a serious piece of writing. Ian is a fine writer who paints a vivid picture of working-class life in the North of England as reflected through the prism of the pub.’
David Harris, Ed’s Pint

‘Ian’s love and appreciation of beer, pubs and the people that frequent them is obvious. His adventures in various locals around the world are both entertaining and poignant.’
Mark Seaman, Revolutions Brewery

‘Fermented magic. A heartfelt adventure of beer, tears and laughter. In my pub I often hear the line “You couldn’t write it”. Ian just has.’
Samantha Smith, Award Winning Landlady, Mallinson’s Brewery Taphouse