Graham Chapman

This British comedian and Monty Python member (Chapman having been described by his writing partner John Cleese as the "best actor" of the bunch) has produced an alleged autobiography that is so convoluted and unbelievable that my best guess is that it is only 10% true. Michael Palin, also a Python alumnus, claims the book is a combination of the Magna Carta and "Valley of the Dolls". Python member Eric Idle claims that it took four people for one comedian to claim to have completed the project. Chapman himself claims on page 80 that although "the names have been kept the same, the facts have been altered...". Appearing first in 1990 (the back cover blurb claims 1980 on an edition that clearly notes 1990 in the copyright credits) and reprinted several times since then, this is probably NOT an autobiography. But it is quite interesting.

"From its humble beginnings as late night entertainment on a British TV channel that went off the air before midnight, it blossomed into arguably the most influential movement in modern comedy. They found the Holy Grail, they detailed the life of the Savior-also-ran Brian, and when they were lost, they explained the Meaning of Life. The Pythons by the Pythons is a unique look at arguably the most important comic team of the modern age, lavishly illustrated with 1000 photographs and illustrations, many culled from the teams' own personal collections, many seen here for the first time."--BOOK JACKET.

"Monty Python and the Holy Grail", the screenplay, with notes and illustrations.

Despite its evergreen, cross-generational fan base, there hasn't been a new Monty Python book by all the surviving Pythons in 30 years. On their 40th anniversary, Monty Python Live! focuses primarily on their stage show and includes original material written for the book.