A masterly biography of a major twentieth-century figure, for fans of Sheila Hancock's The Two of Us and The Diaries of Kenneth Tynan32pp of personal and family photographs, many previously unpublished
Terry Coleman, as a political journalist, interviewed eight prime ministers, from Macmillan to Blair, and in 1988 was named journalist of the year. His previous books include a biographical study of Thomas Hardy and a widely acclaimed biography of Nelson.
'***** It presents a full account of Olivier's genius: the single-minded determination to make himself a great Shakespearean actor, the courage and invention of his stagecraft, the ruthless zeal to be the best' Mail on Sunday 'Coleman is an immensely distinguished journalist and biographer ... Everything about the book is as far removed from the standard showbiz biography as could be imagined, from its clean and muscular prose to its rigorous methodology ... It is stuffed with fascinating new information' Simon Callow, Guardian 'Olivier was one hell of an actor and he also had one hell of a life, and Coleman relates it with relish ... He captures the actor's corrosive sense of guilt and fear, as well as his daring and his sheer pluck' Sunday Telegraph 'Tremendous ... the chapters on his period at the National Theatre convey pathos and understanding' Sunday Times
'***** It presents a full account of Olivier's genius: the single-minded determination to make himself a great Shakespearean actor, the courage and invention of his stagecraft, the ruthless zeal to be the best' Mail on Sunday 'Coleman is an immensely distinguished journalist and biographer ... Everything about the book is as far removed from the standard showbiz biography as could be imagined, from its clean and muscular prose to its rigorous methodology ... It is stuffed with fascinating new information' Simon Callow, Guardian 'Olivier was one hell of an actor and he also had one hell of a life, and Coleman relates it with relish ... He captures the actor's corrosive sense of guilt and fear, as well as his daring and his sheer pluck' Sunday Telegraph 'Tremendous ... the chapters on his period at the National Theatre convey pathos and understanding' Sunday Times
Sir Laurence Olivier's estate selected Coleman, a British journalist and historian (The Nelson Touch), as the actor's authorized biographer, and he makes the most of his access to the archives. Olivier (1907-1989) had a tendency to "instinctively improve the truth"-a visit from a drunken Ralph Richardson, for example, was changed in the telling to a nearly fatal brawl-but Coleman delicately peels away the embellishments. He quotes extensively from Olivier's correspondence; a few passages, such as a lengthy extract from a letter describing how he'd like to spank Vivien Leigh, feel excessive. The turbulent relationship with Leigh, which began and ended with extramarital affairs, does generate some drama, but Olivier was never really the Hollywood type. The bitter feuds he endured through his early stewardship of Britain's National Theater are more this biography's cup of tea. Coleman commendably keeps the amateur psychoanalysis that permeates most celebrity bios to a minimum. On the subject of Olivier's sexuality, he leaves no doubt the tales of heated romance with Danny Kaye in Donald Spoto's 1991 biography are bogus, conceding only the existence of one probable encounter with a British stage actor in the 1930s. With a similarly sober approach throughout, this version of Olivier's life will surely become the new standard. Photos. Agent, Peter Matson, on behalf of Michael Sissons of PFD in the U.K. (Nov.) Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.
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