Individual actors Books

Book SynopsisSpecial edition of Defying Gravity by Jordan Mooney, with Cathi Unsworth.Withher white beehive and Mondrian make-up, Jordan's look helped shape arevolution on the King's Road and has become an iconic part of pop culture.Withcommentary from key players, including Vivienne Westwood, Paul Cook and herpartner behind the SEX counter Michael Collins, Defying Gravity is therevealing story of a life at the eye of punk's storm.Deluxebox-set edition - Limited to 500 copiesAcopy of the book hand signed by JordanAspecially designed poster featuring Graham Humphreys' jacket designAT-shirt designed by Graham HumphreysAcertificate of authenticity

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Book SynopsisAudrey Hepburn was one of the most admired and emulated women of the twentieth century, an Oscar-winning actress, a model and humanitarian. But Hepburn also had huge sadness in her life: two failed marriages, a broken engagement, and the crushing disappointment that occupied her triumph in My Fair Lady. Chronicling Hepburn's life, from her nearly dying in Hitler's occupied Europe, to her conquering, in just one year, the New York stage and the Hollywood screen, this fascinating tribute illustrates and illuminates all things Audrey Hepburn.While trapped in the Netherlands at the end of WW2, Audrey and her family received critical food and medical relief from UNICEF – an act of charity she never forgot, as later in life, Hepburn devoted much of her time to UNICEF, becoming a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. From her early years as an ingénue to her status as an icon of elegance, in her Oscar-winning performance for Roman Holiday and the career high of Breakfast at Tiffany's, Hepburn's star quality resonates across the globe – even so long after her death. Few stars before or since are as beloved as Audrey Hepburn and The Little Guide to Audrey Hepburn details why.'My appearance is accessible to everyone. With hair tied in a bun, big sunglasses and black dress, every woman can look like me.' Audrey Hepburn'For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.' Audrey Hepburn'Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, it's at the end of your arm. As you get older, remember you have another hand: The first is to help yourself, the second is to help others.' Audrey HepburnTable of ContentsThe Young Audrey • Screen Legend • Style Icon • The Private Audrey • Fairy Godmother • The Inimitable Audrey.

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Book SynopsisThis is a book about three things: 1. A room called the Comedy Cellar. 2. Who gets to speak in that room. 3. What they get to say. The Comedy Cellar is a tiny basement club in New York’s Greenwich Village. Run according to the principles of its owners, the Dworman family, it became a safe place for stand-ups to take risks and experiment. Superstar comedians such as Amy Schumer, Dave Chappelle, Jon Stewart, and Louis CK became regulars, celebrities started to hang out, the club hosted debates, and everyone was encouraged to argue at its back table. Then the Comedy Cellar ended up on the frontline of the global culture war. Andrew Hankinson speaks to the Cellar’s owner, comedians, and audience members, using interviews, emails, podcasts, letters, text messages, and previously private documents to create a conversation about who gets to speak and what they get to say, and why. Moving backwards in time from Louis CK’s downfall to when Manny Dworman used to host folk singers including Bob Dylan, this is about a comedy club, but it’s also about the widening cultural chasm.Trade Review‘For all those interested in comedy, free speech and how they do those things in New York, Andrew Hankinson’s Don’t applaud. Either laugh or don’t is really excellent, and has made me immediately want to read his other book.’ -- Dara Ó Briain‘This book is fucking fantastic … Honestly one that was nearly impossible to stop reading.’ -- Doug Stanhope, comedian‘A fascinating tour through the history of a comedy club in a constant state of flux caused by the political and technological upheavals outside its walls.’ * The Telegraph *‘Cleverly structured ... So smartly done and so unbelievably timely too ... One of the best books I've read this year.’ -- Stuart Heritage, author of Bedtime Stories for Worried Liberals‘Fascinating.’ -- Al Murray‘If you're interested in comedy or free speech or power you MUST read Andrew Hankinson's new book about the Comedy Cellar which is one of those great bits of writing that makes everyone's position feel interesting.’ -- Sarah Ditum‘Credit to Hankinson for tackling these broad, important ideas – what speech is acceptable, what’s forbidden – and trying to understand them through the prism of a specific environment.’ -- NJ McGarrigle * The Irish Times *‘A fascinating read.’ -- Georgina Godwin * Monocle *‘Thought-provoking … the author takes the history of the nearly-forty-year-old club as a microcosm of the comedy industry; Hankinson see its values, its unspoken rules and attitude to acceptable speech, onstage and off, as a useful reflection of American culture as a whole.’ -- Madeleine Brettingham * TLS *‘Compelling … the sacrifice of authorial vanity gives this book warmth, honesty, and a resistance to easy conclusions.’ -- Sarah Ditum * UnHerd *‘This oral history is dominated by discussion of freedom of speech and what should be acceptable within the confines of a comedy club … it captures the intensely combative, competitive, hierarchical and often petty atmosphere of an iconic comedy venue.’ -- Alastair Mabbott * The Herald *‘Andrew Hankinson is a brilliant writer, and this is a fascinating book. And I say that as someone with zero interest in stand-up comedy.’ -- Melissa Harrison, author of The Stubborn Light of Things‘The best book I've yet read about freedom of expression.’ -- Andy Miller, author of The Year of Reading Dangerously‘The smartest (and funniest) book yet on the culture/free speech wars. Andrew Hankinson does it again with another incredible work of nonfiction.’ -- Will Storr, author of Selfie: How the West Became Self-Obsessed‘A deeply thoughtful and perceptive new book … [A] truly brilliant voice.’ -- Jason Hazeley, writer on Charlie Brooker’s Screenwipe and Paddington‘It is brilliant.’ -- Padraig Reidy * Little Atoms *‘A valuable historical document but also a timely and important investigation into morality, masculinity, censorship and freedom of speech in the modern age. It has all the makings of a future cult classic. There’s no book like it.’ -- Benjamin Myers, author of Male Tears‘A demonstration in form and fact of what a less polarised, more humane, discussion about comedy, politics, taste and people looks and feels like, and it's so very necessary.’ -- Mark Blacklock, author of Hinton‘Cannot stop thinking about it. It's the story of an NYC comedy club but it's also about the culture war, even as it rages all around us. What a fantastic book.’ -- Andy Miller, co-host of Backlisted‘Fantastic … The structure is superb.’ -- Adelle Stripe, author of Black Teeth and a Brilliant Smile‘A proper creative nonfiction writer who tells true stories with art, in the fine tradition of The New Journalism. A terrific, vital, painful subject.’ -- Richard T Kelly, author of The Knives‘It's incredible.’ -- Bonnie McFarlane, comedian, writer, and co-host of My Wife Hates Me ‘Insightful, and brings back amazing memories of the greatest club in comedy history.’ -- Colin Quinn, comedian, actor, and writer‘Done with such skill that you imbibe stuff by osmosis … Unsettling and understated, this report from the frontline of live comedy is more memorable and thought-provoking than any number of polemics on free speech and offence. Andrew Hankinson is a master of showing, not telling.’ -- Helen Lewis, author of Difficult Women‘An extraordinary insight into the workings of stand-up — the people, the practicalities, the politics, the lines that are crossed … original and affecting.’ -- Dan Davies, author of In Plain Sight‘Plenty of readers will be offended by certain jokes or comments — that’s the nature of the business — but Hankinson ably captures the importance of the Comedy Cellar. A well-crafted tale of comedy stars and thorny social issues that shows just how hard it is to make people laugh.’ * Kirkus Reviews *‘What can comedy tell us about the ways the world is changing? This history of storied New York stand-up club The Comedy Cellar offers an in-depth look at the space that helped many a famous comedian break out. But, as befits a venue frequently associated with Louis CK, it also explores the comedy scene’s part in larger cultural controversies, and the Comedy Cellar’s penchant for stoking them.’ -- Tobias Carroll * Inside Hook *‘When someone comes to write the definitive account of Laughter in the Age of Trump — the cruel guffaws, the neutered snickers, the strange inversions whereby the left went into a collective cringe while the authoritarian right waved the flaming brand of free speech — Andrew Hankinson’s superb oral history of a single New York club, the Comedy Cellar, in Greenwich Village, will be heavily featured … Hankinson probes the owners, the comedians, the staff, and the audience.’ * The Atlantic, ‘Summer Reading Guide 2021’ *Praise for You Could Do Something Amazing With Your Life [You Are Raoul Moat]: ‘Immersing the reader in Moat's self-justifications, You Could Do Something Amazing With Your Life [You Are Raoul Moat] is both an experiment in empathy and an exploration of the limits of empathy — holding the reader hostage in the echo chamber of an angry and confused man's head.’ -- Louis TherouxPraise for You Could Do Something Amazing With Your Life [You Are Raoul Moat]: ‘A claustrophobic true-crime account in the tradition of Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood … [Hankinson’s] purpose is to show Moat as a product of our culture and society … Moat is presented as an intriguing case study in disintegration, making bad choices then devoting all his intelligence to justifying them in his own head.’ -- Gavin Knight * The Guardian *Praise for You Could Do Something Amazing With Your Life [You Are Raoul Moat]: ‘The second-person voice is a notoriously tricky one to maintain and Hankinson uses it to great effect … Another strength is the overwhelming sense that Moat is not in control of his own narrative.’ * The Saturday Paper *

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Book SynopsisA candid and brilliantly funny memoir......of how a tall, shy youth from Weston-super-Mare went on to become a self-confessed comedy legend.En route, John Cleese describes his nerve-wracking first public appearance at St Peter’s Preparatory School at the age of eight and five-sixths;Trade ReviewVivid, ridiculously entertaining, and, at times, explosively funny... Cleese is a master of crisp comic prose: his elegant syntax and sudden absurdities would have PG Wodehouse raising a martini glass. So, Anyway... glows with fairness, kindness, gentleness and loyalty. -- Nicholas Barber * Sunday Express *Told with considerable charm and a refreshing amount of candour, the story is one of a vulnerable soul gradually finding a degree of security from behind a carapace of cutting wit... Remarkably warm and generous. -- Graham McCann * Times Literary Supplement *John Cleese’s memoir is just about everything one would expect of its author – smart, thoughtful, provocative and above all funny… A picture, if you will, of the artist as a young man. * Washington Post *So, Anyway… breaks away from the shallow conventions of the famous person's autobiography... The result is a book that is frequently hilarious, occasionally lyrical and always thoughtful. It is a fine and funny achievement. * Herald *Like having a long lunch with an amiable, slightly loony uncle. Who also happens to be John Cleese. -- Michael Ian Black * New York Times *

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Book SynopsisLegendary British comic actor John Inman broke down many boundaries by playing the camp Mr Humphries in the long-running sitcom Are You Being Served? The show ran for thirteen years, had a spin-off movie and attracted millions of viewers in the UK. Inman's character, whose innuendos were adored by viewers, invariably got the biggest laughs and this at a time when being gay was largely frowned upon.Away from television, he soon became one of the most in-demand pantomime actors, making a small fortune over several decades. Yet it was as Mr Humphries that he was best loved and the reason he was regarded as a national treasure.In his private life, Inman was secretive about his sexuality until he married his long-term partner Ron Lynch in a civil ceremony in London in 2005. He died two years later following a long battle with hepatitis.Featuring revealing interviews with many of Inman's surviving cast mates and colleagues, I'm Free!

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Book Synopsis***'A wonderful document of the last great gathering of the pre-internet age. No camera phones, no social media, just a band and its fans as one' -NOEL GALLAGHER On 10th and 11th August 1996, Oasis played the concerts that would define them, a band at the height of their powers playing to over 250,000 people.Twenty-five years on, this is the inside story of those nights, told through the breathtaking photographs of Jill Furmanovsky, granted unprecedented access to Oasis throughout that summer. Also includes newly obtained first-hand accounts from the people who were there - including Noel Gallagher and Alan McGee - in text by award-winning author Daniel Rachel. From relaxed rehearsals and warm-up concerts to Knebworth itself - backstage, onstage, flying high above the site - many of the stunning photographs in this book have never been seen anywhere before.This the definitive account of two nights that a generation will never forget.

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Book SynopsisThe brilliantly funny Sunday Times top ten bestseller. Alan Carr tells his life story in his own words, from growing up in a football-mad family in Northampton to his rise as one of Britain's best-loved comedians.Trade Review‘Carr's comic timing works every bit as well on the page as it does on stage, making this easily the funniest book of the year.’***** HEAT ‘joyous stuff that anyone can relate to.’ Independent ‘…written in a good-hearted, amusing tone but manages nonetheless to be quite candid.’ Sunday Express ‘[He] mixes the populism of Peter Kay with the camp of Larry Grayson.’ Evening Standard ‘Alan Carr is the spiritual son of Frankie Howerd.’ City Life

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Powerhouse delivers a chronicle of vaunting ambition, immense wealth and power, and personal betrayal all the more astonishing in a business ostensibly built on loyalty and trust... Even more impressive is Miller's ability to get nearly everyone involved not only to talk but also go on the record." -- New York Times Book Review "Magisterial. ... One of the two most important books about the business of entertainment to come out in 2016. ... A must read for anyone who wants to work in Hollywood or just know how Hollywood works." -- The Hollywood Reporter "It's dishy. It's like People Magazine meets 'The Godfather.' It's like nothing else. I ate it up." -- New York Post "Eminently readable and moves at a fast pace thanks to dozens of fascinating celebrity stories." -- Mashable "The year's hottest Hollywood tell-all." -- New York Daily News "Probably the most hotly anticipated book since Julia Phillips's tell-all YOU'LL NEVER EAT LUNCH IN THIS TOWN AGAIN dropped more than two decades ago." -- Variety "[F]un to read both for the boldface names - including agency founders Michael Ovitz and Ron Meyer, and clients like Magic Johnson and Ali MacGraw - and for a glimpse into a largely unseen world of cultural influencers." -- The National Book Review

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Book SynopsisHis book is a joy to read, full of homespun wisdom and hilarious asides' Independent____________________Where do comedians come from? Why is it that one person is a funny bloke down the pub while another actually makes a living by standing up in front of an audience telling jokes? And where does all that material come from? Well, young Lee McKillop used to wonder that too.___________________ Growing up in his parents' pub, small and wiry in a world of bigger and chunkier specimens, Lee quickly learned that cracking jokes was a way to get attention. After a somewhat random series of jobs, which included being Red Rum's stableboy and a bingo hall barman, it was as a Great Yarmouth holiday camp entertainer that he had his first crack at telling jokes on stage. It got him some laughs, the sack and a punch in the face.*Now, as Lee Mack, he's one of our best loved and most successful comedians, both Trade ReviewA first-class comic. His autobiography, Mack the Life, has all the cheerful candour of one of his barnstorming shows. Mack has polished this narrative until it shines, and his book is a joy to read, full of homespun wisdom and hilarious asides. * Independent *A cracking read. Jokes liberally dot the narrative … a frank picture of a man who can’t believe his luck, but still manages to keep his feet on the ground * Chortle *a truly fascinating read, genuinely funny throughout * British Comedy Guide *

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Book Synopsis''The book is great: moving but also properly funny.'' Hadley Freeman, The Guardian''A memoir with an unusual sense of purpose. . . pithy, highly readable'' The TimesThe entire world knows Michael J. Fox as Marty McFly, the teenage sidekick of Doc Brown in Back to the Future. His two previous bestselling memoirs, Lucky Man and Always Looking Up, dealt with how he came to terms with the illness, all the while exhibiting his iconic optimism. In No Time Like the Future: An Optimist Considers Mortality, Michael shares personal stories and observations about illness and health, ageing, the strength of family and friends, and how our perceptions about time affect the way we approach mortality. Thoughtful and moving, but with Fox''s trademark sense of humour, his book provides a vehicle for reflection about our lives, our loves, and our losses.Running through the narrative is thTrade Reviewthe book is great: moving but also properly funny (only Fox would take up golf after developing Parkinson's), and now that he has, to varying degrees, jettisoned the fig leaf of determined optimism, it gives the clearest description of life with Parkinson's I've ever read * Hadley Freeman, The Guardian *A heartfelt, unselfish book about never giving up. . . * Kirkus Reviews *No Time Like the Future is a memoir with an unusual sense of purpose. . . pithy, highly readable. . . Fox tells his story vividly with plenty of quips and self-deprecation * The Times *Funny and readable * GQ *In this moving, often funny memoir Michael J Fox reveals how he regained his sense of optimism, and reflects on age, family and living with a disability. * The Guardian *Fox's writing reflects his funny and upbeat approach to life * GQ *

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Book Synopsis"New book gives fans a look at never-before-seen photos of Brigitte Bardot." — Yahoo "Rare photographs of the French actress Brigitte Bardot, from the archives of Douglas Kirkland and Terry O’Neill, are featured in a new book, Being Bardot." — The Times "Being Bardot, the new archival photography book from ACC Art Books and Iconic Images, honors the French starlet’s legacy, offering an inside look into her highly photographed world." — CR Fashion Book "What stands out most is Bardot's liberated persona, her strength of character and je ne sais quoi. A stunning portfolio." — The Lady Brigitte Bardot is arguably the most familiar face in French cinema and one of the most loved stars of the 20th century. She is recognised the world over for her work in film, as a singer, and as an animal rights activist. The photographers Douglas Kirkland and Terry O’Neill both worked with Brigitte Bardot at the peak of her fame in the 1960s and early 1970s, photographing the star on set and behind the scenes on films including The Legend of Frenchie King aka Les Petroleuses, Shalako and Viva Maria. ACC Art Books and Iconic Images are proud to present the work of these two acclaimed photographers with many stunning images taken from their archives to reveal iconic and never-before-seen images of the star. From on-set to off, playful moments to candid captures, Being Bardot includes more than 150 photos in colour and black and white, contact sheets and revealing, first-hand memories. Being Bardot is a must for all fans of cinema, photography and Brigitte Bardot. Trade Review"A newly released book about ‘50s sex symbol Brigitte Bardot features rare unseen photos and details of the actress’s final years in the spotlight. The book, Being Bardot, was released by ACC Art Book and is filled with hundreds of photos and contact sheets from the archives of legendary photographers Douglas Kirkland and Terry O’Neill." - Do You Remember?""It’s a wonderful opportunity to look back at the careers of a number of movie stars, but also understand how these photographers contributed to their image," [author] James Clarke said." - Fox News"New book gives fans a look at never-before-seen photos of Brigitte Bardot." - Yahoo"ACC Art Books and Iconic Images present Being Bardot : Photographed by Douglas Kirkland and Terry O’Neill featuring the work of these two acclaimed photographers with many stunning images taken from their archives to reveal iconic and never-before-seen images of the star." - The Eye of Photography"'Being Bardot' offers up 150 vintage images of the French screen siren." - People.com"A collection of rare and never-before-seen photos show iconic French actress and singer Brigitte Bardot at the height of her fame, including her first meeting with actor Sean Connery." - Daily Mail"Rare photographs of the French actress Brigitte Bardot, from the archives of Douglas Kirkland and Terry O’Neill, are featured in a new book, Being Bardot." - The Times"New collection of rare Bardot photographs captures star at height of fame." - Irish Tatler Business Post"Here, their via-the-lens documentation of arguably French cinema’s most famous face at the height of her fame—candid, playful moments as well as posed shots—have been plucked from the archives and compiled for the delectation of movie and photography buffs." - Robb Report UK"Being Bardot, the new archival photography book from ACC Art Books and Iconic Images, honors the French starlet’s legacy, offering an inside look into her highly-photographed world." - CR Fashion Book"“And God Created Woman” created *the* woman—Brigitte Bardot. The 1956 film made her an instant star and sex symbol for eras to come. Now, a dazzling new coffee-table book collects Douglas Kirkland’s and Terry O’Neill’s photographs of the French femme fatale from behind the scenes of some of her best films. " - Airmail"Brigitte Bardot, behind the scenes." - Airmail Newsletter"Her influence on fashion, art and pop culture can still be felt today." - Travel..Nature..Pure"The most amazing, beautiful book..." - Liz Jones' Diary"A dazzling new coffee-table book collects Douglas Kirkland’s and Terry O’Neill’s photographs of Brigitte Bardot behind the scenes of some of her best films." - Airmail"ACC Art Books's new collection, Being Bardot, cracks open the archives of those two photographers, collecting their famous images of the actress alongside rare and never-before-seen snapshots." - Yahoo "It List""The Being Bardot book brings together rare (and in some cases previously unseen) photographs of Brigitte Bardot taken by Douglas Kirkland and Terry O'Neill." - Vanity Fair France, Italy and Spain"A rare look at the French film star." - Closer Weekly"The ultimate muse..." - The Australian Women's Weekly: ICONS"A new photobook recalls French actress and singer Bridgette Bardot at the height of her career--a huge name in the 1950s and 1960s, who suddenly retired." - Air Magazine"What stands out most is Bardot's liberated persona, her strength of character and je ne sais quoi. A stunning portfolio." - The Lady"Breathtaking shots of a femme fatale". - German IDEAT Magazine"The actress had always raised temperatures, be it on the big screen, through her animal-welfare activism or her outspoken political views." - The Lady Magazine"Douglas Kirkland and Terry O’Neill, legendary celebrity photographers, must have got used to working with movie stars, and it would be natural to assume that the glamour would have worn off; that seeing celebrities as human beings in and out of their work environment would have demystified their subjects. But this doesn’t seem to have been the case with Brigitte Bardot, the subject of a new book, Being Bardot: Photographed by Douglas Kirkland and Terry O’Neill, published by ACC Art Books." - Arts & Collections magazineTable of ContentsIntroduction 4-5 Douglas Kirkland 6-139 Terry O'Neill 140-247 Photographers' Biographies 249

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Book SynopsisYou are Black; you are female, Leslie Jones'' father once said. But if you work harder and you''re better than everybody else, they can''t f*cking deny you.Leslie Jones is a warrior. Raised by a tough dad and a loving but often sick mom, her father''s military career meant she bounced around as a kidfighting off bullies because she was tall and loud, sticking up for her troubled kid brother, and generally causing mayhem wherever she went. In the end the family settled in Lynwood, Los Angeles, where in high school she was a star basketball player, heavily recruited for what everyone thought would be a stellar college career.Then, one day in college, she discovered comedy instead, and everything changed. Eventually hitting the road as a working comedian, and holding down regular jobs to fund her dreams, she found herself fighting prejudice, tough crowds, stupid bosses, and people who thought a Black woman could never be funny enough. But she proved herself time and again to be undeniably

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Book SynopsisOne of our best contemporary writers.' Sunday TelegraphIt's those around you who make you who you are.Michael Frayn would like to say a brief word about a few of the people who have formed hisown particular world. Some were friends, some were not; some were more than friends.Some have had a profound effect, some only a passing one. Some he now wonders if he everreally knew. But each has had a formative effect on his own remarkable life.Among Others is a patchwork memoir of a lifetime's encounters. Truthful and loving,sometimes elegiac, sometimes comic, it is a celebration of the endlessly intriguing othernessof others.The most philosophical comic writer and the most comic philosophical writer of ourtime.' Daily Mail

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Book SynopsisIn 2003, an independent film called The Room - starring and written, produced, and directed by a mysteriously wealthy social misfit named Tommy Wiseau - made its disastrous debut in Los Angeles. Described by one reviewer as ''like getting stabbed in the head'', the $6 million film earned a grand total of $1,800 at the box office and closed after two weeks. Over a decade later, The Room is an international cult phenomenon, whose legions of fans attend screenings featuring costumes, audience rituals, merchandising and thousands of plastic spoons. In The Disaster Artist, Greg Sestero, Tommy''s costar, recounts the film''s bizarre journey to infamy, explaining how the movie''s many nonsensical scenes and bits of dialogue came to be and unraveling the mystery of Tommy Wiseau himself. But more than just a riotously funny story about cinematic hubris, The Disaster Artist is an honest and warm testament to friendship.Trade ReviewA great portrayal of hopefuls coming to Los Angeles to pursue their ambitions, and an even greater examination of what it means to be a creative person with a dream and trying to make it come true....In so many ways. Tommy c'est moiA book about a cinematic comedy of errors . . . sharply detailed . . . funny * New York Times *I laughed so hard reading The Disaster Artist that I cried * Rolling Stone *Possibly the most important piece of literature ever printed * The Huffington Post *The Disaster Artist is not only the terrifically engaging tale of a bad Hollywood movie, it's one of the most honest books about friendship I've read in years * Los Angeles Times *Finally, a hilarious, delusional, and weirdly inspirational explanation for the most deliciously awful movie ever madeA great portrayal of hopefuls coming to Los Angeles to pursue their ambitions, and an even greater examination of what it means to be a creative person with a dream and trying to make it come true....In so many ways. Tommy c'est moi -- James FrancoA book about a cinematic comedy of errors . . . sharply detailed . . . funny * New York Times *I laughed so hard reading The Disaster Artist that I cried * Rolling Stone *Possibly the most important piece of literature ever printed * The Huffington Post *The Disaster Artist is not only the terrifically engaging tale of a bad Hollywood movie, it's one of the most honest books about friendship I've read in years * Los Angeles Times *Finally, a hilarious, delusional, and weirdly inspirational explanation for the most deliciously awful movie ever made -- Rob Lowe

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Book SynopsisThe classic, definitive biography of Marilyn Monroe, now updated in the year of the 60th anniversary of the iconic star''s death - now a major Netflix film, The Mystery of Marilyn Monroe: The Untold Tapes''Gets as near to the heart of the mystery as anyone ever will'' GuardianMore than half a century after her death, Marilyn Monroe is arguably still one of the most famous people in the world. Her life was a contrast of public brilliance and private misery, her death a tragedy suffused by dark questions - about her relations with President John F. Kennedy and his brother Robert. Drawing on more than 600 first-hand interviews, Anthony Summers offers the classic, definitive biography of a woman who captivated the world. Marilyn''s tragic story is clouded by gossip-reporting more than almost any other. GODDESS, however, delivers new, fully documented yet exciting fact.''Gets as near to the heart of the mystery as anyone ever Trade ReviewThe fullest factual account of Monroe's life and death we're likely to get * Evening Standard *Convincing evidence of a crude but effective cover-up which was designed to protect Robert Kennedy * Times Literary Supplement *Gets as near to the heart of the mystery as anyone ever will * Guardian *The most authoritative account ever written about the greatest sex symbol of them all * Woman *A remarkable performance . . . The ghost of Marilyn Monroe cries out in these pages * New York Times *[Marilyn] was a genius, a sorceress who could stimulate the world's sexuality and still seem innocent, turn on a light and become 'Marilyn Monroe.' And she has become eternal. This is the most believable, useful book of all the books about her -- Harvey Wasserman, former professor of psychiatry, Yale University College of MedicineMesmerizing ... reads like something out of a Robert Ludlum thriller * BOSTON GLOBE *A very fine piece of writing * LITERARY REVIEW *Anthony Summers is one of the most highly skilled investigative reporters writing today -- Norman Mailer

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Book SynopsisA SUNDAY TIMES BEST FILM AND THEATRE BOOK OF 2022 'Anyone in love with the arts will fall in love with this beautifully written and fascinating book' Kathy Burke Astonish Me! is an adrenaline-charged rollercoaster through history's seismic first nights, exploring how individual artists can change and shape the story of culture - and allow us to see ourselves in new ways. It tells of times when 'the air between people seems to alter' as art achieves profound change, across the globe and across history. Dominic Dromgoole has created a radical and fresh canon. He begins in New York in 1963, as Lorraine Hansberry remakes American theatre and a nation's perception of race. And then, as the lights go up, we find ourselves in Renaissance Florence, watching Michelangelo's David being hauled into the Piazza della Signoria. The dust settles and we are transported to the birth of theatre in fifth-century Athens - and then to Paris to meet with Diaghilev and Stravinsky for the Rite of Spring. We witness kabuki's creation, as a radical women's performance, in Kyoto; the Sex Pistols shattering Thatcherite Britain at Manchester's Free Trade Hall; and watch as Hitchcock directs Psycho.Trade ReviewAstonish Me! is both a book of revelations and a witness to change: it has all the tension of a thriller and the see-sawing highs and lows of a romance novel. At its heart, however, is an enduring fascination with what makes art and why we need it -- Maggie O'FarrellFantastic -- Roger AllamWritten with verve and wit ... Astonish Me! encourages us to reflect not only on the communality of art but to appreciate its invaluable social utility * The Times *A keen cultural history primer - and a ringside seat to the electric thrill of witnessing great art -- 'Paperbacks Read This Week' * Daily Telegraph *Full of insight as well as terrific stories ... a book that celebrates the shock of the new, those moments in artistic history when the dial shifted and something radical emerged ... enjoyable * Sunday Times *Fascinating ... dazzling in its enthusiasm ... unexpected * Times Literary Supplement *The result is a richly eclectic set of essays ... Mr Dromgoole shows a capacity to bring a major cultural event to life ... offers an erudite, wide-ranging and heart-warming tribute to artistic innovation -- Michael Billington * Country Life *Exquisite ... greatly stirring ... Imagine what it would be like to be present at the arrival of some of the most momentous works of art in history; to witness the birth of the new. That's what Dominic Dromgoole does in his latest book * Daily Telegraph *[Dromgoole] writes with such generous, broad-brush panache ... on every page he comes across as a red-blooded enthusiast, an erudite polymath and a bit of a preacher with an urgent message too * Mail on Sunday *A celebration of the artistic achievements that overcame the odds to change the story of culture, and whose effects rippled out to change the world * Spectator *Earthy, eclectic and shot through with personal insights * The Week *Anyone in love with the arts will fall in love with this beautifully written and fascinating book -- Kathy BurkeDominic Dromgoole takes moments from our cultural history and shines a new light on them. Astonishingly vibrant, bristling with energy, wit and wisdom -- Hugh BonnevilleFirst-rate, varied and very enjoyable * Mature Times *Absorbing ... accessible and chatty ... you will always be entertained by Dromgoole's slightly waspish sense of wit, his sense of invention and ... a sense of care and understanding -- Louise Penn * Lou Reviews *On Hamlet: Globe to Globe: 'His love of language is contagious ... the storytelling segues into scholarship with extraordinary skill as he ricochets the modern world with a 400-year-old text.' * The Times *Dromgoole's witty account offers insight about the play and its enduring appeal ... Compulsively readable. * The New York Times (100 Notable Books) *Erudite and fascinating ... truly compelling. * Observer *Exhilarating ... he succeeds in making the familiar unfamiliar. -- James ShapiroOn Will and Me: How Shakespeare Took Over My Life 'A superbly written, infectiously high-spirited narrative ... a hard book to put down.' -- Terry Eagleton * The Irish Times *Friendly, inclusive, I warmed [to it] immediately. A terrific book. -- William Leith * Evening Standard *His book is an absolute delight ... The outstanding quality is his sheer, overwhelming love for Shakespeare. * Sunday Times *This book is clearly a triumph. -- Jonathan Bate * Spectator *

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Book SynopsisWinner of the Society for Theatre Research Book Prize 2020 Vivien Leigh was perhaps the most iconic actress of the twentieth century. As Scarlett O’Hara and Blanche Du Bois she took on some of the most pivotal roles in cinema history. Yet she was also a talented theatre actress with West End and Broadway plaudits to her name. In this ground-breaking new biography, Alan Strachan provides a completely new full-life portrait of Leigh, covering both her professional and personal life. Using previously unseen sources from her archive, recently acquired by the V&A, he sheds new light on her fractious relationship with Laurence Olivier, based on their letters and diaries, as well as on the bipolar disorder which so affected her later life and work. Revealing new aspects of her early life as well as providing glimpses behind-the-scenes of the filming of Gone with the Wind and A Streetcar Named Desire, this book provides the essential and comprehensive life-story of one of the twentieth century’s greatest actresses.Trade ReviewWhat makes this account of a familiar story outstanding is that Strachan wins the reader’s trust ... As an experienced man of the theatre, he suggests, qualifies and adds interesting views of his own. * The Spectator *[Vivien Leigh’s] life, lived to the full at every second, will never be better told than it is in these pages. * The Sunday Times *A gripping new biography. * The Daily Mail *Strachan’s meticulously researched, elegantly written volume is an eye-opener. Strachan’s attention to detail is striking ... a valuable, authoritative record that supports [Leigh's] status as a great stage and screen actress. * The Herald *An immensely readable biography ... [Strachan] argues convincingly that there was far more to Leigh than her mesmerizing beauty, which could blind critics to the power behind her performances. * ABC News *This is a well-written biography of a much-loved star. Strachan achieves that rare thing of exposing his subject whilst maintaining their integrity. Leigh, who was fiercely private, would have been proud of this book. * The Lady *Alan Strachan does a fine job in reasserting [Vivien Leigh’s] status, not merely re-examining her stage work, but also becoming the first biographer to give due attention to the underrated films she made. * Country Life *Offers an effective defence not only of Leigh’s artistry across different media but also of Leigh herself as (in the words of one associate) ‘a most charming, able, intelligent woman afflicted by a manic depressive illness who with courage and marked strength of character has taken a heavy and continuous emotional strain in her stride’. * Journal of British Cinema and Television *A welcome appraisal of a remarkable artist. * Bay Area Reporter *'Reading this book is like meeting Vivien Leigh in her glory and her despair. One of the most revealing showbiz biographies ever.' -- Sir Ian McKellen'This is an enthralling book. It enthrals you by its meticulous research, its lucid language and its depiction of a Legend and a World that do not exist anymore. Alas.' -- Michael CodronThis is a fine insightful biography that captures the vigour and life-enhancing qualities of its subject, her acting husband, and their high-achieving circle of friends. * Plays International and Europe *'A wonderful tribute to a great actress and a fascinating insight into her troubled life and the machinations of the West End theatre during the middle of the twentieth century. Unputdownable.' -- Dame Penelope Keith DBE, DL'Impeccable research into this fascinating actress make Dark Star a page turner. The reader is as desperate to see past her ravishing beauty to the tender, tortured woman beneath as is the author.' -- Maureen Lipman'Three cheers for this. Alan Strachan’s long overdue perceptive insight into one of the most fascinating, complex, troubled and talented actors of her time.' -- Alan AyckbournTable of ContentsList of Plates Acknowledgements Prologue 1. A Child of the Raj 2. Hours Nearer Death 3. Young Wife and Mother 4. Enter Olivier 5. Altered States 6. Printing a Legend 7. Star-Crossed 8. Wartime Dramas 9. From Sabina to Anna 10. Down Under 11. The Kindness of Strangers 12. Two on the Nile 13. Crack-Up 14. Avonside 15. At Court 16. Ending A Legend 17. Worlds Elsewhere 18. Last Acts Epilogue Appendix Facts/“False Facts” Notes on Sources Select Bibliography Index

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Book Synopsis"This Is More Than I Can Stand" is a detailed biography of Charlie Hall, a little known man from Birmingham who worked with some of the biggest stars of the silver screen. Charlie was born into a working class family in the Ward End district of Birmingham, in 1899. In 1920 he left England to start a new life in New York. Incredibly, within a few years he had moved to Hollywood, and was appearing in films with some of the greatest silent comedy stars of all time. How did this come about? And why did Charlie find himself working back in a factory in Birmingham in 1938? These and many other questions will be answered in this new book about the life of Charlie Hall. The book contains interviews with family and friends who knew him and remember meeting him when he returned to Birmingham in the late '30s. Plus some of Charlie's personal letters, written at this time, giving a unique insight into his thoughts, his memories and what it was like to work with Laurel and Hardy. From humble beginnings, Charlie experienced the early movie industry, the birth of the talkies, and the advent of television. Not bad for a lad from Ward End.

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Book SynopsisStanley Baxter delighted over 20 million viewers at a time with his television specials. His pantos became legendary. His divas and dames were so good they were beyond description. Baxter was a most brilliant cowboy Coward, a smouldering Dietrich. He found immense laughs as Formby and Liberace. And his sex-starved Tarzan swung in a way Hollywood could never have imagined. But who is the real Stanley Baxter? The comedy actor’s talents are matched only by his past reluctance to colour in the detail of his own character. Now, the man behind the mischievous grin, the twinkling eyes and the once- Brylcreemed coiffure is revealed. In a tale of triumphs and tragedies, of giant laughs and great falls from grace, we discover that while the enigmatic entertainer could play host to hundreds of different voices, the role he found most difficult to play was that of Stanley Baxter.Trade Review'I f**king love Stanley Baxter.' - Billy Connolly Praise for Stanley Baxter ‘Stanley Baxter is my comedy hero. He had big ideas and he fought for the money to do them. Then when he’d had enough he just walked away.’ – ALAN CUMMING ‘I don’t know anybody that doesn’t think Stanley Baxter is a genius.’ – JONATHAN ROSS ‘I really don’t think the phrase ‘out of this world’ fits anyone better than it does Stanley Baxter.’ – FORD KIERNAN

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Book Synopsis“A brutally honest memoir that socks you in the gut with its candor” (Elton John and David Furnish) about lust, abuse, addiction, stardom, and redemption from Arrow and Teen Wolf actor Colton Haynes.In 2018, Colton Haynes woke up in a hospital. He’d had two seizures, lost vision in one eye, almost ruptured a kidney, and been put on an involuntary psychiatric hold. Not yet thirty, he knew he had to take stock of his life and make some serious changes if he wanted to see his next birthday. As he worked towards sobriety, Haynes allowed himself to become vulnerable for the first time and discovered profound self-awareness. He had millions of social media followers who constantly told him they loved him. But what would they think if they knew his true story? If they knew where he came from and the things he had done? Now, Colton bravely pulls back the curtain on his life and career, revealing the incredible highs and devastating lows. From his unorthodox childhood in a small Kansas town, to coming to terms with his sexuality, he keeps nothing back. By sixteen, he had been signed by the world’s top modeling agency and his face appeared on billboards. But he was still a broke, lonely, confused teenager, surrounded by people telling him he could be a star as long as he never let anyone see his true self. As Colton’s career in television took off, the stress of wearing so many masks and trying to please so many different people turned his use of drugs and alcohol into full-blown addiction. “In searing, honest prose, he tells a coming-of-age story that is utterly his own, yet surprisingly universal” (Bill Clegg, New York Times bestselling author)—of dreams deferred and dreams fulfilled; of a family torn apart and rebuilt; and of a man stepping into the light as no one but himself.Trade Review“Colton Haynes’s memoir is as provocative as it is moving. In searing, honest prose, he tells a coming-of-age story that is utterly his own, yet surprisingly universal.” —Bill Clegg, New York Times bestselling author of Portrait of an Addict as a Young Man“Miss Memory Lane is a brutally honest memoir that socks you in the gut with its candor. Colton Haynes is a true survivor and shows us how conquering our demons in life is a never-ending journey.” —Elton John and David Furnish“By confronting his own past, Colton Haynes challenges us to reflect upon the brutality seething just under the surface of the Hollywood Dream.” —Saeed Jones, author of How We Fight For Our Lives“Pairing vulnerability with unflinching prose, actor Haynes debuts with a deeply affecting look at his path to self-acceptance….Fans will be left breathless by the grit and courage on display.” —Publishers Weekly“Haynes’s moving, open-hearted, courageous memoir is a complex story of familial losses and the loss of innocence, but it is nevertheless written with great simplicity. Readers will find it hard to resist.” —Library Journal (starred review)“A vulnerable meditation on gender, desire, and fame, compelling and nuanced, a sensitive self-portrait, woven from fragments of his past.” —Buzzfeed“Impossible to put down…This is a gripping memoir, and what shines through is Haynes’ clear-eyed wish to be honest with himself and with his readers about his actions. “ —Amazon Book Review

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Book SynopsisIn But Enough About Me, legendary film actor and Hollywood superstar Burt Reynolds recalls the people who shaped his life and career, for better or for worse. From Robert Altman, Cary Grant, Clint Eastwood and Robert Mitchum to Bette Davis, Marlon Brando, Woody Allen and Kirsty Alley, Burt pays homage to those he loves and respected, acknowledges those who've stayed loyal, and calls out the assholes he can't forgive.Recalling his life and career spanning over 50 glorious years, the legendary actor gives special attention to the two great loves of his life, Dinah Shore and Sally Field, his son, Quinton, as well as to the countless people who got in his way on his journey to Hollywood domination. With chapters on his early childhood, how he discovered acting, played poker with Frank Sinatra, received directing advice from Orson Welles, his golden years in Hollywood, his comeback in the late 1990s, and how his life and art led him to found the Burt Reynolds Institute for Film and Theatre, But Enough About Me is a gripping and eye-opening story of one of cinema's true greats.

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Book SynopsisMcQueen's Machines draws a fascinating picture of one outsized man's driving passion.

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Book SynopsisI adored this book. It's so Geena and so inspiring and such a wonderful read' Emma Thompson A Times Film and Theatre Book of the Year 2022From two-time Academy Award winner and screen icon Geena Davis, Dying of Politeness is the candid, surprising tale of her journey from her epically polite childhood to the roles that put her in the spotlight and gave her the strength to become a powerhouse in Hollywood.At three years old, Geena announced she was going to be in movies. Now, with a slew of iconic roles and awards under her belt, she has surpassed her childhood dream, but her journey has been one of fits and starts, with a pothole or two along the way.In this hilarious memoir, Geena regales us with tales of a career playing everything from an amnesiac assassin to the parent of a rodent in Stuart Little; a soap star in her underwear to a housewife turned road warrior in Thelma & Louise; a baseball phenomenon in A League of Their Own to the first female President of the United States in CTrade Review Praise for Dying of Politeness: ‘Candid, self-deprecating and vastly entertaining…. Davis’s frank appraisal of her psychological and physical merits, and demerits, is not only disarming, but likely to strike a chord with many of her readers’ The Times, Peter Sheridan ‘Her combination of humour and self-deprecation is immediately appealing’ The Observer, BOOK OF THE DAY ‘A marvellous memoir… an endearing and inspiring account of one “offbeat” woman finding her own voice… I’m often bored by the second half of celebrity memoirs, but Davis’s just keeps building momentum. It’s a real-life feel-good movie, in which the downtrodden heroine finds her power. She guards her privacy without ever getting pompous or dull. If you want to know about the pimples on Brad Pitt’s bum, then she’ll spill. If you want to know how she conceived her kids at 47? Back off, that’s her business… I closed her book with the firm conviction that she’s the celebrity I’d most like to hang out with’ Daily Telegraph ‘Entertaining… After decades of silently seething, Thelma & Louise star Geena Davis lifts the lid on Hollywood sexism’ Daily Express ‘The book’s a blast… it really is a supremely jolly read’ The Times, Polly Vernon 'Brilliant… read it cover to cover. Absolutely awesome'Chris Evans ‘Davis is truly inspiring, and her book is warm and relatable’ Woman’s Weekly

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Book SynopsisAn indelible and irresistible portrait of the crucial formative years of the legendary rock band KISS and the music scene they changed forever—culminating with the groundbreaking success of their classic 1975 album Alive! and the smash single "Rock and Roll All Nite"Including original interviews with: Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley, Peter Criss, Bob Seger, Alice Cooper, and Ted Nugent, as well as members of Aerosmith, Black Sabbath, Rush, Slade, Blue Öyster Cult, Mott the Hoople, Journey, REO Speedwagon, Styx, Raspberries, the James Gang, the New York Dolls, Iggy & the Stooges, the Ramones, Suzi Quatro, Argent, and Uriah Heep.Trade Review"Nothin' to Lose brought back great memories of our days touring with KISS in the '70s. The book is an incredible ride through KISS's early days and a must read for any KISS fan!" -- Don Powell, Slade "Like taking a time machine back to the '70s, Nothin' to Lose is a wild and no holds barred look at the rise of KISS." -- Eric Carmen, Raspberries "In Nothin' to Lose you witness first-hand the extraordinary transformation of four struggling musicians from New York City overcoming almost insurmountable odds to become worldwide superstars. This is the definitive account of KISS's early years." -- Kevin Cann, author of David Bowie: Any Day Now "The KISS boys will go down in history for their indefatigable work ethic, spirit, and insatiable appetite for all things honest-to-God outrageous rock 'n' roll. KISS is the real deal and this book is the real story of the American rock 'n' roll dream." -- Ted Nugent "Nothin' to Lose is an electrifying look at a band that changed the course of rock and roll history by sticking to their guns and blazing their own trail of heavy metal thunder. I couldn't put it down. Two thumbs up!" -- Joe Perry, Aerosmith "Rises above the standard cookie-cutter anecdotes... [for] a unique look at the origins of one of the greatest rock bands of all time. Anyone who wants to know what it was like to make it in rock 'n' roll in the seventies will need to pick this up." -- Dale Sherman, author of Black Diamond: The Unauthorized Biography of KISS "Told with complete accuracy and attention to detail... Mandatory reading for every new artist. This is a masterpiece!" -- Kenny Kerner, Co-producer of KISS and Hotter Than Hell "A joyous and mesmerizing exploration of the early history of the 'Hottest Band in the World'... This book is addictive. You won't be able to put it down!" -- Julian Gill, author of the Kiss Album Focus series "From KISS's earliest days playing crummy bars in front of 50 people to headlining arenas, Nothin' to Lose is a gripping look at the underbelly of rock 'n' roll. And as one of the members of KISS's original road crew, I should know, I was there." -- Peter "Moose" Oreckinto, KISS roadie (1973-1976) "The ultimate KISS book... Nothin' to Lose gives the insider's perspective any KISS fan must have -- Charles R. Cross, author of Heavier than Heaven: A Biography of Kurt Cobain "Even casual fans will be enthralled." -- Robert Rodriguez, author of Revolver: How The Beatles Reimagined Rock 'N' Roll "Revel in the roar of the greasepaint and the smell of the crowd as they share it all, blow-by-blow, first hand." -- Paul Myers, author of A Wizard A True Star: Todd Rundgren In The Studio "A fascinating read about one of rock's most outrageous bands." -- Simon Kirke, Bad Company/Free "I found the story of KISS's fanatical determination, shockingly rare matter-of-fact common sense, raw luck, exquisite timing-not to mention the sheer brinksmanship of the whole lunatic enterprise-exhilarating and inspiring." -- Binky Philips, My Life in the Ghost of Planets: The Story of a CBGB Almost-Was "A vivid oral history of the early days of one of rock's most outrageous and enduring bands, Nothin' to Lose makes every reader an eyewitness to the dawn of Kiss. Here's a book that screams out: C'mon and read me." -- David Browne, author of Goodbye 20th Century: A Biography of Sonic Youth "An incredibly vivid and gripping oral history that illustrates how Kiss went through a slow and steady transformation from a loft party band to the hottest concert attraction capable of blowing anybody and everybody off the stage." -- Daniel Siwek, House of Blues "If you thought you knew everything there was to know about KISS ... well, you'd be wrong... Buy this book or just KISS off!" -- Alice Cooper "A fascinating chronicle of the construction of a multimedia phenomenon." -- Publishers Weekly A rollicking oral history. -- Kirkus Does the world really need another KISS book? Perhaps not, but the world really needs Sharp's ... KISS book... Full of extraordinary primary-source material that will keep KISS fans up at night, Sharp's excellent work should serve as a blueprint for future rock oral histories." -- Library Journal (starred review)

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Book SynopsisThe former Sex & Relationships Editor for Cosmopolitan and host of the wildly popular comedy show Tinder Live with Lane Moore presents her poignant, funny, and deeply moving first book.Lane Moore is a rare performer who is as impressive onstage—whether hosting her iconic show Tinder Live or being the enigmatic front woman of It Was Romance—as she is on the page, as both a former writer for The Onion and an award-winning sex and relationships editor for Cosmopolitan. But her story has had its obstacles, including being her own parent, living in her car as a teenager, and moving to New York City to pursue her dreams. Through it all, she looked to movies, TV, and music as the family and support systems she never had. From spending the holidays alone to having better “stranger luck” than with those closest to her to feeling like the last hopeless romantic on earth, Lane reveals her powerful and entertaining jTrade Review“Lane Moore is one of the most talented people I know and I’m so glad even more people will be able to read her words.”— Mara Wilson, author of Where Am I Now?: True Stories of Girlhood and Accidental Fame“How to Be Alone feels like peeling back your best friend’s skull and jumping into her brain. Lane is so open and funny and honest; I never want to be alone if it means I can’t have her with me. What a gift.” — Samantha Irby, New York Times bestselling author of Meaty and We Are Never Meeting in Real Life“How to Be Alone is like a song that pops up on the radio and lifts your spirits . . . so special, elegant, and true. It’s spectacular and truly personal. This book is with me every day, and it helps so much.”— Caroline Kepnes, author of You, Hidden Bodies, and Providence“How to Be Alone is the book I wish I had read in my early twenties. I truly believe it would have saved me a world of pain. The moment I met her I felt like I had known her my entire life. This book will make everyone smart enough to read it feel the same exact way.”— Laura Benanti, Tony Award-winning actress“Within this compassionately told memoir, Moore offers hard-won advice for those looking to get beyond a painful past.” — Publishers Weekly "Lane Moore turns a dismal childhood into laughs. [Her] story offers insights about the effects of childhood trauma and our capacity for resilience."— The Washington Post"It is [Lane's] thoughtfulness and compassion that will make How to Be Alone resonate with readers long after finishing the last page . . . Moore’s book is the empathetic friend you’ve been searching for your whole life."— CURVE MAGAZINE“An irreverent, candidly introspective exploration of toiling with loneliness that will leave readers feeling not so alone.”— Kirkus Reviews“The essays are whip-smart, pithy, and full of an honest, conversational charm that sets Moore apart.”— Booklist"One woman's wry, wise, sometimes funny and often melancholy reminder that friends can be demanding and complicating, love is imperfect and obligating, and you can't count on a hard-charging cavalry of people who were just right for you to come riding over the hill and sweep you away."— NPR's Weekend Edition "The most epic, incredible, soaring parts of your story, are the places where you’re tender, and funny, but also so harrowingly sad and devastated. Your commitment to survival is more than a notion; it’s a balm, an affirmation, an eternal love note, and a sacred love manifestation that starts as a whisper and rises into the atmosphere. How to be Alone gave me closure. What a gift it is to know that there’s another person in the world who’s so brave and true to her spirit that she survived the hardest parts of being alive. Instead of sinking into despair or madness; being waylaid by bitterness or tragedy; or turning the grueling and terrifying dark of isolation against yourself, you’ve transmuted it into a fire so bright that it blazes brilliantly, with a classic, universal humanity. James Baldwin said, “You think your heartbreak is unprecedented in the world, and then you read. How To Be Alone is like that."— Bitch Media "Honest, hilarious, and deeply intimate. How to Be Alone is a profound first book from a truly talented writer."— Bustle "[How to be Alone] pulls no punches . . . Readers will find themselves in her stories, and even if they don’t, they will come away from this book having learned something. A great book for all ages but should be required reading for 20-somethings navigating young adulthood."— New York Post "[A] bracingly honest memoir...Moore is especially equipped to address the taboo of loneliness, along with other adult problems, with hilarity and aptness."— REFINERY 29 "Even if you don’t know Lane personally, she still feels like someone you’ve known for years. And that’s exactly what reading How to Be Alone feels like: having an honest conversation with an old friend."— Hello Giggles "In funny, super relatable, and smack-you-in-the-face-with-how-thoughtful-it-is prose, Moore talks about crushes, identity, feminism, and finding self-worth when everything inside you is telling you that you kind of suck. Funny enough, How to Be Alone made me feel a lot less alone."— Marie Claire "Enter Lane Moore, who is the cutest human, creating relatable comedic material that is so raw, you’ll want to cry and cuddle with her— partly because she point-blank states that she craves comfortable, platonic cuddling, and partly because you’ve realized, while reading, how much you crave it, too."— Sometimes Snarky "It might sound like a downer, but she manages to add a lot of humor along the way."— Bustle "While Moore is delving into some of the most difficult moments of her life, she does it with wit and humor in a way that makes this book an enjoyable read."— BITCH MAGAZINE "How to Be Alone by Lane Moore isn’t a self-help book or one about mental illness but I included it because I think you might find some encouragement within the pages of this book."— All the Good Books

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Book SynopsisIn his first full-length autobiography, comedy legend and national treasure Billy Connolly reveals the truth behind his windswept and interesting life.Born in a tenement flat in Glasgow in 1942, orphaned by the age of 4, and a survivor of appalling abuse at the hands of his own family, Billy's life is a remarkable story of success against all the odds.Billy found his escape first as an apprentice welder in the shipyards of the River Clyde. Later he became a folk musician - a 'rambling man' - with a genuine talent for playing the banjo. But it was his ability to spin stories, tell jokes and hold an audience in the palm of his hand that truly set him apart.As a young comedian Billy broke all the rules. He was fearless and outspoken - willing to call out hypocrisy wherever he saw it. But his stand-up was full of warmth, humility and silliness too. His startling, hairy 'glam-rock' stage appearance - wearing leotards, scissor suits and banana boots - only added to his appeal.It was an appearance on Michael Parkinson's chat show in 1975 - and one outrageous story in particular - that catapulted Billy from cult hero to national star. TV shows, documentaries, international fame and award-winning Hollywood movies followed. Billy's pitch-perfect stand-up comedy kept coming too - for over 50 years, in fact - until a double diagnosis of cancer and Parkinson's Disease brought his remarkable live performances to an end. Since then he has continued making TV shows, creating extraordinary drawings... and writing.Windswept and Interesting is Billy's story in his own words. It is joyfully funny - stuffed full of hard-earned wisdom as well as countless digressions on fishing, farting and the joys of dancing naked. It is an unforgettable, life-affirming story of a true comedy legend.'I didn't know I was Windswept and Interesting until somebody told me. It was a friend who was startlingly exotic himself. He'd just come back from Kashmir and was all billowy shirt and Indian beads. I had long hair and a beard and was swishing around in electric blue flairs.He said: "Look at you - all windswept and interesting!"I just said: "Exactly!"After that, I simply had to maintain my reputation...'Trade ReviewBilly Connolly's long and vivid life makes for a joyous memoir * The Big Issue *There are a lot of laughs and love in the book, but a great grimness to it as well. * The I *This is everything a celebrity autobiography should be and more. * Scottish Mail on Sunday *

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Book SynopsisLife advice from a screen legend Arguably one of the most recognisable actresses of all time, this unauthorised collection of inspirational quotes demonstrates the spirit of a true style icon, and reflects on fashion, elegance, success, beauty and beyond. ---'All little girls should be told they are pretty, even if they aren't.''Who said nights were for sleep?''I don't mind making jokes, but I don't want to look like one.''I am not interested in money. I just want to be wonderful.'

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Book SynopsisWinner of the National Book Awards Autobiography of the YearThe long-awaited autobiography of one of Britain''s best-loved actors*As seen in David and Jay's Touring Toolshed on BBC Two*Born the son of a Billingsgate market porter at the height of the Second World War, David Jason spent his early life dodging bombs and bullies, both with impish good timing. Giving up on an unloved career as an electrician, he turned his attention to acting and soon, through a natural talent for making people laugh, found himself working with the leading lights of British comedy in the 1960s and ''70s: Eric Idle, Michael Palin, Bob Monkhouse and Ronnie Barker. Barker would become a mentor to David, leading to hugely successful stints in Porridge and Open All Hours.It wasn''t until 1981, kitted out with a sheepskin jacket, a flat cap, and a clapped-out Reliant Regal, that David found the part that would capture the nation''s hearts: the beloved Derek ''Del Boy'' Trotter in Only Fools and Horses. Never a one-trick pony, he had an award-winning spell as TV''s favourite detective Jack Frost, took a country jaunt as Pop Larkin in the Darling Buds of May, and even voiced a crime-fighting cartoon rodent in the much-loved children''s show Danger Mouse.But life hasn''t all been so easy: from missing out on a key role in Dad''s Army to nearly drowning in a freak diving accident, David has had his fair share of ups and downs, and has lost some of his nearest and dearest along the way.David''s is a touching, funny and warm-hearted story, which charts the course of his incredible five decades at the top of the entertainment business. He''s been a shopkeeper and a detective inspector, a crime-fighter and a market trader, and he ain''t finished yet. As Del Boy would say, it''s all cushty.Trade ReviewAs good as it gets ... so much on every page ... a great, great book. * Chris Evans *It's a romp of a chronicle, a life according to Del Boy, the ultimate cheeky chappy. * Daily Telegraph *Jason's account of his 'busy and fulfilling life' is as genuinely genial as the man himself ... his hugely likeable memoirs reveal he's had the last laugh. * Daily Mail - Book of the Week *The book is terrific. * Richard Bacon *How the son of a market porter gave up a career as an electrician to become one of Britain's most successful and best loved actors ... the long awaited story... * Independent *

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Book Synopsis'Well-researched ... I was fascinated' Roger Lewis, Daily MailFrom its debut in 1962, Edward Albee's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? was a wild success and a cultural lightning rod. The play transpires over one long, boozy night, laying bare the lies, compromises, and scalding love that have sustained a middle-aged couple through decades of marriage. It scandalised critics but magnetised audiences. Then, Hollywood took a colossal gamble on Albee's sophisticated play and won. Co-starring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, the sensational 1966 film won five Oscars. How this scorching play became a movie classic-surviving censorship attempts, its creators' inexperience, and its stars' own tumultuous marriage, is one of the most riveting stories in all of cinema. Acclaimed author Philip Gefter traces Woolf from its hushed origins in Greenwich Village, through its tormented production process, to its explosion onto scree

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Book Synopsis''Enlightening Funny, smart, original and provocative ... It is hard to imagine the stalwarts of Mock the Week recognising the Druze militia leader Walid Jumblatt in a London cinema'' NEW STATESMAN''Few standups have come close to capturing a fraction of this creative energy in a book Alexei Sayle is an exception'' GUARDIANWhat I brought to comedy was an authentic working-class voice plus a threat of genuine violence - nobody in Monty Python looked like a hard case who'd kick your head in.In 1971, comedians on the working men''s club circuit imagined that they would be free to continue telling their tired, racist, misogynistic gags forever. But their nemesis, a nineteen-year-old Marxist art student, was slowly coming to meet themThatcher Stole My Trousers chronicles a time when comedy and politics united in electrifying ways. Recounting the founding of the Comedy Store, the Comic Strip and the Young OTrade ReviewEnlightening … Funny, smart, original and provocative ... It is hard to imagine the stalwarts of Mock the Week recognising the Druze militia leader Walid Jumblatt in a London cinema … Compared to today’s comics and the unctuous 1970s Variety Club of Great Britain golf club elite, Sayle – baleful, menacing, intelligent – comes over as a bloke whose company one might seek out, whether he cared or not. He is a master of the flashing en passant insult. I laughed out loud * New Statesman *Few standups have come close to capturing a fraction of this creative energy in a book … Alexei Sayle is an exception … The reader is left with a lesson so often imparted in the standup’s foray into memoir: comedy is no laughing matter * Guardian, Book of the Day *I devoured the first chapters of Sayle’s terrific second volume of memoirs … Thatcher Stole My Trousers, but he changed my life **** * Mail on Sunday *Thatcher Stole My Trousers deals with the birth of stand-up as we understand it in the UK … I really, really enjoyed this, I thought it was brilliant ... Laugh-out-loud * Stewart Lee *The inventor of alternative comedy * David Baddiel *Comedy underwent seismic change in the 1980s, and Alexei Sayle was at the forefront of it … Thatcher Stole My Trousers, is full of self-accusation, pratfalls, memories of idiocy and delusion, all built up for comic effect. But about his debut he is deadly serious: he knows he helped change the tone of British comedy. He blazed a trail for a new generation of punkish comic violence (such as The Young Ones) and politically engaged stand-up, that consigned to oblivion the old gag-merchants; he effectively silenced the humour of mothers-in-law, tits, arses, Pakis, micks and poofs * Independent *An unexpected delight. All those lefty stand-up comedians who monopolise the funny stuff now: their style started with Alexei Sayle and his comrades of the 1980s ... It is not packed with one-liners. It is much funnier than that ... Observant and wry * Independent *Sayle relates an endless stream of entertaining anecdotes ... An affectionate account of a group of performers who transformed British comedy * Sunday Times *An interesting social history here as comedy and politics come together in the late 1970s and his work with The Comic Strip and The Young Ones takes centre stage. It’s fascinating to watch Sayle battle with his principles * Observer *Alternative comedy’s erstwhile ranter-in-chief has mellowed with age but expect a few residual flecks of spleen * Daily Telegraph *The granddaddy of alternative comedy… Takes potshots at the establishment and his comrades. Laced with his trademark corrosive wit * Shortlist *This century he has reinvented himself as a writer. A good one too. Thatcher Stole My Trousers is a pleasure to read * Herald *Brilliantly funny * Waitrose Weekend *A combative return for a pioneer of alternative comedy … Anarchic * Yorkshire Post *

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Book SynopsisSpanning 1979-1987, The Fry Chronicles charts Stephen Fry''s arrival at Cambridge up to his thirtieth birthday. ''Heartbreaking, a delight, a lovely, comfy book'' The Times ''Perfect prose and excruciating honesty. A grand reminiscence of college and theatre and comedyland in the 1980s, with tone-perfect anecdotes and genuine readerly excitement. What Fry does, essentially, is tell us who he really is. Above all else, a thoughtful book. And namedroppy too, and funny, and marbled with melancholy'' Observer ''Arguably the greatest living Englishman'' Independent on Sunday ''Extremely enjoyable'' Sunday Times ''Fry''s linguistic facility remains one of the Wildean wonders of the new media age. The patron saint of British intelligence'' Daily TelegraphWelcome to Stephen Fry''s The Fry Chronicles, one of the boldest, bravest, most revealing and heartfelt accounts of a man''s formativ

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Book SynopsisSpanning 1979-1987, The Fry Chronicles charts Stephen Fry''s arrival at Cambridge up to his thirtieth birthday. ''Heartbreaking, a delight, a lovely, comfy book'' The Times ''Perfect prose and excruciating honesty. A grand reminiscence of college and theatre and comedyland in the 1980s, with tone-perfect anecdotes and genuine readerly excitement. What Fry does, essentially, is tell us who he really is. Above all else, a thoughtful book. And namedroppy too, and funny, and marbled with melancholy'' Observer ''Arguably the greatest living Englishman'' Independent on Sunday ''Extremely enjoyable'' Sunday Times ''Fry''s linguistic facility remains one of the Wildean wonders of the new media age. The patron saint of British intelligence'' Daily TelegraphWelcome to Stephen Fry''s The Fry Chronicles, one of the boldest, bravest, most revealing and heartfelt accounts of a man''s formativ

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Book SynopsisA hilarious, heartfelt memoir about one woman's midlife obsession with Benedict Cumberbatch, and the liberating power of reclaiming our passions as we age, whatever they may be.Tabitha Carvan was a new mother, at home with two young children, when she fell for the actor Benedict Cumberbatch. You know the guy: strange name, alien face, made Sherlock so sexy that it became one of the most streamed shows in the world? The force of her fixation took everyone especially Carvan herself by surprise. But what she slowly realised was that her preoccupation was not with Benedict Cumberbatch at all. It was about finally feeling passionate about something, anything, at a point in her life when she had lost touch with her own identity. Turns out that a little bit of obsession can go a long way This Is Not a Book About Benedict Cumberbatch explores what happens to women's desires after we leave adolescence, and why the space in our lives for pure, unadulterated joy is squeezed ever smaller as we aTrade Review“Remember that feeling you had as a kid, when you loved things wholeheartedly, boldly, and loudly? If you feel a sense that there is something missing from your life, some gap between who you are on the inside and who you are on the outside, then this is the book for you.” Eve Rodsky, author of Find Your Unicorn Space and Fair Play “this year’s most hilarious self-help book.” Daily Mail

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Book SynopsisTrade Review“[Gabrielle Union’s] written a book of essays as raw and honest as anyone has ever produced. In this fantastic book, she discusses everything from sexual assault to the complexity of money in relationships to infertility (plus all the extra gossip you crave). Gab has not only excused the demons of her two-decade career, but she’s turned the exercise into primal scream therapy for her fans. As witty, warm, and assured on the page as she is in person, this book lives somewhere between Nora Ephron and Eve Babitz, with a touch of Audre Lorde’s radical awareness.” — Lena Dunham, Lenny Letter “searing and powerful” — Washington Post “We’re Going to Need More Wine is a collection of funny and emotional essays...Union gets real about everything” — USA Today “stunning...an affirmation of [Union’s] uncanny insight and profound capacity for empathy.” — Entertainment Weekly “Moving” — Glamour “[A] thought-provoking, funny, tell-it-like-it-is essay collection” — Cosmopolitan “I have gotten the pleasure to know Gabrielle over the years and besides the fact that she loves to drink, I’ve always taken comfort in how much we have in common. The predilection to go from talking about the latest humiliating sexual position to a debate on politics or racism, that’s exactly what this book felt like to me, an honest conversation with Gabrielle about her life. I appreciate her integrity, love her humor and openness about her life. I also love the fact that she’s older than me . . . Go, girl.” — Chelsea Handler, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Uganda Be Kidding Me “I love this woman and her book.” — Mindy Kaling, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Why Not Me? “We’re Going to Need More Wine is honest, raw, and funny. Union’s vulnerability about her flaws and mistakes, and also pride in her triumphs, will not only make you feel as though you’re seeing yourself reflected, but will also inspire you to be your most authentic self.” — Phoebe Robinson, New York Times bestselling author of You Can’t Touch My Hair “A hilarious and moving memoir from a natural storyteller. Gabrielle Union explores love, family, trauma and racial identity in a book that somehow manages to be both heartbreakingly honest and laugh-out-loud funny.” — Brit Bennett, New York Times bestselling author of The Mothers “With honesty and humor, Union bares her soul and shares her levels of insecurity, the difficulties of being a black woman in Hollywood, and the way fame has changed her life. She embraces many multilayered issues in these intimate essays, giving readers glimpses of insight into her soul.” — Kirkus Reviews “[Gabrielle] Union is warm, outspoken, laugh-out-loud funny…This is sure to be a crowd-pleaser, and deservedly so.” — Booklist (Starred Review) “This sparkling book collects amusing and heartbreaking stories from the life of actress Union...[her] no-holds-barred essays and intimate voice will appeal to her fans as well as those less familiar with her work.” — Publishers Weekly “Union invites readers into her world with honesty, grit, and grace. A much-needed addition to the endless catalog of celebrity memoirs.” — Library Journal (starred review)

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Book SynopsisHe was the very first icon of the silver screen, and is one of the most recognisable faces in Hollywood, even a hundred years on from his first film. But what of the man behind the moustache? The director holding the camera as well as acting in front of it?Peter Ackroyd''s new biography turns the spotlight on Chaplin''s life as well as his work, from his humble theatrical beginnings in music halls to winning an honorary Academy Award. Everything is here, from the glamour of his golden age to the murky scandals of the 1940s and eventual exile to Switzerland. This masterful brief life offers fresh revelations about one of the most familiar faces of the last century and brings the Little Tramp into vivid colour.Trade ReviewHaunting... Brilliant and unsparing -- Simon Callow * Guardian *Compact, engrossing, intelligent -- John Carey * Sunday Times *Chaplin's rise makes an enthralling story, and it's one perfectly suited to Peter Ackroyd's prodigious and idiosyncratic talents... Ackroyd acknowledges Chaplin's many human failings, while at the same time giving us a vivid sense of what made the man a genius -- Lucy Hughes-Hallett * The Telegraph *A beautifully judged book, driven by a powerful sense of life’s sadness -- Craig Brown * Mail on Sunday *[A] fine biography… The luxury of a short book about a vast life cannot be overestimated -- Susie Boyt * Financial Times *

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Book SynopsisMARILYN MONROE is the most celebrated and controversial female icon of the 20th century. At last, Donald Spoto has produced an acclaimed biography worthy of this extraordinary and unforgettable star.With access to more than 35,000 pages of formerly sealed documents and interviews with 150 people who have never spoken on record before, Spoto''s definitive biography reveals the truth behind the myths and speculations surrounding Marilyn''s life and death. He exposes the falsehoods and casts new light on every aspect of Marilyn Monroe''s 36 years: her dramatic childhood; her marriages; her relationships with movie moguls; politicians, poets, artists and statesmen. But most astonishing of all, he presents the reality of her death - more horrifying than anything a Hollywood screenwriter could have devised.Moving, often shocking, always absorbing, Marilyn Monroe will stand as the ultimate and compulsively readable biography of the woman who continues to enthrall millions.''Not just sensational, but sensationally good'' - Sunday Telegraph''At long last Marilyn Monroe has found her knight in shining armour...[her] true story has been revealed'' - Daily Mirror''An impressive reminder of the tough, triumphalist Norma Jean...for once she has a biographer worthy of her'' - JULIE BURCHILL, Sunday Times

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Book SynopsisIn One-Man Band, the third volume in his epic survey of Orson Welles' life and work, Simon Callow again probes in comprehensive and penetrating detail into one of the most complex artists of the twentieth century, looking closely at the triumphs and failures of an ambitious one-man assault on one medium after another theatre, radio, film, television, even, at one point, ballet in each of which his radical and original approach opened up new directions and hitherto unglimpsed possibilities.The book begins with Welles' self-exile from America, and his realisation that he could only function happily as an independent film-maker, a one-man band; by 1964, he had filmed Othello, which took three years to complete, Mr Arkadin, the biggest conundrum in his output, and his masterpiece Chimes at Midnight, as well as Touch of Evil, his sole return to Hollywood and, like all too many of his films, wrested from his grasp and re-edited. Along the way Trade ReviewOne Man Band gathers strength page by page. This is by far the funniest volume of the three, and in some ways the most revelatory. The more vulnerable Welles becomes, the more vivid Callow’s writing. The fear was always that a description of Welles’ later years would be depressing. But this is that rare thing: a book about decline which is actually exhilarating -- David HareOne Man Band gathers strength page by page. This is by far the funniest volume of the three, and in some ways the most revelatory. The more vulnerable Welles becomes, the more vivid Callow’s writing. The fear was always that a description of Welles’ later years would be depressing. But this is that rare thing: a book about decline which is actually exhilarating -- David HareA biography as huge as if it had been fed a Welles-style diet of roasted chicken and foie gras -- Victoria Segal * Sunday Times *Callow continuously strikes to the quick and the essential in Welles -- Michael Coveney * Independent *Impeccably detailed research peppered with anecdotes and […] his witty conversational style -- Kevin Maher * The Times *

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Book SynopsisA silent comedy star whose legendary slapstick routines are recognisable to this day, Charles ''Charlie'' Chaplin''s My Autobiography is an incomparably vivid account of the life of one of the greatest filmmakers and comedians, with an introduction by David RobinsonAs a child, Charlie Chaplin was awed and inspired by the sight of glamorous vaudeville stars passing his home, and from then on he never lost his ambition to become an actor. Chaplin''s film career as the Little Tramp adored by the whole world is the stuff of legend, but this frank autobiography shows another side. Born into a theatrical family, Chaplin''s father died of drink while his mother, unable to bear the poverty, suffered from bouts of insanity. From a childhood of grinding poverty in the south London slums, Chaplin found an escape in his early debut on the music hall stage, followed by his lucky break in America, the founding of United Artists with D.W. Griffith and Douglas Fairbanks, the struggle to maintain artistic control over his work, the string of failed marriages, and his eventual exile from Hollywood after personal scandals and persecution for his left-wing politics during the McCarthy Era.Sir Charles ''Charlie'' Chaplin (1895-1976) was born in Walworth, London. Best known for his work in silent film, his most famous role was The Little Tramp, a universally recognisable and iconic character who appeared in films such as The Kid (1921), The Gold Rush (1925) and City Lights (1931). His other films include Modern Times (1936), a commentary on the Great Depression, and The Great Dictator (1940), a satirical attack on Hitler and the Nazis.If you enjoyed My Autobiography, you might like Andy Warhol''s The Philosophy of Andy Warhol, also available in Penguin Modern Classics.''Tells so much about this curious, difficult man ... a wonderfully vivid imagination''The New York Times''The only genius to come out of the movie industry''George Bernard Shaw

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Book SynopsisNo, Groucho is not my real name, I''m just breaking it in for a friend.'' Presenting the greatest and most hilarious examples of Groucho, one of the most influential and well-loved figures in the long and glittering history of comedy. From early scripts to complete screenplays, from magazine funnies to fascinating personal correspondence, via books, greedy banks, even greedier lawyers and the coming of television, Kanfer''s collection captures the essence of Groucho''s inimitable comic genius. ''I never forget a face, but in your case I''ll make an exception...

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Book SynopsisFascinating and extraordinary, thrilling and poignant, My Judy Garland Life will speak to anyone who has ever nursed an obsession or held a candle to a star.Judy Garland has been an important figure in Susie Boyt''s life since she was three years old, comforting, inspiring and at times disturbing her. In this unique book, Boyt travels deep into the underworld of hero worship, reviewing through the prism of Judy our understanding of rescue, consolation, love, grief and fame. What does it mean to adore someone you don''t know? What is the proper husbandry of a twenty-first century obsession?Boyt''s journey takes in a duetting breakfast with Mickey Rooney, a Munchkin luncheon, tea with the largest collector of Garlandia, an illicit late-night spree at the Minnesota Judy Garland Museum and a breathless, semi-sacred encounter with Miss Liza Minnelli . . .Trade ReviewI'm blown away by this book . . . endlessly thoughtful, moving and entertaining . . . the writing is superb - Joseph O'Neill, author of NETHERLANDThe book defies definition . . . it is a bold experiment that sets out to map the boundaries of celebrity obsession, and somewhere along the way discovers what it means to be human . . . beautiful, heart stopping writing - Viv Groskop, OBSERVERWhat a self-deprecating, funny, moving, entertaining read it is, a mad love letter from Susie Boyt to Judy Garland . . . It makes for a new kind of memoir - Ali Smith, THE TIMES

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Book SynopsisRob Lowe is a film and television actor and producer. He also is involved in politics. He lives with his wife and two sons in California.Trade ReviewA slick, seemingly confidential portrayal of a complex, charismatic actor * The Times *Engaging and revealing * Spectator *Compelling -- Mariella Frostrup * Observer *Fascinating... thoughtful... compelling * Heat *A lovely autobiography, equal parts dish and pathos * Vanity Fair *

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Book SynopsisHer Again is an intimate look at the artistic coming of age of the greatest actress of her generation, from the homecoming float at her suburban New Jersey high school to her star-making roles in The Deer Hunter, Manhattan, and Kramer vs. Kramer. Michael Schulman charts Meryl Streep's rise stardom on the New York stage, her passionate, tragically short-lived love affair with John Cazale, and her evolution as a young woman of the 1970s, wrestling with changing ideas of feminism, marriage, love, and sacrifice.

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Book Synopsis''Stephen Hough''s memoir had me gripped from the beginning . . . riveting and revelatory. Most memoirs give me far more than I want to know this is the rare sort that left me urgently demanding a second volume, a third, a fourth. I loved it.' Philip Pullman Stephen Hough is indisputably one of the world''s leading pianists, winning global acclaim and numerous awards.This memoir recounts his unconventional coming-of-age story, from his beginnings in an unmusical home in Cheshireto the main stage of Carnegie Hall in New York aged 21. We read of his early love-affair with the piano which curdled, after a teenage nervous breakdown, into failure at school and six-hours a day watching television, engulfed in dreams, seesawing between sexual and religious obsessions.We meet his supportive, if eccentric parents - his artistically frustrated father, his housework-hating mother. We read of the teachers who encouraged and inspired, and others who hit him on the head sc

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