Olivier Hardcover - 2014

Media reviews

“A well-rounded portrait of the legendary English actor . . . probably the best Olivier book for general readers.” —Kirkus Reviews

“This new book is… a triumph. Ziegler’s first biography of an actor, it glitters with theatrical life—the tensions, the triumphs, the backstage bitchery. He reduces a huge welter of sources to a crisp narrative, cracking with civilised irony. It is also balanced. Even Tynan, whom Ziegler obviously considers poisonous nuisance, is given praise when due. Above all it succeeds, as far as is humanly possible, in bringing alive on the page Olivier’s magnetic theatrical presence, which those who saw him act will never forget.”—John Carey, The Sunday Times

“Ziegler is an elegant, unfailingly lucid writer, his manner brisk and incisive . . . Ziegler has addressed Olivier the phenomenon in an elegant and increasingly compelling book.”—Simon Callow, The Guardian

"It enriched my sense of this amazing multi-faceted, multi-talented man."—Antonia Fraser, The Guardian

"Philip Ziegler is a master of biographical narrative. He tells the extraordinary story with fine judgment and the power of a born storyteller. Seldom has such exhaustive research been made so compellingly readable." —Award-winning author and biographer Michael Holroyd

"Olivier described himself in later life as 'a hollow man.' [Ziegler] captures some of the magnificent noise with which the actor spent his life filling that void."—The Daily Telegraph

"Informed, informative, exceptionally well written, Olivier is very highly recommended reading for his legions of fans."—Midwest Book Review