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Product Description
Review
* 'An immensely enjoyable, witty and racy memoir (Sunday Times * 'Forthright, bawdy and often hilarious, zany and zestful, his anecdotes should keep you entertained for hours’ )
Sunday Express --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.
Sunday Express --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.
Book Description
David Niven's first volume of autobiography, which has sold over 5 million copies worldwide
--This text refers to the
Audio CD
edition.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
48 of 49 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Are you looking for an excellent read which will make you or someone in your life laugh? Then look no further. The Moon's a Balloon (and "Bring on the Empty Horses!") are two of the funniest and most satisfying book I have ever read.
David Niven was not always a star. He had to go away and learn his trade in "B" movies before being allowed to enter the big time. He learnt that trade so well he eventually won an Oscar. Unlike some who were destined to become greats of Hollywood, he also put his entire acting career on hold whilst he served as an officer in a fighting unit throughout WW2. This book tells the first half of his life's story and what a story it is. Like every biography ever written, the best bits are not found at the beginning, so some readers, therefore, might find it slow going at first - though most will not. Then we meet the rich and famous stars of Hollywood from another era and learn a little about each of these people and their various relationships as we move from one to another and sometimes back again.
Written in David Niven's own hilarious style, there is so much humour here that you "will" find yourself insisting others read this book. In fact, it is so funny - especially his descriptions of the wrong use of English words by foreign movie directors, one finishes the book in the knowledge that had David Niven not become an Oscar-winning movie star, he would easily have achieved great success as a writer.
Refreshingly, Niven writes about his fellow personalities from that golden age of the Hollywood of yester-year with charming frankness. Where others might expose drunkenness or sordid behaviour, Niven simply makes us laugh and, in so doing you really do get the feeling that those of whom he speaks would approve.
The underlying theme, of course, is David Niven's life and, as one reviewer has said elsewhere, this book leaves you wishing you had met this man. Me too.
NM
David Niven was not always a star. He had to go away and learn his trade in "B" movies before being allowed to enter the big time. He learnt that trade so well he eventually won an Oscar. Unlike some who were destined to become greats of Hollywood, he also put his entire acting career on hold whilst he served as an officer in a fighting unit throughout WW2. This book tells the first half of his life's story and what a story it is. Like every biography ever written, the best bits are not found at the beginning, so some readers, therefore, might find it slow going at first - though most will not. Then we meet the rich and famous stars of Hollywood from another era and learn a little about each of these people and their various relationships as we move from one to another and sometimes back again.
Written in David Niven's own hilarious style, there is so much humour here that you "will" find yourself insisting others read this book. In fact, it is so funny - especially his descriptions of the wrong use of English words by foreign movie directors, one finishes the book in the knowledge that had David Niven not become an Oscar-winning movie star, he would easily have achieved great success as a writer.
Refreshingly, Niven writes about his fellow personalities from that golden age of the Hollywood of yester-year with charming frankness. Where others might expose drunkenness or sordid behaviour, Niven simply makes us laugh and, in so doing you really do get the feeling that those of whom he speaks would approve.
The underlying theme, of course, is David Niven's life and, as one reviewer has said elsewhere, this book leaves you wishing you had met this man. Me too.
NM
42 of 45 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
If, as a novelist, you set out to create a fictional character who is sublimely witty and supremely charismatic but who has a lively capability to disregard "acceptable behaviour" then the end product would surely mimic Niven.
Niven's anecdotes and recollection of experiences from early childhood through his schooling and military career had me enthralled and laughing out loud on more than a few occasions. Recalling his Hollywood years in the company of a "Who's Who" of the Silver Screen enlightens the reader perhaps too young to have followed his career at the time.
There is no doubt Niven lived his life to the full. Equally, be in no doubt that he has the skill and humour to write of his experiences and to keep the reader absorbed and cheered.
How I wish I had met David Niven. An aristocrtic "Diamond Geezer" of the highest order!
19 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I found this book hard to put down. This book gives an honest account of a most extraordinary man and his life from childhood to the height of his hollywood career. His meetings with Women of the night and some of the worlds most important political figures. A story of love, hate, tragedy and ill health.One of those "must read" books
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
a good read
this is a very funny and interesting read well worth getting if you are in your 50`s then you will know most of the people that
Published 1 month ago by sedgy
Book review
It's been at least 25 years since I first read this book and it is still one of the best biographies I've read. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Gere
The Moon's a Balloon
Hello,
I bought this book many years ago,
But I downloaded this book, it it still fresh and very good read.
Caldavy
I bought this book many years ago,
But I downloaded this book, it it still fresh and very good read.
Caldavy
Published 3 months ago by CALDAVY
Brilliant
Having been a admirer of David Nivens films for some time,I thought this book was absolutly brilliant.
A first class story teller.
A first class story teller.
Published 4 months ago by billaricky
The Moon's a Balloon
A fascinating insight into David Nivens career. Once you pick up the book you won't want to put it down until you finish it.
Published 5 months ago by Neil Roberts
autobiography by david niven the moons a balloon
i have read many film stars autobiographies over the years,but this book is by far the best i have read,from his early years in the army to the wonderful hollywood era ,where he... Read more
Published 7 months ago by morg
An autobiography full of surprises
This is the first of Niven's two volumes of autobiography. His pre-Hollywood life made fascinating reading. Born in London in 1910 he lost his father (a soldier) during WW1. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Helen Jane
Great Read
I found this book very entertaining and witty and I would recommend. Brings to life his environment as well as the characters.
Published 8 months ago by Lawsy
David Niven
Couldn't put this book down. What an interesting person he was, I am looking forward to reading his 2nd Autobiography as soon as I order it.
Published 9 months ago by Geo
So easy to read
The book is like a travelogue. It moves along from event to event in life. His early years are memorable (read to find out why). Read more
Published 9 months ago by Ian Hunter
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