Takes readers back to David Niven's childhood days, his humiliating expulsion from school and to his army years and wartime service. After the war, he returned to America and there came his Hollywood success in films such as "Wuthering Heights" and "Around the World in 80 Days".
The Moon's a Balloon
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* '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 an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Sunday Express --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Book Description
David Niven's first volume of autobiography, which has sold over 5 million copies worldwide
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
54 of 56 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 books 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
8 of 8 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 books 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
43 of 46 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
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!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Book
A must for all avid readers. I bought this as a requested pressie for my hubbie and he loved it
Published 19 days ago by S Wilson
5.0 out of 5 stars
the Moon's a Balloon
As well as being a brilliant actor David Niven also wrote this amazing autobiography. He shows how Hollywood was in the 1930 - 60's. Read more
Published 23 days ago by Moira Fairbrace
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Good laugh
Very funny interesting read for anyone who remembers David Niven and the Hollywood
stars of his day. Easy to read and a page turner.
stars of his day. Easy to read and a page turner.
Published 1 month ago by Patsy Nottingham
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic read
I will remember David Niven differently now! What a read! I loved every chapter and could not put it down.
Published 2 months ago by B Barnes
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful read
A very good read. David Niven is a very good story teller and humorous. Fascinating life he has lead from childhood to army to Hollywood to WW2 and back to Hollywood.
Published 2 months ago by Sooz
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great
A very funny book that I read when it was first published in hardback, nice to revisit on the kindle
Published 2 months ago by William Bath
5.0 out of 5 stars
/Great Read
Very succinct and entertaining book = well written and now will read other books by this author = excellent value
Published 3 months ago by shirley margaret smith
4.0 out of 5 stars
david nevin
What a lovely story this man has lived a life and there is honest story some sad but to listen how it turned out was great..
Published 3 months ago by mrs mara frampton
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Moons a Balloon
Hilarious, well written, a real inside look into the movie industry in the 30's, 40's and fifties. Niven should have written more books if they would all have been like this.
Published 3 months ago by Neville Crowson
5.0 out of 5 stars
The moon's a balloon
Bought this for my husband and he says it is brilliant!!Bit upsetting in places but that is life!!Thoroughly recommend it.
Published 3 months ago by Sandra Cutting
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