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The Moon's a Balloon (Paperback)

by David Niven (Author)
4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
RRP: £8.99
Price: £5.74 & this item Delivered FREE in the UK with Super Saver Delivery. See details and conditions
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Product details

  • Paperback: 336 pages
  • Publisher: Penguin; New Ed edition (28 April 2005)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0140239243
  • ISBN-13: 978-0140239249
  • Product Dimensions: 17.6 x 11 x 2.2 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 3,693 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

    Popular in these categories:

    #32 in  Books > Music, Stage & Screen > Film > Biographies
    #32 in  Books > Biography > Film, Television & Music > Actors & Actresses
    #35 in  Books > Music, Stage & Screen > Performing Arts

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Product Description

Product Description

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".


About the Author

David Niven was born in London in 1910 and died in 1983. He was seen as the quintessential English gent.

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Customer Reviews

13 Reviews
5 star:
 (11)
4 star:
 (1)
3 star:
 (1)
2 star:    (0)
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Average Customer Review
4.8 out of 5 stars (13 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
67 of 68 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Simply a great read., 22 May 2006
By Ned Middleton (British professional underwater photo-journalist & author) - See all my reviews
(TOP 100 REVIEWER)   
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 well but, 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 do not happen at the beginning, so some readers, therefore, might find it slow going at first. Though many will not. But 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.

The underlying theme, of course, is David Niven's life and, as one reviewer has already said, this book leaves you wishing you had met this man. Me too.

NM

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31 of 33 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Has there ever been a more charismatic character?, 5 Jul 2000
By A Customer
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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14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars One of the most interesting books I have ever read !, 9 Feb 2000
By A Customer
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

5.0 out of 5 stars A most entertaining read!!!
David Niven's autobiography has been, according to the likes of Michael Munn's latest biography on Mr Niven - 'The other side of the balloon', undermined by apparent confessions... Read more
Published 11 days ago by Mr. Michael Diamond

3.0 out of 5 stars NIVENSFIRST WORK
This is a re-read of the book from the 70's, reminded me of a lot places and things of years ago. Gives an interesting insight to how actors got into the movie business and the... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Atha Fokias

5.0 out of 5 stars Book - David Niven - The Moon's A Balloon
A wonderfully funny and very interesting story of this great screen actor's life. I've read it 3 times and it still makes me laugh. Read more
Published 7 months ago by D. Wallace

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb!!!!
A thoroughly absorbing and outstanding book! Before reading this i only knew of David Niven the actor and not the highly eloquent and entertaining author that he also was... Read more
Published 8 months ago by D. Marsh

5.0 out of 5 stars First Biography
I picked this up to read on the train when I first started work and was the first biography I read. That was over fifteen years ago and I still remember much of this book. Read more
Published on 8 Feb 2007 by StyleeBob

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful
I first read this book when I was about 14 & try to read it at least once every couple of years. Its laugh out loud funny, touching & charming. Read more
Published on 31 Aug 2006 by Rebecca Longden

5.0 out of 5 stars If the moons a balloon then niven holds the balloon
I wasnt really interested in this book originally, my father had implored me to read it for the last 4 years however i havent seen any films with niven in and really wasnt... Read more
Published on 7 May 2004 by bella_beth86

5.0 out of 5 stars I wish I could have met him
Hugely enjoyable, funny, moving and painfully honest.

Probably the finest autobiography I have read. A must read. Would make an excellent present for almost anyone.

Published on 5 Dec 2000 by simon_23

5.0 out of 5 stars Has there ever been a more charismatic character?
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... Read more
Published on 5 Jul 2000

4.0 out of 5 stars Great collection of Hollywood anecdotes
David Niven was never more at home than amongst the 'beautiful people' of California during Holloywoods Golden Age. Read more
Published on 19 May 1999

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