Peter Sellers was a genius, whose unique mastery created enduring comic characters. But behind the man that could make the world laugh was a tragic sadness. Employing his creations as masks to hide behind, Sellers was convinced his own life was meaningless and empty.

Acclaimed (On Sunset Boulevard - the story of Billy WIlder) biographer Ed Sikov has spoken to many who knew and worked with Sellers, including Sophia Loren, Goldie Hawn, and Roman Polanski. Sikov reveals how Sellers was a casualty of his own insecurities and used his public persona to mask his tormented private life, littered with four marriages (and three divorces), countless affairs, and drug and alcohol abuse.

This is the authoritative and touching story of a majestic comedian, showing the very private face of a man whose world was lived through the public arena.

'An authoritative biography and a compulsive page turner.' Michael Palin, New York Times

'Sikov's book is often melancholy, but always informative, and entertaining... They don't really make 'em like that any more - you can't get the wood you know' Simon Louvish, Guardian

See all Product Description

Tag this product

(What's this?)

Think of a tag as a keyword or label you consider is strongly related to this product.
Tags will help all customers organize and find favorite items.

What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

	71% buy the item featured on this page: Mr Strangelove: A Biography of Peter Sellers 3.0 out of 5 stars (3)
	29% buy The Life and Death of Peter Sellers 3.0 out of 5 stars (12) �8.14

Explore similar items

Customer Reviews

3 Reviews

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

Average Customer Review

3.0 out of 5 stars (3 customer reviews)

Share your thoughts with other customers:

Create your own review

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Mr Strangelove - something new?, 21 Oct 2002

By	Mrs. L. Etherington "Lorraine" (London) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Mr.Strangelove: A Biography of Peter Sellers (Hardcover)

Having read every book written about the maverick Sellers, I was watering at the mouth in anticipation of the release of this. Some 20 years after his untimely death, there are numerous books on the market to choose from (some now deleted, some still selling well) - from accounts by his son to close friends and work colleagues, the man himself is covered from every angle (with the possible exception of a wife - come on Anne Hayes, you are best placed to do this).
Unfortunately, my anticipation was ill-placed. Although very well written, 'Mr Strangelove' doesn't offer anything new on the subject and disappointingly, seems to be codged together using material from previous books and quotes from the excellent Arena 3 part documentary on Peter. There doesn't seem to be any new material here at all - no effort seems to have been made to interview any of the many people who featured in Peter's life (although I am sure they are sick to death of offering words on Peter - having done it so many times now).
If anyone is to write another book about this subject, it has to offer something new and fresh and alternative to the biographies that have gone before. For anyone looking for a good book on Peter, you'd be better placed to read 'PS I love you' by Michael Sellers or the touching 'Remembering Peter Sellers' by Graham Stark. A well written effort by Sikov but that's all - and not enough to make a good book.

Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining, 28 May 2008

By	Mr. J. P. Shields "guitar george" (essex) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I really enjoyed this book. An amusing account of a very talented actor.
His talent for accents in particular has never been matched. There is some footage of him in rehearsals for Dr Strangelove messing about with different accents and it is astonishing he really nails them all, West Country, Yorkshire, several different London accents etc etc.

Anyway, back to the book - a funny, tragic book about a funny, tragic person. Despite his talent and success he wasn't and messed up most of his marriages by being completely well, mad really.
It may cover ground mentioned by other material but I you haven't seen or read that material as I haven't then that doesn't matter really.
Its depiction of the glamorous circles that Sellers moved in at the height of his career is one of it's best points.
I have knocked off a star for the fact that much of the interviews seemed to be cobbled together from other sources rather than carried out by the writer himself, but as has been said by other reviewers some people who knew him will be fed up to the back teeth of talking about Peter Sellers, so getting interviews can't be easy.
Also, many people who knew him are now dead or decidedly long in the tooth, which can't help.

Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Nothing new, maybe, but..., 28 Mar 2006

By	M. G. Jones "the_marquis" (UK) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

A fascinating read of the fascinating, and perhaps rather sinister, life of Peter Sellers.

He seems so likeable in his many comedy roles but he was, according to this book, a right royal pain in the butt! Insecure, needy and spiteful but also charismatic, lovable and loved, the subject of this biography lived through interesting times. I love to read about the entertainment industry during the fifties and sixties, to gain an insight into the times, and Sellers mixed with the low and high echelons of the British and American movie industry.

A well written book, apart from the strange use of '20th Century'. I would always write *the* 20th Century, but for some reason Sikov just writes 20th Century; thus, 'he was one of the great comic actors of 20th Century'. Put me right off my stride.

Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)

Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review

› See all 3 customer reviews...

.jsOffDisplayBlock { display: block; } .jsOffDisplayInline { display: inline; } .jsOffVisibility { visibility: visible; } .jsOnDisplayBlock { display: none; } .jsOnDisplayNoneBlock { display: block; } .jsOnDisplayNoneInline { display: inline; } .jsOnDisplayInline { display: none; } .jsOnVisibility { visibility: hidden; } .jqOnDisplayBlock { display: none; } .jqOnDisplayInline { display: none; } .jqOnVisibility { visibility: hidden; } .jqOnDisplayNoneBlock { display: block; } .jqOnDisplayNoneInline { display: inline; }

Customer Discussions

This product's forum

Discussion	Replies	Latest Post
No discussions yet

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight

Active discussions in related forums

Discussion	Replies	Latest Post
biography A book for a man who doesn't usually read?	8	5 hours ago
biography Reading and Chocolate?	35	7 hours ago
biography any suggestions for a new read	21	21 hours ago
biography Books that made you laugh out loud.	213	1 day ago
biography Any thoughts on the 4th estate imprint?	1	1 day ago
biography Best new book on the block.	13	1 day ago
biography Best Biography?	145	1 day ago