The Other Side of the Moon: Life of David Niven

A highly readable work ... Niven emerges as gallant and gracious. Chicago TribuneSheridan Morley wrote this biography of the consummate on-screen English gentleman after speaking to over 150 of Nivens friends and colleagues (only Rex Harrison refused). The result is a picture which both supports and contradicts the charming vagabond persona depicted in Nivens own bestselling memoirs.While millions throughout his life were enchanted by Nivens happy-go-lucky charisma and world-class anecdotage he was in many respects a private figure haunted by a fear of failure and a victim of several key tragedies in his personal life. Morleys biography is a warm appreciative but perceptive account which captures both sides of one of Hollywoods most enduringly lovable figures.a compassionate account that goes past the blithe persona ... yet there is much humor--the actors and his biographers--in this notable book Publishers WeeklyHead and shoulders above the average showbiz biography ... He understands many of Nivens deeper feelings John Mortimer Sunday TimesA well-told story ... the darker side as well as the mask of a complex and perhaps desperate character. He was a life-enhancer off-screen as well as on The TimesShrewd and pleasing; shows how dark Nivens moon could be Alexander Walker Evening Standard