Philip Ziegler is one of Britain's leading biographers, who counts among his subjects two kings and four prime ministers. He has written for various newspapers and journals and was editorial director at Collins from 1979 to 1980.
'A triumph ... It succeeds, as far as is humanly possible, in bringing alive on the page Olivier's magnetic theatrical presence, which those who saw him act will never forget' John Carey, Sunday Times. * Sunday Times * 'An elegant and increasingly compelling book' Simon Callow, Guardian. * Guardian * 'Without adulation, sentimentality and or sneer, layer by layer as the 82 years of Olivier's life flow by Ziegler painstakingly uncovers a portrait of a real man. It is enthralling. I took it on holiday and could hardly bear to finish it ... tremendous' Libby Purves, The Times. * The Times * 'Philip Ziegler's splendid biography confirms the contention that Lord Olivier OM is as great a figure in the history of the English theatre as David Garrick or Sir Henry Irving' Economist. * Economist * 'Philip's book is the Larry I knew' Tarquin Olivier. * Tarquin Olivier *