About this title: This book 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".
Note: This is a general synopsis. Each listing is described below.
Description: Good. Former Library book. Shows some signs of wear, and may have some markings on the inside. Shipped to over one million happy customers. Your purchase benefits world literacy! read more
Description: Good. 0440158060 Good condition paperback book, some creases to spine, some edge/corner rubs, may have corner crease, small edge tear or spine slant, a good book for reading. Shop & Save With US. read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Coronet Books
Date Published: 1972
Description: VG Used, Very Good in VG jacket. PAPERBACK, VG/VG, Coronet Books, 1972, 6.5 oz. This copy has visible but minimal creasing of the spine, is in otherwise Very Good condition. Note: expect tanning of any paperback more than a few years old, regardless of condition. read more
Description: Very Good. B000MYVBRA Great condition paperback book, clean pages, mild creases to spine, some edge/corner rubs, this book is GREAT! Shop & Save With US. read more
Edition: 1st Dell Printing
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Dell, New York
Date Published: 1972
Description: Photo Illustrated. Good + 4 x 7 paperback book. Orange-red and light green lettering on the white spine with a black and white photo illustrated cover. David Niven's autobiography. 350 pages. 1st Dell Printing. Cover soil, wear, creases, pages browning. Stain, some soil on innerboards. Good + condition. read more
Edition: Large Print edition
Binding: hardcover
Publisher: Magna Print Books
Date Published: 1976
ISBN-13:9780860090564ISBN:0860090566
Description: Fair ex-library/associated marks/stickers, otherwise clean text; general wear; spine slant; two close tears at top of spine; Large Print; Unabridged; volume 2 only.; read more
Edition: 3rd Impression
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: G P Putnams Sons, New York
Date Published: 1972
Description: Very Good in Good jacket. EX-LIBRARY. EXPECTED MARKINGS AND ATTACHMENTS. PICTORIAL DUST JACKET WRAPPED IN MYLAR. BLUE HARDCOVER COVER WITH LIGHT STAINING. INTERIOR PAGES HAVE SLIGHT STAINING WITH LIBRARY STAMPS MARKED OUT, LIBRARY CARD HOLDER REMOVED. LIBRARY STICKERS CLIPPED FROM DUST JACKET. read more
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Octopus Books Limited
Date Published: 1985
ISBN-13:9780706421965ISBN:0706421965
Description: A wonderful copy with some minor edgewear to the cover. Dust Jacket has some edgewear present. -, Hard Cover, Very Good / Very Good. read more
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: BCA
Date Published: 1972
Description: Very Good. Decent hardback copy, without dustwrapper. No major defects-unabridged, clean, complete, not falling apart; some light wear. A perfectly good reading or reference copy. read more
"Niven, David. THE MOON'S A BALLOON. (1971). ****. An immediate best-seller when it was first published, Niven had spent thirty years in Hollywood and could drop names like nobody's business. This autobiography - descried by subsequent biographers as half fiction and half half-truth - traces his life from his youth and early school days through to his ultimate retirement from the film industry with his second wife. As Niven appeared on the screen, so he was in life: flouting authority and always ready with a quick witty riposte to any situation. There's lots here that would be confusing to most American readers, including the English public school system, the organization of the British army, and the usual British sports, including cricket and polo. You'll have to struggle through those sections to get to the parts most of us really wanted to read - those dealing with Hollywood and its industry. Niven arrived in Hollywood in 1934. He was a penniless newcomer enrolled as an extra: "Anglo-Saxon type No. 2008." Only a year later, he was receiving acting advice from Charles Chaplin, witnessing a fist-fight between Errol Flynn and some unruly extras, listening to Sam Goldyn's famous sayings ("include me out") and crewing Bogart's yacht, Santana. When war broke out, Niven gave up his burgeoning Hollywood career to return to Britain to enlist. Much of his claimed war service has been highly exaggerated in this book, but lots of it still remains impressive. He did manage to meet with Winston Churchill several times, and was once arrested by the military police for sending his girlfriend a telegram talking about his "secret weapon." After the war, Niven picked up his film career again. There were tragedies, too; the first being the death of his young wife Primmie. He later married again and his career continued to experience the ups and downs characteristic of his earlier life. It was only late in his career that he could claim to have it made and, ultimately, retire to Europe. This book makes for fascinating reading and a lot of fun. Recommended."
"Although this book was written way back in the 70's I did'nt read it until the late 90's and may well read it again - it is very funny, and he is very good writer, better than he was actor. First off it follows his Army Career in the First World War then goes on into his acting in low budget B movies in England i.e. the Pinewood and Ealing Studio movies of the 50's. Then he goes to Hollywood and starts to mingle with the Glamorous Hollywood set it becomes both hilarious and sad as you get an insight into the extraordinary lives these people lived out in the spotlight, long before the celebrity obsessed culture of today."
"David Niven certainly had an eventful life and he seemed to mix with interesting people from Hollywood stars to Winston Churchill. He comes across as a very charismatic and charming man and writes in a very amusing and self-deprecating manner. His life was full of ups and downs but he seems to have kept his sense of humour and decency throughout."
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