"The book meticulously covers Olivier's life in full, lurid, yet tasteful detail.
Frederick Davidson's narration is flawless. Davidson maintains the brilliance of the biography
with a superb performance that is every bit as wonderful as the book itself.The book glides
along, keeping the listener wanting to hear more."--AudioFile

"A magnificent, moving biography worthy of its protean subject, this resonant portrait defines
an actor whose personal upheavals fueled his intense realism on stage and screen.Critical
acumen matches psychological insight in this biography."--Publishers Weekly

Laurence Olivier was the most famous actor of his century and one of the greatest of all time.
His looks made him a matinee idol; his talent made him world renowned as an actor, director,
and producer. From his stage roles as Hamlet and Archie Rice to his screen roles as Heathcliff
and Henry V, his range was unparalleled. But beneath the glamorous image, Olivier was often
lonely, confused, and plagued by self-doubts.

In this revealing account, Spoto tells for the first time the truth about Olivier's three marriages:
to the diffident lesbian actress Jill Esmond, to the haunted and doomed Vivien Leigh, and to
the young Joan Plowright. Olivier also reveals his relationships with Noel Coward and Danny
Kaye, who loved him. Amid these personal dramas, Laurence Olivier's life encompasses the
history of the theater in our time. Based on formidable international research, this is a rich,
definitive biography.