David niven actor book the moon's a balloon

Niven followed it with a sequel bring on the empty horses in 1975 the book is a funny yet tragic tale, detailing everything from the loss of niven s father to his knowledge of. David niven collection 2 books set the moons a balloon. When the moons a balloon was first published in 1971, it received huge acclaim. Rich in hilarious anecdote, it tells the story of niven s school and sandhurst days. Beginning with the tragic early loss of his aristocratic father, then regaling us with tales of school, army and wartime hijinx, niven shows how, even as an unknown young man, he knew how to live the good life. In this book, mr niven tells the story of his early life in england, then his early career in hollywood, and then his service in wwii. He was one of britains best known actors and, in later years, a bestselling author his autobiography, the moon s a balloon which was first published in 1971, sold over 5 million copies worldwide. When i first read the moon s a balloon in the early 1970s, i convulsed with laughter, especially reading the maltese mess dinner story. David niven junior last saw his father a few months before his death at the movie stars spectacular villa overlooking the sea at cap ferrat in the south of france. Nov 24, 2003 it is lord s unlucky lot to correct the whoppers niven told throughout his life, especially in his relentlessly anecdotal autobiography, the moon s a balloon. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 327 pages and is available in paperback format. David niven biography birthday, trivia scottish actor. Up to 20 books are listed, in descending order of popularity. When i reread it recently, the same maltese story had me in fits.

I had earlier read his other book,bring on the empty horses,and found it immensely enjoyable. Rich in hilarious anecdote, it tells the story of nivens school and sandhurst days. His second book, bring on the empty horses is a compilation of stories about his famous friends. One of my favorite actors and the only english actor who left hollywood and. The moon s a balloon is the story of his life,which saw him serve in the army,become a bootlegger,work as a movie extra,fight in world war ii and become a major international movie star. The main characters of this biography, non fiction story are. Has anyone read the moon s a balloon by david niven. The moons a balloon by david niven and a great selection of related books. One of my favorite actors and the only english actor who left hollywood and returned to. Reveals the actor s dark side and drastically changes the lighthearted selfportrait that niven draws of himself in the moon s a balloon sunday express writer, actor, director and former journalist and hollywood publicist, michael munn, has written 21 books, including the best selling john wayne. Prior to reading this book, my only knowledge of david niven was as an actor in a few films i had seen. David niven was one of those authentic hollywood legends, with real life heroics that matched his reel adventures. James david graham niven, known as david niven, was an oscar winning english actor and novelist.

He was one of britains best known actors and, in later years, a bestselling author his autobiography. Isbn 9780440158066 9780440158066 softcover, dell pub co, 1983. Free download or read online the moons a balloon pdf epub book. He won the academy award for best actor for his performance in separate tables 1958. Explore books by david niven with our selection at. In 1971, he published his autobiography, the moons a balloon, which. The moons a balloon, 19701971 hjordis genberg niven. Books about niven, david, 1910 1983 what should i read next. The first edition of the novel was published in 1971, and was written by david niven. The moons a balloon by david niven cdaudio, 2009 for. The book became a classic and has gone on to sell over five million copies worldwide.

To generations of englishspeaking peoples he was more than a firstrate film actor. Michael parkinson show david niven interview parkinson. This is a charming and witty autobiography the first in a series this well known actor wrote about his life in the movies. Bring on the empty horses is the second part of david niven s internationally bestselling autobiography, following the superbly entertaining the moons a balloon. He has had one of the most varied lives, as well as one. About the author david niven was born in london in 1910. The first, round the rugged rocks, was a novel which appeared in 1951 and was forgotten almost at once. David niven s friend roger moore wrote that he told splendid stories,but he also embellished them. The moons a balloon was recommended to the highest level by an old aunt, and i must do likewise to anyone who enjoys superb writing, hugely entertaining and humorous stories, and dry wit of the highest calibre. I just watched him in one of his first starring roles, bachelor mother 1939rko opposite ginger rogers. Both books were highly acclaimed by the critics and remain as wonderful reminders of a muchloved actor who epitomised, for many, the essential british gent, even when surrounded by. On at least one occasion he put in a transatlantic phonecall to douglas fairbanks jnr.

There have been several editions and many translations of the book over the years. He was married twice, and had two sons by his first wife and two daughters by his second. He wrote two autobiographies, the moons a balloon 1971 and bring on the empty horses 1975, and had two shows on television. In the 1970s niven published two humorous autobiographies of his life in the movies, the moons a balloon 1971. Rich in hilarious anecdote, it tells the story of niven s school and sandhurst days, his posting to malta with the highland light infantry, and how he escaped the army for a new life in the states. The moon s a balloon is a bestselling memoir by british actor david niven 19101983, published in 1971. Its the memoir of british actor david niven, published in 1971, and describes his childhood, his time in the army, and then his subsequent relocation to hollywood, where he became a successful actor for that period, playing the quintessential. Bring on the empty horses is the second part of david niven s internationally bestselling autobiography, following the superbly entertaining the moon s a balloon.

David niven then goes on to describe in some detail how nessie, a tart with heart, popped his virginity. I can speak for the whole family when i say we have found happiness here. When i found the moons a balloona david niven autobiography on a used book sale rack i couldnt help but laugh. One of the bestselling memoirs of all time, david niven s the moon s a balloon is an account of one of the most remarkable lives hollywood has ever seen beginning with the tragic early loss of his aristocratic father, then regaling us with tales of school, army and wartime hijinx, niven shows how, even as an unknown young man, he knew how to live the good life. David nivens friend roger moore wrote that he told splendid stories,but he also embellished them. Beginning with the tragic early loss of his aristocratic father, then regaling us with tales of school, army and wartime hijinx, niven shows how, even as an unknown young man, he knew how to. Get the best deal by comparing prices from over 100,000 booksellers. One of the bestselling memoirs of all time, david niven s the moon s a balloon is an account of one of the most remarkable lives hollywood has ever seen.

Both books were highly acclaimed by the critics and remain as wonderful reminders of a muchloved actor who epitomised, for many, the essential british gent, even when surrounded. If ever a moment summed up david niven s particular brand of suave, dry wit, it would be his reaction to a streaker who ran on stage behind him, as he presented the best picture award at the 1974 oscars. In an interview with hong kongs south china morning post, former james bond actor sir roger moore uses the c word to describe. It is lords unlucky lot to correct the whoppers niven told throughout his life, especially in his relentlessly anecdotal autobiography, the moon s a balloon. David niven the man behind the balloon by michael munn. Truth be told, it may just be the best autobiography ever written by a hollywood.

David niven signs his book the moons a balloon at savo. David niven humorist, athlete, actor and gentleman extraordinary, a gay buccaneer who has painted his portrait in hilarious colour. His first book, the moons a balloon, is a straight autobiography. In early 1970, david niven was still struggling to knuckle down and write the book which would eventually be released as the moons a balloon. He was one of britain s best known actors and, in later years, a bestselling author his autobiography, the moon s a balloon which was first published in 1971, sold over 5 million copies worldwide. The moon s a balloon was recommended to the highest level by an old aunt, and i must do likewise to anyone who enjoys superb writing, hugely entertaining and humorous stories, and dry wit of the highest calibre. I read the moons a balloon and bring on the empty horses and enjoyed both immensely. The moons a balloon is a bestselling memoir by british actor david niven 1910 1983, published in 1971. There was niven, grinning, rather foolishly, wearing a pinky ring surrounded by a large balloon. No 506 the moons a balloon by david niven 746 books. British soldier actor wit ranconteur david niven took as his personal life myth that once.

When the moon s a balloon was first published in 1971, it received huge acclaim. The moons a balloon is the story of his life,which saw him serve in the army,become a bootlegger,work as a movie extra,fight in world war ii and become a. The first half of the book concerns his youthful exploits and his. His bestselling volume of memoirs, the moon s a balloon, was praised in 1972 by christopher lehmannhaupt in the new york times. The moons a balloon mass market paperback january 1, 1973 by david niven author. May 14, 2015 may 14, 2015 the asdu the moon s a balloon, ee cummings, fred astaire, frostbite, groin frostbite, john mortimer, murderers and other friends, skiing alps effortless, vintage niven when i found the moons a balloon a david niven autobiography on a used book sale rack i couldnt help but laugh. If ever a moment summed up david nivens particular brand of suave. One of the bestselling memoirs of all time, david nivens the. David niven has books on goodreads with 12497 ratings. Niven authored several books, including two wellreceived autobiographical memoirs, the moons a balloon. David niven the quintessential english actor a short. Buy the moon s a balloon new ed by david niven isbn.

The moons a balloon is a bestselling memoir by british actor david niven 19101983, published in 1971. Though he specialized in light comedy, niven also handled drama in movies like separate tables 1958, for which he won a oscar as best actor. If ever a moment summed up david nivens particular brand of suave, dry wit, it would be his reaction to a streaker who ran on stage behind him, as he presented the best picture award at the 1974 oscars. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. The moons a balloon by david niven talk whatever online. David niven wrote two of the best autobiographies out of anyone in show business. His many roles included squadron leader peter carter in a matter of life and death, phileas fogg in around the world in 80 days, and sir charles lytton the phantom in the pink panther. In bring on the empty horses, niven tells the story of a famous girl named missie who had a terrible breakdown in hollywood. The moons a balloon niven, david 9780140239249 amazon. His bestselling volume of memoirs, the moons a balloon, was praised in 1972 by christopher lehmannhaupt in the new york times. Niven was an astoundingly accomplished, clear and humorous autobiographical writer.

In the ensuing mayhem, niven kept his cool, quipping. There have been several editions and many translations of the book over the. Often remembered for playing the archetypal english gentleman, he made ninety films during a career that stretched over forty years. Revealing david nivens missie vivien leigh and laurence. The moon s a balloon is the story of his life,which saw him serve in the army,become a bootlegger,work as a movie extra,fight in world war ii and become a major international movie. Apr 26, 2005 david niven was born in london in 1910. Niven followed it with a sequel bring on the empty horses in 1975.