Mr. Strangelove: A Biography of Peter Sellers [Paperback]

Ed Sikov (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0330482602 | ISBN-13: 978-0330482608 | Publication Date: September 5, 2003

Peter Sellers was a genius, whose unique mastery created enduring comic characters. But behind the man that could make the world laugh was a tragic sadness. Employing his creations as masks to hide behind, Sellers was convinced his own life was meaningless and empty. Acclaimed ("On Sunset Boulevard" - the story of Billy Wilder) biographer Ed Sikov has spoken to many who knew and worked with Sellers, including Sophia Loren, Goldie Hawn, and Roman Polanski. Sikov reveals how Sellers was a casualty of his own insecurities and used his public persona to mask his tormented private life, littered with four marriages (and three divorces), countless affairs, and drug and alcohol abuse. This is the authoritative and touching story of a majestic comedian, showing the very private face of a man whose world was lived through the public arena. 'An authoritative biography and a compulsive page turner.' - Michael Palin, "New York Times". 'Sikov's book is often melancholy, but always informative, and entertaining...They don't really make 'em like that any more - you can't get the wood you know' - Simon Louvish, "Guardian".

Editorial Reviews

Review

'an authoritative biography and a compulsive page turner.' Michael Palin, NEW YORK TIMES

About the Author

Ed Sikov's biography of Billy Wilder was a New York TImes Book of the Year. He is also the author of a number of other books on Hollywood. He writes for Premiere magazine, as well as the Village Voice and Film Quarterly. An academic, he lectures in film studies.

Product Details

• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Pan Macmillan (September 5, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0330482602
• ISBN-13: 978-0330482608
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,338,902 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars The Perfect Title for a Genius!, December 9, 2009

By 

Sylviastel - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Mr. Strangelove: A Biography of Peter Sellers (Paperback)

Peter Sellers was truly a comedic genius and performer. Sadly, his personal problems and his relationships with women and people in general was plagued by his own self-contempt, self-loathing, and insecurities. He only felt like himself when he was other people. Today, he probably would have been under doctor's care and have been treated for depression. Despite his own personal misfortunes and tragedies, Peter Sellers became a huge success, beloved by fans worldwide, and by his colleagues. When he died, Burt Kwouk said "everybody in London felt his loss." It might be fair to say that Peter Sellers was truly gifted and troubled by his own genius even until the end. He was searching for happiness and self-fulfillment all of his life. He might be rest-assured that he was never really alone. There are lot of people who feel the need to hide behind a mask, face, and masquerade in order to develop a personality. He just needed self-esteem. Sadly, his marriages were mostly failures and he never truly found the happiness on earth that he was seeking for here, maybe in the afterlife.

I deducted a star because I believe the book left out his CBE honour by Queen Elizabeth II. He was awarded the CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in 1966 which is one step below knighthood. I felt that should have been included in this book.