Sir Peter Ustinov's beautifully crafted autobiography is told with exquisite wit and insight. From his birth in April 1921, it spans his extraordinary career as actor, playwright, film star and director, confirming his early belief that he is 'irrevocably betrothed to laughter'. Ustinov's renowned gift for mimicry is exploited to the full in
Dear Me
. Eccentric relatives, s
Sir Peter Ustinov's beautifully crafted autobiography is told with exquisite wit and insight. From his birth in April 1921, it spans his extraordinary career as actor, playwright, film star and director, confirming his early belief that he is 'irrevocably betrothed to laughter'. Ustinov's renowned gift for mimicry is exploited to the full in
Dear Me
. Eccentric relatives, school masters, sergeant majors and manic Hollywood moguls are all brought unforgettably to life.
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Kindle Edition
,
384 pages
Published
May 31st 2011
by Cornerstone Digital
(first published October 3rd 1977)
47. Ustinov, Peter. DEAR ME. (1977). *****. It was always a delight to watch Peter when he appeared on TV as a guest on one or another of the talk shows. He was a consummate conversationalist. He always had scads of stories to tell – both about himself and about his friends and acquaintences. In this memoir, he traces his family tree from his great-great-grandfather, Michael Adrianovich Ustinov, who lived to be 108 (concservative estimate), built 16 churches in his town, and left his estate inta
47. Ustinov, Peter. DEAR ME. (1977). *****. It was always a delight to watch Peter when he appeared on TV as a guest on one or another of the talk shows. He was a consummate conversationalist. He always had scads of stories to tell – both about himself and about his friends and acquaintences. In this memoir, he traces his family tree from his great-great-grandfather, Michael Adrianovich Ustinov, who lived to be 108 (concservative estimate), built 16 churches in his town, and left his estate intact along with 6,000 serfs to take care of it. His great-grandfather, Gregori Michaelovich Ustinov, managed to live a dissipated life for over fifty years. And so on down to Peter’s birth in London (although conceived in Russia) in 1921, about which he has little to say because he doesn’t remember much about it. He was educated at Westminster School, and was exceedingly poor at sports. During the war, he served in the Royal Sussex Regiment, and spent the duration in England guarding her coasts. He was a noted playwright, actor, and film star. Although all of these are delved into with some detail, the real attraction of this memoir is in the stories he has to tell about the people he knew and worked with. For example, Adlai Stevenson: “Adlai Stevenson was frequently a member of this civilized and glorious team. Accessible and chipper, he was the type of American who is unfortunately no longer called to the greatest heights, as indeed I am convinced that neither Harry Truman, nor either of the Roosevelts would be if they had the opportunity of running today. Such manifest intelligence is somehow suspect, as is any outward demonstration of character. It seems to be the habit to elect presidents for their lack of evident vices instead of for their possession of evident virtues. The existence of vices is allowed to become apparent during the incumbency.” He also tells the story of Joseph Priestley, who was being pursued by a magazisne columnist in an attempt at an interview: “’Mr. Priestley,” said the gushing interviewer, ‘we are conducting an inquiry for the magazine. What would you do if you had a million?’ ‘I’ve got a million,’ replied Jack, and walked away.” And, my last quote, a story about Dag Hammarskjold: “Hammerskjold, shy rather than cold, showed me photographs of Khrushchev beating his shoe on his desk during that famous incident in the General Assembly. If you looked carefully, you could see that he was wearing both his shoes, which meant that he either borrowed the shoe from a hapless aide, or else that he smuggled the shoe into the General Assembly in a paper bag disguised as a sandwich.” There’s plenty about Ustinov himself in this illuminating memoir, but it’s his take on those around him that propels the reader forward. Highly recommended.
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No idea how I came across this book. Turns out to be an absolute gem. The funniest autobiography I have read. Ustinov is very witty. This book makes fantastic light reading.
RE: _Dear Me_ by Peter Ustinov
I believe I discovered this book in the bibliography of _Royal Feud_.
An Amazon customer review by Thomas Duff says:
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"Dear Me by Peter Ustinov is an autobiography of the actor/screenwriter/playwright. I'm not a big film fan, and I can't say I've seen any of his acting roles or stories. But as an avid reader, I greatly enjoyed his way with words. The book takes you from his birth through 1977 when it was penned. The writin
RE: _Dear Me_ by Peter Ustinov
I believe I discovered this book in the bibliography of _Royal Feud_.
An Amazon customer review by Thomas Duff says:
===============================================
"Dear Me by Peter Ustinov is an autobiography of the actor/screenwriter/playwright. I'm not a big film fan, and I can't say I've seen any of his acting roles or stories. But as an avid reader, I greatly enjoyed his way with words. The book takes you from his birth through 1977 when it was penned. The writing style is unique, in that he's carrying on a conversation with his internal self, or ego. The ego interjects at the end of most chapters (or at the start in some cases) and attempts to draw Ustinov out when it comes to some of his motives and thought processes. The writing is funny and sharp, as he has a great sense of irony and sarcasm. While not a encyclopedia of his life, it does dwell on many of the life episodes (like the Army) that turned him into what he became.
"If you're a fan of Ustinov, then you'll likely enjoy the book a great deal. Even if you're Ustinov-ignorant like me, it's worth the time to watch how an accomplished writer can spin a tale..."
FROM:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0749...
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PS-Another customer review on the same web page said:
" ... so many quotes that have held up through the years. Most notably; "
Your friends are not always the people you like best, more likely they are the people that got there first.
" Don't know what the previous reviewer is talking about, that alone made the book worth reading..."
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Fascinating autobiography of one of my favorite actors. A genuine renaissance man and raconteur. If you enjoyed seeing him interviewed on shows like Dick Cavett etc., you'll love this book. Acting aside, if you're a fan of humorous fiction, check out his novel KRUMNAGEL. (If you can find a copy.)
I listened to an abridged version of this book and couldn't get through the first CD (1 star from me). Fortunately for Mr Ustinov, my husband put it in his car and absolutely loved it (5 stars from him), so the book gets 3 stars on average.
I found his 'hilarious' anecdotes tedious and rambling, my husband, on the other hand, though he was hugely amusing and, knowing many of the famous people who he name drops, was immediately drawn in.
My husband has a typically ma
Depends on your sense of humour.
I listened to an abridged version of this book and couldn't get through the first CD (1 star from me). Fortunately for Mr Ustinov, my husband put it in his car and absolutely loved it (5 stars from him), so the book gets 3 stars on average.
I found his 'hilarious' anecdotes tedious and rambling, my husband, on the other hand, though he was hugely amusing and, knowing many of the famous people who he name drops, was immediately drawn in.
My husband has a typically male sense of humour, puns and word games, my sense of humour is more demanding, more subtle. Which group do you fall into??
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I remember Peter Ustinov as a frequent talk show guest years ago on the Merv Griffin show. He was a brilliant conversationalist and raconteur. This memoir doesn't disappoint. His anecdotes and observations are a joy to read.
You can hear the great man talking to you from the pages. I love all the little stories. The one I will remember most is about the dog called "Colonel"
Having just finished a ballet memoir (Irina Baronova's), which like most dance books showed how focused (narrowminded/self-centered?) dancers tend to be, Ustinov's was a breth of fresher air. His anecdotes were not only funny but illuminating of the human condition and of the world in general and not only served to paint the picture of his immediate daily life.
I thought this was dull. Although he can write, he didn't actually tell you anything. Had dinner with Frank Sinatra. So??? What happened???? One or two funny anecdotes but no personal information about acting or his feelings.
This book is delighful, the man is a pleasure to read, he is wity, humorous and innovative with a sense of flair for the mirth but quite responsible in his approach....An extraordinary background....
I wouldn't have picked to listen to this book. I am glad it was given to me...to make me listen...as I enjoyed it. It was interesting and in some places had me laughing out loud!
Sir Peter Alexander Ustinov, CBE, was a British actor, writer and dramatist.
He was also renowned as a filmmaker, theatre and opera director, director, stage designer, screenwriter, comedian, humorist, newspaper and magazine columnist, radio broadcaster and television presenter.
A noted wit and raconteur, he was, for much of his career, a fixture on television talk shows and lecture circuits, as wel
Sir Peter Alexander Ustinov, CBE, was a British actor, writer and dramatist.
He was also renowned as a filmmaker, theatre and opera director, director, stage designer, screenwriter, comedian, humorist, newspaper and magazine columnist, radio broadcaster and television presenter.
A noted wit and raconteur, he was, for much of his career, a fixture on television talk shows and lecture circuits, as well as a respected intellectual and diplomat who, in addition to his various academic posts, served as a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF and President of the World Federalist Movement.
Ustinov was the winner of numerous awards over his life, including Academy Awards, Emmy Awards, Golden Globes and BAFTA Awards, as well the recipient of governmental honours from, amongst others, the United Kingdom, France and Germany. He displayed a unique cultural versatility that has frequently earned him the accolade of a Renaissance Man.
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