His public loved him, and so does the author of this thoroughly readable biography.

New Statesman

John Gielgud's life makes such a good story...the book is a significant reminder of a silken-voiced, altogether singular talent.

Sunday Times

An authoritative, nicely balanced account of both Gielgud's public and private lives...
Croall also emphasizes what an important, modernizing figure he was as a director...
This is by no means an uncritical biography of Gielgud - Croall illustrates his character defects of snobbery, tactlessness...and impatience...but overall he comes across as an attractively modest man with a mischievous sense of humour, possessing an evergreen enthusiasm for and deep understanding of theatre. This book does full justice to a protean performer who bestrode the stage like a Colossus.

Exeunt

The work of a stage actor, however great, is writ on water...It was for his theatrical work that Kenneth Tynan (who, mind you, preferred Laurence Olivier) could refer to [Gielgud] as 'not an actor, but the actor.'...So, whatever the limitations of merely reading about a magnificent actor, it is gratifying to have such a well-researched and fluently written, committed yet not adulatory biography...[Gielgud] emerges as a witty, charming, conversationally apt human being. (refers to the previously released edition)

New York Times

(A) tremendous biography...the result of a great deal more material which had become available to the biographer -- mostly letters, but also people more willing to speak openly. (The contents) illuminate not only the man himself but also the great changes that have taken place in social and legal attitudes in the past half-century. This is a splendid book, impressively researched and extremely readable.

Harriet Devine's Blog

Elegantly written...scented with the aroma of fresh revelations...riveting.

Independent