Orson Welles

A Biography

By: Barbara Leaming

Narrated by: Grace Conlin

Genius, artist, monstre sacré, Orson Welles had one of the most brilliant and tempestuous careers in show business.

Here he confides his most intimate feelings and recollections of his extraordinary life. With remarkable detail and intimacy, Barbara Leaming reveals the private Welles: from child prodigy and young lion in Dublin and New York, to the succès de scandale of his The War of the Worlds broadcast; from his auspicious directing debut with the legendary Citizen Kane in his 20s, to the sabotage of his further directing career by the Hollywood studios; from his affairs, carousing, and stormy marriage to Rita Hayworth, to his association with Roosevelt and aspirations to the presidency.

It is a picture with an all-star cast, including Olivier, Monroe, Dietrich, Garbo, Warren Beatty, Charlie Chaplin, Princess Margaret, and Prince Aly Khan.

©1985 Barbara Leaming (P)1996 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"[A] beautifully researched, valuable study of one of America's most influential and mysterious artists....[What] makes this book remarkable is Welles's own contribution. His comments, opinions, interviews cut in and out of the narrative with an almost cinematic force." (Patricia Bosworth)

A Mesmerizing Tale read by a wonderful narrator

A wonderfully told tale by author Barbara Leaming, made all the more enjoyable by narrator Grace Conlin's patiently nuanced reading. It's easy to lose the thread of a story when the world is the stage - as it certainly was for Welles - and the players so numerous and varied, but Ms. Conlin's pacing and delivery keeps the detailed action compelling throughout the long and winding journey of Welles' extraordinary life

Outstanding

I can not express how much I enjoyed this work. Thank you for providing such an outstanding experience

A huge

One of if not the best Orosn Wells biography very touching and very informing you simply must listen I it!

Beautifully read and fascinating

I only give it four stars for the story because I got lost in the middle due to my own overall ignorance on the topic. It is so detailed that someone who doesn’t know all of the players of Hollywood and you work at that time can get lost. However, it is more than worth it to follow it to the end. Can’t wait to get a hard copy and look at it again more closely.

Amazing book!

What a story, of course. Did not disappoint at all. Narration was excellent. Highly recommended.