Years in a mirror
Val Henry Gielgud (Author)
"Val Gielgud is well known for his thirty-odd years with the BBC as head of drama (sound), and also as the brother of John Gielgud. IN both capacities he has been in an unique position to study trends in the contemporary theatre. He has also written numerous novels and plays, travelled widely, an experienced life from many often unconventional angles. This book, written during the first year of his retirement, is not strictly an autobiography, but an attempt at a self-portrait with as much emphasis upon failure as upon success. It includes accounts of the author's hobbies--the study of military history, watching polo, his toy soldiers, his cats--as well as the record of his professional career at Broadcasting House, his disastrous incursion into television, and controversies such as the storm in a teacup over his play Party Manners. It reflects a personality frequently criticised as opinionated, prejudiced and even arrogant. From these pages the reader can decide whether the opinions were worth holding, the prejudices worth defending, the arrogances proved, while following a story bubbling over with energy and enthusiasm, and laced with wit and discernment; a mixture which is invariably stimulating, enjoyable and immensely readable" --Dust jacket
Print Book, English, 1965
The Bodley Head, London, 1965