'A highly readable work ... Niven emerges as gallant and gracious.' Chicago Tribune

Sheridan Morley wrote this biography of the consummate on-screen English gentleman after speaking to over 150 of Niven's friends and colleagues (only Rex Harrison refused). The result is a picture which both supports and contradicts the charming vagabond persona depicted in Niven's own bestselling memoirs.

While millions throughout his life were enchanted by Niven's happy-go-lucky charisma and world-class anecdotage, he was in many respects a private figure, haunted by a fear of...