Orson Welles, Volume 3

One Man Band gathers strength page by page. This is by far the funniest volume of the three, and in some ways the most revelatory. The more vulnerable Welles becomes, the more vivid Callow’s writing. The fear was always that a description of Welles’ later years would be depressing. But this is that rare thing: a book about decline which is actually exhilarating

David Hare

A biography as huge as if it had been fed a Welles-style diet of roasted chicken and foie gras

Victoria Segal, Sunday Times

Callow continuously strikes to the quick and the essential in Welles

Michael Coveney, Independent

Impeccably detailed research peppered with anecdotes and […] his witty conversational style

Kevin Maher, The Times

Compulsive reading.

Robert McCrum, Observer

The third volume has a tremendous panache, matching Welles’s own bravura and extraordinary energy, giving a vivid account of his personality and his productions.

Robert Tanitch, Mature Times

A novel as exhaustive and exhilarating as it’s subject.

Liverpool Echo

Simon Callow probes in comprehensive and penetrating detail into one of the most complex artists of the twentieth century.

Essential Surrey

A pretty epic survey about his [Welles’] stupendous life.

Western Mail

Callow probes in detail into one of the most complex artists of the twentieth century.

Daily Echo

Epic survey of Welles’ life and work, Simon again probes in comprehensive and penetrating detail into one of the most complex artists of the twentieth century… The book shows what it was like to be around Welles, and, with a precision rarely attempted before, what it was like to be him.

Chris High, Purple Revolver

It’s a great story in print and Callow’s passion made it riveting on stage… Somehow conjuring up all the extravagance that flowed from Orson Welles’s gifted imagination.

Darren Slade, Daily Echo

In every way, Callow has captured his subject as he wants him.

Victoria Segal, Sunday Times

Biographical subject and author have found their perfect match.

Simon Shaw, Mail on Sunday

One Man Band rumbles along… Welles in his middle years is a more engaging prospect than most artists at a similar point. He has been lucky to have Callow as a biographer, balancing warmth with skepticism, fondness with reproof.

Anthony Quinn, Guardian