Richard Burton: A Life

This is a well-researched and thoughtfully-written biography of a man who was perhaps the most famous man in the world in the decade of the 1960's. Now, sadly, Burton's legacy and fame have dimmed considerably and he's remembered more as Elizabeth Taylor's fifth (and sixth) husband. He was much more than that. I have always thought Burton overacted miserably in most of his roles and I was chiefly intrigued with him because of his beautiful physicality and because was an erudite, deeply intelligent man. He was also a prodigious reader and a keen intellect, but this genius seemed utterly wasted on Liz, a woman with whom he shared a passionate sex life, but precious little else.The highlight of this book is the inclusion of over 100 pages of Burton's diaries, kept meticuously from 1965 until his death. Burton writes candidly, wittily and brilliantly. It's devilishly exciting to read his words about Liz and his vicious put downs of others, including a visceral tirade against poor Lucille Ball. He also muses on occasion about his autistic daughter, Jessica, who was hidden by the Burtons and kept in an institution all her life.Burton had a larger-than-life appetite for living, sex, booze... you name it. He was self-destructive, manic-depressive and difficult, but all of those things make for a compelling character and this book illuminates him like no other.

My title refers to the way I see this biography; it's as close as you're going to get to a real picture of the man, especially seeing as he's no longer with us. I read this book some 8-10 years ago and have read it at least twice. What I liked,in particular, about this book is the fact that it is made up of, in no small measure, actual extracts from his own memoirs, as well as interviews with those closest to him throughout his life. A picture is painted of a very intense man, of painful and frustrating complexities, a man forever pursued by very real and personal demons. The latter, the "demons", is something which, I feel, is an inextricably inherent component of many of us, if we are truthful. Reading the book, it is easy to feel quite uncomfortable, in an intriguing way, about the fact that here is a man who, perhaps, is not ALL that different to ourselves, in as far as our own insecurities, fears and personal nightmares are concerned. This book is an absolutely fascinating, gritty insight to an angry, tough, yet vulnerable genius of a man of deeply human qualities, with which many of us can identify, at least in some aspects. A chunk of a book but very easily read; lock yourself away with this one, as you definitely won't want to be disturbed, once you're under way!

And there I was thinking Mr Bragg was just the fella off the South Bank Show. This book provided a suberb insight into the man that was Richard Burton; his childhood in Wales leading to his lifelong motivations and passions are covered with great detail and insight. The pieces from Burtons own journals are skillfully edited and included to give extra interest and weight to the piece, they also show that Burton's own misgivings about writing are unsubstanciated.Every one of the five hundred odd pages keeps you hooked. Get it, read it, it's definitely worth every penny.

I always admired Richard Burton as an actor but it was only when I read his biography by M. Bragg that I realized how vast his acting repertory really was. What I wouldn't give to have all of his recordings too! This is conveniently listed in the book for further research by the dedicated few. One can appreciate the personal glimpses into his life and background, his family ties and his final years. The author has done considerable work in compiling so much information which is much appreciated by lifelong fans such as myself.

I loved the book: it reads like a novel and one has to remind oneself that it is a true story. It quotes extensively from Burton's notebooks and often he seems to be a better writer than Bragg. Burton emerges as a gifted, intelligent and sensitive person torn by inner conflicts - the side of him few people knew. At the same time the book has all: the glamour, the scandals, the love story etc. After reading it I rushed to buy all Burton's videos available here.