In Two Minds... is the story of Jonathan Miller; one of post war Britains most intriguing polymaths. Descended from immigrants who fled Tsarist anti-Semitism to become shopkeepers in Ireland and Londons East End; Miller was born into an intellectual milieu; between Bloomsbury and Harley Street - the son of a novelist and a leading child psychiatrist. Miller trained as a doctor but then forged a career as a stellar comedian and as a world renowned theatre and opera director. He is a controversial humorist; public intellectual and TV personality. As a star in the ground breaking satirical revue Beyond the Fringe; he shot to fame alongside Peter Cook; Dudley Moore and Alan Bennett. His expertise and interests encompass many areas; from medicine (he wrote and presented the hugely acclaimed BBC documentary series The Body in Question) to the history of art; Mozart; atheism and the nature of laughter. Jonathan Miller is one of the most multi-talented Britons of his generation; celebrated for his dazzling intelligence and anti-establishmentarian wit. This is the first comprehensive biography of him; written by leading arts journalist Kate Bassett (the Independent on Sunday). Drawing on in-depth interviews; it is an entertaining and illuminating portrait of a fascinatingly complex man.lsquo;I suppose it is true; my life does resemble a butterflyrsquo;s existence; moving around from one flower to the next. But; of course; butterflies do pollinate. There is a point to their activity. I hope there is to mine.rsquo; Jonathan Millerlsquo;He was always my idea of an impossible Renaissance man hellip; he has been a benign and hopeful presence in my life; and the life of my mind; from Cambridge until now.rsquo;A.S. Byattlsquo;He was groundbreaking; willing to take risks. His impact upon the opera world has been; without question; one of the most significant of any director in modern timeshellip;part of all the schools of thought whose developments we are now experiencing.rsquo;Thomas Hampsonlsquo;If hersquo;d been born French; there would be streets named after him.rsquo;John Fortune
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Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy Richard BainGreat Book Helps Me Decide What Movies Too Buy!1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. The most accessible film critic of the 20th centuryBy Dr GarryMy favourite critic presents a collection of his wonderfully humanistic and accessible reviews. Many other critics make me feel small; with their reviews casually dropping references to directors; films and even whole genres I have never heard of : "Oh; little man; you didnt understand the opening credits to "The Expendables" was an homage to the Ukrainian depressionist cinema of the early 1920s?"One of the great critics of the 20th century; Ebert never condescends; never laps into academic pomposity; never makes you think you have to have a PhD in film theory before you can begin to understand his reviews. Read him now before you cant.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Felicitous styleBy Rupert C. LewisFelicitous style and great intelligence. Draws you into a film and the personalities behind movies in a conversational style. Dip into it wherever you care as you dont have to read from front to back. The reverse will do just as well. Have been reading Pauline Kael as well and she is intellectually sharp on the history of literature and film. Ebert is no less equipped but the daily quota and contact with his audience make his writing much more accessible. Kael is engaged with the ideological battle of defending the the popular art form in film against critics who look down it. by the time Ebert comes along cinematic art is a given.