Biography

Biography

‘With his biographies of Sybil Thorndike and John Gielgud, Jonathan Croall stakes a serious claim to be the most notable theatrical biographer of the day.’ – Brian McFarlane, Australian Book Review

SybilThorndikeAStarofLife

Sybil Thorndike: A Star of Life

Haus Publishing
www.hauspublishing.com

‘A riveting and wonderfully sympathetic account of a great actress and a remarkable woman, which vividly captures her life offstage as well as in the theatre.’ – Polly Toynbee, Guardian columnist

‘Jonathan Croall’s handsomely produced and meticulously researched biography reminds us of the rich and glorious life of a great actress and a hugely attractive human being…its subject’s charm and vitality radiate such illuminating force.’ – Rupert Christiansen, Literary Review


John Gielgud

John Gielgud: Matinee Idol to Movie Star

Methuen Drama
www.bloomsbury.com

‘John Gielgud was all light and humour, the most mercurial of men, and the most poetic of actors: Jonathan Croall is perfectly tuned in to every one of his qualities.’ – David Hare

‘A huge new overview that will surely become definitive.’ – Francis Beckett, New Statesman

‘Thank you for the book, a glorious tome. JG would be very proud.’ – Ronald Harwood 

‘Jonathan Croall’s book gives an authentic flavour of the real Gielgud.’ – Richard Eyre


9781781960912

Forgotten Stars: My Father and the British Silent Film World

Fantom Publishing     www.fantomfilms.co.uk

‘The silent era has vanished as far as living witnesses are concerned. Now we depend upon the families to provide the memories, through letters or biographies. John Stuart was an exceptionally good actor – just about the best we had in those years – and he deserves a first-rate book. His son Jonathan Croall has written a marvellous example, a fascinating account of a remarkable man, which also sheds valuable light on this period of cinema history.’ – From the Foreword by Kevin Brownlow

‘You were one of my boyhood heroes.’ – Letter from David Lean to John Stuart

‘Pictures of John Stuart, a hero in the silent twenties, the aquiline profile under the wavy hair looking devotedly into the face under the bob and the cloche hat, stir so deep a nostalgia for the innocent past. In a way his story embraces the story of the British screen between the wars.’ – Dilys Powell, Silent Picture magazine