Modern Classics My Autobiography

Chaplin's autobiography is one of the most powerful I've ever read. Starting in almost indescribable poverty in London, his childhood was comparable to something out of a Dickens novel. Chaplin begins in show business as a child performer from a family struggling on the fringe of England's vaudeville circuit. His arrival in America at the birth of the film industry and his subsequent success both as an artist and a business man are just remarkable given his humble beginnings. Along the way he befriends and meets a veritable who's who of early 20th century celebrities from all walks of life and his descriptions of his vast circle of friends and acquaintances are one of the highlights of this book. These include actors, politicians, business people and scientists. ( Fairbanks, Pickford, Churchill, Hoover, Hearst, Einstein, etc.. etc.)
Chaplin wrote this book at a time when tell all biography was not what it is today and while he shares some interesting perceptions about various personalities he is by today's standards quite discreet.
I found this book incredibly interesting on a number of levels , First Chaplin himself is a very interesting character. Secondly, the other people who float in and out of his life are fascinating. Finally and perhaps most entertainingly for me are his descriptions of early Hollywood and the foundations of the movie industry.

All of these factors added up to an amazing read and I would highly recommend this to anyone interested in movies or in early 20th century culture.

There is no doubt that Chaplin was a man of many talents, but he was also a human being. And like us all, was of contradictions, and many flaws. He tells of an absolute horrible childhood,with an alcoholic father, and a very emotional, unstable mother,that left him with a wary eye,towards practically everyone. It is true, that this autobiography left out those that he considered his equal. Such as Stan Laurel and Buster Keaton. He was probably deeply in love with a young girl named Hetty Kelly,that he knew in England-whom he never told how much he cared for her, and when she died, affected him profoundly. His pattern of marriages and their subsequent failures, told me that forever after, he continued to search for Hetty Kelly. Chaplin may have been famous, but this was one deeply sad story, that gave him a lifetime, to reflect on, and mourn.

Charlie Chaplin was always a sort of mystery to me. I never understood the political mystique, the teary-eyed love of all his fans, the emotional attachment. But I do now. He was a wonderful and courageous individual. He was human. He had weaknesses; he had loves. The story of his childhood in England and his mother was a Dickens novel in itself. I could hardly believe it. What a book. I thoroughly enjoyed it - from cover to cover.

Richard Edward Noble - The Hobo Philosopher - Author of:

"Honor Thy Father and Thy Mother" A Novel

Im gonna try not to give out what this book is actually about...besides that it is an autobiography.

Chaplin lived his early life in the conditions of dire poverty. However, he almost from the cradle knew that he loved to perform in front of the audience. His natural talent coupled with the ability to charm even the most uncharmable of this world, divided by his love for (and to) work in his favorite field, produced a man, who was insistently no different from that poor kid, and yet who became a master in something....was it movie making? Perhaps that was one of his better known talents....

I purchased this book to get a better insight into the mind of "The Greatest artist" (in my opinion) this, or any other, country has ever seen. I waited until I was able to spend a few days in the mountains of Pennsylvania in order to start reading it. I rented a cozy little cabin, started a fire and was unable to put the book down until it was time to go back home......... 4 days later.

First off, get ready to look up words in the dictionary!
I enjoyed the first half of the book, it was very interesting. The second half was full of all the famous people he met, parties and politics. After he met Oona, the book was more interesting, and who doesn’t like a happy ending.

Great Life, Great contribution to the world!

What a life! Great read.

Awesome

Even if you're not a fan of Charlie Chaplin, this book will take you through his life step by step. Very intimate and candidate. Charlie did a great job writing this book.