Ragman's Son (Simon & Schuster)

Kirk Douglas's skilful and passionate autobiography charts the rise of the son of an illiterate Russian-Jewish ragman who became a Hollywood legend. With unflinching humour and frankness he reveals the inside story of more than forty years of stardom, alongside Sinatra, Wayne and Olivier - and his relationships with movie goddesses like Crawford, Hayworth and Dietrich. Rich in unforgettable anecdotes that capture the true spirit of the golden years of Hollywood and Broadway, this is an autobiography that reads like a novel, narrated by the unmistakable voice of a true superstar.