A Talent for Trouble

"A Talent for Trouble" tells the spellbinding tale of William Wyler's rise from obscurity to master filmmaker as Hollywood's quintessential director. It chronicles his stormy love affairs with some of the top stars of filmdom's Golden Age, captures his beguiling personal charm, his physical and moral courage, and probes his private tragedies and political bravery. Wyler was Laurence Olivier's mentor, the love of Bette Davis's life, John Huston's best friend, Audrey Hepburns's discoverer and Barbra Streisand's father figure. His pictures were touchstones for an entire generation, among them "Jezebel," "Dodsworth," "Wuthering Heights," "The Letter," "The Little Foxes," "The Best Years of Our Lives," "Roman Holiday," "The Heiress," "Ben-Hur," and "Funny Girl." This biography has come in for much praise: 


“An excellent biography.” — Gore Vidal 


“Places Wyler once and for all where he belongs as a major figure in the American cinematic canon.” — Martin Scorsese 


“The best book I’ve read about a director.” — Gregory Peck 


“Jan Herman's biography of William Wyler is a classic of the genre, paying equal attention to Wyler’s life and his films, and uncovering the rich interweave between the two. Herman invariably rewards readers with his depth of insight, balance of treatment, and first-class colloquial and elegant prose — this book is a friend.” — Ann Douglas (author "Terrible Honesty," "The Feminization of American Culture," and Parr Professor Emerita of English and Comparative Literature, Columbia University) 


“Richly satisfying . . . ” — Publishers Weekly 


“[A] thorough loving study [imarked by] reliable judgments and comprehensiveness . . . Mr. Herman's exhaustive research has paid off in a volume that will reward not only scholars but fans as well.” — Diane Jacobs (The New York Times Book Review) 


“A model Hollywood biography: Cogent, to the point, candid, briskly written and never dull.” — Kirkus Reviews 


“Highly recommended.” — Library Journal 


“The one-stop shop for Wyler.” — Gary Giddins (author "Visions of Jazz," "Bing Crosby," and Executive Director of the Leon Levy Center for Biography) 


“Captures the man and his work in all their variety and complexity.” — Roger Ebert 


“Finally gives Wyler the book he deserves.” — Kenneth Turan (film critic for the Los Angeles Times, director of the LA Times Book Prizes) 


“A fascinating look at the inner workings of an age . . . The tale of an American artist in the vortex of great political and social changes. This is an enduring biography.” — Andrei Codrescu (NPR commentator) 


“I read 'A Talent for Trouble' almost without pause. That gives you some idea of how fascinating I found it. ” — Kevin Brownlow (author "David Lean," "The Parade's Gone By") 


“An extraordinary closeup. Riveting.” — David Brown (producer "The Sting," "Driving Miss Daisy") 


“Compelling . . . Herman has done his homework.” — Steven Bach, Los Angeles Times Book Review 


“Its sheer drive keeps one stuck to the pages. Conviction comes through strongly in clear writing and honest weighing of Wyler’s works. He’s no saint-maker. Herman limns crisply throughout and a rounded, great-hearted Wyler steps forth who grips the reader’s sympathies with both hands.” — David Newlove, The Hollywood Reporter 


“A revealing portrait of one of the most creative, infuriatingly demanding movie directors. A journey through some of our best moviegoing years.” — Studs Terkel 


“Gracefully written, detail-rich. If you care about movies, this book is mandatory.” — Harry Haun, The [Newark] Star-Ledger 


“Vividly evocative . . . consistently informative and absorbing.” — Chicago Sun-Times 


“Analyzes each film in an accessible, fluid style that should appeal to both historians and the general reader. The portrait that emerges is as intricate, contradictory and enigmatic as the man himself.” — Michael Blowen, The Boston Globe 


“Remarkable.” — David Elliott, KFMB Radio 


“Definitive.” — TimeOut NY