As Donald Spoto demonstrates, Hitchcock's art imitated his life and mentality with disquieting closeness.

A brisk and interesting read

A fascinating look at a flawed and troubled genius whose creative influence still lives on.

Spoto does a workmanlike job with this rich vein of creepy material

This study provides new insights into a flawed cinematic genius.

Mr. Spoto has enjoyed extraordinary access to Hitchcock's players over a long period of time, and he has assembled a cavalcade of chatty firsthand impressions

What was behind [Hitchcock's] talent for turning perverse thematic elements such as voyeurism, bondage and murder fantasies into mainstream entertainment? According to "Spellbound by Beauty,.".it was partly derived from a sexually repressed outcast's Svengali-like compulsion to manipulate and mistreat a long line of unattainable icy blondes

Focuses on Hitchcock's sometimes troubled, sometimes perverse, always manipulative relationships with his leading ladies....The chapters on his behavior during the filming of "The Birds" and "Marnie" are riveting and deeply troubling, revealing an artist at once losing his touch and losing touch with reality

An unabashed labour of love ... The most compelling aspect ... is his tracing of the silent clowns' creative rivalries

Generously illustrated ... definitely a book for reading... such is Merton's exhaustive affection, you'll feel a pang when the talkies come in

Beautifully produced and contains some remarkable illustrations ... as a professional, he provides plenty of insight

A powerfully honest and very moving insight into the life of a rock legend

Clapton bares his soul. Fascinating. It's an absorbing read, like you've been granted access to a mind finally coming to terms with itself.

Difficult to put down

Clapton provides an orderly account of life in which all other considerations are secondary to the frequently selfish needs of The Artist'

Gold-plated tales of sex, drink, drugs and fame and moments of musical incandescence.

A warm portrait

A harrowing and searingly honest book about the unreal rock star life.

Clapton lays bare his life story in this witty but also painfully honest autobiography. Compelling and accomplished.

A painfully honest insider's account of an age all too often portrayed as one long party

A glorious rock history.

This book does what many rock historians couldn't: It debunks the legend...puts a lie to the glamour of what it means to be a rock star.

Strong stuff. Clapton reveals its author's journey to self-acceptance and manhood. Anyone who cares about the man and his music will want to take the trip with him.

Clapton is honest...even searing and often witty, with a hard-won survivor's humor...an honorable badge of a book.

Riveting

An even, unblinking sensibility defines the author's voice.

An unsparing self-portrait.

Both the youthful excesses and the current calm state are narrated with an engaging tone that nudges Clapton's story ahead of other rock'n'roll memoirs.

Clapton is a confessional, an addiction memoir, and a glorious rock history rolled into one, with a smidgeon of guilt and, ultimately redemption thrown in for good measure.

Clapton fills in many gray areas, recounting his highs and lows with a thoughtfulness often lacking rock memoirs.Methodically he whittles away at the larger-than-life rock god until a vulnerable, messed-up mortal emerges...Clapton is an absorbing tale of artistry, decadence and redemption.It's also an important reminder of the guitarist's imprint on rock music, as a sideman, solo artist and bandleader.Not bad for a blues snob from Surrey.

Clapton: The Autobiography does what many rock historians couldn't: It debunks the legend, de-mythologizes one of the most mythologized electric guitarists ever, puts a lie to the glamour of what is means to be a rock star...It's a cautionary tale that spills over into tragedy several times as love, lives and talents are all wasted.

Like the bluesmen who inspired him, Clapton has his share of scars...his compelling memoir is... a soulful performance.

Charming and surprisingly candid.

Absolutely brilliant