Fascinating and very witty, 20 Jan 2008
What a fascinating character!

One of those books that I was reluctant to finish as the last page drew nearer.

Prior to reading this book I only knew Peter Ustinov as the delightful character Hercule Poirot in Agatha Christie films. But I learned that he had a very long career in the theatre and that his talents seemed to include almost all areas in it.

His background alone makes for interesting reading. He is the child of Russian immigrants who settled in England but his (very talented) ancestors came from far and wide and included countries such as Ethiopia and Israel.

Parts of the book is written in the style of a soul searching dialogue between Peter Ustinov and himself, hence the title. He makes some insightful comments about life and the world. In general throughout the book I was struck by what appears to be the extreme intelligence of someone who oddly enough did not do well in school.

Many parts of the book are pure entertainment. I laughed aloud in many places. His descriptions of his eccentric relatives, his experiences in the army, how he dealt with rebellious students at Durham university are all very funny.

I can recommend this book. It is highly entertaining and amusing. But it also contains some insightful observations by a highly intelligent, observant and unique personality.


good car talk, 17 Apr 2003
Why i bought this i dont know.I put it in the car and the trip flew in.He has the sort of voice that relaxes you and makes time fly.

Fascinating and very witty, 20 Jan 2008
What a fascinating character!

One of those books that I was reluctant to finish as the last page drew nearer.

Prior to reading this book I only knew Peter Ustinov as the delightful character Hercule Poirot in Agatha Christie films. But I learned that he had a very long career in the theatre and that his talents seemed to include almost all areas in it.

His background alone makes for interesting reading. He is the child of Russian immigrants who settled in England but his (very talented) ancestors came from far and wide and included countries such as Ethiopia and Israel.

Parts of the book is written in the style of a soul searching dialogue between Peter Ustinov and himself, hence the title. He makes some insightful comments about life and the world. In general throughout the book I was struck by what appears to be the extreme intelligence of someone who oddly enough did not do well in school.

Many parts of the book are pure entertainment. I laughed aloud in many places. His descriptions of his eccentric relatives, his experiences in the army, how he dealt with rebellious students at Durham university are all very funny.

I can recommend this book. It is highly entertaining and amusing. But it also contains some insightful observations by a highly intelligent, observant and unique personality.


good car talk, 17 Apr 2003
Why i bought this i dont know.I put it in the car and the trip flew in.He has the sort of voice that relaxes you and makes time fly.

Great Man, 23 Apr 2005
I got this a while ago, on the strength of an interview shown with Parkinson. Never heard of the man before this and being only 19 at the time, Ustinovs humour in serious situations, the acceptability of the situation without over consideration made me think a lot. Very funny, talented all-round performer that just oozed calmness and explained things as well as anyone. He was an intellectual man, often blaming the UK for not supporting the bright things of the country, and showed that bullying is often because of someone being jealous of anothers intellect. We are taught to be middle of the road people, not push to hard or you will be beaten up. It rings true, and in this audiobook, he discusses the various cultures of Europe and how they all differ. This is a good man, very charitable as will be heard about his work for UNICEF, not as all the other celebrities just sponsor for a little while, but was actively involved. A character the world is poorer for losing.

Sadly missed, 24 Jul 2004
I have listened to this tape at least six times since I received it a month or so ago and each time it charms me anew. Why do I like it so much? Maybe it's my great admiration for the man himself and the easy way he draws in the listener to his point of view. Maybe it's the stories and anecdotes themselves, each one peppered with hilarious mimicry and deep insights into the human condition. Maybe its because Sir Peter is now gone and the sound of his voice on tape brings someone back to life who I will sadly never meet. What I do know for certain is at the end of the tape I feel lifted but also saddened there isn't another hour of banter with Peter and the genial John Bird.

Superb, 21 Dec 2003
Ustinov is amazing! This CD is brilliant. I feel energised by the humanity of this very talented man who deftly interviewed by John Birdinjects humour into a rather self deprecating look at his life and work.

A rare, warm spark of humanity melting the coldness of world, 23 Aug 2003
Peter Ustinov's energy always impresses me. In this interview with John Bird,he uses the vehicle of experience and comedy to relate his work over the years both in the performed arts, his (he is very modest about this) work for Unicef and international relations and also his positive and humanistic view of the world. Burnt out and at the end of a hard week I fet the cares lifted from me. Touchingly modest he says when described by John Bird as a a Raconteur..."..that's someone who is too lazy to write it down."

Fascinating and very witty, 20 Jan 2008
What a fascinating character!

One of those books that I was reluctant to finish as the last page drew nearer.

Prior to reading this book I only knew Peter Ustinov as the delightful character Hercule Poirot in Agatha Christie films. But I learned that he had a very long career in the theatre and that his talents seemed to include almost all areas in it.

His background alone makes for interesting reading. He is the child of Russian immigrants who settled in England but his (very talented) ancestors came from far and wide and included countries such as Ethiopia and Israel.

Parts of the book is written in the style of a soul searching dialogue between Peter Ustinov and himself, hence the title. He makes some insightful comments about life and the world. In general throughout the book I was struck by what appears to be the extreme intelligence of someone who oddly enough did not do well in school.

Many parts of the book are pure entertainment. I laughed aloud in many places. His descriptions of his eccentric relatives, his experiences in the army, how he dealt with rebellious students at Durham university are all very funny.

I can recommend this book. It is highly entertaining and amusing. But it also contains some insightful observations by a highly intelligent, observant and unique personality.


good car talk, 17 Apr 2003
Why i bought this i dont know.I put it in the car and the trip flew in.He has the sort of voice that relaxes you and makes time fly.

Great Man, 23 Apr 2005
I got this a while ago, on the strength of an interview shown with Parkinson. Never heard of the man before this and being only 19 at the time, Ustinovs humour in serious situations, the acceptability of the situation without over consideration made me think a lot. Very funny, talented all-round performer that just oozed calmness and explained things as well as anyone. He was an intellectual man, often blaming the UK for not supporting the bright things of the country, and showed that bullying is often because of someone being jealous of anothers intellect. We are taught to be middle of the road people, not push to hard or you will be beaten up. It rings true, and in this audiobook, he discusses the various cultures of Europe and how they all differ. This is a good man, very charitable as will be heard about his work for UNICEF, not as all the other celebrities just sponsor for a little while, but was actively involved. A character the world is poorer for losing.

Sadly missed, 24 Jul 2004
I have listened to this tape at least six times since I received it a month or so ago and each time it charms me anew. Why do I like it so much? Maybe it's my great admiration for the man himself and the easy way he draws in the listener to his point of view. Maybe it's the stories and anecdotes themselves, each one peppered with hilarious mimicry and deep insights into the human condition. Maybe its because Sir Peter is now gone and the sound of his voice on tape brings someone back to life who I will sadly never meet. What I do know for certain is at the end of the tape I feel lifted but also saddened there isn't another hour of banter with Peter and the genial John Bird.

Superb, 21 Dec 2003
Ustinov is amazing! This CD is brilliant. I feel energised by the humanity of this very talented man who deftly interviewed by John Birdinjects humour into a rather self deprecating look at his life and work.

A rare, warm spark of humanity melting the coldness of world, 23 Aug 2003
Peter Ustinov's energy always impresses me. In this interview with John Bird,he uses the vehicle of experience and comedy to relate his work over the years both in the performed arts, his (he is very modest about this) work for Unicef and international relations and also his positive and humanistic view of the world. Burnt out and at the end of a hard week I fet the cares lifted from me. Touchingly modest he says when described by John Bird as a a Raconteur..."..that's someone who is too lazy to write it down."

Fascinating and very witty, 20 Jan 2008
What a fascinating character!

One of those books that I was reluctant to finish as the last page drew nearer.

Prior to reading this book I only knew Peter Ustinov as the delightful character Hercule Poirot in Agatha Christie films. But I learned that he had a very long career in the theatre and that his talents seemed to include almost all areas in it.

His background alone makes for interesting reading. He is the child of Russian immigrants who settled in England but his (very talented) ancestors came from far and wide and included countries such as Ethiopia and Israel.

Parts of the book is written in the style of a soul searching dialogue between Peter Ustinov and himself, hence the title. He makes some insightful comments about life and the world. In general throughout the book I was struck by what appears to be the extreme intelligence of someone who oddly enough did not do well in school.

Many parts of the book are pure entertainment. I laughed aloud in many places. His descriptions of his eccentric relatives, his experiences in the army, how he dealt with rebellious students at Durham university are all very funny.

I can recommend this book. It is highly entertaining and amusing. But it also contains some insightful observations by a highly intelligent, observant and unique personality.


good car talk, 17 Apr 2003
Why i bought this i dont know.I put it in the car and the trip flew in.He has the sort of voice that relaxes you and makes time fly.

Monsieur Rene is a retired widower living in Geneva with a meticulously trimmed moustache, an unused model train set in his loft and only one accolade to his name: his position as Permanent President of the International Brotherhood of Concierges and Hall Porters. Disillusioned with the modern world's corruption, he calls up a motley crew of similarly ageing hoteliers, concierges and valets, pointing out to them that their trade perks--more than personal satisfaction, more than tips--have been secrets which, put to use properly, could turn the world upside down. While his partners start to monitor sensitive international guests at Geneva's top hotels, the Chief of Police gets suspicious and Monsieur Rene discovers the charms of the redoubtable Agnes Schanderlach, Chief Housekeeper at the Bellerive Davel.

Monsieur Rene is a mischievous piece of whimsy, which combines Ustinov's trademark easy cosmopolitanism with some of the cruel edge of Ronald Firbank or the young Evelyn Waugh. Deliberately internationalist in its outlook, its peripheral cast is the modern jetset--the gay grandson of that famously heterosexual philanderer, the Emir of Djabbadieh; a scientific worker from Kazakhstan; a scandal-mired Italian judge. But here they're seen from behind the hotel desk, with eyes which have seen everything before. --Alan Stewart

Monsieur Rene is a retired widower living in Geneva with a meticulously trimmed moustache, an unused model train set in his loft and only one accolade to his name: his position as Permanent President of the International Brotherhood of Concierges and Hall Porters. Disillusioned with the modern world's corruption, he calls up a motley crew of similarly ageing hoteliers, concierges and valets, pointing out to them that their trade perks--more than personal satisfaction, more than tips--have been secrets which, put to use properly, could turn the world upside down. While his partners start to monitor sensitive international guests at Geneva's top hotels, the Chief of Police gets suspicious and Monsieur Rene discovers the charms of the redoubtable Agnes Schanderlach, Chief Housekeeper at the Bellerive Davel.

Monsieur Rene is a mischievous piece of whimsy, which combines Ustinov's trademark easy cosmopolitanism with some of the cruel edge of Ronald Firbank or the young Evelyn Waugh. Deliberately internationalist in its outlook, its peripheral cast is the modern jetset--the gay grandson of that famously heterosexual philanderer, the Emir of Djabbadieh; a scientific worker from Kazakhstan; a scandal-mired Italian judge. But here they're seen from behind the hotel desk, with eyes which have seen everything before. --Alan Stewart

Monsieur Rene is a retired widower living in Geneva with a meticulously trimmed moustache, an unused model train set in his loft and only one accolade to his name: his position as Permanent President of the International Brotherhood of Concierges and Hall Porters. Disillusioned with the modern world's corruption, he calls up a motley crew of similarly ageing hoteliers, concierges and valets, pointing out to them that their trade perks--more than personal satisfaction, more than tips--have been secrets which, put to use properly, could turn the world upside down. While his partners start to monitor sensitive international guests at Geneva's top hotels, the Chief of Police gets suspicious and Monsieur Rene discovers the charms of the redoubtable Agnes Schanderlach, Chief Housekeeper at the Bellerive Davel.

Monsieur Rene is a mischievous piece of whimsy, which combines Ustinov's trademark easy cosmopolitanism with some of the cruel edge of Ronald Firbank or the young Evelyn Waugh. Deliberately internationalist in its outlook, its peripheral cast is the modern jetset--the gay grandson of that famously heterosexual philanderer, the Emir of Djabbadieh; a scientific worker from Kazakhstan; a scandal-mired Italian judge. But here they're seen from behind the hotel desk, with eyes which have seen everything before. --Alan Stewart