"Admirable...consistent with its subject's unassuming intelligence.... Meyers relates [Orwell's] life crisply and judiciously."-The New York Times

Respected biographer Jeffrey Meyers delves into the complex life of the man whose visionary work gave us the great anti-utopias of modern literature. "The breadth of his research is impressive" (New York Times Book Review), drawing on a close study of the new edition of Orwell's Complete Works, personal interviews, and unpublished material in London's Orwell Archive.  Meyers's "briskly paced, absorbing narrative...offers keen insights" (Boston Sunday Globe) on Orwell's intellectual development, as well as his human failings-his childhood insecurities, his political dilemmas, and his conflicted relationships with women. "Leagues in front of" Orwell's previous biographers, Meyers "convincingly demonstrates the essence of [Orwell's] character" (Denver Post), revealing a "much more helpful and believable portrait" (Paul Theroux). "The breadth of his research is impressive."-New York Times Book Review "A respected biographer and no stranger to his subject."-Newark Star-Ledger  "[B]riskly paced, absorbing narrative...offers keen insights."-Boston Sunday Globe "[Meyers] convincingly demonstrates the essence of [Orwell's] character."-Denver Post  "[A]dmirable for its portrayal of Orwell the man and writer--dark, disturbed, obsessing, contrary....both moving and edifying."-Paul Theroux "[L]ikely to be seen as the most insightful and balanced portrait...for a long time to come."-Joseph Frank "Meyers has uncovered fascinating aspects of Orwell's life that put a new face to one of Britain's most influential authors."-Phillip Knightley, author of The First Casualty