Irreverent, indiscreet, wildly funny, sad, shocking yet inspiring, the legendary diaries of Kenneth Tynan are above all compelling literature of a very high order. Here was a man who knew virtually everyone in the theatre and film worlds on both sides of the Atlantic for three decades - and had fascinating gossip on most of them. A brilliant and feared critic, Kenneth Tynan was a nabob of the National Theatre alongside Laurence Olivier, and he was also the daring impresario who created 'Oh Calcuta'. He was a notorious eccentric, a louche sophisticate: connoisseur of cuisine, wine, literature and women. Where else could you find such a judicious blend of aesthetics, theatre lore, love, marriage, sex and politics? These sizzling diaries will remind older readers of a man whose reputation as the greatest critic of the twentieth century is still unchallenged and introduce younger readers to an electrifying writer who simply could not be boring.