Sir Gerald du Maurier was the most celebrated actor-manager of his day, knighted for his services to the theatre in 1922.

Published within six months of her father's death, this frank biography was considered shocking by many of his admirers - but it was a huge success, winning Daphne du Maurier critical acclaim and launching her career.

In Gerald: A Portrait, Daphne du Maurier captures the spirit and charm of the charismatic actor who played the original Captain Hook, amusingly recalling his eccentricities and his sense of humour, and sensitively portraying the darker side of his nature and his bouts of depression.

A remarkable book . . . brilliant comic writing - The Times