Still working and more beloved than ever, Caine now shares everything he’s learned-and “his fans will be rewarded, as will anyone seeking an enjoyable, inspirational read” (Library Journal). If you're looking for a straight-up celebrity memoir then Blowing the Bloody Doors Off isn't that book.

With over 100 movies to his credit over six decades, Hollywood legend and British national treasure Michael Caine shares the wisdom, stories, insight and skills that life has taught him in his remarkable career.This is good advice, although I'm not sure we then need so complete a run-down of all the steps he takes in preparation for a day's performance, from packing his bag the night before, getting a good night's sleep, and allowing for unexpected delays in the journey. Indeed, he speaks with great love and warmth about his family and tells heartwarming stories of time spent with his grandchildren. Some real gems that made me laugh out loud and some sound advice that's also applicable to us lesser mortals not in the film industry. One of our best-loved actors Michael Caine has starred in a huge range of films - including all-time favourites - from the classic British movies Alfie, Zulu and The Italian Job to the Hollywood blockbusting Dark Knight trilogy, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Hannah and Her Sisters and Cider House Rules.

Caine not only waxes lyrical about his friends and family but entire sections of the book read like extended acknowledgements to those who've helped him on his way, from the bloke at the butter factory where Caine was working who first told him about the Stage newspaper, to Hollywood royalty John Wayne. There is some repetition in the book, but look, it's not that long, so you move through it pretty quickly. Though it’s fair to say there’s a bit of overlap in this book to his previous autobiographical tomes, it’s nevertheless an entertaining read and shows off Caine’s storytelling talent and ability to dissect events and understand how to move forward.Blowing the Bloody Doors Off is something of a companion piece to his two previous volumes, and is best read as such, rather than on its own since there are enough occasions in its pages where the author explicitly refuses to repeat stories he's already treated readers to – such as how he met his wife of 45 years, Shakira . According to his book (and there is no reason to doubt the content) he is calm, polite and professional while on set; he is organised and well prepared in advance of arriving; he doesn't drink to excess or go near drugs; he turns every difficulty into a positive and, has been married 50 years (how many actors can claim that?

In my head I had already imagined and then quickly written off Batman, but I thought perhaps I could be a great villain. I felt like I was getting some privileged insight from a grandfatherly figure who sat me down to take me through his life, both personally and professionally. I love his casual writing style, but couldn't imagine he'd have anything new to say that he hadn't already told in TV interviews or in his previous autobiographies.

That organizational structure can be off putting at times, as, after starting out with his pre-star early days, he constantly jumps around in time the rest of the book. The pages that follow are heavy with name dropping: the Rolling Stones, The Beatles, David Bailey, Jean Shrimpton, Terence Stamp, Vidal Sassoon, and Peter O’Toole, to name just a few.