This candid memoir traces a troubled youth into international acting, writing, and directing success.

In this electrifying memoir, Steven Berkoff charts his journey from troubled youth to internationally acclaimed actor, writer, and director. With trademark candour and bite, he reveals how he developed a radical approach to performance--and how he became the go-to villain in some of cinema's most iconic films.

Along the way, Berkoff pulls back the curtain on a career spent working with the giants of stage and screen. He reveals lively encounters with directors like Stanley Kubrick and Joe Papp, and shares first-hand experiences of collaborating with stars including Johnny Depp, Joan Collins, and Christopher Walken. From the hallowed halls of The National Theatre to the anarchic spirit of the Fringe, he captures the thrill, chaos, and uncompromising artistry that have defined his life's work.