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Which Lie Did I Tell? Paperback – 21 May 2001
Purchase options and add-ons
- Print length496 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherBloomsbury Publishing PLC
- Publication date21 May 2001
- Dimensions12.9 x 3.4 x 19.9 cm
- ISBN-100747553173
- ISBN-13978-0747553175
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About the Author
Product details
- Publisher : Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
- Publication date : 21 May 2001
- Edition : New
- Language : English
- Print length : 496 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0747553173
- ISBN-13 : 978-0747553175
- Item weight : 544 g
- Dimensions : 12.9 x 3.4 x 19.9 cm
- Best Sellers Rank: 87,738 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- 61 in Film Screenwriting
- 1,489 in Theatre & Performance Artist Biographies
- 1,805 in Actors & Entertainers Biographies
- Customer reviews:
About the author

William Goldman (b. 1931) is an Academy Award–winning author of screenplays, plays, memoirs, and novels. His first novel, The Temple of Gold (1957), was followed by the script for the Broadway army comedy Blood, Sweat and Stanley Poole (1961). He went on to write the screenplays for many acclaimed films, including Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) and All the President’s Men (1976), for which he won two Academy Awards. He adapted his own novels for the hit movies Marathon Man (1976) and The Princess Bride (1987).
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Customers find the book entertaining and informative, with one noting it's a fascinating read for budding writers. Moreover, the book receives positive feedback for its screenwriting insights, with one customer describing it as a brilliant analysis of how films get made. Additionally, the writing style is witty, and customers appreciate the author's authenticity.
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Customers find the book entertaining and informative, with one mentioning it's particularly fascinating for budding writers.
"...It is a long book, but very readable and engaging - not surprising, given Mr. Goldman's pedigree...." Read more
"...There’s plenty of examples to learn from both good and bad. It’s entertaining, heartfelt and honest and I learned a lot." Read more
"...in the craft of writing, especially screenwriting, this book is an absolute gem...." Read more
"...Erudite, witty, intelligent and insightful, what a book, what a man and what a life." Read more
Customers appreciate the book's approach to screenwriting, with one customer describing it as a brilliant analysis of how films get made.
"...is suitable for both the general reader, and also for those writing their own screenplays...." Read more
"...this is not that type of book. Instead it’s an honest recollection of William’s magically weird and whacky adventures in Hollywood, the projects he..." Read more
"...in far greater detail, and is packed with tips, pointers and wonderful anecdotes from Goldman's rich and varied career. A real gem." Read more
"...a brilliant analysis of how films actually get made, in part a star-studded memoir, and in part an insightful guide to the art of screenwriting...." Read more
Customers appreciate the writing quality of the book, finding it witty and clever.
"...Erudite, witty, intelligent and insightful, what a book, what a man and what a life." Read more
"...in great company, never bored, always entertained, and often surprised by what he writes. Not just for film buffs - a page turner for everyone." Read more
"Great writer, great book. Funny and informative." Read more
"...The author does a charming and convincing line in self deprecation, which should appeal to Brits, as we do that too...." Read more
Customers appreciate the authenticity of the book, with one review noting its brutally honest portrayal of the author's career.
"...So he has credibility, and is brutally honest about his career, and how no matter how good you are, you are only as good as your last job...." Read more
"...This is a man who cares about telling a good story filled with quality characters...." Read more
"...Erudite, witty, intelligent and insightful, what a book, what a man and what a life." Read more
Top reviews from United Kingdom
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- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 8 February 2014This book is suitable for both the general reader, and also for those writing their own screenplays. It is a long book, but very readable and engaging - not surprising, given Mr. Goldman's pedigree.
This man won Oscars and BAFTAs for "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" and "All the President's Men". In this book he reveals that he ghost wrote the screenplay for "Good Will Hunting", for which an Oscar was awarded in 1998 to Matt Damon and Ben Affleck... He was paid a lot of money to keep quiet about that - he bought a villa in the Riviera as a result.
So he has credibility, and is brutally honest about his career, and how no matter how good you are, you are only as good as your last job.
As a guide to writing your own material, it is much less prescriptive, and perhaps more 'modern' than the classic "Screenplay" by Syd Field. Read both books and you will be very well informed on screenplay craftsmanship. This book, though, will help you with the salemanship also (if you ever would like to get your screenplay into production).
Recommended to anyone who has ever watched a movie!
Brian
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 May 2014I’ve read a few screenwriting books now and some seem to be by guys who have written scripts I’ve never heard of. Others constantly reference the one or two minor successes they’ve achieved.
William Goldman has a proven track record over several decades and they are filled with quality movies and books. This is a man who cares about telling a good story filled with quality characters. All this comes across really well in the book ‘What Lie Did I Tell?’
If you are expecting a book about script formatting or how to write a script that is ‘guaranteed to sell!’ this is not that type of book. Instead it’s an honest recollection of William’s magically weird and whacky adventures in Hollywood, the projects he’s worked on; the successes and the failures. There’s plenty of examples to learn from both good and bad. It’s entertaining, heartfelt and honest and I learned a lot.
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 4 February 2024The book was in good condition has said
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 5 May 2015If you're interested in the craft of writing, especially screenwriting, this book is an absolute gem. Definitely up there with Stephen King's 'On Writing' (and surpasses it, in my opinion, for sheer interestingness about the art, the craft and the journey). It's like a director's commentary on a DVD, only in far greater detail, and is packed with tips, pointers and wonderful anecdotes from Goldman's rich and varied career. A real gem.
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 8 January 2018A book for everyone whether or not you were a reader, a writer, or aspiring writer. I am not a scriptwriter in any stretch of imagination and I gobbled this book up in a couple of seatings. Erudite, witty, intelligent and insightful, what a book, what a man and what a life.
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 19 December 2024Whilst this book was an interesting read it was not particularly helpful. I cannot say that it improved my writing, probably because his points of reference with 'The Princess Bride' and 'There's Something About Mary' were not my kinds of films. If he did something more with Hitchcock like 'Notorious' and 'North by Northwest' then maybe I would have had a different opinion on the book.
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 22 March 2015Easily as good as Goldman's previous insight into the film world (Adventures in the Screen Trade). To read Goldman is to be in great company, never bored, always entertained, and often surprised by what he writes. Not just for film buffs - a page turner for everyone.
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 16 June 2015Feeling reflective? This will start a whole string of different readings for you!
Top reviews from other countries
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MehdzoReviewed in France on 17 January 2020
4.0 out of 5 stars Suite digne du premier
Expérience bien détaillé. Conseils utiles. A lire.