Michael Caine's Autobiographical-BLOWING THE BLOODY DOORS OFF-His Advice on Life and Acting

At 94, Sir Michael Caine is a retired actor who's been around the block and come a long way from being just a regular Cockney bloke. Amazed with his own luck in life and his illustrious career, he happily shares his past, work ethics, regrets and what he values most in life.  He'll be the first to tell you it comes from working your rear end off. "Be like a duck; calm on the surface, but always paddling like the dickens underneath." "Confidence comes from experience plus preparation," is another similar note he cheerily  offers in his latest memorable memoirs that's as debonair and disarming as he appears to be on screen. While Caine is generous in his tips he's first to admit what advice he's received from others. He attributes his duck analogy to his mother and his other tried and true acting tidbit is attributed to John Wayne, "Talk low, talk slow and don't say too much." Caine recounts his first time meeting Wayne on his first time to Hollywood (and the States). Caine was staying in the Beverly Hills Hotel to promote the movie "Alfie". The film "Alfie" first garnered Caine international attention. While in the lobby of the hotel, John Wayne landed on the front lawn of the Beverly Hills Hotel in a helicopter before making a grand entrance into the lobby. Caine was starstruck and gobsmacked by Wayne who recognized him from "Alfie" and predicted he would become a big star. " Perhaps, Caine's own simple advice is the best. "Prepare yourself well and turn up on time are my first rules in life." This lively blend of advice, movie memorabilia and self-reflections all add up to a delightful and resourceful read. In part, it's an amazing rags to riches tale but in a more meaningful way his candor and marvel at how his life unfolded is what makes this book so bloody good. Caine is the first to share what's great in becoming a celebrity. "Getting to meet my heroes, and in many cases becoming friends with them, was for me, one of the best parts of becoming a star." Although Caine also warns against becoming too self-consumed. "Take your work seriously, yes, but don't whatever you do get all pompous and start taking yourself too seriously." Caine speaks openly about his love and devotion for his wife and daughters and bemoans the demise of his first marriage. One of the many glimpses into Caine's persona came from what he overheard his wife say in an interview when asked what first attracted her to her husband. She reportedly said, "I liked the way he treated his mother." There are plenty of sound guidances to glean in "Blowing the Bloody Doors Off." Observing Caine through his work on film and having read this book made me wish to have known him personally.  When queried, "Do I believe in God? Yes, I do. When you've had a life like mine, you have to."