Anthony Holden

Anthony Holden (1947-2023) was an English writer, broadcaster and literary critic who established himself as a prominent biographer of cultural figures and British royalty. His extensive body of work included biographies of Shakespeare, Tchaikovsky, and Prince Charles, as well as several books about poker. After winning Young Journalist of the Year in 1972, Holden built a career writing acclaimed biographies of artists and historical figures. His subjects ranged from actor Laurence Olivier to opera librettist Lorenzo Da Ponte, demonstrating his versatility across cultural domains. Beyond his biographical works, Holden made significant contributions to poker literature and culture. His book "Big Deal: A Year as a Professional Poker Player" became a classic in the genre, and he later served as the first President of the International Federation of Poker in 2009. Holden's literary output also included translations of opera and Ancient Greek poetry, reflecting his classical education at Merton College, Oxford. His work consistently demonstrated deep research and cultural insight across multiple disciplines.

Readers value Holden's approach to biography, particularly his thorough research and engaging storytelling in "Big Deal" and his Charles, Prince of Wales works. Reviews highlight his experience as both a journalist and poker player lending authenticity to his writing. Positive feedback focuses on: - Clear explanations of complex topics without oversimplifying - Balanced perspective when covering controversial subjects - Integration of personal experiences into his non-fiction Common criticisms include: - Occasional bias in royal biographies - Some passages that drift into excessive detail - Dated cultural references in older works Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: - "Big Deal" - 3.9/5 (425 ratings) - "Charles: A Biography" - 3.7/5 (289 ratings) Amazon: - "Along Came a Spider" - 4.1/5 (108 reviews) - "Laurence Olivier" - 4.0/5 (56 reviews) A recurring reader note: "Holden brings humanity to his subjects while maintaining journalistic objectivity."

Big Deal: A Year as a Professional Poker Player (1990) Chronicles Holden's year-long sabbatical playing poker professionally across the world, documenting both the technical aspects of high-stakes poker and the unique characters he encountered.

Bigger Deal (2007) Examines the transformed poker landscape 15 years after "Big Deal," exploring how online gaming and television coverage changed the nature of professional poker.

Prince Charles (1979) Details the early life and character of Prince Charles through extensive research and insider access to the royal circle.

Laurence Olivier (1988) Presents a comprehensive biography of the legendary actor-director, covering both his theatrical achievements and personal life.

Tchaikovsky: A Biography (1995) Explores the life of the Russian composer, examining his musical contributions and personal struggles through detailed historical research.

William Shakespeare: His Life and Work (1999) Investigates Shakespeare's life and career through available historical evidence, connecting biographical details with his literary output.

The Wit in the Dungeon: The Life of Leigh Hunt (2005) Chronicles the life of the English critic, essayist, and poet Leigh Hunt, including his imprisonment for libeling the Prince Regent.

Lorenzo Da Ponte: The Life and Times of Mozart's Librettist (2006) Traces the remarkable life of Mozart's collaborator from venetian priest to New York greengrocer and cultural pioneer.

Peter Ackroyd writes detailed biographies of British cultural figures and London history, combining extensive research with literary technique. He covers similar subjects to Holden including Shakespeare and other artistic figures.

James McManus brings poker and literary writing together in works like "Positively Fifth Street" and "Cowboys Full: The Story of Poker." His approach to poker writing balances personal experience with historical research like Holden's work.

Claire Tomalin produces meticulously researched biographies of literary and cultural figures including Charles Dickens and Jane Austen. Her biographical style emphasizes both scholarly depth and narrative engagement similar to Holden's approach.

Hugo Vickers specializes in biographies of royal and aristocratic figures, particularly focused on the British monarchy. His work includes detailed accounts of the Royal Family and their inner circle, comparable to Holden's royal biographies.

Richard Ellmann wrote definitive biographies of major literary figures including James Joyce and Oscar Wilde. His combination of scholarly research with accessible narrative mirrors Holden's approach to cultural biography.