The rise of the media in the 20th century changed the nature of fame: before, people had been famous for what they had done, in this century many have become famous just for who they are. Film footage and modern fame began together, and what began as a flood has become a torrent: hundreds of thousands of images that have shaped reality and perhaps distorted it. In this book, written to accompany his major TV series, Clive James looks at the nature of fame in the 20th century, giving it his own unique interpretation - original, illuminating and funny. All the key international figures - from politics, art, literature, science, sport, crime, and especially film and TV, are presented here for the entertainment and illumination of the reader.