Leon Russell: The Master of Space and Time's Journey Through Rock & Roll History by Bill Janovitz is a 2023 Hachette Books publication.
I honestly hav Leon Russell: The Master of Space and Time's Journey Through Rock & Roll History by Bill Janovitz is a 2023 Hachette Books publication.
I honestly have no idea how to even begin here.
This is a very comprehensive biography. The author has done an incredible job here with organizing all this material on Leon’s life. Of all the biographies I’ve ever read, this one might have been the most complicated- because Leon was complicated.
A musical genius misdiagnosed most of his life with a variety of mental health issues, he was great at music- but bad at relationships, bad with money, bad with his health. After helping so many other artists in his life, he was often forgotten about in his later years…(despite a resurgance in 2010- and his induction into the RHoF)- but in his prime…
Leon was a mystery, a bit spooky, a little intimidating. He was wild, but introverted, living in his head and in his music. He worked with so many people in his life- just an incredible list of people who wafted in and out of his orbit.
It is no wonder that he made such an impression, made such an impact on music- for others and himself. It was crazy reading about all the work he did, his methods, the way his mind worked all while he moved around a world of musical innovation. Fascinating, really.
Now when it comes to Leon’s personal life things could get sticky and Leon was not always easy to like or understand. He was, to say the very least, eccentric- not always the warmest person on earth and didn’t have a filter, either. But he also liked having all his people surrounding him despite his tendency to be absent-either physically or emotionally.
I’m really not sure how Janovitz managed to get through all the family drama portions of the book as it was often confusing and convoluted, but he did an amazing job on this herculean task.
That said, if you aren’t as familiar, as the author is, with Leon Russell, or if you aren’t a child or prodigy of Leon’s generation, some of this material could be tedious. I knew many people spoken of in this book, but there were just as many I did not know. Sometimes the process of creating the music went straight over my head and I admit to occasionally skimming some sections as this book is extremely long for a biography. In fact, it might have been a good idea to have broken this book up into two sections as is the current trend for some memoirists these days. I was tempted to put the book aside for a while, actually, as it was definitely dense at times, and I have been so busy it was hard to stay focused on some sections of it- and with the length of it I'd started to crave a little fiction. But- this didn’t diminish my absolute respect for what the author has put together here and the obvious labor of love that it was is beyond impressive.
Gentle on my Mind by Kim Campbell is a 2020 Thomas Nelson publication.
I was never a huge fan of country music and sometimes I marvel at why Glen CampGentle on my Mind by Kim Campbell is a 2020 Thomas Nelson publication.
I was never a huge fan of country music and sometimes I marvel at why Glen Campbell was labeled in this category- but nevertheless, I really liked most of his music. I did not rush out to get a copy of this book when it was published four years ago, and it wasn’t until I saw a random article a few weeks ago about Kim and this book that I decided to check it out.
I went into this without the slightest bit of a preconceived notion. I didn’t know a thing about Kim and didn’t notice that the publisher was Thomas Nelson- a faith-based imprint. Kim is a Christian and speaks openly and often about her faith. For me, I was back and forth about her spiritual health as some things she talks about do not mesh with what the Bible says and a passage about a religious game she played with other celebrities in Arizona raised my eyebrows- so by the time we got to the eighty percent mark, when she finally dropped the names of a few uber-wealthy television ministries associated with a prosperity gospel- I knew she was still more childlike in her spiritual maturity. But, at least- as far as I know- she’s never abandoned her faith- which is good.
Kim does a good job with the writing, organization, and presentation of the book. I don’t know if I really got an essence of who she is deep down as everything here is tied to Glen and her marriage. Occasionally she comes off as a long-suffering saint refusing to give up no matter what the personal cost… which was emotional and psychological abuse whenever Glen went through one of his relapses.
The tone she sets is one where she seems desperate to prove that she wasn’t in it for the fame and fortune. Once she finally realized this was no fairytale and Glen was no prince charming- instead of waving the white flag she dug in and did the work to make the marriage work. It wasn’t all bad- there were long periods of normalcy, peace, and sobriety, too.
But Kim’s dedication and faith was truly tested when Glen was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. I admire her willingness to care for him on her own, without care facilities – for a long while. I understand she wanted to educate people on the realities of the disease, but I wish she had stopped Glen’s journey as he walked off the stage for the last time- after a poignant, triumphant and inspirational farewell tour.
Instead, she detailed the multiple losses of his faculties, both mental and physical, stripping him of his dignity to some degree, I thought. I’m just glad I’m not rich or famous because I wouldn’t want my family members to tell the entire world how often I wet the bed or didn’t make it to the bathroom.
That said, I’m convinced that while the marriage was rocky- it was legit. There was love- and devotion despite the darkness that often overshadowed the good times. I hated to hear of the legal woes and infighting in the family over Glen’s estate. I think caring for Glen during his illness was a drain on their finances and the estate suffered as a result- so I’m not sure if there was all that much to quarrel over in the end and some people got involved in matters that simply were none of their business.
Overall, while I suspect Kim's faith was only surface deep, and it seemed she was in her head a lot due to the bubble of fame she lived in for over thirty years, I did admire her attitude, her fortitude, and hope now that her legal and money troubles are ironed out and that she can now bask in the good memories she shared with Glen and help promote his musical legacy that has meant so much to so many people.
I wanted to like this one- but at 20% I'm throwing in the towel. I don't read many sports bios- and I'd never, I hate to admit, heard of Althea... ButI wanted to like this one- but at 20% I'm throwing in the towel. I don't read many sports bios- and I'd never, I hate to admit, heard of Althea... But her story intrigued me. Evidently, Althea wrote a memoir, and the author quotes heavily from it here- which makes me think I might do just as well to hear all this from Althea. The history, while interesting to a point, goes on too long, is very dry reading, and made it hard for me to stay focused. With a monumental TBR list to conquer, I need to put this one aside for now. No rating. ...more
The Extraordinary Life of an Ordinary Man by Paul Newman is a 2022 Knopf publication.
This a great way to present a memoir. I thoroughly enjoyed the vThe Extraordinary Life of an Ordinary Man by Paul Newman is a 2022 Knopf publication.
This a great way to present a memoir. I thoroughly enjoyed the various excerpts from people who knew Paul Newman personally, and those who knew him mainly from a professional standpoint, while Paul fills in all the rest. This creates more of a well-rounded view of him as a person, and it was interesting to see it all come together so fluidly.
Paul Newman was very easy on the eyes- and yes, he knew this- but his looks seemed to make him more insecure about being taken seriously as an actor.
Now that I’ve learned a bit more about him, I see that he was very different from many actors. I think. His musings show a man who thinks deeply, but didn't take himself too seriously. He was also a person who was surprisingly filled with a lot of self- doubt. He seemed almost bemused by his success as an actor, but also acknowledged that it came at a cost.
Though I didn’t agree with his spiritual philosophy, an area of his thinking I was disappointed in, to say the least- but I do find that no matter how ‘normal’ an actor - or any other entertainer, for that matter- can seem, they usually fail to realize they don’t live in the same reality as the rest of us.
Still, despite that one big difference of opinion- I thought this was a solid effort by everyone who took part in it. The latter years of Paul’s life are not part of this memoir-for reasons that will be explained if you read the book- which was too bad, as he accomplished a great deal in his final years.
Still, I found the memoir interesting, and it gave me insight into Newman’s inner thoughts, his private life, his regrets, and various internal conflicts. I also enjoyed hearing about his professional relationships, and the anecdotes he shared about his movie making adventures with his fellow co-stars and friends.
Overall, this is a different approach for a memoir, but it was well-executed and quite effectively.
But Will You Love Me Tomorrow? An Oral History of 60s Girl Groups by Laura Flam is a 2023 Hachette Books publication.
Although oral histories have notBut Will You Love Me Tomorrow? An Oral History of 60s Girl Groups by Laura Flam is a 2023 Hachette Books publication.
Although oral histories have not been a favored format for me, apparently, they are growing on me, as this is the second oral history I’ve read in the past few weeks-both in the performance arts category.
I became interested in reading more about girl groups after reading another book about black women in rock music. The author of that book touched on this subject briefly, but I wanted to know more, so when I stumbled across this book, I snapped it up without hesitation.
This book covers not only the more recognizable names in this musical genre, but also the pioneers and the groups that might have been forgotten over time. What is so cool about oral histories is that we get to hear directly from the people who were there, and encompasses the entire trend, not just one or two big names or a hyper-focus on just one group.
There’s a lot of history here, and the author did a great job of covering it, and of course, I had to go over to YouTube to see if I could catch some old videos or recordings of these fabulous girl groups I was not as familiar with, and revisit some I haven’t listened to in a long time.
The ladies were all so good and I loved their harmonies, their styles, and fashions, too. While these groups have kind of become a footnote in the history of rock/pop music, they deserve a lot more recognition and respect than they have been given.
These groups influenced heavy hitters like the Beatles and Stones but also many other future musicians, and the influence is still prevalent today.
I enjoyed the book immensely, diving into it at intervals in between reading novels. I enjoyed the different perspectives and the behind-the-scenes insights. It was sad to hear of the hardships that befell some of these women over the years, but some of them are still out there performing which is just awesome! It was also infuriating to hear that their music is often featured in movies, ads, and television shows and they do not see any revenue from that. They are campaigning for new laws, and I hope that comes to fruition.
I am so happy this author chose to write this book. These girl groups were groundbreaking, inspirational, and talented. It’s about time we were reminded of these fabulous ladies, bringing them back from the brink of obscurity so that perhaps they might finally get the long overdue credit they deserve- and get some payment for their work, as well.
The Ice Cream Blonde: The Whirlwind Life and Mysterious Death of Screwball Comedienne Thelma Todd by Michelle Morgan is a 2015 Chicago Review Press puThe Ice Cream Blonde: The Whirlwind Life and Mysterious Death of Screwball Comedienne Thelma Todd by Michelle Morgan is a 2015 Chicago Review Press publication.
Thelma Todd’s career started during the silent movie era, progressing beyond into the 1930s. She had a great comedic talent and managed to work steadily as an actress, with various ups and downs along the way.
This biography is organized and thorough, giving the reader insights into the movie business during Thelma’s tenure as an actress, as well as painting a portrait of Thelma, her spunk, moral code, and approach to life.
I enjoyed hearing about her films and who she had the opportunity to work with- but unfortunately, the delivery here is very dry at times.
About halfway through, though, the pacing seemed to pick up as the author moved toward the mystery of Todd’s death.
Thelma was only twenty-nine years old when she died of carbon monoxide poisoning. The question, though, was whether it was accidental, suicide or murder.
The author lays out a compelling argument for all three possibilities. It is up to the reader as to which conclusion one chooses. For me, I have had all the conspiracy theories I can take these days and feel the most likely scenario was the simplest- a sad tragedy- yet there is still just a niggling of doubt- considering the people who were moving around in Todd’s orbit.
Though dry in places, this is an interesting biography. I was familiar with Todd but had forgotten about her over the years. In fact, it seems that many of the stars from the silent movie era- save Charlie Chaplin, perhaps, have slipped into obscurity. So, it is nice to see that Todd is still remembered. Sadly, it is her notoriety that survives more than her body of work.
Overall, I’m glad I stumbled across this one. I didn’t have much luck finding clips of Todd’s work- even on YouTube- again more concerned about her untimely death than her acting- except for one pre-code clip- of course. I’ll have to keep my eyes peeled for any TCM shorts I can find. With the fragile future of old films at stake I fear many actresses like Thelma and great old movies and shorts will be lost to us forever and that’s a real shame.
In her short life, Thelma Todd lived gusto. Although she never managed to break through to super stardom, her contributions are notable and should be remembered.
Directed by James Burrows by James Burrows, Eddy Friedfeld (With) is a 2022 Ballantine Books publication.
I can tell you the names of the characters aDirected by James Burrows by James Burrows, Eddy Friedfeld (With) is a 2022 Ballantine Books publication.
I can tell you the names of the characters and the actors who portray them on television shows- especially those I grew up watching -but ask me who the director was and I might draw a complete blank.
That said, James Burrows is one director's name I recognize. He worked on so many of the best sitcoms in American history. Still, I had no idea how long he had been working behind the camera, how he got his start, and all the amazing shows he directed.
This book is not just about a list of shows or actors Burrows worked on or with, but it was also an education on what goes on behind the scenes that creates that awesome chemistry that makes a show standout and becomes a major success.
For me, it was also a bit of a trip down memory lane. It brought back the magic of some of my favorite shows, but also gave me incredible new insights and details that made me want to binge watch every one of these shows all over again, so I could see them through Burrows' eye lens.
That said, the book is listed as a memoir- or autobiography, but it is almost entirely about Burrows professional life. If you are hoping to get a feel for who the man is in his private life, you won’t find that here- so maybe we should create a new category – like ‘professional memoir’ or something, so we know what to -or not to- expect. I’d like to have had more of a balance in a memoir- but other than that, I thought this was a very interesting book. It is also nostalgic and entertaining, too.
Finding Me by Viola Davis is a 2022 Harper One Publication.
What an amazing memoir! Viola is one of my favorite actresses- but I knew very little abouFinding Me by Viola Davis is a 2022 Harper One Publication.
What an amazing memoir! Viola is one of my favorite actresses- but I knew very little about her private life. This book was a huge surprise to me. I was absolutely riveted to both the e-book and the audiobook. I honestly have no words- One simply must experience this memoir for themselves to truly appreciate it.
This must be one of the most straightforward and brutally honest memoirs I have had the pleasure of reading. Viola’s childhood was tough- and it wasn’t just that her family was poor- but that she lived in a home where substance abuse and violence prevailed.
The descriptions of the living conditions of her home are hard to wrap one’s head around, but despite her parents having their hands full with their own demons, Viola managed to get some support from siblings and programs offered to her which helped to build her self-esteem, incentivized her to change the course of her life, propelling her toward achieving her dreams.
The journey wasn’t an easy one- but my goodness was a ride it has been. Viola- I am so happy that you are full of self- love now- that you know how beautiful and talented you are, and I hope you know what an inspiration you are, as well.
Overall, Viola is such a strong woman, but she also shares her struggles and vulnerabilities, and how she made it to this point of stability, peace and understanding.
I love the way she handles her success. She’s humble, practical, and handles criticism stoically and with pragmatism, and that is not something many people are able to pull off in general, much less publicly. I have loved this actress for a long time based solely on her skills as an actress, but now I am doubly impressed. Now when I see Viola on the big or small screen, I will see her in a different light- one that shines brighter and stronger, with an everlasting glow…
This one gets my rare ‘highly recommended’ stamp of approval! ...more
Dearie: The Remarkable Life of Julia Child by Bob Spitz is a 2012 Knopf publication.
Julia Child, maybe the first wildly successful ‘celebrity’ chef, Dearie: The Remarkable Life of Julia Child by Bob Spitz is a 2012 Knopf publication.
Julia Child, maybe the first wildly successful ‘celebrity’ chef, has never really gone out of style. Her popularity has waxed and waned, but somehow, over the years she has become a pop culture staple and her life is endlessly fascinating.
That said, despite how liked and respected Julia was, a book with over a thousand pages dedicated to one person, who isn’t a world leader, or something, is perhaps a wee bit overboard.
This book is incredibly comprehensive, but unnecessarily so, for the most part. The approach is one of effusive positivity, portraying Julia in the best possible light, but is obviously researched- though, as with any biography, especially those in which the author hasn’t included many of the subject’s less than flattering aspects, one should always be careful about taking everything at face value. I do believe some of Julia's politics caused backlash the book sort of glossed over.
Beyond those quibbles, Julia’s story is certainly an interesting one. She was a late bloomer in many ways, proving it is never too late to achieve success- as she didn’t hit her stride until she was over fifty. She began with writing cookbooks, which morphed into her wildly popular cooking show on PBS, and eventually became a household name, a celebrity, and even brand.
I enjoyed the new HBO series about her segue into becoming a television chef and understand there will be a second season of the show- If you haven’t seen it, it’s simply delightful and very well acted. This book fills in some of the blanks- such as Julia’s difficult relationship with her father- a right wing conservative who disliked Julia’s more liberal opinions and made no secret he disliked her husband, Paul.
This book also details Julia’s life beyond her days on PBS, her complicated relationship with Simca,(Simone Beck), the French chef who co-wrote many of Julia’s cookbooks, but didn’t enjoy the same celebrity, as well as offering further details of her work during the second world war, which has been slightly over exaggerated, but intriguing all the same.
It’s incredible that Julia is still a top draw, that she became an icon of sorts, and that her life has been the subject of so much scrutiny and imagination.
The people she influenced, the market she pretty much invented, has become a part of our everyday lives now. I think Julia showed everyone, not just women, who were the primary cooks in families during the early sixties, that cooking doesn’t necessarily have to be a chore. It can be a source of, or outlet for creativity, imagination, and pride. It can bring people together, be a source of joy and comfort and I also think Julia, not being afraid to make mistakes, to laugh off her goofs and missteps, gave everyone the confidence to get in the kitchen and try something new and different and to keep at it until you’ve mastered it. She also proved it could be a lucrative career choice as well.
Julia didn’t fit inside any mold and used that to her advantage. We owe a lot to Julia and it’s good to see that her legacy lives on…
Overall, even with someone as charismatic as Julia Child- there can be too much of a good thing- and unfortunately, this book is a good example of that.
That said, I found Julia to be an inspiration- although, I didn’t always agree with her approach, her opinions, or decisions. She did indeed live quite a remarkable life, though, and there is no doubt she was a quite a character…. With butter and cream on top!!...more
A Song for Everyone: The Story of Creedence Clearwater Revival by John Lingan is a 2022 Hachette Books publication.
CCR- this is a band I’ve listened A Song for Everyone: The Story of Creedence Clearwater Revival by John Lingan is a 2022 Hachette Books publication.
CCR- this is a band I’ve listened to nearly my whole life- and sadly, they are a band that I kind of took for granted a lot.
I added this book to my TBR list about a year ago, and of course it slid down the list- but I was reminded of it when my DH and I were scrolling through Netflix and happened across a documentary of CCR, narrated by….
Marilyn Monroe: The Biography by Donald Spoto is a 2001 Cooper Square Press publication. (Originally published in 1993)
I read biographies and memoirs Marilyn Monroe: The Biography by Donald Spoto is a 2001 Cooper Square Press publication. (Originally published in 1993)
I read biographies and memoirs on a fairly regular basis, but have not read one about Marilyn Monroe. One big reason for that is my wariness about the legitimacy of the facts. Conspiracy theories can be lucrative, and if desperate for money, the temptation to create misinformation for profit can be irresistible. But the damage is impossible to eradicate. All these speculations about Marilyn, her connections to the Kennedy’s or the mob or whatever, prompted this author to do a thorough investigation and a ton of in-depth research to write a book that tells Marilyn’s life story as accurately as humanly possible.
Another reason I chose to read this book was in preparation for the Joyce Carol Oates book- "Blonde" which has been on my TBR list for a long time.
Once I started reading, and since the book is currently in the KU program with added audio, I listened to parts of it, as well, it became obvious the author took his job very, very seriously!!
To say this biography is comprehensive is an understatement. The book moves in strict chronological order, and details both Marilyn’s personal life and her professional one and chronicles all the ups and downs in those segments of her life. The portrait of Marilyn is one of a woman who is dedicated to her craft, smarter than anyone realizes, and could brilliantly drop into character and instantly go from Norma Jean to ‘her'- the created image of Marilyn Monroe.
Marilyn was also very insecure, torn by her longing for a true love and children, and still balance a successful career in a time when those aspirations were not encouraged. She was chronically late for everything- work, doctor’s appointments, classes, you name it, which is something I don’t find appealing in a person, but she seemed to have a few hang ups that kept her constantly going over her appearance before she went anywhere. Her drug addictions were, as they were with other actresses, a part of the Hollywood system, where pills were passed out like candy. Marilyn, for someone her age, seemed to also have an awful lot of health problems, on top of everything else.
As everything starts to point to Marilyn’s realization that she needs to make some changes, with the pills, with the doctors, with people in her life, and with the possibility of another chance at love, the unthinkable happens.
As the book heads into the last night of Marilyn’s life, it would indeed seem that there was something very, very wrong. It was so intense, and eerie, but not as everyone seems to think, though. Yes, there was a cover-up, but not the fodder for insane conspiracy theories involving the mob or the government or the Kennedy’s or deliberate suicide. It was a horrible, tragedy and yes, someone should have had to answer for what happened to her.
Overall, I think the author did a really good job with this biography. The book has a little bit of an old school layout- and approach- but there’s nothing wrong with that if it works. There are many, many, many books written about Marilyn, but if you want one of the most trustworthy ones, that covers her entire life and offers a plausible explanation of what really happened to her the night she died, this is the one you want to grab.
Cokie: A Life Well-Lived by Steven V. Roberts is a 2021 Harper publication.
This book is an homage to the journalist Cokie Roberts, written by her husCokie: A Life Well-Lived by Steven V. Roberts is a 2021 Harper publication.
This book is an homage to the journalist Cokie Roberts, written by her husband, Steven. It’s not a biography in the strictest sense of the word. It’s a remembrance of various areas of Cokie’s life- her marriage, motherhood, career, friendships and her faith and talent for storytelling.
This book feels like a labor of love- perhaps even a way of sharing the big parts of Cokie’s life that will help keep her memory alive in our hearts and minds, as it must for the author.
After reading this sweet biography of the warm, funny and highly accomplished Cokie Roberts, I don’t think there could have been a more apt title for this book. Cokie is a person I know I would have liked immensely, if I’d ever gotten the chance to get to know her. I didn’t always agree with her opinions- but I think we were on the same page about most things.
This book is certainly a celebration of Cokie’s life and all that she meant to her family, her friends and her colleagues, and though occasionally the mood became somber or melancholy, there were times I could almost feel Cokie’s spirit flowing through the author’s prose.
Cokie was a trailblazer, a fierce and determined friend, mother, wife and grandmother and I enjoyed reading Steven’s many fond reminiscences of her life.
Mean, Moody, and Magnificent! Jane Russell and the Marketing of a Hollywood Legend by Christina Rice is a 2021 University Press of Kentucky publicatioMean, Moody, and Magnificent! Jane Russell and the Marketing of a Hollywood Legend by Christina Rice is a 2021 University Press of Kentucky publication.
As a small child, I remember- believe it or not- seeing Jane Russell's television ads for Playtex ‘Cross your Heart’ bras. Of course, I didn’t really know who she was, and it wasn’t until I was older, and saw a few of her films, that I made the connection- and understood why she made such an ironic spokesperson for Playtex.
This book, if you really pay attention to the title, is focused on how Russell became famous- which was through the marketing of her breasts… by Howard Hughes.
Don’t get me wrong, this is a biography, and it covers all of Jane’s life from childhood to her death. But a great deal of time is spent talking about her entrapment by Hughes and his obsession with Russell’s chest.
Russell’s first movie was ‘The Outlaw’ which due to one thing or another was not released for some years, making it necessary to keep Jane in the spotlight until it finally reached theatres- which required a lot of ‘marketing.’
Jane went on to make many more movies, but with a few exceptions, the roles were mediocre.
Jane’s personal life was also tumultuous, and she was notorious for her constant contradictions. Jane said one thing- but did another. She was vocally ‘conservative’ and deeply religious- but didn’t really walk the walk.
She struck me as being a tough woman most of the time. She never shied away from controversy- and I found the story of how she adopted her children to be stunning.
I did like how she often shrugged off critics and continued to do things just because she liked doing them- even if the reviews were less than stellar.
I didn’t know anything at all about Jane Russell when I started this book, so this was very interesting reading for me. I’m not sure, at the end of the day, how I feel about Jane Russell- but the title of this book is apt, I think.
The author did a good job with the material, stayed neutral, most of the time, but did point out Jane’s inconsistencies- just in case we didn’t make that connection for ourselves.
Overall, though, this is a solid biography, which also includes some nice photos.
Truly, Madly: Vivien Leigh, Laurence Olivier, and the Romance of the Century by Stephen Galloway is a 2022 Grand Central publication.
This book narrowTruly, Madly: Vivien Leigh, Laurence Olivier, and the Romance of the Century by Stephen Galloway is a 2022 Grand Central publication.
This book narrows the biographical scope to focus on the intense, torturous relationship between two of the most lauded actors of their time… Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier.
Though chronicling the relationship between Laurence and Vivien, there is some background biographical and contextual information included so we understand the climate the pair lived in, and the lack of advancements in the treatment of mental illness.
The author does a great job describing the incredible intensity of feeling between the couple, though at times the writing is a little effusive. Still, the research is well-done, as is the organization of the material.
It’s a tragic tale, in many aspects. One must wonder if Vivien had been afforded better treatment for her illness, if things might have turned out differently. Laurence Olivier seemed to run out of steam in coping with Vivien’s various maladies, including her physical ailments and ‘moods’, which were completely misunderstood back then. He moved on with his life, but I think deep down, the one true love of his life was Vivien Leigh, as he was for her.
This piece of Hollywood history is riveting, with lots of recognizable names, and is filled with Hollywood lore and glamour, but is also a portrait of a dazzling, but tumultuous, and tragic love story, which is certainly one for the ages.
Overall, fans of old Hollywood, classical actors, and grand, passionate and poignant love affairs, the cinema, or history, will find themselves caught up in this true-life dramatic saga of love and heartbreak.
Garbo: Her Life, Her Films by Robert Gottieb is a 2021 Farrar, Straus and Giroux publication.
Just the singular name- Garbo- brings with it a certain Garbo: Her Life, Her Films by Robert Gottieb is a 2021 Farrar, Straus and Giroux publication.
Just the singular name- Garbo- brings with it a certain mystique.
Garbo was a fine actress-successfully transitioning from the silent era into ‘talkies’, but it was the mystery surrounding her that captivated us for decades after she made her last film.
I think it is telling that here we are in 2021 still mesmerized and fascinated with Garbo.
There have been several deeply researched biographies written about Garbo over the years, something that Gottieb acknowledged and even quoted from one or two of them in this book.
But Gottieb has taken a refreshing approach, combining both Garbo’s career and her personal life into one book and having them coincide together in the same time frame, so we understand what was going on in Garbo’s life while she was making her movies.
Garbo was well ahead of her time, and she pushed the envelope, both professionally and personally, seeming to always march to the beat of her own drum. Yet, at the same time, I think maybe she just didn’t do what was expected, but not necessarily by design.
I think she’s been understandably mythologized, but once you strip away the veneer, she was a shy, quiet woman, who valued her privacy.
Her personality wasn’t as large as one might be led to believe, and her relationships weren’t nearly as torrid as they might seem.
The reality is far less glamorous. Garbo seems to me to have suffered from depression, based on some of her comments, but perhaps she also liked living life on her own terms, enjoying close friendships over marriage and children, or maybe she just enjoyed her own company.
For me, it is her presence on the screen and those expressive eyes that captivates her audience. Her performances are sealed in time, forever frozen in place, her aura impossible to replicate.
Once the busty bleach blondes were ushered in, the Golden Age magnificence faded away, but Garbo remains as iconic as ever, eighty years after her last film.
This book is very well researched, and has a wonderful, engaging presentation.
There are some fun trivia facts about Garbo in the last several sections, including the times she was mentioned in contemporary songs and books, musings by Billy Wilder and Melvyn Douglas, amongst others, ‘Garbo sightings’, a wide array of photographs, a filmography, and bibliography.
This is an interesting, and very insightful biography, tastefully done, and reliable, but never heavy.
I think Robert Gottieb has given us an incredibly intimate portrait of the iconic actress- the one and the only- Greta Garbo....more
The Great Nowitzki by Thomas Pletzinger is a 2022 W.W. Norton & Company publication.
After the Jordan era of basketball ended, I didn’t like the direcThe Great Nowitzki by Thomas Pletzinger is a 2022 W.W. Norton & Company publication.
After the Jordan era of basketball ended, I didn’t like the direction the league was headed and lost interest in the sport. After some time passed, my son started telling me about Steve Nash and Dirk Nowitzki, who played for our own Dallas Mavericks.
I declined his invitation to watch the games for a while, but he kept the pressure up until I finally succumbed, just to get him off my back....more
The Boys by Ron and Clint Howard is a 2021 William Morrow publication.
As I read and listened to this book it struck me that the Howard brothers have The Boys by Ron and Clint Howard is a 2021 William Morrow publication.
As I read and listened to this book it struck me that the Howard brothers have been a presence in my life since I was a small child. This is very rare as we all know, but although they have popped in and out of my awareness, either with series television, movies, guest roles, or behind the scenes work, I occasionally marveled at the staying power of the Howard ‘boys’.
Have their lives been as charmed as they appear to be?
Other than what most other people know- I really didn’t know anything about the brother’s parents, what kind of upbringing they had, their personal relationships- friendships or romances, etc. But, even if I did have more than the surface information, I would still want to read this book.
I'd just like hearing the story come straight from Ron and Clint. It is their life, and they can give people insights they could never ascertain any other way. Telling one’s story, with both personal and career elements is such a personal endeavor, as one decides what to share, what readers would be interested in knowing, and still be honest, and forthright.
I would say that the Howard brothers did a great, and very thorough job. Maybe it is just me, but I never would have guessed that Ron and Clint are brothers, if I didn’t already know. I see very little physical resemblance, and that seems to be true in temperament as well. Clint’s perspective and personality, though ambitious, didn’t seem to have the same drive as Ron. He isn’t the boy scout that his older brother is, and his career has not followed the same path. I knew very little about Clint from a personal standpoint and found his portions of the story, though not as generous as Ron’s, to be more comical at times, but the darker tones of his life are quite evident.
Although the book was a bit too long, and maybe not all the stories told were as interesting or as impactful to the reader as they were for Ron or Clint, for the most part the book is very interesting. The information they included in the book gives readers an up close and personal view of what it is like to be a child star, to try and live a ‘normal’ life, how they each coped with fame, and how some doors opened and some closed at just the right time and place.
Although both brothers have been successful, Ron’s goals were a bit more focused, and his personality is more positive, looking at the things through a rosier lens than Clint. Clint chose to be an actor, not a behind the scenes guy, and his experiences weren’t always as rosy as Ron’s- far from it, in fact.
In the end, though, as I reflected back on the book, after learning who had prodded Ron and Clint to consider writing it, and how it came to fruition, I thought that of all the memoirs, especially when dealing with Hollywood actors and players, it is true, that the child star, especially that of a television series star, rarely ever makes it through to a point in their lives where they can write a memoir about their long, long, long careers in the entertainment industry.
Despite some dark days for Clint, the brothers have weathered the stereotypes, and pitfalls, and have enjoyed careers that have spanned decades, and that is quite an accomplishment all on its own.
The book, maybe because it comes from two seasoned performers, has a slick, polished presentation, but it has a very honest quality about it, and felt sincere.
There is a great deal of material to cover, with two people contributing to the memoir, but the book is well organized and overall, I appreciated the approach, and the obvious amount of work the guys put into the book, and I enjoyed taking this journey with them. I loved that the memoir was like an ode to the ‘Boys’ parents, and it is obvious, that though they’ve lived unconventional lives in many ways, they have also lived traditional ones, where family relationships are at the center of their lives, first and foremost.
I really loved the way the book ended, as the brothers ribbed one another good- naturedly with jokes the readers will now fully understand.
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