Book Description

Reviews (7)

Big Business & Big Fun
I enjoyed this book very much. I also enjoyed Louvish's books on W. C. Fields and the Marx Brothers.

What I liked about this book was that it placed Laurel and Hardy in a working context. The impression I got was that they were not totally responsible for their success. They needed a team of other performers (Edgar Kennedy, James Finlayson) and behind the camera people (Hal Roach, Leo McCary, the Parrott brothers) to create the comedy gems that we enjoy. (I found that Louvish's judgments on what the best L & H films pretty much tallied up with mine.) When the equation began to change, such as Roach getting mad at the duo after "Babes in Toyland" and gradually losing interest in their careers, the films ceased being as interesting.

I found this a refreshing approach to the material, which too often is "Comedian X was a true genius and everyone else messed with his vision." Louvish's book presents a picture of the lives of the two comedians, but also shows how their films were a collaborative process.

As much as mystery as the the subjects themselves
One-third of the way through this book, I believed I was reading the most well-written book I had ever read. The style of Mr. Louvish did not seem to be prose as much as an extended conversation with the author. A conversation about two people about whom the overwhelming majority of us know only what we've seen in the movies.

My view of this book changed rarher abruply just as success came to two men who had worked in the film industry for the better part of a decade as solo performers. At this point, the success of the team and the success of this book intersected while going in opposite directions.

Stan and Ollie is another in what appears to be an ongoing historical series on the early comedians of film. In addtion to his published works on Fields and the Marx Brothers - and his soon-to-be-published book on Sennett - Louvish also provides a great deal of information on those with whom Laurel and Hardy worked.

But, this ominbus volume has its flaws. I'm not speaking about the various minor to the story-at-hand-inaccuracies (Lindbergh flring the Atlantic in 1928, for example), but rather the seeming breakdown of the narrative at the key points.

Although there is a massive amount of data here, Louvish seems unable to reach conclusions about why things happened. The most specific examp[le of this is related to the two men getting together. Louvish swamps us with detail of their solo films. He acts like the notional Greek Choir in commenting on their brushes with each other on a few films; these he seems to relegate to the "oops...almost but not quite" conclusion. He even manages to belabor the point of "what was the first Laurel and Hardy film?" to extinction in quibble over whether the full and correct Stan and Ollie personsas were in place.And, if this isn't enough, there is page after page of what is nothing more than descriptions of the plots of their films.

You never really learn wht they could work together so well. Louvish seems to imply that their characters worked that out while their true selves just sort of watched from the wings.

There is still a lot of information here about the team and the period. It seves to confirm the fact that Hollywood has more in common with the mutually assured destruction theory of the Cold War than the place where dreams come true.

Once again, bad writing defeats good research.
Just as he did with Monkey Business, his biography of the Marx Bros, Simon Louvish once again defeats his excellent research skills with his horribly corny and dated writing style.

Louvish's efforts to be as clever and funny as his subjects are embarrassing; good writing doesn't need to call attention to itself. Every page bristles with old medicine bottle sentences like, " To Stan, of course, art was not the issue so much as work and the remuneration therof," or, "This fact alone should provide a vital clue for the constant conundrum - the disentangling of the claims of authorship to Laurel and Hardy, the characters, the lines, the movies, the plots."

Editor!

Of course, any book with TWO subtitles is suspect. Louvish should stick to his terrific detective skills (and they are truly impressive) and get some talented grad student to do the writng.

To see what a good showbiz bio is like - well researched AND well written - check out "W.C. Fields: A Biography, " by James Curtis.

A nice mess, but still a bit of a mess
Simon Louvish's epic-length biography Stan and Ollie plays like one of those Laurel & Hardy comedies that were padded to feature-length by the inclusion of romantic leads nobody cares about. Like those movies, one has to wade through a lot of guff to get to the really good stuff.

Louvish has done his research (as he all too eager to convince the reader), and it pays off most admirably when debunking previous tales of the Laurel & Hardy history. The most compelling example is the chapter detailing Oliver Hardy's first marriage. Hardy and film historians have long maintained that he moved to Jacksonville, Florida, to pursue a film career, and there was where he met and married first wife Madelyn. Louvish detailingly reveals that Madelyn was in fact Jewish, that Hardy met her in Georgia at the time of an infamous Jewish lynching, and that Hardy and his wife exited Georgia as a result, never to return.

Such dramatic payoffs are alone worth the price of the book. Louvish also often gleans much enlightened insight into Laurel & Hardy's film work (as well he should--Louvish in a part-time film teacher). To cite just one example, his analysis of the finale of L&H's penultimate Hal Roach film A Chump at Oxford is as insightful and moving as the finale itself.

Along the way, though, the reader must endure the obstacle courses that plagued Louvish's previous bios of W.C. Fields and The Marx Brothers (both of which tomes are shamelessly plugged throughout this book). For one thing, Louvish lards his writing with enough precious verbosity to make L&H biographer John McCabe look like an illiterate slacker by comparison. (Prime example: "Babe's inner life has always been a...mystery wrapped in an enigma, hidden behind those folds of flesh.")

My final complaint with the book is that when it gets into Laurel & Hardy at their prime, it quotes other, far superior sources (most notably Randy Skretvedt's) to the point of [being word for word]. And even then, accuracy is not Louvish's strong suit. Louvish quotes a Skretvedt interview with Hal Roach in which Roach, by way of contrasting L&H with other comedy teams, states that "Abbott and Costello worked at our studio, and they used to fight like hell. But with Laurel and Hardy, when I fired Hardy, Laurel cried." This quote has almost as many errors as it has words: A&C never worked for Roach, and Roach never fired Hardy (Roach had Stan and Babe on concurrent, separate contracts and often suspended Laurel or let his contract lapse during certain disputes).

For all of its faults, Louvish's genuine appreciation for Laurel and Hardy's comic artistry makes a considerable amount of Stan and Ollie worthwhile writing for the fervent L&H buff. Just make to sure to avoid Louvish's verbal land mines in order to reach the real meat of the book

The Definitive Laurel and Hardy Biography
Author Simon Louvish has written insightful critical biographies on comic legends such as W.C. Fields and The Marx Brothers. However, this affectionate study on Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy ranks as his finest achievement to date. "Stan and Ollie: The Roots of Comedy" adds new depth and poignancy to the team's life and work. Some of Louvish's opinions are not necessarily mine (he seems a bit harsh on "Babes in Toyland" and "The Flying Deuces"), yet he has a firm grasp of Stan and Ollie's modus operandi -- as well as the circumstances that hastened the duo's creative decline after leaving Hal Roach Studios in 1940. At 520 pages, "Stan and Ollie" is exhaustively researched and always engaging. ... Read more

Book Description

Admired and beloved by movie audiences for over sixty years, four-time Academy Award-winner Katharine Hepburn is an American classic. Now Miss Hepburn breaks her long-kept silence about her private life in this absorbing and provocative memoir.

A NEW YORK TIMES Notable Book of the Year

A Book-of-the-Month-Club Main Selection


From the Paperback edition. ... Read more

Reviews (22)

Wonderful. Absolutely wonderful.
This book is just like Katharine Hepburn herself. Uniquely funny, unconventional, different and beautiful. I found the last three chapters to be especially the one simply titled 'Love', about her unique relationship with Spencer Tracy. Any fan of Hepburn, or of Hollywood's golden era must read this book. It was amazing.

Screwy people who don't like this book shouldn't speak....
I adored this book to no end and have read it about six times - I also own it. The reason that it seems so disconnected is because Kath is telling it just as she would speak it - it is not in true novel form, and as a writer myself, I think it holds up better this way. If you truly appreciate the grandeur of Katharine Houghton Hepburn, then you will love this book, for it sounds as if Kath was right there in the room, talking to you. So, for all of those who gave it a bad rap, I feel this was very ignorant on your part. Read this book!

self-aborb
This is a egostict ramblimg, coherent only in the timeline of
relationship. Its a voyer,s delight, a canidate for National Enquirer publication. This is not edifiying reading---it promote self (as noted by the book title), is not good reading
and obcures the art of writing well. It may be a bestseller as
noted by the New York Times Book List but there are also best selling magazines next to the supermarket checkout stand.

Loved it
I usually dislike non fiction, biographies and autobiographies but this book was so interesting and kept my attention like any fiction novel i usually ejoy. Wonderful woman and wonderful story.

Kate remembered
Please dont write about her if you cant spell her name
-katharine ... Read more

Reviews (21)

Sharing the Harvest
This charming book is certainly a must-read for fans of the late Mr. Kelley. Not a biography, it is rather a diary of the author's interactions with the actor over several decades as circumstances allowed her relationship with him to grow from idolizing teenager to correspondent to family friend and, finally, to personal assistant and caregiver during his final long illness. Smith shares those experiences with us, recounting extensive anecdotes, conversations and exchanges reflecting everyday incidents as well as the broader influences the Kelleys had in various stages of her own life. Kelley was pretty universally acknowledged to be the nicest and most down-to-earth person involved in Star Trek; this view into his personal life reinforces that impression. The tone is undeniably adulatory, which is part of its charm - this is a fan's history, after all. Fans will also enjoy the level of detail and inclusion of ordinary conversations, though non-fans may find it to be overload.

There were a couple of fascinating aspects to the book I had not expected. The author spent considerable time as an animal-welfare activist and, as a result, acquired a three-legged serval named Deaken, who figures largely in this book, as in her life. The story of how she managed to accommodate Deaken in her move to L.A., and his part in her connection to the Kelleys was great fun to read. The other unexpected feature, on which several reviewers have commented here, is simply the story of the author's experience as caregiver during the terminal illnesses of her mother and then of Mr. Kelley. Smith has worried that fans might find the last section of the book, detailing Kelley's illness and death, too distressing, and at least one reviewer here believed the very-private Kelley would have found it intrusive. I rather doubt that, myself. Kelley was a remarkably sensible fellow; he acknowledged on several occasions that all modesty goes out the window once one is in a hospital, and he retained a good sense of humor to the end. Smith's telling, like her caregiving, is warm, cheerful and practical; I don't think Kelley would mind his fans knowing the details - which are more likely to ease their minds than distress them - once he was gone and didn't have to worry about trying to answer sympathy cards!

On the technical side, the book would have benefitted from both a table of contents and an index, and a brief chronology might have been useful. Also, upper case type is used for emphasis in place of italics, giving a rather jarring impression of shouting. The hardbound copy I purchased is nicely presented, though the photographs are poorly printed; I would recommend
purchasing the electronic version in addition to the print - the beautiful color photos in the PDF version are worth the extra few dollars.

Not Only For DeForest Kelley Fans
Having been a DeForest Kelley fan now for over 35 years and spending 14 of those years as the President of the Australian DeForest Kelley Fan Club - DeCoy - I feel some of the same camaraderie that Kristine M. Smith feels for the character of McCoy in Star Trek. Yet this book tells of her almost wonderous story in the arms of (sometimes literally)DeForest and Carolyn Kelley. Kristine's writing of A Harvest Of Mememories is such a marvellous account of a friend/fan's life that it needs to be recognised as an almost 'must read' for those of us who say we loved the man DeForest Kelley and/or the character Dr. 'Bones' McCoy.
However it also gives us a great insight into how to care for oneself when one is caring for a dying person. In order to help other people one needs to be able to look after 'the self' first. In this instance it is not only good for Kelley fans but for anyone trying to come to terms with the loss of a loved one.
Kristine's reminiscences of her time with De and Carolyn are sometimes funny and touching, just what a fan like me who only knew the couple by mail would want to know about them.
Kristine handles the whole experience with De and Carolyn with love and dignity. Thank you.

An Unforgettable Tribute
I became a fan of DeForest Kelley by way of Dr. McCoy when I was 14, which was...well, let's just say I was a child of the 60s and leave it at that! One look in those lovely blue eyes and I was gone -- and stayed gone, following McCoy's adventures straight through ST:VI.

I knew little more about Mr. Kelley than his name until recently, I suppose because his eyes told me everything I really needed to know. Never even wrote him a letter to thank him, which has become something of a regret of mine. In any case, last October I finally broke down and bought Kristine Smith's book, 'DeForest Kelley: A Harvest of Memories'. I wasn't sure I'd like it. I couldn't have been more wrong. It's a *wonderful*, heart-telling read that just pulls you right in and makes you feel welcome. I devoured the first 100-and-something pages the day I got it, and by that evening I was alternating between laughter and tears to the extent that my husband made me put it down for fear I was suffering a breakdown!

I won't lie, the final section of the book about De's illness and death is painful to read, especially after coming to know him and his wife Carolyn so well through Kris's eyes. But even then it remains an uplifting story -- not only of her loving friendship with the Kelleys, but of their love and devotion to each other. In the end, you'll find yourself smiling through your tears to remember DeForest Kelley. And I think that's how he'd have it.

I just want to thank Kris for having the courage and clarity of heart to share her touching memories with the rest of us. I'm sure that writing this book must have been quite a bittersweet labor of love. She was blessed to know the Kelleys...and vice versa.

A wonderful insight into a wonderful actor's "real" life
If you ever wanted to meet DeForest Kelley and didn't get a chance to, reading that book will bring you very close to fulfill that dream.
Kristine Smith wrote about her friendship with the Kelleys and how it developed, in an easy going, very enjoyable style. There are a lot of happy and funny memories she shares with her readers that made me laugh out loud and of course the end had me in tears.
It's no biography, so you won't find all the details of Mr. Kelley's movie/TV career in there, but it is a wonderful portrait of a very caring, loveable, funny and "down-to-earth" person in everyday-life.
Most of all, it proofs that he's just the person you always imagined and wanted him to be and the warmth and love for all his fans comes perfectly through.
Reading this book made me feel I really got to know DeForeast Kelley and not just the celebrity but the person behind "Dr. McCoy". A must read for every fan on this planet!!! (and everywhere else,too,lol)I can assure you it's worth every cent I paid!
Sandra

A True Gentleman is Revealed
As a teenager I became enthralled with the phenomenon known as "Star Trek." As an adult I have devoured all the biographies written by its main stars - in all their self-serving backbiting glory. One biography was notably absent - that of DeForest Kelly AKA Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy. I was saddened upon his passing that Mr. Kelley never took pen to paper to detail his life story. However author Kristine M. Smith has happily given us an account of her 30+ year friendship with him that gives us, his fans, an account of what we already suspected - that everything his co-stars said about him was true. He was a wonderful gentleman bereft of star ego, a devoted husband, generous to his fans, supportive of his friends and an advocate for the animals, who he loved so much. Ms. Smith's book is not Mr. Kelley's life story but an account of her friendship with De and his wife and how in his final days she became his advocate and caregiver. This is a book for all of Mr. Kelley's fans who want to learn more about who he was and what he was about. Of all the tributes I have seen in the years since his passing none have been more moving or more eloquent than Ms. Smith's book. A first-time author, she captures the man behind the icon and tells a wonderful, moving story of friendship and devotion. It is obvious that Mr. Kelley was far too modest to tell his own story but at least with this book we can glean some insight into the man who inspired thousands to enter the noble profession of medicine with the portrayal of a gruff, irascible (and loveable) country doctor who was a loyal officer and devoted friend to his shipmates. It's a must read for all "Trek" fans want to learn more about De and who are tired of, "He stole my lines," and "He got in the way of my closeup," nonsense. Highest possible recommendation! ... Read more

Reviews (6)

My Favorite Cary Grant Book!
This is a must own book! It is so full of photos of Cary Grant and details so much of his life. I would call this a picture book, and promise you won't be disappointed! I had the privelege of meeting the author and having her sign my copy. She is a fellow eMail Warbride, is funny, witty, and a wonderful person. She has written several other books that are well worth owning as well. Do youself a favor, buy this book today! ...

SUPERB
Jenny does an excellent job showing off the magnificent CG. This is a must for all interested in Cary and his films. There are beautiful publicity shots and movie stills. Great Job Jenny!

P.S. Hey Brian Thanks!!!!!!

excellent! A must have for any Cary Grant fan.
I received this book as a gift. It serves as an excellent guide to one of the most graceful and wonderful men of Hollywood. The pictures are beautifully arranged and capture the essence of who Mr. Grant was. Even the youngest Cary Grant fan will want to own this book.

Top-notch photo biography.
Indeed, this book is one meant to be displayed. I was immediately struck by the slick, high-quality paper used to enhance the many, many photos of the dashing Cary Grant. Ms. Curtis leads us through Grant's life with comprehensive, yet concise captions beneath each photo. The dignity and charm in her writing reflect the beloved characteristics that personified Cary Grant.

A must have for all Cary Grant fans.
If you like Cary Grant, you'll love this book. The photos are among the best I've seen. Jenny does a great job of summarizing Cary's life, sticking to the facts and leaving out the controversial rumors . I find my self constantly picking up this book just to gaze at the photos. This book will look great on any coffee table. ... Read more

Book Description

The one and only New York Times bestselling autobiography by Lucille Ball...

"Filled with light and laughter." (New York Times Book Review)

"Lucy fans will find this book fascinating." (Detroit News)

"A winner." (New York Newsday)

"Intensely moving."(San Francisco Chronicle)

... Read more

Reviews (74)

Lucy lives forever!
I loved this book! Ever since I saw my first episode of I Love Lucy, I've been fascinated with Lucille Ball. I just had to know more about her. I found "Love, Lucy" in a store one day and I begged my mom to buy it for me. Well, she did, and I loved every minute of reading it. It's like she's talking one-on-one with you in a way. In "Love, Lucy", Lucy talks about her marriages, her children, her family, and her work. Although alot of details are left out (mainly because she didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings), the descriptions of the events in her life are amazing. My mother couldn't pry me away from reading this book with a crowbar, and she still can't whenever I re-read it. I was also overcome with emotion at some points in reading this wonderful memoir. The way she talked about her love for Desi Arnaz was so touching. I've never heard anything like it before. I started to sob a little when Lucy described the day she filed for divorce from Desi, and I'm not a big crier. It was so sad that everything happened the way it did, and that they couldn't work things out. I'm glad that she found happiness in her second marriage, though. I was also stunned when I learned that Lucy had hidden this for over thirty years until her children found it in with some old files about four years ago. Imagine writing something like this that you know everyone in the world is dying to read and then putting it away! Well, in a way I respect Lucy's decision, because I wouldn't want to hurt the feelings of any loved ones that were still alive that I had talked about. And sometime soon I am going to get a copy of "A Book", by Desi Arnaz, because after all there are two sides to every story. Before I go, I want to thank Lucy's children, Lucie Arnaz and Desi Arnaz Jr., for letting their mother's millions of fans take a peek inside of her private world. The book could have been easily just tucked back into the files and forgotten about. Taking it out and publishing it was great idea, and I know that no matter what, I'll always love Lucy.

Very moving.......Lucy lives on forever
WOW! I have never read such a good book. I own this book, and I read almost everyday. It is one of the most moving books I have ever read. Lucy's voice comes through loud and clear; you feel as though she were talking to you personally. It is a facinating account of a legend's restless childhood in Celeron, New York, her job modeling at Hattie Carnegie's, her move to Hollywood to make her dreams come true,her tempestuous but extremely passionate marraige to Desi Arnaz, her incredible I Love Lucy success, the crumble of her marraige and their Desilu empire, and her life after I Love Lucy and after Desi. This book is so intense, I actually cried. It was obvious that even after she and Desi divorced and she married Gary Morton, he was still her one true love and they still loved eachother very much. This is the one and only memoir Lucille Ball left for her adoring fans, so if you ever get the chance to read this book, take it! It's amazing how vividly Lucy recalls her whole life up to 1964. I am so glad this book was finally found in 1996. Here is Lucy's story, the REAL story, in her own words.

Why "Love Lucy"?
While reading Love, Lucy, I began to understand where Lucille Ball had come from and what she had done. This book gives us insight into the mind of a comedy legend. Beginning in Jamestown, New York, the young Lucille Ball enjoyed her life and making people laugh. She was moved around a lot as her mother was widowed at a very young age and needed some space from the world in order to find out who she was. Young Lucille lived with grandparents or aunts and uncles in her early years and always knew that she wanted to make people happy and she wanted to be noticed. The death of her father, and of her grandmother reinforced her drive to bring joys to others and end the sadness that had engulfed her life during that time. She moved to New York City as an older teenager and gained recognition while modeling for small dress shops in the city, and was in many runway shows. It was then that she was noticed by a photographer and named "Model of the Month." Soon after, she was recognized by a producer at RKO studios and offered a role as a showgirl. At RKO studios she met her first real mentor, Lela Rogers, the mother of the famous Ginger Rogers. Lela ran a small acting class / studio and immediately saw Lucille's potential. She knew there was something special inside of her and helped young Lucille to find it herself. It was then that she began receiving larger roles in more prominent films. After a "run-in" with a perverted producer,(who wanted to leave his wife and marry her) Lucille, now in her mid-twenties, was only cast in "B" films as the wife of the producer was extremely upset. She made sure that Lucille would never cross the path of her husband again as he was the producer of "A" films. This turned out to be a good thing because she was cast as either second leading lady or the lead. She made many public appearances. One happened to be in New York City at Broadway to see a theater production of a movie she would possibly be starring in. She met Desi Arnez and they were both smitten; they eloped a year or so later. With the birth of their first child, Lucie, the couple was more sure than ever that they wanted to be co-starring in a show together. The I Love Lucy show was born and turned out to be a huge success. During the end of the first season, Lucy gave birth to another child, a son, Desi Jr. After his birth the marriage began to fall apart and the couple divorced. Custody of the children consisted of Lucille having the kids for the school year, and Desi having them during the summer. Eventually Lucille remarried and established a somewhat normal lifestyle.

Lucille Ball's relationship with her work was very unique as she wouldn't do a scene if she didn't believe it. She needed to feel the reality behind it if she wanted the audience to believe it as well. She was very passionate about her work and willing to try anything, even in her early years. "No Sir, I haven't done anything on Broadway, but I'd sure like to try." she would say to any producer who would listen. She tried to please everyone but realized that she couldn't be who everyone wanted her to be. She stayed true to herself and did what was best for her and her family.

Lucille Ball is bubbly and vivacious in this autobiography. Her liveliness seems to be contagious to everyone she meets and she brings joy to all who came in contact with her, and those who still come in contact with her work. Although I have a high opinion of Lucille herself, I felt that the book was somewhat lacking. Most parts were full of realism and passion for her work; some parts just didn't flow with the rest of the novel. She seemed to not have much to say in certain chapters as she kind of rambled on a bit about the same things over and over again such as her pay and her relationship with RKO studios.


Overall, this book was a great read and was very informative, but some things could have been edited out as they were not worth the time of the reader.

A "Politically Correct" Autobiography
I read Lucille Ball's autobiography "Love, Lucy" and was impressed by the wealth of detail. It was so wonderful to get to finally see how Lucille Ball looked at life. And it was also inspiring to see the amount of work that Ball had to put in to attain super-stardom.

But, as with many autobiographies, you need to take this work with a grain of salt. Ball obviously wasn't interested in making herself (or anyone else, for that matter,) look bad. She deliberately sidesteps issues regarding husband Desi Arnaz's marital fidelty, and she also downplays her own jealous and controlling nature.

So if you want to read a very "politically correct" version of Lucy's life, I suggest you read this autobiography. But if you want to read the hard facts, I suggest you look elsewhere.

Hear Lucille Ball in her OWN Words!!!
This book is too hard to put down! It is written by one of the greatest movie stars there is: Luciile Ball herself. With the help of Betty Hannah Hopfmen, Lucille is able to tell us, in her eyes, about her life. I have to go along with the reviewer that said it is absolutly thrilling to go along with Lucy. And it is. It is nice to have such an accurate book on her life. She goes along and not only tells you her life, but also gives you her thoughts and what she got out of her life. She also goes along with Desi; telling you a little about his life before, during their marriage and then after they separaed. She covers her life from as far back as to her birth till 1964 when she finished writting the book (Lucie Arnaz wrote the Forword and gives you information from 1964 till Lucille Ball's death in 1989). This book is great and I encourage you greatly to get this book so that YOU can have the thrill of felling like you can get to know Lucy personally. Get yours, read it, and enjoy!! ... Read more

Reviews (7)

I love Ali and her book!
I read with great interest Ali's book over the last 2 days. It seemed to be geared alot toward a younger reader but I enjoyed it very much too (I'm 28!). This is a great book for girls who are struggling with their body image and peer pressures to look and act a certain way.

I especially loved her recount of her time on Fear Factor. That was such a great episode and I'm just sorry that silly Baldwin ;) won instead of her!

The backstage at Days info was really fun and as a fan of the show all my life (my mom got me hooked before I could even read!) It was great to read how family oriented the cast and crew are. Ali has many wonderful things to say about her mentor and TV mom, Deidre Hall. These 2 women make Days a great show with their talent and off screen personality and love of their fans and their dedication to their art.

Hope you all enjoy the book as much as I did!

you need to read this book
i love this book. i just got it last night and i am alredy on the 4th chapter of the book. i can not put it down. it is such a woderful book. i love to hear about how her aditions whent. i am so glad that she wrote this book. i love ali so very much. i am such a big fan of her's. if you like days of our lives you need to read this book. you will love it.

I met Ali, and LOVE her book!
I was able to attend Ali's book signing tour in New Jersey last week. She signed my copy of her book, and I loved meeting her. The book was great - I read several chapters while I waited in line to get the autograph, and the rest in two days.
I have always been a fan of Ali Sweeney and Days of Our LIves, so this book was perfect. I really loved reading about her childhood, and about her years on Days. I highly recommend this book to Days fans, and anyone who appreciates a good role model.

Such a help!
This is such a good and helpful book. I bought it for my teenage daughter who is feeling a little picked on and insecure in school recently, and I swear she hasn't put it down. I had to stop her in between chapters to ask if it was good, and all she could say was "wow, I didn't think a star like her would feel the same way as me!" Thanks Ali, for sharing your life and helping others.

A Fun, Fast Read!
I got this book and finished it all in the same weekend! If you like Hollywood stories, tales of teenage angst and an all around fun, fast read with some morals and lessons thrown in, this book is for you! Ali tells the story of her life growing up on Days of Our Lives, funny memories about shooting episodes and the trials and tribulations that made her who she is today. She talks about high-school, dating, meeting and marrying her husband and much more. Trust me, this is a great read. ... Read more

Amazon.com

As celebrity biographer McGilligan tells it in Clint, Eastwood's career is the classic tale of power and fame corrupting: a small-town boy (who actually grew up in San Francisco) comes to L.A. with a wide grin and an easy manner; is remade by agents and directors (Sergio Leone said, that at first, "Eastwood had only two expressions: with or without a hat"); becomes one of the richest stars in Hollywood; and stops smiling--except wolfishly. McGilligan depicts him as a master of betrayal, casually discarded friendships, and alleged extramarital affairs (which seem to shock the author), complete with alleged children out of wedlock.

Readable though kiss-and-tell breathless, McGilligan's book sometimes overlooks Clint's full significance as a crafter of classics. He should remember the sage words of the French critic who observed, "If you love the films, nothing else matters." --Gregory McNamee ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Dirty McGilligan
Patrick McGilligan's "unauthorized" biography of film giant Clint Eastwood is dedicated to "Mom." If Mrs. McGilligan bothered to read the book, she might have said "Thanks, but no thanks," and request that her name be removed from such a seamy book. Of course, McGilligan could argue that it isn't his book that's offensive, but the life of its subject. I think it's a little of both.

If McGilligan is correct, Eastwood's public image is a sham. Widely praised for his loyalty, the Eastwood in McGilligan's book banishes lifelong friends from his circle should they dare ask for even a tiny crumb of the pie they helped bake. Producers, directors, editors, writers, all of them working for comparative peanuts, become "non-persons" in the eyes of Clint the squint, and they are exiled from his Malpaso production company and from the film industry itself because, they insist, the big man is vindictive, and uses his considerable influence to deprive them of their right to make a living. But the macho icon is also a coward who loathes confrontation and never fires anyone directly, letting others do his dirty work for him. Rich beyond mere tabulation, Dirty Harry's Republican alter ego slams welfare and brags that he worked for "every crust of bread" he ever ate, yet never pays for a meal, insisting on being "comped" wherever he goes. And as a filmmaker, his legendary habit of delivering films ahead of schedule and under budget is nothing but carelessness and a wiliness to accept subpar work to keep his budgets low and his percentages high.

He's also a womanizer whose relationships produced numerous illegitimate children, an opportunist who used his brief reign as Mayor of Carmel for his own financial gain, and a father in name only.

Then there's that temper. Anyone who dares park in his unmarked space on the Warner lot will know holy terror as Eastwood vandalizes their vehicle with a golf club, hammer, or a pickup truck. Good luck if you sue him in court, especially with a judge who asks for his autograph.

As someone who always thought highly of Eastwood personally no matter what I thought of his films (most of which I admire), I found this account of his life rather disturbing, but the book is disturbing in ways that have more to do with McGilligan than Eastwood. The punctuation is often a mess with periods appearing outside quotation marks, and the spelling is often questionable, with the author spelling tires as "tyres" when describing the ludicrous climax of The Gauntlet. Maybe the guy is English and doesn't always Americanize his language but the biographical notes describe him as living in Missouri, so that may not be an excuse.

There are also more substantial errors. McGilligan has Ronald Reagan appropriating Dirty Harry's famous "Make my day" speech from Sudden Impact in March 1983, nine months before the film is released. And he gets other dates wrong: In his world, Paint Your Wagon opened a year later than it did, and Escape from Alcatraz debuts in the Christmas season of 1979 when, in fact, it opened the previous June. One can excuse errors here and there, but release dates can be easily verified, and McGilligan makes them consistently. If he can't get a film's release date right, how much faith can we have in his account of incidents from Eastwood's life, incidents at which the author was not present?

If nothing else, this book's sloppy research suggests McGilligan suffers from one of the same personality flaws for which he frequently reprimands his subject. Eastwood, he says, is always happy with the first draft of the screenplays he stars in and/or directs, never requesting and always resisting rewrites (perhaps because they require shelling out cash, something the miserly multi-millionaire is loathe to do). McGilligan's book reads like a first draft that never made it to the proofreader. Perhaps a quote from the Bible is in order here: "Judge not lest ye be judged."

McGilligan's book is certainly an improvement over Richard Shickel's earlier look at the Hollywood titan. McGilligan is fairly thorough, offering more information about Eastwood's ancestry than we might even want to know about our own, and providing a more subjective view of the star's contribution to the cinema. Thankfully, he never fawns over Eastwood the way "critic" Schickel did in his "authorized" bio, but one may be tempted to wonder if he went too far in the opposite direction.

Clint the Monster
When you consider the horrible direction performed by Clint Eastwood over the years (The Eiger Sanction, Blood Work, Tightrope, Breezy, The Outlaw Josey Wales), this book has a lot of credibility. He does not have much of a legacy as an actor, either. You can always expect the same one-dimensional performance. The reasons for this lack of talent are revealed by McGilligan. Clint started life as a "nice guy" and then slid into a greedy career killer destroying friends and lovers. It takes a lot of time, energy, and commitment to become a great director. The author proves that Clint has none of these traits, except to use movies to make a fast buck. Judging from the testimony of many people close to Clint, he is a failure in career, family, and the way he has handled his life.

As negative as this all sounds, somehow McGilligan writes objectively with a refreshing, entertaining style. This makes the book a very enjoyable read.

McGilligan"s Eye is jaundiced
By his own words the author identifies himself as a typical, Hollywood, hate-America, far-left limousine liberal who never misses a chance to tell you how much he hates Ronald Reagan - As if the reader should care. Small wonder, then, that he also hates Clint Eastwood.
And there is the problem. If a politically motivated biographer detests the politics of his subject, can he be fair? Probably not, so that makes his biography nearly worthless. Clint may be a liar, a thief, a wife-beater, a backstabber, a miser, and a pill-popping narcissist, to name the lesser character defects the author ascribes to him, but how reliable is the source? If the author had had the wit to keep his mouth shut about his own beliefs he would have done a more credible hatchet job. Megalomania will out.
The author attributes Clint's good press to either smoozing with reporters(male) or sleeping with them (female). Maybe the author should try that himself; It's the only way he'll ever get a good review for this book.

Absolutely Fascinating!
This guy really knows his subject. After reading this book, you will know Clint backwards and forwards. Want to know what it's like to be Clint Eastwood? Get this book.

People who think Clint is some kind of god are posting negative reviews. But this sounds like a really honest biography. If you like Dirty Harry, the westerns, and so on, this is the book for you!

Author definitely has a grudge against Clint
I have to agree w/ 2 other reviewers on this board that basically stated that this author has a grudge against Clint. The tone of the book is very negative toward Clint and does not provide a balanced approach to his life. As a prior reviewer stated, the author would have us believe that all Clint movie-goers are idiots that wouldn't know a good movie if they saw one--nevermind that obviously, Clint has a huge fan base or his movies wouldn't have been so successful, nor would he be considered a Hollywood Icon. The author takes every chance possible to take a dig at Eastwood. I was very disappointed with the tone and negativity of the book. I did not think he did a good job at all in painting a real picture of Clint Eastwood. According to this author, Clint doesn't have a single good quality or trait. I find that impossible to believe. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Great Book
This book is the BEST that I have read, the entire book gave me a better perspective of Cary Grant as well as an inside to his personal life. I highly recommend this book to anyone that is interested in an icon of his stature not only as a actor, but also as a person. His personal and professional lives are detailed well, and the quotes that Cary had said in the past were moving.

Beautiful, heart-warming collection of vignettes about Mr. G
With that handsome face, million-dollar smile, impeccable taste in suits, and debonair yet witty demeanor, Cary Grant is one of the most famous Hollywood stars of the 20th century. This book is not exactly a biography, but a collection of stories that are part biography, part homage, and above all, an expression of heartfelt love towards the man from the people in his life.

The stories are inspired by a series of Conversations with Cary Grant that were a one-man evening show where Mr. Grant essentially held a two hour QA session for an enthralled audience. Since Mr. Grant was adamantly averse to an autobiography, the woman behind the idea for the one-man show, Nancy Nelson, decided to embark on this project to give remembrance to this remarkable man. Starting from his humble beginnings in England, all the way through his illustrious Hollywood career and to his golden years - the reader will get a wonderful insight into this fantastic actor. The stories are told by his colleagues, friends and people in his life as they remembered him. The who's who of Hollywood give their deepest respect to Mr. Grant. You will learn that he was a true gentleman in real life as well. He wanted only to be kind to his fellow man and respected for his work.

If you are a fan of Cary Grant's, this is a must-read book.

Evenings with Cary Grant in his own words
This book is one of the best,differant because it is rare to really have the inside scoop...by people who know and love him dearly.This is a must ,funny,touching,straight to to point.Loved it !!!!!

Get to know the real Cary Grant....
This is a great book. It is, as the author herself explains, not really a biography, but more of a sketch of different episodes in Cary Grant's life. Not suprisingly, Grant - a poor boy from Bristol who, through his talent and intelligence, created the ultimate screen persona - was a very complex person. Sadly, many of his biographers do not do him justice and instead use useless gossip to sell more books.

This book, however, is an exception, as it uses Cary's own words, and those of his close friends to paint a picture of the true Cary Grant: a brilliant actor, a troubled and scared little boy, but all in all a wonderful and generous person! If you are a Cary Grant fan (or even if you aren't so much), read this book - you won't be disappointed at its depiction of Cary Grant. As you read it, you'll feel as though you really were spending an evening with Cary himself!

The best Cary Grant book ever
Out of all the Cary Grant books there are, this one is the best i have ever read. His wife and daughter agreed with this book so you know that everything in it is true. As for people talking about his sexuality....if you read this book you can tell he is definately not a homosexual. I loved Cary Grant from the movies i saw him in and after this book i love him even more because after reading this you feel you really know him. And to know him is to love him. ... Read more

Book Description

Everyone knows him as Ralph Cifaretto on the HBO hit showThe Sopranos. But before Tony, Carmela, Silvio, and Dr. Melfi took Sunday-night television by storm, Joe Pantoliano was one of America's busiest actors, giving unforgettable performances in such films as Memento, The Matrix, The Fugitive, and Risky Business. Now, the street-smart kid who grew up in Sinatra's hometown shares the stage with the eccentric and colorful wise guys from his family and neighborhood.

Fade in on the projects of Hoboken, New Jersey, during the fifties and sixties. That's little Joey, running numbers with his chain-smoking mother, Mary, so they can keep a roof over their heads. When he wasn't busy staying one step ahead of the bill collectors, he was learning the ropes from "Cousin" Florie: his "stepfather" and a wise guy whose connections to the Genovese family couldn't keep him out of jail for drug trafficking. Then there was Joey's real father, "Monk," a factory worker with a weakness for gambling at the track who was later reborn as a hearse chauffeur for the local funeral parlor.

With a winning blend of humor, charm, and pure showmanship, Pantoliano tells it like it was. From a connected Jersey street kid to a successful Hollywood actor who would, ironically, re-create his wise-guy boyhood in role after role, Who's Sorry Now is an irresistibly entertaining treat for anyone interested in this true-life "Soprano" and a real stand-up guy. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

A true Paisan'
I feel like I grew up with Joey Pants. His family is my family! I picked up this book because he played in one of my all time favorite movies, "Goonies," and I new his face, but not his name. He's just one of those kind of actors. I don't mind saying that I hate him in the Sopranos, 'cause who doesn't? But after reading this book, even I am proud of what he made of himself. And it has restored my faith in my own abilities. I now must write a book about my verbally abusive Italian-American man-hating mother. Although his family had problems, you still get the sense that in the end they all sit around toasting to love and family like the last scene in Moonstruck! It's a quick read and you'll love it!

Nicely Done!
How could you not write a book about someone like Joe Pantoliano? He is such a character and it is not suprising to me that he is one of the busiest 'character actors' in Hollywood. I loved the way David Evanier and Joe Pantoliano put Joey's story together. It was extremely Heartfelt and Truthful. My hat's off to Joey who wasn't afraid to let us take a journey through his life. And to David Evanier for putting up with Joey! Congratulations!

family life
The best part about this book is the author's unique voice. It's creative and to the point. The way he describes things carries the book.
The story itself is an interesting one, but it's more about his dysfunctional parents and their marriage than about the author. His mother is quite a trip. He had a rough time growing up but goofy as some of them were, his extended Italian family was a strong source of support and I think that's why he didn't drown in his parents' craziness.
This story is not about the mafia, although some people in it apparently have some bad connections. It's about a boy growing up in a close-knit, somewhat goofy family in 1960s New Jersey. And there's a lot of great insight into the family members and their peculiarities that makes it well worth the read.

Making it a love story
My brother got me this as a birthday gift - not something I would have bought myself. I figured it was one of those books where someone is cashing in on their current fame. It wasn't - it is an inner glimpse at a totally disfunctional family that I couldn't put down. Joey Pants was always one of those actors you love to hate - after reading this I can see where he got his inspiration - his nutsy Mommy (I have to admit I get a little uneasy reading about a guy in his 50's who still refers to his mother as Mommy). From this I have great admiration for Joey now - it is amazing what he overcame - the very things that would have caused most people to give up and accept their existance - inspired him to seek a better life. Anyone wishing to see the day-to-day live of a Goomba growing up in Jersey should grab this - a great read!

We are Joey ... sorry we bought the hype
I was lured by the bait of his Ralphie persona, the Imus interview and a good excerpt on Amazon, but the life of an insecure little fat kid is not charming. Mommy was a gangster's daughter who browbeat her poor husband and was ready to cheat anyone including her young son. Some of the "Cousin" Florie stories were ok, like hijacking the Seagram's truck from the Hoboken ferry, but a book? Fuggedaboutit! ... Read more

Book Description

In the summer of 1999, David Lander revealed publicly that he suffers from multiple sclerosis-a secret he'd kept for fifteen years even while living and working in Hollywood's celebrity fishbowl. Diagnosed with the illness after filming the last episode of Laverne and Shirley, Lander continued to develop his film and television career while hiding his illness.His success was an astonishing testament to his physical and emotional strength and his determination to prove that those with M.S. can still enjoy fulfilling and challenging lives.

Fall Down, Laughing is the humorous and poignant story of Lander's courageous struggle with multiple sclerosis.Over the years, Lander tried everything to improve his condition: exercise programs, alternative medicine, support groups, the latest crop of designer drugs. Weaving his experiences against a backdrop of entertaining celebrity anecdotes, Lander offers a message of affirmation that will provide information and hope to millions of M.S. sufferers, their friends and caregivers. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Inspiring, Heartfelt and truly Funny
Leave it to David Lander to show you the funny side of a chronic condition. I read this book mainly on the subway to and from work and the passengers probably thought I was mad laughing at a book were the title contained the word "Multiple Sclerosis". If they only knew how he presented MS in this book, they'd be laughing too.

This book was better than I expected. Most biographies I read about people with illness starts in adult hood and doesn't really build up their character. David started in way before he became "Squiggy". I liked this approach because it made him seem more 'common' as opposed to the non-attainable celebrity type.

At the point in time I was yet undiagnosed with any illness. It turned out I had another illness, although the one I do have may develop into MS one day. This book made me feel better about whatever I was about to face.

It was real, heartfelt and honest. David is inspiring and sharing his story in the way he did makes him even more loveable. Thanks David.

Great Book!
I really love the book! David Lander's so funny! I liked him as Squiggy on "Laverne & Shirley". That's my fave show! Penny Marshall, Cindy Williams, Michael McKean, David Lander, & Eddie Mekka are the best cast of the best show in the whole wide world! I like that it's his autobiography, & that's he coped w/iMS for so long. Nice family pics, & pics of the "Laverne & Shirley" cast. Great book! Lots of info on MS!

not just for MS'ers!
I did not read the book. I listened to an audio tape of it from the Library of Congress. The book was so interesting that I listened to it a second time. (I went blind in one eye in 1998 and went legally blind in my other eye in 2003. I have a good bit of residual vision in one eye.) Like David who was sometimes thought to be drunk, I can be taken for drunk, too (one reason I use my cane). Telling the truth makes things so much easier, as he learned. (I tried awhile to not let on that I had vision problems even when I bumped into something.) There is nothing to be ashamed of! My favorite line in the book has to do with people asking how he is. He can tell that what they mean is how much longer he will be able to walk. He wants to reply, "The way you asked the question, I don't think I can live DOWN to your expectation." Way to go! I love it!

Excellent personal view of MS
I read this right after being diagnosed. Here was the story of someone who kept his condition hidden from all but those closest to him, and who ultimately basked in the glow of support. I laughed and cried as I read his story. It was so refreshing to get the view from someone who understands the disease from my side, instead of hearing from doctors, friends, and family members who think they know. Thank you, David, for sharing your story.

Laughing with David Lander
I thoroughly enjoyed reading David Lander's book. I laughed along with him. Having MS myself, I could truly relate to his
situation. He has a good outlook on life and is trying not to
let the MS get the best of him. He has quit a few interesting
things to say about MS and it's affects on the individual. I would recommend this book to anyone. ... Read more

Book Description

Fifty years after her reign as "The Love Goddess" of the movies, the world is still captivated by Rita Hayworth. In this elegant volume, the glamorous star of Hollywood's Golden Age is revealed as never before-in nearly 300 stunning, rare photographs.

Remarkable publicity photos, film stills, rehearsal shots, candids taken with family and friends, and of course that famous World War II pinup trace Rita Hayworth's entire life. Spanning her rise from starlet to star, her marriages to famous men such as Orson Welles, Prince Aly Khan, and Dick Haymes, and her tragic death from Alzheimer's disease, here is an insightful and dazzling tribute-in words and pictures-to one of the great screen icons.
297 illustrations, 10 in full color, 240 pages, 9 x 113/4" ... Read more

Reviews (14)

Beautiful Photo Tribute to Rita Hayworth!
I have collected all the books ever written about Rita Hayworth. I have to say that this is the BEST photobook I have seen to date. Who else but a Rita Hayworth fan can put their heart in such a big project and create such a lovely photo tribute to Hollywood's most glamourous movie star of the classic era. Not only is there a collection of rare photographs, but there is lots of interesting information on Rita's life, trivia and more. If you're a fan of Rita Hayworth, then this is the book you must buy! Simply beautifully done!

A wonderful book!
Caren Roberts-Frenzel is a great person and a huge Rita Hayworth fan! I have been subscribing to her Rita Hayworth fan club newsletter for several years now, and I am so happy that this project, a long time dream of hers, came to fruition.

Most so-called biographies of movie stars are written by people that don't really appreciate the subject of their work; it is so refreshing to read a biography written by a true fan.

But this book is really about the photos, and Caren has collected an amazing collection, so many that even I, another long-time Rita fan, has never seen.

The short of this? If you are a Rita Hayworth fan, BUY THIS BOOK!

Rita Hayworth: A Photographic TREASURE!!!
Rita Hayworth is one of the most beautiful and glamourous women ever to have lived. Though her life was marked by tragedy, particularly her Alzheimer's affliction and death at a relatively young age. This book, however, is mainly devoted to celebrating Rita's happier times. Her life is viewed chronologically in both popular and rare photographs. There are so many beautiful photos that it is difficult to take in all at once! My favorite pictures (and just a sampling of the pictures you will find in this book) are: Rita (when she was still Margarita) with her dark hair dancing in a beautiful ruffled dress (p.28), glamourous Rita smiling brightly while reclining on a couch (p.87), Rita clowning with Orson Welles (pg. 114), Rita getting her hair touched up (p. 119), Rita tickling her daughter Rebecca (p. 126), Rita walking solitarily on the beach (p. 140), Rita being welcomed home (p. 165), and Rita in 1981, in declining mental health, but still looking every inch a movie star. If you love Rita and her movies, do not hesitate to buy this book!!!

Va-Va-Va VOOM! Hubba-hubba! Wowzer-wowzer! Bong!
"Rita Hayworth: A Photographic Retrospective" features a zillion photographs, many never before published, of one of Hollywood's most enduring sexual icons.

The book was a labor of love for author, historian and collector Caren Roberts-Frenzel of Minneapolis, who reportedly kept pestering publishers for years to get their attention.

"But you're wrong, Rita has not been forgotten," was her mantra, as skeptical publishers elsewhere wondered aloud if a market remained for a book about one of the great beauties of the 1940s.

Caren's persistence finally paid off, resulting in one of the most luxurious "picture on every page" books ever produced, supplemented by breezy, well-written and information-packed text.

Unlike "been there, done that" books about Hayworth, this one specializes in numerous "candids," that is, unposed photos taken outside of the studio, at work, at play, on the set, whatever.

For once, here's a volume that doesn't feature the same darn publicity photos you've seen a million times for sale on the Internet or at flea markets.

The deal about Rita is man oh man, unlike sexy sirens named Grable or even Monroe, Hayworth's beauty is timeless and undated. Unless someone told you, you'd never know, for example, that her world famous pinup shot -- taken on the bed by Life Magazine photographer Bob Landry -- was shot more than 60 years ago!

The same holds true for the nearly 300 other photos that grace this book, some recaptured in all of their Technicolor glory.

Get "Rita Hayworth: A Photographic Retrospective," before it disappears! I understand only a few thousand were printed and yet the reviews in the papers and in places like People Magazine have been terrific.

I fell in love with Rita all over again!
Caren Roberts-Frenzel is the president of the Rita Hayworth Fan Club and this book is her dream project come to life. Caren's appreciation of every facet of The Love Goddess is evident on every page. It was so good to see someone who knows and cares about Rita create such a labor of love. Caren doesn't whitewash the blemishes in Rita's often tragic life but rather allows them to complete an honest and ultimately loving portrait of this gentle woman.

Like its subject, this book is breathtaking in its beauty. It contains scores of genuinely rare photos and they are a treasure. I own many books on Rita but "A Photographic Retrospective" is easily my favorite. ... Read more

Amazon.com

She was an Oscar-winning Hollywood actress; he the scion of Europe's longest reigning monarchy. The marriage of movie star Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier Grimaldi of Monaco (a romance ironically spawned by a chance, MGM publicity-driven photo op) was one of the 20th century's most enchanting fables come to life. Yet, in veteran Hollywood biographer J. Randy Taraborelli's retelling, (the first comprehensive chronicle of the royal couple's romance and quarter-century reign) their day-to-day struggle with romantic inertia and a legacy of familial dysfunction cast their fairy tale existence in a bittersweet light long before the 1982 automobile accident that took Grace's life.

Taraborelli's struggle to walk the fine line between the respectful biography he intends and the salacious, tell-all exposes he decries makes for occasionally awkward passages. However, the author eventually succeeds in giving his royal subjects--and the ongoing conflicts with their respective families--a familiar, all-too-human scale. --Jerry McCulley ... Read more

Reviews (25)

Loved This Book
I couldn't wait to read this book and was not let down. What I loved is that the author didn't just copy every one else's information. If he didn't agree with what was written before, he wrote it his way. Therefore, to me, it was all fresh perspective. I loved the story of how Grace made the best of her life in Monaco, and became such a wonderful Princess even though the odds were against her. Who cares if the writer got the date of Diana's death wrong? Like that has anything to do with anything? That's a fact checker's error. This was such a good book, and so emotional. I would recommend it. If you want to know about Princess Diana and when she died there are lots of books out there that will give you all of that. But this one gives you Grace's and Rainier's story in a beautiful and wonderful way. Five stars from me, and I have read all the Grace books, too. This is the best one yet!

Read this first
It's obvious Taraborrelli did some research - that is to be commended. However, if his research led to the picture that appears in this book, he never should have written it - there's not much of a story to tell. In this book, we are told Grace Kelly had almost no royal qualities. She had no heart-felt interest in charity. She was not a great parent. She had no idea what feminism was. She loathed her life throughout most of the book - whined, complained, regretted her decision to marry a Prince - thought her marriage lacked passion - on and on. We're asked to accept she won her subjects over but never given an explanation as to how. In fact, she wrote toward the end of her life that she wished a frog would turn into a prince and take her away from the miserable island she lived on. We're asked to accept she fell in love with Ranier in the beginning of her marriage, but read stories that did not support that.

The author (probably unwittingly) makes most of the men in the book accessible, reasonable, and likeable while most of the women are just the opposite. The men - Father Tucker, Prince Ranier, Prince Albert - you'll put the book down feeling warm about them. Oh, and since Prince Ranier had almost exclusive control over raising Prince Albert (and not the 2 princesses), it makes sense in this particular book that only Prince Albert turned out perfect while the two Princesses, raised almost exclusively by Grace, were complete disasters. We're asked to appreciate the "sacrifice" Grace made in giving up her acting career, yet, told that she resented her decision, never stopped trying to go back, never stopped complaining about it, etc.

By this account, Grace Kelly humiliated her husband numerous times, saying to friends and/or publicly through all the years that she regretted staying in a passionless marriage. The author never asks how Ranier (or the children) must have felt at hearing such horrible sentiments. The author actually relays these statements as though they evoke sympathy for Grace.

Next, the author makes some very odd statements. He says the death of Grace Kelly brought more collective grief of any celebrity since JFK. I guess Elvis, for example, didn't exist. Read the reviews - many people know very little about Kelly. Similarly, he says Kelly's long term impact will be greater than Princess Diana. Ha ha ha. (He must have been caught up in the moment). He also uses language sloppily - e.g. - "produced productions" - He misuses the word "ironic" in the popular way people misuse that word (that is, people who are not authors).

I kept waiting for a story worth reading. It never materialized.

Lengthy Yet Lackluster
I'm one of those people who is intrigued by queens and princesses and gladly grabs up most offerings on the topic. When I first saw this book, I figured that it would contain a story as perfect as its cover. Well, not quite.

It wouldn't be fair to say that "Once Upon A Time" has no redeeming qualities. If nothing else, it seems to be the only in-print biography of Grace Kelly-which makes it somewhat valuable for anyone trying to learn about this famous lady. Also, it is written in a readable, conversational way-nothing overly "intellectual." And one certainly couldn't say that this book is completely devoid of interesting people, quotes, or happenings. The story of Grace and Ranier is definitely one that would have some fascination almost regardless of how badly it was told.

Yet as I was reading this book, I had a nagging sense that it wasn't as "unputdownable" as it should have been. I'd often feel like stopping after reading a few pages and rarely felt like I was really "getting into" the book.

Perhaps this dullness can be explained by the fact that the book was just too long. The author repeated himself frequently, seeming to resort to variations on main ideas whenever he had nothing fresh to say. (He often mentioned something similar to this throughout the first half of the book: "Although Grace was a successful career woman who seemed to have it all, she just needed her parents' approval.") Another similar problem was that the author tended to spend too much time recounting dull periods in the couple's lives. Finally, many included quotes just screamed, "That completely didn't need to be said!"

There are some enlightening passages and quotes in this book, but if you read it you'll often find the problems instead of the positives. If you're looking for a good royal biography, read "Lilibet: An Intimate Portrait of Queen Elizabeth II" instead.

really good
This a is a very good ind interesting book on Grace Kelly's life. I think it's well written, and some great photos and the author did a good job in writing it truthfully, delicately and telling a good balence of a negative and posative

Trivial stuff--DON'T BOTHER WITH THE BOOK
This was just a regirgitation of all the other drivel written about her. Author should be ashamed to take his royalty check! We all know the little stories-heck, we could have dug them up online! Not much depth here. He makes veiled comments about Kelly and her life, but only goes so far. VERY DISAPPOINTING ... Read more

Book Description

"I had wanted to wrap this book up in a neat little package. I wanted a perfect ending. Now I've learned the hard way that some poems don't rhyme, and some stories don't have a clear beginning, middle, and end."

The world fondly remembers the many faces of Gilda Radner: the adamant but misinformed Emily Litella; the hyperkinetic Girl Scout Judy Miller; the irrepressibly nerdy Lisa Loopner; the gross-out queen of local network news, Rosanne Rosannadanna. A supremely funny performer, Gilda lost a long and painful struggle in May 1989 to "the most unfunny thing in the world"--cancer. But the face she showed the world during this dark time was one of great courage and hope. It's Always Something is the story of her struggle told in Gilda's own remarkable words--a personal chronicle of strength and indomitable spirit and love undiminished by the cruel ravages of disease.

This is Gilda, with whom we laughed on Saturday Night Live: warm, big-hearted, outrageous, and real. This is Gilda's last gift to us: the magnificent final performance of an incomparable entertainer whose life, though tragically brief, enriched our own lives beyond measure. ... Read more

Reviews (21)

this book is heartbreaking and inspiring all at once.
it took me only one day to read this entire book. gilda was a brave and inspiring woman. god bless all who have cancer.

I truely couldn't put it down.
When I found out I had to do a project on Gilda Radner I was stunned. It was for my American history class. I had never been a huge Gilda fan, but seen a few of her SNL skits, so I thought to myslef 'how did she change history'. I had no idea, until I read this book. Not only did Gilda change comedy forever, but she gave many cancer patients a reason to try and live. My Aunt had ovarian cancer durring the 80's, and told me that with out Gilda's advice, she would have wanted to die. Gilda wrote this book while she had cancer, what an amazing thing to do. She wrote a beautiful book that truely I wouldn't put down. I read the book 4 times, and still wanted to read it again. Gilda finds a way to tell her story as your own. She touches something from your past or future. It's such an amazing book, and i recomend it to people of all ages.

It's Always Something........Something Wonderful
On Sunday, May 21, 1989, I was dining at a favorite restaurant, poring over the front page of "The Kansas City Star." When I saw the cruel headline ("Gilda Radner Dies at 4