Entertainment Books

A journey to love that readers familiar with this Hollywood couple will likely enjoy. The couple takes turns narrating their lives from childhood to adulthood - from college at Yale to the New York theatre to the Los Angeles Hollywood scene. We read about their romantic relationships. We read about addictions and issues with their parents. We read about their own struggle to become parents. The book wraps with Angela and Courtney's views/tips on becoming a better you/strengthening and maintaining your relationships. Readers are sure to come away from this with a greater respect for this couple's views on life and love.

*NOTE: There are WAY too many typos in this book. Would I buy it? Hmmm, nah - not something I'd want to read again.

I really enjoyed reading Angela's contributions. Courtney's grew on me. The book was a thorough journey down the path(s) that led them to become [such] great lovers, and it's a very insightful and candid story. Alot of passion I felt through their recounting, and it even made me look at some things in my own life differently. Would recommend to men and women-- whether single, married, divorced.......or dating! I think it may change the way one looks at the opposite sex [a little bit]--

Oh... I just got this book and within three days I'm almost finished Angela and Courtney bring you into their world.. I want more more more.. I love their story it is so touching.. thumbs up...

Like most others, I highly enjoyed Angela & Courtney's story. I loved how the author alternated from her story to his bringing completion to the whole novel. I admire them both more seeing how they put their personal tragedies & demons out in the open but yet came out on top.

I'm not completely done this book. Bought it because I heard Angela Bassett and Courtney Vance speak on Oprah. The writing isn't very good, but I am enjoying very much hearing about their individual lives leading up to the point where they become interested in each other. I have started many books in 2007, but this is one I haven't been able to put down and will definitely finish!

This was a great way to "finish the story." I loved the people in the story- laughed with them and cried with them. Sharon should write more of this kind of story- she is the best.

When you bring up the subject of Laurel and Hardy's last film to Laurel and Hardy buffs, many may cringe. It was terrible, the boys were sick, it never should have been made etc. Many refuse to even watch the film, so bad is its repuatation. But author Norbert Aping makes the case that Atoll K, while not a great film, is NOT the abomination people believe it is. Aping writes about the film from its conception, the writing, the filming, the editing, and the many versions that were released in different areas of the world. He also details the health problems Laurel and Hardy dealt with during the filming. Aping includes rare photos taken on filming locations, sample pages from the script, and lobby cards and advertising from all over the world. Also included are details of scenes that were cut from the original version of the film, French box office reports, and a filmography of the verious versions of Atoll K. Atoll K is a Laurel and Hardy film that needs another look, and this book is a good start.

This is the kind of "keeper" that fans and historians dream about. What is fascinating is to see rare behind the scenes photos, worldwide promotion, and read detailed analysis of a subject which I surmise many people thought ended with other fine books.
If you feel, as this reviewer does, that Atoll K was their best film since Hal Roach, then you will not know where the time goes as you enjoy this tome.
[Don't like the cover design altogether: "Laurel And Hardy" should be on one line, or covering three lines, as in their short subject opening titles: but, tut-tut-tut...it's not a deterrant!].

I highly recommend this book, which is beautifully written. When you finish "In Balanchine's Company," you'll be searching Amazon to see what other books Ms. Fisher has written. I look forward to reading more!

With the grace of a ballerina transposed to the page, Barbara Milberg Fisher's memoir, In Balanchine's Company, captures the ephemeral art and rigorous discipline of dance in the New York City Ballet during its early and formative years. From her childhood on a tree-lined street in Brooklyn leaping over mud puddles, when her Russian emigre parents told her to practice the piano to keep her out of mischief, and gave her ballet lessons as an antidote to her hoydenish exploits, to the afternoon when George Balanchine discovered her playing Schubert's C Minor sonata in an empty studio, she describes the education of an artist en route from Flatbush to the world's most glittering stages. In recounting her own journey, Ms. Fisher sheds light on the creative process of George Balanchine and the many extraordinary dancers, musicians, costume and set designers who worked with his fledgling company.

"Sometimes," she wrote, "it seemed as if the company was flowing out of his veins." But while Mr. Balanchine was the presiding genius, it was the passion and dedication of his dancers, their unquestioning sense of mission, long hours, and sweat that brought his dreams to fruition. Ms. Fisher takes us into the studios with the tinkling pianos where for hours each day the young dancers did barre exercises and floor work under the watchful eyes of their beloved ballet masters, and, later, practiced and critiqued each other over and over until their lungs were bursting and the dancing looked effortless. She describes the patient way Mr. Balanchine worked with individual dancers, keenly aware of the natural ways they moved, creating ballets that used their special talents and gifts, recreating the role of Firebird to fit Maria Tallchief's style of movement, "a brilliant whirling creature," restoring the candy cane hoop dance to the Nutcracker to fit Robert Barnet's tireless vitality. She gives us insight into the making of avant garde masterpieces such as Opus 34, in which she appeared as a bandaged corpse, and Agon, which opened with Melissa Hayden's high speed footwork, and in which Balanchine experimented with silent arm gestures invented by the dancers themselves (which were cut from the final version). She shows us the theatres they performed in throughout Europe and across America, dark, drafty stages and blinding spotlights, how they rehearsed to the point of exhaustion, and, how, undeterred by blisters and sprains, they danced their hearts out on ancient splintered floors, thin wood planks laid on concrete, "raked" stages that tilted downward, in splendid costumes, or in worn toe shoes stuffed with paper, dazzling audiences wherever they went.

Ms. Fisher weaves her personal story with that of Balanchine's company as she rose from the corps de ballet to soloist in works such as Illuminations and Afternoon of a Faun, traveled, made lasting friends, read voraciously and indiscriminately, and from time to time questioned Mr. Balanchine, on one occasion asking why the father in Prodigal doesn't help the boy in the end. She recalls her whirlwind courtship, marriage, touring with Jerome Robbins' company as a principal dancer after leaving the New York City Ballet, and performing at the White House. She retired at age thirty-one following the birth of her second child, and went on to become a Professor of English at City College, where her deep appreciation for poetry was an inspiration to her students. Written with lively and precise detail that is a pleasure to read, her memoir is a story with legs.

My ballet experience is limited to one class I took as a 5 year old and a handful of ballets that I have gone to see over the years. And yet I was captivated by the glimpse of the world of a professional ballerina, particularly since it seems that Barbara Milberg Fisher was a participant in an important era in the development of American ballet.

I have to admit that I do know Barbara personally as the mother of a college friend, but that had nothing to do with how much I enjoyed the book, except perhaps that it gave me new respect for her. Barbara's life as a young talented dancer seems so removed from the woman I knew as an English professor and the hard-working single mother of my friend. To be sure, her wit and quirky sense of humor are certainly recognizable in the book. And the "voice" is definitely hers. But it seemed incredible that the relatively modest woman I knew could have led such an exciting and impressive life as a young woman.

I very much like that the book is about her experiences and yet is not at all a self-centered book. I suppose I'm guilty of believing in stereotypes (or in press accounts of the actions of famous dancers), as I tend to think of ballerinas as being vain, demanding, and self-absorbed. And yet even when the story is about something that happened to her, Barbara's focus is often on the other people rather than on herself. And she is quite honest in divulging some of her own mistakes and embarrassing moments.

Her stories are humorous and even sometimes quite suspenseful (such as when she snuck into across the Berlin Wall). Her youthful exuberance, defiance, as well as dedication to ballet, are shown clearly in her vivid descriptions. I found that in reading the book, I learned about dance and dance history, world history, and even some lessons about dealing with people, all while being delightfully entertained.

Barbara Fisher is obviously a remarkable person who has a lot to tell us about the rigors of a life in dance as well as delightful stories about her interactions with Balanchine and many other key figures in the dance world, including Stravinsky. The book is a perfect gift for anyone who cares about the art of dance.

this book didn't tell me anything i didn't already know. i guess i was hoping it would go more into friendships and events these two had been involved with but it seemed to just skim over their life with the bare minimum of details. i wasted my money.

The simple introduction here would be, "Liked him but didn't like her." Of course, he has that warm, winning smile that makes him both attractive and seemingly approachable--while she favors a frowny pout that is very off-putting. (The book contains 16 pages of photographs, most of them in color.) But more importantly, he has real talent that he has worked all his life to cultivate, while her skills might be charitably described as modest and haphazardly developed. Morton makes the point that Posh has always pursued success rather than proficiency: "Victoria's supreme ambition, the goal she had had since childhood, was to be famous and admired . . . [and her] success was achieved quickly and in spite of, rather than because of, any real talent she could demonstrate." I am also not keen on promoting anorexic role models for today's youth, and there are many pages in this tome devoted to her slenderizing habits.

For a change of pace (although not a sports buff), I took the time while reading this book to watch clips of David's action on the soccer field. I was amazed at what I saw, both in terms of skill but also, and unexpectedly, in terms of joy--this man loves to play! Yet he is described as "nice but dim," and his wife is a high school dropout.

Morton provides his own analysis of this couple: "He seems content to be who he is, secure in his skin, a talented footballer doing what he has always wanted. On the other hand, Victoria is driven by the demons within; a woman who is at once dauntless, intrepid, and dynamic, and yet insecure, vulnerable, and needy." But they have found each other, they love their kids, and they have been successful at promoting "Brand Beckham." Maybe it will all work out in the end . . .

I have read many books this is the second time and last time I ever read a book from this author. I happen to like the Beckhams, and feel that every single public personality deserves a key word privacy. When you cannot trust your nannies, cleaning people that is really sad, especially since they are a normal couple with children that fight and have their difficulties like everyone else in the world, they are the upper 3% of the world with money, they worked hard for it and deserve every single penny if we buy into them and their branding..and strong family values.
I am sad if David did have affairs on his wife because that is a lack of respect for her and his boys and if they even have an agreement to an open marriage it is still no ones business but their own. there is a saying men like blueberry pie, once in awhile they like a little apple but than they return to the bluebuerry pie men love history they never leave their wives!
To Victoria if you want your fashion sense to soar like an eagle think globally not locally to size 0.,go larger bring your books sell it all and than use some of it for charity or a training school for homeless teenagers to get them off the streets.
I would go QVC or Shopping channel with your fragrances and clothing and sunglasses the more units you sell the more you make it is simple math. Do Jewlery too and anything you can brand your name on because Beckham sells because everyone wants a piece of you it represents wealth and abundance.
You go Beckhams and when the press hate you it is because you are doing well. No one wants your sucess it is a famous saying. Andrew Morton can you never write a book that is pleasant I challenge you to do it my gosh man you are a negative and jealous writter and no better than the thousands of papparazzi that chase these people daily for their fix!

Andrew Morton is presented as the something between the devil incarnate and the Brit version of Kitty Kelley but this book, Posh and Becks isn't that bad actually. In fact, it's pretty fair. He makes it clear that the whole Girl Power thing that the Spice Girls had going was actually crap. They were invented by two busnessmen and their careers were guided by their male manager. They were a business venture first and musicians second. But hey, they entertained a whole lot of people and they all got rich so who can complain?

Morton says that the Adams/Beckham wedding was tacky. Well, that's a mater of opinion but the pictures of the wedding did provoke more derisive laughter than envy in most people who commented publicly.

Morton presents Beckham as a nice guy who let's his wife make the decisions... that could said for most happily married men. Morton also brings up a few alleged affairs but he makes it clear that the women involved all told their stories to the media so their actions have to be suspect.

As for Victoria Beckham herself, Morton spent less time talking about her relationships before Beckham than she did in her own book. She complains bitterly about Morton in her book but all in all, Posh and Becks isn't a hatchet job and seemed rather mild to me. Pity about Beckham's soccer career though.

Morton must receive his praise for putting together all the dirt there was on Posh and Becks. Is it morally wrong? By no means. Instead of digging through old glossy magazines you can check one book with a glossy cover.
One question which this book fails to answer is how a player who is apparently past his prime and a girl who never was a good singer could become and continue to be such celebrities world-wide. But this is not a question which has anything to do with this charming couple but with us.

Weird, in a good way, and charming juxtaposition of biographies of famous people and Poundstone's meandering thoughts on everything from motherhood to... well, everything. Plenty of laugh out loud moments and some interesting insights into the author.

I'm a great fan of Paula Poundstone, and have thoroughly enjoyed her televised comedy specials--and therein lies the problem. In this abridged reading of her book, she covers very little material that wasn't in her Bravo specials. Worse, her reading delivery is wooden and lacks the impeccable timing of her stand-up acts. All that said, this audio book is vintage Paula, and a pretty good companion for a long commute.

I love Paula Poundstone, I think she is one of the best female comics of our generation. I love her humor, her delivery - just the way her mind works. And I so admire her getting through her much-publicized rough patch with drinking, and losing her kids, etc. I totally ready to absolutely love this book. As it turns out...not so much.

I just don't understand why she wrote the book the way she did. She has taken what to me seem eight random historical/cultural figures - Joan of Arc, Abraham Lincoln, Helen Keller, Charles Dickens, The Wright Brothers, Beethoven and Sitting Bull - and mushed up her story and humor with their stories. What's up with that?

I have no problem with her stream of consciousness style, I expected it, as that is often how she performs. And when she writes about her life, family and general observations she's hilarious - but when she writes about those other people it's boring and meandering, barely making sense!

Maybe it just went over my head and I'm missing something, but I can't recommend this book.

This book is an unusual mixture of hollywood tell-all, historical biography and stand up. But throughout, Poundstone is funny, charming and clever. Enjoyable to read.

This book is very funny. I could not put it down and finished the book so fast that I wanted more.

Paula Poundstone presented a very popular stage comedy routine on the Bravo television channel. This book is an excellent extension of the stage routine. The book is even better than the Bravo television presentation.

Read this book.

If you want serious literature, you're looking at the wrong page. If you want to hear about the time he and Ozzy snorted so much cocaine Ozzy ended up in the wrong city, buy this one. Diamond Dave is an American original whether you love him or hate him.

For what its worth, Roth presents his side of the story and its presented well. Id like to read a Eddie book as well to see what he has to say. No matter what is said of Roth, he's entertaining and never boring. He is the quintisential front-man in rock.

This book is a gem. He is a man (referring to David Lee Roth) that has traveled the world, knows many hobbies and has dated many beautiful women. This book might sound like fluff but it truly is not. He knows more than today's youth, as well as thousands of adults who wished they were this experienced. You find out (in the book) that he speaks Spanish, and takes you into his inner world he experienced as child, teen, and adult while playing in the legendary Rock Band "Van Halen." He doesn't trash anyone on here but you laugh and learn at the way he says things. As for his hobbies, these are some of them: Climbing Mount Everest, rock climbing, traveling to third world countries, has read many books, and has Kayaked Manhattan island which he did in 9 and half hours. This book is recommended to Hollywood stars as well as to us commoners who only dream of such a life. This guy is amazing. He also has his own site in case you decide to google. Yes, fine piece of work, includes hilarious pictures in color and in black and white. Sometimes you wonder how he would do if he went to College in these days (in 2005). Why do i say this? He is so knowledgeable; he absorbs everything, he is basically a walking sponge. The higher message to this book is always about learning everything in life, to travel, to read many books, as well as having tons of hobbies so you can make your life very rich......I recommend this book because this Rock star: David Lee Roth, gives you knowledge that is priceless.

Like most (I think) I was hoping for peek into the interpersonal relationship of the band and some insight into the making of the music, writing of the songs.
That said, it was a great read. I had fun with it, I really enjoyed the rambles. I could really hear his voice and see his face through the book. Technical writing would not have been able to do that. His personality really showed through and that was a big bonus.
The nature of that personality is certainly a question of taste.
However, in this day and age of over production... especially DLR's it was refreshing to read something so straight for the horse's mouth.
After reading the book, regardless of the b.s and the lack of detailed info, I thought... this is a person that I would love to spend an afternoon with. Either to call bluff or climb a bluff. Whatever, I am sure it would be a blast. The book was as well.

I kid you not. When I tell others what a masterpiece this book is, they give me a "You've got to be kidding me" look. I owe an enormous debt to my friend Adam Wexler for turning me onto this book a few years ago. I suppose people would shoot down the notion of this being such a great book simply because of the author.

This book is not a Van Halen book. It is a biography of a man with many talents and interests. DLR is all about having fun, and he definitely lives life to the fullest, whether it involves mountain climbing, vacations to third world countries, or even kayaking around the island of Manhattan - Diamond Dave has done it all. I found his critique of all the money-hungry cronies in the music business to be the most interesting section. He talks about early on in his career when Van Halen was making millions, but he was barely making enough money to survive. He talks about the importance of overseeing where all your money goes (agents, managers, promoters, etc.) and managing those finances yourself. DLR also talks about wandering around Southern California as a teenager - he claims he always saw himself as an african-american! This book sparked my interest in Rudy Ray Moore's DOLEMITE movies. Roth was a huge fan and I am as well thanks to this amazing book. There's also plenty of decadent content to fulfill your desire for stories about the Rock-N-Roll lifestyle, but this book takes you far beyond that.

My favorite part is from the last chapter when he talks about when he was on his way to a radio interview and he was stuck on a long bridge. He ended up getting out of the car and running along the bridge to the radio station while everyone in their cars cheered him on! What a great book. I recommend it to anyone, not just Van Halen fans.

I really loved this book by Desi Arnaz. I recommend "Love Lucy" by Lucille Ball to go with it. I have that one also and love it as well.

This is a wonderful book! I read it in a weekend; I could not put it down. No one gives Desi enough credit for all he's done. He was very creative and innovative! I feel like he is the Godfather of modern TV: how it's written, filmed, produced, cast, marketed etc... He set the bar so high, no one in TV history will surpass his genius and his wonderful work.
This book gives insight to his personal life too. Because of the way it is written and the language used, it feels like Desi is there talking with you and telling his story. Much of the book is about before he marries Lucy, and the story continues though to 1960 after their divorce. He said that he had enough meterial written for a second publication that would be titled "Another Book". But sadly it was never developed or published; I wish I could have read about his older years too.
To understand someone is to love them, and this book makes you Love Desi!

Back in 1957 when Dad bought our first tv, there was a big battle about where it should go. Mom won the battle to keep it out of the living room and it was relegated to a tiny room near the bathroom on the first floor of our humble abode in Small Town, Wisconsin. Mother placed an unruly philodendron on top of it to hide it as best she could and, seldom to return, she left the room to my brothers and me. I Love Lucy was already in reruns, although I think it was still in its Monday night primetime slot as well. The show was on a lot because it was the only thing in reruns and I loved it! Reading Desi Arnaz's book brings those days back for me. Desi takes the reader along from his days as a conga boy for Xavier Cugat, through his tumultuous relationship with Lucille Ball. Along with insights into their personal lives, Desi relates (in an almost conversational writing style) how the show came to be produced and filmed almost by accident. Included are fun anticdotes about casting Vivian Vance and William Frawley as neighbors Fred and Ethel Mertz. Perhaps most fun in Desi's waltz down memory lane is his reminiscing about specific key episodes with stars of the day like John Wayne, William Holden, Harpo Marx and Bob Hope. It's hard to imagine today the impact that I Love Lucy had on our lives way back then. Lucy and Desi were everywhere in the media and when Ball and Arnaz announced that they were splitting up (and that the show was ending), people felt really bad for them, myself included; Everybody loved Lucy. I still love Lucy, especially after reading this, Desi's wonderful, heartfelt memoir.

I got this book and could not put it down! So much is said about Lucy (and she was talented)but with Desi and his input she was brilliant! I felt as if I was sitting and listening to a man..replay his life. It reads like a conversation! I only wished he could have done a second book! If you get the chance don't miss this book! It made me love Desi even more.

Throughout the pages of this book, one gets the impression that Desi really did love Lucy and she loved him, but they seemed to be one of those couples that could not live together. He was a philanderer and she had a hot temper and that (apparently) made for some rough living.

The singular most interesting fact from this book that I will probably never EVER forget is this: After Desi and Lucy were divorced, he called her every night for the rest of his life. They were more than lovers, they were best friends and it seems that the relationship continued, even after the marriage ended.

This book is really a manuscript-length tribute to Lucille Ball. Desi's love and admiration for her shines through its many pages. He is kind to her in this memoir and unlike the poison-pen style of today's celebs, it seems that Desi just wanted the world to know that Lucy really was the amazing, interesting and gifted soul she appeared to be.

It also has some fascinating insights and background about the program and its sequels. Plus, if you want to know the scoop about William Frawley and Vivian Vance (Fred and Ethel), it's all in these pages. Those two really did NOT like each other.

I bought this book (used, cheap) and my little paperback copy arrived tattered and worn , but I couldn't stop reading it. Very well written, very interesting and a real tribute to the star of "I Love Lucy."

i receintly have fallen in love with silent movies and the 20's.when i first took a serious intrest in silent movies i got on the internet and found a website called silent ladies and gents.as i scrowled threw the numerous pictures one caught my eye.it was a picture of clara bow (not even her best picture).from there i became more intrested about her.after reading a little about her on the internet i looked for a biography.i found this book.when i read it the first time i accepted it as absolute truth,though after reading it again there are too many inconsistcies.and as i read it i got the feeling that none of it was true.since the first time i read the book i found something so odd about the man she married, rex bell.becouse of my life i know men like him.the kind everyone thinks is so great....but look a little further and you'll find that it just isn't so.after all he got everything he ever wanted.the ranch(which clara paid for),and the perfect little family picture.all of this went with his ambitions to become the perfect conservitive figure.and in the later years when he basicly put her away he was able to say it was just her "family history" or that "fame had gotten to her".also the way the author tirelesly thanks people like daisy devoe is sickenig.defending her as if clara was the bad guy.budd schulberg,another glorified person in this book refers to clara as "an easy winner of the dumbbell award...she was simply an adorable,in fact irresistable,little know nothing.it was as if father had picked her out a well made collie puppy and trained her to become lassie."but still mr.schulberg is betrayed as just another person who put up with clara.something else i find odd is how the author seems to stress louise brook's admiration for clara yet brook's, on several occasions said that clara was stupid and seemed to resent her for making more money(and having more talent).out of all the people in clara's life a select few seemed to geniunly care about clara.those being gary cooper,roland gilbirt,and artie jacobson.even though artie did seem to care sometimes even that seemed odd.and at times some stories seemed fabricated.and perhaps the other two men seemed to care only because in the book there's not a whole lot of mention of them.one of the other reviewers brought up the intresting point that it seemed that most of the book is fabricated to maintain the reputation that the people in her life wanted to maintian for themselves and by extention her.i also find it alarming how the author even shows some sort of sympathy for her father who rapped her.i just get the feeling that there's more to the story.i've recintly bought another biography about her (it's out of print).and can't wait to read it.i think it may reveal more of the story.clara deserved so much better.she was an amazing actress so much better than todays actresses.and her personality intresting and beautiful.how people used her is sooo terrible.she was an incridible woman.the fact that so often she is forgotten amongst louise brooks (who in fact did little acting and what little she did wasn't very good)colleen moore(who was boring,hateful and talent less) and greta garbo (who can hardly keep her eyes open most of the time)is a real shame.she was not some crazy(as she seems to be portrayed in this book).i believe that rex bell destroyed her and took advantage of her.the people around her all took from her.they all wanted something.she was no puppet of b.p schulberg.she was simply amazing and full of life!!! she was beautiful and was 100% her.she was so talented.i really hope that the other biography
(The "It" Girl: The Incredible Story of Clara Bow) will be a more truthful biography that is about her life and not the glorification of people that treated her poorly.

Clara Bow was an amazing actress and woman. She overcame poverty and abuse to become of the great sirens of the 20's. She was very beautiful, and though she did have her faults, she left her mark on movie history. I've watched her silent movies since I've read this book, and "It" is my favorite. This biography is well done and I'll read it again.

This book is probably one of the best books written on the subject of CLARA BOW (**). I just finished reading this book and loved it.

The author goes in great detail regarding the life of Clara,-- from the time she was born, to the time of her death.

Clara was such a misunderstood person. I think that the author has attempted to give us all a better understanding of Clara (the "It" girl).

I also loved the photos of Clara in this book.(She sure was a pretty actress!)

(**)= The only thing that I question is how the "professionals" came to the conclusion that Clara was (probably) Schitzophrenic?... In my opinion, rather than schitzophrenic, I think Clara probably suffered from Manic Depression. That is not to say that her mother was not schitzophrenic though.... From the sounds of it, Clara's Mom was probably schitzophrenic,that I agree with the author and "professionals" (eg: the instances when Clara's Mom tried to kill her with a butcher knife,while Clara was sleeping!).

However, from all the descriptions of Clara's tortured life, to me, it sounded like Clara was more Bi-Polar than anything else. But Schitzophrenic (?)---probably not.

Clara, by all accounts,was never a violent person. She did not "hear voices". Clara had intense "ups and downs" (as described by her children and husband). Clara loved sex, and the attention it brought her. She was an insecure person, who was searching for love and approval her whole life.

This is the only really researched biography ever written of Clara Bow, a poignant and evocative look at an unforgettable woman who conquered a magical period in our history and blasted apart the Victorian prudishness of western society which was one of the catalysts for birthing modern culture.

The Brooklyn Bonfire, The "It" Girl, the Royal Canadian Mounted Policewoman of sex (she always got her man!), the twenties version of Marilyn and Madonna, Clara was the very first modern, studio-packaged sex symbol. The image the studios fashioned for her, that of a carefree, man-hungry flapper, became an icon for the Jazz Age. But Bow is criminally underappreciated today---this young girl had more influence on modern Hollywood than anyone gives her credit for---and this book will show you exactly why. Here is the original tragic Hollywood sex symbol, the one all others are modeled on. Softly beautiful, powerfully sensual, and an incredibly expressive actress, she had a shocking amount of raw talent, which was exploited, and then ignored, and then sacrificed by the studio system that had grown wealthy off of her.

Stenn lays bare the reasons for her unrelenting self-destruction, revealing an unloved and bewildered young girl who fought desperately to escape from her childhood prison but was wholly unprepared for life on the outside. An authoritative biography of a complex and fascinating woman, highly recommended.

David Stenn's biographical account of Clara Bow is a history of a woman victimized by family, friends, and the movie industry. Clara Bow was given the title of "It" girl by Elinor Glyn and it became her signiture. Born in 1905, Clara Bow suffered abuse and neglect at the hands of both her mother and father.

She achieved stardom at a very young age when she won the Fame and Fortune contest. Her prize was a part in the movie "Beyond The Rainbow", but she was later edited out of the final cut. Nevertheless, Clara's talent was spotted because she had something different. She was a natural born actress with a freshness that brought life to the scenes she appeared in.

Uneducated and naive, Clara was a money making vehicle for Paramount to exploit and use. She was an untreated schizophrenic for most of her life and suffered from insomnia. Clara's career began to decline when Daisy De Voe, hair stylist turned Bow's financial manager testified in a criminal trial about Clara's drinking, gambling, and promiscuous lifestyle. Most of which would not raise eyebrow these days, but was scandalous in the mid 1900s.

Clara died in 1965 with a modest fortune. She was survived by 2 sons from her marriage to George Beldam. This book attempts to present an honest account of a woman vilified by the press. I couldn't shake off the impression that David Stenn was more of a fan than a biographer. I like Stenn's writing style. It is clean and often moving. The author certainly did his research.

In essence, the story of Bow's life is quite complicated. Stenn tells us of Bow's illness only at the end of the book. He also reveals the dark secrets from her youth. I think it detracted from the story and gave the reader a filtered view of Clara. Had he told the reader early in the book, so much of Bow's self destructive behavior would have been explained.