Before I read this book, I knew very little about Jean Harlow, apart from the few films I had seen her in over the years. This book is a bombshell, asBefore I read this book, I knew very little about Jean Harlow, apart from the few films I had seen her in over the years. This book is a bombshell, as well as the actress herself. She was quite an interesting character, and lead an unusual life, even apart from the one everyone knew about. She had a fascinating mother too, and the men she married seemed to be a part of a self-defeating purpose that she carried within her, inspite of outward appearances. Great book! Sad end for her life....more
I enjoyed this book. I'm a big fan of classic films, but hadn't really been a huge fan of James Dean. I didn't find him as appealing as so many othersI enjoyed this book. I'm a big fan of classic films, but hadn't really been a huge fan of James Dean. I didn't find him as appealing as so many others have, and even thought his acting skills were mediocre. The book made me an admirer of James Dean, and allowed me to look at his films differently, as well. It's a worthy read, imho....more
I read this book a couple of years ago, and I remember fairly well that I had difficulty putting it down. It was an interesting book, even if the authI read this book a couple of years ago, and I remember fairly well that I had difficulty putting it down. It was an interesting book, even if the author did come across as self-absorbed, but many addicts are that and worse. She writes in detailed descriptions about her childhood, both parents, and her siblings. As I read along, I became less and less surprised that she ended up with addiction issues. Having a mother with severe mental illness, and a father with his own addictions (and if her descriptions about his behavior are accurate, then I would suggest that he too has mental health issues), would seem to set her up for the need to medicate away the pain of life. That is not to take away her own role in the choices that she made, and sometimes as I read, it seemed that she didn't want to own the largest part of her own choices. All in all, a good read and I give it 3 points....more
I actually did not expect to enjoy this book, but I did. It wasn't a "can't put it down" book, and it actually took me about a couple of weeks to finiI actually did not expect to enjoy this book, but I did. It wasn't a "can't put it down" book, and it actually took me about a couple of weeks to finish it, which gave me some time to digest what I had read. Most books that I really enjoy are the can't put 'em down, read it over a weekend, type. What I found refreshing was that Maureen McCormick found the courage to be truthful about her experiences, and to step out, around, the Marcia Brady personna, to show people who she really is. She's like any other human being, with struggles, and with a less than perfect childhood. She did some things that one would never expect of Marcia Brady but then she kept reminding us that she isn't Marcia Brady. She comes across as a survivor, and one who is now free of many addictions. She's still got problems, like we all do, but I like her book. I'm giving it 4 stars. It's also not a book intended for newer, younger, Brady fans. ...more
This was a very disturbing book, and straight off the bat I would say that it's definitely not a book intended for younger readers. It's graphic, it'sThis was a very disturbing book, and straight off the bat I would say that it's definitely not a book intended for younger readers. It's graphic, it's detailed, and it's the life of a very tormented woman, who surprisingly, has been candid with her story, much to the apparent chagrin of the rest of her estranged family. I'm giving it 4 stars. It was a book that I had trouble reading, because of the disgusting details within, and a book that I couldn't put down, because of the heartwrenching life that was attempting to survive by detailing these experiences. I can't go into a much more descriptive dialogue, without giving things away, but I will say that I do hope that Mackenzie will stay clean for the remainder of her days. 4 stars. Worthy read for those who remember One Day at a Time, who recall watching Ms. Phillips unravel before the public eye (kind of reminds me of our present day Lindsay Lohan, except that I believe M.P. is far more gifted ). If you enjoy reading about the psycho-social aspects of drug addiction in children, adolescents, and adults, and all that goes with those topics, then this is a good book for you. If you're a gentle soul who is easily disturbed by the often lurid details of drug addiction, then you might not enjoy this book. I was able to read it in one weekend....more
I found this book at a library in the mid 90s. You'll still find a lot of great books at your public library, and specifically memoirs & biographies, I found this book at a library in the mid 90s. You'll still find a lot of great books at your public library, and specifically memoirs & biographies, so I encourage you to look for it there if you don't want to buy it. This is a good book for persons who want to read about old hollywood, and Ms. Bacall's interactions with those persons she came to know, as well as information about her own life as an actor. It's not a good book for persons who want to know about the author's life as a wife and mother, or about personal details involving her relationships with the children she had. So that pretty much sums it up, if one is wanting to know what kind of reader this book would please. I had hoped for more information about her family life, as a mother, etc., but once I realized where she was going with her writings, I settled in and enjoyed tagging along. I'm a big fan(atic) of classic films, and she is one of the actresses, who, during a time when there was much going on in the world, would capture the attention of millions, with simply her "look". She became known for that look, and for her appearances in many dramatic films, but specifically the time she spent in life and on film with Humphrey Bogart. I enjoyed the book and gave it 4 stars. I'm leaning more toward 3 1/2 but definitely not just a 3, since that's not an opion, I'll go with 4 on this one, because the info about her life during those film making years, is there, and it's fun to read about. ...more
I wanted to love this book, but I liked it instead. It's a good book, not a great book. I so admire Katharine Hepburn, and always will, but I felt thaI wanted to love this book, but I liked it instead. It's a good book, not a great book. I so admire Katharine Hepburn, and always will, but I felt that she had difficulty sharing her personal life after a certain point... a certain age. She didn't share much detail, as others have said, about the relationship she had with Spenser Tracy, and frankly, I found that annoying. Here is this remarkable woman who devotes a great portion of her life to one man, and although their relationship was quite tabu, it was still known about, and celebrated by many. I wouldn't particularly celebrate their relationship, due to the fact that he was still married, but I did want to know about it, not really for juicy intimate details, but to know about "her" in it, what brought her to it, what convinced her to stay in it, what made it strong, or weak, or impossible to leave. I'm big on studying human behavior, it's part of my life's work, and so many of the books I read, are chosen because I enjoy getting into the details of choices made and what's behind them. There wasn't much of that in this book, because Katharine seemed to be a guarded human being with secrets that perhaps were too uncomfortable to share. So I guess we'll never truly know the woman, but perhaps the only person she cared to share her wholeself with, was the one that she wasn't fond of sharing intimate details about, and that's the way she wanted it. One thing that can always be said of Ms. Hepburn, is that if she wanted it a certain way, she made damn sure that she got it. That for me, sums up the book and the lady. 3 1/2 stars if i could give it, but 3 stars because I can't. Don't let that keep you from reading it though. It's a worthy read, just one with lots of open endings. Maybe that was her plan though... always leave 'em wanting more! ...more
I've always been an Elvis fan, since childhood. My mother grew up loving his music, as he became famous when she was a child, and so I had heard many I've always been an Elvis fan, since childhood. My mother grew up loving his music, as he became famous when she was a child, and so I had heard many stories about Elvis, from her. I always found the relationship between Elvis and Priscilla interesting, and so when this book came out, I was excited to read it. My mother purchased it first and then shared it with me later (I think she was more excited than I haha). The book does not disappoint, but I wouldn't give it a 5 star, because there are some parts where I think she could have been more forthcoming about the situations involved, although it does read well, and I think she was being honest as she told it. It's fun to read about their early relationship, because she was just a kid, although she felt old enough, but she clearly wasn't. It bothered me too that Elvis was in his mid twenties and interested in somebody so young, but in the 1950s, I suppose it was different. The way their relationship began to fall apart was sad too and made me feel that I was reading about a man who was interested in very young girls while they remained chaste, but as soon as they became old enough to be called women, they were suddenly not interesting. I didn't like that portrayal of Elvis, and I'm not sure that it's accurate but I don't know what more one could assume while reading it. He was probably no different than many men who lose interest in their wives after they become mother's (this is not new info, as she has spoken of it in public on many ocassions so I won't hide this review for spoilers), but not many of them began their relationships when the women were 14 year old girls. So it is somewhat disturbing, from my perspective, but I try to remember that these were different times. I did really enjoy reading about Elvis' relationship with his daughter, whom he seemed to adore. Also, as the story went on to his later years, and described albiet briefly, his other relationships with women who were not children, but were somewhat trashy model types, one begins to understand that Elvis was not interested in underage girls. So perhaps this was a one time thing for him, with Priscilla and it was just meant to be. I'm giving the book three stars because while it's a good book, it's not particularly shocking information, or unexpected information, even if it is new info for the reader. I do wish that Elvis had lived long enough to write his own autobiography, because I'm certain that the stories he could tell would outdo those that we have read or imagined. ...more
I enjoyed this book. I checked it out from the library about 20 years ago, and I still recall having enjoyed it. I don't remember specifics (so maybe I enjoyed this book. I checked it out from the library about 20 years ago, and I still recall having enjoyed it. I don't remember specifics (so maybe I should read it again) but I do remember that she lead an interesting life. I particularly enjoyed the stories involving her interactions with some of the old hollywood stars of her day. ...more
I read this book many years ago, and found it fascinating. Being from the area she lived in for a while when she talks about the rough honkytonks, etcI read this book many years ago, and found it fascinating. Being from the area she lived in for a while when she talks about the rough honkytonks, etc., (Washington/Idaho)it's fascinating to hear about that. Before that I had no idea that she had lived in my area, when she was first starting out. I haven't read this for a long time, and of course it was made into a film starring Sissy Spacek, in the 80s, but I still think it was a great read. Some in her family have said that it's not based on 100% truth, and that she is actually older than she stated, suggesting that she married older than she said, but either way, it's an entertaining book....more
This was a fun read, as I grew up reading both Dear Abby and Ann Landers columns. It's interesting to see some of the old letters, and even more fasciThis was a fun read, as I grew up reading both Dear Abby and Ann Landers columns. It's interesting to see some of the old letters, and even more fascinating to find that some which were written over 25 years ago are still applicable to today. This is an easy read, and one that I would suggest for when you're in the mood to do some reading but not in the mood to get deep into a plot. It can be picked up, read for a bit, and forgotten again until you find yourself needing a few minutes of lighthearted stories, because that's what they are. They're very short tales about people and their problems, and Dear Abby's solutions. ...more
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