I am having a difficult time introducing this book. I did watch Saturday Night Live when it first appeared in the '70s. Who knew it would still be witI am having a difficult time introducing this book. I did watch Saturday Night Live when it first appeared in the '70s. Who knew it would still be with us today.
I also enjoy books by Bob Woodward so it was a win win for me. But not so much for Belushi. He was an unabashed ball of comedic energy. Unfortunately the energy was fueled with booze and drugs. What I learned is that Belushi was very much alone even when he had hundreds of people around him. He was a people pleaser, a liar, a lover, and a friend to a select few. It pained me that he would stay out for 24 hours or more trying to find that one thing that made it all right. His demons were many, too many for him to conquer. I don't have the answers to his addictions. All I know, he was gone too soon as we say when losing a young talent. Rest in Power, Dear John...more
I'm glad I only paid $2.00 for this book. The writing was awful and the story, some 500+ pages was awful. Don't waste your precious reading time for tI'm glad I only paid $2.00 for this book. The writing was awful and the story, some 500+ pages was awful. Don't waste your precious reading time for this book....more
This gem from Ben Stein was difficult to put down. You could be going through your day and find your mind drifting back to Lenny & Linda. They are couThis gem from Ben Stein was difficult to put down. You could be going through your day and find your mind drifting back to Lenny & Linda. They are couple you love to hate but never wish them any harm.
I took my my first Quaalude in 1971. I was only 21 and remember sleeping for 2 days. It is a power drug and when used as prescribed will work wonders on your sleepless nights.
It didn't work that way for Lenny or Linda. I'm glad I found this book on a sale rack at Goodwill. It seems apropos for the story you are about to read. Thank you Mr Stein for making it real and glorious and gritty. ...more
I selected this book from a library sale for a dollar. What a find! I knew I could not go wrong with Mario Puzo. The title confused me. Then when I stI selected this book from a library sale for a dollar. What a find! I knew I could not go wrong with Mario Puzo. The title confused me. Then when I started to read, I began to understand. This is a book of fiction, but could clearly be something very real in 2022.
Exceptional knowledge of the workings within the White House that we never think about.
I was intrigued with the short side stories and how they intertwined with the main Fourth K. Excellent writing and storytelling, but would one expect less from Mr. Puzo?...more
Modigliani was with a group of artists who were dubbed les peintres maudits. They were from the underworld Paris art scene.
For years I have been mesmeModigliani was with a group of artists who were dubbed les peintres maudits. They were from the underworld Paris art scene.
For years I have been mesmerized by his paintings of elongated necks, small eyes, sloped shoulders. I was fortunate to see an exhibit at The Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth Texas many years ago. One that I will never forget.
He died too young as most great artist do, however we continue to appreciate his work for many years to come....more
Champagne, cocaine, cigarettes, sex, sex, sex, oh yea and fashion too. I knew the name but not the girl. Fascinating seems to dull for her. Saint LaurChampagne, cocaine, cigarettes, sex, sex, sex, oh yea and fashion too. I knew the name but not the girl. Fascinating seems to dull for her. Saint Laurent's BFF. What could be more sublime?
I enjoyed this book and found myself not wanting the conversations to stop. Maxine was a true delight. I wanted her to be my bestie. So incredibly beautiful; more so than her daughter.
I wanted to see, touch, embrace her fabrics, her jewelry, her creativity, but mostly I wanted to embrace her.
Loulou seemed to be a lost little girl all her life. Early rape took her soul, however she seemed to file that deep into her psyche. Sex with whomever was the de rigurer of the 70's. Reaching out for that one who would make everything whole again.
I cried through the final pages. This force of the era was gone. I wanted more, but perhaps this was all we were supposed to have....more
"You know this Rorschach...is something like peyote in a way. It looks into your mind. See the things that aren't out in the open. It is like that wit"You know this Rorschach...is something like peyote in a way. It looks into your mind. See the things that aren't out in the open. It is like that with peyote." page 243.
I'm not sure why it took me a month to read through this book. I enjoyed it, however the middle just dragged on. For me there was too much about the early scoring of the tests. I'm not a numbers person, and that it why I put the book aside. Also I had to look up so many words. I sometimes felt this book was more suited to psychiatrists and psychologist rather than the average reader.
I would have liked to have known Hermann Rorschach, not because of his break through testing cards, but because he sounded like a grounded, peaceful soul....more
This book should have been named The Six Featuring Nancy Mitford. I was very excited when I found this book in a small bookstore, in a small town in IThis book should have been named The Six Featuring Nancy Mitford. I was very excited when I found this book in a small bookstore, in a small town in Illinois. I knew little about the Mitford sisters and was pleased to finally find a book that I assumed would tell a masterful tale.
I was confused from the start. All the references to Nancy's books and her characters were puzzling. I was trying to sort out all six girls. The author continually threw in more characters who I thought were real people in her book. I needed a flow chart to keep up.
I don't speak French albeit I could look up the French phrases Ms Thompson kept inserting to make a point or I guess make the story seem more alive.
All I wanted from this book was understanding of this family and the individual successes of each child. We read about Pamela for one of the first times with 80 pages until the end.
The Six could have been cut down to 200 pages had the author not referenced all the books of Nancy, then continued with the additional books of Jessica and Diana, or was it Deborah?
I always say I owe it to the "book" to finish it. This was a difficult, mind wandering, wasted story. It could have been a page turner. I will seek other books to find out better details of the Mitford Sisters....more
Barbara Leaming's writing style is much like poetry to me. It is a delight to read her words, many of which I needed to look up. I knew a bit about KaBarbara Leaming's writing style is much like poetry to me. It is a delight to read her words, many of which I needed to look up. I knew a bit about Kathleen Kennedy, however this biography gave me insight into her thoughts, feelings, ideas, and zest for life. I was happy she didn't see eye to eye with her mother Rose. Most girls who are adored by their father, have difficulty with their mother. Rose Kennedy has always been revered as the perfect Catholic matron. I'm Catholic so I can say that! I enjoy reading about the women in 1930-1950. And with Ms Leamings arduous research, I was able to understand Debo, Unity, Emerald Cunard, Lady Redesdale because I have read books about them too. I look forward to reading more from this author. ...more
Phew----this tome is a lot of Freud. I had to stop once or twice and read something else. This story is intense, however I enjoyed every word. With FrPhew----this tome is a lot of Freud. I had to stop once or twice and read something else. This story is intense, however I enjoyed every word. With Freud being one of my favorite heroes I was overwhelmed with his accomplishments. In conversation, when Freud is brought up, people scatter and shake their heads. He was a true believer in psychotherapy and if it wasn't for his dedication we would not be where we are today with mental health.
If you think Freud is hogwash then don't read the book. You need to be a true believer as he was to understand the importance of his work. I applaud the dedication, research, and writing style of Peter Gay to give us such a reading treat...more
It took me almost a year to read this tome. I finished it because I owe it to the book, not the author to finish it. Overall disappointing. Many booksIt took me almost a year to read this tome. I finished it because I owe it to the book, not the author to finish it. Overall disappointing. Many books have been written about Jacqueline Kennedy; this is one your don't need to read. I found this book at an antique store for $6. I couldn't pass it up, but it will have a place on my book shelves to fill up space. ...more
Ms Guggenheim has been a fascinating mystery to me. This book tells it all. She was a fierce protector of her art; more so than her children which sheMs Guggenheim has been a fascinating mystery to me. This book tells it all. She was a fierce protector of her art; more so than her children which she had two, Pegeen and Sindbad.
She was a woman in a man's world of art and knew all the artist of the 20's and 30's. It was interesting to read her interactions with the greats!
She was a sexual being and did not hesitate to let you know. Many of her affairs were well known and she blatantly played them out for all to see and hear.
The only negative for this book is the length. Mr Gill could have cut it down to 300+ pages. He constantly introduced people and one became confused as to who they where and why they were in the story. I would recommend to anyone who is in love with the arts and artists. There is a full array of interesting tidbits that will leave you laughing or crying....more
I selected this book because of the author. I have enjoyed other books by David Ritz. This one fell flat. It took me a month to read, because I could I selected this book because of the author. I have enjoyed other books by David Ritz. This one fell flat. It took me a month to read, because I could not get into it. It could have been cut down to 250 pages. Mr Ritz introduced too many characters, repeated events, repeated song titles, etc.
What I took away from this biography is that Miss Franklin, which is what she expects you to call her, is a spoiled woman, with delusional issues, control issues, weight issues, and desire never to be knocked off her throne....more
I award Lee Krasner 5 stars. The book only two stars. I wanted to give up the last 150 pages, but as I always say...I owe it to the book to finish it.I award Lee Krasner 5 stars. The book only two stars. I wanted to give up the last 150 pages, but as I always say...I owe it to the book to finish it. In this case I owe it to Ms Krasner to finish it.
The author might have cut this down to an easy 300 pages. The mentioned people continued to multiply with every page. One needed a flow chart to keep up. I appreciate the research that went into this biography, however I felt Ms Levin just wanted to "hear" herself talk with her writing.
There were 2 maybe 3 big Ah-Ha moments that had me in the beginning. I will remember and learn from them. In the future of biography reading, I will check first to see if Ms Levin is the author. If so I will pass....more
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