5 comments about Leap of Faith: Memoirs of an Unexpected Life.

1. I must admit; I didn't get very far, but this book is a self serving pack of lies by an apologist for the intransigence of the Arab world. For example, she refers to the "forced migration" of 1948 without ever mentioning that the ones doing the forcing were Arabs who promised their people that if they would get out they would "push the Jews into the sea". Nor does she mention the origin of the name "Palestinian" (hint: it is a Hebrew name).
   
   The saddest thing about the Arab world is that 1000 years ago they had the most advanced civilization on earth, and entirely due to problems of their own making they now preside over one giant hell hole.
   
   But if she came out and admitted this the Hashemite family would be in danger of losing their position of privilege in Transjordan.
   
   I would recommend that anyone who reads this book should also read "Warrior" by Ariel Sharon. At least he knows the history of Israel, Syria, and Egypt.



2. Here is a glimpse into Middle East history from someone who was there! My own family members have enjoyed reading it as much as I have; I think shall too!



3. Leap of Faith is interesting from the young all American becomes Queen standpoint. It really is amazing that a fairly regular young American woman gains the attention of the King of Jordan and becomes Queen.
   
   It is too bad she was not willing to be more real in her telling of a great story.
   
   The book ends up preaching about Queen Noor's view of the political world and quickly becomes tiresome and boring.
   
   It could have been a very exciting story given her exciting life but she had to go preach to us instead.



4. Unfortunately the autobiography is boring and somewhat distant and impersonal. Actually, overall the writing is uninspired and quite frankly, flat. Queen Noor, obviously a beautiful, intelligent, well-educated woman uses the book as a platform for spouting some pretty blatant untruths about the modern history of the Middle East. I guess I should have expected that, but it was disappointing nonetheless. I might have gritted my teeth and gotten past her politics if the love story was interesting. But it wasn't simply because the writing was so unemotional and disconnected. As I read the book, it was as if I could hear someone speaking in a monotone voice and it was almost sleep-inducing.



5. This biography is not great literature. It's centered in the most complex and violent regions of our times but rarely scratches the surface. Noor's diplomacy in describing people and events - always the high road, even in the midst of deceit and betrayal - is maddeningly constant and obscures rather than reveals. So what's to like about the book? It's an extraordinary story of a young western woman who embraces the east: it's people, culture, religion and thought. It's the story of her love for King Hussein, who in a world of the powerful, is largeless powerless but for his integrity in the struggle for peace. Her perspective, is that of the Palestinian Arab. Their voice needs to be heard. This book is a thoughtful start.

5 comments about Winfield: Living in the Shadow of the Woolworths.

1. Ms. Randall is very passionate in her interests of the former Gold Coast of Long Island. Her passion carries through clearly in this book of Woolworth's old estate in Glen Cove. Having visited the estate several times in the past I can say she's right on target in her descriptions. She ties the present to the past of Winfield together very well. As you read this you can almost picture yourself standing in the midst of the characters; its that descriptive. If you have never seen the old estate there are photographs as well to bring you there. While non-fiction, one can't help but feel some creative license has been taken in the writing. No matter, since the book is entertaining in the oddity of Winfield's present, as well as in it's less than stellar heyday due largely to it's eccentric owner, Frank W. Woolworth. Well worth your time



2. I read until 4;00 AM finishing this fascinating book. It kept my interest and exceeded the high recommendation from another reader. The experience of actually living in that house must have been heaven for a person who has such a strong interest in the houses of that era.



3. This book is a bit hard to assess.
   
   I must say that the first "third" of this book is quite interesting because it describes what the GOLD COAST looked like and what it has now become. That point alone should peak the interest of the readers wanting to know more about the GOLD COAST mansions (...but plz remember that only 1/3 of the book is about the actual GOLD COAST mansions.The rest is not,unfortunately).
   
   Thus, there are indeed some interesting "facts" in the first third of the book. BUT, as stated above, I only wish the author had continued the book along these factual lines. But instead, she did not.
   
   
   Instead, the author chose to write the rest of the book as a semi-novel and/or ghost story.
   
   In summation, the next "third" of the book is basically a novel about the author's experiences while living in Winfield. In this portion of the book, the author describes her strange relationships with various people involved in her "Winfield experience" (such as: her ex-fiancee` Andree; or the movie producer/director Gordon, that used the mansion for a photo shoot; or the psychic reader that the author often called on the phone in the middle of the night (Katia?); or Andree's semi-mute thug-assistant that lived in the mansion's East wing [before he disappeared!] etc...).
   
   The last part of the book is confusing because it describes a combination of ghostly experiences, but unfortunately, leaves out many details.
   
   The most frustrating thing about this book is that the author mentions so many photos & documents that she came across, however, only a few photos were shown in this book!.... Too few, in my opinion. I truly wish the author had shown more photos in this book, and I'm sure many readers feel the same as I do.
   
   Also, the book seems unlikely in many parts, and I get the impression that the author left out so many important details (for example: if the author felt so uncomfortable and frightened in living at Winfield, then why did she continue to live there for so long? She stated that she was emotionally drawn to the mansion, but why? Example: Andree'(her fiancee`) basically left her in the lurch, and the mansion's past also revelaved too many contradictions! So why did she continue to stay?).
   
   Also, how could a single woman live in such a HUGE structure with nobody to watch over her, --- for basic safety reasons. There was no alarm system on Winfield so the mansion was easily accessible to thieves! In addition, the author mentions all the weird vandalisms that took place all over the GOLD COAST.Therefore,what made the author think that some lunatic vandal or rapist would not have broken into the Winfield mansion while she stayed there all those months (especially, when all alone in her bedroom?)? Thus, I found the story hard to comprehend and accept most of the time.
   
   The author says she does not believe in ghosts, but then she says she does. Back and forth. And... the most frustrating part of the book is that when "apparitions" were mentioned, (eg: in photos) the author never expands on those important experiences! It makes me wonder if this book was not a half-truth book, written by somebody wanting to make money off the book sales.
   
   Sorry to say this, but I just did not buy it.
   
   P.S.: I am surprised that Dominick Dunne rated this book as high as he did, because I really like (and respect) Dominick Dunne, and normally,I truly value his opinion. It's a puzzle to me as to why Dominick raved about this strange book.



4. One of the best books I have read in a long time. If you love beautiful old homes and the supernatural, this book is for you! This author knows how to write in such a descriptive way that I felt that I was actually there.



5. Ever since Gatsby glorified it, the Golden Age of Long Island's North Shore continues to fascinate.
   
   Monica Randall's inspired quest to save as many relics of this fading era as she could had me rooting for her all the way. I gasped when I read about the bulldozer operator who took delight in destroying the alabaster fireplace after an unsuccessful bribe. By the time Monica moves to the scene of the 1955 Woodward murder, I was hooked. I have to disagree with some of Randall's "facts" related to that murder. For example, she says that Truman Capote got Ann Woodward to confess that she murdered her husband which I believe is untrue. That was the way Dominick Dunne wrote it in his novel. In actuality, there was a man named Bill Sudduth, now gone, who was part of the circle that Truman Capote and Dominick Dunne ran in. He worked for the cruise line and was put in charge of Ann Woodward in exile after the death of her husband. It was he who provided inside information to Capote and Dunne. I have never read that she confided anything about the "murder" to him over the years they knew each other.
   
   Monica Randall is foolish-brave and not easily spooked. She is self-confident, a model who has worked for Pierre Balmain, the premiere designer in Paris at the time. And she has dreams of a life lived on the Gold Coast during the Gatsby Years or perhaps slightly before. She realizes she seems to have psychic abilities when she sees a "still" of her dream in a turn-of-the-century photograph in the newspaper archives.
   
   From here the book becomes something else, more of an exploration of the spirit world and her own and others' psychic abilities.
   
   A shadow of implausibility hangs over some scenes, however, especially at the end, and I wonder about some of the characters (and rodents) Randall fails to mention in the thoughtful afterword she provides. What happened to her fiance'? I also wondered why, without giving anything away, that a certain area wasn't more fully investigated by the subsequent owners and reported on in the book since it is such a crucial element.
   
   Still, I found the book to be totally engrossing and well-written. I found Randall delightfully odd, especially when describing one of the antique dresses she wore to a party with a real Woolworth who lived in back of her in a large mansion. Her description of the disintegration of this dress had me laughing on the subway.
   
   The entire book has a ghostly feel to it, even the photograph of the author posed in an antique gown with a feather fan. She is ethereal and otherworldly, slightly out of focus against a grand piano. And that's how this book reads -- a lovely tour through the remnants of a forgotten era.

5 comments about Speedbumps: Flooring It Through Hollywood.

1. Having seen many of Teri's movies I found her point of view very interesting. In retrospect she has really worked with some of Hollywood's heavy hitters. This was a very lighthearted look back on her career with funny stories about a wide range of a variety of celebrities. What suprised me most was her honesty about her insecurities about being an actress and how MS plays a role in all of this. Overall a very enjoyable read.



2. A very interesting life. Full of fun and hard work. She is tackling her disease with gusto, the way she has always aproached life.



3. Teri Garr is the type of person who you wish you knew personally. She is so down to earth in a celebrity world that is full of over prententious egos. I have enjoyed her movie roles and the interchanges that she had with David Letterman on his show were classic. The book is an entertaining look into life that demonstrated her tenaciousness to get what she wanted while keeping a wonderful sense of humor. She takes those two qualities with her as she fights multiple sclerosis. We all should have her attitude regarding the challenges that we face in life.



4. I have always enjoyed Teri Garr as an actress and thought her book would be enjoyable. But it went far beyond that! She is fabulous. I can only imagine knowing her "in-person" and what a blast she must be to have as a friend. She has a similar attitude toward MS that I would like to say I took toward cancer and she is quite a hero. Ms. Garr deserves to live a long, rich, happy and healthy life! Please enjoy the book!!!!!



5. What a great read. Teri has a quirky, sarcastic wit that comes through brilliantly in this book. I just wish it was longer.

No comments about Bootlegger: Max Hassel, The Millionaire Newsboy.

5 comments about Juicy: Confessions of a Former Baseball Wife.

1. I bought this book because I already knew what Jose had to say, but wanted to hear what Jessica had say. The 1st half of the book she said absolutely nothing except repeat how she would catch Jose cheating, they would fight, break up, and get back together again. In fact she just repeats this throughout the whole book. How many times can you read the same story before you get bored?? You really get to the point where you just want to slap her and knock some sense into her for being so stupid.
   
   I really dont know why I kept reading this book. I kept hoping something eventfull would happen, but it never really did. I wouldnt recommend this book unless you want to hear an ex-wifes story about how her husband cheats on her and abuses her in a never ending cycle of 230+ pages



2. From the Playboy pics, it looks like she is on steroids, too. Trophy wife, but aren't trophies made of plastic?



3. Who probably wish they could look half as good as Jose's ex-wife. While her tale wasn't the most profound or riveting, it wasn't anything to scoff at, either. Unless you people have walked in similar shoes, shut the hell up with your judgments - what was it Jesus said? Let he who is without sin cast the first stone? Or something like that, but you get the point.
   
   It's funny how women get blamed for a men's misbehavior, even though Jessica ADMITS that she was addicted and co-dependent on her relationship to Jose. We forgive drugs addicts, alcoholics, even gambling addicts, yet when a woman, and an attractive one at that, is stuck in a rut, she receives the big brush off, is labeled a gold-digger, a bimbo, an idiot, she should have "known better," etc etc etc....Yet everyone else is entitled to forgiveness, compassion, and understanding.
   
   I found the former Mrs. Canseco's story to be of some use as perhaps another woman in a simiar situation will recognize the signs and bail out before her own self esteem spirals further downward. One thing you petty naysayers need to remember is how young she was when she met him. How many times do we hear of the influential older man taking a naive woman as his partner and molding her into what suits his needs? A man with a healthy self esteem would want to find an equal partner, not a young, unsuspecting female he can crap on. (Another similar scenario would be OJ and Nicole Simpson). Yet Jessica is blamed for being an unsuspecting woman, then a (co-dependent) addict, and she still gets reamed for trying to find her own way (whether it be posing in Playboy or writing this book).
   
   As for the comments on being an unfit mother, and the reviewer who wrote that Jose would make a better parent only because he did steroids, you have got to be kidding. Another case of misogyny and sexism - does the same reviewer blame Nicole Brown Simpson for her own murder and the murder of Ron Goldman?
   
   Maybe Jessica is cashing in on the Canseco name, but after all she's been through, I say she is well deserving of doing so.
   
   Also, if you are going to judge someone by their recreational drug use and sexual exploits, I suggest you move out of the country, hell, move off the planet and colonize one of your own - news for you - a lot of people experiment and it doesn't make them UNFIT or BAD and in fact, I admire her candor for coming out because it is an integral part of the story and relates to how BAD she felt about herself, and how she used drugs to escape and tried to save her marriage by pleasing Jose.
   
   However, I suspect it's a case of the pot calling the kettle black.
   
   I will sum up this review by saying that while the book was enjoyable and a fast read, I do wish I had saved my money by going to the library instead of purchasing it. As I stated, it wasn't groundbreaking enough to part of my book collection.



4. Juicy is an appropriate title for this book. A great read for the beach. No, it's not deep and insightful, but rather, fun and trashy. Highly recommended!



5. ...but then you're left with a bad taste in your mouth.
   
   I've read a few of these autobiographies from trophy wives of stars and they're pretty much all the same, and all have the same themes. Let me sum this book (and about 3 others) up for you, to save you some time:
   - Don't hate me because I'm beautiful, I had a tough childhood
   - It's really, really difficult for me because no one takes me seriously, because I am just so much prettier than everyone else
   - I spend more on clothes, beauty products, and spa treatments each month than 5 average families spend on food and rent
   - The only wage-paying job I've ever had involved me showing off my amazing body, but again, don't hate me because I'm beautiful
   - I really thought my incredibly handsome husband who couldn't keep his pants zipped for FIVE MINUTES before we were married would be faithful to me! And I was totally heartbroken when he cheated!
   - Even though I ditch my kid(s) with the nanny every chance I get, my children are my life! And I am such a great mother I could win awards!
   - I would LOVE to get a real job and support myself like a normal person, but going back to school is just too hard, so I'll keep living off the alimony, thanks. That is, until I can find a new rich guy to pick up the tab of my incredibly shallow and image-focused lifestyle.
   
   Yawn. Jessica Canseco obviously has some big issues with Jose and wants to make him look bad, but just makes herself look like a gold-digging bimbo. I mainly read this looking for some kind of input from a baseball wife on the whole steroids-in-baseball issue but all I got out of this about that was: people in baseball do steroids. I did learn a lot about how baseball wives have tons of unnecessary plastic surgery when they get bored.
   
   I will say that Jessica does seem self-aware about the shallowness of her life in some points, but in others just seems completely self-absorbed and clueless. The book was very obviously ghostwritten, and despite that, the platitudes and therapy-speak still get very old fast.
   
   I think books like this are valuable for one reason, and that is to serve as cautionary tales for women who follow celebrity men around thinking they are one wild night away from the good life. Jessica may have been rich but her life seems incredibly empty and devoid of meaning to me. No wonder these trophy wives are so anxious to have kids - they probably need something, ANYTHING, to latch onto to give their lives some kind of shape or meaning. If this is grabbing the brass ring, I'm happy to be living in the slow lane of life because no amount of money is worth giving up your self-respect, in my opinion. It's too bad so many other women don't feel the same way.

5 comments about It's Good to Be the King: The Seriously Funny Life of Mel Brooks.

1. Admittedly, Mel Brooks is an acquired taste, because so much of his humor is of the "hit or miss" variety. (Confessed: I'm a Brooks fan - but he can occasionally "miss" even me.) Parish has turned out another one of his excellent books with this biography of funmeister Brooks. Mel's path to fame is an interesting one, and Parish tracks it well. He's one of the rare Hollywood writers - and more experienced ones, too - who doesn't delve into sensationalism in his books. Parish writes "biography" and relates stories, all in an informative, easy to read manner. This is an enoyable read from beginning to end. I was particularly intrigued with the "love story" aspect to Mel's life: namely, the romance and marriage of Brooks and Bancroft. Over the years, aside from their marriage being mentioned in the press, very little has been written about it. Parish does an encellent job of detailing it. Brooks didn't participate in the writing the book, but he should be very pleased with how it turned out. Parish does a superb job with this book on Mel's life. A most enjoyable book about one of the funniest men in the latter half of the twentieth-century.



2. He is properly appreciative of Brooks' most wonderful work, but not indifferent to his creative slumps (also known as the eighties). I agree with most of his assertions, but wish he'd credited them more specifically.
   
   Especially since, having no original interviews with his subject, he relies on previously published works. To such an extent I couldn't help but feel a collection of interviews with the hardly press-shy humorist might have served just as well or better for his fans.



3. While Parish appears to have done some research (a lengthy bibliography is included), he apparently did little more than read books/articles/reviews and listen to DVD commentaries. The result is an OK clip job that could have been much more---for example, why no interviews with Brooks' living colleagues? And hardly any mention is made of Brooks' three children from his first marriage, although several pages are devoted to his son from his marriage to Anne Bancroft.
   
   The writing is workmanlike at best and at times much less than that (e.g., Sid Caesar is referred to as "powerfully built" on multiple occasions in the space of several pages). And some of the facts are wrong---for instance, Parish writes that the stage version of "The Producers" tried out in Detroit prior to Broadway---the tryout was in Chicago.
   
   Brooks, a major creative force in American humor, deserves better.



4. The life of Mel Brooks has been a scattered affair with Sid Caesar highs and Robin Hood lows. In between has been a rogues gallery of memorable screen characters from Max Bialystock (Zero Mostel) in The Producers to Madeline Kahn's unforgettable Lili von Shtupp in Blazing Saddles with many others along the way including the best film work Dom DeLuise has ever done. This book delves into them all, including Brooks himself, perhaps his best character of all.
   It's a page turner and includes an illuminating look at one of Hollywood's strangest marriages, that of Brooks to the incredible Anne Bancroft. (Whe he told his mother he was marrying an Italian Catholic divorcee, he couldn't hear her reply as her head was in the oven.) Brooks comes across as an egomaniacal funnyman who's always wanted to make people laugh on his own terms. There was a time when his name was movie gold and it's still golden if a bit tarnished by his stage musical of his biggest success The Producers, a low point in tastelessness even for Mel.



5. Mel Brooks has had an incredible career in television, films, and theater. James Robert Parish's book puts it all in perspective. Believe it or not, there have been many setbacks and failures in the life and career of a man most of us think of as hugely successful. Parish, who has written many fine Hollywood biographies, does an excellent job of telling the story of Brooks' life, extensively covering the personal and professional. It's an interesting, entertaining book that also includes a nifty section detailing Brooks' entertainment credits. I particularly enjoyed the behind-the-scenes information about the making of Young Frankenstein as well as the gossip concerning his improbable marriage with Anne Bancroft.

5 comments about Patty Hearst Her Story.

1. As Tania, Patty Hearst was the main icon of her time. Her experiences force not just Ms. Hearst but all of us to question to what extent we have free will and to what extent we are subject to larger forces over which we have no control. Kidnapped and locked in a closet, Ms. Hearst had no real choice but to join her captors and rob banks under her new name "Tania". And yet there was something chillingly real about Tania too. It's hard to put a finger on it, but Tania's performance seemed like something more than just a kidnap victim acting under duress. Even though the change may have happened under duress, ultimately Patty Hearst really did become Tania. Because Ms. Hearst was once Symbionese, she understands the Symbionese mindset perfectly and therefore her autobiography has incredible power behind it. The book also raises, for me, a more optimistic question: if we can be forced to make profound, and undesirable, changes in ourselves through forced changes in our environment, could not we also, at our own initiative, make profound positive changes in ourselves by choosing the correct environment?



2. The SLA kidnaps her. The SLA locks her in a closet. The SLA has rifles aimed at her in the bank. The government tries to kill them. The government imprisons her.

   Go figure.




3. I was not even born when around the era of Patty Hearst. But having visited the Hearst Castle in San Simeon, it really caught my attention. After having read the book I now have a better image of what happened and from her side. If you thought she was guilty before, you wont after reading this I gave it only 4 stars because I thought she could have talked more about her life after the SLA and the trial so that we could know what she is doing now and how she managed to get her life back together.



4. For anyone who is fascinated by the Patty Hearst case (and who isn't?) this book is a must read. Hearst tells you the story as she experienced it and remembers it. It's a very interesting read, although I do agree with the other reviewer who pointed out that it would be interesting to learn more about Hearst's life after the events.
   
   Note: This book was originally published as "Every Secret Thing". This rerelease came out around the same time as the film "Patty Hearst".
   
   As a complement to this book, you might also want to read "Soliah: The Sarah Jane Olsen Story" by Sharon Darby Hendry.



5. Sung to the tune of the theme from "Mr. Ed":
   
   A Hearst is a Hearst, she was immersed
   In the SLA, but though the rest were cursed
   To die amid machine gun bursts,
   Where was Patty Hearst?
   
   Go right to the source, her Dad, of course
   He paid off the prison and police force
   Who freed her, she showed no remorse
   The famous Patty Hearst
   
   People yakkety-yakked and leaked
   Her whereabouts and then
   The FBI came and picked her up
   And then all the bull-s**t began
   
   A Hearst is a Hearst and money talks
   The cell door swings open and Patty walks
   She writes a book and then she hawks it
   "Now listen to this:
   I AM PATTY HEARST!"

5 comments about John Wayne: American.

1. I agree with much of what has been said before, this book was the place to start -- books on Wayne seem either to attack him or deify him, and both have their uses, but this does read well, is thorough, offers enough of a view of all sides of the man that the reader can generally reach his or her own opinion on him, even one that might differ with the authors'. Somewhat overlooked, this is a worthwhile read.



2. John Wayne (1907-1979) was a man of more complexity than many folks would suppose. Consider:
   1. He portrayed macho cowboys and military leaders in the movies but never served in World War II (which caused him a good deal of guilt in later years.)
   2. He was an advocate for strong family life (including strong
   male bonding with his friends) but was wed three times and
   had several affairs.
   3. He enjoyed drink, good food and profane activities with his buddies Ward Bond and director John Ford but was noted for his
   strong he-man appearance (he was 6'4' tall and at one time weighed over 260 pounds.)
   4. He was at one time a member of the John Birch Society and
   supported the right wing during the McCarthy era but could also
   express individuality in politics (he supported LBJ and was a
   friend of Jimmy Carter). He resigned from the Birchers and was
   a man who valued America freedom. He was constantly having money troubles with the IRS and disdained (loathed!) big government.
   5. He believed in God but did not become a member of an organized religion until converting to Roman Catholicism on his deathbed),
   6. He was a good but often absent father to his seven children.
   7. He was well read and memorized his lines quickly.
   8. He was an excellent actor who finally won his Best Actor Oscar for "True Grit."
   Randy Roberts and James Olson have told "Duke's story from
   his life in middle class Iowa and Glendale (his parents despised one another and later divorced)to football player at USC to work
   in the movies.
   Wayne's first film was a flop and for almost ten years he labored in the B Western factory in such minor studios as Republic and Monogram. Only with 1939's turn as the Ringo Kid
   in John Ford's classic film did the Wayne star begin to rise.
   Wayne will live forever in such classics as "Red River" directed by Howard Hawks in 1948; "The Quiet Man with his best
   screen lady Maureen O'Hara" the immortal Cavalry trilogy of John
   Ford: "Fort Apache" ; "She Wore A Yellow Ribbon" and "Rio Grande:
   His best movie was "The Searchers" in which he portrays Ethan
   Edward's in the Ford film set in Monument Valley!
   Roberts and Olson's book is long; well documented; well written and their hard work has paid off. I found a tear in my eye as I read of Duke's last few months battling cancer which he called "The Red Witch."
   Wayne had many faults as a man. He was a chauvinist; did not
   understand women and could be rough and rowdy. His positive
   traits were many: a generous and loving heart; kindness to others
   a respect for his fans and a love for his country the United
   States of American. Take him all in all whether you be a liberal or conservative or indifferent to politics we will never see another John Wayne!
   I loved this book and recommend it highly. If you do not understand John Wayne you will not understand the America he
   loved so deeply, so long and with so much honor through a lengthy and lustrous career in the movies!



3. I enjoyed this book more than I can Say . Being 80 yrs. old ,
   
   I have grown up with John Wayne , more so than any other movie
   
   " STAR ". Buy this book , you will treasure it .
   
   Jack Yannuzzi



4. I had wanted to read a John Wayne biography for some time, but never got around to it until buying this book. I think I picked the right one. It is chock-full of interesting information regarding 'the Duke'. I was surprised to discover how nasty director John Ford could be to his actors, John Wayne included; and yet the two were good friends. Surely Wayne must have wanted to punch the guy out a time or two. Regarding Wayne's mother; I don't think the writers did an adequate follow through. In the first sections of the book, much was written about the relationship between mother and son, but there was no follow up later in the book. Did his mom ever come around and begin to appreciate him before she passed away, or did she remain cold and aloof until she died? As a reader, I felt like I was left hanging on this one. Otherwise, this was an excellent book, and I highly recommend it. The final sections, covering Wayne's last days were sad and disturbing, but the man left us with quite a legacy on film. There will never be another like him.



5. The acid test of any biography is does the personality of the subject come through the pages of the book? After the reader is finished, do they feel they have meet the man or woman they were reading about. Historians Randy Roberts and James S. Olson have done so with this book, which is very difficult for two distinct reasons: 1) Wayne left no papers; and 2) there is the legend of John Wayne that gets in the way of knowing Marion "Duke" Morrison, the man behind the famous stage name.
   
   Roberts and Olson have given their readers a well-written, engaging study that is both traditional biography of the actor, but a study of his status as an American icon. The authors also show that Wayne was a talented actor in addition to being a movie star and deserved the Oscar he won, even though he expected to lose.
   
   A decent and diligent son, he was never able to win his mother's love. For whatever reason, she showered her affections on her second son who was a mediocrity in life. Wayne was a conservative, but mainly because he was a classical liberal in that he believed in limited government that did little to impose on the liberties of individuals. Even though he was worth millions when he died, he had invested poorly and had gone bankrupt, squandered most of his earnings, and most of his fortune was the result of his having an honest business partner that had looked out for him.
   
   He went through three marriages, but was a loving, if removed father. In many ways, he placed more value in his friends than in his family. Perhaps because his friends could never hurt him the way his wives had.
   
   There will be other Wayne books, but it is difficult to see this book being surpassed anytime soon.

3 comments about Everything Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Book: A portrait of an American icon (Everything Series).

1. This is a very interesting book. I learned a great many facts that I hadn't previously known.



2. This is a good book if you're just starting to research, or learn, about Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. The format is chronological; it includes all of the major events of her life spanning childhood to her final days in New York City. Each section is about two to four paragraphs with photos to support much of the text. The content, while being thorough, is sparce due to the book's attempt to list everything (ergo, the title) that encompassed her life. There are, however, some interesting trivial facts about her (and President Kennedy) that make reading this book fun to read, as these tidbits of information aren't usually included in many of the more in-depth biographies on her. Overall, this is a good book by the Everything Series to launch someone's study of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.



3. I am a huge Jackie-O. fan! I met her as a child, and she was utterly gracious,and charming, in Hyannisport, on a steamy summer morning near the Kennedy Compound.I am learning facts about her I did not know before.I truly admire her class,taste,and love of country, as well as her dedication to her husband and children.She was quite a lady, America's queen! If you admire Jackie, for sure, you will enjoy this book.

1 comments about American Empress: The Life and Times of Marjorie Merriweather Post.

1. Superb biography which open the window (and the door) into Marjorie Merriweather Post's fascinating life - - and shows that "money cannot buy everything" ....