Rating:  Summary: A touching, honest look at one of Hollywood's classiest acts Review: "By Myself" is by far one of the best autobiographies I've read. An insider's view of Hollywood's Golden Age, Bacall pulls no punches discussing her relationships with Bogie and Jason Robards, as well as their small circle of friends, including John Huston and Katherine Hepburn. Her story of Bogart's funeral was one of the most heart-rending chapter's I've ever read. Her love of the man shines through in every chapter. A very worthwhile read
Rating:  Summary: An actress different than I expected Review: Great instite to the life a Hollywood legend. Ms. Bacall speaks candidly about a truly amazing life. Unlike other autobiographies she includes hard times and faces up to mistakes she's made. The love story between her and Bogie is amazing and it's refreshing that she doesn't embellish it while sharing something so personal. Loved the sense of humor and class. Thoughout all the tragedies in her life she mainly focuses on it's positive aspects.
Rating:  Summary: Autobiography, Love Story, ect. Review: Great instite to the life a Hollywood legend. Ms. Bacall speaks candidly about a truly amazing life. Unlike other autobiographies she includes hard times and faces up to mistakes she's made. The love story between her and Bogie is amazing and it's refreshing that she doesn't embellish it while sharing something so personal. Loved the sense of humor and class. Thoughout all the tragedies in her life she mainly focuses on it's positive aspects.
Rating:  Summary: An actress different than I expected Review: I enjoyed this book by an actress whom I've always thought of as a gutsy, take-charge kind of woman. It was surprising to discover that she was so innocent and sheltered when she started out in Hollywood, and to an extent continued to be once she became Humphrey Bogart's wife. I actually didn't expect so many pages about their privileged life full of upper crust friends (I got a bit tired of the name dropping). The description of Bogart's decline and death from cancer was harrowing. Bacall describes her work on Broadway in an interesting way. She was certainly less sure of herself, even into her 30s and 40s, than I ever expected. The book is certainly humanizing, and I admire the fact that she didn't mind that.
Rating:  Summary: A great, honest masterpiece Review: I just loved this book! Lauren Bacall seems so innocent and smart and honest. I got this for christmas after going through a phase of reading tons of autobiographies of actress' and this was my favorite. If you like this one I would also recomend Love Lucy, by Lucille Ball!
Rating:  Summary: A Life Well-Lived Makes for Good Reading Review: I like a good star biography (or autobiography) as much as the next person, but this one is exceptional. Lauren "Betty" Bacall is an intelligent, humorous and honest writer. Her romance with Bogie, as she tells it in the book, becomes even more legendary. A densely written autobiography, it is still a page turner and kept my interest even after I had read past the zenith of her career (which is where I usually put the book down and move on). If you are interested in the Golden Age of Hollywood, the Studio System, Great Movie Stars and Famous Lovers--this is the book for you.
Rating:  Summary: A Life Well-Lived Makes for Good Reading Review: I like a good star biography (or autobiography) as much as the next person, but this one is exceptional. Lauren "Betty" Bacall is an intelligent, humorous and honest writer. Her romance with Bogie, as she tells it in the book, becomes even more legendary. A densely written autobiography, it is still a page turner and kept my interest even after I had read past the zenith of her career (which is where I usually put the book down and move on). If you are interested in the Golden Age of Hollywood, the Studio System, Great Movie Stars and Famous Lovers--this is the book for you.
Rating:  Summary: A Personal Favorite Review: Neither judgmental nor defensive, "Lauren Bacall, By Myself" is the best autobiography I have ever read. Extensive and quite well-written, it covers so much ground that fans of the old Hollywood and Broadway days will doubtless love this book whether they particularly like Bacall herself or not. I liked the fact that she did not divide the book into chapters; life is not that way and reading this bio is just like stepping into Bacall's life and seeing it with your own eyes. Cleverly titled (am I the only one who senses a double meaning) and full of life, "Lauren Bacall, By Myself" is a literary achievement for Bacall and a great pleasure for any reader.
Rating:  Summary: A Personal Favorite Review: Neither judgmental nor defensive, "Lauren Bacall, By Myself" is the best autobiography I have ever read. Extensive and quite well-written, it covers so much ground that fans of the old Hollywood and Broadway days will doubtless love this book whether they particularly like Bacall herself or not. I liked the fact that she did not divide the book into chapters; life is not that way and reading this bio is just like stepping into Bacall's life and seeing it with your own eyes. Cleverly titled (am I the only one who senses a double meaning) and full of life, "Lauren Bacall, By Myself" is a literary achievement for Bacall and a great pleasure for any reader.
Rating:  Summary: EXCELLENT, FUNNY, LOVABLE, IRRITATING... Review: No question this is one of the best of film/stage star autobiographies. Whether Ms. Bacall had help with its writing, or simply an on-his-toes, thorough, seasoned editor is questionable. It's funny. Sometimes uproariously funny. More often one just enjoys Ms. Bacall's wry earthy wit. It's lovable especially because of the love within her close-knit family, and especially her special bond with her mother, who, perhaps to the envy of some female readers, was totally supportive and nurturing to her daughter. She seems to have played a positive role in all the lives she touched. It's irritating in that she consistently gets herself into no win situations with married men after Bogie's death, and she even alludes to his attraction to others during their marriage (how far these attractions went is left unsaid); irritating in that she attempts to control her lovers though calculation and manipulation; irritating in that she ignores all warning signs of unhappiness ahead until it reaches her domestic doorstep. Perhaps instead of focusing on Robard's drinking problems, her time would have been better spent trying to understand her own, through Alanon, psychotherapy, etc. He eventually solved this issue, and went on to a lasting marriage. The book ends with her still hanging out on a limb. As she is so likeable, one wishes better for her. I do not believe Bogie would have approved of this book, being a private person. And I would have loved to have heard Jason's side of their marriage. But again, another private person. Nevertheless Ms. Bacall is to be admired for her forthrightness, only tempered when discretion is necessary. Cheers for Ms. Bacall. No matter what, she has guts and this autobiography is top-notch, riveting from beginning to end!
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