Rating: 
Summary: PEOPLE DO NOT WANT TO HEAR THE TRUTH
Review: This is a fascinating book. One simply cannot put it down. B.D. had to defy her mother in every way and Bette's way according to Bette was the ONLY way. Since Bette had several abortions before giving birth to B.D. how can anyone sanction the actions of a great actress with God-given talents, when in reality she was an insecure egomaniac who threw a tantrum every time someone crossed her path. People hate to hear that icons and movie stars are human beings and this book shows the human side of Bette as told by the one person who probably knew her better than anyone else. I for one thoroughly enjoyed this book because it made me understand Bette's maniacal repuatation for chewing up her directors, the envy she exhibted toward other actresses because she thought that SHE and ONLY SHE was THE BEST, and the control SHE HAD TO HAVE in her every way. B.D. has been blessed with a happy marriage for nearly forty years now and has two fine grown well adjusted sons. Bette should have been proud of that. No, Bette attested to the fact that all men were ______ and could never accept the fact that Jeremy Hyman was the perfect man for her daughter. Her daughter found the happiness that eluded Bette all her life. Did Bette's career give her happiness? She turned to drink and became a drunk. So, no, her wonderful career did not give her happiness. B.D. makes this point in her book. Bette shared her gifts with the world. B.D. shares the private moments as well and she does it candidly with nothing but good intentions in mind. I enjoy watching Bette Davis movies. But she was NOT the greatest actress who ever lived. A great actress can play drama, music, and comedy with equal finesse. Her range is unlimited. For my money there are only three stars who fit into this category....Barbara Stanwyck (who could play anything without resorting to eye bugging, hamming mannerisms), Judy Garland who was the ultimate consummate entertainer and Doris Day who when given the opportunity was able to display her fine dramatic talents in addition to her comedy and musical ones. Bette Davis could only play Drama. And she did it with mannerisms that were distracting. She is fun to watch, though. But since she hated herself and everyone else who didn't do as she said, she never found true happiness. Such a waste. B.D.'s book is great and I support it in every way.
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