Citizen Jane: The Turbulent Life of Jane Fonda

Rating:
Summary: Political critique merited
Review: I love a good bio, especially one that tries to tackle a complex and controversial subject like Jane Fonda (a brilliant actress). Yet, I guess what I also want is something that examines her approach to acting and the making of some of her films, that kind of thing facinates me.

Rating:
Summary: Great for what it is.
Review: I love a good bio, especially one that tries to tackle a complex and controversial subject like Jane Fonda (a brilliant actress). Yet, I guess what I also want is something that examines her approach to acting and the making of some of her films, that kind of thing facinates me.

Rating:
Summary: Hmm. Mixed bag.
Review: The author of this "unauthorized biography" is obviously a fan of Jane Fonda the actress, but it is equally obvious that he is downright hostile to Fonda's political activities in the early 1970s. The chapters dealing with that portion of her life are full of one snide remark after another about Fonda's politics during that period as well as about the peace movement and new left in general. Whether that is a plus or a minus depends on the individual reader's politics, but frankly I would have preferred a book which approached the touchy subject of Jane Fonda from a neutral viewpoint, rather than reopening and dwelling on old wounds. There were a lot of strong feelings, and excesses, on both sides, and people on both sides who thought they were doing the right thing at the time have paid for it ever since. Why not a little forgiveness and national reconciliation rather than the "peace movement was wrong and Jane Fonda was an idiot for ever getting involved in it" approach of this book? I actually enjoyed reading the rest of this book, though.

Rating:
Summary: Political critique merited
Review: This book does an excellent job in its political critique of Jane Fonda. Her hands are seriously bloody and there's no way around it. Read Snopes.com's account of her Vietnam activities because they are NOT a matter of debate. Just a matter of shame and Fonda's attempts to cover up.
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