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Rating: 
Summary: Far better than what the first two reviews say
Review: I read this book, and I read "The Royals" by Kitty Kelly. There is all the difference in the world between the two books. The first is an unpleasant book written by an unpleasant woman, which uses second and third hand gossip who has nothing but contempt for its subject matter. "Foster Child," on the other hand, has a great deal of respect for the woman at its core, which does not stop it from dwelling on her weaknesses, as any good biography should.
Those familiar with what is known about Jodie Foster will find few real surprises. It is generally known, for instance, that she is frightenly intelligent; and that she has, with one or two exceptions, never acted in or directed a movie she didn't really want to do, but once committed devotes herself wholeheartedly. It also been surmised that in terms of a love life, she looks at the person and not the gender; a common trait with highly educated, irreligious people. That she is understandably guarded with her privacy, that she does not suffer fools gladly, or that she has something of a cold streak personally, do not come as a surprise either. All of these are elaborated on in this book. What is particularly germaine in the book is Buddy's revelations of the Foster family, a high strung, tumultuous family if there ever was one. Speaking first hand, we have his account of the wars between the ambitious mother of the Foster brood, Brandy, and their USAF officer father Lucius. They divorced while Brandy was pregnant with Jodie, but they had several break-and-smash reunions afterward. Buddy's respect for his sister particularly shines in the analysis he gives her movies, notably her directorial efforts "Little Man Tate" and "Home for the Holidays." He comes out understanding the latter film better than most of the critics did. While reading this, I could feel the disapproving eyes of Ms. Foster over my shoulder, and I'm sure Buddy is to this day subject to his sister's shunning. I'm sure, as well, that the onetime Mayberry actor wrote the book for some needed money. (Buddy fesses up well to his own professional and personal failings.) But the resultant book is by no means a tabloid effort, and due to it I have come to a better appreciation of this unique lady and talent his sister is.
Rating:
Summary: Far better than what the first two reviews say
Review: I read this book, and I read "The Royals" by Kitty Kelly. There is all the difference in the world between the two books. The first is an unpleasant book written by an unpleasant woman, which uses second and third hand gossip who has nothing but contempt for its subject matter. "Foster Child," on the other hand, has a great deal of respect for the woman at its core, which does not stop it from dwelling on her weaknesses, as any good biography should.
Those familiar with what is known about Jodie Foster will find few real surprises. It is generally known, for instance, that she is frightenly intelligent; and that she has, with one or two exceptions, never acted in or directed a movie she didn't really want to do, but once committed devotes herself wholeheartedly. It also been surmised that in terms of a love life, she looks at the person and not the gender; a common trait with highly educated, irreligious people. That she is understandably guarded with her privacy, that she does not suffer fools gladly, or that she has something of a cold streak personally, do not come as a surprise either. All of these are elaborated on in this book. What is particularly germaine in the book is Buddy's revelations of the Foster family, a high strung, tumultuous family if there ever was one. Speaking first hand, we have his account of the wars between the ambitious mother of the Foster brood, Brandy, and their USAF officer father Lucius. They divorced while Brandy was pregnant with Jodie, but they had several break-and-smash reunions afterward. Buddy's respect for his sister particularly shines in the analysis he gives her movies, notably her directorial efforts "Little Man Tate" and "Home for the Holidays." He comes out understanding the latter film better than most of the critics did. While reading this, I could feel the disapproving eyes of Ms. Foster over my shoulder, and I'm sure Buddy is to this day subject to his sister's shunning. I'm sure, as well, that the onetime Mayberry actor wrote the book for some needed money. (Buddy fesses up well to his own professional and personal failings.) But the resultant book is by no means a tabloid effort, and due to it I have come to a better appreciation of this unique lady and talent his sister is.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing life story.
Review: I was shocked to read such negative reviews of this book. The historical background and her family experiences were not only extremely interesting, and accurate (since her brother, who wrote the book, saw all of this first-hand), but also has made me respect and admire this wonderful actress even more. There is nothing slanderous in the book, and nothing that Jodie seemingly would be ashamed to tell herself. The book merely retells the life that she grew up in. Fascinating. My whole family read the book, one after the other. Our edition is falling apart after so much use. I highly recommend this book. Perhaps the best biography I have ever read.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing life story.
Review: I was shocked to read such negative reviews of this book. The historical background and her family experiences were not only extremely interesting, and accurate (since her brother, who wrote the book, saw all of this first-hand), but also has made me respect and admire this wonderful actress even more. There is nothing slanderous in the book, and nothing that Jodie seemingly would be ashamed to tell herself. The book merely retells the life that she grew up in. Fascinating. My whole family read the book, one after the other. Our edition is falling apart after so much use. I highly recommend this book. Perhaps the best biography I have ever read.
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting Biography
Review: Jodie is my favorite actress, and she's a very respected woman in the industry. She have the rights to keep her personal life to herself, and I admire her for doing the best she can even tough we all know that it's a pretty hard thing to do when you're a famous person. Her jealous brother, should just be ashamed of what he did! She's great, famous, and sorry but you're not Buddy! It was a desperate way to make publicity and to get the attention you desperatly needed! From what we heard from Miss Foster about this "book", she's totally right. And since there are no real relationship between Buddy and the lady herself, that says it all!
Rating: 
Summary: Tabloid Garbage
Review: This book does Jodie Foster no justice, and is simply someone capitalizing on her success. It is not really literature, it reads like a tabloid magazine. It is filled simply with one sensationilistic, contrived, ridiculous delusion after another. There are a few other books out there which highlight Ms. Fosters talent in a respectable way without delving into, exposing, or making stories out of what is none of our business.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting Biography
Review: This book provides exactly the sort of information that it purports to in its advertisements. This is why I find it perplexing that readers express such indignation upon having purchased it themselves. If you want to understand the family history and background of Jodie Foster, this book certainly covers that subject matter thoroughly. In fact, an examination of these relationships could be extended towards an understanding of relationships in general. It is reasonably well-written and, based on what the author says in the book, he apparently holds the subject of his biography in high regard. The issue of whether the book should have been written is a separate one from a judgment of the quality of the work and whether it achieves its stated purpose. My rating reflects the latter standard.
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