Rating: 
Summary: One of the all-time great books about the magnificent JUDY!
Review: Along with Gerold Frank's 1975 biography "JUDY", John Fricke's book THE WORLD'S GREATEST ENTERTAINER is the definitive book about the sensational talent and fascinating life of the legendary lady. Fricke has done the research that no one before him could do to really give a broad insight into the career that has made Garland an icon. Beautifully written and handsomely illustrated, this is a book for the ages, and a must-have for any Garland fan. Anyone who doesn't love this book clearly hasn't a clue what great books are all about.
Rating:
Summary: One of the all-time great books about the magnificent JUDY!
Review: Along with Gerold Frank's 1975 biography "JUDY", John Fricke's book THE WORLD'S GREATEST ENTERTAINER is the definitive book about the sensational talent and fascinating life of the legendary lady. Fricke has done the research that no one before him could do to really give a broad insight into the career that has made Garland an icon. Beautifully written and handsomely illustrated, this is a book for the ages, and a must-have for any Garland fan. Anyone who doesn't love this book clearly hasn't a clue what great books are all about.
Rating: 
Summary: NOT EVEN ENTERTAINING!
Review: Good: there are many photos.BAD: the photos are very small. Good: many accurate facts. BAD: only facts, and NO index at the back! Good: a lot of text. BAD: no analysis, a verbal self-intoxication. Good: it is about Judy Garland. BAD: at the end of the book, you still don't know her: no critical appraisal, no situating of the personality in the context of popular music of the period. Furthermore, she was more than entertaining, but the book only depicts her as a "talent to amuse" us. This is almost revisionism. And last: Bad: poorly written. GOOD: so, you can skip most of it.
Rating:
Summary: An old-timer remembers
Review: I am a retired woman now, but remember how when Judy Garland's movies first came out in the 1930s and 1940s I would see them as soon as I could. She had a spark of innocence in her soul and a voice that went straight to your heart. In reading this book, I could not for the life of me find in simple words anything that resembled the spirit of Judy Garland. I think I know more about Judy Garland by seeing her sing "You made me love you" than I do by all the compiled information in this book. Mr. Fricke seems to be a museum of Garland memorabilia, but he just doesn't capture her essence, in my opinion.
Rating:
Summary: One more "albeit" and I'll scream
Review: I am horrified by the poor quality of writing in this work. In particular, the tedious use of the word "albeit" reflects a poverty of vocabulary rare for authors or journalists. Mr. Fricke would much benefit from a Thesaurus.
Rating:
Summary: THE BOOK HAS NO PEERS
Review: I bought it during Christmas in 1992... And u know what; It`s the definitive book on Judy!!! It really is an open love-letter 2 the Great 1 From 1 Of Her Fans.... At times u might say that John Fricke is glorifying Judy - but I don`t mind... It`s the kind of book u would want if u were on a desert island(with the CD`s "Judy at Carnegie Hall", "The London Sessions" and the "25th Retrospective"(compiled by Fricke) and the films "The Wizard Of Oz", "Meet Me in St. Louis", "The Pirate", "Easter Parade", "In the Good Old Summertime", "Summer Stock", "A Star is Born"(just 4 the musical scenes) and "I Could Go On Singing" - her BEST dramatic performance!! And The DVD collection of her 1963-64 TV-series... Come 2 think of it... With THIS book and her music and films... I THINK I wouldn`t have noticed the palms, animals and ocean surrounding me on that island hehehehe
Rating:
Summary: THE BOOK HAS NO PEERS
Review: I bought it during Christmas in 1992... And u know what; It`s the definitive book on Judy!!! It really is an open love-letter 2 the Great 1 From 1 Of Her Fans.... At times u might say that John Fricke is glorifying Judy - but I don`t mind... It`s the kind of book u would want if u were on a desert island(with the CD`s "Judy at Carnegie Hall", "The London Sessions" and the "25th Retrospective"(compiled by Fricke) and the films "The Wizard Of Oz", "Meet Me in St. Louis", "The Pirate", "Easter Parade", "In the Good Old Summertime", "Summer Stock", "A Star is Born"(just 4 the musical scenes) and "I Could Go On Singing" - her BEST dramatic performance!! And The DVD collection of her 1963-64 TV-series... Come 2 think of it... With THIS book and her music and films... I THINK I wouldn`t have noticed the palms, animals and ocean surrounding me on that island hehehehe
Rating:
Summary: If Judy Garland's in this forest, I don't see her.
Review: I read Christopher Finch's book about Judy Garland, called Rainbow I believe, in the 1970s. I remember how much I was impressed by this biography - how it revealed to me the real person behind the famous name, the roller coaster ups and downs of her life, and last but not least, the raw talent that made her one of the truly great singers. I remember when I put down that volume, with its marvellous photos, I felt I had a grasp on the singer and actress I had never had before, despite seeing many of her films and listening to many of her records. Finch's book kind of vibrated with perspicacity. I recently picked up John Fricke's opus at my local library and can only say that I am nonplussed. The only way I can express the way I feel after reading Mr. Fricke's book is to say that I felt I had to wander through a thick forest and never got to that vista from which I could get a clear view on Judy Garland. Mr. Fricke's book is muddled, pretentious and zealous. If you are looking to learn what Judy Garland did on this or that day, this is your book. If you are looking to learn who Judy Garland really was, I recommend the Finch volume.
Rating:
Summary: If you love Judy Garland than this is a must!
Review: If you just love Judy Garland, then this is a "must have" book. Refreshingly, Judy Garland-World's Greatest Entertainer is not written in the tabloid style of many of the prolific biographies about Judy. This is an open, honest almost scholarly look at Judy's life. It spans her theatrical career from age two until her tragic death at age forty-seven. The text is a rich and lavish exposition that has been written by a man who obviously loves Judy's talent and his admiration shows in his thoughtful manner in which he presents the great legacy that was Judy's life. If "a picture is worth a thousand words" then this book has to be one of the richest in publishing history. There are dozens of black and white stills but also the book contains more color photographs than I have ever seen on Judy. This book is of the quality in a book that we call "coffee table" eye catchers. When you buy this book, do yourself a favor and read it from cover to cover. It belongs in every library of Judy lovers. Then if you wish, put it on the coffee table. It is this Munchkin's opinion that John Fricke is the world-leading expert on the life and times of Judy Garland.
Rating:
Summary: John Fricke is the "Keeper of the Garland Flame"
Review: If you're a fan of the great Judy Garland, you can never go wrong purchasing any title written by John Fricke. He loves, respects, and honors Judy in every sentence he writes. He puts class into every work he has contributed towards, be it a book or a compact disc booklet. His research is comprehensive and exhaustive. This book is a MUST for any fan of Judy - from a neophyte to octogenarian! Kudos, John. The fans of Judy salute you!
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