3.5 This is most definitely a memoir and not an autobiography, he barely mentions his marriages or later career. Griffin Dunne and I were born the sam3.5 This is most definitely a memoir and not an autobiography, he barely mentions his marriages or later career. Griffin Dunne and I were born the same year and both grew up in Los Angeles, but there our similarities end, I did not live next door to Kennedys or go to Natalie Wood's funeral or have Carrie Fisher for a best friend, etc. I already know a lot about the Dunnes as I was an avid follower of Dominick's. I am already very familiar with the trial of his sister Dominique's killer, having read his father's account more than once. There is a little TMI about his adolescence that made me cringe a few times, but especially if you don't already know this family's story, it's fascinating reading....more
This is everything you ever wanted to know about John Singer Sargent and then some. Very detailed research, and it makes an excellent reference book. This is everything you ever wanted to know about John Singer Sargent and then some. Very detailed research, and it makes an excellent reference book. Reading it straight through, however, it is a bit on the dry side. Hence the 3 star rating.
Also, John Sargent was more than likely gay. He liked to draw male nudes, but hid a lot of them away. He also had a number of relationships with other men that were probably homosexual in nature. But in the 19th century, gay men had to be very cagey about it, as homosexuality was for the most part not accepted in polite society and usually illegal. There! I said that in four sentences. This author drones on about this subject for millions of words. You can now skip all those parts....more
I don't know why this says it's a "major new biography" because it's much more like a coffee table book (although I read it on Kindle, I don't know hoI don't know why this says it's a "major new biography" because it's much more like a coffee table book (although I read it on Kindle, I don't know how it looks in person) with reasonably dry, just-the-facts-ma'am text. ...more
Now I confess to skimming a little in the first section concerning the early kings, as I just don't have a whole lot of interest in them (too confusinNow I confess to skimming a little in the first section concerning the early kings, as I just don't have a whole lot of interest in them (too confusing, too little known about them, too difficult to relate to, etc.) But once we hit the Edward the Confessor, Harold and William I, I was in. David Mitchell is a comedian by profession, and although I did laugh several times while reading this, it's a legit history, that is actually fun to read....more
Drivel, which I knew it would be, why I even attempted this I don't know. Anyone who follows the royal family has heard most of this before, although Drivel, which I knew it would be, why I even attempted this I don't know. Anyone who follows the royal family has heard most of this before, although Omid's way is to skewer all information negatively. Unless of course he is talking about his poor beleaguered darlings Harry and Meghan, who are exalted wonders of wonderfulness. Why he's chosen to hitch his wagon to those two is anyone's guess....more
2.5 Dear me. Now I have to say that not being a pop music fan I never paid a whole lot of special attention to Britney, other than what was not avoida2.5 Dear me. Now I have to say that not being a pop music fan I never paid a whole lot of special attention to Britney, other than what was not avoidable. (and also, my mother's maiden name is Spears, so we get a lot of "are you related to..." comments)* This book is very quick reading and I was sort of disoriented when I finished it. What the heck. I felt sorry for her, and wish her well, but the whole bunch seems...may I say the "c" word? **
3.5 This was a good, basic bio of Prince Philip. I was rather surprised at much I didn't know about him. Includes some good family trees, which always3.5 This was a good, basic bio of Prince Philip. I was rather surprised at much I didn't know about him. Includes some good family trees, which always makes reading royal biographies so much easier....more
Okay, here's my tip if you are going to read this: Don't try to do it straight through, you will burn out. (I started it on Nov 9 and it's now the midOkay, here's my tip if you are going to read this: Don't try to do it straight through, you will burn out. (I started it on Nov 9 and it's now the middle of January.) I found that I felt about this book kind of the same way I feel about Barbra herself. She can be absolutely wonderful, and she can be rather annoying. And while reading this sometimes I was mesmerized, sometimes I was bored and sometimes I was rolling my eyes a bit. The first part of the book, her childhood and early career, I found by far the most interesting. It's always been obvious that she's dreadfully insecure about her looks by the way she directs herself. (I haven't seen "Yentl" since it first came out, but I watched some of it again on Max, and the pre-boy Yentl is wearing pink lipstick, mascara, and a Hollywood stylist's 1980s version of a 1905 Eastern European peasant hair-do. Reminded me of her ridiculously anachronistic '60s hairdos in "Funny Girl") But with a mother like hers, (not to mention the awful stepfather) it would be strange if she wasn't. We've all heard forever that she is a perfectionist and can be difficult to work with, and she tries very hard to convince the reader that isn't remotely true, time and again quoting people singing her praises while at the same time making it clear that it was her way or the highway because she was always right. So much of this could have just been left out. Since I also love art and antiques, I do like hearing about hers, (but it's a little hard to relate to someone on such a different level of collecting than I am. I've never asked the museum if I can buy a painting) The last few chapters I found myself skimming. Lots about politics, which I have officially zoned out of for the time..(Not that I don't agree with her mostly, because I do, I don't just don't want to read about it) I would of course have enjoyed more snarky gossip, but I liked what there was. So to end this ramble, the 3 stars is a compromise, parts I really liked, parts I could have easily done without. ...more
Eh. This is very short, and could have been in a magazine. I enjoyed learning the mechanics of being a Met guard; the scheduling, the uniforms, the hoEh. This is very short, and could have been in a magazine. I enjoyed learning the mechanics of being a Met guard; the scheduling, the uniforms, the hours, etc. I was hoping for more of that. I was then hoping for a few anecdotes about museum patrons, hopefully humorous... but there is little to no humor here. Quite the opposite...we get a fair amount about his brother dying of cancer at age 26, and yes, of course that is terrible, but it's not why I was reading this book. He's also trying very hard to be profound about the art itself, and to me it just finally all got a little sappy. I see a lot of good reviews, but it just didn't hit the mark for me....more
This was a good basic biography that seemed well researched and much less sensationalized than some other things I've read, especially concerning PaulThis was a good basic biography that seemed well researched and much less sensationalized than some other things I've read, especially concerning Paul Bern. And Jean herself as well, she's so often portrayed as a floozy, when it seems that she was exceptionally well thought of, no one had a bad word to say about her. (I've seen her crypt at Forest Lawn Glendale, both creepy and sad with "Our Baby" written on the marble wall. Didn't know that her awful mother got snuck in there as well)...more
One of those books about different sets of people that are fascinating in spots and less so in others, depending on your own interest. It's well done One of those books about different sets of people that are fascinating in spots and less so in others, depending on your own interest. It's well done but she certainly picked some rotten husbands. So overall it got a little depressing by the end....more
Okay, I'm sorry, I didn't enjoy this. I started reading, then cringing and then skimming. I mean, I wish him well, but this was most unpleasant.Okay, I'm sorry, I didn't enjoy this. I started reading, then cringing and then skimming. I mean, I wish him well, but this was most unpleasant....more
Sigh. I really don't know why I bothered with reading this, actually, since I already knew so much of what was in it. I have been following the Harry/Sigh. I really don't know why I bothered with reading this, actually, since I already knew so much of what was in it. I have been following the Harry/Meghan saga in far, far too much detail for far, far too long and I already knew far, far too much about both of them. So it's really impossible for me to rate this book fairly as if I had gone into it with little or no pre-conceived notions of all the baloney that is in it. But it was a slog. I have to say that I was truly heartbroken when Diana was killed and I dripped many a tear over those poor little princes and the flowers with the card that said "Mummy" on the coffin and I will forever feel horrible about that. But he uses his mother's death as an excuse for so very much. Nothing he ever did that was less than sterling was his fault. Nothing he has failed to do in his life is his fault. It was because of his mother, it was lack of support from his family, it was the PRESS, the press, the wicked, wicked press, etc. etc. And he couldn't take his father's advice about the press.."Just don't read it, darling boy." I mean if Harry had ever done his own grocery shopping and read the headlines in the checkout line he would know that EVERY CELEBRITY IN THE WORLD gets ragged on by the press and has untrue stories told about them. He is no different. And he's given them an awful lot of raw material. Excuse me, other people have caused him to give them lots of raw material. I must confess that I didn't carefully read about his army days, because it was just too boring, (No, I mean my dog ate that part, so I couldn't.) Then we get Meghan who I cannot stand, and yes, I know that she is the most wonderful person on the planet, she is magical, she is a goddess incarnate, and if you don't think so you are either a vile racist or insanely jealous of her perfection or both, blah blah blah blah blah. Harry's utter cluelessness about how incredibly privileged he is, his pettiness and whining about a life that an awful lot of people would trade for in a heartbeat is pretty tiresome. I am very very sick of Harry and Meghan, I have them up to my eyeballs and I need a break. Go away, Harry and Meghan! Shoo!...more
Despite their cheesy appearance, these "secret lives" books are pretty good, conveying their information in an entertaining manner.Despite their cheesy appearance, these "secret lives" books are pretty good, conveying their information in an entertaining manner....more
This is quite a unique memoir. Who even knew there were such places as the Canadian oil sands and what a foul place for a young woman to end up in. I This is quite a unique memoir. Who even knew there were such places as the Canadian oil sands and what a foul place for a young woman to end up in. I can't say I enjoyed this, it's far from pleasant, but it was very effective and will stick with me for quite awhile. ...more
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