A biography of Bette Davis, revealing a life replete with scandal, sex, violence, courage, sacrifice and heartbreak. After three years of research and more than 150 interviews, James Spada has written a revealing biography of one of the greatest Hollywood Legends. Spada has convinced Bette Davis's relatives and friends to speak out for the first time, and he has gained new access to court documents, long-lost inquest transcript, and personal correspondence to paint a portrait of one of the most complex and misrepresented women in Hollywood history. This book reveals Bette Davis' oddly close relationship with her mother (who bathed her until she was in her teens); her ambivalent feelings about the sex act, as revealed by a director/lover; her possible role in the brain damage of her adopted daughter; the bizarre behaviour of her husband Gary Merrill and the vicious custody battle for their son, Michael; her pursuit of much younger men she entered her sixties; and her tragic and courageous last days.
Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Visit the Books Trade-In Store for more details. Learn more. |
Book Description
Frequently Bought Together
Product details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
Product Description
Review
Spada has certainly done his homework, and charts Davis's climb to fame... without ever losing sight of the woman who motivated the actress. (TIME OUT )
Absorbing and thoroughly documented. (SUNDAY TELEGRAPH )
Spanda's irresistable, revelatory biography... bursts with film lore, gossip, countless affairs and family secrets. (PUBLISHERS WEEKLY )
Told absorbingly... Spada appears to have gathered every possible fact. (WASHINGTON POST BOOK WORLD )
Absorbing and thoroughly documented. (SUNDAY TELEGRAPH )
Spanda's irresistable, revelatory biography... bursts with film lore, gossip, countless affairs and family secrets. (PUBLISHERS WEEKLY )
Told absorbingly... Spada appears to have gathered every possible fact. (WASHINGTON POST BOOK WORLD )
Book Description
Balanced and hugely readable, Bette David tells the complete story of one of the most enduringly popular movie stars.
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
36 of 37 people found the following review helpful
By "ashlyn0902"
If you are a fan of good old-fashioned Hollywood where men were men and women were dames this is the book for you.
More then a Woman deals with the biggest dame of all Bette Davis. From her traumatic childhood when her father walked out and left the family to fend for themselves, to her tricky realationships with her mother and her over-shadowed sister to her extremely succesful film career and unsuccessful marriages. This is a book which is hard to put down about a woman who always did things her way whatever the consequences.
What is really enjoyable about the book is how appealing it is on many different levels. It is the story of a strong woman who refused to comprimise and ultimatly paid the price. It is also the tale of an actress who believed in her work 110% and managed to be treated as an equal by the male-dominated movie industry.
The author deserves great credit in being able to speak to so many family members and friends of Davis which allow the book to show the many sides of this magnificent actress and strong woman who was many years ahead of her time.
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
By s
VINE™ VOICE
Amazon Verified Purchase
This book gives a tremendous insight into the legend that is Bette Davis.It is incredibly well written giving a detailed account of the life and mind of Bette Davis.Be warned,once you start to read the book,you can't put it down and when you tell people about the book,they'll want to borrow it.Superb value,absorbing,thought provoking,i highly recommend this to all who have an interest in the Hollywood era of genuine legends and superstars.
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
This is a well-written and exhaustively researched book about Bette Davis. The narrative of her complex life is always entertaining and is presented in chronological fashion. Her career serves as the backdrop for this analytical recounting of her colorful life. The focus, however, remains on Bette Davis, the woman, and her story is skillfully told.
The portrait of Ms. Davis that emerges from the pages of this book is a sympathetic one, despite the author's presentation of Ms. Davis as a flesh and blood woman with many issues. It is a biography that will keep the reader turning its pages, as it is so eminently readable. Moreover, the black and white photographs that are included in the book serve to augment the reader's enjoyment. Fans of Bette Davis, as well as those who appreciate well-written biographies and memoirs, will find much to like about this book.
The portrait of Ms. Davis that emerges from the pages of this book is a sympathetic one, despite the author's presentation of Ms. Davis as a flesh and blood woman with many issues. It is a biography that will keep the reader turning its pages, as it is so eminently readable. Moreover, the black and white photographs that are included in the book serve to augment the reader's enjoyment. Fans of Bette Davis, as well as those who appreciate well-written biographies and memoirs, will find much to like about this book.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
a real movie star
im still reading this book i love it im an old movie fan not many stars like here any more in here own words shes quite a differant person than the movies she portrays 10/10 =)
Published 3 months ago by isette
5.0 out of 5 stars
fascinating
I was absolutely riveted by this book, from start to finish. James Spada has done an exemplary job at portraying this remarkable woman, showing her warts and all, her wit, her... Read more
Published on 13 Feb 2010 by Hambletta-Maud
5.0 out of 5 stars
Bette Davis More Than a Woman
This book is one of the best books I have read about Bette Davis,highly reccomended M Davis.
Published on 12 Mar 2009 by Mary Davis
5.0 out of 5 stars
A truly excellent book, i couldn't put it down!!!
I was reading this in South Africa while driving around beautiful landscapes and i was completely engrossed in this book!! I don't think i looked away once. Read more
Published on 13 Sep 2007 by H. Candy
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
|
