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Review
[A] masterful biography. (SUNDAY TIMES )
A Hollywood biography in the classic mould...[it is the] deep insecurity allied with greatness that Clarke explores so well. This is a sympathetic biography in that it seeks explanations, although Clarke properly makes no attempt to gloss over the Garland (GLASGOW HERALD )
This biography carries us through Garland's show-stopping highs and pill-popping lows in high style, showing her considerable wit and glamour as well as the misery of a young performer manipulated by the studio...Clarke's biography whips smoothly through the years with minimal hyperbole and his subject emerges triumphant. (OBSERVER )
There have been plenty of books on Judy, but Clarke is the only writer to have access to her 68 manuscript pages of her unfinished biography. Drawing on a remarkable number of sources, he has produced the definitive life. (SUNDAY TELEGRAPH )
A Hollywood biography in the classic mould...[it is the] deep insecurity allied with greatness that Clarke explores so well. This is a sympathetic biography in that it seeks explanations, although Clarke properly makes no attempt to gloss over the Garland (GLASGOW HERALD )
This biography carries us through Garland's show-stopping highs and pill-popping lows in high style, showing her considerable wit and glamour as well as the misery of a young performer manipulated by the studio...Clarke's biography whips smoothly through the years with minimal hyperbole and his subject emerges triumphant. (OBSERVER )
There have been plenty of books on Judy, but Clarke is the only writer to have access to her 68 manuscript pages of her unfinished biography. Drawing on a remarkable number of sources, he has produced the definitive life. (SUNDAY TELEGRAPH )
Book Description
* Definitive biography of Hollywood's brightest musical star - Judy Garland (1922-1969).
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
What more can be said about the life of Judy Garland, beyond the material on her life that is already available? Based on this biography, the answer it would seem is very little, which perhaps explains the author's choice of central theme with which to peddle his wares: Garland's alleged sexual behaviour and history. This is not to say that the book as a whole is unworthy, as it otherwise overflows with first-hand accounts and relevant information on the life of this most paradoxical and iconic of entertainers. It's just that most of this same information is already available elsewhere.
The author's focus on the sexuality of Garland, and those that surrounded her and influenced her throughout her life, flows throughout the entire book, to the extent that, if this element were removed, it would weigh in at significantly less than it's current size. The only people to escape scrutiny it would seem, are Garland's two youngest children, Lorna & Joey Luft, as even first born Liza Minnelli's husband is brought under the microscope. There is one particular account, which is so shockingly graphic and wholly unnecessary, that it makes you wonder how it was allowed into the book in the first place. The source quoted in the book for said 'information' has, of course, requested anonymity. This unrelenting focus begs the question: Is anything new really brought to this historical account, other than that which will give pain to her family and injure the memory of the woman herself? It would seem not.
Otherwise, the book is an interesting and comprehensive account of Garland's life, particularly of her early years and tenure at M-G-M, that is spoiled by the point already mentioned. If you are a first time-time reader of the life of Judy Garland, I would suggest this book were probably best avoided in favour of one of the other biographies available.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book doesn't just give you an insight into the life of the legend & the reasons for her downfall. It also gives you some gossip about the stars that Judy worked with at MGM, which also makes for some interesting reading. You experience her highs and her lows & end up wishing that someone could have nipped her self-abuse in the bud, rather than letting it carry on her whole life. It definitely makes you want to listen to her old recordings & watch her films. The message throughout the book is that she was a lady with amazing talent who was mistreated and then mismanaged throughout her life. A must if you are interested in Judy or indeed that era. The first chapter or so is a bit heavy going giving a detailed explanation of Judy Garland's family, it is however quite relevant. Once you get to the point where little Frances Gumm arrives the book really livens up. People who don't want to spoil their memory of her beware: not all you will read is complimentary of Miss Garland, there is an emphasis on presenting the facts whether good or bad. All in all, it is a very insightful book. I couldn't put it down.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
When ever people mention Judy Garland, you think of the Wizzard of Oz and not of the troubled woman she became. This booked touched many strings of my heart as I read of how hard she worked as a child and was never allowed to be herself, always performing. The pictures inside the book told a thousand stories, and I found "Get Happy " well written, and and very informative. Infact it did bring on many emotions. I could not put it down. "Get Happy" is a must for all Garland fans.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Fantastic read
Whether you're a fan of Judy Garland or not, this book is brilliant. Really interesting and honest, it brings it home what a tragic waste of incredible talent as she could've done... Read more
Published on 12 Jan 2010 by Mrs. M. J. Kennedy
Great gift
This was a gift for my friend and she loved it. Fast delivery and in great condition.
Published on 5 Nov 2009 by Megan Lamont
Judy reveals more about her life in her singing than Clarke does in...
This is easily one of the stronger biographies i have read in a while, and Gerlad Clarke did an impressive job with this book which is clearly very thoroughly researched and quite... Read more
Published on 29 July 2009 by Artistic-Fantastic
Informative and Interesting
Gerald Clarke has obviously taken great lengths to research the back-story behind one of the 20th Century's great legends, and it certainly pays off in this wonderfully constructed... Read more
Published on 27 Jan 2008 by ''Rebel Flower''
get happy
quite a riveting book that gets you more engrossed the further you read, a life story of a very talented person who was manipulated and mismanaged most of her life, a strong willed... Read more
Published on 16 Oct 2004
Very interesting and horrifying story of Judy's life!
I read this on my holiday and enjoyed it. I found it very interesting but also horrifying. It gave an indepth view of Judy Garland's life with the ups and most definately, the... Read more
Published on 20 Dec 2001
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