After reading this massive epic, I immediately dusted off my Garland video to watch the magic come alive on the screen. But for all the images captured for posterity, it was the sheer magnetism of Frank's writing that, for me, portrayed the emotional highs and lows of one extraordinary woman's very public private life. I actually felt the emotions. I laughed. I cried. I cringed. At times, not even believing some of the things written (although his research was meticulous, so much so, that I began to think he had been brought up with Baby Gumm and had followed her around like a shadow for the rest of her life). I consider that there are only two other major Garland books worth reading. Anne Edwards and David Shipman. In comparison, Frank's book is the more illuminating. But it is the sheer power of his narrative that compells the reader to carry on reading, to follow the roller-coaster ride that she started with 'Wizard of Oz' until the ultimate tragedy of watching a star burn itself out. One almost wishes for a sequel.