In a career that spanned six decades, two Academy Awards, and ten Oscar nominations, Bette Davis became one of the greatest screen legends of all time. But, as her epitaph says, “She did it the hard way.” She was in constant battles with co-stars, directors, and studios and struggled with addictions to alcohol and cigarettes. She had four stormy marriages and even her three children brought pain … pain and controversy – one wrote a scathing tell-all book, another had a severe mental disability, and a third was the subject of a prolonged custody battle.
But in her iconic film roles – including All About Eve and What Ever Happened to Baby Jane – Davis transcended her troubles to leave an indelible mark on American cinema. Possessing none of the glamorous beauty of Greta Garbo, she had something more powerful and lasting: a restless, incandescent energy that made her mesmerizing to watch on the big screen.
Here is Davis’s story – her famous feud with Joan Crawford, skirmishes with Errol Flynn, affairs with Howard Hughes and William Wyler – and enough drama, confrontation, and heartache to fill several lifetimes. But she never regretted a single moment. “Being hysterical is like having an orgasm,” Davis once cracked. “It’s good for you.”
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Great biography of Betty Davis
A definite enjoyable read! From beginning to end, this book leaves nothing to the imagination.
Meh. Ms. Davis was a far more interesting actress than person.
One of the best actresses in Hollywood!! And how dare the heads of industry call her ugly. Have you ever looked at those expressive eyes and her acting was beyond compare!
I felt Bette Davis was extremely talented, but never heard her personal story. Sad. I recommend it for those who liked Bette.
Little more than a list of Davis’ films and how much money she made.
I came away knowing more about Bette and her world. What a career she had, most of it hard fought for.
An enjoyable easy read about an intensely interesting entertainer.
Recommend if you want to know more about Bette Davis’ career and family life. I like her as an actress and wanted to know where she got her inspiration and ambition.
A great informative account of a movie legend. Showing all that fame & money don’t buy you happiness.
Interesting telling of an interesting life.
Bette Davis – far more complex than I realized. A fascinating woman!
Great biography. Very interesting.
Of course Bette Davis is the stuff of legend. This book gives information about her upbringing, and insight into why she was somewhat difficult to work with, and hard on her romantic partners.
She was fascinating on-screen and led an interesting, tumultuous life. I knew very little about her as a person and found this book informative and easy to read. The author also discusses her films, so if you’re not well-acquainted with them (I wasn’t), this book is gives you information about her films and perhaps a starting point regarding her roles and the evolution of her art.
Bette Davis was a great actress, probably one of the best of all time. The book proves once again that being a great anything does not make you a great person. This was great look at the movie industry of the 1930’s and 1940’s through one of it’s icons. It is not a pretty story.
It’s the story of a Hollywood narcissistic woman. She used people and I have no interest in people like that.
Good for real fans, or those who read to go to sleep
lacked luster
Bette Davis was tooooooooooooo much!
Not a very good book of Betty Davis, I have read much better books on her. Did not learn anything new from this autbor.