5 comments about Get Happy: The Life of Judy Garland.

1. Get Happy reads like a novelized version of a tabloid headlines. No delving into the subject's psyche - just trashy details that seemed to have been picked up from the water cooler. No human being is at all perfect; this we all know. But a person's life is made up of more than just gossip material and Clarke seems to have written a biography based on trashy, sensational details and skipping the important details.
   
   Much better off reading "Me and My Shadows" but carry a grain of salt knowing it is written by one of Garland's progeny.



2. This biography of one of the truly great talents of the modern era wobbles precariously between being informative and insightful on one hand, and salacious, tawdry, and inappropriately speculative on the other.
   
   Garland remains both a cautionary tale and the first genuine multi-media superstar of "our" time: a furiously monumental talent who conquered film, radio, stage, recordings, television, and the popular imagination in ways that do indeed (as the author notes) place her in a class completely by herself.
   
   The fact that Garland was really doomed from the start by a mother who worked her and drugged her for sheer profit from the age of four, needs to be noted, and it is carefully done so in Clarke's bio. The fact that this girl, whose youth was not only stolen, but butchered, became ostensibly MGM's biggest box-office asset and was whipped to exhaustion by such huge studio powers, is also well-delineated. Yet, Clarke focuses too much upon the speculative, and not enough upon how truly accomplished a star Garland actually was, both in her golden MGM days and in her numerous triumphs afterward.
   
   Absolute assertions about Garland's sex-life, various partners, and motivations come-off as ridiculous hearsay in so many portions of this bio. Garland, obviously, is not here to defend any of the assertions that would likely be considered libellous, were she or many of her peers still alive. Really, to proffer such salacious details in a bio of this magnitude requires careful footnoting and references from sources that can be confirmed and scrutinized. The book does not offer these sources with anything approaching proper credibility, and the bio suffers because of it.
   
   Withut question, Garland's blazing life was laden with turmoil and disturbance, but there are other sources which aver that she also experienced enormous bouts of happiness and satisfaction because of her tremendous successes and personal relationships. These aspects are not nearly as well explored, and the result is a work that is obviously readable, but no more authoritative than a souped-up tabloid account.
   
   The biggest questions are only given cursory treatment. Namely: how and by what unbelievable means, exactly, was Garland's immense fortune squandered so blatantly? The woman, for her time, earned millions that eclipsed the haul of fellow legends like Bob Hope, Sinatra, or Perry Como, due to her multi-media appeal, yet no satisfactory answers are given as to how this woman's hard-earned fortune was wiped-out. This is particularly unfortunate because Clarke notes that Garland was not inordinately ostentatious or reckless with her money (which is apparently because so little of it made its way into her actual hands!).
   
   It's ufortunate also because she didn't seem to be "in it" for the money, yet the misappropriation of her wealth only exacerbated her deadly insecurities. At least the book has the guts to place proper blame on the wholly unscrupulous Sid Luft, but the treatment of "what happened to Garland's millions?" merited better effort. It's a fair criticism, because, within this context, if Garland had possessed control of the great fortune she earned, she might not have felt so compelled to literally work herself to death, propped-up by addictions which (by then) were insanely necessary in order for her to work at such frantic pace.
   
   Again, a readable yet ultimately deficient, near-salacious bio. It doesn't begin to do justice to an American talent who was more than just a superstar singer, movie star, recording artist, and unbelieveable performer.
   
   One day, all of the disparate threads may be woven together and a truly investigative, definitive, balanced, and insightful bio of Garland will be written for posterity. It's certainly doable, but it ain't been done here.



3. I agree, this is a mean-spirited book. I use it occasionally for reference, since it is one of the most modern issues on Judy's life... But I think it says more about the author than his subject. I have a problem with someone who needs to tear women down. I get no sense of compassion from Clarke for the performer whatsoever. Further, the writing approach is clinical and nasty (which some people enjoy). I felt that was the focus, and it overlooked some valid points contributing to who Judy was. For one thing, she was an artist who hauled herself from one end of the planet to the other, giving live performances all her life. No less, she wore high-heeled shoes, which is not all that great for a woman who is perimenopausal, and just popped-out 3 kids. I never see any writers mentioning that! From the time she was a kid, she was the bread-winner for all her family members, trusted the wrong people, never had the right kind of management, and basically dropped-dead doing the only thing that gave her a sense of power and self in the world: singing. It's so fun being female! From the perspective of a feminist (me) who understands there are thousands of women out there, young and old, who have no idea how to command respect in their lives, this story is sad and pathetic. Judy never wanted it that way. She knew she was a victim of the chauvinism of times. From the time she was two, she was groomed to be a people-pleaser. She did whatever she had to, to make things work. In the end, she saw herself as nothing more than a "singing piece of meat". So from that angle, you might find something interesting here, and learn from it.



4. This was a powerful book, skillfully written. I cannot verify that all of the facts are accurate, and I did wonder how the author found out so much about Mr. Gumm's private life, for example. What struck me as completely authentic is the author's portrayal of Ms. Garland's personality and behavior--mainly because he does not take the step of analyzing it in the psychiatric sense. I personally think that her behavior is a fairly classic case of bipolar disorder, exacerbated by the pills she took and the fact that she was in a business that has extreme highs and lows itself. Clarke never tells the reader this; he might not have been aware of the parallels to the characteristics of someone with a bipolar disorder. The fact that he draws this rich picture while not trying to convince the reader of his "diagnosis" gives this an authentic feel. Clarke does not seem to set out to prove Garland was bipolar, but his descriptions of her behavior seem to support that hypothesis.
   
   I was equally impressed with the author's pacing. The shock of Judy Garland's early and untimely death is echoed in the way the book is written--it ends abruptly, as did her life.
   
   I definitely recommend it.



5. It's all here: the tumultuous and suffocatingly pressure-ridden childhood; the tragic and naive crushes on gay (or unavailable) men; the fantastic, stellar performances; the unstoppable addiction to pills and alcohol--all in one neatly compact, albeit somewhat gossipy, read. This book is well researched and accessibly written, and gives a fair nod to Judy's roots, delving ever so lightly into her background, and her parents (as well as grandparents). My only complaints are there should be more photos nestled within, and I would have enjoyed reading more about her interactions with her children, especially Liza, in what should have been her middle age. The light treatment of later years made me feel as if the author was anxious to wrap the book up, giving only a cursory glimpse into the post-Syd times...Overall, however, this is a largely empathetic, if not accurate, portrayal of one of the 20th century's greatest performers. Judy's story will touch your heart.

No comments about Great Britain and her Queen (Large Print).

5 comments about Wild Justice.

1. ______________________________________________
   Fluff or not? Fun and fluffy
   _____________________________________________
   
   ---- Comments ----
   Power struggles on a global level, evil hidden around every twist and turn, a hero with guts and sensitivity, and a heroine who's a trained killer, international spy, and a fashion maven with brains. Although the premise is typically otherworldly, the story never rests from start to finish, you get to travel to and fro on a Lear following our two protagonists around the planet as they battle an unidentifiable evil of global proportions. Following Stride and Magda is anything but exhausting and filled with thrills to the final scene.
   
   ---- What I liked ----
   The twists and turns. This one was hard to put down
   
   ---- What I didn't ----
   Not much



2. There were only fifteen passengers for the British Airways flight at Victoria Airport on the island of Mahe in the oceanic republic of the Seychelles. But one alone made the others seem insignificant by the sheer splendour of her physical presence. Once aboard she becomes a brutal and fanatical terrorist, spearhead of an international organisation intent on holding the world's powers to ransom. As the search for the power brain controlling the terrorists heightens, the explosive passions aroused by the beautiful hijacker reach an unforgettable climax in the sun scorched deserts of Galilee. Top suspense and action with a very well designed plot.



3. Great book on the issues of pirates stealing elephant ivory. Informative about Africa as a whole. Great read! Smith gets a bit preachy at times, but you learn about the ivory trade, Africa, and it is suspenseful to boot! Tops!



4. 
   I am a Wilbur Smith fan since reading THE SEVENTH SCROLL which was wonderful. This book I had a hard time on the first two chapters and then it takes off and really provided excitement. One of my favorite scenes is when the main character's daughter is kidnapped and he must find her with few clues. I really liked
   this book and it stays with you. Also the tension when he suspects his love interest of being a terrorist was acute.
   
   Besides the 7th SCROLL Hungry as the Sea was a huge hit with me
   as well as most of his other books. Smith is able to write action scenes that really stick with one's imagination.
   
   I am eagerly awaiting his next novel.



5. I'm a big "Willllburrr" fan, but this book was disappointing. This book was was not as engaging as his historical novels (which I ADORE), & parts of it were ludicrously implausible.

No comments about Christine (Large Print Edition).

No comments about America through the spectacles of an Oriental diplomat (Large Print Edition).

5 comments about Three Weeks In October: The Manhunt For The Serial Sniper.

1. It baffles the mind how anyone can read this brilliant literary tome from former police chief Charles A. Moose, and not come away inspired. Charles Moose's story is a "Horatio Alger" tale of our times - with one major difference - Mr. Moose's story is no tale! This book details his humble beginnings: his birth in New York in 1953, his "Oliver Twist like" string of odd jobs in his youth - chimney sweep, coal miner, and tailor's assistant in the Lower East Side. Mr. Moose endured racial taunts and oppression on a daily basis, yet always kept his "eyes on the prize". He perservered, and completed his degree in U.S. History in 1975 at UNC Chapel Hill. Shortly after, his meteoric career in law enforcement commenced - patrol officer in Portland, Oregon, rising to chief of police. He later was police chief of Montgomery County, Maryland, where we learn the details of how he single-handedly solved the "DC Sniper" case using brilliant police work and Sherlock Holmes style "gum shoe" tactics!
   
   Charles Moose is a definite inspiration to all, and I highly recommend this true-life literary masterpiece to all my associates and confreres in academia!



2. It's always irritating when someone in a position of authority uses their involvement in an event of this nature to sell their own story, which is exactly what Charles Moose has done with this book.
   
   It's like calling a movie Titanic, then basing the story around the dramas of just two people when the bigger picture carries so much more gravity than can be expressed through the story of individuals.
   
   It's true that the racial identities of the perps in the case of the Washington Snipers was a key element (profiling would've suggested white men, when in fact the guilty men were of African descent) and that Charles Moose is a black man who has struggled against the prejudice of others, but at least half the book is a very poorly written autobiography which has little relevance to the killings. Without his involvement in the case, it's unlikely his story would've interested anyone enough to be published and whether that's right or wrong, it's most certainly wrong to use the case as a vehicle to sell his own biography.
   
   Also it's a difficult read: the first few chapters are written in a frustratingly concise prose made up of lots of short disconnected sentences with no cohesion to the rules of grammar, making for sloppy story telling. It does improve, but you have to battle with the first few chapters. Far be it from me to postulate, but it's as if two separate minds wrote this book. Ghost writers pay heed - either do it all yourself, or consult with the subject more closely.
   
   Where the story of the Washington Snipers is positioned between the chapters about the author and his experiences, it IS quite well detailed and described objectively (Mr. Gost Writer, take a bow.) This part of the book is riveting and makes for very interesting reading. But there's so much about Moose (it's like trying to watch a film on American TV, you just get fed up with adverts and lose interest in the film) screaming "ME ME MEEEEE." Here lyeth the need for humility and the recognition that this story is not about one man and his struggles. It is, or rather SHOULD be, about - as the title refers - the hunt for the Washington sniper(s).
   
   On the whole this book had a lot of potential but was marred by the self indulgent nature of the biography which is at least half (if not more) of the book when the author's personal story could've been dealt with in one chapter or less. I'm no literary agent, but am sure that had it not been for the position Moose held in this investigation he wouldn't have got away without having at least a third of the book being edited out.
   I've read this book twice now, but on the second go round just skipped each chapter about the author's life and found the book to be much more edifying.



3. I was really looking foward to reading this book. Yet having been glued to the media like everyone else during these three weeks, there was never more I learned about the investigation, profile etc of the snipers. This was more like an autobiography of Chief Moose. At times how he became Chief was interesting but mostly very dry and hard to keep focus jumping back and forth between topics about himself then back to the investigation.



4. Initially this novel will take you into the fear and complexity that surrounded the case of the killing spree caused by the Beltway sniper attacks in 2002. I was intrigued to read about how tough it was for the police to tackle a "serial killer" that ultimately did not leave any kind of pattern in regards to victims' backgrounds or relations for which the police could build a case on. Although some vilified Moose after the case was wrapped up, The book does not portray Charles A. Moose in a poor light in regards to the wild goose chase over leads such as the white box van, because at the time that was really all they had to go on.
   
   The problem with this inexpensive book that is centered on a modern day high profile crime is that it ultimately drowns in an accolade ridden biography of Moose himself. Charles Moose was the Montgomery County, Maryland Police Chief who headed the investigation when the killings first happened. The book lightly touches on the locales and victims, skimming over them in a consecutive and timely manner to constantly go back to what Moose was "going through". The book spends way to much time going back into his history and background, and we ultimately learn more about his own family than the victims, or the eventual backgrounds and cause when the two men who are responsible for the deaths are apprehended and identified.
   
   I just felt that this book was much more of a biography and "pat on the back" of Moose than of the overall case itself. It doesn't do a good job of delving into the other agencies and people involved in researching the case, and does little to show the leads that really led to the capture. If you want to know what was going through Moose's mind during all of this, then by all means get the book. If you would rather learn more about the overall case and the other people who worked around the clock besides Moose to help bring justice to those involved, then I would recommend looking elsewhere. Ultimately a disappointing read about this recent high profile crime in our country.



5. I've been wanting to read this book for a long time, and finally did. I got very interested in this subject because I followed the story very closely in the news at the time. Then, during about a week and half during the time of many of the shootings, my mother and I were on a road trip from Rhode Island to Arkansas. I remember getting into the Maryland/northern Virginia area and thinking I'd better have plenty of gas so we wouldn't have to stop in those areas. We actually stayed at a hotel in the northern Virginia area one night. We decided, because of the snipers on the loose, to just go to the Wendy's drive thru across the street, and bring dinner back to the hotel. At the hotel, I had the news on, and the shooting that had occurred that day was only about 45 minutes from where we were staying that night. The next morning, we repacked the car hurriedly and got back on the highway - without stopping for breakfast. We remember looking suspiciously at every white box van we saw on the drive. Reading this book brought back a lot of those memories for me; but in general, this book was problematic for me. Although it was intersting to learn more about Chief Moose's life and background - it was heavily a story about him, with the story of the sniper ordeal added in. Every other chapter was literally an autobiography about Moose - some details more intersting than others. There's one chapter in the middle of the book that is huge - about 40 pages in the paperback version, and it's all about Chief Moose's life. I thought I would never get through some parts of this book. What annoyed me a lot is that at least in the edition I read, there are typos or other errors. For one, there is a reference to the ill-blamed Richard Jewel from the Atlanta Olympic Park bombings. The Olympics is referred to as the 1998 Olympics, when I know it was the 1996 Olympics. I found at least two sentence strung together with no period in between. There are countless fragmented sentences in this book. Also, I found a sentence that had "at at" in it. Did anyone proofread this text, I wonder? Besides this nitty-gritty stuff, I was a little disappointed that this book really didn't shed too much more light on this crime that the public might have already gotten from news reports. There were a few insights here and there, but they come really late in the book, when I was already decided that this book was 'just ok'. I feel that it is still worthwhile to read, but if you're interested in it, be prepared to learn more about Chief Moose than you intended, and not as much about the crime at hand than you thought you would learn. In the end, I thought maybe this was his way of dealing with this whole ordeal - to talk more about himself and to have some closure in this chapter in his life - I don't know. I guess it's easy for me to say ... I've never walked in his shoes.

5 comments about Beyond Band of Brothers: The War Memoirs of Major Dick Winters.

1. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Reading Winters' account after reading Band of Brothers offered unique insights. I was heartened by Major Winters' faith and how he used this to make it through the War. Stationed in Germany, I had the opportunity to make a voyage to the memorial & Peace Gardens in Bastogne and to Foy as well; a trip inspired by Major Winters. To him & to all others who served in WWII, what you did for the world is not forgotten & will forever be appreciated.



2. A wonderful companion to the HBO "Band of Brothers" miniseries. The book fills in some gaps and details to give you a more complete picture of Easy Company's trek through the war in Europe. Highly recommended!



3. The moral character of Maj. Winters is impecable and unimpeachable. His book is one every kid in school chould read to learn what it is to stand fast in the face of fear and the enemy wether foreign or domestic. This is important now because we may be facing a time when we must once again face a enemy that is domestic. I would hope we would have leadership similar to that given by Maj. Winers.



4. I am hooked on the mini-series and can almost quote the dialogue. This book fills in a lot of the the missing parts and solidifies a lot of the truths of the film. A well written and very good reading book that is filled with facts and great memories. Probably should be read after seeing the series.



5. This is a great book .. if we had a country full of men like this it would be the greatest country in history.

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No comments about Blue-Eyed Son (Charnwood Large Print).