No comments about Barbara Bush: A Biography.

No comments about How to Grow Old Disgracefully (Transaction Large Print Books).

No comments about Stories of Women Composers for Young Musicians/Large Print.

5 comments about Tom Jones: A Biography.

1. This book is, indeed a rehash of previously written materials, with a healthy dash of misquotes and sensationalistic antecdotes. Don't bother.



2. This biography on Tom Jones seems to be an update on the previous and rather excellent biography by Colin Macfarlane - Tom Jones:The Boy From Nowhere, which was published in 1988. After reading Macfarlane's book one gets the idea that both authors of this book have updated Macfarlane's version and added in some rather obscure tabloid type anecdotes. The result is a bit disappointing but it still tells a clear cut story of the man. Start off with Macfarlane's biography then move on to this one to get the fuller picture. Tom himself has said he prefers Macfarlane's version as the author mixed with members of Tom's family in his home village of Treforest in South Wales to get to the real heart of the story.



3. ~This biography on Tom Jones seems to be an update on the previous and rather excellent biography by Colin Macfarlane - Tom Jones:The Boy From Nowhere, which was published in 1988. After reading Macfarlane's book one gets the idea that both authors of this book have updated Macfarlane's version and added in



4. ~This biography on Tom Jones seems to be an update on the previous and rather excellent biography by Colin Macfarlane - Tom Jones:The Boy From Nowhere, which was published in 1988. After reading Macfarlane's book one gets the idea that both authors of this book have updated Macfarlane's version and added in



5. This biography on Tom Jones seems to be an update on the previous and rather excellent biography by Colin Macfarlane - Tom Jones:The Boy From Nowhere, which was published in 1988. After reading Macfarlane's book one gets the idea that both authors of this book have updated Macfarlane's version and added in some rather obscure tabloid type anecdotes. The result is a bit disappointing but it still tells a clear cut story of the man. Start off with Macfarlane's biography then move on to this one to get the fuller picture. Tom himself has said he prefers Macfarlane's version as the author mixed with members of Tom's family in his home village of Treforest in South Wales to get to the real heart of the story.

No comments about Big Daddy from the Pedernales: Lyndon Baines Johnson (Twayne's Twentieth-Century American Biography Series).

1 comments about Siege and Survival: The Odyssey of a Leningrader (Transaction Large Print Books).

1. _Seige and Survial_ retells the experienes of the author during the 3 year seige of Leningrad by the Nazis. The bitter cold, the near-starvation, the shelling and bombardment - all are presented here. But the book lacks a sense of the real-life drama and the sense of urgency and danger the event warrants. For the historian, or those interested in first-hand accounts, the book has its value. For the rest, a better book by far is Stokesbury's _The 900 Days_.

No comments about Eisenhower.

2 comments about Come by Sunday: Diana Dors.

1. I found this book easy to read,although, it contained many inaccuracies regarding dates, etc.
   
   However, it was entertaining, and gave an insight into the life of post war Britain's, pre eminent blonde bombshell.
   
   The life of Diana Dors was far more dramatic than any role she ever played, however, despite, abortions,beatings,disastrous love affairs and financial ruin, she did not inspire sympathy in the same way as a Monroe, or Garland. Indeed, Diana was far tougher then both screen legends, and had the ability not to take herself too seriously, possessing an enviable sense of humour, especially in the face of adversity.
   
   Diana Dors, was born into a middle class family in Swindon, England, enduring a difficult relationship with her father, whose practical views of life she came to detest. She enjoyed a more positive relationship with her mother, who, encouraged her film star aspirations, and Diana eventually was awarded a place at LAMDA, eventually being awarded a contract with the Rank Organisation, where she appeared in "Oliver Twist" in the early forties, showing great dramatic promise.
   
   Unfortunately, for Diana, meeting first husband Dennis Hamilton, would ensure her life would never be the same again. Hamilton was a notorious womaniser,and became Diana's "svengali" involving her in endless publicity stunts, designed to keep her in the public eye. To a degree this strategy was successful and in due course, Hollywood beckoned.
   
   Diana's brief tenure in Hollywood, was hastened by Hamilton turning down an offer for her, to star in "The Girl Can't Help it", which, would eventually, propel arch rival, Jayne Mansfield to stardom. Instead, Diana appeared in two "potboilers" which are best forgotten.
   
   Matters were not helped, by the infamous "pool" incident, where in front of selected Hollywood royalty, attending a party at their home, both, Diana and Hamilton, ended up in their own pool along with a photographer, who, it was alleged, had pushed them both, hoping to get publicity.
   The stunt backfired, and seriously damaged Diana's reputation in Hollywood.
   
   Ironically, Diana's time in Hollywood, signalled a decline in her career and fortunes and she soon returned to England, somewhat subdued.
   
   During the next few years, Diana toiled in "B" movies, both in England and Europe. Hamilton died prematurely, and Diana embarked on a series of futile affairs, with a string of men.
   
   Her career seemingly over, Diana appeared in Cabaret in Las Vegas, Europe and England and also managed to secure roles in many TV series both in the U.S and England.
   
   As the swinging sixties began, Diana's glamourous image seemed old fashioned, compared to more trendy, upcoming stars like Julie Christie, and her career declined further, and film offers were rare.
   
   Her second marriage to Richard Dawson, proved to be unsuccessful.The high spot, being the birth of her two sons, and Diana found solace, in romantic liaisons with various lovers.
   
   Such was Diana's notoriety that she was labeled a 'Shameless Hussy" by the then Archbishop of Canterbury.
   
   
   
   Diana had to face facts, she was a relic of the fifties and not getting any younger.
   
   During this time, she was reduced to appearing in working mens clubs in the north of England, realising, her Las Vegas days were far behind her.
   
   It was time to take stock.
   
   After divorcing Dawson, she began a relationship, with English actor, Alan Lake, who she eventually married.
   
   During this period, Diana became an accomplished character actress, appearing at the celebrated Royal Court Theatre in London and at the Chichester festival, where, she appeared in the classic Oedipus Rex.
   
   This was the beginning of a brief period of critical acclaim, she was even lauded for her performances by Sir Laurence Olivier - high praise indeed.
   
   Her success, unfortunately, was shortlived and life proceeded in a grim fashion.
   Husband Lake, was an alcoholic and Diana's own health was fragile, she suffered menningitis, and almost died.
   
   Diana's weight became a problem at this time, and her once sylph like figure became buried beneath more generous curves. However, she professed to be happy with her, lot during this period of her life.She even found religion, converting to Catholicism in the 1970's
   
   
   Diana, sadly died of ovarian cancer in 1984, and her husband Alan Lake commited suicide soon after.
   They are survived by Jason Lake their only child.
   
   Diana Dors, best summed up her attitude to her life, in her autobiography "Dors by Diana" proclaiming, she had, "enjoyed the whole absurd mess to the highest possible degree"
   
   Who are we to argue?



2. I was rather disappointed with this biography of Diana Dors,"Britain's answer to Marilyn Monroe"(Actually,she more closely resembled Jayne Mansfield)this is a British book,so be prepared for spellings like"Kerb","Tyre",etc.Although she was truly beautiful,this book failed to hold my interest.I give it 2 stars because it does include some nice pictures of Diana,so it wasn't a total waste.

No comments about The Road from Coorain: Recollections of a Harsh and Beautiful Journey to Adulthood (G K Hall Large Print Book Series).

5 comments about I Am What I Ate...And I'm Frightened!!! And Other Digressions from the Doctor of Comedy.

1. I have loved most of Bill Cosby's books, yet his two most recent publications, this one and "Congratulations! Now What? A Book for Graduates" have fallen very flat. Perhaps I would have appreciated this book more if I was in the same age group. Even as health conscious as I am, I still think Cosby missed the mark.
   
   Each chapter continues a theme of the pitfalls of getting old. Whether it means having to change your diet or alter other vices from your life, the body cannot have certain things if we are to live a long life. Obviously, Cosby takes a humorous approach to this subject. He does not actually claim to be a health expect. The problem is that Cosby's jokes have already been done, mostly by many other people.
   
   I would recommend most of Cosby's books expect those cited. It seems Cosby is at his best when he is talking about the family or experiences of his youth. In his most recent work, he may be straying too far outside his strength.



2. ISBN 0060545747 - Not the sort of laugh out loud funny that Cosby usually does, this book is still amusing - more importantly, it's an honest look at the results of a lifetime of bad habits. For folks who won't listen to their doctors, take it from a man who's clearly not fond of listening to his doctor, either!
   
   I was disappointed to not find this book on a par with Cosby's usual humor. Still, not a terrible read, either. Read it for a chuckle, pick up a copy of his stand-up routines for real laughs.



3. Whether you do or don't like the humor of Bill Cosby, you should read this book if you have any sense of humor at all then you will enjoy it if you do! It's everything funny about why good food can make us feel bad. This book is great for anyone who is having to go to the doctor... over and over... or multiple doctors because it reminds you to laugh to keep from crying! And helps you laugh so hard you cry - at least I did!



4. Bill Cosby the doctor of comedy has written a book about a healthy life stile. If you dodge diets, you should read it. If you're creative you should read it. If you like imagining people making a fool of themselves in the act of not following their diets you should read it. In my opinion this is a funny book. He eats a cookie and gets caught because he said he was going to the bathroom. If you like funny books you'll like it.



5. In this book, Bill Cosby discusses, in a humorous way, various changes he has experienced at age 65 and his struggles to give up his excessive, unhealthy eating habits after learning from his doctor that he has very high cholesterol and a thirty percent blockage in the carotid artery.
   
   While it is neither the roaringly humorous book I expected nor a preachy diet book, it is a quick and pleasant read that had me chuckling quite a bit and identifying with many of his observations. His casual writing style, delivered as though he were sitting next to you and talking, accurately captures many of the rationalizations people often use to justify behavior they know is not in their best interest, be it smoking, drinking or eating fat and cholesterol-laden foods. I thought one of the funniest sections was his discussion of hair and skin, where he observes that "as you get older, you don't have oil. The skin is drier." And, regarding hair, he wants to know why he lost hair from the top of his head and it came out on his back and in his nose and ears. Gray hair at that! "What am I turning into?", he asks. I suspect there are a few of us in our fifties and sixties who have had similar thoughts. He also cites his father as having compared the human body to a machine, which, at age 65, has "old parts" -- a simplistic but plausible explanation for many of the aches, pains and limitations one experiences in the later years.
   
   In all, the book is funny and enjoyable. And, possibly, it may be helpful to those struggling with changing their eating habits and other aspects of getting older, as they step back and see it through Bill Cosby's eyes.