5 comments about The Unsinkable Heather Mills: The Unauthorized Biography of the Great Pretender.

1. This really isn't an objective look at Miss Mill's life. It's more of a defense of her life and the author seems bent on painting her in the most positive light. I'm aware that Heather Mills has been an advocate for many hurting people. I'm also aware that she often seems about ready to explode.



2. If this is 'unauthorized' Mr.Simpson is the best researcher and ghost-writer since Andrew Morton. Or and this explanation makes more sense and closer to the truth-this was written with an all too real [ and no doubt unnerving ] awareness that Mills is the most litigious, infamous person the public and press have seen in a very long time. Mills had a hard life growing up. A horrific accident at age 25. That she overcame all this is admirable. That she sees fit to exacerbate the truth or even justify a lot of unsavory things - stealing from a jewelry store where she worked; 'Love Manual'photos; 'parties' at The Dorchester, etc.-in her life that've recently came back to haunt her. She shows a lack of empathy and the complete absence of a moral compass. It's chilling at best. Give Neil Simpson credit: he did the best he could in that particular area but had very little to work with. The shoplifting, stealing are blamed on someone else. Sells the stolen jewelry then she's befuddled of "why didn't anyone ask why someone this young was doing with this much jewelry?" Mills makes it sound as though she were an apple cheeked 15 yr.old. Actually, this is probably the closest in the book she comes to admitting she felt bad about what happened. That it very nearly put the store owner out of business: wreaked havoc within his store: with other longtime employees and the subsequent fall-out from it is not gone into at any length. In almost everything else, she's allegedly blameless. Being a kept woman by a married man while in Paris; running off with a ski-instructor in the former Yugoslavia while married to Alfie Karmal-all in the name of the greater good one could allege. Money can't buy her ENOUGH 'things.' She is even QUOTED as saying she learned early on, money was power. No duh. Love makes the world go 'round but money is the gravitational pull keeping it on its' axis. There have been plenty of women born, raised in difficult circumstances who know that. Women who made something of themselves without using their bodies in 'Love Photos,' drinking watered down champagne, getting paid for it. The book sings one too many hallelujah choruses about her " excellent, professional abilities as a terrific business woman " over and over. Then again allegedly appealing to the lowest common denominator, perhaps not ENOUGH choruses were sung.



3. To be honest, I had no idea who Heather Mills was before "Dancing with the Stars." And even then, she was just the skinny blonde girl with a prosthetic leg. Now I know who she is and, although I may not agree with every choice she's made for herself in life, I'm glad this book was published.
   
   Some reviewers on this site are upset that Heather Mills' biography isn't full of the same digs at her character that the Sun tabloid ran about her in England: hooker, liar, porn star....
   
   Well, this book is much better than that, showing the full 360 of Heather's long and winding road (to borrow a phrase.)
   
   Having read numerous biographies of the Beatles (AND their lovers, including Miss Pattie Boyd) "The Unsinkable Heather Mills" was a natural addition to my library.
   
   Informative--and interesting!--this book is perfect for anyone who is a fan of Paul McCartney or just a fan of pop culture in general. Buy it-- you won't be disappointed!



4. I wouldn't be surprised if she penned this book herself for the money. She'll do just about anything for the money, including giving our beloved Paul such heartache and worry that we may lose him sooner than we would have otherwise. For that I shall absolutely NEVER be swayed by anything she has to say. She's a liar, and doesn't seem to get it that no matter what she would have to say about Paul, it doesn't matter one ioda. She doesn't understand just how immensely he is just purely loved by the world that he's made to be a happier place for being in it.



5. I read this book's promotion in one of Cindy Adams' columns this past November. I read the "book" was going to be an expose of that vile woman, Heather Mills. Imagine my surprise when "it" arrived and I started reading the drivel. What it is, folks (and make no mistake about it) is a Paid in Full manuscript for money received. Heather Mills used her husband's money to finance a whitewash of her sorry life. She used his money to make her appear as another Mother Theresa. I have never thrown away a book in my life. Let this be the first to smell the inside of my garbage container!

2 comments about Oscar: The Style Inspiration and Life of Oscar De LA Renta.

1. This is a divine book and you will love having a good sticky beak at Oscar's glam lifestyle. The South American House, second wife, garden, frocks and Manhattan apartment are all lovingly and lavishly photographed. It is worth every penny.



2. Oscar de la Renta is a brilliant designer and throughout this large book his talent radiates off the page. It has insightful quotes from both Oscar and his clients. It really helped my love for fashion grow with the knowledge of his struggling background and undying work ethic. A must have for any fashion student or admirer of beautiful things. Hey, if you can't buy one of his dresses, mine as well own some pictures of them.

5 comments about Madison Avenue Maxi.

1. Having a dog is no easy task. They require a lot of work and personal interaction -- talking, walking, bathing, grooming, and just plain old loving -- dogs need their people as much as people need their dogs. I always considered myself a cat person. I grew up with Mittens, our family tabby who died at the old age of 12, and since then have adopted several cats that I watched get old and finally leave the mortal coil. When we moved to Turks & Caicos I brought three cats with me from the states.
   
   So when my husband, who moved a few months before me, started talking about this stray potcake who kept following him home smiling all the way, my first response was, "Please just don't feed it!" We had a disastrous dog adoption experience once and I did not want to repeat that ever again. Long story short, suffice it to say that Smiley's picture graces my Blackberry, we keep a supply of treats on the kitchen counter, and I now understand the "dog thing".
   
   Elke & Ben Gazzara happened into their lovely Maxi in a similar way. Elke's daughter adopted a dog and then couldn't keep her. Ben did not want a dog in the house, and as a working actor with much traveling a dog was not convenient. But that little dachsund Maxi wormed her way into their house and then into nearly every high end restaurant, hotel, boutique, party, hospital, and several film sets along the way.
   
   But Madison Avenue Maxi is not only about a dog, but about her people. We see Ben & Elke in good times and bad, going through health crises, career changes, unexpected travel, but always with Maxi by their sides (or under the table in a bag). It is a book that speaks to the common bonds and life experiences of pets and their humans, and while sappy at times appeals to the best in human (and canine) nature, a highly enjoyable read.



2. In Madison Avenue Maxi, the wife of a movie star provides an inherently fascinating and engagingly personal memoir of the life and times of the family dog, a miniature dachshund she and her husband adopted, and offers up whimsical, fun anecdotes on how to dog became a part of their fast-paced, globe-trotting lifestyle. Any general-interest library strong in books about pets and stars will find it a fun leisure choice indeed.



3. This book is a perfect gem! It is a warm, transformative story about how Maxi, a charming dog, captures the hearts and affection of a busy couple.
   
   This beautifully designed book would make a perfect gift for anyone and certainly for animal lovers.
   
   But readers of all kinds will love this book as it is also a fine piece of debut non-fiction writing.



4. For every parent who ends up raising their child's unwanted pet. Enjoy how Maxi the dog, captivates his grandparents and becomes an indispensable part of their home.



5. What a delight! In this already hectic holiday season, Maxi was a breath of fresh air. For all dog lovers and anyone who wants an escape that is both heart-warming and fun.

5 comments about Speedbumps: Flooring It Through Hollywood.

1. What a great read. Teri has a quirky, sarcastic wit that comes through brilliantly in this book. I just wish it was longer.



2. I have always enjoyed Teri Garr as an actress and thought her book would be enjoyable. But it went far beyond that! She is fabulous. I can only imagine knowing her "in-person" and what a blast she must be to have as a friend. She has a similar attitude toward MS that I would like to say I took toward cancer and she is quite a hero. Ms. Garr deserves to live a long, rich, happy and healthy life! Please enjoy the book!!!!!



3. Teri Garr is the type of person who you wish you knew personally. She is so down to earth in a celebrity world that is full of over prententious egos. I have enjoyed her movie roles and the interchanges that she had with David Letterman on his show were classic. The book is an entertaining look into life that demonstrated her tenaciousness to get what she wanted while keeping a wonderful sense of humor. She takes those two qualities with her as she fights multiple sclerosis. We all should have her attitude regarding the challenges that we face in life.



4. A very interesting life. Full of fun and hard work. She is tackling her disease with gusto, the way she has always aproached life.



5. Having seen many of Teri's movies I found her point of view very interesting. In retrospect she has really worked with some of Hollywood's heavy hitters. This was a very lighthearted look back on her career with funny stories about a wide range of a variety of celebrities. What suprised me most was her honesty about her insecurities about being an actress and how MS plays a role in all of this. Overall a very enjoyable read.

No comments about The Last Human Cannonball: And Other Small Journeys in Search of Great Men.

4 comments about The Richest Girl in the World: The Extravagant Life and Fast Times of Doris Duke.

1. 
   This bio does what the title says it will. It tells us about the extravagance and the fast times of Doris Duke. On the plus side, there is a lot of material here and it reads better than a tabloid, but the many quotes from people with axes to grind hamper its credibility.
   
   According to this book, DD believed most people, esp. potential husbands were after her fortune, and from this book, one would have to agree with her.
   
   DD had to have another side that is not presented at all. She did manage to keep and grow her wealth at a time when her peers were losing theirs. In this book, the lawyers and financial advisors work off stage. For instance, the book would have you believe that DD's lawyers miraculously appeared minutes before her second marriage to secure a pre-nup to save her fortune.
   
   DD not only increased her fortune, she won almost every legal battle, even when the facts were stacked against her. To do this she had to have a stable dialog with professionals and devote time, that the author would have you believe she spent partying, to managing the estate.
   
   DD, one of Hawaii's most intriguing citizens, needs a more serious and comprehensive treatment.



2. Doris Duke enjoyed being a recluse and keeping out of the spotlight. Reading this book by Ms. Mansfield, it appears Duke did a good job at maintaining her privacy. Most of the information appears to be drawn from old newspaper articles, magazines, and other public documents. There is very little first hand information except for the occassional quip by Zsa-Zsa Gabor (!) -- a rival for one of Doris' many paramours. As mentioned in a previous reader's review, this book goes off on many tangents regarding folks other than Duke -- as if the author was required to produce a specified number of pages. I found myself skipping over many pages at a time. Perhaps biographies are supposed to reveal deep, dark secrets, but clinical descriptions of Doris' lovers' genitalia seem a bit excessive. Skip this book and watch the made-for-tv movie with Miss Bacall.



3. It was a poorly written, disorganized book. Not worth the paper it was written on or the money spent on it.



4. I read the book because I had seen the miniseries on TV and was interested in more information. It included a lot of facts and was interesting from an historical perspective. However, I didn't think it was particularly well written from a literary perspective. It was also hard to follow because it jumped around. It included a lot of information that was interesting, but not directly related to the subject. Sometimes it seemed like it went off on tangents. Overall I would rate it average, it was informative, but not very enjoyable to read.

2 comments about Hollywood Unlisted.

1. -HOLLYWOOD UNLISTED-
   
   For all of the twenty-eight plus years that I have worked for a large telephone company as an outside "Services Technician", when we employees would regularly meet after work would always seem to gravitate to the outlandish and crazy stories that either someone has heard about, or actually had experienced on the job. Before our "bull sessions" would end, someone would always say, "Hey, someone should write a book about all these wild things that people have encountered on the job!" We all would stare blankly at one another, nod our heads in agreement, finish our drinks, and go home.
   
   A couple of years ago a number of us were going through our same predictable story sharing routine when someone said, "Hey, I heard that someone did write a book about their wild experiences in the telephone company, I heard them on a radio talk show."
   
   When pressed for the name of the author, or the book title, the person said, "I just don't remember."
   
   This whole process would repeat itself many times to me over the next two years, with someone remembering that someone had written a book about the telephone company, but could not ever remember any other information.
   Thus, I began my quest to find this elusive author with nothing more than my sense of determination, and strong urge to have a laugh at the telephone company's expense.
   
   To make a long story short. After a great deal of searching, I finally did find this book, which was titled "Hollywood Unlisted", and it's author "Kim Fahey", and all I can say is that it was more than worth the wait to find this hilarious epitome of insanity.
   
   To say that this is one of the weirdest, craziest, books that I have ever read would be a severe understatement.
   
   If anyone was better equipped to write a tell all book about his thirty years working for a large corporate telephone company it is "Kim Fahey", who, I believe, probably has never had a "normal" day in his entire life.
   
   If I could take the wildest stories that I have ever heard from everyone who has ever worked for my telephone company, and had just written them down, I couldn't even begin to scratch the surface of the anecdotes contained in "Hollywood Unlisted."
   What's really amazing is that these are not other people's stories; these are the true stories which actually happened to the book's author "Kim Fahey."
   
   I can honestly tell you that everything that I know from my personal experience about the telephone company rings true, (pun intended), and I truly believe that all of the experiences that "Mr. Fahey" has documented in his book to be 100% true.
   
   Not only would I recommend this book to anyone who has ever worked in the telecommunications business, I would highly recommend this book to anyone likes to laugh at the absurdities, and craziness of working in today's corporate environment.
   Did I hear someone mention the comic strip "Dilbert"?
   
   This book is not for the prudish, you must like reading about things which are unusual, and rarely if ever could be considered as routine.
   
   To sum up my little book review, I shall give you the "Fahey Creed" that is written on the inside cover of this book, and should that prove to be motivation enough for you to purchase this book, I can only say, "You are now in extreme danger of laughing yourself silly." YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!
   
   FAHEY CREED:
   
   If you let me talk, I'm not going to work!
   
   If I'm talking, I'm not working!
   
   I do a lot of talking!



2. This book is captivating from the begining to the end. I did jump around a bit except for the last chapter. It was quite riveting. Not all the stories are fun and games so be ready for quite a thrill ride. I've never read such a book before. I've also never laughed out loud as many times as I did reading some of the lighter stories. The shocking stories are very well written. You feel as though you are there. I highly recommend this book. It is for adults, so, be forewarned. Pat

No comments about Clark Gable - The King of Hollywood (Biography).

5 comments about Elvis In Texas: The Undiscovered King 1954-1958.

1. This is a really neat book for anyone who is crazy about Elvis and wants to know his roots. Also, for anyone living in East Texas where these events took place.



2. This a very nice book. There are some great pictures in here. I own a lot of Elvis books and there are some pictures in here I haven't seen before. The text is a bit gossipy but okay. It's not an in depth study of the King but good coffee table fodder. According to this, he really did sow his wild oats in Texas - I wonder how many little Elvi are going about?

   It's interesting to see Elvis the boy at the beginning, looking full of life and looking to the future and then look at pictures of him toward the end. Was all the success worth it? Perhaps not.




3. I bought this book because I'm writing Faron Young's biography and needed information on dates Faron and Elvis worked together. Lori Torrance lost my respect in the very first paragraph of the book, with her statement, "Country music twanged on the radio, Hank Williams crying in his cornflakes again." A few pages later, she says, "At that time, easy listening and my-dog-has-fleas country music monopolized the mass music market." The research was useful but the flippant writing was a turn-off.



4. Scotty Moore, Elvis' original guitar player and manager, recently said he thought he had seen every photo from that era until he saw this book. That's why I bought it. The photos, mostly performance snapshots, are great. Unfortunately the text is not. At best the writing gets in the way, and at worst it is just plain wrong (which Scotty warned me about). Still, this rare glimpse of one of the greatest American bands merits its recommendation.



5. Scotty Moore, Elvis' original guitar player and manager, told me he thought he had already seen every photo from that era until he saw this book. That's why I bought it. The snapshots in this book are great, but the writing is so full of itself, it's frustrating to read. I find the photos helpful as a visual reference when reading other books on Elvis' early years.

1 comments about The Soul Millionaire: True Wealth is Within Your Reach.

1. Hearing David speak made me buy this book. The book reads like an autobiography and takes the reader on the journey how he found £100,000 to repay his debts instead of running away from them leaving his creditors unpaid (His first thought). I gave 2 stars as when finished reading it, it reminded me of being a duplicate of One Minute Millionaire by Mark Hansen where the 'fictional' character of that story uses wealth principles to find $1,000,000.00 in 90days whereas David takes just under a year to achieve his goal using similar vehicles to obtain results. Even so, well done David in not running from creditors and motivating readers to do the same.