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List Price: $15.95 | | Publisher: Harper Paperbacks
Salesrank: 343698
Released: October 31, 2006 |
| Our Price: $0.99 |
| Used Price: $1.00 |
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| Media: Paperback |
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Editorial Review:
The epitome of grace, independence, and wit, Lauren Bacall continues to project an audacious spirit and pursue on-screen excellence. The product of an extraordinary mother and a loving extended family, she produced, with Humphrey Bogart, some of the most electric and memorable scenes in movie history. After tragically losing Bogart, she returned to New York and a brilliant career in the theatre. A two-time Tony winner, she married and later divorced her second love, Jason Robards, and never lost sight of the strength that made her a star.
Now, thirty years after the publication of her original National Book Award–winning memoir, Bacall has added new material to her inspiring history. In her own frank and beautiful words, one of our most enduring actresses reveals the remarkable true story of a lifetime so rich with incident and achievement that Hollywood itself would be unable to adequately reproduce it.
By Myself and Then Some Reviews:
A Moving and Detailed Memoir! 
2008-08-05 - This well written book covers Lauren's entire life, from her childhood in the 1920's through the new century into 2004! She writes with beautiful emotion, and shares her innermost feelings and fears with her readers. You really get to learn a lot about her as a "real" person, instead of just the stunning face we see up on the screen. She was very career driven, but also had a family. She does not write much about her children or grandchildren. I am not sure if that is because they are not very close or not too involved with her life because she was so career driven, or if she thinks we want to mostly know most about her career, or because she wants to keep those relationships private, it's hard to guess.
I think this book is a must read for any fan or hers, or Bogarts, or anyone interested in acting, or in Hollywood's Golden Age.
As for the reviews here that complain about her putting in sections about her political views... She was active in politics all her adult life. That is part of her life, why wouldn't she put that stuff in her book? And as for the end of the book where she talks about all her friend's funerals and deaths... well, if you are lucky enough to live a long and healthy life like she has, you unfortunately have to endure the deaths of all of your closest lifelong friends. Those deaths will effect a person greatly. Of course she wrote about them, that is what has been happening in her life in these later years. She was kind enough to tell us about the pain she went through and how she happily remembers those friends. I think it is beautiful how she trusts the reader with such openness. So, I am very dissappointed with the reviews that are negative for that reason.
Miss Bacall is a true legend!
2007-05-14 - I had read Miss Bacall's previous book, so thought to myself,for the price that Amazon was selling it at, so be it. I'm buying! What else could this great legend say however? A lot. The book was filled with many more personal stories and interests than I suspected it could be. It is an excllent book on one of the last of the great legends in Hollywood. I loved the book. Got her to sign it too, she was most gracious.
IT'S LAUREN BACALL
2007-01-24 - A book that just goes on about herself and people she know's --if you are a Fan this is a must to own ..
Bacall, Bogart, Broadway-- A Page Turner
2007-01-12 - Follow Betty Bacal, the shy daughter of a Rumaniam immigrant, as she becomes stage struck, trains as a actress, has an overnight success modeling for Vogue, and is transformed by director Howard Hawkes into Lauren Bacall, the newcomer who sweeps Humphrey Bogart off his feet.
Bacall's tale is irresistible, and she tells it well. The story of her transformation at Howard Hawks's hands into the Slim of "To Have and Have Not" is all the more delicious because Bacall remains, while the cameras are not running, an inexperienced teen who misses her mother and her family in New York. Bacall's off-screen innocence contrasts strikingly and delightfully with her knowing on-screen persona.
Bacall's account of her romance and marriage to Humphrey Bogart is graceful and moving. Bacall quotes Bogart's letters to her during their courtship: these reveal his stunned incredulity at finally finding love after a lifetime of romantic failures. Their marriage is a sweet reward to Bogart after years of domestic strife, and his gratitude at finding happiness and fatherhood in midlife is tremendously affecting. Bogart's gallantry and courage in his final illness reduced me to tears, as did Bacall's despair at losing the love of her life.
By her own account, Bacall's second marriage to Jason Robards was not a success. She cares for her children (two by Bogart and one by Robards), but they do not appear central to her life. The great loves dominating Bacall's post-Bogart years remain her mother and the acting profession. Bacall's dedication to her craft is evident, both on stage and on screen, and she remains ever grateful for a good role-- a gratitude that grows more poignent as she ages.
Any weaknesses? A few. Then Some, penned 27 years after By Myself, doesn't live up to the magic of the first installment, although one must admire Bacall's spirit in producing it. And Bacall's rather cursory depiction of her children leaves the reader wondering about the status of her relationships with them. But these criticisms are minor ones when measured against the charm and drama of Bacall's story.
Lauren Bacall is now in her 80s. Her memoirs span over 60 years of cinema and stage history. Her story is well worth reading for those who appreciate American theater and film. Highly recommended, especially for those interested in the private side of the Bacall-Bogart saga.
Understand the ratings before deciding on purchase... 
2007-01-02 - I am someone who did not read the first book. As such, this was all new to me. I can honestly say that the beginning of this book was the BEST autobiography I have ever read. Never, have I gained such insight into the things I longed to know about a "star" and their associates.
When Lauren Bacall describes her growing up in New York I can see and feel all of those locations. I picture her handing out programs in the theater. I am in the room with her, and nervous, when she is meeting Bette Davis. I fall in love with Humphrey Bogart, just based on her descriptions of the early romance. She truly taps into my first love. As such, my spirit is crushed with her during his last days. I feel her upset, joy and bravery all through the book. This is outstanding, personal, and descriptive writing.
I do agree that the last chapters of the book bring the book to a terrible halt. Still, this book is unfairly rated by those who read the earlier book without the stale ending. 75% of this book is still the earlier book-- the 5 star book. The ridiculously low ratings are especically unfair, when most are based on the Bacall's statements about our current president and have nothing at all to do with her book!
I am giving 4 stars, and recommending the earlier (5 star) book simply because the ending of this one reads like an endless obituary. I will pass this one on and pick up the first one as I know I will want to read it again. It is wonderful!
In fact, I dare you to try and read it without revisiting a Lauren Bacall/Humphrey Bogart movie and feeling like you are there.
