Ann Margret: My Story [Paperback]

Ann-Margret (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 1995

The ever-glamorous star looks back on thirty years of performing--from film and television successes to her spectacular stage shows--and reveals the secrets of her glossy but often stormy private life. Reprint. PW. NYT.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This long-anticipated memoir by one of America's sexiest and most celebrated entertainers leaves much to be desired in the personal detail department. Although the Swedish-born (but Midwestern bred) actress acknowledges that she has never been comfortable with public candor, her withholding of certain pieces of autobiographical information will irk many of her fans, particularly those who have waited for the truth about her relationship with Elvis, whom she refers to here as her "soulmate." But she reveals little about their long-rumored romance, only that "in a moment of tenderness" he bought her a round bed colored hot pink. Still, despite its lack of deep secret sharing, this autobiography--written with the able assistance of Gold (who has previously penned memoirs for Brian Wilson and Drew Barrymore) can't help but deliver a riveting story that chronicles the seemingly charmed (but in reality strife-ridden) life and career of one of pop culture's female pioneers. Photos not seen by PW. First serial to Good Housekeeping; Literary Guild and Doubleday Book Club featured alternates; author tour.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Star of screen and stage, secretive beauty Ann-Margret sheds light on her career and her personal life.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 265 pages
• Publisher: Berkley; 1st Printing edition (April 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425146820
• ISBN-13: 978-0425146828
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,010,385 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sparkling... moral & ethical... & soooo talented, February 19, 2004

By 

J. a Locke "Book Hugger" (United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ann Margret: My Story (Paperback)

This review is based on hardcover 1994 publication...

Accomplished actress, entertainer, wife, daughter, mother -- Ann-Margret writes an informative, entertaining autobiographical picture of her life, loves, losses, heartaches, and continued triumphs. Candidly, this performer tells of her successes but is also honest about her bouts with alcohol - and her triumph over the illness - more than once. It is interesting to note pride in her heritage from Valsjobyn, Sweden, her birthplace... with a close and loving relationship with her parents and their immigration to the US.

To read Ann-Margret's autobiography is to cry, laugh, & cheer... reading of her downs but mostly ups, with her loving husband and manager Roger Smith, who battled his own nerve disease to remission, and remained at Ann-Margret's side to support her personally and professionally, through hard times and more good times. The loss of her father to cancer; the death of Elvis Presley; her accidental fall from a platform at a performance in Lake Tahoe and finding the astounding strength and determination to come back to the entertainment world so quickly from so many injuries suffered in that fall... tells of the inner strength, stability, astuteness, professional, unselfish and loving human being that is Ann-Margret, who always keeps her positive focus within reach.

Ann-Margret's career began at an early age; even though a "natural talent", her success came with a lot of very hard work, high standards, and fortitude based on a mannerly upbringing and strong support by her parents, friends and husband Roger Smith. Ann-Margret describes in her bio a close and soulmate relationship within the scope of personal as well as professional essence with legendary Elvis Presley. Her upbeat description and tales of her co-stars, including "Duke" John Wayne; Claudette Colbert; Bette Davis; George Burns; directors, producers, along with many supportive individuals.

Her range of talent is wide -- in song, dance... acting on stage, movie screen and television, along with her comedy performances among which are Bob Hope, Jack Benny, Lucille Ball, and the great George Burns. Acting roles she assumed were highly challenging and to her credit she glowed with each performance, in differing genre delving into in-depth characterizations -- her repertoire includes but not limited to "Bye Bye Birdie", "Tommy", "Streetcar Named Desire", "Carnal Knowledge", "The Two Mrs. Grenvilles".

This reader has always been a fan of both Ann-Margret and husband Roger Smith, ignoring the tabloid garbage... cheering and admiring the fortitude of both of these talented persons and their lasting relationship...

And to Ann-Margret I say... thank you for writing your biography, even though it took me some years to get to reading it among my large collection of books. And, I am so glad I did... I am proud to be a "forever fan" of yours. God bless you.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars What a missed opportunity!, September 9, 2003

By 

G. Turner (Chiddingfold, nr Godalming, Surrey England) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ann Margret: My Story (Paperback)

Ann-Margret is one of America's most versatile actors/performers. I admire her not only for her incredible and diverse talent but also for her humility, warmth, integrity and discretion. I knew this book wouldn't be your usual "kiss and tell" autobiography but I do feel there were so many missed opportunities here.

I feel some of Ann-Margret's better works are the films she made in England: Joseph Andrews, The Return Of The Soldier and The Last Remake Of Beau Geste. These films starred the likes of Glenda Jackson, Julie Christie, Alan Bates, Marty Feldman, Beryl Reid, Michael Hordern, John Gielgud, Peter Ustinov, Michael York and so on...in her book she barely acknowledged these films. I wanted to know how she got along with such a cast of talent? Ann-Margret has worked with some of the most respected actors in the business. I would loved to have read about her times spent on the Dean Martin show.

I've given the book three stars, all of which go to the lady herself for taking the challenge and being as candid as she could possibly be at the time. Hopefully one day she'll sit down again and bare more of her spiritual self?

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Greatest Autobiography Ever, April 18, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Ann-Margret: My Story (Hardcover)

Ann-Margret: My Story is the absloutely fascinating story of this international legend, and is not to be passed up. I can account to the excellence of this tale: I have it read over a dozen times. Sometimes this seems almost more fiction than fact, and the reader will find himself, at the lowest times of Ann-Margret's life (such as her nearly-fatal fall from a 22 foot platform, and her bouts with alcoholism), rooting for their heroine to pull through. This is a must-read for veteran and new fans of this incredible superstar alike.