Dorothy Dandridge [Paperback]

Kensington (Producer)

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Holloway House; An Original Holloway House Premiere Trade Ed edition (July 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 087067899X
• ISBN-13: 978-0870678998
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #581,585 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Satisfying Biography, July 17, 2002

By 

Kimberley Wilson (VA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dorothy Dandridge (Paperback)

Dorothy Dandrige's friends hated this book and I can't understand why. Earl Mills, knew her as well, if not better, than anyone else and his book does a fine job in telling the reader why DD was so tragic. The humiliations, the anger, the stupidity that she had to put up with from Hollywood and America are all spelled out without going into hundreds of pages. The story of DD's ghastly marriages and her retarded daughter were quite moving. This book is respectful of DDs memory and is clearly written by a man who loved her and was able to see the real woman behind the star. Frankly, I enjoyed this far more than I did the huge minutiae laden book by Donald Bogle.

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Less Is More. . ., October 4, 2000

By 

"lhastings" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dorothy Dandridge (Paperback)

Having read Donald Bogle's version, where you get endless details, Earl does a concise, though captivating, story. You get the relevant facts from someone who was a manager, friend, and ultimately, lover. Earl's version captures the essence of Dorothy Dandridge beautifully. You get to know her, see her, (he has some photographs that I've not seen in other books) and get a feel of what she was about. In your minds eye you can visualize her just as Earl does. He depicts her eloquently and gives a good, factual description of her career and all the trials and tribulations that she endured. His story (Dorothy's story) is about many things. Love, rascism, what being a 'colored' woman really meant during her time and he also gives a notable account of how things really haven't changed. Because Dorothy was gorgeous, talented and because she never found the love that she was searching for, even though she had the man who truly loved her right by her side, is what makes this story a tragic one. The side story about her retarded daughter is also extremely heart-wrenching.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Memories from a friend, March 15, 2003

By 

"[e-mail]" (ALBUQUEQUE, NM United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dorothy Dandridge (Paperback)

Putting the best light on his friend, Mills presents a good recitation of facts that really begins when Dandridge was first "discovered". More information comes from the additional material by Halle Berry and others at the end of the book.

Mills has a bias toward the actress that is probably love. He presents primarily good and inspirational items about Dandridge and leaves out the other. I would have prefered a more objective read, but this is one perspective. There are not too many books about this lady, so a really objective one would be good.

The book reads quickly, holds your interest, (although it didn't "grip" it) and the pictures are an added bonus.

I recommend it for anyone looking at this actress, the African American experience in film or for a light read.