Customer Reviews

Judy Garland: The Golden Years

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

This is very much a tribute to a great lady. Unlike nearly every other book done on Judy, this book lets the woman come through. The pictures are astounding, the writing fresh and the whole tone, positive and uplifting. There is a good amount of new information, lots of quotes, including the first family history I have ever seen on Judy's family. This book does not have a whole lot on Judy's career, so if you are looking for facts on Judy's career this will not be it. The emphasis is on Judy during her younger years and there is just one chapter on Judy's whole life after the year 1950. There is an appendix that has all her movies and lists of recordings, radio shows, internet sites, etc, but no career analysis or anything like that. A really enjoyable read. You come away with a new view on the Great Garland. Did I say lots of photos.

I gave this book five stars because it is a very enjoyable book. The text is flowing, unobtrusive, no hidden agendas, no theories about anything or anyone. The photos make it a "can't put it down until the end" type of experience.

As a longtime Garland aficionado, I do know, however, that there will be people who just cnannot or will not accept the fact that Judy did experience many positive moments in her life. That is to what this author dedicates her book. She tells you in the intro and preface that there have been countless books and such written about the tragic Judy, the neurotic, psychotic Judy an dthat this book seeks to present the facts about the other side to Judy.

She provides an indepth study of Judy's family history like no other biographer, right down to a family tree, documents and letters supplied by Judy's relatives.

She richly describes many of the Gumm family experiences, tackles most if not all of the rumors concerning Judy's family and chidlhood and presents many facts and new info.

SHe takes on all of Judy's life in and out of the MGM studios, she provided one example after another of Judy Garland's generosity, affection, warmth, humor, love, diligence and more. Her work for the US Governement is given a full study, alternative quotes are given, sensitive attention is given to her troubles.

The problem for some (but not for me) is that many Garland fans just don't want to hear that. But you can't fault the author because she tells you that you're not going to hear a rehash of the well-known Judy Garland story. If you want that, there are many, many other resources taht will give it to you.

But this is one of the FEW, very FEW, that will give you the other side. Judy Garland has always gotten the short end of the stick when it comes to people talking about her. As the author writes, there was so much that was good about her, but that gets lost in all the speculation, rumors, gossip, innuendo, etc.

The writing is very easy to read, there are no theories and counter-theories, no similes, qualifiers, speculation etc. It's really just the facts. There is also a lot of logic.

All in all, if you like Judy, you must read this book and the photographs cannot be found elsewhere. Get it.

This book is well-titled for it does present the golden moments of Judy Garland's life. I have read every book, seen every documentary, read hundreds of articles on this absolutely divine woman. Most of the books are trashy, gossip types. There are really only a small number of book about Judy worth reading and this latest definitely falls into that category, in my opinion. It is very well done and presents a new aspect to a much profiled life. There are countless quotes, sources and documentation ranging from personal letters to studio contracts. This is also the only book I have ever read on Judy that has all the facts straight on her family history. The author also does NOT use anonymous sources and does not interject her own thoughts or speculation into the Garland story. So many of the other Judy related books are laden with the author's and others' ideas of what MAY have happened in Judy's life.

The crowning glory to the book are the hundreds of amazing photos. As I said, I have read probably all that there is to be had about Judy and these photos and images are the rarest and most unique. The photos make you feel that you are there in 1930's and 40's Hollywood. They are well-chosen and beautifully reproduced.

The author knows that most people feed into, as well as on, the myth of The Tragedy of Judy Garland, but clearly shows why this is not the entire story. An all around great reading experience.

This is one of the best biographic books I've read on Judy Garland. I've never felt as close to the subject as I came through this book. Of particular interest, at least to this reader, is the alternative characteristic view of Judy. Everyone had heard about all her weaknesses, problems and struggles, but this book presents new information, new facts, in short, a whole new look at a much loved person and persona.It may not have every detail of her career, but it presents a whole new and very sincere portrait of Judy the sister, Judy the daughter, Judy the friend, Judy the mother and, also, of all those involved in her life. And the photos are just so lovely. I recommend to all Garland fans, especially for the younger or newer ones.

Those words explain not only this book, but its subject as well. My wife and I, like half of the rest of the world, have always loved Judy Garland and this book is the best example of why. Forget the rest of those tabloid, gossip books about Judy, this is one that you can read and re-read time and time again. Every time you open it you see something new. It's right in our family room. My daughters are big "Dorothy" fans and I have to buy another one just for them.

Judy Garland the great star, the diva, the singer supreme, the actress, the personality, the tragedy, we all know that side. This book gives us a picture of a person, a person with an extraordinary talent and gift to communicate. It shows us in glorious pictures a child destined for fame, a child that was loved, nurtured, spoiled and adored, in many ways an ordinary child at the center of a large and loving extended family. The book provides detailed family history tracing her roots back to Ireland, Scotland and Colonial America. It presents a portrait of how Judy was the culmination of generations of talent rather than the exploited ticket to easy street as so many think. Her family was well established, intelligent, cultured and focused. She was a natural singer and performer and her early involvement in showbusiness is presented to be driven more out of talent rather than financial need as widely thought. This book (clearly) shows how things can go (so) wrong when fame takes over and family influence is reduced or lost. Judy Garland was a daughter, sister, niece, granddaughter, aunt, cousin, wife, friend and mother. She loved and was loved and it is wonderful to see this side of her. She was intelligent, sensitive, caring and mischievious, she showed potential for writing and poetry and overall had a wider intelligence and talent than merely her voice. This book provides information that is important to understanding the star in her later years and the internal turmoil that she (must have)suffered as a result of some of her own stories. Great pictures of a young and vivacious girl, overall informative, well written and presented. Judy Garalnd an ordinary girl with extraordinary talent! The book leaves the reader with a good feeling about Judy and wanting to read more about her early life. A great addition to the Garland library and one that should stand as the difinitive source of her family background.

There is a lot of interesting text in this book, but even if you don't know how to read, you'll love it.

The best book for seeing Judy's life through photos. Some new information, too. A light, enjoyable read.

This is squarely a terrific book on Judy Garland. I have been trying to get it for a while and finally succeeded. It was worth the wait. It is really, really good. It has more information than you could imagine. More photos, facts and lots of interesting material. Get it fast. You will love it.

Got this book from Santa and he sure knows how to pick'em. I love it. I sat down with it Christmas Eve at midnight and next thing I knew, it was 2 am Christmas morning. Everyone has been looking at it since it sits out in our den...at least when I am not looking at it. Judy Garland - my all-time favorite. What an artist, what a tragedy that she is gone from us. But this book makes you live Judy again. The focus is on her younger, beautiful days. The photos are just fantastic and the text is detailed, but easy to follow. The author doesn't wrap her or anyone else's thoughts around a hundred extra words just to prove they have a vocabulary. The author is intent on shattering manyof the myths associated with Judy and presents many facts and quotes in doing so. Very upbeat. A pleasant journey through Judy's life that she doesn't often get!