Customer Reviews

Lauren Bacall: By Myself

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4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

She was the husky-voiced rising star, and he was the grizzled veteran. While "Laurel Bacall: By Myself" covers much of Bacall's life, the centerpiece of it is her marriage to Humphrey Bogart. Here Bacall reflects back on her eventful life, relationship and how things are for her since.

Teenage Betty Bacall first saw Humphrey Bogart in "Casablanca," and decidedly did not think he was sexy. But she started to think otherwise when she became a rising model-turned-starlet in Hollywood, a nervous budding It-girl. She met and befriended Bogart, then trapped in an alcoholic, abusive marriage with a woman he didn't love.

Their friendship quickly become a hidden love affair, despite their age difference. After his divorce from third wife Mayo, the two of them married and had two children, until Bogart's untimely death of cancer. Bacall chronicles her sorrow at his loss, and her life "by herself."

Bacall does a good job with this biography. She writes her own life story as a smart but insecure woman who isn't afraid to reveal her embarrassments and flaws. She comes across as a lot stronger than she believes herself to be, though she falters quite a bit in middle-age. At times Bacall may frustrate readers by being somewhat clueless about her own relationships and marriages (drinking and marital discord).

"By Myself" is not exceptionally written, however; the style is quite plain and lacks quite a few details. Bacall compensates somewhat with her dry, self-deprecating wit and forthrightness. There's a bit of lingering displeasure with some people like her ex-husband and Bogart's ex-wife Mayo, but Bacall keeps any negative feelings strictly reined in, and her discreet.

Don't expect lots of dirt and dish -- Bacall clearly isn't interested in talking about glitz and tawdry little affairs people around her were having. Nor does she name-drop a lot -- after all, why would Lauren Bacall have to? Rather she's interested in the solid, serious romance she and Bogie had, and the day-to-day life of acting, and her family with her adoring, very supportive mother and her children.

This is "old Hollywood" as people like to remember it. For fans of real love and romance, not to mention old Hollywood, this is a must-read.

Neither judgmental nor defensive, "Lauren Bacall, By Myself" is the best autobiography I have ever read. Extensive and quite well-written, it covers so much ground that fans of the old Hollywood and Broadway days will doubtless love this book whether they particularly like Bacall herself or not. I liked the fact that she did not divide the book into chapters; life is not that way and reading this bio is just like stepping into Bacall's life and seeing it with your own eyes. Cleverly titled (am I the only one who senses a double meaning) and full of life, "Lauren Bacall, By Myself" is a literary achievement for Bacall and a great pleasure for any reader.

The biggest reason to read this autobiography is to learn about one of the greatest showbiz romances, between film stars Humphrey Bogart and Lauren (Betty) Bacall. It culminated in marriage, movies and children together, lasted 11 years, and only ended because of Bogart's death in his late 50s due to cancer. In and of itself, that is a wonderful story that any woman especially will adore. There are many other pleasures in this book though. Bacall recalls her growing up years with an extraordinary mother and close knit Jewish extended family that saw her through every milestone of her life, including her mother's showing up at a college campus to find Bacall's son when needed. She was a great beauty from the start and got her career going with modeling that ultimately branched off into acting. She also recounts her successes on the stage and her romances with Frank Sinatra (very odd) and Jason Robards, who she married and later divorced. She has two children by Bogart and one by Robards and touches on them as well.

I have never considered myself a Lauren Bacall fan but having recently rewatched To Have And Have Not, her film debut, I became intrigued about her and Bogart so I picked up this book after reading such positive reviews here at Amazon.

Well, was I surprised. First this is a very well written autobiography that demonstrates a keen intelligence and a reflectiveness on the past that is truly admirable. It is also incredibly honest and not just a recitation of a Hollywood star's accomplishments.

From Bacall's youth in New York where she tried desperately to find a place in the theater to her ultimate return to the stage as a star after spending years in California as Mrs. Bogart and raising a family, every stage of her life is well examined.

Bogart emerges as a truly good guy, not perfect but clearly they were a great match despite the obvious age difference.

Some of the episodes in her life with Bogart have the added quality of capturing a period in Hollywood and the film industry that is long gone. Bacall isn't and doesn't need to be a name dropper but so many famous characters pop in and out of her story that it is a virtual who's who of 1940's Hollywood.

What I initally picked up as a casual read turned into something much deeper. Lauren Bacall , who I knew little about before reading this is a woman who I came to really like as a result of this book.

Well written and well worth checking out for filmfans, fans of Bogart or anyone interested in acting and theater and the celebrity life of the 40's and 50's.

I thought this was interesting view into Lauren Bacall's life - it seemed very candid. A peek into the world of Humphrey Bogart's life, his love for drinking, sailing, acting and Lauren. Her love affair with Bogart starting at such an early age, she grew up depending either on her mother or Bogie, never really experiencing life on her own until Bogie died.
She recounts many aspects of her life such as how Bette Davis played a role in her beginning and how being Jewish had an impact on her life at that time. All through her highs and lows she had an inner strength that kept her going, a remarkable woman.

I like a good star biography (or autobiography) as much as the next person, but this one is exceptional. Lauren "Betty" Bacall is an intelligent, humorous and honest writer. Her romance with Bogie, as she tells it in the book, becomes even more legendary. A densely written autobiography, it is still a page turner and kept my interest even after I had read past the zenith of her career (which is where I usually put the book down and move on). If you are interested in the Golden Age of Hollywood, the Studio System, Great Movie Stars and Famous Lovers--this is the book for you.

I read this book 20 years ago when it first came out and I couldn't put it down. The love story between her and Bogey was sweet, but tragic. His death was so detailed in this book that when my own father was dying I couldn't help but relate back to her description of Bogey's final hours. It made me sob for her. The mention of Hollywood in the 50's and all of the corrupt politicians trying to blackball performers is deplorable. I believe Ms. Bacall is our current Kate Hepburn - a no BS kind of Hollywood woman that is still well-respected and greatly admired.

"By Myself" is by far one of the best autobiographies I've read. An insider's view of Hollywood's Golden Age, Bacall pulls no punches discussing her relationships with Bogie and Jason Robards, as well as their small circle of friends, including John Huston and Katherine Hepburn. Her story of Bogart's funeral was one of the most heart-rending chapter's I've ever read. Her love of the man shines through in every chapter. A very worthwhile read

One of the best books I have ever read. A great love story for the romantic in all of us. It goes behind the scenes of hollywood, to reveal a relationship that started out on the sly; with a love that would last a lifetime. Very sad, yet a love we all wish we could find. I couldn't put it down. Bacall is a true heroine, a person easy to relate to. Her descriptions and writing flows nicely, and its like your chatting with a friend, rather then reading about a famous actress. It caught my attention right from the start, when hearing about her struggle to make it big!

One of the best autobiographies/memoirs I've ever come across. And, I'm not saying that because I am a great Bogart/Bacall fan, but because Betty (Ms. Bacall's real name) can write--this is one great book!

It's not a drag out all the dirty laundry type of book--it's a straightforward look back at her life as a Jewish girl from Brooklyn who came from a broken home, fiercely loved by her mother and her extended family. Far from being a stage mother, Betty's mother, Natalie, helped her daughter get the things she wanted, by hard work and sacrifice.

After a short modeling career, Betty was discovered by director Howard Hawks' wife, Slim, and Betty was under personal contract. She was slated to star in "To Have and Have Not," and there met the man she'd later marry--Humphrey Bogart. Her years with him are best described by Betty, and it's so sad that Bogie died too soon--I think they would have been a couple that grew old together.

After Bogie's death, her life and career were in a state of flux for some time--an affair with Sinatra, her short-lived marriage to Jason Robards, and her decision to go it alone. She finds success on Broadway, and a rebirth happens--she's back in the spotlight, where she so rightfully belongs.

I recommend this book highly, along with her sequel: "Lauren Bacall: Now." A classy dame, and as Bogie once said: "She's a real Joe. You'll fall in love with her like everyone else."