Liz: An Intimate Biography of Elizabeth Taylor [Hardcover]

C. David Heymann (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1995

A long-awaited, unauthorized biography by the author of A Woman Named Jackie draws on more than a thousand interviews to provide a candid, provocative study of Taylor's film career, turbulent private life, health problems, and more. 500,000 first printing.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In a clear-eyed, often startling look at the woman behind the mask, Heymann portrays actress Elizabeth Taylor as, on the one hand, a resilient survivor of career droughts, emotional disasters, drug and alcohol addiction and illnesses, and on the other, an acquisitive, overindulged, caustic, wildly romantic narcissist urgently needing love and attention. The main outlines of the story are familiar: the London-born child star, overprotected by an ambitious mother and an alcoholic father, breaks away from studio regimentation by marrying hotel heir Conrad "Nicky" Hilton, an alcoholic wife-beater, followed by a succession of husbands whom she generally treats shabbily. Nevertheless, Heymann, bestselling biographer of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Barbara Hutton, interviewed hundreds of Taylor's friends, lovers, co-workers and associates, whose candid recollections, seamlessly woven into the narrative, provide a wealth of intimate detail found in no other biography. Although Donald Spoto's new biography of Taylor, A Passion for Life (Forecasts, March 20), is more analytical, sharply focused and much stronger on film criticism, Heymann's portrait will rivet fans.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"Clear-eyed, often startling. . . . A wealth of intimate detail found in no other biography." —Publishers Weekly

“Like Marilyn, JFK, and Lincoln, Elizabeth Taylor seems destined for literary eternity.” —Liz Smith, New York Post --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 526 pages
• Publisher: Citadel (April 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1559722673
• ISBN-13: 978-1559722674
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #367,237 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars It's just a great story to read, January 19, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Liz: An Intimate Biography of Elizabeth Taylor (Paperback)

I've not seen many Liz Taylor's movies before, but since I read the book, I became highly interested to see her films, just to be able to check what I read in this book with how she performs/appears in a particular movie as mentioned in the book. In the beginning of my reading, the book gives me a mix feeling towards Liz Taylor, more negative than positive. But after I finished reading I really felt for her. In short, the story reveals her complicated life in the most open manner. It tells everything you want to know about Liz Taylor, from birth up to the latest marriage (and divorce). It also exposes her severe addiction to drugs and alcohol which is very shocking. What a life story! I enjoy reading the book because it flows smoothly, it is insightful and it gives detail information for every occassion in the story. It is a great book to read.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Pictures, Fascnating reading, July 28, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Liz: An Intimate Biography of Elizabeth Taylor (Hardcover)

The pictures of beautiful child-star Liz Taylor to the Liz of the 90's are fabulous. Beautifully written book of a Hollywood legend. Absorbing and juicy. Intimate look at her glamourous and turbulent life. Her many romances with famous men, her movie career, weight swings, battles with drug and alcohol dependence, humanitarian work. Really gives you the feeling of knowing her.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "The Definitive Liz Taylor Biography", November 18, 2010

By 

Terry Richard "Terry Richard" (Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Liz: An Intimate Biography of Elizabeth Taylor (Hardcover)

Look on any Amazon book page and type in Elizabeth Taylor; there you will find dozens of books written on one of the biggest Hollywood stars of all-time. This book, simply entitled "Liz" and written by "A Woman Named Jackie" author C. David Heymann, is a well-written and well-researched account on the most popular female star of her time. In these 526 pages Heymann traces Liz's early beginnings in England to her discovery as a child actress in "National Velvet". That appearance would propell her to Hollywood superstardom that few have ever known.

"Liz" traces not only Taylor's magificent acting career in such Oscar-winning performances in "Butterfield 8" and "Who'a Afraid of Virginia Wolf?", but Liz's personal life, her marriages and lovers. Heyman not only discusses how Liz was the very first Hollywood celebrity to tackle the AIDS epidemic and raise funds and awareness for those with HIV/AIDS, but her own personal demons with alcohol and prescription drugs.

Included is an informative filmography detailing Liz's film credits along with those she starred with, director's names, and the year in which her movies were released. There is also a section of her made-for-television films and stage appearances. Many black and white photographs are included.

I have read many Elizabeth Taylor biographies, but "Liz" is simply filled with neat anecdotes and info. The book is long out-of-print, but many are available through Amazon by personal sellers at affordable prices.