Customer Reviews

Prince of players: Edwin Booth

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

 

 

It was the passing of Eleanor Ruggles, her obituary, that drew my interest. When it mentioned that she was the authoress of "The Prince of Players," my eyss blazed. That same film title in the fifties featured the youthful Richard Burton,giving him wide play of his Shakespearean chops, a treasured cult film of my collection. The obituary mentioned that no less than Edmund Wilson raved the merits of her narrative. I give this book the highest praise for anyone interested in that time when actors memorized entire plays and brought culture to the masses, pre-dating TV and mass media. You will learn our country's history and growth while the wonderful narrative builds unconsciously to its surprising end. This is no tame biography of the man, Edwin Booth, forgotten brother of John Wilkes Booth, but a sweeping look at the entire Booth family. There are dark horses and black sheep in most families. What this family gave to theatre and culture generally is monumental. Edwin, not only comes from the shadow of his father's fame and the cloud of shame of brother John Wilkes,but manages in the course of the narrative to shoot into the stars of tragedians, close to Shakespeare.One of the most moving and inspiring biographies I have read. Anyone who's troubled by family ghosts, addictions(theirs was alcohol)will find inspiration about prodding along, persevering with dignity beyond the harshest criticism over time to achieve untold success in the pages of this wonderful book. Superb storytelling, weaving facts with private correspondence. Shakespeare has it so right, here. We are only actors and Eleanor leaves us with a great mentor in her wonderfully realized work of art.