10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Garland Biography, July 4, 2006
This review is from: Rainbow: The stormy life of Judy Garland (Hardcover)
With appropriate candor and reserve, Christopher Finch not only presents Judy's life and work, but examines every piece of information he receives with level-headedness and occasional suspicion. This is no sugar-sweet fanletter to Judy, this is an almost scholarly approach to her extraordinary life. Especially fine insight is given to her earlier years and childhood surroundings, allowing the reader a glimpse into what may have possibly impacted Judy's psyche later on in her life.
Judy Garland, born Frances Ethel Gumm, lived an incredible life, her career spanning every field of show business from film to radio to live performance. Name any award of performing arts, and she's won it: Oscar, Grammy, Tony, Golden Globe...the list goes on. In her short 47 years, she managed to attain the status of "living legend", and still continues to delight generation after generation in her enduring film and record work. However, her life was not the fairy tale story of a show business princess. It was filled with tragedy, hardship, and soaring joys. She had basically no childhood, most likely addicted to pills at the tender age of 15 due to her exhausting work schedule, was forced to abort her first child, and was always belittled and made to believe she was not beautiful. How amazing is it that a person subjected to such sorrows could bring joy to millions and millions of people? And even at the tragic end, she retained a fabulous sense of humor and derring-do for life. In my opinion, one of the century's three best singers (along with Edith Piaf and Sinatra). She could sing the lyrics of a page and make you believe every word of it.
(wow, I've wandered off-topic, back to the book now)
In conclusion, a light and quick read, Finch's meticulously researched biography is excellent for the straight facts of Judy's life and career with an occasional aside from the author. Highly recommended for any budding Garland fan (or anyone in general).
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Best of Garland Biographies, December 5, 2001
It is a shame that this book is currently out of print, for it is to my mind the only completely satisfying biography of entertainer Judy Garland available. Finch not only writes about Garland's life in well researched, eloquent prose, his work also provides a broad overview of the world and times in which Garland both worked and lived, with considerable reference to those who shaped her personality and her art, and who contributed to both public and private successes and failings. Truly a masterpiece of the biography genre, drenched with seldom-seen photographs as well.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
ABSOLUTLY FANTASTIC!, April 11, 2000
This is doubtless one of the greatest books ever written on the legendary Judy Garland! When you read this book you KNOW how much work has been put into it. So many wonderful insights from Mr. Finch. It's not one of those Judy-does-no-wrong books where the author simply trusts her word. Here, Mr.Finch question what she said and analyses it. Like what she says about her mother being an evil stage mom watching her from the wings. He has done lots of research to prove what he has written. Many articles from local papers following the activities of the Gumm Sisters. Judy sister Virginia says alot in this book aswell. And lots of great pictures too! I couldn't put it down, it's wonderful. Greatly entertaining. I hear this book is pretty hard to find, so good luck. It's definetly worth the search.
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