Customer Reviews

Shirley Bassey: Diamond Diva

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Very frustrating book....seems to have borrowed what he could from other authors while devoting half the book on a few years in the 50's and then decades pass by in a few pages (60-70's). I read the first part full of interest and was totally disappointed with the rest, you cant write over half a book about a 5 year period and then just skip the rest.This woman has been in showbiz for 50 years

Shirley Bassey; Diamond Diva
By Peter Hogan


I have been a Shirley Bassey fan for several decades. Her ability to move me, uplift me, motivate me and make me think has become a tool for life I have become accustomed to having.

Although there have been a few books written about her over the last 15 years, Peter Hogan has captured a profile of this mega star and presented it to us in a format that lets us see how true stars make themselves, develop themselves and create their own sustainability.

Few of us lead lives that could withstand public scrutiny. With the trend these days leaning toward tearing down people (stars especially) Peter looks very respectfully into her past in a way that helps us understand her drive and determination . This personal and revealing peak into Dame Bassey's life inspired me very much. Though wealthy and quite comfortable now, she has worked hard, kept her nose clean, and taken care of her mother. Turbulent plane rides, illness and sorrow rarely keep DSB from her performances. In a career that spans over 50 years, it was inspiring to learn she only cancelled 1 concert during this fabulous career.

If she never performed again she would forever be remembered as a once in a lifetime talent. However, Shirley did something I've never seen done before. Already an internationally known mega star, she reinvented herself!

Starting with recording The Living Tree, a song that made even made her hair stand up, the concert at Glastonbury which introduced The Dame to an entirely new audience, to partnering with the best and sometimes youngest song writing talent across Europe. She proved once again that she can always learn new things and continue to inspire all of humanity.

Not only an overwhelmingly talented Diva, The Dame has a gift of making people feel that anything is possible - with a little perseverance, and gumption.

Her talent, her life story motivate me and empower me to help others. Thanks Peter for giving us a closer look at the history of this wonderful talent!

One of the best voices ever with a huge following. Her story is real and the voice isn't matched by any singer today.