Swanson on Swanson [Hardcover]

Gloria Swanson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1980

Once the most famous woman in the world, she still found time to be a loving mother. Worshipped by the world's most dynamic men on screen, and off, and adored by no less than six husbands, directed by such powerhouses as Chaplin, DeMille, Stroheim, Billy Wilder, she surrendered her will to no man. Offered a million-plus tax free dollars by Paramount, she defied the studio to become her own boss. Surviving scandal, disaster, near-death and the collapse of that wonderland called Hollywood - alive, extraordinary, triumphant - this is Gloria Swanson!

Product Details

• Hardcover: 535 pages
• Publisher: Random House Inc (T); 1st edition (October 1980)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0394506626
• ISBN-13: 978-0394506623
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.1 x 1.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #412,374 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Silent Screen Legend and so much more..., May 3, 2003

By 

Wendy-Marie Chabot "The Bad Gwen" (Central CT) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Swanson on Swanson (Hardcover)

Gloria Swanson exuded something special from every inch of her tiny frame. Unfortunately if Gloria Swanson is known at all today, it is for her role as Norma Desmond in "Sunset Boulevard" and too many people assume Gloria was Norma in real-life.

Her very candid autobiography reveals a women who was more than just a clotheshorse. Her formal education was limited but like Joan Crawford who came after her, Gloria never stopped learning. Like many film stars, she endured a string of unhappy marriages and paid the price for her fame and career literally in blood.

But there is much happiness in her life. Swanson was the mother of three children, an avid advocate of natural medicines and healthful living with a keen interest in the arts.

Sadly, Gloria Swanson has passed on and her book is not readily available in the major bookstores. The time taken to obtain a copy for your own is well worth the price.

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Swanson on Swanson, December 2, 1999

By 

Joshua W. Oakley (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Swanson on Swanson (Paperback)

What a beautiful story about a beautiful women. One of the biggest stars of all time its true that the pictures have gotten smaller. Miss Swanson talks candidley and eloquently about her life and the early days of Hollywood. It is sad that most of these wonderful actors are now almost forgotten. If you can get your hands on a copy of this book, Do So!

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An inspiring book about a great star!, March 22, 2006

By 

Snowbrocade (Santa Barbara, CA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Swanson on Swanson (Paperback)

This is one of my favorite movie star bios--Swanson was one of the biggest stars of the twenties--and when you see the photos in the book you can see why--what a gorgeous woman! This is someone who had contact with some of the biggest stars of her time--the gossip is fun!

She seems quite intelligent and when her career bombed early due to scandal, she focused on other aspects of her life. Swanson tells her story in a friendly conversational tone. A good, fun read that provides information about Hollywood of the 20's and 30's.