Valentino was the hero-worshipped, legendary Latin lover of the silent screen, the smouldering-eyed fabled Sheik to whom the world's women swooned. The author talked to friends of the star wh ohave until now remained silent; and followed up leads, coming up with the truth about about his childhood, his sex-life, and his mysterious death. The book includes the story of his rags-to-riches life and reveals the answers to questions to: why two wives walked out of his life - one on thier wedding night; why he was arrested for bigamy; if he really was The Great Lover off screen, or if he was just a jumped up gigolo; what the taunt was that haunted him to the grave and why people claimed he had been murdered - shot or poisoned.
In 1995, a secret society of Britain's foremost thinkers, writers, and artists formed to trade and share in what founding member, playwright and journalist Keith Waterhouse, would call "totally bloody useless" information-usually over a pint or two at a local pub. Now, The Useless Information Society regurgitates its bizarre findings for American readers in this first of what they threaten will be several volumes.
Noel Botham is chairman and founding member of the UIS.
