Customer Reviews

Vernon and Irene Castle's Ragtime Revolution

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

 

 

Eve Golden's many books, particularly Bride of Golden Images, Vamp: The Rise and Fall of Theda Bara,The Brief, Madcap Life of Kay Kendall and Platinum Girl: The Life and Legends of Jean Harlow are each noteworthy for her thorough scholarship and her own lightness of touch. Clearly, she cherishes the Castles in all their artistry, foibles and their fascinating effect on popular culture, (they were largely responsible for making dancing in public acceptable for middle class people in America).

However, Eve is never blind to her subject's faults but has some compassion for them. For example, as Ms. Golden describes him, Vernon was a disastrous business man who would sign any contract put before him and Irene, a wondrous fashion plate and a joy to see move in what few fragments of film remain, was also a bit of a snob, having grown up in a monied family. The delightful stories about a little known period when the Castles became teachers, choreographers, trend-setters and, in their spare time, animal rights activists is captured beautifully as the author conveys the social and economic changes of their era as well as the idiosyncrasies of the individuals who shaped that period.

This is only the latest book of Eve Goldens' work that I have enjoyed. Spending time in her company once again is a pleasure and an education. Thank you, Ms. Golden. PLEASE keep writing your literate and highly amusing histories and biographies.

I was so thrilled to find this book. As a longtime fan of classic movies I was familiar with the movie The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers and I always wondered how much of the story was true since Hollywood biographical films are notorious for playing fast and loose with the facts. This is a well written and researched biography of the famous husband and wife dance team. I'm so glad that after the passage of so many years there was enough information still available for Ms. Golden to write this book, some have never been published before, like the fact that they planned to divorce after Vernon returned from the war. She was even able to interview Irene Castle's son by a later marriage and the daughter of the woman who might have become Vernon's second wife if he had not died so tragically during World War I. I highly recommend this book, along with Ms. Golden's previous biographies of Jean Harlow, Theda Bara, and Anna Held, to anyone interested in theatrical and movie history and to fans of the Astaire and Rogers movie who would like to know the true story.

I have read almost all of Eve Golden's books and never cease to be amazed at the fine research she puts into each project. In this book, I learned so much about the 1910s and 1920s as well as about the Castles. Golden teaches you why the people she is writing about are relevant and why they were so important to a certain time in history. I liked the characterizations of both Castles. Golden did a fine job being unbiased, showing the good and bad sides of their personalities. For anyone who thinks the Castles are like they were portrayed in the Astaire and Rogers movie, just read this book and be surprised! It was not all roses and sunshine. I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in pop culture, theater, dance, or to anyone who just wants a really good read! Try this author and you won't be disappointed!

As with Eve Golden's previous biographies, "The Castles" (to save space) combines extensive research with a very readable and entertaining style. What I like about her writing is that Ms.Golden evokes not just the lives of Vernon and Irene Castle, but the era from which they emerged and which they influenced. As with her previous books, especially those on Anna Held and Kay Kendall, she takes figures who have sadly slipped from the public consciousness and places them back into their social context and thus reinstates their importance. Anyone interested in Twentieth Century dance (and, in fact, the history of popular entertainment in the last century) will enjoy this book. One should not, however, expect a dry academic tome: she is much too smart a writer for that. Her sly (and dry) sense of humour makes for an easy and entertaining read. Highly recommended!