David Bret

I am a little sorry that I read Doris Day: Reluctant Star by David Bret as it certainly changed my vision of her. I did know that her life wasn’t easy and that when her husband died it came to light that he had been stealing from her for years, but I was a little disappointed to find that she seemed to need a man to lean upon, even if that man was a heel. After her husband’s death, other than fulfilling her commitments she really didn’t work much and then only did so when her son, show more Terry Melcher arranged things for her.

Doris began singing as a teenager and was often on local radio in Cincinnati but she became famous when she started touring with various Big Bands. It was with Les Brown and his Band of Renown that she had her first huge hit with “Sentimental Journey”. She also worked on Bob Hope’s radio show. Her first movie role came in 1948 with “Romance on the High Sea” and she went on to be in over 40 movies. Her biggest success came when she was partnered with Rock Hudson in a trio of light “sex” comedies and they became fast friends.

Her private life saw her under the control of one man or another. Her first two husbands were musicians, but it was the first that was the father of her child and who also beat her and was known to pull out a gun and point it at her. Her life with Melcher was no bed of roses and then finding out that he and his business partner squandered her earnings (and that of many other stars) left Doris devastated. After the court case that helped restore some of her lost funds, she moved to Carmel, California and became a virtual recluse, only coming out in public to make a stand for animal rights.

As a celebrity biography Doris Day: Reluctant Star covered all the bases. Every one of her movies and many of her albums are discussed in detail. Her private life is also examined and it was difficult to read about the turmoil and heartbreak that she to endure. This American actress, singer and animal activist has become a legend and she truly was smiling on the outside while hiding her inner sorrow. show less

2.5 stars

"Find Me A New Way To Die " The Untold Story
was an interesting read l/listen about the life of the renowned Singer Edith Piaf. I really loved the title of this book as Edith Piaf thoughout her singing career was constantly asking her songwritters to find her new ways to die not for herself but for the characters in her songs.

I was only familiar with a couple of Edith Piaf songs but the couple I knew I really enjoyed listening to her voice and can see why she became so famous. I show more read this book because I knew absolutly nothing about Piaf's life or how she found fame.

While I did find the book interesting and I did learn a lot about her songs, their meaning (some which were very crude) and the numerous love affairs , I dont think I really got to know Edith Piaf as a person at all and perhaps this not the fault of the author but that Piaf perferred to remain a mystery.

I will be interested to see how fans and lover's of Piaf enjoy this "Untold Stroy" but for me it fell sort of flat and I got a little bored of all the love affairs and numerous names mentioned throughout the book.

I listened to this book and perhaps reading it would enhance the experience as the book contains photos.

An interesting book but not one for my favourite shelf. show less

This is a DNF for me which is quite unusual for me. I read about 45 pages of what seems to be a high school student's book report on Edward IV. The author only uses footnotes mostly to namedrop people in the book and only occasionally in a footnote format an English teacher would approve of. The biography is lazy, filled with suppositions and gossip which isn't surprising since the author seems to mainly write biographies of Hollywood stars. 'Henry VI never had sex' and 'John Dynham was gay' show more are two of his dubious propositions. While they may be true, he offers no contemporary evidence, or indeed, any evidence except his own suppositions.
I'd recommend the excellent biography by John Ashdown-Hill if you're looking for information about Edward IV. show less

Enjoyed a book that would indulge in story-telling but not too much on the sex scenes. Dante's life in Hollywood may seem unbelievable but the mere fact that he just happens to be lucky and bold, gives the story a different perspective.

Sometimes, I wish more are shared on the struggle - to dwell in the thoughts of the lead or the other male characters but Bret seemed to be more interested to get the story moving.

I am looking forward to read more Bret's work.