This is the closest thing to sitting next to Mary, daughter of Richard Rodgers, at a dinner where she tells about her life. She knew everybody in the This is the closest thing to sitting next to Mary, daughter of Richard Rodgers, at a dinner where she tells about her life. She knew everybody in the Broadway crowd from 1940-2000 and in this memoir isn't afraid of telling all. She is funny, informative, gossipy, and though she considers herself second tier, talented. Her way with music was good, but her way with words is amazing. She had me laughing practically every page. She democratically skewers everyone, including herself, and gives kudos where they are due. I loved learning the backstory behind so many musicals (including her own Once Upon a Mattress).
I learned many tidbits: She wrote freakin' Freaky Friday for crying out loud. A classic! And "William's Doll" from Free to Be....You and Me." Her friendship with the genius Stephen Sondheim. Her charity work with educational boards. and so much more.
The book is long, and for me it took a long time. I loved the format. She tells the stories while her coauthor footnotes extensively, making it feel like a dialogue between the two. Footnotes are a favorite of mine, and these tell the back backstory and are often as witty as the original story.
I think this would be a great read for those who love Broadway, just remember she doesn't whitewash anything including her own shortcomings. It is a great book about feminism and making your way in a sexist world. It is also for those who love wit and a great turn of phrase. There are too many to remember, but a couple of my favorites:
When describing a saccharine song she agreed to write for Shari Lewis: "In my defense, that was during the period when I would basically do anything. And that period has been my whole life."
And later when describing yet another flop she was involved in: "If only you could tell rottenness in advance, the way you can spot a mushy banana. But all new ideas look identically great before they're peeled"...more
This political history/horror will bring back all the moments you forgot/repressed from the 2016 election. This is Tur's memoir detailing her coverageThis political history/horror will bring back all the moments you forgot/repressed from the 2016 election. This is Tur's memoir detailing her coverage of Donald Trump from the moment he announced his run for the presidency to election night. You wouldn't want to be a reporter covering any candidate for president--it is an unending marathon. This is the Bizarro world version of T.H. White's The Making of the President 1960 or 64 or 68. Look how far we've come in 50 years....more
This is a great memoir about growing up in the 24 hour news cycle age. Tur's parents were pioneers in bringing the car chase live to our televisions. This is a great memoir about growing up in the 24 hour news cycle age. Tur's parents were pioneers in bringing the car chase live to our televisions. This history of journalism is interesting, but the family dynamics of her life are even more so. From OJ Simpson to Madonna and Sean Penn's wedding to the 2016 Trump Campaign, to January 6th, Tur had a front row seat....more
This is a troubling story. It is interesting, but so much of it makes you why. Why would Elvis want a teenager as a girlfriend. Why would any girl putThis is a troubling story. It is interesting, but so much of it makes you why. Why would Elvis want a teenager as a girlfriend. Why would any girl put up with the things Priscilla did. Why wouldn't the Colonel let Elvis be a serious actor. Why did Elvis's greatness just dribble away in drugs, lifestyle, and weirdness. Why did Priscilla, the reader of the book, laugh in so many places that were just tragic. In total it raised many more questions than it answered about their life together....more
I enjoyed this book about famous math errors/tragedies in recent history. It should be a must read for engineers, computer programmers, mathematiciansI enjoyed this book about famous math errors/tragedies in recent history. It should be a must read for engineers, computer programmers, mathematicians, and medical personnel. I found some chapters a little beyond me, and I would recommend skipping them if they are beyond you. You won't miss the points he is making with this book. Most chapters are told with great humor that makes them all entertaining. I did learn a lot about using spreadsheets instead of databases, how even the smartest of us can make horrible mistakes, and just like in high school students' assignments, misplaced decimal points are all over creation....more
3.5 Stars. This is an exhaustive look at the return of the Savior for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I appreciate his res3.5 Stars. This is an exhaustive look at the return of the Savior for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I appreciate his research and compilation of prophecies and other sources to make a readable overview. I would have loved a timeline chart to help me visualize the time order (not the date) of all the events.* I would have also appreciated more footnotes for some of his conclusions. He doesn't shy away from predictions (date ranges) that make me nervous. It is a good motivator to become aware of what is going on and my own personal preparedness.
*Undoubtedly a project I should do for myself....more
I didn't think they could make this interesting story of women and children of the Lebaron clan killed in Mexico by drug cartels/enemies/who knows borI didn't think they could make this interesting story of women and children of the Lebaron clan killed in Mexico by drug cartels/enemies/who knows boring and confusing, but she did. It was overlong, too detailed with confusing characters and too short on a narrative that could follow...more
This investigation into the woman behind Go Ask Alice, Jay's Journal, and the satanic panic was mind-blowing. Having read both books (and thinking theThis investigation into the woman behind Go Ask Alice, Jay's Journal, and the satanic panic was mind-blowing. Having read both books (and thinking them real), I consider myself one of the victims/dupes. Inflating credentials, making a story "better" through embellishments are one thing. Outright lying and treating parents cruelly are something else. Interesting reading with a Utah connection....more
This book of poetry/Mother in Heaven/doctrine brought me back to when I first read her books: Beginnings and The Search in high school. They are beautThis book of poetry/Mother in Heaven/doctrine brought me back to when I first read her books: Beginnings and The Search in high school. They are beautiful, meaningful, and thought provoking. This is a book that is meant to be savored and pondered upon. She may be the best LDS poet for her time since Eliza R. Snow. Or maybe just the best of all time. Thanks to her for touching me both in adolescence and very ripe maturity....more
This is a very good behind the scenes of the morning/news business along with her personal life. She does go there with both the good, bad, and ugly tThis is a very good behind the scenes of the morning/news business along with her personal life. She does go there with both the good, bad, and ugly times of her life. The audiobook is great as she narrates, but also has actually audio of some of her famous interviews and important moments. ...more
The chronicles the team that searched for the source that revealed the hiding place of the Frank family. Working 76 years after the fact, this team seThe chronicles the team that searched for the source that revealed the hiding place of the Frank family. Working 76 years after the fact, this team searched records and witnesses (and their descendants) worldwide to see if they could answer this question. The first third of the book describes the years of the Frank's hiding and betrayal, while the rest of the book describes the search. Theories and leads are exhaustively run down. This also gives a history of the aftermath and the search for justice the survivors sought. This is excellent, and will surprise you with new information on this old, but timeless story....more
This is an entertaining memoir of a standup comic I'd never heard of. I have now googled her and watched some of her act. She is funny, real, ChristiaThis is an entertaining memoir of a standup comic I'd never heard of. I have now googled her and watched some of her act. She is funny, real, Christian and clean. I will watch for her in the future. ...more
This memoir of one of England's most famous pathologists sheds light on the changes in the science over the last 30 years in excruciating detail, inclThis memoir of one of England's most famous pathologists sheds light on the changes in the science over the last 30 years in excruciating detail, including some famous cases (Princess Diana among other English tragedies) I enjoyed it, but not for the faint-hearted. ...more
It is so good to have a new set of essays from David Sedaris. The audiobook is like being to one of his readings. This series deals with the death of It is so good to have a new set of essays from David Sedaris. The audiobook is like being to one of his readings. This series deals with the death of his father, and though often dark, he is always humorous. ...more
This is one of the more important works on the theology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Explaining and reviewing the evolution of This is one of the more important works on the theology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Explaining and reviewing the evolution of Christian theology, the Givens uncover great truths and moments of great divergences in the history of Christianity and their relationship to the Restoration. Exactly what was restored and what we need to use in our lives gives great hope and appreciation for this Divine gift....more
A scientific look at why we need sleep to survive. Sleep cool, go to bed and get up at the same time, and get 8 hours. He makes a great case for doingA scientific look at why we need sleep to survive. Sleep cool, go to bed and get up at the same time, and get 8 hours. He makes a great case for doing all those things and more. Sleep just might be the panacea that the world needs....more
This is an amazing biography of one of my favorite writers. I learned much about her life and career. Though Rebecca was her triumph, it was also a liThis is an amazing biography of one of my favorite writers. I learned much about her life and career. Though Rebecca was her triumph, it was also a little bit of an albatross, as it labelled her a gothic romance/popular writer. She was much more than that with numerous nonfiction works-that I never realized--and an amazing personal life touching WWII heroes, Queen Elizabeth, and many acting and literary giants. ...more
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