Designing the Hamptons: Portraits of Interiors

Book Description

Customer Reviews:

really heartwarming.......2007-08-26

I loved this book so much.I recently adopted a dog after many years of only pedigree versions. I will always save a life and adopt from now on! My other 3 dogs with papers aren't so sure of this decision!

Found Dogs.......2007-07-10

As a dog lover and a current owner of 4 dogs (2 of whom were rescues) I applaud each and every pet owner in this book and I thank Elise Lufkin for putting these stories together so that they may be enjoyed by the people who rescue any animal or is thinking about rescuing. The joy and love these pets bring into a home is unbelievable.

Second Chances.......2007-05-07

As the mama of an adopted stray dog from the ASPCA I am very interested in saved cats and dogs,(I have also taken in a stray cat). To me rescued animals are the best pets. The books that I have read are all happy books, there may be a lot of saddness in them, but for the most part they have a happy ending.
Amazon is full of books on cats and dogs, the selection can't be beat!

Found Dogs hits the mark.......2007-01-25

Whereas many tales of homeless pets end with less than stellar results, this book and its companion book, Second Chances: More tales of Found Dogs, concentrates on the happy endings of many pets who found loving homes. The book is beautifully done with pictures illustrating the joy of having adopted a loving pet.

Excellent.......2007-01-12

What a heartwarming book! Beautiful pictures and wonderful stories!! This book would be great for anyone and everyone.

Average customer rating:

Diana Scheunemann (Collana)
Rankin
Manufacturer: Damiani
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 8889431148
Release Date: 2005-09-15

Book Description

Photographer Diana Scheunemann has shot high-fashion advertising with gorgeous, statuesque models and she has shot sexually frank pictures of her friends (who look like gorgeous, statuesque models), but here's the real artistry: She manages to pull it off so that a sense of play rather than envy or lust or exploitation is paramount. Scheunemann is not interested in the mopey model pout. Her subjects enjoy their romps in the buff, clearly at ease with her camera. The sex is real but hardly titillating (well, maybe a little). Her work resembles a more polished version of her fellow countryman Wolfgang Tillmans's photographs of his friends--spontaneous, open, and real. This book is part of the new series called Damiani Forward, focusing on new, up and coming photographers.

Diana Princess of Wales by Mario Testino at Kensington Palace: Princess of Wales

Average customer rating:

Don't waste your $$
The way Diana was never seen before
A must have for Diana book collectors
Absolutely a must for a Diana fan.
Okay.

Diana Princess of Wales by Mario Testino at Kensington Palace: Princess of Wales

Manufacturer: Taschen
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 3822849308

Book Description

Diana, Princess of Wales at her most beautiful: the last portrait session by Mario Testino. Just five months before her tragic death in August 1997, Princess Diana was photographed by Mario Testino for Vanity Fair. Diana, Princess of Wales by Mario Testino at Kensington Palace brings together the most beautiful images from this last portrait sitting, displaying Diana in a state of relaxation and intimacy unlike any other. The selection of about seventy photographs includes many unseen images which, alongside previously published images, fill in the untold story of the shoot. Features include * Foreword by Graydon Carter, editor of Vanity Fair * Introduction by Meredith Etherington-Smith, who played a major role in arranging the sitting in 1997 * Interview with Mario Testino conducted by Hamish Bowles

Customer Reviews:

Don't waste your $$.......2007-08-20

AWFUL! Only a few photos, repeated several times, most were out of focus. Would never have purchased if I could have looked inside. I guess that's why it was wrapped in plastic in a local bookstore.

The way Diana was never seen before.......2007-07-06

Although you can buy plenty of other books with photos of Diana, Testino photographed her like no one else. She looks casual, relaxed and happy in these photos. Diana does not look at all "glammed" up with excessive makeup and hair styling. The way you would see her at home, inspite of the gowns she wears in these photos. Testino captured a Diana that was probably only seen by family and friends, and in these shots he shared that Diana with the rest of the world.

A must have for Diana book collectors.......2007-02-24

I absolutely love the pictures of Diana in this book. I have been collecting Diana books for years and this is one of my all-time favorites.

Absolutely a must for a Diana fan. .......2007-01-16

This book is simply beautiful. It follows the photo shoot of Mario Testino's famous black and white photos of Diana. There is not a whole lot of text, simply beautiful photos. In fact, I wish they had lithographs of photos to purchase. Great book, a must have for the serious Diana fan.

Okay........2007-01-04

Though the pictures were beautiful and different from any other pictures we've seen of Diana, I didn't care for the style. Some were a little fuzzy and almost too casual. It seems like everyone was trying just a little hard to do something "different." It would be almost impossible to take a bad picture of her and I've read that she was pleased with the pictures. I wish there had been more text. This book just didn't click for me.

The Soulful Divas: Personal Portraits of over a Dozen Divine Divas, from Nina Simone, Aretha Franklin, & Diana Ross to Patti Labelle, Whitney Houston, & Janet Jackson

Average customer rating:

Soulful Singing Divas
Mildly Entertaining
The greatest book I read in months
'Could be subtitled "The Lord of the sing(-ers)"
Interesting trip to the land of soul

The Soulful Divas: Personal Portraits of over a Dozen Divine Divas, from Nina Simone, Aretha Franklin, & Diana Ross to Patti Labelle, Whitney Houston, & Janet Jackson
David Nathan
Manufacturer: Billboard Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0823084302

Amazon.com

David Nathan's life changed as an English teenager in the '60s. The agent of that shift? Records by black American singers such as Aretha Franklin, Dionne Warwick, and Nina Simone. Soon he was the head of Simone's British fan club, and in short order, became a journalist with growing access to his heroines. Over the ensuing years, Amazon.com and Billboard contributor Nathan has had Franklin bake him a peach cobbler, stood under the thrown shade of everyone from Esther Phillips to Anita Baker, and even had Miss Ross ask him to call her "Diana." The Soulful Divas captures Nathan's obsession with his favorites, providing two-layered narratives that meld career rundowns with interviews and other personal meetings with his subjects. Most of the 14 single-artist chapters are successful portraits, with the exception of Nathan's profile of Natalie Cole, whose drug problems and career resurrection in the shadow of her late father are little more than the stuff of a legend-in-her-own-mind. A dearth of material weakens a closing chapter on young divas Whitney Houston, Janet Jackson, and Toni Braxton. But Nathan also provides many invaluable, eye-opening moments, such as the story of a baseball-bat-wielding Phillips threatening to smash up the offices of a record company slow to pay royalties. Finally, he fills out the received wisdom on "X-rated" Millie Jackson, who says, "When I'm home, it's crossword puzzles, television, and the kids." Kids who no doubt, like Nathan, picked up their share of tips on life and love from Jackson and her sisters. --Rickey Wright

Book Description

The best-selling guide to the lives and work of the R&B divas, now in paperback! In The Soulful Divas, author David Nathan profiles the greatest female rhythm and blues vocalists of the past 30 years as never before with an unforgettable collection of fascinating, personal biographies. He celebrates such legendary performers as Diana Ross, Aretha Franklin, Patti LaBelle, Whitney Houston, and others in provocative, behind-the-scenes portraits based on his long-standing personal relationships with these legendary women. The result is a hugely entertaining, candid look at the ups and downs of each performer's career-as well as an intriguing view of how these unforgettable women made a powerful mark on an essentially white, male-dominated industry.

Customer Reviews:

Soulful Singing Divas.......2007-04-12

I enjoyed reading some of my favorite soulful singers such as Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, Dionne Warwick, etc. Although I was surprised that the Diva of all Divas, the late great Miss Dinah Washington wasn't included. I hope that Mr. Nathan will write a follow-up edition and include Miss Washington, along with Mariah Carey, Jennifer Holiday, the late Minnie Riperton, and the late Mary Wells.

Mildly Entertaining.......2003-11-19

It is obvious that David Nathan truly idolizes his subjects which probably accounts for the calculated design at the end of each chapter to make sure in no uncertain terms that he has shown that subject in her best light. I can certainly empathize because many of the divas profiled are true favorites of mine. That said, soul diva aficionados will readily recognize this as a collection of all-too-familiar press clippings even the most casual follower has at least heard of. To his credit, it is indeed refreshing to hear about lesser publicized divas like Esther Phillips, Millie Jackson, Nina Simone, Doris Troy or Phylllis Hyman. And ultimately, the final chapter sketching younger divas appeared entirely too hastily thrown together with the end result being little more than an unsatisfying epilogue.

Quite honestly, if you are in to black female vocalists, this, of course, was an easy, flattering read. However, the finished product is little more than an indulgent scrapbook by a journalist who, apparently, could have shed infinitely more light on the personalities he featured, but declined or refused out of either fierce loyalty or abject fear. Not only do the subjects deserve more than this, but so does the author.

The greatest book I read in months.......2003-07-08

Great book Mr. Nathan. I loved all the subjects picked in this book(I'm sorry that I don't know Doris Troy)and thought he did a fantastic job of painting a realistic portrait of the ladies using their own words and his personal experiences with them. I never knew Chaka Khan had such a turbulent past. Oh, and Esther Phillips- that temper! I laughed so hard. Diana Ross seems pretty nice (I love her) and I do love Dionne and Nina- they are such proud women. I hope the divas in the makings can successfully carry forth the diva achievements as their foremothers have done. If there is a sequel to this, Mr. Nathan, you must include Cissy Houston, Melba Moore and Donna Summer.

'Could be subtitled "The Lord of the sing(-ers)".......2003-01-02

David Nathan KNOWS his R & B. For close to four decades, the book's author has been a contributor, in some way or another, to the production of over 500 albums of soul music. He has done countless interviews, provided liner notes for recordings, served as producer on several, and even done a little background singing. It is obvious that if anyone knows what a "diva" truly is, David Nathan is that man.

"The Soulful Divas" covers the recording careers of the ladies profiled with little snippets of their non-professional beginnings, as well as individual highs and lows. However, it's these little "peeks" into the artists' characters that make the book such a fascinating read.

Not meaning to reveal much of the text, there are many little known facts reported in each profile. Each of the women has experienced her share of failed romantic relationships, legal battles with recording companies, perceived public opinions, peaks and valleys in album sales, and personal tragedies.

Most tragic of all showcased within the pages of the expose is the late Phyllis Hyman, a diva in every sense of the word. Like Nathan, I am a fan of hers, also, and her untimely demise still brings a lump in my throat.

But, the chapter on Millie Jackson is a welcome find. Jackson is the only diva profiled that is not represented in my musical library, save for a duet album with Isaac Hayes. However, after reading about the singer's body of work, as well as her down-to-earth and honest demeanor, I think that this is about to change.

I am curious about a certain "expletive deleted" symphony that she composed.

Note for the author: The next time around, include Patti Austin in volume two.

Interesting trip to the land of soul.......2002-07-11

Great concept, terrifc subjects. I particularly appreciated the inclusion of such greats as Esther Phillips (whom is so seldom mentioned these days), Nina Simone, and Chaka Khan, in which gave me some insight to her early years with Rufus. The section on Millie, a truly under-rated singer, and the late Phyllis Hyman were also informative and worth the read. I really appreciated Nathan's straight forward and honest, yet dignified, portrayal of the all the divas, until I got to the chapter's on Aretha, Diana, and Doris Troy whom Nathan, in my opinion, showed favoritism towards. While he did an excellent job of exposing the other divas, these three he seems to take pity- Aretha the most. Adoration is understandable, but you hinted in other chapters about Aretha's less than royal behaviors, while in her chapter she was almost hailed as a saint! Same goes for Miss Ross. Friend or not, Doris Troy could and should have been replaced with the likes of Candi Staton or Mavis Staples.

Amazon.com

Alone among award-winning photographers, Jayne Fincher snapped some of the most private moments ever seen of the late Princess Diana. What's her secret? Perhaps it's because, as an official royal photographer, she did not provoke the fear and panic that outside photographers tragically did, and her status as the only woman in the pool of royal photographers somehow put the royal family and the Princess of Wales off their guard in her presence. Diana: Portrait of a Princess contains never-before-seen photos from the early 1980s until Diana's death in August of 1997. Fincher captures the shy, awkward Lady Spencer, the picture of innocence and bewilderment thrust onto the global stage. Later in this chronologically ordered collection we see this young woman evolve into the glamorous and sophisticated princess. Some of the most striking images reflect the raw emotion and revealing intimacy in Diana's life, such as the private moments in which you can sense her fiercely tender devotion to her sons. Many of the natural, spontaneous shots depict a deeply distressed woman, trapped in a world of conformity, while still other pictures illustrate the growing strain in her loveless marriage to Prince Charles. Royal writer Judy Wade worked with Fincher to provide the text to go with these, the best of Fincher's 30,000 candid images of Princess Di.

Book Description

Diana.

From her first exposure to the world as the girlfriend of the future King of England to her death as perhaps the most revered figure of the century, she captured the imagination and the love of literally hundreds of millions of people. And, from her first portrait of Lady Diana Spencer in 1980 to her last shoot months before Diana's tragic death and finally to Diana's funeral, Jayne Fincher -- the only female royal photographer working with the explicit approval and full cooperation of Buckingham Palace -- was there. Granted unprecedented access to the Princess of Wales and the extended royal family for 18 years, Fincher amassed an enormous archive of more than 30,000 striking images of Diana. She captured on film Diana's transformation from a shy, awkward teenager to an elegant and sophisticated woman. Diana: Portrait of a Princess collects in one spectacular volume for the first time ever the best of these extraordinary photographs.

Here are some of the most famous images of Diana ever published...and here also are hundreds of never-before-seen candids, outtakes, and portraits, the definitive photographic document of Diana's life -- as fiancee, wife, and then ex-wife of the Prince of Wales; as mother to princes William and Harry; as philanthropist, as ambassador, as fashion muse. But more than a simple collection of images, Diana: Portrait of a Princess is a personal and deeply felt memoir with behind-the-scenes insight into the moods and complex personality of Diana. This narrative, a collaborative effort with royal writer Judy Wade, incorporates detailed impressions and experiences gathered in photographing the Princess. Featuring more than 500 pictures -- three-quarters of them never before seen -- and including dozens of revealing anecdotes, Diana: Portrait of a Princess is all exquisite tribute to a woman who carried the hearts of the world in the palm of her hand.

Customer Reviews:

Beyond beautiful pictorial.......2006-04-15

It's very hard to believe that next year will be a whole decade since the untimely death of Diana, Princess of Wales. What's a shame is the fact that today's teenagers and those in their early-20's probably don't remember her and I'm sure the "Windsors" are in their glory over that.

But Jayne Fincher, royal photographer, has put together a coffee table book that is loaded with rarely published images of the one and only Princess of Wales and it should be a required addition to anyone's royal library.

Ms. Fincher's photographs really brought out Diana's natural charm and inner beauty and that's what makes this volume so special and the scope of the loss even deeper. (It's been hilarious seeing the paparazzi trying to find her replacement ever since 1997 with "winners" such as Paris Hilton, Nicole Ritchie, and Angelina Jolie.)

In any case, this is a beautiful photography book and a tasteful tribute to Diana. - Donna Di Giacomo

The BEST pictorial Diana book out there.......2006-03-16

TONS and TONS of pictures -lots that aren't common- and interesting but brief stories explaining what she was doing in each photo, like where she was and general background on the situation. Photos by Jayne Fincher, who followed Diana all over the globe ever since she first appeared in on the royal stage in 1980. I love the layout of the photos and captions. Includes photos from her funeral. I own dozens of books on Princess Diana, from between 1981 and 2006, and this is by far my absolute favorite! It's a terrific, beautiful pictorial of her entire life, with just enough text to add some interesting stories as you flip through the thousands of photos.

Beautiful Portrait Book.......2005-04-11

This was a breathtakingly beautiful tribute to the late Diana, Princess of Wales, but I wish there had been more text to go along with the incredible pictures. If you are a serious collector of Diana memorabilia or just a casual fan, this is one book you should own.

Who can believe that it's all in the past?.......2002-05-11

About 95% of DIANA: PORTRAIT OF A PRINCESS is photos, with only minimal narrative. And almost all of the photos were taken by Fincher, who was a royal photographer. The pictures are fantastic -- a couple just take my breath away. How could this exquisite person be gone? (see page 95) Surely, Diana was one of the most photogenic persons who ever lived. Here in the photos we watch her grow up, make fashion choices (not all good!) to find her own image, and create her own life just in time to lose it. Sometimes she looked a bit like a tired, frumpy housewife. In other pictures she's just perfection. The heavy, oversize book is divided into three parts: For Love, For Loyalty, For Liberty. The printing quality of the photos is EXCELLENT. This was a beautiful gift from my beloved niece, who knows me well. I must say, it makes an excellent gift. This book is one to keep and treasure.

Beautiful Book of Memories.......2002-05-09

This book is one of my favorite picture books of Diana. The pictures are just gorgeous, like the lady herself. For anyone who is a Diana fan, this book is for you...It really is beautiful.

Portraits of a Princess: Travels with Diana

Average customer rating:

Disappointing
A lovely way to remember her.
I was disappointed with this book.

Portraits of a Princess: Travels with Diana
Patrick Jephson
Manufacturer: St. Martin's Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0312337825
Release Date: 2004-10-21

Book Description

The dramatic public life of Diana, Princess of Wales was enacted against a backdrop of exciting foreign destinations.

These are inextricably linked to some of the most significant events in her own journey. Who can forget the lonely Princess at the Taj Mahal, the "War of the Waleses" in South Korea, the glamorous Diana, darling of Manhattan fundraisers, or the Queen of Hearts in an African refugee camp? These are just some of the unforgettable images revisited in Portraits of a Princess--Travels with Diana.

Patrick Jephson, Diana's private secretary for many years, gives his unique perspective of his time spent with the Princess. As the man who organized nearly all of her foreign travel and accompanied her on most of it, his viewpoint provides the book with a unique sense of authority.

For Portraits of a Princess Jephson reassembles the core team that worked with him on orchestrating Diana's worldwide crusade: the press secretary, the security chief and the Princess's personal assistant.

From this unmatched archive of experience came candid and entertaining anecdotes which add colour to fascinating behind-the-scenes details of the logistics of a royal superstar on tour: how the press coverage was organized and orchestrated, how the protocol experts were kept happy and how transport and security requirements were adapted to suit Diana's revolutionary royal style.

Other experts comment on the Princess's changing fashion tastes as her wardrobe evolved from the "Shy Di" of the joint tours to the confident glamour icon of Washington society balls or the hands-on charity leader in Africa.

Again and again, as we retrace the Princess's footstep, Jephson asks, "Did she make a difference?"

These striking portraits answer that question.

Customer Reviews:

Disappointing.......2005-01-19

The book contains several inaccurate informations on dates and places - which is surprinsing for an author who was previously the princess's private secretary. The so called never-seen-before photos are almost none, especially if you are a serious Diana fan.

A lovely way to remember her........2004-12-18

Diana, the Princess of Wales, is in the news again, with "new" videotaped interviews being shown on television seven years after her death in a car crash in a Paris tunnel. Although he isn't the one releasing the videotapes, Patrick Jephson, who served for six years as her first and only private secretary, has just released a new book, "Portraits of a Princess: Travels with Diana," in which he reveals fascinating behind-the-scenes details of what it was like to work for and travel with the princess. He combines his text with photos by award-winning royal photographer Kent Gavin.

The book includes 300 black and white or color photos of Diana, 150 of which were previously unpublished. There really are lots of photos here. The text is a sometimes emotional memoir written by someone who obviously admired her. The photos cover the range of her life in the public eye, from her first awkward experiments with fashion to her later, confident style, as she evolved "from Prince Charles's diffident consort into an independent, global force for good." The author shows Diana as "ambassador" to people all over the world, from monarchs and world leaders to the lowliest on the street and in hospitals. He describes her as "an unbeatable combination of fashion and compassion."
But Jephson had writing help: Kent Gavin wrote the foreword, titled "The View from Inside the Press Pen." There's a chapter called "Travels of a Royal Press Secretary" written by Dickie Arbiter. And there's another chapter on "Diana's Style" written by Ollie Picton-Jones, the fashion director for the Daily Mirror.

Jephson ends the book with an epilogue titled "Did She Make a Difference?" Obviously, he thinks she did. This is a lovely gift for those royal-watchers among us who still can't quite believe she's gone.

I was disappointed with this book........2004-12-06

Mr. Jephson's first book "Shadows of a Princess" was alternately praising of the Princess and then would tear her down so I was a bit wary of this book.
I think it takes a nicer tone about the Princess this time, describing trips she made to various countries (each with it's own chapter) with Jephson in tow. For your money I find that you'll be getting what amounts to a medium sized picture book with large print text. Kent Gavin's long introduction is actually the best, most informative part of the text, Jephson puts too much of himself in his writing. The pictures, well you've seen most of them before, they're still good anyway.
There are a couple of chapters at the end by other writers about traveling with Diana, also better than what Jephson himself wrote.
It isn't the worst book to own but I'd still prefer Rosalind Coward's book.

Rock and Royalty: The Ever-Changing Look of Versace's Couture As See--and Modeled--by the Kings, Queens, and Jokers of Rock & Roll

Average customer rating:

Gianni Versace, a Fashion Genuis
excellent!
A note from Maureen Farquhar
Rock and Royality - Versace
Great, glamourous book!

Rock and Royalty: The Ever-Changing Look of Versace's Couture As See--and Modeled--by the Kings, Queens, and Jokers of Rock & Roll

Manufacturer: Abbeville Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0789201771

Amazon.com

The title of fashion designer Gianni Versace's new book references his diverse clientele, who not only wear his clothing but also impact his designs: rock & roll queens Tina Turner and Madonna, fashion princesses Kate and Naomi, design lords Lagerfeld and Armani, and even the real deal, Diana, Princess of Wales. Photos of these and other fashion mavens, both in and out of Versace clothing, are interspersed with images of royalty throughout history, such as Queen Victoria, Empress Catherine of Russia, and a young Queen Elizabeth. The aesthetic juxtaposition of history and modernity, depicted in black-and-white photographs and colorful artwork, echoes the energy of the fashion world and captures the influential style of its inhabitants. The royalties from the sale of Rock and Royalty will benefit the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

Customer Reviews:

Gianni Versace, a Fashion Genuis.......2002-06-11

Gianni Versace was a designer who loved to push the envelope. His clothes were a mixture of extremes: sexy, sleazy, colorful, tacky, and elegant. One adjective you'd never find in a sentence with the word Versace is "boring." His clothes commanded--and often got--attention, which is why he was such a favorite among celebrities such as Madonna, Elton John, Liz Hurley, Courtney Love, Prince, Jon Bon Jovi and even Princess Diana. This book is a fabulous, eye-opening collection of vivid photographs of models and rock stars in Versace: from Prince to the members of British boy band Take That. Some outfits are more releaving than others, but they're all unmistakably Versace. Diana herself is also included in the book, along with a few words of praise for the designer. Tragically, Versace was murdered in the summer of 1997, but his spirit and influence live on. This book comes highly recommended. Drop it on your coffeetable, and your guests won't want to put it down.

excellent!.......2001-11-12

A must have book for all Versace fans.

A note from Maureen Farquhar.......2000-03-10

Fantastic photography in another large book from Versace. This book captures the 'rock chic' glamourama which the late Versace excelled at creating. The association between 'Rock and Roll', and art is full indulged here creating a empirical illusion to the Versace dynasty. The glossy presentation of the images also adds to an overall feeling of luxury. The only reason I have not given this book the top rating is for its inclusion of Elton John - who makes me sick. So what if its expensive, luxuries like this don't come cheap. ciao,

Maureen Farquhar (maureenfarquhar@yahoo.com)

Rock and Royality - Versace.......1999-09-19

This book gives a look into the classic, Calabrian influenced, luxury of Versace. This volume serves as a record of the pure decadant genius of this mega Italian talent.

Great, glamourous book!.......1999-08-22

For all of you who loves Gianni Versace clothes and really admire what he had done to the world of fashion I recommend you to have this incredible book.

Average customer rating:

Diana Makesick might be more accurate.
If you love Audrey - don't read this book
An Average Book
buy the book the Hepburn foundation needs the funds
a wonderfully detailed account of the actresses life

Audrey Hepburn: An Intimate Portrait
Diana Maychick
Manufacturer: Citadel Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0806580003

Customer Reviews:

Diana Makesick might be more accurate........2003-02-17

What's to say that hasn't been said already, and in a way, there's little point since this piece of garbage has thankfully all but disappeared from the market (and one can hope, circulation in general). However, it got me so infuriated in reading it that I have to add my two cents, for others who come across this book or these reviews.

Until now, I've known little of Audrey aside from that she was my favorite actress, and probably one of the classiest, most beautiful human beings to have graced this planet. As it happens, I stumbled across a copy of this book in the library, entirely by chance, so I decided to check it out and see if I could learn more about this wonderful woman. Well, before I was halfway through, even with my limited knowledge, I was disappointed and angry at what I was reading, though I couldn't entirely put my finger on it. Yes, there were the mistakes with describing the movies. There was a lot that was not only unflattering but didn't ring true, not only about Audrey but those in her life as well. There was the ongoing "posing" tone in it, where the author tries to come across as Audrey's confidant and close friend. The whole thing smelled somehow, and left me with an uneasy, angry feeling, and I didn't quite know why.

It was at that point that I decided to look into information and reviews of the book on the Internet, only to discover that it was even worse than I suspected. As it is, this book is full of mistakes, full of what is likely complete fabrication, and full of something else that shall go unmentioned (with which I'd say Diana Maychick is similarly afflicted). It is a slap in the face to the intelligent reader, an affront to anyone who loves Audrey Hepburn, an insult to her, and a disgusting testament to what some people will sink to in chasing a dollar.

In any case, if you do run across a copy of this tripe, don't waste your time and stress level with it...from what I understand, there are several other good sources of information on Audrey, any of which would be better. If there's one good thing that's come out of my encounter with this book, it's that it's at least given me the impetus (out of anger if nothing else) to dig up quality information on this marvelous woman. This "book" isn't even worth using as a Bathroom Reader replacement.

If you love Audrey - don't read this book.......2001-03-03

This book has so many errors and untruths that it really should be classed as fiction. As has already been mentioned, Audreys family are taking legal action against this author - she claims to have spoken to Audrey at a time when Audrey was infact dying! I read this book before I was aware of the above and was struck by the inaccuracy of some of it's contents - in particular her plot synopsis for the film Roman Holiday was inaccurate - did she actually watch the film!! Also she had some pretty nasty things to say about Audrey which seemed strange coming from someone who claimed to love and miss her. I have ripped the book into shreds, keeping only the photographs of Audrey which are the only part of this book worth keeping. There are, of course, plenty of facts that are correctly stated which the author probably gleaned from other biographers - and anything that was not already known has probably been invented, the problem being that once you know a book to contain some falsehoods it's hard to believe any of it. If you love Audrey, don't read this book, choose another that is more credible, if you can possibly wait then buy her son, Sean Ferrer's book when it is published, hopefully later this year. I am only sorry that the author of this piece of fiction has already benefited from my, and a lot of other people's money.

An Average Book.......2000-04-25

I don't think this book was as horrible as most of the other reviewers thought; I found it very average. This book was obviously a complilation of interviews (quotes I've seen in other books), plot descriptions of her films, a few lackluster photos and some creative filling-in of the blanks. What irritated me was the descriptions of the films: there were so many mistakes I doubt the author even bothered to watch the films! As a huge Audrey Hepburn fan, I would hope there were many other, better books out there.

buy the book the Hepburn foundation needs the funds.......1999-11-02

Sean Hepburn Ferrer is suing the author and publisher of this piece of trash for lible.

a wonderfully detailed account of the actresses life.......1999-10-02

this is a wonderfully detailed book about the life of audrey hepburn from birth to death. it pulls you in and you cannot put it down until you have completed it. you are sent through an emotional journey as you read about the accounts of her life in the public and private complete with interviews and quotes from her, her friends and family.

Diana in Search of Herself: Portrait of a Troubled Princess

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An intelligent portrait of a disturbed modern icon
Another Point of View
Princess Diana :Coming Apart At The Scenes?
No Fairy Tale Here
A Hard Book To Read for Fans of the Late Princess Diana

Diana in Search of Herself: Portrait of a Troubled Princess
Sally Bedell Smith
Manufacturer: Signet
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0451201086
Release Date: 2000-08-08

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The Diana who was in search of herself was, according to this relatively beefy addition to the writings on the late princess, engaged in a futile exercise. Born after her parents tried three unsuccessful times to produce a male heir--two older sisters and a brother who died within hours of birth preceded Diana Spencer's arrival--she felt unwanted from the start. Her mother's abandonment of the family six years later compounded Diana's feelings of self-worthlessness. At a tender age, the girl who would grow up to be the beloved Princess of Wales had already irrevocably lost her sense of self. The book, which relies heavily on the accounts of anonymous intimates of the late princess, describes her as a deeply conflicted character. A friend is quoted as saying, "Her dark side was that of a wounded trapped animal ... and her bright side was that of a luminous being." The strikingly tall, blond princess who cradled young cancer victims and graciously accepted flowers from admirers, who frolicked on camera with her young sons and flashed her sparkling smile as she exited limousines, was often sulky, depressed, and vengeful in private. "Why?" one might wonder--if volumes hadn't already been written about the awful truth of her life.

Author Sally Bedell Smith revisits the well-trod ground of Charles's continuing love affair with Camilla Parker Bowles, Diana's intimidation by her royal in-laws, and her push-me, pull-me relationship with the voracious paparazzi. In addition, she details Diana's numerous love affairs and her acts of self-mutilation and bizarre behavior, such as the incident in which she tap-danced alone in her room until she wore down the wood parquet. Prince Charles comes off as a sympathetic if somewhat wimpy character, while, as the book progresses, Diana grows into a woman navigating the fine line between neurosis and full-blown psychosis. At the time of her marriage, the princess is quoted as saying she was "so in love with my husband that I couldn't take my eyes off him. I just absolutely thought I was the luckiest girl in the world." Years later, she would recall this same day thus: "The day I walked down the aisle at St. Paul's Cathedral, I felt that my personality was taken away from me, and I was taken over by the royal machine." Her bulimia (even while pregnant with Prince William), paranoia, lying, and flightiness are all confirmed in Smith's tome but they are commingled with testimonials to the late princess's generosity, intuition, genuine warmth, and ability to put anyone at ease. Diana was fine--to wit sane--as long as she was in a safe environment. The bosom of the royal family was not one of those havens. But she wasn't a passive victim--her famous comment about her marriage being overcrowded, involving three people, presumably herself, the prince, and Parker Bowles--wasn't quite true, as she was also having an affair at the time, bringing the number up to four.

All of these excruciating details--including Smith's analysis of how long the Dodi and Diana match would have lasted, had they not been killed that night in Paris--seem to be carefully researched and attributed when the source allows it, and build to the grand crescendo of the book, in which Smith proffers her diagnosis of the princess's mental health. The punchline here is that the tabloid assertions that hounded Diana throughout her lifetime, asserting that she was "loony," "potty," a "basket case," or "barking mad," may have held more than a kernel of truth. But if the princess was as expert a manipulator as the book suggests, no one, it seems, could ever hope to know the whole truth. --Jordana Moskowitz

Book Description

"A tantalizing peek into the living museum that is European royalty and a portrait of Diana as a mentally ill princess."-Washington Post Book World

"If you're going to read one Diana book, this should be it."-Newsweek

"Diana in Search of Herself tempts us to look again at the iconic princess, whose boundless charm, energy, and warmth contrasted wildly with her mood swings, bulimia, and shaky sense of self, all of which Smith addresses in this balanced analysis of the most charismatic member of the British royal family."-Elle"Smith has done the best any responsible writer can-she has taken a fairy-tale princess and rendered her as a believable woman who, borderline personality or not, is somehow more likable for her struggle against psychological troubles."-Atlanta Journal & Constitution

"At once morbidly fascinating and profoundly sad...Princess Diana's life seems less a candle in the wind than an accident waiting to happen."-Boston Globe

"A chilling vision of loneliness, need and untreated mental illness."-USA Today

"She offers a fascinating account of Diana's aristocratic upbringing...She also provides perhaps the fullest account to date of Diana's half-dozen or so love affairs."-Dallas Morning News

"Compelling."-New York Daily News

Customer Reviews:

An intelligent portrait of a disturbed modern icon.......2007-01-10

This is perhaps the only serious piece of writing on the late Princess of Wales that I have read. While not presented as a scholarly biography (we'll need to wait years for that), the book does take several steps back from the hysteria and romanticized adulation attending Diana's years on earth and attempts to provide objective analysis rather than breathless, tabloid-style speculation. Diana fans for whom she could do no wrong may be outraged by Bedell Smith's detailed portrait and her conclusions; this is a book only for thoughtful readers who are willing to set aside their preconceptions of the subject.

Although Bedell Smith is by no means the first person to suggest that Diana was suffering from a clinically-defined mental illness, Borderline Personality Disorder (called by some "Emotion Dysregulation Disorder"), her discussion of the subject helps shed some light both on her subject's behavior and the fate of her disastrous marriage. This is interesting material, and the author was brave to include it, given the manner in which Diana continues to be idolized by her admirers.

Reasonably well-written and readable, meticulously-researched and documented. Especially recommended to those who take a jaundiced view of the modern cult of celebrity.

Another Point of View.......2006-05-03

While you may not agree with the point of view that Smith takes in this book... it is a well written book. Easy to read and interesting.

Princess Diana :Coming Apart At The Scenes?.......2005-04-13

The book jacket of this novel describes it "as the authoritative biography of one of the most fabled women of the century". I would describe this novel as an attempt to delve into the psyche of the most fabled woman of the century.

Sally Bedell Smith, the author worked at TV Guide and The New York Times, where she was a cultural-news reporter. She joined Vanity Fair as a contributing editor in 1996. She was awarded a Sigma Delta Chi Distinguished Service Award for magazine reporting in 1982, and she was a fellow at the Freedom Forum Media Studies Center in 1986. She has written several books of famous people, the Kennedy's, William Paley and Pamela Churchill Harriman.

Diana, Price of Wales died traumatically in 1997 in Paris. We all watched her funeral and the clip after clip of her automobile accident. We have heard and read every story about Diana, and all of the numerous TV movies and films made about her. However, it is not until this book, have I seen her diagnosed with a mental illness without benefit of a physician and psychiatrist, but with only the words of friends and acquaintances. Ms Bedell Smith says that Diana suffered from a borderline personality disorder. That is such a generalized term that can describe each one of us at certain times in our life. Certainly, Diana had her problems, her bulimia, shyness, lack of ego and insecurity. But this young woman was thrust into the middle of a dysfunctional royal family with no mentor and it appears little love and support. Who knows what the real story was or what Diana could have made of her life. She left behind two young men to carry on her name in the royal tradition. The author attempts to diagnose and describe Diana by the symptoms she showed the world in the most unrealistic of environments. I prefer to remember the Diana of charity and good works and beloved by her countrymen. This book does not provide the evidence needed to prescribe or diagnose Diana. Let us leave her alone. The people of the United Kingdom will revere her as we all did at one time. prisrob

No Fairy Tale Here.......2004-12-25

Before reading this book, I was mostly a "pro-Diana" person. Certainly, it was apparent that she had problems-bulimia, moodiness,affairs-but Charles completely to blame, right? It seemed that Diana was fine until she was undermined by Charles and the supposedly horrible royal family.

But I have to say that this account has forced my to remove Diana from the altar I'd placed her on. Usually, a biography that was so ruthlessly slanted would not sway me so much, yet I see no reason why Bedell Smith would have written something so damaging to Diana's image if it were not true. She's not well-connected to Charles or the royal family...and she's American. But more than this lack of bias, Bedell Smith's conclusions are based on plain-old, cold-hard facts. She extensively quotes newspapers, books, Diana's own words, and a varied group of people (both friends and others) who knew Diana to prove her thesis about Diana's personality disorder.

This book is so disturbing and so saddening because it challenges what most of us Diana fans have always thought. According to Smith, Diana was paranoid, selfish, popularity-starved, immature, possessive, and not even that stellar of a charity patron. Smith chronicles Diana's bizarre behavior with lovers, her shoddy treatment of friends, her refusal to obtain necessary psychological help, her immature "games" with newspaper editors, and the way she handled charity patronage toward the end of her life. Unfortunately, by the time you have finished the book, Smith's impeccable, thorough analysis will leave you hard pressed to argue that Diana WAS stable.

Some might say that some of these incidents could have been unfairly recounted by the author. But a vast majority of the unpleasant portrayals contain black and white facts that cannot be twisted or "fudged." Really, how can one deny a police report of Diana's 300-plus calls (over a period of weeks) to her married lover? And what about her tearful pleas for a private life following her separation from Charles...and then her meetings with newspaper editors so that she could gain control over what they wrote?

Admittedly, Smith was a bit too easy on Charles. She seemed to imply that yes, Charles was having an affair, but that Diana would have been an unstable wreck even if he wasn't seeing Camilla. She also (in perhaps the only flagrantly questionable statement in the book), hinted that after her marriage, rather than harrassing her husband about whether or not he was having an affair, Diana should have used her youthful charms and beauty to win over Charles. How does that make any sense?

In conclusion, this book is very hard on Diana. And ultimately, who is to know that total truth about Diana? Who is to know if she really was a kind and admirable human being under it all, or if the irrational wreck often portrayed by Smith was all there was? But certainly, "Diana: In Search of Herself" is a valuable book that serves to intelligently question the often-blind assumption of Diana's "sainthood."

A Hard Book To Read for Fans of the Late Princess Diana.......2003-10-03

In this well researched biography, Ms. Bedell Smith, does not
paint a pretty picture of the late, Diana,Princess of Wales.
With reliable sources, she shows an immature girl who like many
young girls before her,did not look beyond the alter, at the time she married the future King.She had just turned "twenty"and
enourmous expectations were put upon her shoulders.A child
affected by the bitter divorce,of the parents she loved,Diana
had need of help to survive an ordinary marriage,let alone one
to a public figure.
Intellectually, Charles and Diana were miles apart.She made
up for this with her natural street smarts, and quick humorous
remarks.
There is nothing more boring than reading the break-up of a
marriage but Ms. Bedell Smith handles this subject with
exceptional care.
When Prince Charles on the BBC publicly stated he never loved
Diana,how humiiating for her..Apparently, much violence had
preceeded this cruel remark,but the public was unaware of

mistreatment at Diana's hands.Diana, was humiliated and felt
Charles only married her to provide heirs to the throne.
According to more than one source, Charles' betrayal by having a mistress, gave Diana license in her mind to have numerous discreet affairs,searching for some love and stability.
This usually backfired,causing her more despair in her too
short life.She remarked "the only men I trust are my sons."
Here she deserves credit.Her personal schedule was carefully
planned around her young son's school vacations.She was a
hands on Mother.She dressed her boys casually,took them on fun vacations, and like mother's everywhere recognized their
differences and adored them.
Despite the stories of her bulemia and irrational behavior,and her quasi suicide attempts,her joy in her son's should be commended.
Was Diana already a troubled individual? Or did her husbands
lack of love turn her into an unbearable person? It is hard
for even the author to answer.Surely, too much was asked of a young girl who was not born royal, and had a 12 year age difference to overcome.
However,it is pointed out out Prince Charles was not responsible
for all her problems and they were many.
In the beginning of their marriage, both Queen Elizabeth
and Prince Charles sought psychiatric help with some of
Englands'best Doctors, for her fragile state when she returned
from the honeymoon.She was unable to trust them.
Later in her life , she sought help of the New Age Variety involving aromatherapy,astrology,feng shui,and colonic
irrigations which she felt purified her.
She wanted to be glamorous and yet she sought to help the
handicapped and the poor and downtrodden.
There was never a dull moment when Diana joined the Royal Family.Would she have married Dodi Fayed or was he a summer
fling?
No book can ever have the answers on this beautiful but
troubled young woman who held our intrique.

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