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Kate Remembered
Published a mere 13 days after the death of Katharine Hepburn, Kate Remembered is best appreciated as a billet-doux of devoted friendship. It's a moving study of mutual trust and admiration between Pulitzer-Prize-winning biographer A Scott Berg and legendary Hollywood icon Hepburn, who'd established an instant rapport in 1983, beginning a 20-year conversation that blossomed into this enchanting "biographical memoir".
318 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2003
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May 20, 2025
This biography should have been shorter with fewer pages. The author wrote a lot about the movie industries with & without Katharine Hepburn. I felt these pages about Hollywood producers, directors, actors. etc were actually quite boring to read. I thought the truly interesting parts of this memoir were when the author described his own personal interactions & conversations with Ms. Hepburn. Several parts I really did not like was when Mr Berg, the author, would describe Katharine Hepburn in a somewhat negative light to maybe make himself look better… Overall, I think big fans of Ms Hepburn might want to read this book. Otherwise, probably a good idea to skip it.
August 1, 2016
Audio read by Tony Goldman. What a delightful audio book! I laughed out loud several times and Mr. Goldman does an excellent job with Ms. Hepburn's voice. I don't know if I realized what a wicked sense of humor she had. She was very family oriented, was known to fall in love with some of her leading men and enjoyed the simple things in life. Spencer Tracy was the love of her life but they never married. If you are a Kate fan you will enjoy this book!!
August 12, 2014
Although this book is not bad it does seem a little pointless since about 95% of information in it was already available in Katharines autobiography 'Me'. The other part is about the author and is self serving. He goes on about the other famous people he knew, how great his other books are, and how great Kate thought he was. He's not unlikeable but does seem a little into himself. The strange part is he helped Kate put together her book so he knew exactly what was in it. Why did he feel the need to put all of that into another book? I think he should have just wrote about his memories of her and their time together but then the book would only be about 50 pages long. Also it's a little jumpy. Not only does it go back and forth between the 30s and 80s but it will be talking about Kate in the early 80s then the 90s, then the late 80s. Not sure why he didn't just put it in order. That made some stories a little confusing. I highly suggest reading Katharine's autobiography over this.
August 4, 2012
Kate Remembered - A. Scott Berg – 20120804
I have read this biography twice, or actually read it once and listened to it once. It might very well be the best biography I have ever read.
Having first read the book from the library (and then purchasing it) I was to leave on a business trip and saw the audio book at the library. During my long drive I listened to the audio book.
Either version is highly, HIGHLY, recommended by me. The twists and turns, names and dates, understanding of the film industry, and the communion with Katharine Hepburn are all amazing. Mostly, when I was done I felt I had known her myself and come to understand each syntaxed-filled epitaph she uttered.
If you haven’t time to read the book, during your drive times listen to it. The book cannot be extolled highly enough by me. The audio version reader speaks as Katharine Hepburn and is so uncanny, I had to wonder how Mr. Berg got the sound bites from Kate herself.
There may be biographies that are better (and I have read many), but none have been as engrossing and endearing as this one. Mr. Berg definitely has placed his other books into my rotation.
I have read this biography twice, or actually read it once and listened to it once. It might very well be the best biography I have ever read.
Having first read the book from the library (and then purchasing it) I was to leave on a business trip and saw the audio book at the library. During my long drive I listened to the audio book.
Either version is highly, HIGHLY, recommended by me. The twists and turns, names and dates, understanding of the film industry, and the communion with Katharine Hepburn are all amazing. Mostly, when I was done I felt I had known her myself and come to understand each syntaxed-filled epitaph she uttered.
If you haven’t time to read the book, during your drive times listen to it. The book cannot be extolled highly enough by me. The audio version reader speaks as Katharine Hepburn and is so uncanny, I had to wonder how Mr. Berg got the sound bites from Kate herself.
There may be biographies that are better (and I have read many), but none have been as engrossing and endearing as this one. Mr. Berg definitely has placed his other books into my rotation.
July 16, 2007
I thought this book had some really great moments and was perfect in that it was written by a close friend of kh's(not some random biographer), but also a person renowned for writing biographies. A little too much about the writer at the beginning, but all and all very fun to read about the amazing personality that was katharine hepburn. I made a list of must-see old movies to rent while reading.
July 15, 2007
This is not an objective book about Katherine Hepburn and the author makes this clear up front. This is an homage to a friend by a friend who happens to be a writer. In a way, this makes it more enjoyable and fun to read for a Kate Hepburn fan. There are no new revelations, but then Hepburn revealed all while she was alive. So this is just a fun read that feels like you were invited to sit in while friends talked.
March 22, 2017
Recommended for: Katharine Hepburn fans and Golden Age film buffs
Buddy Read with Samantha Glasser
Wow! This was a well-written and informative book. I enjoyed all the background information. I also thought that the reader gave a good performance. It was so refreshing to learn more about one of the Old Hollywood stars that I consider my favorite. In my opinion, the sheer length of almost 400 pages of the hard copy of the book makes it more ideal to listen to it than to read it. I also think that it is more conducive to a buddy Read for this reason.
Buddy Read with Samantha Glasser
Wow! This was a well-written and informative book. I enjoyed all the background information. I also thought that the reader gave a good performance. It was so refreshing to learn more about one of the Old Hollywood stars that I consider my favorite. In my opinion, the sheer length of almost 400 pages of the hard copy of the book makes it more ideal to listen to it than to read it. I also think that it is more conducive to a buddy Read for this reason.
August 6, 2011
Not the type of book I would normally read, initially I thought that it was not too bad. It is indeed as the author states a personal biography that is heavily influenced by his personal acquaintance and interactions with Katharine Hepburn. It is very readable but it does not concentrate enough on the subject of the biography. A. Scott Berg tends to weave in his own personal acquaintances with other Hollywood celebrities and indeed devotes a significant number of words to the life and opinions of Irene Mayer Selznick (one of a few people in the book) with only tenuous links to the subject of the biography. It is acceptable that Katharine Hepburn be permitted to "name drop" in recollection of her career, but the author too seems to be fairly adept in promoting the fact that he also has close links with the "Hollywood Royalty". This in my opinion detracts from the intention of the book.
The book is a bit slow in parts and assumes that the reader knows the personalities of Hollywood history already as, in many instances, no explanation of who they are is given other than their names.
In my opinion, 5 out of 10.
The book is a bit slow in parts and assumes that the reader knows the personalities of Hollywood history already as, in many instances, no explanation of who they are is given other than their names.
In my opinion, 5 out of 10.
July 21, 2017
Another "rescued" book. Reasonably entertaining hybrid of biography and memoir. The author became a pretty good friend of KH after approaching her for an interview about Sam Goldwyn. KH and my father were both kids growing up in Hartford, she about 5 years older, and their paths crossed some(according to him). She outlived him by about 25 years though. That's what smoking and too much booze will do. KH an example of a person whose life is fascinating and full of achievement but who's not that interesting as a person due to narcissism(in her case relatively benign and enlightened). Her relationship with Spencer Tracy was a classic example of co-dependant and addict and an indication of her own emotional dysfunction. She liked to be in control. My mother had a similar relationship with her second husband. Different addiction though. The pictures are excellent. She was definitely interesting to look at. Reminds me of an old girlfriend and of my mother.
March 23, 2014
I loved every bit of this book. Every page. Every word. Mr. Berg made me laugh the whole way through his journey of his friendship with Ms. Hepburn. It's not a thousand pages about her youth or a troubled personal life, etc. It's a poignant, well-pieced together story of a woman who knew exactly what she wanted out of life. Mr. Berg's description of Kate made me want to be her best friend, to be like her, to know her through and through. I often find myself reading biographies but having no opinion either way because the author doesn't draw me into the story. That is not the case with this book. If you read no other book about Katharine Hepburn, this one is most definitely worth your time. XOXO
March 10, 2008
This book is really good and it's got really interesting facts. The relationship b/t Scott and Kate is fun and quirky. And the insight on Kate's life and her relationships was so interesting. You can't help but like her even more.
March 23, 2008
Such a great book! It's very personal, and not unbiases--which is the main part of the fun. I love Katharine Hepburn anyway, and it's good that I didn't read this with my netflix queue in the same room. If you're at all interested in Hollywood history, this is a must read!
February 25, 2024
I've read a lot about Katharine Hepburn, not so much because she is my favourite actress, but rather because of what she stands for in the way she lived her life - maintaining her independence while also loving deeply, living life as an adventure, being a role model to woman on how to live your life without being a victim. I admire her for all of those qualities, and of course, I also have my favourite Hepburn movies: Little Women, The Philadelphia Story, Holiday, Desk Set, On Golden Pond.
Scott Berg met Hepburn as a writer wanting to interview her for Esquire magazine, and became a long-standing friend who was a part of her life for twenty years. Because of the intimacy of their connection, and his lack of objectivity, he declined to write a full-fledged autobiography, instead penning a memoir of his time with Kate. The Hepburn that we meet in these pages is the Hepburn that fans expect: strong-willed, tending to bossy, a woman of principles, a passionate friend and a dedicated actress. He shares some of her thoughts on her career, and it was a bit surprising to learn that when she was younger she felt competitive (with Ginger Rogers for one), and sometimes acted in petty, actressy ways. He also touched on her vulnerability in her later years, as her always physically fit body began to fail her in her nineties. The book made her more human and less iconic, like a goddess who comes to earth to live as a mortal would.
I think Berg also captured my favourite part of Hepburn - the enthusiasm with which she lived, and her great sense of adventure. She inspires a joie de vivre, an enpowering feeling that the world is open to everybody to take chances and create your own path. Life is not always that simple, but I think tapping into that experience of personal freedom is crucial to any changes that one may want to make in one's life. Hepburn would not have understood challenges that hold people back - she was a 'no excuses' kind of woman - but she would have been the first to lead the cheer for anyone who wanted to do the work that is required. She stands as an icon for everyone who appreciates film - an ideal woman for men to dream of and a woman of ideals for women to emulate.
Scott Berg met Hepburn as a writer wanting to interview her for Esquire magazine, and became a long-standing friend who was a part of her life for twenty years. Because of the intimacy of their connection, and his lack of objectivity, he declined to write a full-fledged autobiography, instead penning a memoir of his time with Kate. The Hepburn that we meet in these pages is the Hepburn that fans expect: strong-willed, tending to bossy, a woman of principles, a passionate friend and a dedicated actress. He shares some of her thoughts on her career, and it was a bit surprising to learn that when she was younger she felt competitive (with Ginger Rogers for one), and sometimes acted in petty, actressy ways. He also touched on her vulnerability in her later years, as her always physically fit body began to fail her in her nineties. The book made her more human and less iconic, like a goddess who comes to earth to live as a mortal would.
I think Berg also captured my favourite part of Hepburn - the enthusiasm with which she lived, and her great sense of adventure. She inspires a joie de vivre, an enpowering feeling that the world is open to everybody to take chances and create your own path. Life is not always that simple, but I think tapping into that experience of personal freedom is crucial to any changes that one may want to make in one's life. Hepburn would not have understood challenges that hold people back - she was a 'no excuses' kind of woman - but she would have been the first to lead the cheer for anyone who wanted to do the work that is required. She stands as an icon for everyone who appreciates film - an ideal woman for men to dream of and a woman of ideals for women to emulate.
August 19, 2016
A. Scott Berg started out to write a magazine article for Esquire, and he wanted to include Hepburn. Knowing she seldom saw people, he got in touch with mutual friends in the hope it would open the gate for him.
It took a long time, but once the gate was open, it was open wide. Hepburn introduced him to her housemate and assistant as "my biographer", and his chin fell on the floor. The relationship began in the 1980's, and she made it clear that he was not to publish it until after her death.
I started to give the book four stars, since that is about as good a rating I ever give to a biography; Hepburn's "Me" is the go-to book if you want to see what she has to say for herself. But because he used a tape recorder and quoted some of what she had to say verbatim, I include this title on my "primary sources" shelf, because though the book as a whole is secondary material, there are plenty of direct quotes from Hepburn within. And ultimately I went back and tacked on the fifth star, because Hepburn wrote about herself and carefully stepped around things she did not want to discuss while she was still alive and working (which she considered to be synonymous with one another). Because this volume was to be published posthumously, and because of her bond with the author, who was called along with family members to her bedside as she lay dying, and who sat beside her when her brother Dick died, this is actually the more in-depth book about her life.
My admiration of Hepburn was deeper and broader by the time I finished reading her story. A woman who could advocate for herself before such a thing was heard of; a star who mopped up her own kitchen messes and made her own bed; one who was nobody's victim, and though I wish Tracy had given her more than he did, it was gratifying to know that she preferred not to be married lest her independence be compromised.
She stood up in favor of women's political rights, and she championed Planned Parenthood. She stood up to McCarthy and spoke out against the witch hunts of the 1950s, and said that while she did not blame anyone in the industry for testifying before the committee in order to save the careers, they had no business implicating others in their field in a manner that would prevent them from working.
And she was never afraid to laugh at herself.
Included are some really wonderful photographs of her. Probably you will finish reading and immediately feel the need to rent some Hepburn movies. How could I have not seen The Philadelphia Story?
A wonderful read, and until she becomes very old and very sick, the book remains, to use one of her pet phrases, "great fun".
It took a long time, but once the gate was open, it was open wide. Hepburn introduced him to her housemate and assistant as "my biographer", and his chin fell on the floor. The relationship began in the 1980's, and she made it clear that he was not to publish it until after her death.
I started to give the book four stars, since that is about as good a rating I ever give to a biography; Hepburn's "Me" is the go-to book if you want to see what she has to say for herself. But because he used a tape recorder and quoted some of what she had to say verbatim, I include this title on my "primary sources" shelf, because though the book as a whole is secondary material, there are plenty of direct quotes from Hepburn within. And ultimately I went back and tacked on the fifth star, because Hepburn wrote about herself and carefully stepped around things she did not want to discuss while she was still alive and working (which she considered to be synonymous with one another). Because this volume was to be published posthumously, and because of her bond with the author, who was called along with family members to her bedside as she lay dying, and who sat beside her when her brother Dick died, this is actually the more in-depth book about her life.
My admiration of Hepburn was deeper and broader by the time I finished reading her story. A woman who could advocate for herself before such a thing was heard of; a star who mopped up her own kitchen messes and made her own bed; one who was nobody's victim, and though I wish Tracy had given her more than he did, it was gratifying to know that she preferred not to be married lest her independence be compromised.
She stood up in favor of women's political rights, and she championed Planned Parenthood. She stood up to McCarthy and spoke out against the witch hunts of the 1950s, and said that while she did not blame anyone in the industry for testifying before the committee in order to save the careers, they had no business implicating others in their field in a manner that would prevent them from working.
And she was never afraid to laugh at herself.
Included are some really wonderful photographs of her. Probably you will finish reading and immediately feel the need to rent some Hepburn movies. How could I have not seen The Philadelphia Story?
A wonderful read, and until she becomes very old and very sick, the book remains, to use one of her pet phrases, "great fun".
March 12, 2017
Added 5/29/14. (audio version)
Hear a sample here:
http://www.audible.com/search/ref=a_p...
3/12/17 - I've been listening to an audio CD of this book. I loved it. I had forgotten that I had listened to it once before (although I knew I had read something similar about Hepburn, probably Me: Stories of My Life by Katharine Hepburn ). I'm changing my rating from 4 stars to 5 because I think the author has done a terrific job! I'm going to search for more biographies by him.
PS-The narrator of this audio book is Tony Goldwyn who did an excellent job. He imitates Hepburn's voice and accent in quotes throughout the book. This brought a feeling of reality to the biography.
Hear a sample here:
http://www.audible.com/search/ref=a_p...
3/12/17 - I've been listening to an audio CD of this book. I loved it. I had forgotten that I had listened to it once before (although I knew I had read something similar about Hepburn, probably Me: Stories of My Life by Katharine Hepburn ). I'm changing my rating from 4 stars to 5 because I think the author has done a terrific job! I'm going to search for more biographies by him.
PS-The narrator of this audio book is Tony Goldwyn who did an excellent job. He imitates Hepburn's voice and accent in quotes throughout the book. This brought a feeling of reality to the biography.
April 25, 2017
Katherine Hepburn has never been one of my favorite actresses; I must admit that up front. Nevertheless, this is an engrossing and at times touching account of the author's friendship with her over a number of years. Her personality would have me heading for the doors in a few minutes, but the author found common ground with her and learned how to deal with her at times prickly personality. And I did come to appreciate her acting skills through his stories of their discussions and through his research. I also liked her honesty in admitting the mistakes she made over the course of her life, such as not showing up at the Oscars for decades. I had no idea that she had such a vast area of experience on the stage, so that was an eye-opener. All in all, a very interesting and worthwhile account of her life and the author's friendship with her.
March 4, 2008
I don't generally enjoy Biography, but this was different. Katharine Hepburn has always been one of my favorite actresses. She was such a strong, modern woman. She wasn't without flaws, but she was such a presence both on and off screen. Author Berg became part of her inner circle after convincing her to do an interview for Esquire magazine. He painted such an intimate portrait of her life. On the jacket of the book, he says he can't call this a biography, because he got too close to Hepburn to remain objective. He became a close friend of hers and this book is really an homage to his friend. Interesting insight on old Hollywood.
April 29, 2019
A very atypical biography--rather than a chronological history, it's more the story of the author's ongoing friendship with Hepburn, which includes, of course, her stories about Tracy, many other actors, directors, and moguls. The author also talks with friends present and past, such as Irene Selznik, who provides plenty of sly insight. You also get some of Hepburn's stranger modern encounters, such as a very late period film with Warren Beatty and an odd dinner with Michael Jackson. Altogether, a funny and heartwarming tale that would go over with practically any fan of classic Hollywood.
June 5, 2007
this is the best biography on katherine hepburn out there. she became friends with the author before he became her biographer so there is a much more personal feel to the book than most biographies. i enjoyed every minute of this book.
October 22, 2007
I am a huge fan of Katharine Hepburn and found this book excellent at sharing her compelling life story. She meets and befriends so many odd famous people from the 1930s into the 2000s. I was simply mesmerized. The author's eloquent words appeared truthful and graceful, as Miss Hepburn.
January 27, 2008
Everything I could want to know about Katherine Hepburn.Berg captured the essence of who she was throughout her life on and off the screen. I received the hard over the day after it came out, when she died in 2003.
August 5, 2012
Good book. She was such a brilliant and beautiful actor..always spoke her mind and never minced wowrds. My favorite movie of hers was "The African Queen", and she talks a lot about the time spent on this movie.
July 3, 2016
I enjoy biographies. I knew little of Kate before reading this book, so I learned a lot. great words of Hepburn wisdom about the meaning of life: "to work hard and to love someone. and to have a little fun along the way". it's not rocket science but it works for me!
October 28, 2014
Fascinating & Funny! The Essence Of Life Captured!
July 28, 2018
Writer Berg can't be accused of exploiting his subject or his uncommon friendship with Hepburn, as there are too many weekends at the beach, fireside chats and lots of fancy meals on TV trays. Hepburn obviously admired the author's skills and liked his companionship. The result is a personal look at one of the most anti-social actresses, with most of her less-than-congenial flaws exposed as well as her "charms".
There are self-evaluations, like her describing her young self as "fame-obsessed" and a "pig". Hepburn's multiple affairs with married men (including Spencer Tracy, among many others) are also discussed, as well as her narcissism and incredible confidence while stealing roles from more established actresses. We learn about who she admired (Howard Hughes, Garbo, Bogart, John Huston, Barrymore) and whom she disliked ("Glenn Close's hideous bare feet onstage").
Berg captures a lot of memorable material--especially when he gets close enough to uncover Hepburn's opinions about death, dying and Tracy's alcoholism. Warren Beatty makes a sleazy cameo, manipulating a more senile, fragile Hepburn into a late movie role while remarking on her old face. "If only I were younger when we met" he attempts as a compliment, which she is still sharp enough to find unflattering.
After reading about so many of her unpleasant Hollywood encounters, it's refreshing to appreciate she was one of very few actresses well before the Me-Too movement who orchestrated her career, did whatever she wanted in her personal life, and lived a life of brutal honesty--this during the Studio Age. Despite her character flaws, and cruelty, she survived a lot more than her peers.
There are self-evaluations, like her describing her young self as "fame-obsessed" and a "pig". Hepburn's multiple affairs with married men (including Spencer Tracy, among many others) are also discussed, as well as her narcissism and incredible confidence while stealing roles from more established actresses. We learn about who she admired (Howard Hughes, Garbo, Bogart, John Huston, Barrymore) and whom she disliked ("Glenn Close's hideous bare feet onstage").
Berg captures a lot of memorable material--especially when he gets close enough to uncover Hepburn's opinions about death, dying and Tracy's alcoholism. Warren Beatty makes a sleazy cameo, manipulating a more senile, fragile Hepburn into a late movie role while remarking on her old face. "If only I were younger when we met" he attempts as a compliment, which she is still sharp enough to find unflattering.
After reading about so many of her unpleasant Hollywood encounters, it's refreshing to appreciate she was one of very few actresses well before the Me-Too movement who orchestrated her career, did whatever she wanted in her personal life, and lived a life of brutal honesty--this during the Studio Age. Despite her character flaws, and cruelty, she survived a lot more than her peers.
September 2, 2020
All the pertinent information in this 370-page book could have easily been covered in a book half this size. If you want just to learn as much about the inner workings of the movie industry, who knew who, all the goings on in the private lives of actors and directors, as you do about the life of Katharine Hepburn, this book is for you. Otherwise prepare to skim.
The author came to know K. Hepburn very well over the years as he accumulated her reminisces of her life as an actress. He documented those memories and reflections very well, but for me the detail was exhausting: too many names, too many mundane details, too many recollections of minutia that is just not of much interest to anyone who wasn’t there.
I did enjoy Hepburn’s honest observations on her past behaviors. This woman knew who she was, and while maybe not apologizing for past actions or words, she managed to be objective. I was surprised to find out how promiscuous she had been and how unashamed she was of her many affairs. In her words, she was living life as a man would.
I’ve always been torn between admiring Hepburn and finding her annoying. She seemed to understand that she had that effect on people. Hepburn was tough and deliberate when it came to marketing herself, and could reinvent herself as needed. The woman fought for her career and, except maybe for her devotion to Spencer Tracy, she was 100 percent focused on her own needs and putting herself forward. She was happy with her life and with who she was. Guess that’s about as good as it gets.
The author came to know K. Hepburn very well over the years as he accumulated her reminisces of her life as an actress. He documented those memories and reflections very well, but for me the detail was exhausting: too many names, too many mundane details, too many recollections of minutia that is just not of much interest to anyone who wasn’t there.
I did enjoy Hepburn’s honest observations on her past behaviors. This woman knew who she was, and while maybe not apologizing for past actions or words, she managed to be objective. I was surprised to find out how promiscuous she had been and how unashamed she was of her many affairs. In her words, she was living life as a man would.
I’ve always been torn between admiring Hepburn and finding her annoying. She seemed to understand that she had that effect on people. Hepburn was tough and deliberate when it came to marketing herself, and could reinvent herself as needed. The woman fought for her career and, except maybe for her devotion to Spencer Tracy, she was 100 percent focused on her own needs and putting herself forward. She was happy with her life and with who she was. Guess that’s about as good as it gets.
December 20, 2017
I was a bit worried when I started reading this book that I would find out that Katharine Hepburn was unlikeable but this book was a fascinating portrait of her life. Hepburn met the author Scott Berg when she was in her 70s and they remained friends for the remainder of her life (she died in 2003 at age 96). Berg published the book after her death but it doesn't seem exploitative or try to whitewash Hepburn's flaws. Hepburn seemed to be pretty honest about mistakes that she had made in her life and to have a very strong sense of who she was. The descriptions of her routine later in life at Fenwick, her family home in Connecticut, made me wish that I could have been there - it sounds like it was this little island away from menial concerns. This probably means that deep down inside I long to be very wealthy and have a large estate away from everything where I can read all day...
October 5, 2018
I listened to this audio version and the first half was very good but the second half got tiresome. The author spent a lot of time talking about his other projects which, I didn’t think related to Hepburn that much. But I listened in my car and over all it was more entertaining than the radio stations available here.
April 22, 2019
This was wondeful. I laughed. I cried. I marvelled at the life of this incredible woman. This may legitimately be among my top 3 favorite biography/memoirs. Stunning. I didn't want to put it down. It's one I'd definitely like to read again one day.
August 12, 2017
Toi, tu m'as fait pleurer...
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