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By Myself and Then Some
The epitome of grace, independence, and wit, Lauren Bacall continues to project an audacious spirit and pursue on-screen excellence. The product of an extraordinary mother and a loving extended family, she produced, with Humphrey Bogart, some of the most electric and memorable scenes in movie history. After tragically losing Bogart, she returned to New York and a brilliant career in the theatre. A two-time Tony winner, she married and later divorced her second love, Jason Robards, and never lost sight of the strength that made her a star.
Now, thirty years after the publication of her original National Book Award–winning memoir, Bacall has added new material to her inspiring history. In her own frank and beautiful words, one of our most enduring actresses reveals the remarkable true story of a lifetime so rich with incident and achievement that Hollywood itself would be unable to adequately reproduce it.
Now, thirty years after the publication of her original National Book Award–winning memoir, Bacall has added new material to her inspiring history. In her own frank and beautiful words, one of our most enduring actresses reveals the remarkable true story of a lifetime so rich with incident and achievement that Hollywood itself would be unable to adequately reproduce it.
514 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2005
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About the author
Lauren Bacall
23 books80 followersBetty Joan Perske, better known as Lauren Bacall, was a Golden Globe– and Tony Award–winning, as well as Academy Award–nominated, American film and stage actress and model. Known for her husky voice and sultry looks, she became a fashion icon in the 1940s and has continued acting to the present day.
She is perhaps best known for being a film noir leading lady in films such as The Big Sleep (1946) and Dark Passage (1947), as well as a comedienne, as seen in 1953's How to Marry a Millionaire. Bacall also enjoyed success starring in the Broadway musicals Applause in 1970 and Woman of the Year in 1981.
She is perhaps best known for being a film noir leading lady in films such as The Big Sleep (1946) and Dark Passage (1947), as well as a comedienne, as seen in 1953's How to Marry a Millionaire. Bacall also enjoyed success starring in the Broadway musicals Applause in 1970 and Woman of the Year in 1981.
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April 27, 2016When Humphrey Bogart died Lauren Bacall asked for donations to the cancer charities in lieu of flowers and on the day of his funeral received a telegram from the American Floral Association which read "Do we say don't go to see Lauren Bacall movies?" Anyway the American Floral Association is comprised of dicks, thought you should know.
August 27, 2014
I would give this a 4.5. this is actually a book that Lauren Bacall combined. the first part of the book was written in 1978 called "By Myself" in 2005 she added on to this book to update the last 27 years and called it "And Then Some". this is a good memoir. Ms. Bacall has written and honest recall of her life. I felt like I was sitting down just having a conversation with her. She speaks lovingly about her mother and grandmother who raised her alone. Heading out to Los Angeles and the beginning of her career in movies,which came very fast. by nineteen she was cast in "To Have or Have Not" with Humphrey Bogart. they quickly fell in love a couple years later married. they had a wonderful 12 years together having a son and daughter before "Bogie" tragically died of cancer.
this is also a fun book to read. she is very generous describing the movies she made and plays she was in. Sharing with the readers about her famous friends, such and Spencer Tracy, Katharine Hepburn, Gregory Peck. and many more. She described the ups and downs of her life. but was careful to not revert into mudslinging. she was honest about the not so good parts of her life but did not get mean spirited about it. i liked getting the chance to read this memoir and getting to know more about this talent actress. I think my only criticism is that the chapters are extremely long with few chances of a stopping off point. I had this on my kindle and wanted to read the memoir after Lauren Bacall died a couple weeks ago. it seemed like her death was overshadowed and did not get as much press as she deserved.
this is also a fun book to read. she is very generous describing the movies she made and plays she was in. Sharing with the readers about her famous friends, such and Spencer Tracy, Katharine Hepburn, Gregory Peck. and many more. She described the ups and downs of her life. but was careful to not revert into mudslinging. she was honest about the not so good parts of her life but did not get mean spirited about it. i liked getting the chance to read this memoir and getting to know more about this talent actress. I think my only criticism is that the chapters are extremely long with few chances of a stopping off point. I had this on my kindle and wanted to read the memoir after Lauren Bacall died a couple weeks ago. it seemed like her death was overshadowed and did not get as much press as she deserved.
October 28, 2024
I absolutely love reading the autobiographies of twentieth century movie stars, particularly from the Golden Age of Hollywood. Lauren Bacall’s story is amazing and it is intricately and absolutely detailed. It’s almost like she didn’t want to leave anything out. The amount of detail is staggering. This is a hefty book - over 500 pages in small print and I struggled at times with the lack of paragraphing and distinct chapters. Nonetheless is it a beautifully written book, written in a manner that feels like Lauren is having a wonderful (one sided) conversation with the reader. I loved this book and know that I’ll read it again one day.
December 19, 2007
Other than having been married to Humphrey Bogart, I didn't know a lot about Lauren Bacall. This autobiography introduced me to a charming and headstrong woman who has faced many trials and come out the other side, trumphant.
A "nice, Jewish girl", and granddaughter of immigrants, Lauren's (nee Betty Bacal) parents divorced when she was quite young. Her mother worked quite hard to support the two of them, with the help of an extended family. Lauren's dreams of performing onstage were encouraged by her mother; she attended a drama school and got her foot in the door of New York theater by working as an usher. She also pursued modelling and a Harper's Bazaar cover was the key to Hollywood for her.
Howard Hawks took Bacall under his wing, and introduced her to Hollywood, as well as the love of her life, Bogart. I was surprised to find out how large the age difference between the two of them was - 25 years. They married when she was twenty, and she lost him about a dozen years later. The section where she describes his failing health and eventual passing brought tears to my eyes. She gave Bogie a lot of credit for forming her character and attitude towards fame.
Bacall kept working both on stage and screen, even through a second (and failed) marriage to Jason Robards. Her three children (2 by Bogart, one by Robards) became the focus of her life, as much as her career allowed. She developed friendships with many of the stars of the 1940's, 50's and 60's, with Katharine Hepburn perhaps one of the closest.
She wrote about her failures as well as her successes; glorying in the high times and accepting the low. Not being privy to Hollywood gossip, I can't say how honest she truly was, but the book certainly comes off that way. The 3 sections of photos were a welcome addition, as was the "and then some" section, added to her original autobio from the 1980's. This section, as one might expect, is quite reflective, especially as she lost so many of her dear friends over the last two decades.
Autobiographies can be a mixed bag at times; but I found this one to be a celebration of a well-lived life (so far).
Recommended to those interested in the Hollywood of the 1940's - 1960's as well as a good story.
A "nice, Jewish girl", and granddaughter of immigrants, Lauren's (nee Betty Bacal) parents divorced when she was quite young. Her mother worked quite hard to support the two of them, with the help of an extended family. Lauren's dreams of performing onstage were encouraged by her mother; she attended a drama school and got her foot in the door of New York theater by working as an usher. She also pursued modelling and a Harper's Bazaar cover was the key to Hollywood for her.
Howard Hawks took Bacall under his wing, and introduced her to Hollywood, as well as the love of her life, Bogart. I was surprised to find out how large the age difference between the two of them was - 25 years. They married when she was twenty, and she lost him about a dozen years later. The section where she describes his failing health and eventual passing brought tears to my eyes. She gave Bogie a lot of credit for forming her character and attitude towards fame.
Bacall kept working both on stage and screen, even through a second (and failed) marriage to Jason Robards. Her three children (2 by Bogart, one by Robards) became the focus of her life, as much as her career allowed. She developed friendships with many of the stars of the 1940's, 50's and 60's, with Katharine Hepburn perhaps one of the closest.
She wrote about her failures as well as her successes; glorying in the high times and accepting the low. Not being privy to Hollywood gossip, I can't say how honest she truly was, but the book certainly comes off that way. The 3 sections of photos were a welcome addition, as was the "and then some" section, added to her original autobio from the 1980's. This section, as one might expect, is quite reflective, especially as she lost so many of her dear friends over the last two decades.
Autobiographies can be a mixed bag at times; but I found this one to be a celebration of a well-lived life (so far).
Recommended to those interested in the Hollywood of the 1940's - 1960's as well as a good story.
March 17, 2024
What an extraordinary woman. What an extraordinary life. Since I first watched How To Marry A Millionaire when I was a pre-teen, I have been an admirer of Lauren Bacall, the actress. Then I was a fan of Bacall, one half of Old Hollywood power couple "Bogie and Bacall." After reading this, I'm now a bigger fan of Betty AKA Lauren Bacall, the human being. She's warm, self-deprecating, funny and incredibly direct. She's not afraid to look back and go "yikes I could've handled that a little better." In the additional chapter "And Then Some" written 25 years after the release of “By Myself,” she reflects on her career, aging,and the deaths of many of her dear friends.
Some things that stood out to me while reading (I'm sure I'll add to this list lol):
How insecure she was, even after decades of being in Hollywood, she was still unsure of her abilities as an actress. She also longed to be taken seriously as a theatre actress.
The incredible bond she had with her mother. Her absent father doing interviews with the press because he disapproved of her relationship with Bogie even though he straight up abandoned her. Then later asking her director for theatre tickets when she was starring in a play. IT'S THE AUDACITY FOR ME.
I knew the age gap between her and Bogie was big but I didn’t know it was THAT big 🥴🙃
The antisemitism she endured as an up-and-coming actress. One of her mentors making a disgusting "joke" in front of her when he didn't know she was Jewish.
The sultry look that Bacall was known for was the result of her inability to stop shaking due to her nerves when she was acting. Putting her chin down and looking up stopped the shaking.
How progressive her views were/are and even back then, celebrities were told to just act and keep their political views to themselves. Some things never change!
I had to stop and google Adlai Stevenson because this man had a whole squad of gorgeous married woman hanging on his every word lol There weren't any affairs but these woman-including Lauren- were infatuated with him.
The chapter recalling Bogie's cancer diagnosis and death was incredibly poignant. She remembers everything so vividly. It's heartbreaking even when you know when and how he died.
For years both the studios and media only saw her as "Bogie's Baby" and then "Bogie's Widow" so it was difficult for her to get work.
Her ill-fated romance with family friend Frank Sinatra after Bogie's death. A surprise to no one: he was not a great boyfriend. The fact that they didn’t actually get married was for the best. She straight up says that the relationship was a distraction from her grief.
Her friendships were incredibly important to her. She seems like one of those people you really wanted to have in your corner. The way she spoke about all her friends....I wish I had been one of them 😭❤️
On that same note, it was cool seeing the nicknames for all these giants of old hollywood lol Spencer Tracy was “Spence” Gregory Peck was “Greg” Henry Fonda was “Hank” and Katharine Hepburn was “Katie.”
Gregory Peck was a top tier human being. That is all. PSA: Watch “Designing Woman” and thank me later.
Some things that stood out to me while reading (I'm sure I'll add to this list lol):
How insecure she was, even after decades of being in Hollywood, she was still unsure of her abilities as an actress. She also longed to be taken seriously as a theatre actress.
The incredible bond she had with her mother. Her absent father doing interviews with the press because he disapproved of her relationship with Bogie even though he straight up abandoned her. Then later asking her director for theatre tickets when she was starring in a play. IT'S THE AUDACITY FOR ME.
I knew the age gap between her and Bogie was big but I didn’t know it was THAT big 🥴🙃
The antisemitism she endured as an up-and-coming actress. One of her mentors making a disgusting "joke" in front of her when he didn't know she was Jewish.
The sultry look that Bacall was known for was the result of her inability to stop shaking due to her nerves when she was acting. Putting her chin down and looking up stopped the shaking.
How progressive her views were/are and even back then, celebrities were told to just act and keep their political views to themselves. Some things never change!
I had to stop and google Adlai Stevenson because this man had a whole squad of gorgeous married woman hanging on his every word lol There weren't any affairs but these woman-including Lauren- were infatuated with him.
The chapter recalling Bogie's cancer diagnosis and death was incredibly poignant. She remembers everything so vividly. It's heartbreaking even when you know when and how he died.
For years both the studios and media only saw her as "Bogie's Baby" and then "Bogie's Widow" so it was difficult for her to get work.
Her ill-fated romance with family friend Frank Sinatra after Bogie's death. A surprise to no one: he was not a great boyfriend. The fact that they didn’t actually get married was for the best. She straight up says that the relationship was a distraction from her grief.
Her friendships were incredibly important to her. She seems like one of those people you really wanted to have in your corner. The way she spoke about all her friends....I wish I had been one of them 😭❤️
On that same note, it was cool seeing the nicknames for all these giants of old hollywood lol Spencer Tracy was “Spence” Gregory Peck was “Greg” Henry Fonda was “Hank” and Katharine Hepburn was “Katie.”
Gregory Peck was a top tier human being. That is all. PSA: Watch “Designing Woman” and thank me later.
November 1, 2008
I found this all but impossible to put down. Bacall writes in a very immediate style, full of personality - her prose apparently untouched by ghost writers. The most interesting part of the book is, inevitably, the description of her youth, covering her amazingly swift rise to fame and marriage to Bogart.
However, the later sections about her career after Bogart's death, her broken engagement to Frank Sinatra and failed second marriage to Jason Robards, are also just as readable.
There's an extra part added 25 years after the book's original publication, covering her more recent films and stage shows and paying tribute to some of her friends who have died, such as Katharine Hepburn and Gregory Peck.
A must for any fan of old Hollywood with a soft spot for Bogie and Bacall.
However, the later sections about her career after Bogart's death, her broken engagement to Frank Sinatra and failed second marriage to Jason Robards, are also just as readable.
There's an extra part added 25 years after the book's original publication, covering her more recent films and stage shows and paying tribute to some of her friends who have died, such as Katharine Hepburn and Gregory Peck.
A must for any fan of old Hollywood with a soft spot for Bogie and Bacall.
August 2, 2009
I enjoyed her talking about show business, her start in it, and her doubts / fears before auditions etc. It was also nice learning more about Bogart through her. But, towards the end, particularly what she added after the first version of the book was ridiculous... modern world type stuff, why she likes her little dog etc. Some editor needed to get a spine.
November 7, 2015
Lauren Bacall was a wonderful human. Her talent is undeniable as an actress, wife, mother, activist, caretaker, thinker, protector, helper, writer. While she’s now primarily remembered for her work as an actress, I was surprised at how personable and well-written By Myself and Then Some is. It reads like a Jewish grandmother sitting and telling you about her life. Wonderful.
Death fills the latter half of this book. The highs are high, but the lows are so deep. Bacall lived long enough to see many of her friends and family die, and it has a sobering effect. She mentions at the end of the book that you don't think about death when you're young. She's right. I don't. Maybe things change once you experience the first death of someone close to you. Maybe you see the world differently. Maybe that's what it takes. It seems she did.
Perhaps because of this, the pathos that Bacall views all people comes through. Her thoughts and opinions come through, but they’re always tempered with either her inherent understanding of others or the perspective of years. Maybe both. In her descriptions of her own life, she pulls no punches as far as I can tell, acknowledging her mistakes, but at the same time, owning them. She had affairs with married men, notably with Humphrey Bogart (in a few short months, her husband), and concedes that was not an ideal situation. But when two people meet and better each other in such a passionate way, surely that’s something to not throw away? So her life goes. I highly recommend it.
What I would have underlined if this wasn't a library book.
-It wasn’t good enough, I thought, to have someone crazy about you if you felt nothing.
- Each time I was in love - this was it. The hunger to belong. Imagination is the highest kite that can fly.
- It was hard growing up. (It’s still hard.)
- Was all life to be proving yourself over and over?
- I could tell him anything - dream my dreams aloud and he wouldn’t laugh…
- My name would be on everyone’s lips, my words would be immortal - what was I to do with the me that was buried below all that, with the me I was stuck with, that was real?
- There was no way Bogie and I could be in the same room without reaching for each other, and it wasn’t just physical. Physical was very strong, but it was everything-heads, beards, bodies, everything going at the same time.
- No one has ever written a romance better than we lived it.
- I don’t know how I did it, except that when you’re twenty, it never occurs to you that you can’t.
- It was as though my brain shifted gears when I saw him – I reactivated the better part of it.
- It takes so long to understand things, so much time wasted.
- I’d become attached… to London. I wished I had a proper reason to stay there – once you’ve lived in that city, it’s a hard place to leave.
- Why can’t we be better than we are? Why can’t we enrich our lives with appreciation of the arts, with books? Why can’t that all be at least as important as making money, having a bigger house, a newer car? …why don’t we take the time to see what is around us - the earth, the sea, the sky?
Death fills the latter half of this book. The highs are high, but the lows are so deep. Bacall lived long enough to see many of her friends and family die, and it has a sobering effect. She mentions at the end of the book that you don't think about death when you're young. She's right. I don't. Maybe things change once you experience the first death of someone close to you. Maybe you see the world differently. Maybe that's what it takes. It seems she did.
Perhaps because of this, the pathos that Bacall views all people comes through. Her thoughts and opinions come through, but they’re always tempered with either her inherent understanding of others or the perspective of years. Maybe both. In her descriptions of her own life, she pulls no punches as far as I can tell, acknowledging her mistakes, but at the same time, owning them. She had affairs with married men, notably with Humphrey Bogart (in a few short months, her husband), and concedes that was not an ideal situation. But when two people meet and better each other in such a passionate way, surely that’s something to not throw away? So her life goes. I highly recommend it.
What I would have underlined if this wasn't a library book.
-It wasn’t good enough, I thought, to have someone crazy about you if you felt nothing.
- Each time I was in love - this was it. The hunger to belong. Imagination is the highest kite that can fly.
- It was hard growing up. (It’s still hard.)
- Was all life to be proving yourself over and over?
- I could tell him anything - dream my dreams aloud and he wouldn’t laugh…
- My name would be on everyone’s lips, my words would be immortal - what was I to do with the me that was buried below all that, with the me I was stuck with, that was real?
- There was no way Bogie and I could be in the same room without reaching for each other, and it wasn’t just physical. Physical was very strong, but it was everything-heads, beards, bodies, everything going at the same time.
- No one has ever written a romance better than we lived it.
- I don’t know how I did it, except that when you’re twenty, it never occurs to you that you can’t.
- It was as though my brain shifted gears when I saw him – I reactivated the better part of it.
- It takes so long to understand things, so much time wasted.
- I’d become attached… to London. I wished I had a proper reason to stay there – once you’ve lived in that city, it’s a hard place to leave.
- Why can’t we be better than we are? Why can’t we enrich our lives with appreciation of the arts, with books? Why can’t that all be at least as important as making money, having a bigger house, a newer car? …why don’t we take the time to see what is around us - the earth, the sea, the sky?
January 26, 2020
I added this in the week following Bacall's death in August - I finally wanted to learn more about this last actress of the Golden Era, a woman who seemed relatable and fun - judging by the interviews, quotations, snippets from TV shows she seemed to be one strong and humorous lady. The book consists of two parts - the first one, written in late seventies, and the second one, written over a quarter of a century later.
The first part - the majority of the book, luckily - is fast-paced, constructed like a good biopic - never a dull moment, following from one moment of interest of another. I honestly expected a narrative slump after her marriage to Bogart (her description of their courtship and marriage is by far the best part of the book), but the lady still delivered: Hollywood blacklisting, life on the set of The African Queen, etc. The book is written in an authentic voice, with strange, sometimes torn sentences; Bacall has a penchant for one-liners and makes amusing comments on people:
The first part - the majority of the book, luckily - is fast-paced, constructed like a good biopic - never a dull moment, following from one moment of interest of another. I honestly expected a narrative slump after her marriage to Bogart (her description of their courtship and marriage is by far the best part of the book), but the lady still delivered: Hollywood blacklisting, life on the set of The African Queen, etc. The book is written in an authentic voice, with strange, sometimes torn sentences; Bacall has a penchant for one-liners and makes amusing comments on people:
A writer named Truman Capote had been hired to work on the script. Bogie’s observation about him was, ‘At first you can’t believe him, he’s so odd, and then you want to carry him around with you always.’All in all, I really enjoyed the first part. She comes across as fragile and imperfect at times, prone to repeating the same errors, but first of all, a survivor, and a wonderfully commonsensical person:
My friends in the musical world had told me the toughness of what lay ahead. Jerry Robbins had said, ‘You’ll have to stay out of crowded, noisy rooms. Save your energy for the show. Find a nice guy and keep house, with quiet evenings for two.’ Clearly the best way to get through any show – or any life, for that matter.The second part - ...and Then Some - I largely skimmed. It mostly consists of a string of eulogies for dead friends and coworkers, and a list of plays and movies she worked in. This part, with all due respect, was rather rambling than chatty - with musings on 'the heartstopping beauty of Paris', the excellent quality of the New York's 'fresh and delicious takeout', and, of course, politics. I liked the descriptions of her work relationship with Barbra Streisand (whom she praises for her professionalism, but adds: 'Her best side is her left side. That happens to be my best side as well. Guess who won?'), and everything she wrote about John Gielgud.
April 3, 2012
Lauren Bacall tells the story of her life and the people who have been important to her over the years. Writing in a candid, chatty style, Bacall is honest about her innocence and insecurities as she moved to Los Angeles when she was eighteen. Telling stories about her early movies, life with Humphrey Bogart, his tragic death, her return to the stage in New York, and remarriage to Jason Robarts, it is almost as though you are sitting with Bacall over a cup of tea or taking a peek into her diary. One of the things that struck me about this book was the premium that Bacall places on friendship and how her friendships are such a central part of her life. This book is an updating of her original book By Myself that she wrote during her divorce from Robarts and its appeal lies in its writing. Rather than being shaped and polished by a ghostwriter, the personality of Lauren Bacall shines on every page.
May 30, 2017
Great bio! Learned a lot about the famous Bogie and Bacall relationship. That was the best part. Slowed down a little after that but was still good. Has some pictures throughout the book, which I always think is a great addition to any biography. Definitely pick this up if you are a fan of Bogart, Bacall or old Hollywood in general.
October 7, 2012
I read the initial biography in the mid-80s. Back then it had been groundbreaking stuff; memoirs were not as common as they are now. Bacall's _By Myself_ was one of the books that ushered in the wave of memoir. It also set the standard for Celebrity Memoir and has what is perhaps the heaviest, most impressive collection of dropped names Ive ever read. By the end of the book Bacall feels like someone you have known all your life. She does an outstanding job of zipping the reader into her skin and taking off on a raw journey through her fascinatingly colourful first fifty years of life.
_And Then Some_ is the addendum which brings the reader up to date on the two and a half decades in Bacall's life after the publication of the original memoir. As addenda go, it's the memoir equivalent of being fed Jello for dessert after enjoying five courses of gourmet delight. It's sweet and light and goes down easily but it's still just Jello.
More names are dropped, more awards are recounted, but there is nothing matching the savory poignancy of her love affair with Bogart and its wrenching, tragic end.
If I were rating this as two separate books the original _By Myself_ would get 4.5 stars--losing half a star for the hagiographic, romanticized picture of Humphrey Bogart which failed to address the fact that he kept a mistress (Vernita Peterson, his wigmaker) during the entirety of their marriage.
The second book _And Then Some_ would be 2.5 stars. As it is I'm rounding the entire work together for 3.5 stars.
_And Then Some_ is the addendum which brings the reader up to date on the two and a half decades in Bacall's life after the publication of the original memoir. As addenda go, it's the memoir equivalent of being fed Jello for dessert after enjoying five courses of gourmet delight. It's sweet and light and goes down easily but it's still just Jello.
More names are dropped, more awards are recounted, but there is nothing matching the savory poignancy of her love affair with Bogart and its wrenching, tragic end.
If I were rating this as two separate books the original _By Myself_ would get 4.5 stars--losing half a star for the hagiographic, romanticized picture of Humphrey Bogart which failed to address the fact that he kept a mistress (Vernita Peterson, his wigmaker) during the entirety of their marriage.
The second book _And Then Some_ would be 2.5 stars. As it is I'm rounding the entire work together for 3.5 stars.
August 16, 2019
I do admit that the screen coupling of Lauren Bacall & Humphrey Bogart is a very magical one and whenever they show one of their movies together is shown on the telly I will sit down and watch it even if I own most on dvd/bluray.
This is the story by Lauren Bacall about her life before, with Bogart and what came after Bogart death. She was a very young girl/woman when she met Bogart and they hit it of even if he was older. When Bogart met Bacall on the set of To Have and Have Not in 1944, she was only 19 years old and he was 25 years her senior. They married in 1945. The couple had two children. Their enduring romance lasted for 12 years until Bogart’s death in 1957, caused by cancer. Despite the inevitable problems in the marriage, they never ceased to care deeply about each other. Bacall, who died in 2014, kept and cherished the memory of her first husband. She said “No one has ever written a romance better than we lived it.“
In a 1996 interview, Bacall, reflecting on her life, told the interviewer that she had been lucky:
I had one great marriage, I have three great children and four grandchildren. I am still alive. I still can function. I still can work ... You just learn to cope with whatever you have to cope with. I spent my childhood in New York, riding on subways and buses. And you know what you learn if you're a New Yorker? The world doesn't owe you a damn thing
This autobiography has added one extra chapter upon rerelease of the book with Bacalls' further life experiences.
A great book about a true Hollywood legend that reads really easy and is about a different world and time when the laws of Hollywood were total and about some fascinating famous people in their moments of screen.
A must read book for people that enjoy the old Hollywood movies and their history.
This is the story by Lauren Bacall about her life before, with Bogart and what came after Bogart death. She was a very young girl/woman when she met Bogart and they hit it of even if he was older. When Bogart met Bacall on the set of To Have and Have Not in 1944, she was only 19 years old and he was 25 years her senior. They married in 1945. The couple had two children. Their enduring romance lasted for 12 years until Bogart’s death in 1957, caused by cancer. Despite the inevitable problems in the marriage, they never ceased to care deeply about each other. Bacall, who died in 2014, kept and cherished the memory of her first husband. She said “No one has ever written a romance better than we lived it.“
In a 1996 interview, Bacall, reflecting on her life, told the interviewer that she had been lucky:
I had one great marriage, I have three great children and four grandchildren. I am still alive. I still can function. I still can work ... You just learn to cope with whatever you have to cope with. I spent my childhood in New York, riding on subways and buses. And you know what you learn if you're a New Yorker? The world doesn't owe you a damn thing
This autobiography has added one extra chapter upon rerelease of the book with Bacalls' further life experiences.
A great book about a true Hollywood legend that reads really easy and is about a different world and time when the laws of Hollywood were total and about some fascinating famous people in their moments of screen.
A must read book for people that enjoy the old Hollywood movies and their history.
February 23, 2008
I'm no fan of biographies, but I couldn't miss this one. Betty has such a great personality and she lived in the most glamorous of all eras, the 1940's ! Call it a guilty pleasure, but a pleasure it was to read that book, from cover to cover.
February 8, 2024
She was an absolutely star. She always will be in my memory
September 18, 2014
From the beginning of this autobiography:
That quote is typical of something that turns up throughout Bacall's life; if something's good, it - at the most bitter points in her life - is fleeting.
However, this is thankfully not the tone of this autobiography. Before the last, updated bit of the book, Bacall details how she's overcome obstacles while pursuing a very glass-half-full point of view. And she's fought to be where she turned up early in her career, along with extraordinary luck, as she states. Among her lucky stars, she met Bette Davis:
She started working as a model and attending acting school. She constantly wondered where her life would take her:
Howard Hawks, the legendary movie director, found Bacall and primed her for Hollywood.
There are a lot of Hollywood anecdotes in the book:
...but despite this, it's mostly about Bacall's own emotions and experiences.
And upon making "To Have and Have Not":
And, upon falling in love with Bogie:
The problematic love story between Bacall and Bogart is the epic piece of the book, to me; we see how their love spires while Bogart is married with Mayo Methot, a person who seems to have experienced issues with alcoholism and spousal abuse - to my knowledge, where she abused Bogart, who hid from Methot as much as possible. This does not seem to have expediated their separation.
But, their love:
The death of Bogie is too harrowing to even try to concatenate here; all I can say is that it makes for an adamant, excellent cry, if one is at all possible. I'll just print a small quote:
Then:
Bacall's later life makes for a less interesting tome, and I know I'm being brutally honest, even though it's still interesting and quite inspirational; I love the story of Bacall and Bogart, one that spanned lifetimes in some ways; his and her flaws are taken up, and she repeatedly, veraciously emphasises their eternal love, with examples.
And to end with:
All in all: very readable and worthy of reading. What a life. A rider from a young age, and then wise and perhaps not working as much in the latter part of the book - where she notes many a dead friend - but still, a Life. Go read.
Mother bought me a canary and I named him Petie. He was my first pet. I would talk to him – he would tweet to me. I’d close the windows and let him fly around the room. It was hell catching him, but I felt he was entitled to some freedom. One ghastly day when I suppose I thought he was well trained enough, and attached to me enough, I must have been a bit careless about a window, because he got out. He flew away – I never saw him again. I cried so. Mother tried replacing him with another canary, but it was never the same.
That quote is typical of something that turns up throughout Bacall's life; if something's good, it - at the most bitter points in her life - is fleeting.
However, this is thankfully not the tone of this autobiography. Before the last, updated bit of the book, Bacall details how she's overcome obstacles while pursuing a very glass-half-full point of view. And she's fought to be where she turned up early in her career, along with extraordinary luck, as she states. Among her lucky stars, she met Bette Davis:
Bette Davis was very patient. She said, ‘Well, if you want to act, you should probably try to work in summer stock. That’s the best way to learn your craft.’ ‘Oh yes, that’s what I want to do – I want to start on the stage and then go into films just as you did.’ ‘Well, be sure it’s really what you want to do with your life. It’s hard work and it’s lonely.’ I remembered she had said in an interview when talking about her life, ‘I have two Oscars on my mantelpiece, but they don’t keep you warm on cold winter evenings.’ More silence. Robin looked at me – I knew it was time to go. I said, ‘Thank you so much, Miss Davis, for your time – for seeing us – I am so grateful.’ Betty said much the same. Bette Davis shook our hands, wished us luck. Robin opened the door and out we went.
She started working as a model and attending acting school. She constantly wondered where her life would take her:
One Saturday morning in 1942, Mother and Rosalie took me to the Capitol Theatre to see a movie called Casablanca. We all loved it, and Rosalie was mad about Humphrey Bogart. I thought he was good in it, but mad about him? Not at all. She thought he was sexy. I thought she was crazy. Mother liked him, though not as much as she liked Chester Morris, who she thought was really sexy – or Ricardo Cortez, her second favorite. I couldn’t understand Rosalie’s thinking at all. Bogart didn’t vaguely resemble Leslie Howard. Not in any way. So much for my judgment at that time.
Howard Hawks, the legendary movie director, found Bacall and primed her for Hollywood.
He said he thought he’d like to put me in a film with Cary Grant or Humphrey Bogart. I thought, ‘Cary Grant – terrific! Humphrey Bogart – yucch.’
There are a lot of Hollywood anecdotes in the book:
One day I was having lunch at his poolside and was the last to leave. Finally he walked me to the door. At that moment the door opened. Standing there in white shirt, beige slacks – with a peach complexion, light brown hair, and the most incredible face ever seen by man – was Greta Garbo. I almost gasped out loud as Cole introduced me to her. No make-up – unmatched beauty. It was the only time I saw her at anything but a distance.
...but despite this, it's mostly about Bacall's own emotions and experiences.
And upon making "To Have and Have Not":
Howard took me to wardrobe, chose a dark shirt and jacket, put a beret on my head, and told me the test would be the next Tuesday. He drummed into my head that he wanted me to be insolent with the man – that I was being the forward one, but with humor – and told me about yet more scenes he had directed other actresses in to give me examples of the attitude he wanted. I hung on his every word, trying to figure out how the hell a girl who was totally without sexual experience could convey experience, worldliness, and knowledge of men.
By the end of the third or fourth take, I realized that one way to hold my trembling head still was to keep it down, chin low, almost to my chest, and eyes up at Bogart. It worked, and turned out to be the beginning of ‘The Look.’
And, upon falling in love with Bogie:
He was a gentle man – diametrically opposed to most of the parts he played. He detested deceit of any kind. He had never had a secret relationship such as we were having. Our drives home, foolish jokes, kidding on the set, all the behavior of kids in love – he’d never known. Nor had I. I had so many new feelings all at once. I was in awe of him and his position of ‘movie star.’ I was aware of being nineteen and he forty-four, but when we were together that didn’t seem to matter. I was older than nineteen in many ways and he had such energy and vitality he seemed to be no particular age. I was an innocent sexually – Bogie began awakening feelings that were new to me. Just his looking at me could make me tremble. When he took my hand in his, the feeling caught me in the pit of my stomach – his hand was warm, protecting, and full of love. When he saw me at the beginning of the day and when he called me on the telephone, his first words were always ‘Hello, Baby.’ My heart would literally pound. I knew that physical changes were happening within me – the simplest word, look, or move would bring a gut reaction. It was all so romantic – I would not have believed Bogie was so sentimental, so loving. I couldn’t think of anything else – when I wasn’t with him I was thinking of him, or talking about him. One-track-minding with a vengeance.
The problematic love story between Bacall and Bogart is the epic piece of the book, to me; we see how their love spires while Bogart is married with Mayo Methot, a person who seems to have experienced issues with alcoholism and spousal abuse - to my knowledge, where she abused Bogart, who hid from Methot as much as possible. This does not seem to have expediated their separation.
But, their love:
Bogie’s letters were all on the same themes: how much he loved me – how terrified he was of my being hurt – how he wanted to protect me – how wonderful of me to take that long drive to see him for so short a time. A few examples. Baby, I do love you so dearly and I never, never want to hurt you or bring any unhappiness to you – I want you to have the loveliest life any mortal ever had. It’s been so long, darling, since I’ve cared so deeply for anyone that I just don’t know what to do or say. I can only say that I’ve searched my heart thoroughly these past two weeks and I know that I deeply adore you and I know that I’ve got to have you. We just must wait because at present nothing can be done that would not bring disaster to you. And a week later: Baby, I never believed that I could love anyone again, for so many things have happened in my life to me that I was afraid to love – I didn’t want to love because it hurts so when you do. And then: Slim darling, you came along and into my arms and into my heart and all the real true love I have is yours – and now I’m afraid you won’t understand and that you’ll become impatient and that I’ll lose you – but even if that happened, I wouldn’t stop loving you for you are my last love and all the rest of my life I shall love you and watch you and be ready to help you should you ever need help. All the nice things I do each day would be so much sweeter and so much gayer if you were with me. I find myself saying a hundred times a day, ‘If Slim could only see that’ or ‘I wish Slim could hear this.’ I want to make a new life with you – I want all the friends I’ve lost to meet you and know you and love you as I do – and live again with you, for the past years have been terribly tough, damn near drove me crazy. You’ll soon be here, Baby, and when you come you’ll bring everything that’s important to me in this world with you.
Then the June 14 letter: Darling, sometimes I get so unhappy because I feel that I’m not being fair to you – that it is not fair to wait so long a time – and then somehow I feel that it’s alright because I’m not hurting you, not harming and never shall. I’d rather die than be the cause of any hurt or harm coming to you, Baby, because I love you so much. It seems so strange that after forty-four years of knocking around I should meet you, know you and fall in love with you when I thought that that could never again happen to me. And it’s tragic that everything couldn’t be all clean and just right for us instead of the way it is because we’d have such fun together. Out of my love for you I want nothing but happiness to come to you and no hurt ever. Slim darling, I wish I were your age again – perhaps a few years older – and no ties of any kind – no responsibilities – it would be so lovely, for there would be so many long years ahead for us instead of the few possible ones.
The death of Bogie is too harrowing to even try to concatenate here; all I can say is that it makes for an adamant, excellent cry, if one is at all possible. I'll just print a small quote:
We were standing in the hall talking when I heard Steve, who was lying on the floor at the head of the stairs, calling to me through the banister railing, ‘What is the date, Mommy?’ He was writing something. I went upstairs to find that in a little agenda book he had, he had written: ‘January 14th – Daddy died.’
Then:
I was breathing, but there was no life in me.
Bacall's later life makes for a less interesting tome, and I know I'm being brutally honest, even though it's still interesting and quite inspirational; I love the story of Bacall and Bogart, one that spanned lifetimes in some ways; his and her flaws are taken up, and she repeatedly, veraciously emphasises their eternal love, with examples.
The truth is that I wanted it all – all the time. And God knows I tried to have it. And God knows I almost did.
And to end with:
People always ask, ‘Are you happy?’ or, if I’m working, ‘You must be happy.’ I wish I knew what ‘happy’ means. I was happy when I was nineteen, and when my life began at twenty. I was happy then, though something always shook me up in the middle of my joyous time. So my life has been very much a seesaw.
All in all: very readable and worthy of reading. What a life. A rider from a young age, and then wise and perhaps not working as much in the latter part of the book - where she notes many a dead friend - but still, a Life. Go read.
July 8, 2016
Three and a half stars. I enjoyed the first reading but it does bog down in the middle, in the post-Bogart, extremely political years. She seemed to have a penchant for sexist alcoholics, to tell the truth. The "and then some" section is very different in tone; no longer the driven young star, the aging Bacall admits to her insecurities driving her to accept any work, all work--keep working. Why couldn't she relax, retire, enjoy a few of the fruits of her labour? Perhaps because she'd have to hear her own heart.
Bacall is legendary for being "difficult"--well, most profoundly insecure people are difficult (I speak from experience), and most actors are profoundly insecure; why else would they desperately need as Bacall specifically states to be someone else than themselves? I remember seeing her in a BBC "Hard Talk" interview in the 90s; she was a master of the zinger, the razor-edged tongue in the smiling mouth. She didn't trouble to disguise it with humour...she just let em have it right between the eyes. In the "And Then Some" section of this memoir, Bacall manages to take that razor edge to her writing when she speaks of screenwriters, directors and playwrights: all the time she is praising and "admiring" their work and their professionalism, she is actually ripping them to shreds with devastating politeness.
Not a nice person, but a great actress in her time.
Bacall is legendary for being "difficult"--well, most profoundly insecure people are difficult (I speak from experience), and most actors are profoundly insecure; why else would they desperately need as Bacall specifically states to be someone else than themselves? I remember seeing her in a BBC "Hard Talk" interview in the 90s; she was a master of the zinger, the razor-edged tongue in the smiling mouth. She didn't trouble to disguise it with humour...she just let em have it right between the eyes. In the "And Then Some" section of this memoir, Bacall manages to take that razor edge to her writing when she speaks of screenwriters, directors and playwrights: all the time she is praising and "admiring" their work and their professionalism, she is actually ripping them to shreds with devastating politeness.
Not a nice person, but a great actress in her time.
October 18, 2009
The only other celebrity autobiography I can recall reading was Larry Flynt's (AWESOME, FYI). I don't know how to rate these kinds of books so the four stars is entirely based on what I wanted to get out of it as a Lauren Bacall fan. It was moving to me, reading about her relationship to Bogie and loss of him, and just interesting in general to read about historical events and movies as a backdrop to someone's life. Also interesting to me from the perspective of someone in Al-Anon because it totally seemed like she could have used that particular 12 step program.
It's not great literature, but I got a lot out of it and enjoyed reading it. I felt very attached to her throughout the book, like she was a raspy-voiced auntie I love who's getting old and lonely and is totally in love with her lap dog but you still think of as uber glamorous and young and naughty, too.
Of course I'd have loved lots of explicit sex stuff, but you have to respect her very tactful handling of those private matters. You know when and where and to whom she lost her virginity and that it was really special but she didn't use those words exactly.
It's not great literature, but I got a lot out of it and enjoyed reading it. I felt very attached to her throughout the book, like she was a raspy-voiced auntie I love who's getting old and lonely and is totally in love with her lap dog but you still think of as uber glamorous and young and naughty, too.
Of course I'd have loved lots of explicit sex stuff, but you have to respect her very tactful handling of those private matters. You know when and where and to whom she lost her virginity and that it was really special but she didn't use those words exactly.
November 1, 2010
I have to confess, I only wanted to hear the "Bogie" parts. I listened to Bacall's story up through her divorce from Robards. I don't understand the blase attitude towards adultery and alcoholism. There doesn't seem to be much collateral damage, to hear Bacall tell it. I have enjoyed Bacall's film performances and imagine she's wonderful on the stage, her preferred venue. She's a sophisticated city girl but I think I heard a little of the insecure girl who never had a father in this reading. I gave up on it because it seemed too sad, and somewhat shallow.
July 20, 2013
As much as I love old-time movie stars' celebrity bios (my guilty pleasure!) and as marvelous a life as Ms. Bacall seems to have had, something got lost in the telling: namely, good writing. Sorry, but me, this was a rather boring recitation.
January 4, 2020
Some of the content was interesting (especially the Hepburn bits considering my adoration for her), but this definitely suffered from a lack of editing. Basically stream of consciousness you had to sift through with entire passages that were skippable. One of those I was relieved to finally finish.
January 19, 2020
I find myself quite torn about how to rate and review this book. On one hand, there's Lauren Bacall - a captivating figure in cinematic history, bestowed with relentless vitality, evident zest for life, undeniable talent, and unique beauty. For years I had been fascinated with her live interviews, and the humor, energy and apparent candidness she brought to them. On the other hand - a new image, one to which Bacall herself contributed by writing this book is now clear in my mind. That of a woman largely defined by the man she was married to, and the people she chose to surround herself with. In a way, her autobiography made my appreciation of her drop to a certain extent, because it makes her appear far less interesting of a person.
The beginning of the book is a fascinating read. And one that appears to be the most honest part. Bacall is brisk, energetic in her writing and paints a vivid picture of how her life leading up to the move to California and the start of her Hollywood career had been. Things go south from there. From that point on, the writing becomes dull. And muddy. Fewer and fewer things are made clear - and certainly, nothing of her emotional and introspective state is revealed. What is revealed is: names, names, names. A menagerie of famous, and some legendary people who had entered (and some stayed in) Bacall's life. But no warmth to it. No special, unique stories that would suggest she truly was emotionally connected to these people on a deeper level. The book, for the most part, reads like a laundry list of events that took place in her life. And that is, to put it simply, boring.
It is evident Bacall was a sponge and learned a great deal from everyone who'd come into her life. But there is no mention of any such lessons learned in this book. There's only talk of parties, social gatherings, names, and more names. It appears that some of the details of Bacall's life that would have painted a less than flattering image of her as a person were glossed over. There are a number of contradictions to her character as well - a shy, shaky, insecure girl who in spite of all that has the gall to assert herself to anyone, come up to any person, no matter their status in society, and state her business to them. A loving, dedicated wife who in her own words cared more about shopping for antiques, traveling, and partying with friends than she did about caring for her husband and children. That is not to say I believe she should have become a shut-in housewife after marriage. However, an honest, transparent admission that she never had any intention of becoming one on Bacall's end would have been more in line with the frank and honest, no-nonsense persona she always portrayed.
And then there are the deaths - so many deaths. Let's make something clear - people around us die, it's inevitable. Every single human being on this planet has lost someone. Yes, it changes us, it changes our world. But the listing of numerous deaths in this book does not suggest that at all. The way Bacall decided to present the losses she's faced is indeed a torturous read. The effect of every death on Bacall appears to be the same. The emotional distance she maintains through describing it all is chilling. Some of what were supposed to have been among the most difficult, emotionally draining moments of her life, such as Bogart's death, are narrated in detail with cold, impersonal precision and not much more to it.
Having finished the book I concluded that Bacall was indeed a very fortunate person, who used the qualities she had to hook people in - and then drew from their experiences, knowledge, words of advice, and many conversations to construct her own personality. It is suggested that she learned a great deal from all of the fascinating figures that were part of her life at one point or another. Unfortunately for the reader, she'd also kept most of those lessons to herself as they are nowhere to be found in this book. Still, quite an interesting read.
The beginning of the book is a fascinating read. And one that appears to be the most honest part. Bacall is brisk, energetic in her writing and paints a vivid picture of how her life leading up to the move to California and the start of her Hollywood career had been. Things go south from there. From that point on, the writing becomes dull. And muddy. Fewer and fewer things are made clear - and certainly, nothing of her emotional and introspective state is revealed. What is revealed is: names, names, names. A menagerie of famous, and some legendary people who had entered (and some stayed in) Bacall's life. But no warmth to it. No special, unique stories that would suggest she truly was emotionally connected to these people on a deeper level. The book, for the most part, reads like a laundry list of events that took place in her life. And that is, to put it simply, boring.
It is evident Bacall was a sponge and learned a great deal from everyone who'd come into her life. But there is no mention of any such lessons learned in this book. There's only talk of parties, social gatherings, names, and more names. It appears that some of the details of Bacall's life that would have painted a less than flattering image of her as a person were glossed over. There are a number of contradictions to her character as well - a shy, shaky, insecure girl who in spite of all that has the gall to assert herself to anyone, come up to any person, no matter their status in society, and state her business to them. A loving, dedicated wife who in her own words cared more about shopping for antiques, traveling, and partying with friends than she did about caring for her husband and children. That is not to say I believe she should have become a shut-in housewife after marriage. However, an honest, transparent admission that she never had any intention of becoming one on Bacall's end would have been more in line with the frank and honest, no-nonsense persona she always portrayed.
And then there are the deaths - so many deaths. Let's make something clear - people around us die, it's inevitable. Every single human being on this planet has lost someone. Yes, it changes us, it changes our world. But the listing of numerous deaths in this book does not suggest that at all. The way Bacall decided to present the losses she's faced is indeed a torturous read. The effect of every death on Bacall appears to be the same. The emotional distance she maintains through describing it all is chilling. Some of what were supposed to have been among the most difficult, emotionally draining moments of her life, such as Bogart's death, are narrated in detail with cold, impersonal precision and not much more to it.
Having finished the book I concluded that Bacall was indeed a very fortunate person, who used the qualities she had to hook people in - and then drew from their experiences, knowledge, words of advice, and many conversations to construct her own personality. It is suggested that she learned a great deal from all of the fascinating figures that were part of her life at one point or another. Unfortunately for the reader, she'd also kept most of those lessons to herself as they are nowhere to be found in this book. Still, quite an interesting read.
April 10, 2017
Lauren Bacall has always been my favorite "Old Hollywood" glam girl. I loved her when I first noticed her in The Mirror Has Two Faces, but of course nothing tops her on-screen performances with Bogie.
I picked this up mostly because I love Bogie & Bacall, and I wanted to read about their romance straight from her. I worried that once I was past that, that I would lose interest, but I never really did--her voice and tone are so engaging that I feel I could read her life-telling in the most boring detail and still feel fascinated. I'm not usually one for auto/biographies, but this was just so, so good. She inspired me in so many areas of my life, and I just love and admire her even more than I did when I picked this up. Mostly, I love how she recognizes her own flaws--but she never apologizes for them. I love people like that, who are able to take the bad along with the good in themselves, and still live with dignity and self respect. I also learned a lot about her. I didn't know she and Katharine Hepburn were such good friends, that she and Frank Sinatra were an item after Bogie's death, that she later married again. I admire that she was both an independent person and a well-connected one with many meaningful friendships. I like that she has something positive to say about almost everyone (and that she's brave enough still to publish the not-so-good as well).
She's given me a new vision of myself, which I have to say I simply didn't expect at. all. upon opening this. She's given me a new commitment to myself and to be true to the talents I have inside me, to the joy and freedom I owe myself.
Mostly, what I take away from this, though, is a recognition that I need to be a better friend. I used to be so good at keeping in touch with people, went through a time where it seemed no one else was living that way, so I gave it up--only to make new friends who DO operate that way, but now I'm out of practice! These relationships and friendships count for a lot in making a full life, and though I am an introvert through and through, I think I can do better to communicate to my friends the value they have in my life. So, dear friends, I beg that if in the near future you receive a phone call from me that you will excuse my natural and inevitable awkwardness. I've never been good on the phone. E-mail is more my thing, but I'm determined to connect in a better way.
I digress.
Should you read this book? If you like reading about real, multi-dimensional women and their determination to live a full life, then I suspect you will find this an inspirational read. If you are interested in learning about Lauren Bacall, then again, I believe you will not be disappointed--probably, you will be often surprised as I was. If you are looking for the inside scoop on big Hollywood names, this book is about 500 pages of name dropping just shy of gossip. Sucker for a real-life love story? Perhaps nothing better than this. Otherwise? I'm not sure there's much here for you.
I picked this up mostly because I love Bogie & Bacall, and I wanted to read about their romance straight from her. I worried that once I was past that, that I would lose interest, but I never really did--her voice and tone are so engaging that I feel I could read her life-telling in the most boring detail and still feel fascinated. I'm not usually one for auto/biographies, but this was just so, so good. She inspired me in so many areas of my life, and I just love and admire her even more than I did when I picked this up. Mostly, I love how she recognizes her own flaws--but she never apologizes for them. I love people like that, who are able to take the bad along with the good in themselves, and still live with dignity and self respect. I also learned a lot about her. I didn't know she and Katharine Hepburn were such good friends, that she and Frank Sinatra were an item after Bogie's death, that she later married again. I admire that she was both an independent person and a well-connected one with many meaningful friendships. I like that she has something positive to say about almost everyone (and that she's brave enough still to publish the not-so-good as well).
She's given me a new vision of myself, which I have to say I simply didn't expect at. all. upon opening this. She's given me a new commitment to myself and to be true to the talents I have inside me, to the joy and freedom I owe myself.
Mostly, what I take away from this, though, is a recognition that I need to be a better friend. I used to be so good at keeping in touch with people, went through a time where it seemed no one else was living that way, so I gave it up--only to make new friends who DO operate that way, but now I'm out of practice! These relationships and friendships count for a lot in making a full life, and though I am an introvert through and through, I think I can do better to communicate to my friends the value they have in my life. So, dear friends, I beg that if in the near future you receive a phone call from me that you will excuse my natural and inevitable awkwardness. I've never been good on the phone. E-mail is more my thing, but I'm determined to connect in a better way.
I digress.
Should you read this book? If you like reading about real, multi-dimensional women and their determination to live a full life, then I suspect you will find this an inspirational read. If you are interested in learning about Lauren Bacall, then again, I believe you will not be disappointed--probably, you will be often surprised as I was. If you are looking for the inside scoop on big Hollywood names, this book is about 500 pages of name dropping just shy of gossip. Sucker for a real-life love story? Perhaps nothing better than this. Otherwise? I'm not sure there's much here for you.
June 25, 2014
I was predisposed to like this book because I like Lauren Bacall. Which is strange, because up until I read this, all I had seen her in was the movie, "How to Marry a Millionaire," where she rocked. Everything else? Hadn't a clue.
Even knowing so little, I was able to hear Ms. Bacall's voice in my head while reading this. Her voice is what comes through the most strongly. And if anyone should be known for her voice, it is Lauren Bacall. She writes like I always imagined she talks.
There were all kinds of tidbits tucked in here. Great sentences, terrible sentences. She sometimes glossed over things I wanted to know more about, and sometimes delved into more detail than I cared for. But that was ok with me. In picking this up, I felt like we were sitting together in a room and I had asked her to tell me about her life. I really got a feel for her personality and strength as well as her vulnerabilities.
I'd recommend this for Bacall fans, for people interested in strong women, for people who are genuinely curious about how people of immense privilege live, and for people who have suffered disappointments in love or the way their lives have turned out. What do you know: a little bit of everything all wrapped up in one.
Even knowing so little, I was able to hear Ms. Bacall's voice in my head while reading this. Her voice is what comes through the most strongly. And if anyone should be known for her voice, it is Lauren Bacall. She writes like I always imagined she talks.
There were all kinds of tidbits tucked in here. Great sentences, terrible sentences. She sometimes glossed over things I wanted to know more about, and sometimes delved into more detail than I cared for. But that was ok with me. In picking this up, I felt like we were sitting together in a room and I had asked her to tell me about her life. I really got a feel for her personality and strength as well as her vulnerabilities.
I'd recommend this for Bacall fans, for people interested in strong women, for people who are genuinely curious about how people of immense privilege live, and for people who have suffered disappointments in love or the way their lives have turned out. What do you know: a little bit of everything all wrapped up in one.
October 4, 2018
Lauren Bacall is known for her teaming on screen and off with Humphrey Bogart. She was a stage actress and model before coming to Hollywood, but her talents kept her regularly on the screen until her death in 2014. This book was originally published as "By Myself" and later supplemented and re-titled "and Then Some" during the Bush administration, which she lampoons. It is interesting to hear her opinions on then current events, although the first portion of the book is infinitely more interesting than the second in which she mostly praises people she knew or worked with after their passing. She lived a long time, which unfortunately made her witness to many of her contemporaries' deaths, but she is much less self-reflective than I would have liked. Overall it seems that although she loved acting, the people in her life meant more to her than anything, so don't expect a lot of details about making individual films. She skips over many of them completely.
The audiobook is abridged, which turns me off completely, except for the fact that the author reads it, and according to the box, approved the abridgment. That makes it seem less sinful, but I can’t help but constantly wonder what I’m missing out on.
The audiobook is abridged, which turns me off completely, except for the fact that the author reads it, and according to the box, approved the abridgment. That makes it seem less sinful, but I can’t help but constantly wonder what I’m missing out on.
June 16, 2015
CD: the first three disks are about her life getting into the business and her life with Bogart. The parts about cancer treatments in the 50's were interesting. She was very naive.
She wrote this when she was in her late forties and divorcing Jason Robards.
Then Lauren lived another 25 years and wrote the second part. The next three disks were done after 2003. Even her voice has changed. She goes through the deaths of her good friends, some you know, some you won't. Rodney McDowell, Sir John Gilgood (who was gay),Gregory Peck, Sir Alec Guinness (Obi One Kenobi) and others. The rest is her complaining about missing the good old day.
She is still alive. I didn't realize that and decided not to look till I was done listening to it.
She wrote this when she was in her late forties and divorcing Jason Robards.
Then Lauren lived another 25 years and wrote the second part. The next three disks were done after 2003. Even her voice has changed. She goes through the deaths of her good friends, some you know, some you won't. Rodney McDowell, Sir John Gilgood (who was gay),Gregory Peck, Sir Alec Guinness (Obi One Kenobi) and others. The rest is her complaining about missing the good old day.
She is still alive. I didn't realize that and decided not to look till I was done listening to it.
December 11, 2016
I have always admired Lauren Bacall ever since I saw her electric performance in To Have and To Have Not. Her pizzazz, attitude, and style signify dignity and strength. Do I even have to mention 'the look' and that famous husky voice? Listening to her story is like having a conversation with your strict but fascinating aunt while having an afternoon tea. She is honest, candid, and charming. Certainly not afraid to voice her opinions. I would recommend this memoir to old Hollywood film and theatre fans.
May 26, 2015
This wasn't bad and I still really like Lauren Bacall. It was just too long and I don't think the writing was all that great, I wished a lot of the time that she would get into more specifics rather than making blanket statements about her life. But she still was always an amazing actress, beauty and talent, and I will never forget seeing the back of her head at Hugh Jackman's one-man show.
December 15, 2009
Lauren Bacall is such an amazing woman. I enjoyed her book very much and found it hard to put down. The way she describes her love for Humphrey Bogart is just beautiful. It was truly heartbreaking reading about her life after his death. She is a survivor!
June 29, 2017
Ate up the info about hers and Bogey's relationship, but did not particularly enjoy the "and then some".
The writing is unsophisticated and at times juvenile, and I Feel her description of Bogart's death insensitive and unnecessary and ugly.
The writing is unsophisticated and at times juvenile, and I Feel her description of Bogart's death insensitive and unnecessary and ugly.
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