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Natalie Wood: Reflections on a Legendary Life
As a child actor who smoothly transitioned to adult stardom, Natalie Wood made an unforgettable impact on the world with her sensitive performances and her spectacular beauty. In a span of less than twenty years, her talent graced a dozen classics, including Miracle on 34th Street, The Searchers, Rebel Without a Cause, Splendor in the Grass, West Side Story, and Gypsy, earning her three Oscar nominations and two Golden Globes. Few actresses in Hollywood history have carved out careers as diverse and rich as Natalie Wood's, and few have touched as many hearts in a tragically short lifetime.Natalie Reflections on a Legendary Life boldly redefines Natalie not by her tragic death, but by her extraordinary life. This is the first family-authorized photographic study of Natalie Wood, and the first book to examine her glamorous film career as well as her private off-screen life as a wife and mother. Highlights include a special section on the making of West Side Story, a foreword by her husband Robert Wagner, a family album with never-before-seen snapshots captioned by daughter Courtney Wagner, an unpublished article written by Natalie in her own words, and an afterword by friend and costar Robert Redford. Natalie Reflections on a Legendary Life will change the way the world remembers a Hollywood legend.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 11, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
April 11, 2024
"[Natalie Wood] was not only talented, but a youthful, eager beauty who seemed always to be blossoming. Hers was a personality that enjoyed and loved life . . . She is very much missed." -- actor Robert Redford, a former high school classmate and later cinematic co-star, on page 317
Although it won't supplant Suzanne Finstad's excellent and thorough Natalie Wood: The Complete Biography (nor was it intended to), the coffee-table tome Natalie Wood: Reflections on a Legendary Life is notable for amassing an incredible amount of both official and informal photographs / images from Ms. Wood's forty-three years at work or play. As this book features involvement by her daughters and husband Robert Wagner, it's to no one's surprise that it's a bit sanitized in the text regarding her occasionally-turbulent life. Since - this is my personal opinion only - I think she was America's most attractive actress during the 1960's, the often full-page pics (an apparent candid b&w shot from a 1965 interview, on pages 212-213, is a particular favorite of mine) are a major asset of the book. I don't do 'envy' much, but golly how lucky was Steve McQueen to shoot a number of promotional stills with Ms. Wood - often involving romantic clinches - for their 1963 effort Love With a Proper Stranger? That makes the notion of going to 'work' everyday seem almost palatable to me. 😉
Although it won't supplant Suzanne Finstad's excellent and thorough Natalie Wood: The Complete Biography (nor was it intended to), the coffee-table tome Natalie Wood: Reflections on a Legendary Life is notable for amassing an incredible amount of both official and informal photographs / images from Ms. Wood's forty-three years at work or play. As this book features involvement by her daughters and husband Robert Wagner, it's to no one's surprise that it's a bit sanitized in the text regarding her occasionally-turbulent life. Since - this is my personal opinion only - I think she was America's most attractive actress during the 1960's, the often full-page pics (an apparent candid b&w shot from a 1965 interview, on pages 212-213, is a particular favorite of mine) are a major asset of the book. I don't do 'envy' much, but golly how lucky was Steve McQueen to shoot a number of promotional stills with Ms. Wood - often involving romantic clinches - for their 1963 effort Love With a Proper Stranger? That makes the notion of going to 'work' everyday seem almost palatable to me. 😉
April 16, 2024
This book is AWESOME!!! The photographs are breathtaking and the writing is great! Book not only includes many family snapshots, but also a never before published article written by Natalie herself!
Forgot to mention that I had the privilege to scan and almost all the photos in this book as well as hundreds that didn't make it into the book!
Forgot to mention that I had the privilege to scan and almost all the photos in this book as well as hundreds that didn't make it into the book!
December 5, 2016
If you are looking for the definitive biography of Natalie Wood, this isn't it. Incidents are recounted in a timeline, and commented upon by various sources, often family members and co-workers. Missing is an in-depth analysis of what was transpiring in her life while these events occurred.
Let me mention two examples as illustration:
At one point in her career, she was put on suspension for 14-months for turning down proposed film projects that she thought offered no potential. Now, throughout the book, we learn that Natalie Wood was emotionally invested in her career ... performing was extremely important to her. However, the book quickly skips over this time of suspension by mentioning a number of things she found to fill her time. I would have assumed this would have also been a time of extreme emotional turmoil for her, but there is no information about it.
There are many allusions to having a domineering mother who was constantly trying to take control of her life. Natalie also decided to enter therapy to help her with her relationships. In both of these cases, stated incidents seem fairly minor. There must have definitely been an emotional war going on with her mother. Regarding therapy, late in the book, an interview with photographer Michael Childers elicited this comment, "Sometimes I felt sorry for R.J. (Robert Wagner, her husband). Her demons were hard on him. There weren't enough therapists in Beverly Hills to deal with that many demons!" Yet, although there had to be significant trials in their marriage, nothing of that extreme is mentioned anywhere else in the text.
The strongest piece of analysis comes from the actress herself in an excerpted portion of an extended interview in LIFE magazine. She is very candid about a number of topics and it would have been intriguing to have learned more.
In short, this is less a biography and more in the nature of a loving tribute. In that aspect, this is a remarkable work. Natalie Wood was one of very few performers who survived and thrived both as a child actress and as a mature performer. The best of her performances are truly memorable works. Having great costars helped, but it was apparent that it was the guidance of gifted directors that kicked her engagement into high gear and resulted in character portrayals that lingered with an audience.
Of course, for the fan of Natalie Wood, it is the treasure trove of amazing photographs contained within its pages that makes this a "must have" book. This is not a book I could casually flip through. Frequently, there were photographs so beautiful, so provocative, or so poignant that I had to spend some time studying them. As she lives on the screen, she also lives in this collection.
Despite my wanting more of an analysis of her personality, I definitely recommend this book.
Let me mention two examples as illustration:
At one point in her career, she was put on suspension for 14-months for turning down proposed film projects that she thought offered no potential. Now, throughout the book, we learn that Natalie Wood was emotionally invested in her career ... performing was extremely important to her. However, the book quickly skips over this time of suspension by mentioning a number of things she found to fill her time. I would have assumed this would have also been a time of extreme emotional turmoil for her, but there is no information about it.
There are many allusions to having a domineering mother who was constantly trying to take control of her life. Natalie also decided to enter therapy to help her with her relationships. In both of these cases, stated incidents seem fairly minor. There must have definitely been an emotional war going on with her mother. Regarding therapy, late in the book, an interview with photographer Michael Childers elicited this comment, "Sometimes I felt sorry for R.J. (Robert Wagner, her husband). Her demons were hard on him. There weren't enough therapists in Beverly Hills to deal with that many demons!" Yet, although there had to be significant trials in their marriage, nothing of that extreme is mentioned anywhere else in the text.
The strongest piece of analysis comes from the actress herself in an excerpted portion of an extended interview in LIFE magazine. She is very candid about a number of topics and it would have been intriguing to have learned more.
In short, this is less a biography and more in the nature of a loving tribute. In that aspect, this is a remarkable work. Natalie Wood was one of very few performers who survived and thrived both as a child actress and as a mature performer. The best of her performances are truly memorable works. Having great costars helped, but it was apparent that it was the guidance of gifted directors that kicked her engagement into high gear and resulted in character portrayals that lingered with an audience.
Of course, for the fan of Natalie Wood, it is the treasure trove of amazing photographs contained within its pages that makes this a "must have" book. This is not a book I could casually flip through. Frequently, there were photographs so beautiful, so provocative, or so poignant that I had to spend some time studying them. As she lives on the screen, she also lives in this collection.
Despite my wanting more of an analysis of her personality, I definitely recommend this book.
February 5, 2017
Beautiful, stunning book, with rare participation from her daughters and RJ. A conspicuous lack of information about her last five or so years, though, including the circumstances surrounding her death. That's to be expected, I think, considering her family's involvement, and the sheer volume of photos and writing (from Natasha, Courtney, and Natalie herself) makes up for that. A beautiful book I need to eventually own.
September 15, 2018
There are three reasons to love this (enormous, heavy) book:
1. There is an article in it written by Natalie in 1966, which provides some wonderful - and at times, deeply personal - insight into her thoughts and personality.
2. The stunning photography from cover to cover. Truly, beautiful images of (in my opinion) the most beautiful actress of the 20th century.
3. The reflections on Natalie by her children.
However, and this might be my personal hang up, I had difficulty with Robert Wagner's introduction and when one of her daughters mentioned Natalie's death, I felt even more pain. The terrible truth is that the way Natalie's life ended has tainted my opinion of Wagner, and I have a difficult time feeling much other than skepticism when I read his words.
Also, the book fails to mention much about her last films. It stops with Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice, while I had hoped for some insight into Brainstorm, which was the last time she appeared on screen.
In truth this is more hagiography than biography, and none of the information given by the modern writers is new or revealing in the slightest, but it is worth the price and time just to read the segment "Public Property/Private Person", because Natalie sums herself up better than anyone else ever could.
1. There is an article in it written by Natalie in 1966, which provides some wonderful - and at times, deeply personal - insight into her thoughts and personality.
2. The stunning photography from cover to cover. Truly, beautiful images of (in my opinion) the most beautiful actress of the 20th century.
3. The reflections on Natalie by her children.
However, and this might be my personal hang up, I had difficulty with Robert Wagner's introduction and when one of her daughters mentioned Natalie's death, I felt even more pain. The terrible truth is that the way Natalie's life ended has tainted my opinion of Wagner, and I have a difficult time feeling much other than skepticism when I read his words.
Also, the book fails to mention much about her last films. It stops with Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice, while I had hoped for some insight into Brainstorm, which was the last time she appeared on screen.
In truth this is more hagiography than biography, and none of the information given by the modern writers is new or revealing in the slightest, but it is worth the price and time just to read the segment "Public Property/Private Person", because Natalie sums herself up better than anyone else ever could.
May 23, 2017
Exquisite tribute to Natalie. Rare, gorgeous photos, commentary on her early years, rise to stardom and filmography. There are many rare family photos included, as well as thoughts and stories from her two daughters, Natasha and Courtney. My favorite section, however, was of Nat telling her story in her own words, through a first-person interview she penned for Good Housekeeping magazine in 1966, which never ran. What a brilliant, articulate and complex lady. This is a must-read book, not just for die-hard fans, but really anyone entranced with Natalie Wood's talent, beauty, mystique and movie star image. I'd love to read a whole book, just in her voice, but I don't know if enough material exists for an autobiography to be crafted posthumously, but that would be the ultimate follow-up book.
July 24, 2017
This was a fun book but LONG and a large pictorial sized at that so it was a klunky physically to read and I couldn't lay in bed reading with it which made for a longer experience reading a photo book than I a used to.
The photos are all beautiful of Natalie and her life. There are photos spanning her entire life, family, friends.
The stories of her life are personable and interesting so if you're into Natalie Wood this is a much better read than "I loved her in the movies." Robert Wagner can be a little gossipy and sometimes says things that seem inappropriately personal , I find myself wondering if he doesn't have something wrong with him, but otherwise...you'll learn many things about NW In this book and appreciate what a beauty she was and the sad loss her death was.
The photos are all beautiful of Natalie and her life. There are photos spanning her entire life, family, friends.
The stories of her life are personable and interesting so if you're into Natalie Wood this is a much better read than "I loved her in the movies." Robert Wagner can be a little gossipy and sometimes says things that seem inappropriately personal , I find myself wondering if he doesn't have something wrong with him, but otherwise...you'll learn many things about NW In this book and appreciate what a beauty she was and the sad loss her death was.
November 2, 2019
This is a beautiful book. If you are a Natalie Wood fan, this is a must have. Lovely pictures, terrific pieces from her family. I keep mine on my coffee table and whenever visitors come over they normally pick it up and look it over and I always get favourable feedback. I have been a fan since I was a teenager and still miss her to this day. A terrible loss, so these memories are wonderful to cherish.
June 19, 2018
This book is such a joy. It's beautiful, and so loving. I never tire of Natalie Wood. She was just magic, such a special person, and this book captures that. It's so lovingly and exquisitely put together, and her oldest daughter Natasha's sharing of personal photos and memories of her mother are such a treat. A wonderful tribute.
December 10, 2017
A beautiful woman beautifully photographed. Unforgettable in Rebel Without a Cause, Splender in the Grass, West Side Story, Love With the Proper Stranger, the Great Race, and Bob and Carol and Ted and Alice. She left us too soon.
February 28, 2020
This is an enormous coffee-table book I purchased when it came out in 2016. Natalie Wood was such a large part of my childhood and later years. She was stellar. This book is a lovely tribute to a great actress and person who died so young. It seems as though she lived two lifetimes in the forty-three years allotted to her on this earth. It makes me so happy I was around (from afar, of course) for all of it. On our first date, my husband of 51+ years took me to see Love With the Proper Stranger. But I was already hooked on Natalie. Rebel Without a Cause came out when I was 12, and she was my hero from then on.
This is a huge book but very easy to read in one day, which I have just done. RIP, Natalie.
This is a huge book but very easy to read in one day, which I have just done. RIP, Natalie.
November 3, 2016
I spent three days reading this incredible book. I can usually finish a book in two, but this took an extra day because it has so much to offer, more than I expected. (I cannot believe it sells for $25!) It is not only full of amazing pictures, it is FULL OF TEXT. There must be 50,000+ words. Memories of Natalie written by the people closest to her. Beautifully done. Substantial. A work of art. I would stare at the family pictures and think about how this little girl became a "star" in an industry that has very few "stars" today. Natalie deserved this type of recognition when she was alive, but I'm grateful to the author, Natalie's family, and TCM for providing THIS masterpiece to give an icon the tribute that is so long overdue.
August 26, 2019
I like Natalie Wood a lot, but this book was a little disappointing.
I've already read much about her life, so none of the information was new. It also was written in a way in that I wasn't sure if the author was trying to give me just basic info about Natalie, or trying to written more in depth.
However were sections about on some of her movies, which was cool.
And the pictures were great, but if you're looking for an in depth look at Natalie Wood's life, you should read another pick.
I've already read much about her life, so none of the information was new. It also was written in a way in that I wasn't sure if the author was trying to give me just basic info about Natalie, or trying to written more in depth.
However were sections about on some of her movies, which was cool.
And the pictures were great, but if you're looking for an in depth look at Natalie Wood's life, you should read another pick.
October 18, 2016
Mostly pictures of the beautiful actress throughout her lifetime, this biography has the stamp of her family on it, with words by daughter Natasha and former husband Robert Wagner (who I know has not been found to have "pushed" her overboard, in her drowning death, but leaves me skeptical...).
This actress has always been one of my favorites, so reading this work had to happen!
This actress has always been one of my favorites, so reading this work had to happen!
December 31, 2016
This is a good book about Natalie wood.
July 19, 2017
Not an in depth or critical biography but a loving tribute with gorgeous photographs.
August 27, 2018
Beautiful photos of Natalie and my favorite part is an unpublished article that Natalie wrote about herself.
January 21, 2020
Nice pictures, but mostly reviewed her movies. But give 5 stars to the article written by her and the one by her daughter. Expected more from the afterword by Robert Redford
February 2, 2021
The author did a superb job of storytelling. It's not a intellectual novel. However, the author was clear and moving in relating the story of Natalie. Learning about Natalie Wood's upbringing and how that significantly affected her self esteem and the choices she made helped me to understand her ability to transform into her characters which she was well known for. The author deftly dealt with the accident involving her husband, Robert Wagner, with sensitivity and objectivity as nobody can know what happened except for those that were onboard the boat with them.
The book was an easy read and I felt engaged and involved.
The book was an easy read and I felt engaged and involved.
December 20, 2025
This book is well-written with excellent photographs. However, it is definitely a sanitized, hagiographic biography.
There is very little negative criticism of its subject:
Incidents are left out. I have read a rumor that Kirk Douglas raped her.
There was also a relationship with Dennis Hopper. A bath in champagne, possibly during an orgy, led to skin irritation of her female parts and a trip to the emergency room.
There was also a belief that a casting couch led to her role in Rebel and that her relationship with its director was insincere.
There is also practically nothing, concerning her marriage to Gregson nor the circumstances of her demise.
.
There is very little negative criticism of its subject:
Incidents are left out. I have read a rumor that Kirk Douglas raped her.
There was also a relationship with Dennis Hopper. A bath in champagne, possibly during an orgy, led to skin irritation of her female parts and a trip to the emergency room.
There was also a belief that a casting couch led to her role in Rebel and that her relationship with its director was insincere.
There is also practically nothing, concerning her marriage to Gregson nor the circumstances of her demise.
.
March 3, 2021
This is a beautiful book! TCM presents a summary of Natalie Wood's life and career, including hundreds of gorgeous photos, clippings, reminiscences by friends and family, and a look et each of the films she made. There is a chapter on the making of West Side Story, and an Afterword by Robert Redford, who made his first film with Natalie, Inside Daisy Clover. It is quite true that her amazing career was overshadowed by her tragic death by drowning at age 43. This book salutes Natalie Wood as she would wish to be remembered.
May 3, 2023
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