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Bette Davis: A Life from Beginning to End
Discover the remarkable life of Bette Davis... Free BONUS Inside! Bette Davis didn’t fit the usual Hollywood image of beauty, but by sheer force of will she became one of the most famous and prominent actresses of the twentieth century. Her entire life was focused on her six-decades-long career. This invariably led to the loss of three husbands and estrangement from her oldest daughter. Still, Bette Davis lived with few regrets. Her most famous movies, Jezebel, All About Eve, and What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? are still considered classics, discovered by a generation that wasn’t even born when the movies were made. Bette’s tombstone, which reads “She did it the hard way,” aptly sums up her life. Discover a plethora of topics such as From Acting School to Hollywood Success Bette’s First Husband and the Oscar Award A New England Romance The Horror Years The Feud with Joan Crawford My Mother’s Keeper And much more!So if you want a concise and informative book on Bette Davis, simply scroll up and click the "Buy now" button for instant access!
104 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 16, 2019
170 people are currently reading
165 people want to read
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Hourly History
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
November 24, 2020
I didn’t know much about Bette Davis before reading this short book. The books in this series hit the highlights but sometimes make strange choices about what to include or leave out. This one chose to give detailed descriptions of the storylines for some of her movies and left out her reputation as being difficult, though many women, especially in those days, were called names for standing up for themselves and being strong. Bette was strong and determined, which I find admirable. I wish the word gumption would come back. It describes what she had perfectly. Unfortunately, she had many marriages and problems with her children. Not to mention, a feud with another popular actress. This was an interesting and enjoyable read.
January 13, 2020
Interesting and thoughtful!
Watching many of her movies failed to portray the true beauty and determination of Bette, I believe the author revealed her strengths and her weaknesses.
Watching many of her movies failed to portray the true beauty and determination of Bette, I believe the author revealed her strengths and her weaknesses.
December 2, 2022
The book is a wonderful overview of this legendary actress’s life and career. Bette Davis was independent, demanding and strong willed. I have always admired the range of characters she portrayed in her movies. I loved All about Eve, Jezebel, What ever happened to Baby Jane and more. She received two academy awards, though she was nominated many times.
There is a lot of information in this concise book.
There is a lot of information in this concise book.
December 28, 2019
What a Woman!
I learned several things about Bette Davis I had not known. This book whets one’s appetite for a full blown biography of her.
I learned several things about Bette Davis I had not known. This book whets one’s appetite for a full blown biography of her.
May 12, 2022
I typically don’t read nonfiction books, but decided to check this one out since it’s written about an actress I have enjoyed in Hollywood films. I also wanted to achieve my kindle challenge ribbon and this book was in KU, so that was a big win win for me 💗
This is in no way a thoroughly long account of her life. It is more a summary of the memorable moments, both in film and in her personal life, which were discussed in an easy to read fashion that the reader can follow. These are considered an hourly series, so more or less a brief, snapshot of the person’s life that the book is discussing. So it didn’t take long for me to read once I had the time.
Some takeaways on Bette that I did not know before:
Multiple marriages/affairs (even at one point, Howard Hughes! Not sure why I forgot about that!)
One of her husband’s passed away under extremely suspicious circumstances. According to this book he fell down while walking on a sidewalk and died instantly. Little tidbits like this will cause the reader to go down a Google rabbit hole! 🙈 Very crazy.
Of course I knew about her and Joan Crawford’s feud but this book went into a couple more details I had forgotten over the years since last watching the tv series surrounding their rivalry which aired several years ago
There was one legend that said she purposely got lost in the woods while on a trip or vacation retreat, so the man she took a liking to at the time (who would later become her husband) could search for her in the woods and rescue her. Not sure if it’s true but that was interesting to learn about! Bette was definitely driven, spirited and did things “the hard way” but nonetheless she left her mark on Hollywood.
4/5 stars. Very simple, quick, and easy to read summary of her life, films and other personal things which had an impact on her life.
This is in no way a thoroughly long account of her life. It is more a summary of the memorable moments, both in film and in her personal life, which were discussed in an easy to read fashion that the reader can follow. These are considered an hourly series, so more or less a brief, snapshot of the person’s life that the book is discussing. So it didn’t take long for me to read once I had the time.
Some takeaways on Bette that I did not know before:
Multiple marriages/affairs (even at one point, Howard Hughes! Not sure why I forgot about that!)
One of her husband’s passed away under extremely suspicious circumstances. According to this book he fell down while walking on a sidewalk and died instantly. Little tidbits like this will cause the reader to go down a Google rabbit hole! 🙈 Very crazy.
Of course I knew about her and Joan Crawford’s feud but this book went into a couple more details I had forgotten over the years since last watching the tv series surrounding their rivalry which aired several years ago
There was one legend that said she purposely got lost in the woods while on a trip or vacation retreat, so the man she took a liking to at the time (who would later become her husband) could search for her in the woods and rescue her. Not sure if it’s true but that was interesting to learn about! Bette was definitely driven, spirited and did things “the hard way” but nonetheless she left her mark on Hollywood.
4/5 stars. Very simple, quick, and easy to read summary of her life, films and other personal things which had an impact on her life.
February 5, 2020
I thought the author did a good job on this biography. There were in depth details about some of Bette Davis's biggest movies that I didn't expect and it found that info interesting. When I was a little girl growing up in the sixties I remember the big scary movie was "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane" and my impression from that was that Bette Davis was very old and wicked. Later in the 70's when I heard the song "Bette Davis Eyes" I remember thinking that she must have been quite different when she was young, much more beautiful than the impression I had from the horror movies. I have to give Bette Davis credit - she found a way to survive as an older woman in Hollywood films. I was very surprised to learn about her long feud with Joan Crawford. I wasn't surprised to learn about Bette Davis's many marriages because to me that was what a lot of Hollywood actresses did in that era. In the end I felt that I learned a lot about Bette Davis that I didn't know before reading this book.
February 15, 2021
Because Bette Davis wasn't beautiful in the Hollywood sense, she had to make her way through her gumption and talent. The fact that Bette Davis won so many Academy Award nominations is a tribute to her unfailing professionalism and talent.
I thought this story of Bette covered some of the less-attractive aspects of her life. She and Joan Crawford certainly entertained the newspaper-buying public with their constant sniping against each other. I thought it was tragic for both women to receive hatchet-jobs by their children while they were still alive. What ingratitude. Probably Bette would have been happier without having children. She was a consummate professional and everything played second fiddle to her work.
This book may have soft-pedaled the witchiness of Bette, but I thought the info about her 4 marriages were insightful and on-target. Great reading.
I thought this story of Bette covered some of the less-attractive aspects of her life. She and Joan Crawford certainly entertained the newspaper-buying public with their constant sniping against each other. I thought it was tragic for both women to receive hatchet-jobs by their children while they were still alive. What ingratitude. Probably Bette would have been happier without having children. She was a consummate professional and everything played second fiddle to her work.
This book may have soft-pedaled the witchiness of Bette, but I thought the info about her 4 marriages were insightful and on-target. Great reading.
November 15, 2020
Bettie Davis does not have a good reputation thanks to some stuff written about her. This book goes into the details of her life. It notes that she was not considered a 'conventional beauty' which, to a strong degree, very probably had a major impact on the types of roles she would be offered.
The book goes into her experiences in theater, movies and television, her four marriages, her two adopted children (and their problems with her), her divorces and other problems. One of the major things I learned was that she was considered for the role of Scarlet O'Hara in Gone With the Wind.
Altogether an interesting look at her life.
The book goes into her experiences in theater, movies and television, her four marriages, her two adopted children (and their problems with her), her divorces and other problems. One of the major things I learned was that she was considered for the role of Scarlet O'Hara in Gone With the Wind.
Altogether an interesting look at her life.
June 7, 2024
One of my favorite actresses in film. So many memorable characters and a woman who did not tolerate fools. Ten Academy Award nominations and the first woman to ever be nominated 5 times in a row. Two time award winner.
There are so many terrific actresses out there but in this humble reviewer's opinion there is but 4 truly great actresses. What does great mean to me? You just see the name and you want to see the picture. Those 4? Katherine Hepburn, Bette Davis, Meryl Streep and Kate Winslet.
This book covers her feud with Joan Crawford as well. Totally entertaining in its own right.
There are so many terrific actresses out there but in this humble reviewer's opinion there is but 4 truly great actresses. What does great mean to me? You just see the name and you want to see the picture. Those 4? Katherine Hepburn, Bette Davis, Meryl Streep and Kate Winslet.
This book covers her feud with Joan Crawford as well. Totally entertaining in its own right.
December 24, 2019
Bette Davis raw talent
Betty Davis had to be an amazing actress to have succeeded for 60 years as an actress and to have made over 100 movies. She was not a beauty by a long shot, but she had a personality that demanded to be recognized and applauded. She was not afraid to play unattractive roles that other actresses shied away from. I found this brief history to be riveting and very interesting.
Betty Davis had to be an amazing actress to have succeeded for 60 years as an actress and to have made over 100 movies. She was not a beauty by a long shot, but she had a personality that demanded to be recognized and applauded. She was not afraid to play unattractive roles that other actresses shied away from. I found this brief history to be riveting and very interesting.
February 2, 2020
Enlightened!
Is how I feel after reading each and every “hourly history”. I’ve enjoyed, over the years, movies in which I’ve seen Bette Davis star, I’ll play a supporting actress. I’ve always been amazed with her talent, and her willingness to play whatever role was necessary.
The information within this particular “history” has given me much more insight into Betty Davis’s life.
Is how I feel after reading each and every “hourly history”. I’ve enjoyed, over the years, movies in which I’ve seen Bette Davis star, I’ll play a supporting actress. I’ve always been amazed with her talent, and her willingness to play whatever role was necessary.
The information within this particular “history” has given me much more insight into Betty Davis’s life.
December 16, 2020
Bette Davis Made It on her Talent Not Her Looks
I was not that aware of Ms. Davis’s struggle to overcome Hollywood’s desire that all their women stars be beautiful and blonde. Bette Davis, I learned that she was a master of her craft that being becoming the character in the screenplay. Although it was quick read, it did a very good job covering her life and career and has made me want to watch several of her movies.
I was not that aware of Ms. Davis’s struggle to overcome Hollywood’s desire that all their women stars be beautiful and blonde. Bette Davis, I learned that she was a master of her craft that being becoming the character in the screenplay. Although it was quick read, it did a very good job covering her life and career and has made me want to watch several of her movies.
January 10, 2021
Love her movies
Interesting quick read on Bette. I love most of her movies, so it was good to read a bit about her life. Seems like she had a hard childhood that made her into a strong, hard working women but harsh to her children and obviously husband's. Perhaps she was just trying to assure that her children were not fed with a silver spoon and would also grow up to be smart, hardworking business people.
Interesting quick read on Bette. I love most of her movies, so it was good to read a bit about her life. Seems like she had a hard childhood that made her into a strong, hard working women but harsh to her children and obviously husband's. Perhaps she was just trying to assure that her children were not fed with a silver spoon and would also grow up to be smart, hardworking business people.
February 27, 2021
I’ve always enjoyed watching Bette’s movies. There was something rather scary or sinister about her that drew me to her and her acting abilities. I didn’t know all of her personal history, especially about her children. Learned a lot in this brief biography . An enjoyable short read, that I’d recommend to anyone, especially wanting to learn about former Hollywood stars.
January 3, 2020
Fascinating!
Bette Davis put her career first above all else. She was tough and worked hard. Bette was loyal to her family and provided for them, but they always took a back seat to her work.
Bette Davis put her career first above all else. She was tough and worked hard. Bette was loyal to her family and provided for them, but they always took a back seat to her work.
May 22, 2024
Bette Davis
I have always admired Bette. She was beautiful and a great actress. This biography opened my eyes as to how many varied parts she played. It was a shame she couldn't find happiness in marriage!
I have always admired Bette. She was beautiful and a great actress. This biography opened my eyes as to how many varied parts she played. It was a shame she couldn't find happiness in marriage!
August 24, 2024
I enjoyed the short length of the book but packed with information! I will definitely read more of these stories. I actually watched All About Eve today in BLACK AND WHITE ! It’s been a long time. Would recommend!
December 22, 2019
Great, fast read
I have always been a fan of hers. This book gives a lot of information on her life. Really interesting.
I have always been a fan of hers. This book gives a lot of information on her life. Really interesting.
December 29, 2019
Tougher than anyone else
I never saw Ms Davis’ early movies and except for Hitchcock I dislike horror movies but now am wondering what I missed.
I never saw Ms Davis’ early movies and except for Hitchcock I dislike horror movies but now am wondering what I missed.
March 5, 2020
I enjoyed this book. . First one I had read up the series. It was good, informative, kept my attention. I will read more.
July 14, 2020
Knowledge in hour
Foundation of knowledge in one hour it doesn’t get any better!!!!!!!!!
Cool new way having a new reading adventures !!!’
Foundation of knowledge in one hour it doesn’t get any better!!!!!!!!!
Cool new way having a new reading adventures !!!’
February 20, 2021
Interesting
It is not a long book but contains all the information needed to understand who Bette Davis was. Awesome short book.
It is not a long book but contains all the information needed to understand who Bette Davis was. Awesome short book.
February 18, 2022
I have much respect for Bette Davis after reading this. She did it her way without regret. A true pioneer for all women.
March 1, 2022
What a life.
An actress, on stage and on film, self driven and with her focus on work makes family life a pretty small portion of of the world she lives in.
An actress, on stage and on film, self driven and with her focus on work makes family life a pretty small portion of of the world she lives in.
November 24, 2023
Very interesting book
Interesting book about a very interesting woman who had the will to succeed and was not vain. Must rewatch some of her movies.
Interesting book about a very interesting woman who had the will to succeed and was not vain. Must rewatch some of her movies.
November 19, 2020
Enjoyed it
Never knew much about her. I'm glad I read the book, maybe I will check out some of her movies.
Never knew much about her. I'm glad I read the book, maybe I will check out some of her movies.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews