Liberace;: An autobiography

by Liberace

Filled with wonderful stories and marvelous anecdotes from his long career, and fabulous pictures (many never published before). Written by himself, he relates his life from his early childhood to being the mega-star of Las Vegas. Illustrated with photos.

Genres: Music, Biography

316 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1973

Reviews

[Bridget · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Grandpa Nelson (mom's dad) best friend was George Liberace, Liberace's brother. We were close to "Uncle George". So, I worked some summers at the Liberace museum because George, and his wife, Dora ran the museum. The Liberace's hold a special place in my heart.

I was given this to read before I started work there.

[Elizabeth Bass · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes this was just fun and gossipy, sometimes unintentionally hilarious, and occasionally surreal--as when he nearly killed himself in a dry cleaning accident the day Kennedy was killed. For people who love Liberace, this book is a must.

[Nick Stewart · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting combination of Coronavirus anxiety and quarantine kookiness led me to read Liberace's 1973 autobiography. I'd like to list them below along with a few words regarding the book's content.

1. In February when the news regarding the Coronavirus pandemic was growing dire, I decided to read Patrick Dennis's 'Guestward Ho!' since it looked like a light, breezy, entertaining and - most importantly - escapist read (it was!). The hardback copy I had belonged to my Grandmother, is autographed by Patrick Dennis, himself, and is displayed - where else? - on my guest room nightstand.

2. A few years ago I went with my neighbor and friend, Emily, to a local antique mall. Emily is a very talented interior designer and needed a few vintage hardbacks that would match the color scheme of a client's den. Since my design aesthetic is the set of 'Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman', I needed a green lucite grape bunch sculpture. When I told my Dad (who, along with my Mom is an avid reader and has to have bookshelves specially built for every house they've ever lived in) Emily was purchasing books simply to match a client's living room, he was horrified (my parents were also horrified by the lucite grapes). The books you display in your home should say something about you as a person, not merely match the pattern of your drapes (although that does help). And, I agreed. While I haven't read every book adorning the bookshelves, end tables and nightstands of my home, they're all books I either would read or definitely say something about me. When I picked up 'Guestward Ho!' (which had sat on that nightstand for years), I had the idea of challenging myself to read every hardback book currently 'on display' in my home by the end of the year.

3. As the quarantine ended my commute, sharply curtailed social engagements and brought everyday errands to a halt, the old lady not-so-secretly living inside of me began taking over. I ordered 2 seasons of 'Hazel' on DVD, watch an episode every evening, cheer on her meddling and actually tear up during a few of the more maudlin episodes. I've also become drawn to soapy, sentimental showbiz melodramas, such as 'Torch Song' with Joan Crawford as the tough-as-nails broadway star wooed by a blind pianist; 'For The First Time' where reckless playboy/opera star, Mario Lanza, falls for a gorgeous, deaf girl who refuses to marry him until she can hear the plush, lush notes that emerge from his throat; and, 'Sincerely Yours' starring Liberace as a concert pianist who loses his hearing, learns to read lips and then spends all his time helping people with their personal problems by tickling the ivories (and tugging the heartstrings).

4. After watching 'Sincerely Yours' Amazon thought I might enjoy viewing episodes of Liberace's 1950s television show. And, they were right. What talent, what showmanship, what sincerity and look how kind he was to his mother!

5. One of the books on display in my home is the gaudy, gold hardback edition of Liberace's 1973 autobiography. This copy, autographed by Lee himself, belonged to my parents. They'd found it on a bookshelf of a house they'd purchased in the 70s. To my parents, of course, Liberace ranked just slightly above Lawrence Welk and I can only assume they held on to (but never displayed) it because it was autographed. I took the book not because I intended to read it, but because I've always been drawn to items considered kitschy, square or, in Liberace's case, both.

6. I found the contents of the book to be a bejeweled, ermine-lined, velvet-enhanced and plume-bedecked escape from 2020. As a narrator, Liberace, is witty, sincere, sentimental, admittedly immodest and, occasionally, has quite the rhinestone encrusted chip on his shoulder. All of Lee’s standard jokes are included, as well as few unintentional ones.
Gossipy tidbits and showbiz razzle-dazzle populate the majority of the book. However, readers are also treated to hilariously lavish descriptions of Lee’s homes, cars, jewelry, on-stage wardrobe, pianos and antiques.

[Billie Rae Bates · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this book as a kid, because I went through a Liberace phase, as crazy as it sounds. I guess that was because my mother really liked him. I looked at the photos in the book a bunch of times back then but never actually read the book until now. What a really nice view on old Hollywood! His voice is kind and engaging, revealing his thoughts on so many things, particularly his own fame. He wasn't completely honest about everything in his life, as we later learned (this book was published in the 1970s), but he also valued his privacy. So that's understandable. This is a rags-to-riches story, so there's a lot of that theme here, but it's also very interesting to hear his own perspective on his showmanship -- the flashy clothing and performances and homes (piano-shaped swimming pool) he became known for. He was flashy first (way before Lady Gaga or even Madonna or whoever), and he lays it all out there in a rather dignified manner.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

THIS is the Liberace I knew and liked, before the autopsy which afterwards he became the target of much ridicule by many, admittedly myself included (sorry, Lee!). A very DELIGHTFUL read. Maybe a little too much info especially of the libel suit in London in the 1950's but don't let that discourage you from reading this if you like Liberace. Although a little longer than I usually care for, this is a very enjoyable read!

[Valerie Curtis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved Liberace growing up. This books gives us the humble beginnings of the fabulous Mr. Showman. He also lets us see a little of how he lives. We all know that this is not ALL of his life. But the book actually feels like he's right there talking to you.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

To the hell with the haters, Liberace is a force of nature. Fabulous, wonderful nature. This book is oddly satisfying to read when you've had a bad day.

[Tanesha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!!!!

[Calum · Rating 5 out of 5]

The blueprint 🥂

[Mary Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ramble on……and on…..and on

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this book up at the beginning of our stay at home order during this historic pandemic. I had been saving it as a beach read, which it is, but pandemic escapism it is also!

Liberace is worth an exploration as he is a fascinating pop culture figure. I learned in this book that he gives BARBARA STREISAND her big break!?. What he says in this book is not nearly as interesting as what HE DOES NOT say. This book is written in early 1970
.

[Roxanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I met Liberace at a gas station in Blue Jay Calif. where he was getting chains on his car and I was walking to work. He was very friendly and spoke to me. After I became 21 my parents took me to a concert of his in Las Vegas. What an entertainer, best show I ever went to. This book is chock full of anecdotes and his humor. When I lived in Palm Springs my hubby worked on his cars and we saw him often. He was a one of a kind person which you will find in this book.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's so inspirational. You will become fabulous after reading this.

[Betsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had to stop clutching my pearls to turn the page. Eleganza at its finest.

[Rita]

I thought it was an interesting book, but written around 1973, so I think that Liberace had many years to go. It was very interesting about his early life, however.