Rating: 
Summary: A must read biography!
Review: As a devolted fan of Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy I was pleased to read this fair and objective biography. Once I started, I could not put the book down until I completed it the next day. Ms. Rich has done her research most throughly. The book is interesting at all times and moves quite fast. While a fan also, Sharon Rich remains objective at all times. I througly enjoyed reading SWEETHEARTS
Rating: 
Summary: Truth Will Out
Review: At last, something other than those family "authorized" bios defending the status quo. Nelson & Jeanette had a 35 year love affair, well documented in this book. Despite their gorgeous voices, looks and talent, there was no happy ending for these sweethearts. Let's hope this book will dispell some of the myths about happy marriages, that were dismal failures and circumstances that conspired to keep these lovers apart. With this book, those who still deny their love will have to face reality.
Rating:
Summary: Tragic Love Affair Validated
Review: Have just finished a second reading of Sharon Rich's beautifully done biography. It verifies what all the Nelson and Jeanette fans have felt, despite an organized effort on the part of Gene Raymond's supporters to demonize Nelson, and destroy his reputation. Unfortunately, they have succeeded---until now, although, they are still writing their poison pen letters in an attempt to deny the truth. Ms. Rich has set forth of wealth of documentation for anyone who cares to explore the tragic story of their attempt to fulfill their love. All the forces united against them--Louis B. Mayer, some of Jeanette's fan clubs, Gene Raymond( who had many years to push his own agenda) have prevailed with their propaganda, but, hopefully, this book will mark a change. Thank you Sharon Rich.Christine
Rating:
Summary: Highest Ratings to this Thoroughly Researched Biography!
Review: I have met some of the sources named in "Sweethearts" and they verify that they were quoted correctly. Gene Raymond's homosexuality was well-known in Hollywood. Ms. Rich doesn't even mention that Raymond frequented that now-defunct gay bar in Cathedral City, Daddy Warbucks. The MacDonald-Eddy affair was best-known in town from the mid '30s to the mid '40s. In the '50s Jeanette semi-retired and Nelson left Hollywood to go on the nightclub circuit, so the "Hollywood" crowd knew less, plus the nature of her relationship with Nelson had changed. Obviously there was bitterness but also a spiritual bond that apparently was never broken. If the exhaustive documentation and celebrity name-dropping in the book doesn't convince you, [look] at Ms. Rich's just-published companion volume to "Sweethearts," the Interactive Biography with a hundred photos that back up her claims, as well as a copy of Gene Raymond's arrest log with the LAPD. Look at the photos that prove they knew each other long before "Naughty Marietta" (clue: Nelson has a mustache). She's right when she says to listen to Nelson breaking down and crying while giving an interview the day Jeanette died, or to watch "This is Your Life" and see for yourself Jeanette's reaction when Nelson makes an appearance. Jeanette and Nelson themselves give the essence of the story away by their actions. Rich makes her case, sad to say, because it's a tragic story of two very decent people who were chewed up and spit out by Hollywood. That they kept their pain private from their fans and most of their friends, and tried to just go on with their lives, doesn't make it any less true.
Rating:
Summary: Highest Ratings to this Thoroughly Researched Biography!
Review: I have met some of the sources named in "Sweethearts" and they verify that they were quoted correctly. Gene Raymond's homosexuality was well-known in Hollywood. Ms. Rich doesn't even mention that Raymond frequented that now-defunct gay bar in Cathedral City, Daddy Warbucks. The MacDonald-Eddy affair was best-known in town from the mid '30s to the mid '40s. In the '50s Jeanette semi-retired and Nelson left Hollywood to go on the nightclub circuit, so the "Hollywood" crowd knew less, plus the nature of her relationship with Nelson had changed. Obviously there was bitterness but also a spiritual bond that apparently was never broken. If the exhaustive documentation and celebrity name-dropping in the book doesn't convince you, [look] at Ms. Rich's just-published companion volume to "Sweethearts," the Interactive Biography with a hundred photos that back up her claims, as well as a copy of Gene Raymond's arrest log with the LAPD. Look at the photos that prove they knew each other long before "Naughty Marietta" (clue: Nelson has a mustache). She's right when she says to listen to Nelson breaking down and crying while giving an interview the day Jeanette died, or to watch "This is Your Life" and see for yourself Jeanette's reaction when Nelson makes an appearance. Jeanette and Nelson themselves give the essence of the story away by their actions. Rich makes her case, sad to say, because it's a tragic story of two very decent people who were chewed up and spit out by Hollywood. That they kept their pain private from their fans and most of their friends, and tried to just go on with their lives, doesn't make it any less true.
Rating: 
Summary: It makes a good doorstop!
Review: I personally thought the book was immature and disgusting. I do not care much for the bedroom fantasies of the author. Actually, who should really care whether Nelson and Jeanette were in love or not? I personally hate myself and my curiosity for reading it. Their lives do not belong to us, and unless you want to give me the REAL story (from the horse's mouth, which is a tad impossible) I guess I'll never read another biography.
Rating:
Summary: Two thumbs up--Awesome Book! Where's the Movie Version?
Review: I read both the 1994 edition and the new 2001 updated paperback edition of "Sweethearts." Both are excellent, well-written, well-researched and tear-jerkers! I like the new chapter that tells how Miss Rich met and became friends with Jeanette's sister Blossom, who got her started on this story. Also in the new version I counted 56 pages of meticulous source notes, including reproductions of letters (from previously annonymous sources who have since died)for those who have to see it to believe it, Gene Raymond's arrest log, FBI files, etc. Famous people who are still alive and knew about the Jeanette-Nelson romance are quoted by name. No documentation? Get real! Arguing that Mayer was called "Louie B." in the book is a minus point? He WAS called either that or L.B. to his name--and a lot worse names behind his back! Nelson Eddy called him "Louie B." in interviews, so what is the problem here? Also, so what if some of the author's sources who are still living haven't decided to turn over private letters to a library. It has no bearing on the validity of those letters. Miss Rich played a lengthy videotape in Los Angeles last year at a Mac/Eddy luncheon of the owner of some of the letters. The elderly woman held the original letters up to the camera and read lengthy selections out loud, even some of the more graphic ones. Word for word, they were exactly as quoted in the book. Bottom line: Nelson Eddy bedded Jeanette MacDonald, as often as he could, it seems. So get over it! All I want to know is, Miss Rich, where's the movie version? We're waiting impatiently! I'm certain even the younger generation can learn from this tragic story of two people who discovered too late how much they loved each other. But until the movie is made, I highly recommend the book for any fan of old Hollywood or anyone who wants to read a true-life "Romeo and Juliet."
Rating:
Summary: Lies, lies, lies
Review: I've admired Jeanette MacDonald since I was in my twenties, and collected many of the songs she sang which lifted my spirits considerably, such as San Francisco, Ave Maria, Battle Hymn of the Republic, and Land Of Hope And Glory. And although I appreciate Nelson Eddy's singing in Rose Marie, I tended not to buy many of the duo albums. Partly I was a little jealous of Eddy, but mostly I was culturally unprepared to really grasp the full measure of what I was listening to. As soon as I realized how thorough this book was, I went straight to the index, for I've always wondered who these people were off screen. I live in San Francisco, so I was particularly interested in MacDonald's behind the scene contributions to the film San Francisco. It's amazing, she was the hidden genius who chose Clark Gable and Spencer Tracy to work with her. She sensed that the arrangement of their personalities would be the catalyst of a hit. Only a woman with imagination, determination, and the power of persuasion could have done that. Sharon Rich's book explains MacDonald and Eddy so well that I've gained a renewed appreciation for these beautiful souls. Books about Hollywood stars often reveal how empty many of them are in their private lives, like those practical but false fronts used on many film sets. Ms. Rich gives adequate evidence that this was not the case with MacDonald or Eddy, and that they possessed characters shaped in an age better valuing strength and beauty within. Going to their films today provides a temporary psychological refuge, but fans should take this legacy and try to restore character in society at large, where the loss is often overlooked when it's less visible than the disintegration of cellulose film. I feel fortunate to have found a first edition copy of this 478 page book, which has a generous but appropriate collection of photos dispersed throughout the text, because it's obviously a labor of love. And how can a reader not be won over by a great love? Ms. Rich could have done an Encyclopedia on her subjects, so there's no need to look for a greater authority. I was moved to tears when I read of the sordid conditions surrounding MacDonald's death, and again to tears when I realized how much Eddy loved her. I won't spoil the adventure by telling you too much, but when you arrive to what Eddy says about living in a world without Jeanette MacDonald, that's pretty much the way some of us feel about living in a world with less character.
Rating:
Summary: Both THUMBS UP for this Book! Long Live Jeanette & Nelson!
Review: I've read both new biographys of Jeanette MacDonald and I would really recommend this one. The one written by Mr. Turk is a sugar-coated silly tribute to Gene Raymond. Jeanette and Nelson were obvioulsy very much in love. This seems evident by just how they looked at one another. Both of them seem somewhat lost today. It's really a shame that society has sunk so low. We can only hope that their kind will come back sometime soon! This book is such a good read and very entertaining while still being very honest and candid. I too have first hand knowledge by way of another Hollywood Luminary, none other than Ann Sothern who was a frequent co-star with Gene Raymond in the 1930's and a fellow player at MGM in the early 1940's. Ms. Sothern shared some very interesting facts regarding the MacDonald/Eddy relationship. It is such a shame that they were not able to live a life together. Many years from now, the written words and gossip will all be forgotten, but the films they made for us will live forever. Thanks Nelson Eddy and Jeanette MacDonald from the bottom of my heart for sharing your wonderful talents with us, We all hope you are singing together forever more!
Rating:
Summary: Both THUMBS UP for this Book! Long Live Jeanette & Nelson!
Review: I've written several books on classic movie actors and actresses from the silent era to the present, and found this title at a used book store while in the U.S. After reading it, I must say it made quite a romantic story, but couldn't help being disappointed in the author's amateurish abilities as a writer. [Louis B. Mayer's first name is NOT spelled "Louie", for instance...] To begin with, I found the "Sources" at the back of the book very questionable. Sources given as "Newspaper clipping" (without dates) and also the old standby "Anonymous source" don't quite measure up to the standards of a true film historian. If you can't name and date your source, don't write it! Lastly, many of the sources can't be found in public libraries for researchers to access, they are letters housed in the "author's collection." As a historian, I could only recommend this book to Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy fans as a collector's item. Even if the author's claims ARE true, this book is very poorly written and documented, and would not be a definitive source of information for anyone wanting to know more about Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy. Most, if not all, film historians like myself would dismiss this kind of writing as something suitable for tabloid newspapers. From what I understand, most already have.
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