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Rating: 
Summary: Under the Rainbow, but over my expectations
Review: > Under the Rainbow chronicles the fascinating and melodramatic life of the beautiful and talented Liza Minnelli. Though at first glance one might think it's just another star bio, but this book not only has glitz and glamour, but tragedy and saddness as well as truimph. It has everything a good book should have to entertain. > This book really makes the reader know and understand Ms. Minnelli. This bio is so compelling and whether or not you are a big fan of Minnelli you will enjoy reading every page. There are even moments the reader may mistake this bio for a lost Jackie Susann novel. It's even as hard to put down as a Susann novel! Can you say Valley of the Diva? > Aside from the entertainment aspect of this book, there is also an in-depth look at Minnelli's tragic life and her resilience to overcome her pain. After reading Under the Rainbow it will inspire the reader to make the best out of life. In effect, not only does it entertain, but this bio serves as a Chicken Soup for the Saddened Soul as well. So drink it up and enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: Under the Rainbow, but over my expectations
Review: > Under the Rainbow chronicles the fascinating and melodramatic life of the beautiful and talented Liza Minnelli. Though at first glance one might think it's just another star bio, but this book not only has glitz and glamour, but tragedy and saddness as well as truimph. It has everything a good book should have to entertain. > This book really makes the reader know and understand Ms. Minnelli. This bio is so compelling and whether or not you are a big fan of Minnelli you will enjoy reading every page. There are even moments the reader may mistake this bio for a lost Jackie Susann novel. It's even as hard to put down as a Susann novel! Can you say Valley of the Diva? > Aside from the entertainment aspect of this book, there is also an in-depth look at Minnelli's tragic life and her resilience to overcome her pain. After reading Under the Rainbow it will inspire the reader to make the best out of life. In effect, not only does it entertain, but this bio serves as a Chicken Soup for the Saddened Soul as well. So drink it up and enjoy!
Rating: 
Summary: An odd mix of tabloid and serious reporting
Review: I have very mixed feelings about this book. On the one hand, it is gripping; it has all the elements of a great Hollywood story: the daughter of two legends (Judy Garland & Vincente Minnelli) becomes a legend herself. In fact, Ms. Minnelli's story is so fascinating that any hack could make a good book just writing the time line of her life. On the other hand, the book lacks intimacy. The one unforgettable chapter is the one dealing with Ms. Garland's death and how her children dealt with such a blow. The author is not very capable of writing concisely not only about Ms. Minnelli's films, but Ms. Garland's and Mr. Minnelli's as well. Considering that they're seminal parts of American film history, expounding on them would have helped the reader understand Ms. Minnelli's courage in her venture into moviemaking and theater. Ms. Minnelli comes out virtually unscathed from this book. Ms. Garland isn't so lucky and I had the nagging feeling that I'd heard all of those stories before and so had the author. The notion of the author sitting down and interviewing people who knew Ms. Garland or Ms. Minnelli feels highly unlikely. On the other hand, I bet he's read every book on each of them and simply regurgitated them back in his own simple way and filled in whichever blanks there were with logical guesses.
Rating:
Summary: An odd mix of tabloid and serious reporting
Review: I have very mixed feelings about this book. On the one hand, it is gripping; it has all the elements of a great Hollywood story: the daughter of two legends (Judy Garland & Vincente Minnelli) becomes a legend herself. In fact, Ms. Minnelli's story is so fascinating that any hack could make a good book just writing the time line of her life. On the other hand, the book lacks intimacy. The one unforgettable chapter is the one dealing with Ms. Garland's death and how her children dealt with such a blow. The author is not very capable of writing concisely not only about Ms. Minnelli's films, but Ms. Garland's and Mr. Minnelli's as well. Considering that they're seminal parts of American film history, expounding on them would have helped the reader understand Ms. Minnelli's courage in her venture into moviemaking and theater. Ms. Minnelli comes out virtually unscathed from this book. Ms. Garland isn't so lucky and I had the nagging feeling that I'd heard all of those stories before and so had the author. The notion of the author sitting down and interviewing people who knew Ms. Garland or Ms. Minnelli feels highly unlikely. On the other hand, I bet he's read every book on each of them and simply regurgitated them back in his own simple way and filled in whichever blanks there were with logical guesses.
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