Secrets of a Sparrow

Rating:
Summary: A waste of pulp
Review: 'November 1, 1993,' the date I bought this ' within mere weeks of when it was released ' is still rubber stamped inside the first couple pages, and the jacket price ($22.00), is probably close to what I paid, given that it was a brand new title.

Not long after, in a phone conversation with a friend, I was asked 'how it was.' Words didn't dare fail me now. I said, 'Go into a book store and pick it up, and just read whatever page it falls open to. Just make sure you're leaning against something, or you will positively sway with drowsiness.'

Perhaps the most cringe-worthy element of the book is how touchstone matters of the 60s like the Vietnam War and concurrent civil unrest seem all but incidentals alongside Diana's career struggles and finding herself. If good writing is supposed to conjure photographs in a reader's mind, then I have to give Miss Ross her due here: at those moments, it was quite easy to picture a wheelchair-bound vet hurling the book into a fireplace.

Second on the same meter, is where Diana alludes to sister-Supreme, Mary Wilson's work of seven years earlier. 'Dreamgirl,' while by no means a perfect book, was eons ahead in honesty regarding the Supremes story, even as one must admit it excused it's own author much of her silence and inaction regarding the ouster of founding member Florence Ballard from the group in 1967. In 'Sparrow,' Diana decides she 'forgives' Mary. Excuse me? --- I didn't hear Mary ask for ANYone's forgiveness, and I noted Diana DOESN'T call her a liar'. The matter of Mary's book, by the way, is dismissively dealt with in little more than two pages.

Maybe the larger pity here is that the book isn't just coming out now. Given Ross's very unique perception of reality, great comic possibilities are probably lost as to how she would 'spin' items such as a Heathrow airport search fracas, a would-be Supremes reunion tour that goes bust, and a well-marinated, late-night trip to an Arizona Blockbuster'

'Secrets of a Sparrow' is 280 pages of the most blatant self-stroking of ego you're likely to come across. Who the hell gave this woman a pencil?! If you see it in a pile of 'returns' for maybe under three bucks, it might be worth it for its assortment of rare photos. Otherwise, avoid this one, kids.

Rating:
Summary: Diana Dross
Review: Diana Ross, stung by all of the juicy insider gossip and unauthorized biographies, wanted to sit down and tell her own side of the tale. The only problem with that is, she took the word too literally. While she does give little-known family anecdotes and photographs, she manages to smooth over every negative aspect of anything without seeming to own up to her part in it, or even acknowledging that some fault (or bad judgment, youthful naivete, whatever) of hers even exists. She treats the late Florence Ballard's alcoholism like it was a character flaw, like she and Berry played no part in her eventual destruction. And when she brings up leaving Motown or the Supremes, she waxes rhapsody like it was just a learning experience and not an attempt at (music) world domination. The result is that she paints herself to be a saint and makes her mistakes look even worse, almost as if she thinks that people who followed her career, fans or not, are stupid enough to believe in her "innocence". By attempting to hide the ugly parts, Ms. Ross only magnifies her self-deluding tendencies and she takes absolutely no responsibility for her wrongdoings, something that she should be confident enough to do at this stage in life. But since she isn't, this book is nothing but a fairy tale. If you want the REAL deal, check out "Call Her Miss Ross" and read the quotation from her at the beginning. It sums up her attitude completely. Nice try, Diana.

Rating:
Summary: Great interesting book. You have to read it.
Review: I always liked Diana Ross, but not as much as I do now after reading this book. This book tells you of her life story. Starting off as a kid that did not have much growing up in Detroit. And how she started off as a teenager and a dream she had in music. Tells all about her success with the Supremes in their prime time, all their #1 hits to their troubles, and when she left them. And all about her family in the book. Her marrige and her kids. I thought the book was an inspiring to me. And very interesting, I could not put the book down till I was done. You absolutly have to read this book of this very talented lady.

Rating:
Summary: AN EGOMANIAC'S INTIMATE PORTRAIT
Review: I really enjoyed this book when I first read it. I was in middle school and needed a pick-me-up, something that read like a sappy greeting card. However, I've read the book again since, and have realized that it's so factually inaccurate that it probably wasn't worth reading at all. Diana Ross is a very talented singer, but the way she glossed over the truth in this book was terrible.

Rating:
Summary: Unbelievable, worst read about Motown ever
Review: I'm a Motown fan and the opportunity to read about Diana Ross was interesting one until I read the book. I was astonished at the lack of any personal responsibility when it came to the Supremes, etc. I found myself wondering if she was the only person at Motown. This book, by far, is the worst book featuring a Motown artist. If you have ever read Mary Wilson's books or any other books, stay away from this one. Ross's view of events is so glossed over I could barely recognize what really happened. The woman sure does have the right to tell her own story, but this was insulting.

Rating:
Summary: Diana Ross... A Living Legend Indeed!
Review: I've been a huge fan of Diana Ross since I was a child and this book has been long anticipated to me to finally hear her life story. Unlike many autobiographies this one focuses on her life as an entertainer, a mother, a wife, and her early childhood years and most importantly no dirt on other entertainers. I don't know about you guys, but writing trash about other people you don't really know, especially if they're not true is kinda getting old and way annoying. Diana is true 'CLASS'! I'm glad I purchased this book not only being a fan of Diana Ross, but also the inspiration she delivers through her words. If you want to read positive views on life and love from an entertainer with "CLASS", then this book is definitely one worth reading.

Rating:
Summary: Diana Ross... A Living Legend Indeed!
Review: I've been a huge fan of Diana Ross since I was a child and this book has been long anticipated to me to finally hear her life story. Unlike many autobiographies this one focuses on her life as an entertainer, a mother, a wife, and her early childhood years and most importantly no dirt on other entertainers. I don't know about you guys, but writing trash about other people you don't really know, especially if they're not true is kinda getting old and way annoying. Diana is true 'CLASS'! I'm glad I purchased this book not only being a fan of Diana Ross, but also the inspiration she delivers through her words. If you want to read positive views on life and love from an entertainer with "CLASS", then this book is definitely one worth reading.

Rating:
Summary: A waste of pulp
Review: �November 1, 1993,� the date I bought this � within mere weeks of when it was released � is still rubber stamped inside the first couple pages, and the jacket price ($22.00), is probably close to what I paid, given that it was a brand new title.

Not long after, in a phone conversation with a friend, I was asked �how it was.� Words didn�t dare fail me now. I said, �Go into a book store and pick it up, and just read whatever page it falls open to. Just make sure you�re leaning against something, or you will positively sway with drowsiness.�

Perhaps the most cringe-worthy element of the book is how touchstone matters of the 60s like the Vietnam War and concurrent civil unrest seem all but incidentals alongside Diana�s career struggles and finding herself. If good writing is supposed to conjure photographs in a reader�s mind, then I have to give Miss Ross her due here: at those moments, it was quite easy to picture a wheelchair-bound vet hurling the book into a fireplace.

Second on the same meter, is where Diana alludes to sister-Supreme, Mary Wilson�s work of seven years earlier. �Dreamgirl,� while by no means a perfect book, was eons ahead in honesty regarding the Supremes story, even as one must admit it excused it�s own author much of her silence and inaction regarding the ouster of founding member Florence Ballard from the group in 1967. In �Sparrow,� Diana decides she �forgives� Mary. Excuse me? --- I didn�t hear Mary ask for ANYone�s forgiveness, and I noted Diana DOESN�T call her a liar�. The matter of Mary�s book, by the way, is dismissively dealt with in little more than two pages.

Maybe the larger pity here is that the book isn�t just coming out now. Given Ross�s very unique perception of reality, great comic possibilities are probably lost as to how she would �spin� items such as a Heathrow airport search fracas, a would-be Supremes reunion tour that goes bust, and a well-marinated, late-night trip to an Arizona Blockbuster�

�Secrets of a Sparrow� is 280 pages of the most blatant self-stroking of ego you�re likely to come across. Who the hell gave this woman a pencil?! If you see it in a pile of �returns� for maybe under three bucks, it might be worth it for its assortment of rare photos. Otherwise, avoid this one, kids.

Rating:
Summary: Do You Want The Truth?
Review: While this has some great photos of Diana...if you want the truth about what happened to the Supremes, read Dreamgirls, Mary Wilson's book. Much more informative and much more honest when it comes to what being a "Supreme" was like. This book, while I won't call it BAD, is not the one you want to read to find out what makes "Miss Ross" tick.

I seriously doubt that the whole truth about her life will ever be known. While multi-talented, a mega star, a diva, a GREAT performer and etc....she is still only human and this book tends to forget that aspect. She took the title "Supreme" just a bit to much to her head.

Also, I have to tell you this. After seeing Mary perform in concert a couple of years ago in Salt Lake City...and seeing Diana's Forever Tour, I can tell you, Mary is the one you want to see, should the opportunity ever afford it's self to you! "She Kicks A__!"

While I will always have a special place in my heart for Diana, because I was born a Supremes fan, I know the truth is in "Dreamgirls" and Mary Wilson will always reign "Supreme"!!!