Rating: 
Summary: A Different Type of Memior,I Must Say
Review: I waited for years for Maureen O'Hara to write her auto-
biography.I had alway's admired her acting,and thought she
was a statuesque beauty.On television,I watched her as Esmeralda,
the gyspy girl,in the "Hunchback of Notre Dame".My other love
"The Long Gray Line" when she played the wife of Tyrone Power.
The scene where she lost her firstborn,and could have no more
chidren,brought tears to my eyes.She played Kate to a tee,in
"The Quiet Man."
In the "Parent Trap",Maureen played comedy and was great in
it.All the little teenyboppers adored her.Including myself.
Her book was easy reading but full of complaints,persecu-
tions,and not what I expected.
She seems to have no close women friends,talks little of the
happy times,if there were any.The story of 'herself'
is lacking.
I am disappointed.This is a book written by an old Irish
biddy telling scandals about people who no longer alive.
It didn'take too many brains,to figure out her leading man,in "The
Long Grey Line"was the one embracing John Ford.
These people have families,does the world have to know
all her perfection's and their sins.
'Tis a shame.
Rating: 
Summary: I am glad she wrote it
Review: 'Tis Herself is just that...Maureen O'Hara wrote what she wanted her readers to know...I liked reading the book and I found it amazing in parts...yes, she had a difficult life and we must remember the time she is writing about ....men were very much in control of almost everything...we should not put our values on what she did or did not do...we do not like people doing that to us. I always liked her roles and her chemistry with her leading men...especially John Wayne. I was a bit surprised that she wrote so much about her "problems" with John Ford. The photos she included were great and the sections on John Wayne were the best...her last meeting with him a few months before his death had me in tears. Her chemistry with "the Duke" was perfect I could watch their films together daily. Her book is worth reading. It will be re-read by me many times...I placed in my bookcase with my John Wayne books.
Rating:
Summary: If You Love Old Hollywood, You'll Love This Book!
Review: As a big fan of the of the movies of Hollywood's "Golden Age" & the stars that made those movies, I couldn't have been happier to read Ms. O'Hara's story. Her story of how she became a star is intriguing and well written. The story flows & doesn't lag. While not as flamboyant as a Bette Davis or Joan Crawford, or even a Lana Turner, she did lead an interesting life. I love the stories about the movies she made, how she was cast and what went on behind the scenes as well as what movies she didn't get cast in that she wanted. She has been underrated as an actress, but cannot be faulted as an author. If you love old Hollywood, you will enjoy this book!
Rating: 
Summary: Informational, gossipy, revealing, surprising
Review: Born into a fairly affluent family of six children in Dublin, Ireland, Maureen FitzSimmons's stage-acting career was launched at an early age. Her film last name, O'Hara was given to her by Charles Laughton because her nee would not fit the movie billboard. Ms. O'Hara gained fame in a Alfred Hitchcock directed film, "Jamaica Inn", co-starring the great Charles Laughton. It is the aforesaid movie that Ms. O'Hara is accorded with: "...entered the premiere as an actress and left as a 'star'," and dubbed as "the girl with the black-cherry eyes.""The Hunchback of Notre Dame" was also a triumph for Ms. O'Hara, again co-starring Charles Laughton (remembered for his role in "Mutiny On The Bounty", extraordinaire classic). The reader cannot help but chuckle about an 'event' that occurred on the set of "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" -- heavily-accented director Dieterle had asked for 200 priests/monks to be available for the set; what he got was 200 monkeys! Among many film credits are Ms. O'Hara's performances in "How Green Was My Valley"; "Miracle on 34th Street" with child actress Natalie Wood; "The Quiet Man", filmed in Ireland, co-starring John Wayne (the 'Duke'). O'Hara candidly speaks of her long-time friendship with John Wayne, and her tormenting, tragic loss of her husband, record-breaking, famed-pilot, Charlie Blair. Just as there was no safety from the power of studio politicos 'trading' the star to another studio -- to her credit, and perhaps to the surprise of some readers, Ms. O'Hara performed her OWN STUNTS without the aid of harnesses and other safety devices. The latter performance strength of Ms. O'Hara shines in the swashbuckling, fencing movie scenes where she skillfully showed her fencing training and knowledge (again including her own stunt-work). Also of note is Ms. O'Hara's stamina to stand up to the politics in the industry, including her successful lawsuit against a tabloid, putting them out of business. What baffles this reader is learning of Ms. O'Hara's 'weakness' in some not-thought-through life decisions and relationships, specifically the continuation of her marriage to Will Price, a rough, alcoholic, abusive, philandering spouse. And, by her own admission, making the quick choice to wed (more than once) to men she was not in love with. More baffling is why she stayed in the situation(s) for so long, considering husband Price was spending her earned money by living lavishly, purchasing mansions without her knowledge until the 'deed was done', via simply using her name. From Ms. O'Hara's book, 'TIS HERSELF, the reader picks up hints of bias here and there; her "chip-on-the-shoulder" brazenness, bragging, pomposity and naivete, albeit at times with added wittiness. Readers might forgive and indulge Ms. O'Hara's aforesaid eccentricities, allowing that the book includes earlier film years and the effect World War II had on all film studios and staff. Ms. O'Hara's memoirs are rich with stage and film including recorded singing and dancing talents on TV specials (such as the Dinah Shore Show and Perry Como Show); along with movie studio and film history, and many personages who are part of film history -- be it singers and dancers, actors, producers, writers and directors. And, worthy are the descriptive words used to carry the reader through incidents, actions and events, which transpired during filming, and history of stage, film and TV. Overall 'TIS HERSELF is a good read of historical information, but the reader can't feel bad for some of Ms. O'Hara's predicaments she got herself into, and being ever - so - slow in getting out of them. Why? The reader may wonder...?! Other Recommended Reading: GIRL SINGER by Rosemary Clooney
Rating:
Summary: Tis Herself
Review: Don't miss this opportunity to become acquainted with Maureen FitzSimons Blair (aka Maureen O'Hara) in her absolutely wonderful autobiography "Tis Herself". She is one strong, talented, feisty Irishwoman who lets us in on her charmed life. Follow Maureen on her journey--from her beginnings in Ranelagh, Ireland, her motion picture career in the Golden Age of Hollywood and beyond, her disastrous and abusive marriage, to at last finding her "gradh ma croidhe", Charlie Blair, only to encounter heartbreak once again. Maureen handles every chapter of this book like she handles her life - HEAD ON. I absolutely adore Maureen O'Hara, and this book is a treasure for her fans and those who are just discovering Herself. No one will be disappointed with this read.
Rating:
Summary: Tis Herself
Review: Don't miss this opportunity to become acquainted with Maureen FitzSimons Blair (aka Maureen O'Hara) in her absolutely wonderful autobiography "Tis Herself". She is one strong, talented, feisty Irishwoman who lets us in on her charmed life. Follow Maureen on her journey--from her beginnings in Ranelagh, Ireland, her motion picture career in the Golden Age of Hollywood and beyond, her disastrous and abusive marriage, to at last finding her "gradh ma croidhe", Charlie Blair, only to encounter heartbreak once again. Maureen handles every chapter of this book like she handles her life - HEAD ON. I absolutely adore Maureen O'Hara, and this book is a treasure for her fans and those who are just discovering Herself. No one will be disappointed with this read.
Rating: 
Summary: Hum....
Review: For a strong a fiesty woman as Ms. O'Hara claimed herself to be, I found myself constantly shaking my head at her actions. There was definitely a lot of dysfunction in her relationships to the point it annoyed me. Also, I sensed her having sour grapes. I was finding many of the things she said hard to believe and I was turned off about the way she threw in negative comments about others who could not defend themselves. I would say my experience with this book was a frustrating read. Now Ava Gardner's book I found to be honest and entertaining. Ava sounds to me more the woman that Maureen was trying to depict. I didn't at all see the woman Maureen saw in herself.
Rating:
Summary: The person behind The Queen of Technicolor.
Review: For over 50 years i've wondered about the person behind the character's brought to the screen,in almost 60 motion pictures, by that most underrated actress in hollywood - MAUREEN O'HARA - Her own story brillantly brougth to life in "tis Herself" has the makings of an original story for a scriptwriter to turn into a blockbuster movie. It's a book that i couldn't put down once i had started reading it, ms o'hara deals honestly about her upbringing in a warm Catholic Irish family, her love of her family, her career ambitions, her foolish young marriages -one an alcohlic- the public scandals and movie roles that she lost. We are given an intimate insight into some of the most inportant co-workers that she worked with - her mentor charles laughton, her tormentor - john ford, friends/costars like john wayne, jimmy stewart, tyrone power, john payne, henry fonda, rex harrison, the ford acting company and a wonderful story about marilyn monroe. Sometimes ms o'hara suffered in her career because of her principles and moral standards, such as her fight with walt disney over her wages and star billing in "the parent trap"
the artistic differences, between her and the director of her only broadway show "Christine" The reader is given an insight into all her co-stars and anecdotes about the making of all her movies after her first meeting with charles laughton at aged 17. the successes like hunchback of notra dam, how green was my valley,miracle on 34th st, the quiet man and the thin grey line, as well as the stinkeroos - they met in arentina, never to love,father was a fullback and a womens story. You can feel the happiness that her love and marriage to Brig Gen charlie blair brought her, and her heartbreak following his death in an seaplane accident, under intriguing circumstances. I found it the best book of it's genre that i have ever read, and i recommend it wholeheartedly.
Rating:
Summary: Not what I expected
Review: For years I've admired and loved Maureen O'Hara. I grew up watching her in wonderful films like "The Parent Trap" and "Miracle on 34th Street." When she did interviews with newspapers or magazines, she came across as a feisty, happy, upbeat lady who has lived life to the fullest and is a gorgeous role model for ALL women.
But now I am disappointed and confused. The Maureen in THIS book is an entirely different person, filled with bitterness and hostility. And there's a lot of paranoia thrown in as well.
Although she had a happy childhood and loving parents and siblings, Maureen became a willing victim of abuse throughout her life.
Here are a few examples of the abuse:
Two teachers hated and belitted her when she was a child.
Her early mentor and co-star Charles Laughton forces her to change her last name against her will.
At age 18 she is forced to marry a production assistant named George Brown, even though she didn't know him or love him. Their wedding is a "numbing, out-of-body experience" that she has absolutely no control over. She claims they had a short but sexless marriage. No other insight or explanation is given!
Director John Farrow makes a pass at her on the set, she refuses his advances and he treats her with cruelty and hostility.
Errol Flynn whispers filthy obscenities in her ear when they do a movie together. She is shocked, hurt and angry.
She is "forced" into another loveless marriage with Will Price, a man she despises and loathes.
Price tries to kill her many times--she describes each incident in full detail. Although she mentions repeatedly that he is constantly drunk, spends all her money and sleeps in a separate bedroom, she becomes pregnant nonetheless!
She has a "love-hate" relationship with director John Ford, who gets angry and slugs her in the jaw. Instead of protesting his physical abuse, she quietly gets up and leaves the room.
She stars in a film with Rex Harrison but he instantly despises her.
Will Price continues his attempts to kill her.
She discovers that Will Price AND John Ford are "closet" homosexuals and she pretends to be horrified.
Ford sends her creepy "stalker" letters but she still works with him. He leaves a scary letter in her bedroom, which terrifies her. But she never confronts him about it.
Will Price checks into "rehab," where he is supplied with booze and prostitutes. They divorce after he puts her further into debt.
Price nearly kills their daughter while Maureen is FINALLY having a little fun in her life with a sexy Latin boyfriend.
Confidential Magazine prints a story claiming she had sex with her Latin lover inside a famous movie theater. She is angry and indignant and sues. Her Hollywood friends desert her and refuse to defend her honor.
Walt Disney hires her for "The Parent Trap" but he despises her and curses her on his death bed a few years later. She suggested he do a "Mary Poppins" film with her in the starring role, but he hated her so much he stole her idea and hired Julie Andrews instead.
While doing a movie in Mexico, John Ford tries to have her arrested as a drug smuggler.
Ford has her brother thrown in jail as a draft dodger.
Ford tells her other brother that she is a "[prostitute]."
She records an album of Irish love songs. Ford walks into her house and steals promotional copies of the album that she was going to give her her family and friends. She never asks him why.
As Charles Laughton dies, his wife refuses to let Maureen visit him because they had a "tiff."
A director makes her look ugly in a movie "out of spite."
Her Latin lover hears terrible gossip about her, believes it and they break up.
Her daughter Bronwyn gets married but Maureen doesn't like her son-in-law.
Jackie Gleason accidently crushes her hand with his overweight body when they do a movie together. Her hand is damaged forever.
She believes there is a "conspiracy" in Hollywood to destroy her career. Roddy McDowell warns her that she will never, ever get the recognition she deserves as an actress--but he doesn't explain why.
Because of this conspiracy, she loses out on great movie roles.
She discovers that her third husband, Charles Blair, is working for the CIA. When he dies in a plane crash, she says he was murdered because he "knew too much."
And she's STILL angry that Hayley Mills got top billing over her in "The Parent Trap."
Needless to say, this book is filled with negativity! Maureen loves to complain.
Maureen never mentions any female friends--but she says she was falsely called a lesbian from time to time. As a young actress, she was accused of sexually molesting another starlet.
I expected a more positive memoir--something inspirational, uplifting and truly enjoyable to read. I learned a lot about Maureen--from HER viewpoint--but it's more than I ever wanted to know.
In this book, there are no words of wisdom, no emotional or spiritual lessons that are learned. It's all misfortune, bad luck and "let's blame the other guy."
Perhaps she should have written a health and fitness book instead! Or a book on how to look beautiful at any age.
There is ONE fascinating experience I wish Maureen had elaborated further on. In 1959 she went to Havana, Cuba to star in a film. She met both Fidel Castro and Che Guevara while in Cuba.
She admits she "spent a lot of time" with Guevara, and while she doesn't say she had an affair with him, it's obvious she was attracted to him and felt he was a very intelligent and charismatic man. Now THAT would have made a great chapter in itself--if she had been more forthcoming about her friendship with Guevara.
John Wayne is mentioned as a buddy and co-star but never as a lover.
And she ignores politics completely--although for years she claimed to be more right-wing than Wayne himself.
Maureen has done two revealing and fascinating TV interviews with Larry King. I enjoyed watching those interviews more than I did reading this book.
More Che Guevara, please!!!
Rating:
Summary: What to make of Her(self)?
Review: Having just finished this book, as stated above, I'm not quite sure what to make of Maureen O'Hara. While the book is entertaining, I do have to agree with some of the other reviewers who have posted about the strong streak of paranoia in Ms. O'Hara's character. It causes her to take a lot of cheap shots at various people (famous and non) who are no longer around to defend themselves. Of course no one gets her Irish dander up like John Ford and Husband #2. But this of course begs the question--left unanswered in the book--why did she stay involved (professionally or personally) with these two men if they were such monsters? She blames John Ford for a host of double-crosses and sabotage, but with very little proof to back them up.
(Frankly, she blames him for so much that near the end, I half expected her to blame him for the fall of the Roman Empire, the Bay of Pigs and 9/11.) But, in the end, I also can't see why she would make all this up. That said, I think the quality of this book is someplace between the five-reviews posted here and the scathing ones also posted. Say what you want about her but she's still here, in one piece and without excess baggage. O'Hara never ended up in AA, at Betty Ford or as the centerpiece of a scandal or public meltdown. So, in that regard, yes, she is one tough Irish broad.
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