Rating: 
Summary: Diva-licious
Review: "Once you become a star, you are always a star." Mae Murray said that long after her name recognition had lapsed. If you don't know who Mae Murray was and care about film, buy 'Hollywood Divas.' It's another in a long series of books by the hard-working James Robert Parish who has been chronicling the lives of stars -- past and present -- for longer than Britney Spears has been alive.
His latest volume offers 70 short biographies of leading ladies known as much for their egos as their talents. From Bette Davis to Barbra Streisand, most of the difficult ones are here.
The book is chockablock with quotations by and about this contingent of prima donnas. For instance, Gloria Swanson wired her studio the date of her arrival from Paris, adding "Please arrange ovation." She might be pleased to know that nearly two decades after her death Parish is doing exactly that.
Rating: 
Summary: He's Done It Again!
Review: As an author of over 80 books to his credit, James Robert Parish has again proved that he can write about stars who have been much publicized and make them seem "new" again. The photos accentuate the articles very well. His style is never verbose - you're hooked on every word, because he writes as if he's talking to you about the lives of these interesting and noteworthy women. This book is a great addition to my library, which includes many of his other fine works.
Rating:
Summary: He's Done It Again!
Review: As an author of over 80 books to his credit, James Robert Parish has again proved that he can write about stars who have been much publicized and make them seem "new" again. The photos accentuate the articles very well. His style is never verbose - you're hooked on every word, because he writes as if he's talking to you about the lives of these interesting and noteworthy women. This book is a great addition to my library, which includes many of his other fine works.
Rating:
Summary: Ladies With An Attitude!
Review: As the Hollywood saying goes, scrape off the glitter and what do you find? More glitter.The women of James Parish's "Hollywood Divas" are beautiful, talented, controversial, charismatic, passionate and powerful. They are the ones that men want, and the ones women want to emulate. "Divas" is a great gift for film buffs and celebrity worshipers alike, full of interesting and unexpected factoids about these Tinseltown toughies. Recommended for all those who can't help but be fascinated by them!
Rating:
Summary: Another fasinating gem from Parish!
Review: As usual, you can bet your bottom dollar that any tome from Parish will be a winner and this is no exception!
This is a welcome addition to the Hollywood genre on your book shelf.
Rating:
Summary: Brief Lives. . . with Attitude
Review: Centuries back, the Brit John Aubrey created the format of encapsulating the histories of celebrated personages of his day into short form. More "Lives in Brief" than the "Brief Lives" title he chose. James Robert Parish makes excellence use of the format, even as his subjects - mainly movie stars - are far better known and infinitely more outrageous (which, incidentally, makes for far more enjoyable reading). Most everything you want or need to know about more than a hundred stars of every cinematic era. This book is a real treasure of both research and entertainment. Bravo, Mr. Parish!
Rating:
Summary: "Hollywood Divas" is Divine!
Review: Chock full of snappy anecdotes and delicious details, this book is a great companion to "Hollywood Bad Boys." Read them side by side to see which ones you'd pair off in an alternate universe. Great fun!
Rating:
Summary: "Hollywood Divas" is Divine!
Review: Chock full of snappy anecdotes and delicious details, this book is a great companion to "Hollywood Bad Boys." Read them side by side to see which ones you'd pair off in an alternate universe. Great fun!
Rating:
Summary: "Hollywood Divas" is Divine!
Review: Chock full of snappy anecdotes and delicious details, this book is a great companion to "Hollywood Bad Boys." Read them side by side to see which ones you'd pair off in an alternate universe. Great fun!
Rating:
Summary: DIVAS FOR EVERY GENERATION
Review: Divas, as it is used here, are those female performers whose behavior is excessive in a large way either belligerent, self-destructive, haughty, pampered or willful. Jim Parish includes personalities from every decade from 1910 to the present, so there are performers for every generation of fans here. His style is lively and engrossing. It is a great book if you like this type of expose. If you don't or are sensitive about what may be said about a favorite performer, this isn't for you. What strikes me most about this book is that after reading about how these females were able to indulge themselves with every wish or fancy, is that they were basically unhappy. Many people envy these females and what they could have. Yet this book clearly shows that self-indulgence does not bring lasting happiness. What they wanted to find they never got. Perhaps they were looking in the wrong place. That might be a lesson for us.
| 
