Jane Froman: Missouri's First Lady of Song (Missouri Heritage Readers Series)

Rating:
Summary: Accurate but lacking warmth
Review: As a fan and friend of the late Jane Froman, I found Ms. Stone's book factually accurate and researched thoroughly. As I had lost touch with Ms. Froman, I was pleased to learn about her retirement years and sad to learn how ill she had become. My only adverse comments is the tone of the book. Jane Froman was a kind, compassionate, warm human being that only one having known her could capture the essence of her personality and character on paper. I feel that "Jane Froman: Missouri's First Lady of Song" is a wonderful research essay, great for public libraries, but does not capture Ms. Froman's personality. But at any rate, I'm happy that after all these years. there is something concise in book form for Jane Froman admirers to read and own. Thank you, Ms. Stone.

Rating:
Summary: Accurate but lacking warmth
Review: As a fan and friend of the late Jane Froman, I found Ms. Stone's book factually accurate and researched thoroughly. As I had lost touch with Ms. Froman, I was pleased to learn about her retirement years and sad to learn how ill she had become. My only adverse comments is the tone of the book. Jane Froman was a kind, compassionate, warm human being that only one having known her could capture the essence of her personality and character on paper. I feel that "Jane Froman: Missouri's First Lady of Song" is a wonderful research essay, great for public libraries, but does not capture Ms. Froman's personality. But at any rate, I'm happy that after all these years. there is something concise in book form for Jane Froman admirers to read and own. Thank you, Ms. Stone.

Rating:
Summary: Long Overdue
Review: Having been an avid fan of Jane Froman for many years, I was pleased to see that a long overdue biography has finally been written. Jane Froman was an outstanding entertainer and an inspiration to those that met her. Now sadly almost forgotten outside the USA her recordings to the few of us that know of her talent are prized additions to any collection of popular music. Now to the book, Ilene Stone was able to draw on the limited ammount of resourse material available from the Froman papers and Jane's few surviving friends. Given the fact that the subject died over twenty years ago Ilene has done a commendable job with her biography. This book is a mine of information about Jane, I do however wish that Ilene had expanded on some of the facts she quoted in her book, for example why was Jane Froman's hand held microphone technique famous? Bing Crosby, Marlene Dietrich and many other used hand held microphones after all.
All in all an excellent attempt to bring to public attention the talents and bravery of one of America's greatest entertainers. Perhaps that now Ilene has led the way Fox studio's will now make available "With A song In My Heart" on VHS and DVD.