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Rating: 
Summary: "Diva" Hits a High Note!
Review: Edward Baron Turk's brilliantly realized biography of the singer-actress Jeanette MacDonald, "Hollywood Diva" is worth the long wait.For years fans of the beloved red-haired, green-eyed soprano, have longed for a complete and concise biographical work. "Diva" is all that and more. Turk has conducted scores of interviews and gleamed through mountains of papers including MacDonald's own unpublished autobiography, to accurately reflect his subject. The reader comes away both educated and enlightened not to mention very impressed with the woman who dazzled and delighted millions in virtually every medium of show business. Jeanette MacDonald was much more than one-half of the classic screen team of Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy. She starred in nearly 30 motion pictures, broke records performing on stage and in concert, not to mention realizing her dream of starring in Grand Opera. Nightclubs, radio, television, and recordings were fields that benefitted from the special MacDonald touch, and while she may have appeared to do it effortlessly, this book reveals the incredible energy and work that she put into everything she did. Every facet of her life she gave more than 100% to and fans of the star will come away impressed anew with her tireless dedication to her art. Those to whom MacDonald is a name from the far past will want to go out and explore her career by watching her films and discovering what many of us have said for decades - Jeanette MacDonald is one of the greats! Turk perfectly balances his story by not placing MacDonald on an unreachable pedestal but portraying his subject as a real person, replete with faults, ferocious in her determination to never give less than her best. Nowhere does this apply more than to her personal life. Mr. Turk's handling of the marriage between MacDonald and actor Gene Raymond is a lesson to everyone in every kind of relationship. Their nearly 28 year marriage had periodic difficulties but ultimately what stands out is the real, deep-rooted, and very moving love that the couple shared, something not easily achieved in the milieu of Hollywood. While some would prefer to believe that MacDonald and Eddy were an "item", Turk disproves that myth completely. The MacDonald-Eddy team were pure on-screen magic but off-screen were merely friends. Naysayers would like to believe that author Turk treats Eddy in a less than respectful manner in this tome but nothing could be further from the truth. MacDonald was married only once. She didn't indulge in the affairs nor have the sometimes tawdry personal life that others of her generation may have had. She was a professional and that is a sometimes rare commodity in show business. "Hollywood Diva" is must reading for anyone with even a slight interest in the history of the entertainment industry. You'll laugh, cry, learn, and grow. When a book can accomplish all of that, as well as portraying a real person as someone to admire and respect, then it is indeed something very special.
Rating:
Summary: "Diva" Hits a High Note!
Review: Edward Baron Turk's brilliantly realized biography of the singer-actress Jeanette MacDonald, "Hollywood Diva" is worth the long wait. For years fans of the beloved red-haired, green-eyed soprano, have longed for a complete and concise biographical work. "Diva" is all that and more. Turk has conducted scores of interviews and gleamed through mountains of papers including MacDonald's own unpublished autobiography, to accurately reflect his subject. The reader comes away both educated and enlightened not to mention very impressed with the woman who dazzled and delighted millions in virtually every medium of show business. Jeanette MacDonald was much more than one-half of the classic screen team of Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy. She starred in nearly 30 motion pictures, broke records performing on stage and in concert, not to mention realizing her dream of starring in Grand Opera. Nightclubs, radio, television, and recordings were fields that benefitted from the special MacDonald touch, and while she may have appeared to do it effortlessly, this book reveals the incredible energy and work that she put into everything she did. Every facet of her life she gave more than 100% to and fans of the star will come away impressed anew with her tireless dedication to her art. Those to whom MacDonald is a name from the far past will want to go out and explore her career by watching her films and discovering what many of us have said for decades - Jeanette MacDonald is one of the greats! Turk perfectly balances his story by not placing MacDonald on an unreachable pedestal but portraying his subject as a real person, replete with faults, ferocious in her determination to never give less than her best. Nowhere does this apply more than to her personal life. Mr. Turk's handling of the marriage between MacDonald and actor Gene Raymond is a lesson to everyone in every kind of relationship. Their nearly 28 year marriage had periodic difficulties but ultimately what stands out is the real, deep-rooted, and very moving love that the couple shared, something not easily achieved in the milieu of Hollywood. While some would prefer to believe that MacDonald and Eddy were an "item", Turk disproves that myth completely. The MacDonald-Eddy team were pure on-screen magic but off-screen were merely friends. Naysayers would like to believe that author Turk treats Eddy in a less than respectful manner in this tome but nothing could be further from the truth. MacDonald was married only once. She didn't indulge in the affairs nor have the sometimes tawdry personal life that others of her generation may have had. She was a professional and that is a sometimes rare commodity in show business. "Hollywood Diva" is must reading for anyone with even a slight interest in the history of the entertainment industry. You'll laugh, cry, learn, and grow. When a book can accomplish all of that, as well as portraying a real person as someone to admire and respect, then it is indeed something very special.
Rating:
Summary: Loving it
Review: I am really injoying this book. I am 16 and I love her singing. And her acting. This book is not a 5 star it is a 1000 stars. Now all I have to get is Nelson Eddy's bio. LOL.
Rating:
Summary: A great book !
Review: I really liked this biography of Jeanette MacDonald, their were some great photos in it as well. From it I learned so much about her life and career. I recommend this to any fan of Jeanette MacDonald. It's a lovely tribute to her.
Rating:
Summary: A fascinating career -- a fascinating book
Review: I was especially fascinated by the author's research into French-language reviews and accounts of her appearances in France, hitherto unavailable to English-speaking fans. Many of the details about the three loves of her life, taken from Jeanette's unpublished autobiography, were also new. The two most intriguing themes, clearly set forth in the book, are MacDonald's sizeable role in popularizing classical music in America, and, despite her apparent radiant good health, the physical fragility that plagued her all her life, overcome by an indomitable spirit. An admirable look into the life of an admirable star.
Rating: 
Summary: "A reader" has to be Sharon Rich
Review: I would like to point out that the review below by "A reader" that focuses so strongly on scandals and recommends "Sweethearts" by Sharon Rich TWICE is none other than Sharon Rich herself. The writing style gives it away. Ms. Rich runs a what is essentially a scandalmongering franchise that is obsessed to rather laughable proportions with proving that an affair existed between Jeanette and Nelson. My question is, if Jeanette and Nelson really DID have an affair, why is Ms. Rich going to such extremes to prove it? If it really is "the truth" as Ms. Rich says incessantly, then the truth should be able to speak for itself and shouldn't need so much help. What's going on here?
What is particularly hypocritical and questionable is Ms. Rich's constant high praise of Jeanette and Nelson while she tears down and demonizes the two's spouses, Gene Raymond and Ann Franklin. "Mr. Raymond is dead now. There is no more need to try and protect his honor." This brutal statement is the equivalent of spitting on that man's grave. And for what reason? Something is fishy here, and there is a strong need for someone to investigate Ms. Rich's claims, as a good historian would not conduct him/herself in this unethical of a manner.
Rating: 
Summary: Academic Indifference - History reframed
Review: If this WERE a work of fiction, Turk's book would not be so offensive, but I have spent well over twenty years interviewing people who knew Nelson Eddy and Jeanette MacDonald. I am NOT Sharon Rich. I have spoken with Nelson Eddy. I have even interviewed Gene Raymond. I can honestly say the evidence is overwhelming that Jeanette MacDonald lead a different life than the one presented by Mr. Turk. It is not enough to just read a woman's unpublished autobiography and talk to her husband. There are reasons why both might lie. Jeanette MacDonald did not want to shock her fans or bring down the public personnas of herself and Nelson Eddy when she wrote her autobiography. If Mr. Turk had taken the time to look at the evidence which refutes the "Gene Raymond" version of Jeanette's life, then the book would have fulfilled its potential as a fairly accurate portrait of a complex woman living in a difficult period that straddles World War II. Once Jeanette met Nelson Eddy, he was a driving influence in her life. Nelson Eddy was not a monogamous man. He had many female lovers, and some of them are still alive to talk about him and his relationship with Jeanette, Gene, and Ann Eddy (a woman I have also had the "pleasure" of meeting). Had Turk taken the time to actually follow up the research on the Eddy/MacDonald relationship, he might have presented history in a much more accurate light. It's a shame when an ordinary researcher blurs history by looking at it through "tinted" glasses. It is a sin when an academic does it, either accidentally or on purpose. Mr. Turk varnished the truth, rewrote it by omission, and basically did a disservice to both Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy. I am curious why Mr. Turk did not accept Lina Basquette's account of Nelson Eddy's prowess with women. I am even more curious why he would insinuate that Eddy was gay when even Shelley Winters has recounted Nelson's attempt to seduce her. The University of California should be ashamed for accepting the publication without looking at the research on the other side of the coin.
Rating: 
Summary: Failure to research material completely.
Review: No doubt Mr. Turk meant well, but when a writer of the life of someone leaves out important facts, it implies there is something to hide. Most of certain groups in hollywood during the 30s and 40s knew of Mr. Raymond's homo activities. That He was arrested on at least two occasions after being caught in certain clubs, and how poor Jeanette was nearly devestated when she learned of this after her marriage to him. Also, Jeanette was very human and very career minded. She was willing to do many things for the furthering of her career. After all, she was only human and imperfect like all of us. Even L.B.Mayer knew this. She was able to control a few men on her way up the ladder. But, when she met Nelson Eddy, he was of a different sort. The chemistry between them was very powerful on and off the screen. She and Gene stayed together, yes, as many people do, but they lived separate lives until her death. This can easily be done when couples make a show for the purpose of the public. I would recommend that Mr. Turk read "Sweethearts" by Sharon Rich. All of her sources are listed, and since she began her writing over 20 years ago, many of the people interviewed spoke over tape. Many of the close friends of Nelson, Jeanette, Gene, and Ann were still living. These along with letters and documents are proof. And lets not forget Jeanette's sister Blossem. I suggest that Mr Turk read "Sweethearts" by Sharon Rich. Then he will learn the truth. Mr. Raymond is dead now. There is no more need to try and protect his honor.
Rating:
Summary: Failure to research material completely.
Review: This is the definitive biography on one of filmdom's most luminous stars. Unlike some of the tasteless, shoddily-written, lie-packed, alleged "biographies" in the past, put out by some individuals with dubious intentions, this one is not only stylishly written, but has a credibility that frankly rings of truth. The sources are meticulously, exhaustively documented, and contrary to the claims of the anonymous, hired naysayers writing unsigned reviews, these sources can be backed up and proved. More importantly though, this book pays proper, eloquent reverence to a woman of immense means and talent; MacDonald's versatility is made manifest, as well as her clear-eyed, judicious parlaying of her long career. This entertaining, and tasteful book is a testament to an artistry, a persona, and a considerable talent, one of the 20th century's most influential purveyors of operatic music. Take the high road and make this dignified, integrity-filled tribute as the best means of fully assimilating the beguiling MacDonald persona.
Rating:
Summary: A POOR BIOGRAPHY
Review: This proports to be about Jeanette MacDonald, but in her personal life, the heavy hand and agenda of her husband, appears dominant. Denying the 30 year, off again-on again, love affair with Nelson Eddy, to preserve Mr. Raymond's reputation, is ,at best, dishonest. A long term love affair would not besmirch Ms. MacDonald's reputation; she was hardly a saint; revealing Mr. Raymond as gay would be no surprise.Perhaps, the author might consider updating his book now that Mr. Raymond is dead---he could reveal the truth and hurt no one.
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