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Anonymous
Posted April 2, 2003
He's Done It Again!
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. (I had to rewrite this review, because I got so excited in writing it, I goofed!)
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Anonymous
Posted December 27, 2002
DIVAS FOR EVERY GENERATION
A Hollywood Diva, as it is used here is a female performer whose behavior is excessive in a large way: either arrogant, 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 here. His style is lively and engrossing. It is a great book if you like this kind of expose. If you don't, or are sensitive about what might be said about a favorite performer, this book isn't for you. What strikes me most about this book is that after reading how these females were able to indulge themselves with their every fancy or whim, is that they were basically unhappy. Many people may envy these stars and what they could have. Yet this book clearly shows that self-indulgence doesn't 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.
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Anonymous
Posted November 16, 2002
Tough Women in a Tough Business
This book is great companion piece to Mr. Parish's Bad Boys of Hollywood book. From Clara Bow and Theda Bara to Britney Spears and Drew Barrymore fascination for Divas is as old as the business. This book is an enjoyable read looking at the lives, backgrounds, careers of women who survived in a tough business. Many survived ups and downs, personal problems, scandals and erratic behavior in the world of show business. This is a well researched book, full of photos, quotes and behind the scene stories.
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Anonymous
Posted November 16, 2002
Fun and witty look at some major female stars
Veteran writer James Robert Parish has come up with a delightful, intelligent, and informative new book about 70 major female stars of the entertainment world. The book has great information about the stars' careers and private lives, and offers a large number of hilarious quotes. But the aspect of this book that I like best is Parish's inclusion of some actresses that, although not well remembered today, were huge names at their time. Thus, Parish can please fans of the more obvious pop idols like Marilyn Monroe, Whitney Houston, and Madonna, while bringing to the attention of his readers half-forgotten Divas that deserve a thorough career reassessment. Those include Jean Arthur, Kay Francis, silent film performers Mae Murray and Theda Bara -- and even Republic Pictures' Queen of the Lot Vera Ralston. A must for movie fans who enjoy light -- but highly engrossing -- reading.
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Anonymous
Posted November 16, 2002
Diva-licious
"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.
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Anonymous
Posted November 24, 2002
Parish Does It Again!
For admirers of any of the 70 women profiled in James Robert Parish's "Hollywood Divas" who lead busy lives, the book is great to have as it gets to the heart of each subject's misdeeds almost immediately. Each profile averages 4 pages, and includes their real name, birthdate, and a photograph. The bibliography is extensive, proving that Mr. Parish certainly did his research, a fact all readers can appreciate.
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Anonymous
Posted January 11, 2003
You'll get sucked in!
Lacking the time to read the book cover to cover, I kept it on my coffee table so I could dip into it from time to time when I had a few spare moments. Well, that was the plan anyway. The first time I "dipped in" I was hooked, and read more than half the book in one sitting. Whether you're interested in the classic stars of yesteryear of today's hottest commodities like J. Lo, Julia Roberts, and Meg Ryan, you'll find enough info to satiate your curiosity about their careers, antics, and love lives. The book is filled with facts--headline-making news and little known details that will keep you turning pages. Highly recommended.
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Anonymous
Posted December 10, 2002
Ladies With An Attitude!
As the Hollywood saying goes, scrape of 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!
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Anonymous
Posted December 17, 2002
70 - Girls - 70
More an intriguing read than an exhaustive reference, Hollywood Divas dishes on 70 female stars, from 1915 to the present, who have titilated public interest. The profiles range from silent queens to the latest pop stars, so that one finds operetta soprano Jeanette MacDonald sandwiched alphabetically between Jennifer Lopez and Madonna, while Demi Moore resides between camp queens Maria Montez and Mae Murray. Undoubtedly, some of your favorites will be left out, but there is plenty of gossip to make up for your disappointment.
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Anonymous
Posted December 6, 2002
a great reference tool for show biz lovers
Parish has an uncanny knack for finding fascinating tidbits on stars and making it not only professional and thorough but eminently readable. A great reference volume that's fun to read.
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Anonymous
Posted December 7, 2002
De-lightful, De-lovely, De-Diva
There used to be a magazine ad that showed Joan Crawford wrapped in animal fur and captioned, "What becomes a legend most?" Today's sensibilities have shed the fur, but we've kept Crawford's legend alive by watching her movies and endlessly comparing newcomers to her -- and they usually come up short. Crawford is one of 70 memorable female movie stars profiled truthfully, yet respectfully, by James Robert Parish in "Hollywood Divas." This is not a chronicle of a catfight. It's an exquisitely researched and carefully presented roster of unforgettable woman -- and why they were and are so. Parish's gift is in allowing the distinct personality (not to mention life story) of each star to emerge and yet retain his focus, which is whatever aura they shared that made them famous, popular, and, well, Divas. From the silent vamp Theda Bara to her arguable modern counterpart Jennifer Lopez, "Hollywood Divas" recounts the careers and the scandals, yet is never tawdry. Quite a balancing act, and quite an exciting read.
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Anonymous
Posted December 2, 2002
A feast for film buffs!
Just when you think you've read everything there is to read about a film star, along comes a book like Jim Parish's Hollywood Divas. It contains juicy tidbits of information I suspect the most film buffs have never heard or read before. I'm an avid reader with an interest in the old-time film stars and there are plenty of those featured in Hollywood Divas (Theda Bara, Clara Bow, Pola Negri, Gloria Swanson, Mae Murray, just to name a few). I was also fascinated by the stories he includes about divas from the other eras of film history. There's even a chapter on newcomer Jennifer Lopez. I'm always impressed with Parish's research into the lives of his subjects. He has done some of his best work with Hollywood Divas. Not only does he include little known facts and anecdotes about the personal lives of some of Hollywood's best bad girls, he also documents solid facts about their careers in show business. It's not a book to read once and then put away. It's one of those you'll refer to over and over again.
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Anonymous
Posted November 13, 2002
Wonderful book for the movie fan
GREAT book. From Theda Bara to Drew Barrymore, this book offers a fascinating look at Hollywood's female stars from silents to now. You won't be disappointed by the photos, either. A MUST for every Hollywood collection. Let's hope a second volume is in the works from Hollywood's most respected writer.
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Anonymous
Posted November 13, 2002
Another Parish winner!
If you have ever read any of Parish's books you know what to expect! A wonderful experience and lots of good reading. I highly recommend this book to all who are interested in Hollywood lore.
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