Judy Garland: The Day-by-Day Chronicle of a Legend [Paperback]

 

 

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Judy Garland worked harder than any other performer of her era. Detailing this work, as Scott Schechter does, day-by-day, does more to emphasize that work than any other biography that has been released.
What is sad is that one can predict, long before a Garland project comes out, who will like it and who will not. Does it have to do with Judy's artistry? No. Is it related to the breadth of the research? No. Is it critically reviewed based on its own merits and not on personal feelings about the author? No.
Judy Garland has, most definitely, groups (perhaps COVENS is a better word) who reject or accept a Garland project based solely on who was involved in its making. I will be the first to agree that John Fricke's Garland biography "World's Greatest Entertainer" is brilliant, and sumptuously illustrated. Steve Sanders' "Rainbow's End" is also excellent, dealing specifically with Judy's 1963-64 CBS television series (although Sanders seems almost fixated on Judy's weight throughout the book).
The recent Garland biography by Gerald Clarke was raked over the coals in a very sanctimonious manner, and one had to be private about their feelings for this book, to avoid being chastised by other Garland fans/biographers.
Well, I am not a Garland biographer. I am a collector of her memorabilia, and have been collecting for 30 years. People like myself and a VERY small handful of collectors are responsible for making ANY Garland biography have unique and rare photographs and memorabilia, whether the coven approves of it or not.
I have been around, dear readers. I know that personal feelings interfere with every single negative review of this book, or ANY Garland book. That is a part of the mystique of Judy Garland and the emotional response her art can create in an individual. Scott Schechter did what all of Garland's fans have moaned about forever. He presented a chronological perspective of how HARD Judy worked, from December 1924 through March 1969.
It is sad, shameful, and even egregious that the quality of a Garland biography, DVD, or CD release is filtered through the perceptor's own personal feelings about the individual that made it possible.
Not liking something based on who was responsible for its creation means that the individual likes Judy Garland on a conditional basis. And conditional love for Judy Garland is not love at all. It is haughty, noxious, and disgusting behavior that is in complete opposition to the attitude and message of Judy Garland the person, and Judy Garland the artist.
W. Eric Hemphill B.A., M.Ed.

Loved this book. Yes, it is "intense," but so was/is the subject. Gotta have it if you're a major Garland fan.

JUDY GARLAND was an incomparable talent, and many authors have celebrated her amazing life with very special literary tributes to her gifts.

This poorly conceived, and cheaply-produced rip-off isn't one of them. It tells you nothing about Garland's artistry or personality, but lets you know everything you already read elsewhere, or didn't want to know.

Amateurish and sloppy, this book is an insult to Garland and her fans. Save your money, even though the used copies are now going for less than $3.00!.

A DUD!

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1.0 out of 5 stars Ugh
How anyone could even call this a good biography, let alone a great one or best one is beyond me. It tanked in sales and landed in the ramainder bins almost overnight. Read more

Published on April 15 2003

1.0 out of 5 stars Posthumous stalking
This is an *introductory* paragraph from an extensive review of this book from the ...Rainbow Review...

'I will lay my cards on the table before I go any further. Read more

Published on Mar 19 2003 by Gary Horrocks

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful!!
Absolutely fascinating.

Despite what the Library Journal may say (and frankly how you rely on a review by anyone who recommends Sheridan Morley's appallingly incompetent effort... Read more

Published on Mar 3 2003 by Peter Howley

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Book to have on Judy Garland
Everything you ever wanted to know about Judy Garland is here, with an emphasis on her career and legacy -- it even tells you what performances have been released on video and CD... Read more

Published on Jan 16 2003 by Gotta Have Music

2.0 out of 5 stars TOO FAR OVER THE RAINBOW
It's all here ... except, perhaps, for the days and times of Judy's bowel movements and pill popping. And where are the details of life in Scarsdale? Hyannis? Read more

Published on Dec 31 2002 by Alan W. Petrucelli

1.0 out of 5 stars TTTTTT DDDDDD US
When you think of the handful of worthwhile biographies written about Judy Garland, it is a shame to think that such a dreadful book as this could be published. Read more

Published on July 30 2002

5.0 out of 5 stars Bravo! Take A Bow, Scott Schechter! A+
If God is in the details -- and she is -- then this book is heavensent because Judy is revealed in the fantastically extensive details offered here. Read more

Published on July 23 2002 by O'Happy Reader

3.0 out of 5 stars Look Beyond the Author
Mr. Schechter has many critics in the Garland fan community, but credit must be given where it's due - this book is an intriguing look into the woman's life in a unique way. Read more

Published on July 19 2002

1.0 out of 5 stars A poorly conceived waste of time and money.
There have been several fascinating and fine chronologies built around the lives of legendary people. Read more

Published on July 16 2002

2.0 out of 5 stars Ok as an extra
This book is OK as an extra little book on Judy Garland, but there are several others out there that out do it by a long ways. Read more

Published on July 15 2002 by peternrich

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