Elizabeth's Staff Picks

Donald Spoto’s account of the Redgraves has the feel of a readable “intellectual” soap opera, for the talented Redgraves were well known for their work in the theatre and film world but their private lives were anything but conventional. There are many instances of infidelity, divorce, dysfunctional parenting, and the insecurities that resulted from these issues. Michael Redgrave, son of Roy Redgrave and Daisy Scudamore, is the primary focus of this expose but Vanessa Redgrave and her sister and brother, Lynn and Corin and the careers of the younger generation of Redgraves, including Natasha Richardson and her sister Joely, are examined. We learn of Michael Redgrave's struggles with his bisexuality (at a time when people were tortured and sent to prison if the authorities became aware), alcoholism, and Parkinson’s disease. Vanessa was blacklisted for her support of the Palestinian cause. The author covers familiar films such as Lynn’s Georgy Girl, and Vanessa’s Camelot and lesser known works. Spoto’s work is a thorough account. The Redgraves are portrayed as a down to earth close-knit family with their share of struggles. Some may consider the Redgraves to be a theatrical dynasty but as Vanessa Redgrave simply says, “We are family.”

Kenneth Ray Rogers traveled a long way from roots in the “projects” of Houston Texas. He knows what it is like to eat beans and rice for dinner, father a child while a senior in high school, suffer through multiple divorces, feel guilt over estrangement of his older children, and he was downright broke when most of us would think he was living well. His is a true rags to riches story of overcoming adversity with a lot of bumps along the road. Rogers got his start performing in a high school band called The Scholars, even though the band members were all C students.  Then it was on to LA and Nashville with the First Edition’s smash psychedelic hit, Just Dropped in to See What Condition my Condition Was in to mega-stardom with Ruby, Don’t Take your Love To Town, Lucille, Coward of the County. His duets with Dottie West, Lionel Richie, and Dolly Parton are part of his best work as an artist. Through it all Kenny said the most important things to him were family, friends, and memories. He has amassed a life time of experiences. A breezy read.

Smith presents a richly detailed account of this remarkable woman and her fascinating family. Readers will recognize Elizabeth’s father, George VI, as he was the lead character portrayed in the recent film, The King’s Speech. He died at the age of 56. Following his death Elizabeth ascended to the throne. She was in her middle twenties when she became queen in 1952. Her Diamond Jubilee was celebrated in 2012. Queen Elizabeth continues to play an active role at age 86. Her grandmother was Queen Mary and her Mother was called the Queen Mother. Both of these women played important roles in the life of Queen Elizabeth. Each of the Queen’s prime ministers is brought to life. Elizabeth endured the deaths of her sister, Margaret, and her Mother during the same year, and the death of Diana. Elizabeth enjoyed a life-long appreciation and love for horses and dogs. The author speculates whether Charles will be the next king or will his eldest son, William succeed his grandmother. What is the future of the Commonwealth of Nations? What is the future of the British monarchy? These questions will be answered in time.

Bergstein explains why women, in particular, absolutely love shoes. Even more than our clothing, shoes offers us a means to communicate who we are as individuals. But Bergstein goes beyond the stories of various cobblers who became famous for their footwear. She also describes the behind the scenes machinations that brought about the famous Ruby Slippers in The Wizard of Oz. They were actually silver in L. Frank Baum’s book, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz but red would be more of a contrast against the yellow brick road filmed in Technicolor. Bergstein combines history with popular culture. For example, we’re informed that Judy Garland was subjected to a starvation diet at a time when she and her mother were unaware diet pills contained amphetamines. As a result, she was given barbiturates so she could sleep at night and did you know that The Wizard of Oz went through four directors? How did the rationing of rubber and steel during World War II affect the shoe industry? Bergstein covers that question and describes Nancy Sinatra’s boots (that were made for walkin’). John Travolta strutted on stage while wearing those famous black boots in Saturday Night Fever. So whether you own as many pairs of shoes as Imelda Marcos (1,060 according to Imelda but other people say 3,000) or you were a huge fan of Sex in the City, you will not only enjoy this book, you will never look at a pair of shoes in the same way.

Meredith Baxter was no stranger to show business. Her mother, Whitney Blake, was an American television/film actress who appeared in Hazel, Perry Mason, and multiple westerns over the years. Meredith’s Pasadena, California family life was highly dysfunctional. Her mother was distant and often was secluded behind a closed bedroom door which Meredith was forbidden to enter. After divorcing Meredith’s father, Blake married Jack, a militaristic man who meted out severe punishment to Meredith and her older two brothers. He also made unwelcome sexual advances toward Meredith. This dysfunctional environment caused her self-esteem to take a dive and she often made poor decisions over the years. Meredith starred with David Birney in Bridget Loves Bernie and she appeared in the horror film, Ben, and the political thriller, All the President’s Men. She played Nancy on the prime time television show, Family, starred on Family Ties and appeared on multiple made-for-television movies. She endured a long but destructive marriage to David Birney. Her self-esteem was further eroded as Birney constantly berated her and physically abused her at every opportunity. She became an alcoholic and endured a bout with breast cancer. By the age of sixty she discovered that she was a lesbian and came out publicly in the hopes of tearing down the societal stigma gay persons experience. Baxter is able to prosper and find happiness despite the hardship. Inspiring.