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Title: Mr. & Mrs. Hollywood
Subtitle: Edie and Lew Wasserman and Their Entertainment Empire
Author: Kathleen Sharp
Narrator: Tavia Gilbert
Format: Unabridged
Length: 18 hrs and 39 mins
Language: English
Release date: 08-01-13
Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 17 votes
Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Business Leaders
Publisher's Summary:
Ever wonder why so many B actors wind up as A-grade politicians? Or how the casting couch worked? Acclaimed author Kathleen Sharp traces the influence of show business through the lives of its first power couple. Edie and Lew Wasserman built the worlds largest talent agency, MCA, created the multibillion-dollar Universal Studios, and helped shape Washington, DC. Starting from MCAs birth in gangland Chicago, Lew represented stars such as Jimmy Stewart and Marilyn Monroe; pioneered TV with Leave It to Beaver and Miami Vice; spawned the blockbuster movie model with Psycho and Jaws; and developed a megatheme park. His savvy wife, Edie, was the daughter of a mob attorney, the queen of A-list parties, and Lews secret agent who boosted their status. Yet, the couple was attacked by rivals, federal prosecutors, and their own protégés. Even so, over the course of seven decades they managed to vanquish their enemies and parlay their influence far beyond Sunset Strip into governors mansions, Senate chambers, and the White House. At the end, Edie and Lew became diplomats, kingmakers, and philanthropists, who elevated the fortunes of middle-class workers and California itself. Based on some four hundred interviews, this book features Janet Leigh, Clark Gable, Grace Kelly, John Belushi, Jean Stein, and Steven Spielberg along with the Kennedys, the Johnsons, the Reagans, and the Clintons. Its a fascinating read about how two kids from Cleveland created the largest entertainment conglomerate in the world and wound up ruling twentieth-century America.
Members Reviews:
Best Book I Have Heard In A Long Time!!!
What did you love best about Mr. & Mrs. Hollywood?
I loved how well Kathleen Sharp kept the book interesting by weaving back and forth among the decades while telling stories from different angles and how well narrator Tavia Gilbert did in performing this immense amount of text.
With their mix of talents, this book could have been twice as long and I still would have craved for more. It truly was an addiction to listen to, and that is a credit to not only the topic, but the writing and performance.
I loved the book so much that I found a first edition on Ebay to give to my mom, as I knew she would love it as well. But nothing can beat having the book read to you so masterfully!!!!! 5 stars in all catergories!!!!!!! 6 if I could give that many!!!
What was one of the most memorable moments of Mr. & Mrs. Hollywood?
Finding out the stories behind the Hollywood we know. How deals came together, power came to be, and how some of our favorite movies came to be.
Which scene was your favorite?
There are truly too many great and enjoyable stories to count but the first to come to mind is the realization of how activities at MCA would one day be replicated in the political world. Iran Contra was not the first time Ronnie relied on not being able to remember!!!
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
YES!! While I believe it was over 25 hours, I hated when I had to turn it off. I listen to my books during housework, while driving to and from work, etc. I found reasons to listen to this book!!
Any additional comments?
With the 25 hour run time and the sample that was provided, I was afraid this may be dry material.
