A Tell All that Tells ALL!
351522
I found the book thoroughly enjoyable, with the only fault being that the author didn't get to complete it, as the actress stopped cooperating, but I will leave that for the end. Ava Lavinia Gardner was born on Christmas Eve of 1922 in Smithfield, NC and ended being buried there 67 years later in Sunset Memorial Park next to her brothers, her father, Jonas, 1878-1938, and her mother, Mary Elizabeth, "Mollie", 1883-1943. Her actual date of death was January 25,1990. She swore voraciously and smoked 3 packs a day for many years suffering from emphysema, pneumonia, and had several strokes. But her adult life was dominated by her looks and extreme fondness for unadulterated sex.

Ava claims she had a happy childhood, the youngest child born into a working class farm family.  She claims to have been a tomboy and loved her "Daddy" best of all, he always just called her "daughter" which she loved, as it made her feel as though she belonged to someone.  In Ava's own words, "You can sum up my life in a sentence, honey: she made movies, she made out, and she made a f****** mess of her life." [p2] "Her affairs had brought her final husband, Frank Sinatra, to the brink of suicide, taken her lover Howard Hughes beyond the edge of madness, and provoked George C. Scott to bouts of homicidal rage." [p7]

Ava was a 19yo virgin when she married Mickey Rooney on 1/10/1942 and a very experienced lover by the time she divorced him over his supposed numerous affairs on 5/23/1943; a date she says was easy to remember as it was the same day her mother died.  She was tired of Mickey's antics from early on in their marriage, but stayed as long as she did, since the sex was very good. "[H]e was athletic in the sack and I was pretty verbal, and we were both very, very loud!" [p154] She continued to see Mickey while separated from him prior to their divorce, while carrying on with Howard Hughes at the same time.  She later said, "It's a pity nobody believes in simple lust anymore." [p156] Shortly thereafter while the author questions her about the accuracy of some of the events she talks about, she says "It's my f****** life. I'll remember it the way I want to remember it." [p161]

Her love affairs and assignations were too numerous to list all, but in addition to her husbands, there were numerous leading men actors, several Spanish bullfighters, directors, writers [including Ernest Hemingway], and even 4 NYC garbage collectors on her way back from a party she found boring. ;-) Now that story was funny.

After Mickey and her affair with Howard Hughes she married big band leader, Artie Shaw, whose real name was Jacob Ben-Yitzhak Artshawsky.  BTW, her friendship with Howard hughes went on for some 20 years while married to Shaw and later Frank Sinatra.  Artie like Mickey liked a little variety in his sex life and Ava couldn't stand that although she seemed to have matched them tit for tat. After the marriage to Shaw which lasted from 1945-46 and after which he quickly married novelist Kathleen Winsor, she later married Frank on 11/7/1951, a mere seven days after he divorced his wife Nancy; after numerous spats she divorced him in 1957. After which he married Mia Farrow.

Getting back to why the book was never finished her whole life; it seems that Frank Sinatra had sued the author some years before and hated him.  He therefore paid Ava the amount of her guarantee not to publish the book in her and his lifetime.  she quickly ended the relationship with the author and died a few years later.  And if you think I have told her whole story, I guarantee you there is much more left unsaid.  The neat part about this book is the author telling how he got her to reveal as much as she did.  This is probably a book you will either like for what it is or you will hate for what it is. As someone else once said, "Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder!"
3810648
I enjoy learning all that I can about different places, and I thoroughly enjoyed this short read. The book is only a little over 100 pages, but it's full of information. It has a little of everything including information about the leaders, the people, the land, and even some history. I loved the little additions throughout the book that made it even more interesting, like facts, quotes, timelines, and even a popular drink recipe! It's easy to learn when what you're reading provides the necessary information, but keeps it short, sweet, and to the point. That's exactly what this book does.

I received this book for free in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.
433256
He tells it as he sees it and backs it up with details! HE OFFERES PROOF FOR THE OPEN MINDED!
926503
This is a fantastic book and an easy read for all people of all abilities.  If you have questions regarding where you are from and what happened before the Transatlantic Slave Trade this book is certainly for you.  Easily digestible information from the origin of mankind, DNA and Haplogroups, History of Spain and the Moors, Islam and more.  All with pictures and references to help you on your own knowledge seeking path.  A must have book for yourself or gift for a dear one!
1482640
This book explains what is happening in the real world, in politics and what is going on in our country.  A great read for anyone who wants to know the truth.
1104944
Mr Gladwell's intelligence is evident on every page: and he shares it so well! There are so many interesting facts. I just loved the way he tied them together to explain things that we just take for granted. I generally read fiction, but I occasionally make exceptions. I am so glad I did, as I thoroughly enjoyed every word in this book.
3192119
David is a superb author and speaker.  I love the way he can convey information in such a simple, factual way, and not push any agenda onto anyone. He gives me comfort. I appreciate that he is trying to help us achieve Full Disclosure of the bad guys out there.  Everything is connected, and he shows us how that happens in a very intriguing way.  Plus, his information answers a lot of questions that my heart has felt, and I did not understand.  I am passing this book on to my family, friend and anyone who wants to know the truth about the government, and events unfolding around us.
206866
Great book! Filled with a lot of excellent information!
4268921
This book has all of the ingredients that I like in a fun read!  I learned a lot about social media and how it can be used for harm, about military weaponry, and quite a bit about goings on in cyberspace.  It is a very informative and entertaining page-turner!
3711619
I would recommend this book for all to read! It offers valuable insight and is very educational. A great read.
3648279
A book I found very informative and will read again and tell all my friends about it. A must read!
4064140
What an all inclusive book! Puts all the information you need at hand and gives you lots of choices for further investigation.
2489923
This book discusses many topics and is very informative!
3272332
Finally, a book that makes American history interesting, only because it tells the truth!  Some conservatives may criticize this book only because it dispels the false and harmful notion that this country was built primarily on the effort and intelligence of white men with honorable intentions. The book doesn't have any political agenda except to tell the truth. The author gives a realistic portrait, based on primary sources, of what has really happened in our country, the motives of the main players, and how those past events affect the way we live and view our country now.  And plus the accounts in the book are riveting, sometimes heartbreaking, and give insight as to how historians actually study and draw conclusions about history.  This book is definitely an exciting read that has kept me up at night trying to fend off sleep, itching the next day to tell my friends of what I've learned.
1220899
This is an excellent read, informative, insightful and enlightening while still being entertaining and well written...this needs to get more exposure and hopefully all who read this will share with friends, family and colleagues as it is does provide an important perspective on the state of our country.
4032445
Very good content, crisp illustration and above all very informative. A book for all ages ! I highly recommend this book.
812880
This book not only tells all, but also reflects humor in the telling of the ins and outs of intellectual property management.  This author masters the art of presenting the facts concerning this complicated subject and uses great examples to illustrate the points she makes.  Her photo captions say it all.  In spite of the subject, this is a most pleasurable book.