Nothing to Be Ashamed Of
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I was in two minds about reading this book, having discovered that Bettie herself maintains that it is (in part at least) a fabrication and an infringement on her privacy. The fact that the book deals with the 'missing years' of Betties life, including her alleged descent into mental illness and arrest for attempted murder during this turbulent period, left me with the uncomfortable feeling that the author was simply cashing-in on the subject's mis-fortune with a sensationalist piece of journalism.
However, having suspended my misgivings and read the book I have to admit that it is indeed a valuable insight into the life of the so-called Queen of the Pin-Ups. The author's decision to bring out into the open the facts that Bettie would rather ignore turns out to be a wise one and, despite what Bettie herself may think, the book left me feeling nothing but sympathy for her.
I recently read a transcript of a live web-chat which Bettie did a few years ago in which she asked fans not to "look down their noses" at her because of the revelations in this book. She need not worry. I for one have gained even more respect for her for going through hell and coming out the other side.
The writing itself is nothing special and it would have been a far superior book had it had Bettie's approval and co-operation but it is still certainly worth purchasing.
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Bettie from childhood to now.
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Everything you ever wanted to know about the Queen of Pin-ups. This book has it all. From childhood, through her modelling career, to her arrest and self-imposed solitude, and everything in between. This is an intriguing and sometimes tragic read. My only complaint would be that there arent enough pictures of the devilishly gorgeous Miss Page but, then again, I suppose you can never have enough pictures of Betty Page!
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I Wish I Never Read This
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First of all, there was no point in this book being put out except for cashing in. I tried to tell myself after reading about Bettie's life going downhill after she loses her looks and her struggles with serious mental illness, almost killing someone, etc wasn't true but I couldn't quite convince myself. And I'd give anything not to have seen that horrible mug shot of her, which you can't deny is authentic. Though I did see a picture of her when she was 40 or so and still looked stunning. I don't want to remember her like that. I bought "The Life Of a Pin-Up Legend" a few years ago which was endorsed by Bettie and was lucky enough to get a copy she had signed. I saw a special (they talk about it in the book, jeering at it) a while ago where they actually interviewed her and she sounded like such a sweet little old lady, and said she didn't allow photos of her and kept to herself now because she would rather have her fans "remember her as she was". I feel like a total slimy jerk for not respecting her wishes and buying this piece of exploitative trash. For this, I would like to offer Ms. Page my deepest apologies, and I'll stick with her story she has given. I'm sorry, Bettie. And I will remember her like she was.
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UNTRUE
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This book is based around lies. Bettie Page herself claimed this book to be untrue in many ways. If you want the TRUE story of Bettie's life I suggest you buy Bettie Page : The Life of a Pin-Up Legend!!! It is excellent!!!!!
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A poor to middling, tired tell-all.
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I found the book to be poorly written, and entirely devoid of any REAL information. Foster recited the same anecdotes as every other author to ever write about Betty, and generally with a lower level of literary talent. I found the book to be tiresome and needlessly pompus. I highly recommend this book to insomniacs and masochists. If novices to the so-called 'Betty Revival' need a good jump-in point, I highly recommend Bunny Yeager's book on Betty, while it has many of the same problems as Foster's poor book, it WAS written by Yeager, a verteran of the pin-up industry, which at least allows for some UNIQUE perspective. pd
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