The Lonely Life by Bette Davis copyright 1962 1st edition. This hardcover book with dustjacket  is in very good condition - book has no torn nor missing pages nor any writing - page edges have lightly tanned - dustjacket is in very good condition with edge wear in protective cover......... (see photos)

Bette Davis. The Golden Age Hollywood actress, spitfire, and drama queen extraordinaire, wrote an autobiography in 1962 that hasn't lost its luster. Bette Davis' book is a joy to read; her insights into her own and the human nature are uniquely stated and memorable. At times the book has a tone of speaking, other times beautifully crafted prose as we follow her from a New England upbringing in a complex single-parent home and a self-sacrificing mother ( possibly smothering), "Ruthie", to finding her home in the theater and settling in Hollywood. Davis is honest about her triumphs, struggles, challenges, and battles, as well as disappointments (hence the title "The Lonely Life"). The book is juicily detailed but not bawdy or tawdry; her New England values come through. I found so many pages a revelation- in thought, expression, analogy, philosophy, and strength of vision and character. Whether she is insulting a co-star, a "weak sister" (her pet name for certain vain actors), or discussing her vulnerability and desire for support in her endeavors: "I have never functioned well when anyone is doubting my ability to do something," Ms. Davis is a powerhouse of a woman and an actress. The book succeeds by making her struggles and harsh-self-evaluation integral to the complex portrait of a life fully, and well-lived. Bottom line message: strong, ambitious, and determined women will always face opposition and mixed messages from society, themselves, and in their relationships. Davis shows us the ultimate triumph in standing up for what you believe in, fighting battles that mean something, staying true to your craft, and recognizing your enemies and those who are worthy of your time and energy: "The weak are the most treacherous of us all. They come to the strong and drain them. They are bottomless. They are insatiable. They are always parched and always bitter. They are everyone's concern and like vampires they suck our life's blood. It is the strong who need care. It is they who need constant replenishment. It is the strong who are vulnerable. It is the strong for whom I will do anything. It is they who need consideration." Bette Davis certainly lived the words that E.M. Forster wrote: "only connect." Her connections with audiences, fans, fellow actors, Hollywood business types, family, friends, husbands and lovers make one realize that Bette Davis was an extraordinary intellect, a supremely talented performer, and a complicated and passionate woman

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