By Myself and Then Some

By Myself and Then Some is Lauren Bacall's autobiography, combining her 1978 memoir with new material covering the decades that followed. The book traces her path from her early days in New York through her emergence as a Hollywood legend. Bacall recounts her relationships with notable figures in entertainment, particularly her marriage to Humphrey Bogart and their life together. She documents her experiences in the film industry, from her breakthrough role in To Have and Have Not through her later career in both movies and theater. The narrative includes Bacall's reflections on aging, loss, and her evolution as an actor and public figure. She shares stories about her friendships with other celebrities and her perspective on changes in Hollywood across multiple decades. The memoir stands as a testament to resilience and reinvention, offering an insider's view of Hollywood's golden age while exploring themes of independence and personal growth. Through her direct, no-nonsense voice, Bacall presents an honest examination of fame, love, and the price of a life in the spotlight.

Readers appreciate Bacall's candid writing style and detailed accounts of her relationships with Hollywood icons, particularly Humphrey Bogart. Many note her sharp observations and wit throughout the autobiography. Positive reviews focus on: - Raw honesty about career struggles and personal life - Behind-the-scenes stories from classic films - Historical details about Golden Age Hollywood - Strong voice that matches her screen persona Common criticisms: - Second half (post-1978 addition) feels less engaging - Too much focus on social events and name-dropping - Some sections drag with mundane details - Occasional bitterness in tone Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (8,700+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (430+ ratings) LibraryThing: 3.8/5 (200+ ratings) "She pulls no punches about herself or others," notes one Amazon reviewer. A Goodreads reader comments: "The first half is fascinating, but it loses steam when discussing her later years."

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🌟 Lauren Bacall wrote this memoir at age 80 as an update to her 1978 autobiography "By Myself," adding 40 pages about her life between 1978-2005. 📽️ Before becoming an actress, Bacall worked as a fashion model and appeared on the cover of Harper's Bazaar, which caught the attention of director Howard Hawks' wife. 💑 The book details her famous romance with Humphrey Bogart, whom she met at age 19 when he was 44 during the filming of "To Have and Have Not." 🏆 The original 1978 version of "By Myself" won the National Book Award in the category of Biography/Autobiography. 🖋️ Bacall wrote the book entirely by herself without a ghostwriter, typing it on her own typewriter and refusing any assistance in the writing process.