Product Description
This biography of the Grammy-winning, Oscar-nominated redhead covers Bette's life and career from her childhood on Hawaii, her New York nightclub years, and her current career in Hollywood. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

One of the Best Bette Biography
This book which was first released in the 1980s by author Mark Bego gets updated and reworked here. It is impressive to see such a comprehensive scaling of the Divine's long career. Want to hear about some current projects like Bathhouse Betty and her films such as DROWNING MONA and the like, this is the book. I am someone who enjoys reading about others' perspectives on some of my favorite artists. I especially like to read and hear about recent endeavors. Because there has not been a Bette biography since 1997's spectacular BETTE MIDLER SCRAPBOOK and 1995's BETTE by George Mair, that was a long period of no coverage of some of Midler's material. Well, here goes. Even if one is not a Bette fan, one could still enjoy this biography which provides various aspects of the entertainer in a unique form.

Best that's out there, but....
For years, I have searched for the ultimate Bette Midler biography - one that is chock full of never before heard or told anecdotes, a fresh perspective and insights into oft told situations or tales.

Mark Bego's book is the closest thing we've got right now to a definitive, somewhat linear bio, but it still leaves much to be desired.

I do appreciate that Bego (clearly a fan in his own right) takes the time to go in depth with Midler's albums, making sure every track is commented upon and giving us loads of quality info about the recording process. I love hearing about why certain songs were chosen, discarded, arranged the way they were, et cetera.

The most in depth album commentary in this book is in regards to Bette's *Songs From the New Depression.* The more I read about this lost possibility, the more curious I am to hear the material. It genuinely sounds like it could have led Midler's career in a completely different, more upward musical direction. I do hope Atlantic Records gives Klingman the master tapes back.

No other book has given me a clear picture of what Bette's days at the Continental Baths were like, and I am grateful for that. Such a vivid description of the place and the time. It must have been a ball.

This is also the first telling of Bette's life that gives an indication that Aaron Russo (Bette's manager in the 70's) and Bette were never romantically involved at all. However, the narrative seems fuzzy on whether or not that is entirely accurate.

The aspect of Bette's career that seems to get shortest shrift is her movies. Each one is given a full plot synopsis, which in my opinion, isn't a good idea, for it ruins the movies for newer fans or people who have not seen them. These plot synopses seem to be masking some glaringly obvious missing information. No 'tales from the set' are told. No comments from co-stars or directors (except in the Jinxed section) on what it was like to work with Bette beyond your standard "press-kit" comments.

Even so, there are still some interesting tidbits spread out here and there. One of them is that Anne Archer and Donna Mills where considered for the role of Hillary Whitney in Beaches!

One rather odd thing is the use of numbers in parenthesis after every single quote. I've never seen a device like that in a book, and it made me feel like I was reading a college term paper. Although, on the flip side, I appreciate the quotes are there -- it ensures a degree of accuracy and if I ever want to look up these articles, it's a good resource.

Also, there is serious need for a fact-checker / proof-reader here. Too many noticeable spelling errors, character or actor names misprinted or mis-spelled, etc. I don't want to blame the writer entirely, because this stuff should be checked before going to press.

All in all, I recommend this book, but more for the fact that there really isn't a quality Midler bio out there to compare it to. Perhaps there never will be, unless Bette decides to tell her own story.

15 years later ,the revised book is still under researched
After all this time you'd have thought someone would have informedMr Bego that Billy Cunningham was a musical director more so than a piano player and that when he stopped playing for Ms Midlerat the Baths he didn't exactly exit . Even after writingCher If You Believe, he still doesn't know who Kenny (Claude )Sasha was and why the off Broadwayrun of French Dressing at the Village Gate (Top of the Gate) and Cher's Act had a lot more to do with the drag bar scene in"The Rose" than Bette' s wanting to be a legendary movie star. The sad part is by the time he revises the book again even more of sources he should have interviewedthe first time around won't be with us. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Great Addition
I am a huge Bette fan. This would be a great addition to anyone's collection! Thank you!

Those photographs!!!!!!
I highly recommend this out of print book for the photos alone.....especially the early ones taken by Richard Brezner. WOW! His shots of Bette at the Continental Baths are spectacular. Thank you, Mr. Brezner. Grab this book if you are a Bette Midler fan!

What the others had to say about her..
The book is a good read and is very well reasearched.However, it is one of those books that has got all the information around the actual subject and combines that with information which is in the public domain in orderto draw its picture and conclusion.Of course, Bette''s life has moved onconsidereably since this book was published, right down and all the wayback up there again. ... Read more

Product Description
Recounts how Bette Midler went from a pineapple factory worker to a Broadway star in less than one year, discusses the family tragedies that shaped her youth, and profiles her relationships with her husband and business associates. Tour. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

Don't waste your time!
First off let me say I am a huge Bette Midler fan and I was really looking forward to reading this book. However once I started to read it I realized how absurd this mans writing is. I can see writing a book about someone whom perhaps isn't your favorite person in the world but why waste your time writing a book if all your going to do is put the person down? There were many things that ticked me off in this book, the fact that he refers to Bette's daughter as "the princess," the fact that he has a hole chapter on Aaron Russo's life after Bette whom if your a fan of Bette's you'll know wasn't the nicest man in the world to her. I mean if your writing a book on Bette Midler why throw in a chapter on some slime balls life once Bette broke away from him? It just seems that in every chapter this man tried to take something that Miss M has said or done and turned it around. The book just wasn't what I thought it was going to be. As a Bette Midler fan I would defiantly NOT recommend this book.

GREAT READING, FASCINATING CAREER!
Not everyone over fifty may be able to remember the significant details of their third grade classmates, but I can, and Bette would remember, too.Her memories run long and deep. Bette Midler is talent, creativity and pizzaz unlimited.We all must start our careers somewhere, and Bette has come a long way from a pineapple factory worker in Hawaii to a illustrious, top-of-the world entertainer.She has played a host of characters, and often odd, characters over the years, but the one constant in her career has been her musical ability.She can belt out a song with gusto and enthusiasm or mellow it down to an emotional, heart-rendering performance.Who can forget the, The Rose", the infamous "Wind Beneath My Wings" from the movie, "Beaches" or the poignant rendition of, "My One True Friend" from the movie, "One True Thing?"

This book is jam-packed with nostalgia, information and events in both Bette Midler's personal and career life.She is the type of lady one would like to get to know better, both for her compassionate side, her strength and perserverance, and her endless witty humour.Overall, this is a great biography and well worth reading.

Somewhere in this mess is some good stuff
I knew this book about this fantastic talent was in trouble almost right away. The credibility of Mair's account had to be questioned when I found a huge blooper - he states that "Janis Joplin died on stage in San Francisco".WRONG GEORGE.She was found dead in a motel.If this info is wrong - and it wasn't even dependent upon anyone's personal recollections, but rather could have been verified in numerious reference materials readily available to any layman - then I wonder how many other "facts" in this book are also incorrect.And were we kissing up to Aaron Russo a bit here - like, why the chapter about him at the end?Who cares if he started a political party.Par for the course for this book which repeats itself over and over (count how many times George mentions that "now that Bette had a good marriage and a daughter..." in various forms).

Inevitably, bios that depend so much upon quotes from people whose 15 minutes of fame was during the time the author spent interviewing them, are bound to be caught up in their own sudden value.Like does anyone who's now 50+ really remember such significant details about classmates in 3rd grade? This could have been a great bio - it was the author who messed up.

The best portrayal of the personal Bette
I cannot even describe how great this book is!I plan to be an actress and he not only gave a great great description of the most wonderful person in the world (Bette) he also got me to know how things work in Hollywood! I think this is an amazing book!

Bette is GOD!
I absolutely love Bette! She has been my idol for many years and I know that I am the most devoted and the biggest Bette fan ever! This book is really good and goes far in depth about the divine, but there aren't thatmany pictures.But, the pics that there are, are obviously fantastic,there can not be a bad picture of Bette anywhere. She is the mostfantasticly wounderful ever (along with Janeane Garofalo and StockardChanning).Bette rocks! ... Read more

Product Description
A delightful book with colorful illustrations! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

For anyone who's ever needed a little self-esteem boost.
The Saga of Baby Divine follows a new born child through her first night. Birth, first look at the world, first steps (well, okay, she found out at once she could not walk a step, but-Whoopee!-could she ever dance), first friend, first fear, and every first that could be fit into one fifty-page evening. Enhancing the perfectly captured drama of all those firsts is the beauty of the writing and illustration. A pentameter that rivals Seuss in creativity, timing, and rhyming, and pages full of animated color that entrances my little ones. Please, request this be re-published!

A Divine Book!
This book is divine, it's simply sublime, As Baby Divine's tale's related in rhyme. Bette Midler inspires with her words full of charm As she tells us how Baby Divine escapes harm. How so much talent could be in one girl,To fathom it makes my poor brain start to whirl. She not only acts, sings,and dances, she writes! She's the brightest of stars in a world full ofnights.

A book for the entire family---True Midler style!!!
This book is a wonderful tale of the adventures of Baby Divine.It is a fairy tale that Bette fans will Love.Baby Divine has the sassy spirit, and wonderful charm that only The Divine Miss M could give us.The pictures in this book are outstanding.The colors come right out of the page.This is a book that the whole family will enjoy.It is truly Divine!!! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A Nice Accompinament for Bette Middler / "The Rose" Movie Fans!
It's unbelievable that, more than thirty years later, you can still acquire new or used copies of this book for a good price, too!Like the FotoNovel books that appeared in addition to popular movies of the late 70's and 80's, it adds another dimension to your favorite movie.You can stroll along, at your own pace, and read and think about various parts of the movie and songs and perhaps get a stronger feeling for some of the scenes that you might otherwise miss as the movie rolled by at its' own pace. ... Read more

Product Description
Now you can sing in the style of Bette Midler! Published in the popular "You're The Voice" series, this book features arrangements of classic Bette Midler songs for piano, voice and guitar and a short artist biography. The accompanying CD contains full backing tracks for each song, professionally arranged and recorded to recreate the sounds of the original recording. ... Read more

Product Description
An examination of Bette Midler's public career and private life provides photographs, memorabilia, and text that furnish a rundown from her first big break to her happy marriage to Martin von Hasselberg. Original." ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Must-have for Midler fans.
This is a great book, plenty of high quality rare images, and comprehensive information regarding discography and filmography.

Very Comprehenive Chronicle of Miss M's Career
Alison J. Waldman crafts a very detailed and comprehensive review of Bette's career until the point the book was written. The best section is the vivid details of the films Bette has made although box office data should have been procured. For fast facts on Bette, there are many and it is nice that a review was included for both the film and music section. To see how a critic felt about Bette's performance whether musically or cinematically is refreshing because it is difficult to find very old reviews from the 80s let alone the 70s. Another interesting section is the details of Bette's possible and still potential projects: to only imagine the various roads Bette career could have taken had she taken some of these projects. A very pleasing book though not as good and comprehensive as Waldman's BARBRA STREISAND SCRAPBOOK. Look for Bette's upcoming tour, her tribute CD to Rosemary Clooney with Barry Manilow and a 2004 film release of STEPFORD WIVES with Nicole Kidman, Matthew Broderick and Glenn Close. Maybe another of these scrapbooks should be crafted because Bette is getting busy again like she was in the late 90s and 2000.

This is a great book.
I thought this book was the most incredible book I've ever read! This is a book for any REAL Bette Midler fan!

The Divinest of the Divine
Just so you know I am the hugest ~*Bette Midler*~ fan in the whole solar system and this book just reinforces how incredible she is. She's such anamazing woman and if you don't think so before, you definitly will whenyou're done reading. Even though I'm just sixteen she's my idol and thisbook is a must for any real Bette fan!!! :)

Bette's story is told beautifully through photos.
After seeing this book on the self, I knew that I had to buy it!The cover alone will grab you in and won't let go.After reading her biography, seeing her life in photographs makes it even more meaningful andspecial.The Divine Miss M shines through with style and carisma, eventhrough the hard times.This is a classic that cannot be ignored by the"true" Bette Midler fan. ... Read more

Product Description
From the Diva of the postmodern cabaret comes this album-matching folio. Contents: Big Socks
* Boxing
* I'm Beautiful
* I'm Hip
* I Sold My Heart to the Junkman
* Laughing Matters
* Lullaby in Blue
* My One True Friend (From the Motion Picture One True Thing)
* One Monkey Don't Stop No Show
* Song of Bernadette
* That's How Love Moves
* Ukulele Lady. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Great for any musician
This book is sheet music to the whole album of BathHouse Betty.And if you're a musician, as am I, you will love having the music in front of you to play on your instrument.It truly is a great book. ... Read more

Product Description
COVER: Bette Midler "Outrageous is Divine, Funny, and Profitable" (3 Page article with photos) // PLUS: Jethro Tull (3 Page article with photos) // Daniel Lanois // The Beverly Hillbillies // and more! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Outrageously Divine is true to its word!
Mark Bego's updated biography of Bette Midler is THE BEST of the lot! I assure you, as an avid BetteHead, I have read nearly all works concerning Miss M, but THIS one is tops! One of the main reasons I like it so much is that it's, well, REAL. Bego recognizes her fiery talent, her zest, her zeal, but he didn't try to make her into a saint, as many others have tried. (And let's face it, who can picture Miss M as a SAINT?) Instead, we see a beautifully crafted portrait of a woman who is, indeed, Divine, but, also human. She's made mistakes, loved the wrong guys, gotten bowled over...but she always gets back up, better than before. Follow Bette's journey in this book, all the way from the Baths to Bette! (the Lucy-esque sitcom). And, as always, be prepared to take a joke! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Bette
Bette is the best.I hadn't had a chance to even look at my book when it accidently got in with the laundry.That's right, ruined.I'll have to get the money together to purchase another used copy because being the Bette fan that I am I must own a copy.Damn, I must be more careful.Ugh.
Oh, it arrived on time and was in great shape.

Top Pick
This book is a must have for all Bette Midler fans.

Bette Midler Rocks!
I am a great Bette Midler fan, so this book was top on my list - especilly when its written by Bette, herself. So far Out of all the books on Bette I have enjoyed this one the best - Its so fun and unique. Bette Makes thisbook full of laughs and funny pictures. Divine. A book every fan must read.

The whirl wind that was the first world tour
This is a combination of scrap book and jotter, containing thoughts both real and in the abstract from the time deciding to do her first world tour, prepare for it and actually under take it.There are chapters on all themajor cities she visited.Only likely to be able to get it now from aBette Middler fan.Good fun. ... Read more

Product Description
VERSION: Piano/Vocal/ChordsFORMAT: SheetLEVEL: IntermediateRecorded by Bette Midler on the Beaches soundtrack, The Wind Beneath My Wings became her first #1 hit in ten years and earned her a Grammy® Award in 1990. This is the original sheet music version in the key of B-flat. ... Read more

Product Description

Sheet music.

... Read more

Product Description
Fourteen of the Divine Miss M's best. Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy
* Chapel of Love
* Do You Want to Dance?
* Friends
* From a Distance
* Hello in There
* In My Life
* Miss Otis Regrets
* One for My Baby (And One More for the Road)
* Only in Miami
* The Rose
* Shiver Me Timbers
* When a Man Loves a Woman
* Wind Beneath My Wings. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A sure Bette!
If you love music, and Bette Midler, this book is a great buy.It is the sheet music to every song on Experience the Divine greatest hits.Great for any musician, singer, or just collector period.Because let's notforget it has a great picture of Bette on the front. ... Read more

Product Description
Unexpurgated and unauthorized - from her strange roots to THE ROSE! ... Read more

Product Description
Choral arrangement of IN THE MOOD ... Read more

Product Description
Vocal transcriptions of 25 songs from the Divine Miss M, all in their original keys! Includes: Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy * Friends * From a Distance * The Glory of Love * The Rose * Some People's Lives * Stay with Me * Stuff like That There * Ukulele Lady * The Wind Beneath My Wings * and more, plus a fantastic bio and photos. ... Read more

Product Description
BOOGIE WOOGIE BUGLE BOYSeries: Piano VocalArtist: Bette MidlerSheet music. ... Read more