This 'n That

By: Bette Davis, Michael Herskowitz

Narrated by: Suzanne Toren

Originally published in 1987, a collection of anecdotes as well as opinions pro and con on a wide range of subjects by legendary actress Bette Davis--now in ebook for the first time!

A woman of strong appetites and opinions, Bette Davis minces no words. In frank, no nonsense terms she talks about the stroke that nearly killed her, and inspires us with the story of her subsequent recovery from cancer--a lively and encouraging account shot through with the star's unique blend of spunk and wit.

Davis was famous for being as unsparing of herself as she was of others. Among the "others" of this book are President Ronald Reagan, who was a contract player at Warner Bros. when she was; Joan Crawford, her costar in What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?; Humphrey Bogart; Marilyn Monroe; Elizabeth Taylor; and Helen Hayes, Bette's costar in her first film after her illness, Murder with Mirrors. She also talks about her deep friendship with her longtime assistant, Kathryn Sermak, who nursed Davis back to health after her stroke and ushered her back into acting when Davis's doctors thought all hope was lost.

As Davis says, "If everyone likes you, you're doing your job wrong." This is a unique and controversial book by one of the most incandescent and unconventional acting talents of all time, as magnetic and supremely talented as the lady herself.

Great Book

This book is so well written, it makes you feel like you’re along for the ride. Bravo!

This N That

Interesting stories in the second Bette Davis autobiography. My only complaint is that the book is too short.

Love this look into Bette Davis’ life and feelings

I almost didn’t get this in audio form because I was afraid it would bug me to hear someone else other than Miss Davis read the book but I ended up thinking Ms. Toren did a really top notch job. Not a charicature but just the right essence of tone and style. Very well done. The story is just what it says, This ‘n That. Some stories of family, some stories of friends (some famous, some not), some stories of behind the scenes on films, some stories of relationships and love and loss. Mostly stories of Ms. Davis’ feelings connected with each adventure and each person and they are all fascinating. This book was written just after her daughter wrote her scathing memoirs of growing up with Bette as a mother and Bette gets to give her side of the story and that is wonderful to hear, though difficult to hear the broken heart that writes. You often get to hear about Bette Davis from what other people think she was like. Take this chance to hear about her right from her lips. Hear not only about her life but how she feels as each story happens. This is not her entire life, she already did that in her book “The lonely Life”. She’s very up front that she is not going to cheat us by rehashing old stories. They are all new. She sets the record straight and tells it like it is, or at least as she sees it and she sees life in a fascinating and intense way. You will hear how her stroke and her mastectomy affected her mentally as well as physically. You will hear her fear and her frustration and her strength. She’s quite a person and I loved this glimpse into her life and her mind and her heart.

Totally Engaging

Like Bette Davis, this autobiographical book is so interesting and gives so much insight into a celebrity I thought I knew everything about. If you like the Golden Age of Hollywood, and especially where Bette Davis fit in, you’ll enjoy this book.

setting the record straight

Bette Davis has been my favorite actress since I was 13. I am 73. She is more endearing after listening to this book.