Wishing on the Moon

The Life and Times of Billie Holiday

By: Donald Clarke

Narrated by: Anna Fields

No singer has been more mythologized and more misunderstood than jazz legend Billie Holiday, who helped to create much of the mystique herself with her autobiography, Lady Sings the Blues - and this authentic biography sets the record straight. Donald Clarke was given unrivaled access to a treasure trove of interviews from the 1970s with those who knew Lady Day in all stages of her short, tragic life - from her childhood in the streets and good-time houses of Baltimore, through the early days of success in New York and the years of fame, to her tragic decline and death at the age of 44. This biography separates fact from fiction to reveal the true Billie Holiday.

©1994 Donald Clarke (P)1997 Blackstone Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"A thoroughly riveting account of Holiday and her milieu." ( New York Newsday)

"May be the most thoroughly valuable of the many books on Holiday." ( The New York Times Book Review)

Loved It (All Over Again)

What can I say? I read this book a long time ago and wanted to “re-read” it. I fell in love with Billie all over again. Donald Clarke’s writing is amazing and the narration is delightful. I highly recommend this to Billie Holiday fans and anyone who has had even a passing curiosity! Simply amazing!!! I may listen to it all over again (right now).

sad and moving...

performance is perfect....authentic and emotional. story is very sad. one of the best bio in a long time.

The Narrator was Outstanding And Interesting

I always Love Billie Holiday's Story She went through so much in Like !! An Amazing Story Of Lady!!!

Wonderful

Skip that horrible new "film" and listen to this,you might even cry before it's over

Good Biography, Tedious Discography

I enjoyed this book very much. Lady was a fascinating person. The only problem with the book (to me) was that there were too many details about recording sessions. I don't really care who played drums on which song at which session. However, the rest of the book was great. The narrator was perfect for the material. The language in the book can be pretty salty so be advised if listening out loud. All in all a good bio.