Unsinkable: A Memoir - Hardcover

Reynolds, Debbie; Hannaway, Dorian

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0062213652 ISBN 13: 9780062213655

Publisher: William Morrow, 2013

Synopsis

In the closing pages of her 1988 autobiography "Debbie: My Life", Debbie Reynolds wrote about finally finding happiness with her "brave, loyal, and loving" third husband. But within a few years she would discover that he was a philandering con man who had betrayed her emotionally and financially, nearly destroying her reputation and her life. Today, Reynolds says, When I read the optimistic ending of [my first memoir] now, I can't believe how naive I was when I wrote it. In this book, I look back at the years since then and revisit stories I could not fully tell at that time. To paraphrase Bette Davis: Fasten your seatbelts, I've had a bumpy ride. In "Unsinkable", Reynolds recalls the highs and lows of her life as an actress during Hollywood's Golden Age, including her lifelong friendship with (and years-long estrangement from) the legendary Elizabeth Taylor. She shares private details of her marriages and family life with her children, Carrie and Todd Fisher. She speaks openly of money and man troubles, of building and losing her treasured Hollywood memorabilia collection, of friendships that endure and unbreakable family bonds, of hitting bottom and rising again to the top. Frank and forthright, filled with Reynolds' refreshing wit in the face of adversity, and illustrated with dozens of previously unseen photos from Debbie's personal collection, Unsinkable is a chronicle of courage and tenacity, hope and triumph in the face of staggering odds. A reminder that there is light in the darkest times, it will resonate with anyone who has experienced loss and heartbreak.

About this title

Review:

“Anyone who loves Hollywood and movies is bound to enjoy this lively, funny book, filled with candid recollections. Debbie was a movie-struck kid who experienced the last days of Hollywood’s Golden Age, and I love her clear-eyed memories.” (Leonard Maltin)

“[Reynolds is] indisputably a grand dame of show business.” (NPR on UNSINKABLE)

“Lively.” (People on UNSINKABLE)

“Debbie Reynolds knows exactly how to steal the scene, wring tears, and most important, how to leave the audience feeling thoroughly entertained.” (New York Journal of Books on UNSINKABLE)

“Nothing could sink this lady.” (New York Post on UNSINKABLE)

From the Back Cover:

The definitive memoir by legendary actress and performer Debbie Reynolds—an entertaining and moving story of enduring friendships and unbreakable family bonds, of hitting bottom and rising to the top again—that offers a unique and deeply personal perspective on Hollywood and its elite, from the glory days of MGM to the present

Unsinkable

Inthe closing pages of her 1988 autobiography Debbie: My Life, Debbie Reynolds wrote about finding her "brave, loyal, and loving" new husband. After two broken marriages, this third, she believed, was her lucky charm. But within a few years, Debbie discovered that he had betrayed her emotionally and financially, nearly destroying her life.

Today, she writes, "When I read the optimistic ending of my last memoir now, I can't believe how naive I was when I wrote it. In Unsinkable, I look back at the many years since then, and share my memories of a film career that took me from the Miss Burbank Contest of 1948 to the work I did in 2012. . . . To paraphrase Bette Davis: Fasten your seatbelts, I've had a bumpy ride."

Unsinkable shines a spotlight on the resilient woman whose talent and passion for her work have endured for more than six decades. In her engaging, down-to-earth voice, Debbie shares private details about her man and money troubles, including building and losing her Las Vegas dream hotel and her treasured Hollywood memorabilia collection. Yet no matter how difficult the problems, the show always goes on.

Debbie also invites us into the close circle of her family, speaking with deep affection and honesty about her relationships with her children, Carrie and Todd Fisher. She looks back at her life as an actress during Hollywood's Golden Age—"the most magical time you could imagine"—including her lifelong friendship with (and years-long estrangement from) the legendary Elizabeth Taylor. Here, too, are stories that never reached the tabloids about numerous celebrities, such as Ava Gardner, Clark Gable, Frank Sinatra, Mick Jagger, Gene Kelly, and many more. She takes us on a guided tour through her movies with delightful, often hilarious behind-the-scenes anecdotes about every film in which she was involved, from 1948 to the present.

Frank and forthright, and featuring dozens of previously unseen photos from Debbie's personal collection, Unsinkable is a poignant reminder that there is light in the darkest times. It is a revealing portrait of a woman whose determination is an inspiration.

About this edition

• Publisher: William Morrow
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 0062213652
• ISBN 13: 9780062213655
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 320