Elizabeth

by: J. Randy Taraborrelli

Published by: Warner Books

Reviewed by Jamie Driggers

No one would say that Elizabeth Taylor has lead a boring life, but the life she has lead is so diverse from the norm it could almost be confused with fiction.

Elizabeth has always lived a life of wealth, even when her parents couldn't provide it themselves. She spent decades on the big screen and earned phenomenal amounts just for showing up. She has suffered debilitating illnesses, some from which she will never recover. She has married eight times to seven different men. She's been widowed, married to a senator, she's adopted, won Academy Awards, had her spine fused, raised awareness for hemophilia, is an activist for AIDS research and has been honored as Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire. And that only touches the surface of her varied existence.

With much compassion, J. Randy Taraborrelli writes a nearly exhaustive tribute to Elizabeth Taylor from the birth of her parents, right up to her current work. In it, readers learn of her lost childhood and determined spirit. Readers see what went wrong in her marriages and what, occasionally, was right. We learn what drove her to success and what drove her to despair.

Elizabeth is written with many personal accounts and never before released photos. The only thing missing are photos of her jewels (which, I understand, have their own book).

Armchair Interviews says: Elizabeth is the source for those who can't get enough of Elizabeth Taylor.