Liz Smith
Liz Smith has just published Dishing: Great Dish—and Dishes—From America’s Most Beloved Gossip Columnist. Here, she chooses her six favorite Hollywood memoirs.
Mr. S: My Life With Frank Sinatra by George Jacobs and William Stadiem (Perennial, $15). I somehow think that even in heaven, Sinatra must be enjoying this bombastic and hilarious version of his legend, as recalled by his valet of 15 years. Buy it at Amazon.com
Been There, Done That by Eddie Fisher and David Fisher (out of print). Of all her ex-husbands, Elizabeth Taylor hates Eddie Fisher the most—and not for nothing. In this totally tasteless and ungentlemanly account of their marriage, Eddie trashes the reputations of Liz and many of her famous friends. But though Been There, Done That is egocentric and disgusting, it also has the ring of truth.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Detour by Cheryl Crane and Cliff Jahr (Avon, $5). Growing up as the daughter of screen legend Lana Turner, Cheryl Crane was abused by her mother’s many lovers, was cycled through detention centers and mental institutions, and ultimately took the rap for the murder of mobster Johnny Stampanato, one of Lana’s boyfriends. Cheryl’s a trooper, and she’d never tell all. But she does show how unsuited for parenthood her mother was.
Mommie Dearest by Christina Crawford (Seven Springs, $17). This memoir has been excoriated by fans of Joan Crawford, but with it, Crawford’s daughter Christina scored big and paid her mother back for a most unusual Hollywood childhood. The book pretty much destroyed the reputation of one of Hollywood’s greatest stars, but I, for one, have always been on Christina’s side.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Debbie: My Life by Debbie Reynolds and David Patrick Columbia (out of print). This is a fabulous tale of rags to riches and back again, too much too soon, and all the rest. It’s more of an autobiography than a kiss-and-tell, as Debbie, with characteristic spunk, chronicles two bad marriages and a long career. But Eddie Fisher stars in this book, too, and comes off just as badly as in his own.
The Gay Illiterate
-
Anne Hillerman's 6 favorite books with Native characters
Feature The author recommends works by Ramona Emerson, Craig Johnson, and more
-
John Kenney's 6 favorite books that will break your heart softly
Feature The novelist recommends works by John le Carré, John Kennedy Toole, and more
-
Andrea Long Chu's 6 favorite books for people who crave new ideas
Feature The book critic recommends works by Rachel Cusk, Sigmund Freud, and more
-
Bryan Burrough's 6 favorite books about Old West gunfighters
Feature The Texas-raised author recommends works by T.J. Stiles, John Boessenecker, and more
-
Tash Aw's 6 favorite books about forbidden love
Feature The Malaysian novelist recommends works by James Baldwin, Toni Morrison, and more
-
Richard Bausch's 6 favorite books that are worth rereading
Feature The award-winning author recommends works by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, and more
-
Marya E. Gates' 6 favorite books about women filmmakers
Feature The film writer recommends works by Julie Dash, Sofia Coppola, and more
-
Laurence Leamer's 6 favorite books that took courage to write
Feature The author recommends works by George Orwell, Truman Capote and more