-
The Lonely Life
- An Autobiography
- Narrated by: Suzanne Toren
- Length: 13 hrs and 7 mins
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Buy for $26.22
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Listeners also enjoyed...
-
This 'n That
- By: Bette Davis, Michael Herskowitz
- Narrated by: Suzanne Toren
- Length: 5 hrs and 57 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
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.
-
-
Love this look into Bette Davis’ life and feelings
- By B. Norber on 11-14-17
By: Bette Davis, and others
-
My Way of Life
- By: Joan Crawford
- Narrated by: Joan Crawford
- Length: 5 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
An incredible recording of Joan Crawford reading her book, My Way of Life. Originally recorded in 1973, it was recently remastered from the original LP records. Hear the unabridged edition performed by the one and only Joan Crawford.
-
-
Fascinating!
- By mari on 04-27-17
By: Joan Crawford
-
Dark Star
- A Biography of Vivien Leigh
- By: Alan Strachan
- Narrated by: Alasdair Buchan
- Length: 15 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Vivien Leigh was perhaps the most iconic actress of the 20th century. As Scarlett O’Hara and Blanche Du Bois she took on some of the most pivotal roles in cinema history. Yet she was also a talented theatre actress with West End and Broadway plaudits to her name. In this ground-breaking new biography, Alan Strachan provides a completely new full-life portrait of Leigh, covering both her professional and personal life.
-
-
So much more to this actress and kind friend
- By Slimer on 10-19-20
By: Alan Strachan
-
Love, Lucy
- By: Lucille Ball
- Narrated by: Lucie Arnaz
- Length: 6 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Love, Lucy is the valentine Lucille Ball left for her fans—a warm, wise, and witty memoir written by Lucy herself. The legendary star of the classic sitcom I Love Lucy was at the pinnacle of her success when she sat down to record the story of her life. No comedienne had made America laugh so hard, no television actress had made the leap from radio and B movies to become one of the world’s best-loved performers. This is her story—in her own words.
-
-
What a great book
- By SCOTT on 07-11-18
By: Lucille Ball
-
Possessed
- The Life of Joan Crawford
- By: Donald Spoto
- Narrated by: Christina Delaine
- Length: 12 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
New York Times best-selling author Donald Spoto has brilliantly explored the lives and careers of numerous Hollywood stars and entertainment icons. In Possessed, his subject is the inimitable Joan Crawford, one of the most electrifying divas of the Golden Age of American film. A more thorough, revealing, and sympathetic portrait of the often maligned movie star - most notably lambasted, perhaps, in the scandalous best seller, Mommie Dearest - Possessed is a fascinating study of the real Joan Crawford, a remarkable actress, businesswoman, mother, and lover.
-
-
Waste of money
- By bkw74 on 07-19-21
By: Donald Spoto
-
Miss D and Me
- Life with the Invincible Bette Davis
- By: Kathryn Sermak, Danelle Morton - featuring
- Narrated by: Kathryn Sermak
- Length: 9 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
For 10 years Kathryn Sermak was at Bette Davis's side - first as an employee, and then as her closest friend - and in Miss D and Me she tells the story of the great star's harrowing but inspiring final years, a story fans have been waiting decades to hear. Miss D and Me is a story of two powerful women, one at the end of her life and the other at the beginning. As Bette Davis aged she was looking for an assistant, but she found something more than that in Kathryn: A loyal and loving buddy, a co-conspirator in her jokes and schemes, and a competent assistant.
-
-
Intimate memoir
- By Jason on 09-19-17
By: Kathryn Sermak, and others
-
This 'n That
- By: Bette Davis, Michael Herskowitz
- Narrated by: Suzanne Toren
- Length: 5 hrs and 57 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
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.
-
-
Love this look into Bette Davis’ life and feelings
- By B. Norber on 11-14-17
By: Bette Davis, and others
-
My Way of Life
- By: Joan Crawford
- Narrated by: Joan Crawford
- Length: 5 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
An incredible recording of Joan Crawford reading her book, My Way of Life. Originally recorded in 1973, it was recently remastered from the original LP records. Hear the unabridged edition performed by the one and only Joan Crawford.
-
-
Fascinating!
- By mari on 04-27-17
By: Joan Crawford
-
Dark Star
- A Biography of Vivien Leigh
- By: Alan Strachan
- Narrated by: Alasdair Buchan
- Length: 15 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Vivien Leigh was perhaps the most iconic actress of the 20th century. As Scarlett O’Hara and Blanche Du Bois she took on some of the most pivotal roles in cinema history. Yet she was also a talented theatre actress with West End and Broadway plaudits to her name. In this ground-breaking new biography, Alan Strachan provides a completely new full-life portrait of Leigh, covering both her professional and personal life.
-
-
So much more to this actress and kind friend
- By Slimer on 10-19-20
By: Alan Strachan
-
Love, Lucy
- By: Lucille Ball
- Narrated by: Lucie Arnaz
- Length: 6 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Love, Lucy is the valentine Lucille Ball left for her fans—a warm, wise, and witty memoir written by Lucy herself. The legendary star of the classic sitcom I Love Lucy was at the pinnacle of her success when she sat down to record the story of her life. No comedienne had made America laugh so hard, no television actress had made the leap from radio and B movies to become one of the world’s best-loved performers. This is her story—in her own words.
-
-
What a great book
- By SCOTT on 07-11-18
By: Lucille Ball
-
Possessed
- The Life of Joan Crawford
- By: Donald Spoto
- Narrated by: Christina Delaine
- Length: 12 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
New York Times best-selling author Donald Spoto has brilliantly explored the lives and careers of numerous Hollywood stars and entertainment icons. In Possessed, his subject is the inimitable Joan Crawford, one of the most electrifying divas of the Golden Age of American film. A more thorough, revealing, and sympathetic portrait of the often maligned movie star - most notably lambasted, perhaps, in the scandalous best seller, Mommie Dearest - Possessed is a fascinating study of the real Joan Crawford, a remarkable actress, businesswoman, mother, and lover.
-
-
Waste of money
- By bkw74 on 07-19-21
By: Donald Spoto
-
Miss D and Me
- Life with the Invincible Bette Davis
- By: Kathryn Sermak, Danelle Morton - featuring
- Narrated by: Kathryn Sermak
- Length: 9 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
For 10 years Kathryn Sermak was at Bette Davis's side - first as an employee, and then as her closest friend - and in Miss D and Me she tells the story of the great star's harrowing but inspiring final years, a story fans have been waiting decades to hear. Miss D and Me is a story of two powerful women, one at the end of her life and the other at the beginning. As Bette Davis aged she was looking for an assistant, but she found something more than that in Kathryn: A loyal and loving buddy, a co-conspirator in her jokes and schemes, and a competent assistant.
-
-
Intimate memoir
- By Jason on 09-19-17
By: Kathryn Sermak, and others
-
By Myself and Then Some
- By: Lauren Bacall
- Narrated by: Lauren Bacall
- Length: 6 hrs and 49 mins
- Abridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The epitome of grace, independence, and wit, Lauren Bacall continues to astound generations with her audacious spirit and on-screen excellence. Together with Humphrey Bogart, she produced some of the most electric scenes in movie history, and their romance on and off screen made them Hollywood's most celebrated couple.
-
-
Wish it had been unabridged
- By Grace on 04-28-14
By: Lauren Bacall
-
Bette & Joan
- The Divine Feud
- By: Shaun Considine
- Narrated by: January LaVoy
- Length: 16 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This joint biography of Bette Davis and Joan Crawford follows Hollywood's most epic rivalry throughout their careers. They only worked together once, in the classic spine-chiller What Ever Happened to Baby Jane, and their violent hatred of each other as rival sisters was no act. In real life they fought over as many men as they did film roles.
-
-
Old Hollywood Drama!
- By Amazon Customer on 04-06-17
By: Shaun Considine
-
Get Happy
- The Life of Judy Garland
- By: Gerald Clarke
- Narrated by: Erin Bennett
- Length: 16 hrs and 26 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
She lived at full throttle on stage, screen, and in real life, with highs that made history and lows that finally brought down the curtain at age 47. Judy Garland died over 30 years ago, but no biography has so completely captured her spirit - and demons - until now. From her tumultuous early years as a child performer to her tragic last days, Gerald Clarke reveals the authentic Judy in a biography rich in new detail and unprecedented revelations.
-
-
A good book, but...
- By Donna Deal on 08-27-21
By: Gerald Clarke
-
A Portrait of Joan
- The Autobiography of Joan Crawford
- By: Joan Crawford
- Narrated by: Alyssa Bresnahan
- Length: 7 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
It starts with a telegram. MGM wires young Lucille LeSueur to tell her that she's been placed under contract at a princely $75 a week, and is expected to report immediately to Hollywood, California. A fresh-faced 17-year-old with big eyes and an air of elegance, she would go on to become one of the greatest stars in Hollywood history: the fabulous Joan Crawford. Through four marriages, countless cocktail parties and more than 100 appearances in film and television, Joan lived the life of a legend from the first day she stepped onto the back lot.
-
-
What a Whitewash
- By JoeyOh on 05-14-17
By: Joan Crawford
-
All About Eve
- Classic Movies on the Radio
- By: Lux Radio Theatre
- Narrated by: Bette Davis, Anne Baxter
- Length: 59 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This radio dramatization of the classic movie, which won the Academy Award for Best Picture, features Bette Davis and Anne Baxter re-creating their Oscar-nominated roles. It aired on October 1, 1951.
-
-
All About Eve is such an amazing film.
- By kathleen on 01-09-16
-
Marlene Dietrich
- The Life
- By: Maria Riva
- Narrated by: Christa Lewis
- Length: 33 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
With intimate detail, author Maria Riva reveals the rich life of her mother, Marlene Dietrich, the charismatic star of stage and screen whose career spanned much of the 20th century. Opening with Dietrich's childhood in Schöneberg, Riva's biography introduces us to an energetic, disciplined, and ambitious young actress whose own mother equated show business with a world of vagabonds and thieves.
-
-
Wow
- By Tabitha McIntyre on 10-03-20
By: Maria Riva
-
Kate Remembered
- By: A. Scott Berg
- Narrated by: Tony Goldwyn
- Length: 9 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
For seven decades Katharine Hepburn played a leading role in the popular culture of the 20th century, reigning as an admired actress, a beloved movie star, and a treasured icon of the modern American woman. She also remained one of the most private of all the public figures of her time.
-
-
Absolutely enthralling!!!!
- By Jay Kauffman on 11-16-05
By: A. Scott Berg
-
Unsinkable
- A Memoir
- By: Debbie Reynolds, Dorian Hannaway
- Narrated by: Debbie Reynolds
- Length: 10 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
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.
-
-
Loved Loved loved IT!
- By Virginia on 12-07-17
By: Debbie Reynolds, and others
-
Circe
- By: Madeline Miller
- Narrated by: Perdita Weeks
- Length: 12 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In the house of Helios, god of the sun and mightiest of the Titans, a daughter is born. But Circe is a strange child - not powerful, like her father, nor viciously alluring, like her mother. Turning to the world of mortals for companionship, she discovers that she does possess power - the power of witchcraft, which can transform rivals into monsters and menace the gods themselves.
-
-
Not worth the hype but still good
- By Yvonne den Besten on 06-21-19
By: Madeline Miller
-
Past Imperfect
- The Autobiography
- By: Joan Collins
- Narrated by: Joan Collins
- Length: 14 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Her role as Alexis Carrington Colby in Dynasty brought her to peak stardom, a role which might have been created for the tempestuous, strong-willed, and passionate woman that she is. As might be expected, in this memoir, she tells the truth; from her romantic adventures - sometimes desirable, sometimes disastrous - with some of the most famous and interesting men in the world, to the inside story of her fascinating and erratic acting career. Joan Collins candidly divulges her past imperfect in a book that is, like herself, outspoken, witty, daring, and full of life.
-
-
Joan the great!
- By VJG on 07-26-21
By: Joan Collins
-
Natalie Wood
- The Complete Biography
- By: Suzanne Finstad
- Narrated by: Suzanne Finstad, Rose McGowan
- Length: 20 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Based on years of astonishing research, Natalie Wood (previously published as Natasha) raises the curtain on Wood’s turbulent life. Award-winning author Suzanne Finstad conducted nearly 400 interviews with Natalie Wood’s family, close friends, legendary costars, lovers, film crews, and virtually everyone connected to her death. Through these firsthand accounts, Finstad reconstructs a life of emotional abuse and exploitation, of unimaginable fame, great loneliness, and loss.
-
-
Natasha: Chronicle of a Death Foretold
- By Joselo on 04-19-20
By: Suzanne Finstad
-
The Only Woman in the Room
- By: Marie Benedict
- Narrated by: Suzanne Toren
- Length: 8 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Her beauty almost certainly saved her from the rising Nazi party and led to marriage with an Austrian arms dealer. Underestimated in everything else, she overheard the Third Reich's plans while at her husband's side, understanding more than anyone would guess. She devised a plan to flee in disguise from their castle, and the whirlwind escape landed her in Hollywood. She became Hedy Lamarr, screen star.
-
-
This is not a biographical novel
- By Mary on 10-06-19
By: Marie Benedict
Publisher's Summary
Originally published in 1962, The Lonely Life is legendary silver screen actress Bette Davis' lively and riveting account of her life, loves, and marriages - updated with an afterword she wrote just before her death.
As Davis says in the opening lines of her classic memoir, "I have always been driven by some distant music - a battle hymn, no doubt - for I have been at war from the beginning. I rode into the field with sword gleaming and standard flying. I was going to conquer the world." A bold, unapologetic book by a unique and formidable woman, The Lonely Life details the first 50-plus years of Davis' life - her Yankee childhood, her rise to stardom in Hollywood, the birth of her beloved children, and the uncompromising choices she made along the way to succeed. The book was updated with new material in the 1980s, bringing the story up to the end of Davis' life - all the heartbreak, all the drama, and all the love she experienced at every stage of her extraordinary life.
The Lonely Life proves conclusively that the legendary image of Bette Davis is not a fable but a marvelous reality.
More from the same
Author
What listeners say about The Lonely Life
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Aphrodite
- 02-17-19
The One and Only, Bette Davis
Even as a small child in an orphanage, Bette knew the power of drama when her Santa outfit caught fire. This autobiography was written by Bette Davis herself in 1962, and she added a couple of chapters in the 80’s to update the book. If you're looking for Hollywood gossip, this isn't the book you want; this book is about Bette and how she became the actress we all know.
The book starts with her birth in Lowell Massachusetts and takes you through her childhood, her theater days, Hollywood, her four husbands, her children, and beyond. Her father abandoned his young family, but thankfully she had a dedicated mother who did what she could to ensure that Bette’s dreams came true. Davis was always headstrong, confident, and a perfectionist in her life – even in the beginning of her career when Hollywood told her to change her name, she refused. They told her she had as much sex appeal as Slim Summerville, but she did not let them deter her from her goal of being successful. She lived in a time when women were supposed to be submissive, obedient, and compliant, but Bette claimed none of those adjectives for herself. She stood strong in who she truly was and offered no excuse for her brand of perfection. There are many humorous antidotes in the book, and I really enjoyed listening to it.
The narrator did a great job – it was delivered in a tone reminiscent of Bette’s own voice. If you are a Bette Davis fan, I recommend you listen to this book. As the great Miss Davis once said in “All About Eve”, “fasten your seatbelts, it’s going to be a bumpy night”.
6 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Rather Be Writing
- 04-23-19
Narrator sounds EXACTLY like Bette.
Bette Davis describes her incredible experiences on a spectrum from sublime to tragic. She spends considerable time detailing her many well-deserved accolades, but does not shy in the least when describing her foibles and failures. The narrators spirited performance and spot-on inflections made me believe that Bette was telling me the story of her life.
4 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Beth and Darrell
- 11-30-17
Love Bette Davis
Excellent book about her life. If you are a Davis fan it is a must listen to book.
4 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Anonymous User
- 01-14-19
Bette really liked herself...
I can save you hours. Bette Davis really liked herself. The book spends a lot of time on her early theater days. It ends with more space covering her awards than any other part of her life. I suppose autobiographies tend to be one sided, and this one is.
6 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Diana Stowell
- 07-30-21
Bette would be proud of this!
I loved hearing about Bette Davis‘s life through her own words. What was even better was how the narrator read it, like it was Bette Davis her self was speaking! I truly enjoyed this book!
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- M. Cano
- 10-18-20
Great story
I really enjoyed this one. Love Bette Davis. There wAs and update in the end of the book.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Boston Customer
- 10-02-19
Excellent Book and Excellent Narrator!
This autobiography is very good. Bette Davis doesn't "trash" many who she has worked with or come in to contact with but does give pretty good details on her life in and out of films. The narrator was perfect. She sounded like Bette without beuing over the top. Perfect! I recommend it highly!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Bunny`1
- 04-17-22
Love Bette Davis
Wonderful book, love the reader. Loved learning so much about her life and how she became who she was.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- JRT
- 03-30-22
Satanic
From the beginning of this book it is obvious Bette Davis was a smart woman , but then as the book goes on it becomes clear Bette used her smarts to work for satan for whom she returned upon her death.
I was thankful though that this strange two phase audio sent me to research B.D. whom I had never heard of...
B.D. also smart chose to walk away from the devil and work for good and will go back to God her first Father.
The fact that Bette died the way she did in the hand of a stranger shows what evil she never was delivered from
What a sad book ... Hollyweird produced
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Jacquie w
- 03-18-22
the best
loved it. am now going to devour the follow up. loved every minute learning the real miss Davis
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- che1sea4ever
- 03-31-22
THE STORY OF A TRUE ICON
The story in itself is one of a domineering/supportive mother from whom she eventually breaks free to seek her own destiny. The voyage through her life was less stormy than I imagined but nonetheless told with great detail from the narrator who sounds so much like Ms Davis that it almost feels like a autobio. Really enjoyable listen.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Zoé
- 09-27-21
Exceptional performance - a must listen for fans
The narrator channels Bette so well it's almost spooky! The last few chapters that cover her life after 1962 are a marvelous additional. a beautiful book.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Jean Cornwall
- 08-01-21
Enjoyable listen what a life.
Loved this book.Read well very old school and a great sense of who Bette Davis was.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- lynda wadsworth
- 06-22-20
Amazing
Absorbing autobiography of the most amazing actress whos work spanned decades. Well written and beautifully narrated.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Colin McIntosh
- 02-04-19
Enthrallingly Honest
Having read this I wasn’t sure I’d want to hear it but I was wrong. You’d swear Bette is Reading it even though you know she isn’t. The additions to the original book are fascinating and it’s a one sided but fascinating look at the glory days of Hollywood. I was lucky enough to meet Ms Davis so it was great to hear this.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Garbo
- 01-21-19
She sure did do it the hard way.
An intriguing insight into the wonderfully talented Bette Davis - an essential read for all fans. The performance is especially good - I would have thought it was Bette Davis herself reading it.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Franklymydarling
- 10-23-18
A stellar of a listen!
I’ve listened to lots of biographies but this is one of the best by far!!! Engaging, humorous, honest and interesting. You can’t go wrong with Miss Davis’s autobiography.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- RayP
- 11-05-17
A fascinating life story excellently read
great first half where Davis recounts early career in the Hollywood studio system. The coda is unfortunately a rather tedious self congratulatory round up that adds little.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- maura o hanlon
- 09-16-17
Betty , Bobbi and Mum
What a strong lady Betty was . I missed her when I finished the book .
She loved her work , terrible the way she was treated in the early days ,