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jenlynne26's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
caitlincook918's review against another edition
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
bakerml1919's review against another edition
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
While not 100% accurate to known events in Hedy Lamarr's life, the story keeps one's attention and brings attention to the plight of this very talented woman. Unfortunately she lived at a time when women were valued for their beauty as opposed to their brains. Her first marriage was a sham, and in fact her first husband only used her for show and largely kept her housebound. In Benedict's book, a big part of the story is how she came to marry a Nazi munitions manufacturer in the first place, her life with him, and her escape to the U. S. She carries an immense secret and will have life long guilt about it; this part of the story may be fiction but it certainly could have happened.
Hedy was very concerned about the state of world in the 10930's, Hitler's rise to power, and the spread of Nazism and Fascism. Once in the U.S., she was convinced it was only a matter of time before the U.S> would be drawn into the conflict, and she decided to do something about it.
If the United States had adopted her invention of frequency hopping which was presented to the US Navy shortly after Pearl Harbor, countless lives could have been saved. The navy did adopt the technology after Lamarr's patent had run out (it should be noted she developed the technology with a very dear friend, a musician, George Antheil). She was finally recognized in 1997 for the invention with an award. The book deals with her frustration of being a very beautiful woman who is constantly overlooked because of it. Even in Hollywood after she became a star, some of the roles she was given were vapid and again just capitalized on her exotic looks and beauty as opposed to her acting ability. When one looks at her acting career, which spanned almost 50 years, she sometimes made 3 movies in a year. The book is well worth a read, reads quickly, and entices this reviewer to watch some of her films.
Hedy was very concerned about the state of world in the 10930's, Hitler's rise to power, and the spread of Nazism and Fascism. Once in the U.S., she was convinced it was only a matter of time before the U.S> would be drawn into the conflict, and she decided to do something about it.
If the United States had adopted her invention of frequency hopping which was presented to the US Navy shortly after Pearl Harbor, countless lives could have been saved. The navy did adopt the technology after Lamarr's patent had run out (it should be noted she developed the technology with a very dear friend, a musician, George Antheil). She was finally recognized in 1997 for the invention with an award. The book deals with her frustration of being a very beautiful woman who is constantly overlooked because of it. Even in Hollywood after she became a star, some of the roles she was given were vapid and again just capitalized on her exotic looks and beauty as opposed to her acting ability. When one looks at her acting career, which spanned almost 50 years, she sometimes made 3 movies in a year. The book is well worth a read, reads quickly, and entices this reviewer to watch some of her films.
moreadsflora's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
4.25
sagewaldorf's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
lydaalexander's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
codergrl's review against another edition
4.0
A very inspirational read. A little disappointed in how short the book is. I wish the author spent more time talking about the inventions part of her life. There's a lot of emphasis on the acting and personal life. But I guess this book is more about who she was as a person than what she did. Regardless, I really enjoyed it.
lib_and_lynx's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
keeyoh's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0