From Publishers Weekly
Fricke nicely balances his tribute to Garland, placing a positive spin on her at times self-destructive behavior yet still accurately portraying her frailties. Garland's daughter Lorna Luft establishes a loving tone with her touching introduction, proclaiming Garland a wonderful parent. Fricke (The Wizard of Oz: The Official 50th Anniversary Pictorial History) chronologically covers the star's radio, film, TV and stage history (from the 1920s through the '60s) via superb, previously unpublished photographs, illuminating vignettes and blurbs from affectionate interviews. There she is at age two, sporting an adorable pixie haircut; another shot shows her performing in one of hundreds of vaudeville shows she appeared in through age 13. Fricke meticulously analyzes The Wizard of Oz and the increasing pressure that resulted in Garland's drug addiction. Brief references to unhappy affairs with Joseph Mankiewicz, Tyrone Power and Artie Shaw are secondary to Fricke's thesis: that Garland was not about tragedy, but about talent and an ability to survive any obstacle. Glamorous b&w images of Garland belting out a tune from Meet Me in St. Louis in 1944 give way to more garish shots of Garland at home with daughter Liza Minnelli in 1960. Fricke glosses over some harsher truths and only shows dark hints of Garland's instability, as in orchestrator Gordon Jenkins's statement, "Judy, like all great stars, is inclined towards moodiness." But he successfully shows readers why the star remains an immortal, cherished icon, and his comprehensive volume belongs on the shelf of everyone who loves Garland and the musical genre. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.


Metro Source
"Cozy up to what will undoubtedly be THE book to own for all you Garland fans."


Rex Reed, New York Observer
"The ultimate celebration of the humor, talent, professionalism and artistry of the greatest performer of the 20th century."


San Diego Union-Tribune
"If you’re a fan, you won’t put it down."


Bookloons.com
"A detailed look at more than just the Judy in the public eye."


CelebrityCafe.com
"This is a beautiful piece of work that is a sincere tribute to an entertainer . . ."


Book Description
In a career that spanned five decades and encompassed stardom in every medium, Judy Garland's professional achievements remain unsurpassed. Now her timeless joy comes alive in JUDY GARLAND: A PORTRAIT IN ART & ANECDOTE. Hundreds of rare and previously unpublished photographs, studio memorabilia, and personal mementos from the family archives, along with scores of anecdotes drawn from interviews with her professional colleagues, friends, family, and Judy herself, showcase her on- and off-stage "talent to amuse." Decade by decade, her incomparable accomplishments on stage, film, television, radio, and recordings are lovingly illustrated and remembered by those who knew her best. Often funny, sometimes poignant, but always fascinating, this book singularly conveys the happiness that Garland's own great and buoyantly emotional performances have brought to hundreds of millions of admirers. Anyone who ever enjoyed a Garland song will revel in this glowing, lavishly illustrated tribute.


About the Author
John Fricke is the leading authority on life of Judy Garland. He is an Emmy Award-winning producer and best-selling author of The Wizard of Oz: The Official 50th Anniversary Pictorial History. He lives in New York City.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Historian John Fricke presents hundreds of rare and previously unpublished photographs, studio memorabilia, and personal mementos from the family archives, along with scores of anecdotes from interviews with her professional colleagues, friends, family, and Judy herself. Decade by decade, her incomparable accomplishments in film, television, radio, and recordings are lovingly illustrated and remembered by those who knew her best and - as a result - loved her most.

FROM THE CRITICS

- Playbill

The Boswell of Oz and Judy Garland, John Fricke, has struck again, just when you thought his well might be dry. Mais non! It turns out he has hundreds of rarely seen or previously unpublished pix, studio memorabilia, and personal mementos from the family vaults, and he lavishes them all on Bulfinch Press's Judy Garland: A Portrait in Art and Anecdote. It is that, boy! Lorna Luft did the foreword.

METRO SOURCE - September/October/November 2003

Clear off the coffee table, pour yourself a glass of champagne, and cozy up to what will undoubtedly be THE book to own for all you Garland fans. Judy Garland: A Portrait in Art and Anecdote is John Fricke's valentine to the legendary singer and actress. It even has an Art Direction and Design credit on the title page, deservedly so, for Ranse Ransone, who has pulled off one of the delights of the fall book season. Divided into chapters by decade, beginning with the 1920s and continuing until her tragic death in the 1960s, Garland is simply a fireworks display of photographs and reminiscences between two covers, and it will set the standard for all celebrity celebrations to come. Lorna Luft has contributed a loving introduction. So reinforce the Christmas stockings, fellas, this is one for the record books.

Publishers Weekly