Product Description
THE “DEFINITIVE” (VANITY FAIR ) BIOGRAPHY OF LEGEND LENA HORNE—THE CELEBRATED STAR OF STAGE, MUSIC, AND FILM WHO BLAZED A TRAIL FOR AFRICAN AMERICANS IN HOLLYWOOD AND BEYOND

Drawing on a wealth of unmined material and hundreds of interviews— one of them with Lena Horne herself—critically acclaimed author James Gavin gives us a “deftly researched” (The Boston Globe) and authoritative portrait of the American icon. Horne broke down racial barriers in the entertainment industry in the 1940s and ’50s even as she was limited mostly to guest singing appearances in splashy Hollywood musicals. Incorporating insights from the likes of Ruby Dee, Tony Bennett, Diahann Carroll, and Bobby Short, Stormy Weather reveals the many faces of this luminous, complex, strong-willed, passionate, even tragic woman—a stunning talent who inspired such giants as Barbra Streisand, Eartha Kitt, and Aretha Franklin. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (31)

Excellent Read!
Wow, what a life she lead and what courage and determination this lady had!I am surprised there has been so little written about this legend.While some of the treatment she received is shocking her strength will inspire you. I wish they would turn this into a movie-Alicia Keys would be perfect!

Lena Horne: A Life Celebrated through storms & triumpths
In 1981 when I heard that my aunt was going to see Lena Horne in her B'way show the Lady and Her Music I was stunned, but of course I could not afford to go.

When I wanted something to read on Lena Horne, I discovered this book, and when I got it Ms.Horne's was still alive, when I finished it she was dead about three days.

I cried through the ending because of the recent passing of Ms. Horne and felt that she was still talking to me after she passed. this book was well written not because of its opinions but because of its factual content and ocassional inserts of Ms. Horne's spoken dialogue. It bring us further into what life was like for black people even if they seemed to be passing like Lena was, but .....inspite of the Cotton Club where life was like being enslaved, Lena called servitude,her days in Hollywood stifled her talent as as actress (inspite of two good acting roles "Stormy Weather & Cabin In the sky") her subsequent roles as a decorum pillar in movie musicals was a far cry from the cotton club days where MGM attempted to glamourize her.But this did not sit well with Lena as she was never given a decent acting role, where she would interact with white people.If you want to count the role in 1969 with Richard Widmark "Death of a Gunfighter it was her last until the wiz.This book reveals a lot, for instance the conflicts with Ethel Waters, her friendship with Ava Gardner, her abandoning those close to her, her secret marriage to Lennie Heydon, her conflicts and dislike of Frank Sinatra, being blacklisted from performing.The civil rights movement that made her come out of herself, especially with the murders of her admired leaders Malcolm X, Medgar Evers, Martin, & Kennedy. No wonder she got harder as the years went by she certaianly endured a lot of pain, and it showed in her performances.But the books ends with Lena saying if you don't feel pain you are dead.her pain ended in spite of all her triumpths on Mother Day May 9th, 2010.A Marvelous performer inside and out.Lena thank you for allowing us to lookinto your life even if it was told by a third person Mr.Gavin.You were our black star who lived a lifetime, and we are proud of you.

Not so stormy
Rest in Heavenly Peace, Ms. Horne!I am reading both Mr. Gavin's and Ms. Lumet Buckley's books simultaneously.Both Mr. Gavin and Ms. Lumet Buckley wrote excellent books.I am a woman in my early fifties and, while I am certainly aware of Ms. Horne, I never fully understood.She endured so much racism, both familial and industry-wise and I never understood her name tags:beautiful, angry, distant and aloof, mesmerizing.Like so many, she was from a dysfunctional family, unloved, manipulated. I've been watching performances of Ms. Horne on the talk show circuit (Johnny Carson and Rosie O'Donnell)and her t.v. and club performances.I TOTALLY GET IT NOW.I have sympathy for her in her grief.Losing the three most important men in her life in a year or so, was devastating.I sympathize with her with the difficult relationships with both her children and how she felt guilty about the drug use and death of her only son.One thing I always admired about Ms. Horne was that she knew she was a black woman, no matter what anyone else tried to make her out to be ("Egyptian" makeup?!) No matter what else, one thing is certain:she is one of the most revered icons of Black America.We've been missing her for the last ten years and we will miss her more now that she's gone.

RIP Miss Lena Horne!
I really enjoyed this book alot but I must admit I couldn't enjoy it fully because in my opinion I'm not really sure that the author understands what it means to be black in the US then and even today, he seems to think that Lena was not hindered at all because of her race and that she failed with her movie career through MGM simply because she could not act, to me that's a load of horse you know what, anyone can look at her performance in Cabin in the sky and see that she had genuine acting talent especially when you keep in mind that MGM did not give her the same grooming that it did for it's white stars, I seethed with anger reading passage after passage of how Lena, complained, whined, made up stories of victimization and basically played the race card throughout her career, The author doesn't understand that as a black woman Lena played the only cards that were given to her, all blacks do. I think this book had the potential to become one of my favorites if the author had a deeper understanding of his subject and the black experience.
Lena Horne has passed away this past Mother's day, what a fitting day for a woman who truly was the mother of us all, I salute you dear Lena, you did the best you could with what you were given and I admire you with all my heart, I hope you are at peace and with the great loves of your life; your Father, Son and your dear sweet Billy Strayhorne

A Top-notch Bio of a glamourous artist
Stormy Weather: The Life of Lena HorneAuthor James Gavin does a splendid job with his research and writing of the career and life of the extremely talented and beautiful Lena Horne in "Stormy Weather: The Life of Lena Horne." Mr. Gavin's words take you behind the scenes and let you too feel the frustration, anger and drive felt by Ms. Horne during her career when allowed by the studios to do a number or two in films where she was never given the chance to fully shine to the best of her ability--her fans almost got a "tease" in each film in which she appeared, as she was never the star. As a pioneer african-american woman she had to fight (like so many others) and her bitter disappointment comes through and makes the story even more tragic. In spite of what the Washington Post said, I found Mr. Gavin's second book (like the first) exceptionally well written, researched and I couldn't put the book down. It made me angry at the powers-that-be that Ms. Horne wasn't given her due, but we find that is so often the case back when racism ruled the land. The book goes into depth on her life and career and leaves the reader with a fine sense of what Ms. Horne struggled through. Fortunately for us her work is on film & CD's, but what more of her talents were ignored is indeed a tragedy. While her desire to act was totally blown off by the studios and roles that she may have excelled in were played often times by white actresses (something that I have never, ever understood) the reader once again senses the great frustration of being "passed over" for the "safer" white actress. This book is a fabulous journey of a life of a woman who had the talent and beauty but wasn't given her due because of the racism of the day. It is a tragic story, and at the same time, an historic account of the days when Jim Crow was the law of the land and how through determination and show-casing her great talents, Ms. Horne ultimately, proudly showed the world how one talented Lady behaves! This is a powerful book and I highly recommend you delve into its pages, learn and forget yourself in the life of Lady Lena. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Amazing Book
LENA is an amazing account of this legendary singer's life, written in her own words.I had been searching for an autobiography of hers for months but never knew anything about her having one until I saw a post online stating that she had actually written one in 1965.The only book that kept showing up persistently in my searches was the one entitled "Stormy Weather", written sometime in the 90s.I was not impressed by the way the author made Lena to seem as some troubled and bitter woman who was ready to snap at any moment because of the difficulties of her life.Though i'm sure her past had proven itself to be challenging, especially as a black woman in those times, I knew that there was more to her than that.I was searching for words that no biographer could give me completely... and that's HER words and her REAL story.I'm pleased to say that reading this book is a joy.Lena is candid, honest, funny and fully aware of all the elements it took to get her to where she is and how she became the woman she ascended to.Any Lena Horne fan would be in pure bliss just knowing that they are hearing these accounts straight from this wonderful woman.Reading this book is like sitting down over tea and talking about life; the bumps, the bruises, the laughter, the dreams unfurled and everything else.I highly recommend this book.You'll love it. ... Read more

Product Description
An inspired, intimate history of musical legend Lena Horne, and her family, written by Lena's daughter, Gail Lumet Buckley. More than a loving biography of a true show business legend, Lumet Buckley traces Lena's, as well as her own, roots as the latest in a long family line of America's Black elite. Back in print for the first time since 1987, the book was a best seller on its original release. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Love this book!
This was a very moving and inspiring book. I bought it to take a lot into the life of the great Lena Horne, but I came away with the inspiration to write my own family history. I've been collecting family information for years. Very interesting family history. Get the book and get inspired to write about your family!

Gail and Family
This was a wonderful book. It is a history of ancestry of Lena Horne. and later Lena and then her daughter Gail. Truly a great read if you are interested in the life of the people you love even if you have never met them.

The Hornes; An American Family
I am interested in African American culture and I always wanted a bio of Lena Horne. She is so multifacted as a performer.

An exemplary family history
An absorbing trip through American history, courtesy of a family of vivid dreamers and high achievers. Gail Lumet Buckley had access to a remarkable family archive of scrapbooks, photographs and journals and does great justice to it, crafting a multigenerational portrait that is enlightening and highly readable. Although Buckley's mother, Lena Horne, is the most famous member of the family, the book makes it clear that she was only one of its noteworthy success stories. For anyone wanting to know more about what America was like for middle-class blacks in the Reconstruction and beyond, "The Hornes" is a wonderful place to begin.

the hornes
Fabulous insight into a family with ties to every important event in US History. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Lena Horne
Lena Horne was born on June 30, 1917 and was an actress and singer.Her childhood was filled with alot of people.For seven years she grew up living in Brooklyn with her grandparents.Her grandmother was an activist for African-Americans and because she made sure Lena was involved in programs.She influenced Lena to help out in the civil rights movement.Then after those seven years Lena's mother took her away to travel with her, while she was pursuing a career to be an actress.Lena lived in Florida, Georgia and Ohio and faced alot of racism during that time.When she went to school the black students would make fun of her because she talked northern and had a light complection.During this time Lena was taken care of by strangers and some of them abused her.After traveling with her mother for seven years she moved back with her grandparents.Then when her grandparents died she lived with her mother and stepdad.They did not have alot of money so Lena had to drop out of school.Next she became a chorus girl at the Cotton club at the age of 16.The only reason why she got that job is because she was light-skinned, tall and had a good shape, not because of her singing.Soon her career started to take off and she married Louis Jones at 18 and shortly afterwards she had two children.She starred in a bunch of movies like "the Wiz", "Duke Is Tops", "Cabin in the Sky", and others.Lena also performed songs with white singers that broke some of the racism in show biz.There was one incident when a white man said a racial remark to Lena in club and she threw things at him.I believe he tried to sue her and lied and said he never said anything racist too.Lena is a memeber of the Delta Sigma Theta.She divorced Louis and married Lennie Hayton secretly because he was white.Lena's biggest hit single was called "Stormy Weather", which she also starred in the movie.In 1970 and 1971 Lena lost three important men in her life, her father, her son and her husband.When they died she felt like she couldn't go on but from the help of friends they encouraged her to continue to sing and act.In 1980 she retired from show biz and gave her last tour.Then after the tour she agreed to do a one woman show in Broadway.I think Lena Horne is one of the most beautiful and strongest person ever.

Lena Horne
Lena Horne was born on June 30, 1917 and was an actress and singer.Her childhood was filled with alot of people.For seven years she grew up living in Brooklyn with her grandparents.Her grandmother was an activist for African-Americans and because she made sure Lena was involved in programs.She influenced Lena to help out in the civil rights movement.Then after those seven years Lena's mother took her away to travel with her, while she was pursuing a career to be an actress.Lena lived in Florida, Georgia and Ohio and faced alot of racism during that time.When she went to school the black students would make fun of her because she talked northern and had a light complection.During this time Lena was taken care of by strangers and some of them abused her.After traveling with her mother for seven years she moved back with her grandparents.Then when her grandparents died she lived with her mother and stepdad.They did not have alot of money so Lena had to drop out of school.Next she became a chorus girl at the Cotton club at the age of 16.The only reason why she got that job is because she was light-skinned, tall and had a good shape, not because of her singing.Soon her career started to take off and she married Louis Jones at 18 and shortly afterwards she had two children.She starred in a bunch of movies like "the Wiz", "Duke Is Tops", "Cabin in the Sky", and others.Lena also performed songs with white singers that broke some of the racism in show biz.There was one incident when a white man said a racial remark to Lena in club and she threw things at him.I believe he tried to sue her and lied and said he never said anything racist too.Lena is a memeber of the Delta Sigma Theta.She divorced Louis and married Lennie Hayton secretly because he was white.Lena's biggest hit single was called "Stormy Weather", which she also starred in the movie.In 1970 and 1971 Lena lost three important men in her life, her father, her son and her husband.When they died she felt like she couldn't go on but from the help of friends they encouraged her to continue to sing and act.In 1980 she retired from show biz and gave her last tour.Then after the tour she agreed to do a one woman show in Broadway.I think Lena Horne is one of the most beautiful and strongest person ever. ... Read more

Product Description
A biography of Lena Horne, she emerges a stalwart forever standing her ground.Thorough. Authorative..--Ebony ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

AWonderful Concise View into Lena Horne's Life
Lena Horne: Entertainer by Leslie Palmer is a wonderfully vivid and concise look into the life of legendary entertainer Lena Horne.You learn about Lena's troubled, knock-about childhood.The author gives you a glimpse into Lena's head and helps you understand the woman she became.
You learn about the Cotton Club, what it was like to be a young entertainer in 1930's black America.You feel the pain of racism.You see Lena finding herself, blooming into womanhood, becoming a band singer, becoming a movie star, becoming a civil rights activist, becoming an icon and a woman of courage.
Lena Horne: Entertainer by Leslie Palmer is a thoroughly enjoyable introduction into the life of Lena Horne.It would make a marvelous gift for any child.In studying the lives of others, we learn more about ourselves. ... Read more

Product Description
Star-studded musical biography of Jerome Kern with great song numbers featurning some of MGM's finest talent. "How d'ya like to spoon with me?", "Whys was I born?","Look for the silver lining" ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Horrible Sound Distortion!
Unplayable due to horrible sound distortion on DVD.Tried to play on several different DVD machines. ... Read more

Product Description
Word count: 447. ... Read more