Product Description
One of the most successful groups in music history, the Backstreet Boys have sold 65 million albums to date, and AJ McLean, the tattooed bad boy of the group, has fans throughout the world. An integral part of the Backstreet Boys from the very beginning, AJ's mother, Denise, traveled with the group and served as their publicist and fan club coordinator. In close proximity to the successes and heartbreaks of her son's career, Denise watched her son's painful descent into alcoholism and depression. This revealing account tells the tale of AJ's rise to superstardom, his descent into addiction, and his struggles through rehab, and offers a look at the harsh world of the music industry. A candid and heartfelt story, this book will appeal to fans of the Backstreet Boys, readers interested in behind-the-scenes music industry stories, and mothers with children who have substance abuse problems. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (15)

Awesome book!!!
I love this book! I've actually owned it before but I lost it in the move. This book is amazing. Denise McLean really gives you the entire scoop on not just AJ but also the rest of the guys'. She talks about what it was like for them growing up, what it was like before they were big and now. Things that only a mother know. It's definitely a great book I definitely recommend this.

BACKSTREET MOM (review)
I am an avid Backstreet Boys fan and have been for many years, so I was naturally interested in reading this book - sepecially when I knew I was about to meet the author (Denise McLean) and her son Alex (AJ).The book is truely inspirational as well as informative and gives an insight to the person (AJ) that fans have never seen. I recommend it for all mothers - especially single mothers - of teens and youth in their 20's who struggle with peer pressure.Dianne Gibbens, Louisiana

The love between a mon and a son.
I just finished the book, and I must say I loved it. I have since I was 11 been a huge fan of The Backstreet Boys and always liked Alex. This book really gives you anything you ever wanted to know about the boys road to sucess and Alexs life from he was born to he came out of recorvery. Really worth reading.

New Outlook
First, I purchased this book because I was interested in AJ McLean(and maybe the pictures haha) being that he was my favorite member of BSB.

When I finished it, my eyes opened up ALOT more about him and his life.I already knew he had problems and knew about run down of what his life was (basics) and about the addictions and drinking.

It was such a coincidence, that alot of what Denise was saying was exactly what happened in my life (except the alcohol, drugs and fame).I didn't realize that I realted so much to AJ it wasn't even funny.So much so I used this book as citation's for a paper about me that was published at school.

I highly recommend this to any BSB fan or non fan who likes to read about a struggle of a young man's life that leads to ultimate triumph.Very enlightening.

brilliant
a book that gave me a better view of famous people's lifes. they are not all that they appear to be. worth buying spec. if you are a fan of AJ but good also if you have a friend or family member going through a tough period ... Read more

Product Description
Queen of Diamonds is the story of Evalyn Walsh McLean, a remarkable and flamboyant woman of the early 20th century.Her husband, Ned McLean, wealthy publisher of the Washington Post, purchased the Hope Diamond for her, and she delighted in flaunting a jewel that many considered to be cursed. She and her husband were close friends with President and Mrs. Warren G. Harding, and the couples attended some of the most glittering parties and social events of their time. Queen of Diamonds tells a tale of rags to riches and back to rags again, for Evalyn lived her last years cash poor. She was forced to sell her fabled stone to jewelry magnate Harry Winston, who donated it to the Smithsonian, where it is now one of the most popular museum exhibits in the world.

Evalyn Walsh McLean originally wrote her autobiography, entitled Father Struck it Rich, with the help of Boyden Sparkes in 1936.Out of print for decades, it is now beautifully edited, updated, revised and reissued.The new book includes additional material about Evalyn's later years and a photo section. It has been produced under the auspices of her great grandson, Joseph Gregory,and his research coauthor and collaborator, Carol Ann Rapp. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Queen of Diamonds is definitely Not a Bore
What makes Queen of Diamonds so interesting beyond the "adventures" in the life of Evalyn Walsh McLean, is that we can rely on the facts as presented because they come from Mrs. McLean's own hand.From her acquisition of the Hope Diamond to her involvement in ransoming the Lindberg baby, she led a life that ran up and down the scale of activities from hosting dinners for 1,000 guests to hobnobbing with U.S. Presidents, to experiencing life in a freezing, gold prospector's cabin.She and her husband Ned McClean, of publishing fame, fell into and exhibited all the worst of excess reserved only for the super rich.This book will hold your attention and offer insight into the activities of the rich and powerful.A great read!

A Fantastic Life
Evalyn was (has she admits) rather spoiled, but with all of that money who wouldn't be? She was living her life of a wealthy woman just like others in her position.She was so much more than a rich witch.She was loving, loyal, and generous.When hard times it, she rolled with it.How she survived the death of her daughter was beyond my understanding.

I enjoyed this book very much, I love reading about the lives of colorful people.Ms McLean gave a good read for what it was like to live in those times with all of that wealth

queenof diamonds the fabled legacy of evalyn walsh mclean
I have been a biography reader for many years and I can surly say that after reading this wonderful book about a lady who gave more to others then herself must have been to good to be true.Reading stories like this, reminds me when I was a little boy when my mother and grandmother would sit around a table and tell me about their lives. Most of all when their lives went to rags to riches to rags again like Evalyn did. I could not put Queen of Diamonds down. I'm so glad that a great grandson has taken a true story and is able to share his memories to everyone. It's wonderful and I highly recommend it to anyone and everyone who wants to read a good story. I applaude him. A MUST TO READ AND TO HAVE TO SHARE TO OTHERS. ... Read more