All set against the backdrop of the movie industry just after the pictures started talking. It was the era of the huge epics and the even huger egos, all held together by the studio system which essentially made indentured servants out of some of Hollywood's most formidable talent. Enter a simple country girl from North Carolina, who would within a few years of being discovered become one of the most sought-after actresses in the world, both on and off the screen. While she may or may not have been a great talent, Ava's legendary love affairs, marriages and almost infinite capacity for alcohol, great parties and men still make her one of the last century's most enduringly-fascinating people. This is a great read and I highly recommend for anyone interested in the golden years of the movie industry.