What I liked about this biography of Humphrey Bogart, was the analysis of the characters he played and the analysis of the family he came from. It was surprising to learn that he came from wealth and privilege; he certainly never showed that type of persona (probably because he hated it so much). Another surprise was learning that Becal and Bogie were part of the start-up Rat Pack of Hollywood.
The strength of this book is the analysis of Humphrey's life and his choices, the directors he worked with, the women he married, and the parts he portrayed. It also answered a question I'd had for years, "Why didn't Humphrey Bogart change his name (as was the habit of most movie studios of the time)?" Although the book mentions some possible answers, the one selected seemed to be the most likely. Great reading.
The strength of this book is the analysis of Humphrey's life and his choices, the directors he worked with, the women he married, and the parts he portrayed. It also answered a question I'd had for years, "Why didn't Humphrey Bogart change his name (as was the habit of most movie studios of the time)?" Although the book mentions some possible answers, the one selected seemed to be the most likely. Great reading.
