AUDIOBOOK
About
Joseph P. Kennedy reigned in Hollywood from 1926 to 1930, when he ran three movie studios, led the revolution in sound pictures, and created the first modern entertainment empire. Sorting through the archives of Kennedy deals, letters, and memos, Cari Beauchamp tells for the first time how he made it all happen, a miracle of smoke and mirrors that resulted in a gambit never seen before or since: the merger with RCA that resulted in RKO Studios. Beauchamp writes about the pictures Kennedy produced; the stars he made and ruined (including his lover, Gloria Swanson); and the Hollywood titans he charmed, cajoled, and battled, including William Randolph Hearst, in this fascinating tale of greed and business genius that shows how Kennedy not only made a fortune but changed the very nature of the business of moviemaking.
"Beauchamp's smart…new book, suggests that nothing…prepared [Kennedy] for presidential politics the way his time in the picture business did."
"An exceptional work of film scholarship, packed with information no one had uncovered before that reads like a juicy novel."
"[A] crackling page-turner…Beauchamp demonstrates again and again, that apart from [Kennedy's] abiding love and concern for his nine children (and perhaps a few others, including Marion Davies), the bottom line was everything."
"Rarely has [Kennedy's time in Hollywood] been documented in such meticulous detail…Well-written and well researched, Beauchamp's book is a probing examination of the man in the industry during perhaps its most fascinating period."
"Fascinating…The intellect, the intuition, the gumption, the gall, the vision, and the restless ambition of the founding father are meticulously documented."
"Beauchamp serves up with gusto many measures of gossipy history and historical gossip…One hell of a story."
"Beauchamp deserves great credit for bringing Joseph P. Kennedy into sharp focus with a wealth of detail…Beauchamp has succeeded not only in finding a new way of telling the story, but one which adds to it much we didn't know before."
"Pam Ward delivers a solid performance, presenting Beauchamp's findings with a straightforward, journalistic tone. Neither over the top nor monotonous, Ward relates the material with an ear for old Hollywood-speak without sounding forced or mechanical. The result is an entertaining and incredibly informative listening experience."
"[Ward] does well at keeping the listener engaged…her attention to the narrative and expository elements helps listeners get through Beauchamp's meticulous research."
"Richly detailed…An engrossing account of a man many only think they know and of some of the golden years of American filmmaking."
"Pam Ward's narration is clear and expressive; the reedy Boston accent she employs when voicing Kennedy is dead-on hilarious. Recommended for those interested in the Kennedys and for movie history and popular culture buffs."
"Beauchamp's smart…new book, suggests that nothing…prepared [Kennedy] for presidential politics the way his time in the picture business did."
"An exceptional work of film scholarship, packed with information no one had uncovered before that reads like a juicy novel."
"[A] crackling page-turner…Beauchamp demonstrates again and again, that apart from [Kennedy's] abiding love and concern for his nine children (and perhaps a few others, including Marion Davies), the bottom line was everything."
"Rarely has [Kennedy's time in Hollywood] been documented in such meticulous detail…Well-written and well researched, Beauchamp's book is a probing examination of the man in the industry during perhaps its most fascinating period."
"Fascinating…The intellect, the intuition, the gumption, the gall, the vision, and the restless ambition of the founding father are meticulously documented."
"Beauchamp serves up with gusto many measures of gossipy history and historical gossip…One hell of a story."
"Beauchamp deserves great credit for bringing Joseph P. Kennedy into sharp focus with a wealth of detail…Beauchamp has succeeded not only in finding a new way of telling the story, but one which adds to it much we didn't know before."
"Pam Ward delivers a solid performance, presenting Beauchamp's findings with a straightforward, journalistic tone. Neither over the top nor monotonous, Ward relates the material with an ear for old Hollywood-speak without sounding forced or mechanical. The result is an entertaining and incredibly informative listening experience."
"[Ward] does well at keeping the listener engaged…her attention to the narrative and expository elements helps listeners get through Beauchamp's meticulous research."
"Richly detailed…An engrossing account of a man many only think they know and of some of the golden years of American filmmaking."
"Pam Ward's narration is clear and expressive; the reedy Boston accent she employs when voicing Kennedy is dead-on hilarious. Recommended for those interested in the Kennedys and for movie history and popular culture buffs."