Angelina Jolie, The Unauthorized biography by Andrew Morton

[DawnCt1]

I couldn't resist it. I have had my Kindle for a while now and every new book I have wanted to read lately is NEVER on Kindle. Imagine my surprise when this one appeared yesterday. I downloaded the sample and it pulled me right in. Whether you like her or don't, know who she is or do not care; this is a fascinating book. The family dynamics of Marcia Lynne Bertrand, who later became Marcheline and Jon Voight certainly sheds light on why Jolie is, who and what she is and what becomes of a child that is abandoned by her mother from infancy until the age of two and left in the care of $3. an hour babysitters in an "all white room, white crib, walls and carpet", known as the Ivory Tower, three floors above her mother's apartment, because she looked too much like her father. While there are no parental heros in this book, Voight is not the abandoning father he has been portrayed to be, and Marcheline is not the loving mother. Voight was the talented actor who pursued his "craft" more than financial success. Bertrand was the scorned wife whose acting career never achieved much success and lived vicariously through her children, as her own mother lived vicariously through her. Angie was a cutter, heavily into drugs and her mother gave up her master bedroom so Angie at 14 could share it with her live in boyfriend. (Mom's idea so she would know where she was). It would be a page turner if it were about fictional characters and I would rate it worth the read....so far.

 

[Luv2CtheMouse]

She makes me vomit.

 

[DawnCt1]

She makes me vomit.

As I said, you don't have to like her or even know who she is, to find the book interesting. If anything, its a case study in how NOT to raise children.

 

[akhenaten]

She is a really compassionate person... DH was working on a movie with her and I was in the hospital for a week... the crew took up a collection for us and she sent us a VERY generous donation! No publicity for her at all... just kindness!!! Then she met with DH and he said she was really nice....
there is so much more to people than we see in the tabloids... its a shame that
our society is so sucked in by those rags!!

 

[LuvOrlando]

You are brave, I have been eying the book from a distance and sort of anxious to pick it up. First off, it seemed that it might be too voyeuristic for me which can sometimes make me cringe if it's not respectful. Second, I wonder how hard was it to read from an emotional standpoint? I just read Russell Brand's book and it was hard to get through, but maybe that was because it was in the first person and his disconnect was so disturbing. I like reading about interesting people but don't know how much I can tolerate about mistreated and/or abused kids... I still can't bring myself to watch "Precious".

 

[Briarmom]

You are brave, I have been eying the book from a distance and sort of anxious to pick it up. First off, it seemed that it might be too voyeuristic for me. Second, how hard was it to read from an emotional standpoint? I just read Russell Brand's book and it was hard to get through, but maybe that was because it was in the first person and his disconnect was so disturbing. I like reading about interesting people but don't know how much I can tolerate about mistreated and/or abused kids... I still can't bring myself to watch "Precious".

What was hard about Brand's book? Was there abuse? I wanted to read this.

I just read Allison Arngrim's (Nellie Oleson from 'Little House') book and it was so very interesting that the abuse scenes were easier to take.

I very much admire Angelina for her work in the world, but I'm not sure how I feel about Unauthorized Bios.

 

[DawnCt1]

She is a really compassionate person... DH was working on a movie with her and I was in the hospital for a week... the crew took up a collection for us and she sent us a VERY generous donation! No publicity for her at all... just kindness!!! Then she met with DH and he said she was really nice....
there is so much more to people than we see in the tabloids... its a shame that
our society is so sucked in by those rags!!

Interestingly enough, she is like her father in that respect. He was always interested in causes, helping people and in quiet ways. That is something I never knew about him until I began reading this book. Her brother seems more like her mother in many ways. What you tell me doesn't surprise me.

 

[DawnCt1]

You are brave, I have been eying the book from a distance and sort of anxious to pick it up. First off, it seemed that it might be too voyeuristic for me which can sometimes make me cringe if it's not respectful. Second, I wonder how hard was it to read from an emotional standpoint? I just read Russell Brand's book and it was hard to get through, but maybe that was because it was in the first person and his disconnect was so disturbing. I like reading about interesting people but don't know how much I can tolerate about mistreated and/or abused kids... I still can't bring myself to watch "Precious".

There was no abuse, there was maternal neglect and withdrawal, but she was never physically abused. Her mother came into her own life with the baggage she had. Later, it was more important for her mother to be her "girlfriend", and in fact thought of herself that way. Her anger at her father, at least so far seems to be his infidelity and breaking up the marriage but then, its a scene that Angelina has repeated in her own life although no children have ever been involved. Jon would have returned to Marcheline but Marche rejected him repeatedly unless it served her to be seen at an event as Mrs. Jon Voight. There is plenty of criticism to go around but both parents are actually likable. Jon was a "strayed" Catholic and often overcome with guilt.

 

[PaulaSB12]

Her first marriage ended after 3 years as did her marriage to Billy Bob Thornton. Have you looked at Thornton's marriage record though? He has been married 4 times and the longest marriage was 4 years he just isn't husband material. As for Brad Pitt she has been splitting up from him for the past 5 years according to the rubbish press. Just leave the woman alone she is the one Brad chose to be with just because the press loved the "golden couple" doesn't mean anything its their life not ours.

 

[laracroft]

I have always found her interesting. I can't say that I love her, but I am amazed at her kindness and charity work. Who are we to judge. My life isn't perfect and I would hate if everytime I passed gas it was a headline. I like the books by Andrew Moron. I read the book he did on Princess Dianna and cried. I may pick this one up.

 

[Acklander]

I look forward to reading it.

 

[DawnCt1]

I have always found her interesting. I can't say that I love her, but I am amazed at her kindness and charity work. Who are we to judge. My life isn't perfect and I would hate if everytime I passed gas it was a headline. I like the books by Andrew Moron. I read the book he did on Princess Dianna and cried. I may pick this one up.

I do as well. I feel that he presents his subjects in a fair and balanced way. There are two sides to everyone, no saints, no sinners. This book seems well documented.

 

[Tantor]

sounds interesting. May give it a try

 

[Rora]

I find her interesting and talented. I also appreciate her compassion.

Thanks for the info on the book-- I didn't even know one was out there!

 

[Heidict]

I like her. I think her charity work is above par and she gives so much of herself to these causes. She is interested in doing just more then acting and making money.

I honestly never thought about reading that book, but it does sound interesting. I will have to pick it up when I see it at Book Barn.

 

[palmtreegirl]

I couldn't resist it. I have had my Kindle for a while now and every new book I have wanted to read lately is NEVER on Kindle. Imagine my surprise when this one appeared yesterday. I downloaded the sample and it pulled me right in. Whether you like her or don't, know who she is or do not care; this is a fascinating book. The family dynamics of Marcia Lynne Bertrand, who later became Marcheline and Jon Voight certainly sheds light on why Jolie is, who and what she is and what becomes of a child that is abandoned by her mother from infancy until the age of two and left in the care of $3. an hour babysitters in an "all white room, white crib, walls and carpet", known as the Ivory Tower, three floors above her mother's apartment, because she looked too much like her father. While there are no parental heros in this book, Voight is not the abandoning father he has been portrayed to be, and Marcheline is not the loving mother. Voight was the talented actor who pursued his "craft" more than financial success. Bertrand was the scorned wife whose acting career never achieved much success and lived vicariously through her children, as her own mother lived vicariously through her. Angie was a cutter, heavily into drugs and her mother gave up her master bedroom so Angie at 14 could share it with her live in boyfriend. (Mom's idea so she would know where she was). It would be a page turner if it were about fictional characters and I would rate it worth the read....so far.

Doesn't sound like she had much of a childhood, that's really sad.

 

[Planogirl]

I like her and this sounds fascinating. I might check it out.

 

[Holly]

I like her, as well.


I read her book Notes from My Travels a few years ago and really appreciate all of the work she does for people around the world.

 

[DawnCt1]

Doesn't sound like she had much of a childhood, that's really sad.

That is my impression as well.