Author Description

Film critic for the London Evening Standard, Walker presentsone of the world's most chronicled women, whose turbulent life hasbeen eerily reflected, or anticipated, in her movies and fromNational Velvet and Cleopatra (on the set of which she fell in lovewith Richard Burton) to Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and PrivateLives. Walker shows how Taylor has indulged her passions, re-createdherself in the image of each new lover, husband or project, and in duecourse flourished after rounds of combat with the public, the press,her weight and illness. Unfortunately, Walker repeats himself andreaches unsuccessfully--and unnecessarily--for dramatic effect. Forexample, referring to Taylor's fourth husband, Eddie Fisher, a protegeof her third husband, Mike Todd--who died in a plane crash in1958--Walker "He stepped into Todd's shoes, and ultimatelyinto his bed." Photos not seen by PW.Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.