Judy Garland: The Day-By-Day Chronicle of a Legend

Scott Schechter has done a fantastic job of exhaustively researching Judy Garland; so many details here. Overall, one finishes this impressive "encyclopedia" and wonders how one who was supposedly so "unreliable" accomplished so much in such a short lifespan. A definite must-have for Garland fans.

This book is a must-have for Judy fans. That's a given. But be careful about a quick dismissive flip through the pages. This is, among other great things, a key reference book for collectors. If you want to know about a particular song Judy sang and whether a recording exists, the Song Index in this book will lead you to the answer. If you want to know if a particular radio show or concert was recorded, this book will tell you where to find it or will confirm that it exists in private collections. If you want to know when and where Judy sang with Vic Damone, for instance, this book will lead you to the time, the place and provide info. on available recordings. A keepsake volume and handy reference tool for the very serious Judy collector.

Judy Garland: The Day-by-Day Chronicle of a Legend will take you on an amazing journey through an incredible life of one of our most treasured legends. Mr. Schechter accomplishes what no biography has before -- a complete and yet loving history that fans and music historians will both treasure for generations to come.

I loved this book. I have been a Garland fan all of my life. I have read almost everything written about her. Reading this book I found out things I didn't know. It's so interesting to follow Judy's path from great star to a woman that must live from friend to friend. At one point she even sang for $100 a night. I was totaly taken with this book. I couldn't help but be left with a profound sadness after I had finished. Judy was loved but just never was able to see it. Even though I knew she was going to die at the end I kept hoping she would get it together and come out on top. If you love Judy READ this book.

I wasn't sure what to make of this when I bought it......a day by day chronicle. However, I was soon caught up and totally fascinated. Not only is this an important document on Judy Garland but it is an important document on stardom during the "Golden Age??!!" of Hollywood. Good Grief, they most certainly earned their keep. That was a tough, tough business.It's interesting to note that as Judy became more popular MGM did seem to make an effort to make her call times on pictures a little later, realizing the early morning was not her best time.I had to keep wondering at how very confusing it must have been to be tying up lose ends on one movie while beginning production on another adding to the initial confusion of the make-believe world of making movies. I got tired just reading about her day to day existence. I can't imagine what it must have been like to live such an existence and I can't imagine trading so much of myself for anything. Those that made it as "stars" must have had a deep, deep need to be able to sell themselves body and soul to their studios to be repaid in fame. I don't know......you can think about this and think about it but you have to wonder how so many actually survived this gruelling situation. It most definitely is to Judy's credit she attained the quality as well as the amount of work she produced in such a short lifetime.This book offers a real understanding of the star system as well as Judy Garland's position in it and once and for all de-glamorizes the whole thing. Fascinating!