"When I'm Bad, I'm Better": Mae West, Sex, and American Popular Entertainment

Made me wish I was there back then to see some of those (now) obscure and (now) little-remembered performers! Although the book follows Mae's career, and reveals her exceptional talent and her extremely creative ability to be able to Think On the Run and/or In the Paddy Wagon, (so to speak) it does not give us the essence or the character of Mae the Woman. In many places it bogs down with critical analysis instead of narrative. However, I DID find it interesting enough to read through to the end, AND the book piqued my interest enough to make me go to my local library and pick up other books on Mae West that have more of her "personality" in them.

This book uncovers every detail of Mae Wests early career. Though Hamilton seems to accent on the negative, those who love Mae West will relish in the new details and great photos. The author is the exact opposite of Mae West, one can easlily surmise, so every triumpth of West's is quickly dashed with a failure, indicating an almost peciliar jealousy on behalf of the author towards her subject! THAT is what makes this book so interesting.

If you are interested in films, plays, censorship, New York, street life, sexual politics, life, oh yes, and Mae West, you just have to read this amazing book.Witty, savvy, sophisticated, informed, nuanced, and in parts, just plain brilliant, this is a not-to-miss literary treat that emulates the style of its subject. Changed my life.