First published 2023
William Mann examines the legendary romance between Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall, two of Hollywood's most celebrated stars. The author traces their individual paths to fame: Bogart's privileged New York childhood and Bacall's emergence as a model turned actress. Mann scrutinizes their courtship and marriage, which began when nineteen-year-old Bacall entered a relationship with the forty-five-year-old, thrice-married actor. The book chronicles their twelve years together, including their conflicts, reconciliations, children, infidelities, and Bogart's final illness. Mann questions how their significant age difference shaped their bond and what Bacall sacrificed by marrying an established star. He also explores Bogart's transformation from an ordinary-looking man into a cinema icon. Following Bogart's death, the narrative continues with Bacall's subsequent relationships with Frank Sinatra and Jason Robards, whom she married, and her struggle with identity. Drawing from recently discovered documents and letters, Mann provides fresh perspectives on both their individual careers and their enduring connection.
Genres: biography, romance, historical-fiction, 20th-century, film
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: age-gap-romance, celebrity-romance, power-imbalance
Period: 20th Century
654 pages · Kindle Edition · Harper