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lclindley's review against another edition
4.0
Incredibly long, but worthwhile, engaging, and intimate expose of Bob Fosse.
xtrmntr75's review against another edition
3.0
More of a 3 1/2. A bit dry at times; second half definitely more entertaining.
amaschutt's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting but a bit much. A great choreographer, a kind of terrible guy.
susieliston's review against another edition
4.0
This was the source for the TV series "Fosse/Verdon" which I watched as I read this, so it filled in details as we went along. For awhile the writing seemed to be trying a little too hard to be cool, either I got used to it or it settled down. I love reading about creative people because they so often are so odd.
cmr727's review against another edition
4.0
After finishing the miniseries, Fosse/Verdon, I decided I wanted to do a deeper dive on Fosse. This was just that. I skimmed bits here and there, but otherwise appreciated the author’s enthusiasm for the subject. Of note: unlike the miniseries, this book didn’t cover Verdon much at all. Someone needs to write that biography!
drschroe's review against another edition
5.0
I have loved Bob Fosse's choreography since I saw Dancin' on Broadway when I was in middle school. After that came the biopic, "All That Jazz," which was and still is an incredible film. Reading Sam Wasson's detailed, compelling, utterly readable biography of one of the most iconic choreographers who ever lived, I understand so much more about the movie -- 90% of which, according to Wasson, actually happened in real life.
This is a long read, and I enjoyed ever minute of it. From his childhood -- yes, childhood -- working vaudeville and strip joints to make money for the household -- to meeting other dancers and folks in entertainment who became as famous as he is (his close friend Hal Prince; Buddy Hackett, and later, of course, Gwen Vernon and Ann Reinking) to his Tony, Oscar and Emmy wins, Bob Fosse was a complicated, insecure, lovely, narcissistic, funny, brilliant human being.
Sam Wasson is an extremely strong writer, who painstakingly researched this tribute to Fosse, warts and all (there are about 100 pages of notes alone at the end). I cannot wait to read another book by him.
This is a long read, and I enjoyed ever minute of it. From his childhood -- yes, childhood -- working vaudeville and strip joints to make money for the household -- to meeting other dancers and folks in entertainment who became as famous as he is (his close friend Hal Prince; Buddy Hackett, and later, of course, Gwen Vernon and Ann Reinking) to his Tony, Oscar and Emmy wins, Bob Fosse was a complicated, insecure, lovely, narcissistic, funny, brilliant human being.
Sam Wasson is an extremely strong writer, who painstakingly researched this tribute to Fosse, warts and all (there are about 100 pages of notes alone at the end). I cannot wait to read another book by him.
marfbody's review against another edition
4.0
Doorstop worthy book covering 60 years of Fosse brilliance, depression, drugs, quirks, and of course, the shows. I assume that folks seeking out this book have admiration for the subject....and this is an extremely thorough treatment. If you are like me, you will savor the stories, then head on over to youtube or your dvd collection for a refresher on fabulous numbers and vintage commercials. It's a hefty read, but worth the investment.
nataliema's review against another edition
3.0
I have a weird thing about dialogue in non-fiction... it just bugs me for some reason. Interesting, but I ended up skimming a bit because it was so dense.