I did write a lengthy positive review for this book. It was accepted andlisted for about 2 months and then disappeared with the rest. ? Why bother?

Ali MacGraw, describes her life's unfolding, a lovely soul who became a spoilt Hollywood siren, who then crashed in alcoholic self-indulgence, then setting out to discover self-truth and integrity. The book has a lot of new age sentiment to it, reconciling Ali's difficult past with an appreciation for the relative tranquility and groundedness of the present. It is a good read, honest and compelling.

The woman who moved us all to tears in love story, and to me, was the essence, the quintessential woman of the 1970's, has put together a seriously honest, and sometimes wonderfully blunt, memoir of her life, and all i can say now, after 10 years since this book was published, "Where is the sequel, Ali?"i have never in my life finished a book during my daily commute in only 3 days, which is about 7 hours!very fascinating reading, especially the Steve Mcqueen chapter. This woman does something no other actress can even come across as, a loving mother, a devoted wife, and finally, human. Her beauty and this book, like her, is now timeless..heavily reccomended reading!!

In rating this work, one has to remember they are rating the book, not Ali McGraw's personal life which was filled with the effects of questionable choices. The book, however was extremely interesting, very intriguing and kept me interested even as a part-time reader. Parts of it made me feel as if Ali McGraw had missed her true calling as a writer. As a reader I was able to feel the emotions this person experienced in her detailed relationships, although was left wondering how it was possible for one person to be in love so many times. The writing flowed well and I found myself eager to pick up the book before bedtime and again in the morning before work. Other than the McQeen years, the chapters I found most interesting were the diary kept at the Betty Ford Center, the "Just Tell Me What You Want" chapter, beautifully written in the third person and permeating genuine romantic suffering and the untitled chapter at the end with descriptions of winter in Maine. i.e.: "Over and over again I stop to stare at the patterns of the ice, melting and freezing and melting again, right before my my eyes. In one spot a huge old rotting birch has fallen across the stream and where the log touches the water with its little birch whiskers, large Christmas bells of ice have formed, anchoring the tree to the stream below. In another place the water rushes in great circular motions, freezing in ovals as it touches the snowy bank. In some places the ice is black and transparent, so that you can see the inky leaves on the stream's bottom. And in others it is opaque gray, disguising its thiness. Only the telltale musical sound of the brook gives away the news that it is building up its strength for spring". This book was written in 1991 when Ali McGraw was 50 years old. Perhaps I enjoyed it because I am in the same age range and remember her so well in "Love Story". I was, however, not familiar with her life, loves and career after that film. This book filled in all the gaps and described the peaks and valleys of a woman who could have given us so much more on the screen or in the theatre, but gave herself to others instead. If you liked Ali McGraw, this is a "must read".