Read this book and you will see why the incomparable Miss Waters was a force to be reckoned with in her day. The writing is honest and takes the reader into a show biz world that mirrored the complexities of the segregated and racialized society at large during the first half of the 20th century. Rather than a rags to riches, this is more of a from poverty to success to survival story. I laughed out loud more than once at her candor and sharp observations. As a fan of Ethel Water's singing - before I found her memoir - I felt privileged to also read her own words on the life she lived.

This is one of the best autobiographies I have ever read. Ethel Waters was a great singer and reading this book is very inspirational! I found myself howling with laughter several times, her writing style is incredible! I couldn't put this book down and I devoured it within a day! I highly recommend this wonderful book!

I once had a non religious friend ask how could the poor live in such squalor, and yet be "religious". We live on a cultural divide, where we live upright and logical lives, and don't see the squalor around us and dismiss such families as "dysfunctional". Ethel Waters clear eyed yet loving view of her family and her culture will be an eye opener to those who think this way. From her childhood in the slums of Philadelphia and Chester PA to her rise in Harlem to her life as a singer, she apologizes for nothing, and unapologetically defends her culture to those condenscending to her race. Put into the context of the early 50's, when she wrote this biography, it gives an insight into racial relations that angrier books lack. One wishes that this would be re released with a Forward explaining the context of those times so that those born after the civil rights struggle will better understand not only the racial divides that few questioned only 50 years ago, but also to help them understand the importance of the black church and religion in the lives of those times.

In some ways, I wished that while I was reading this old paperback, I had been playing a medley of Ethel Waters' music in the background. Maybe then the reason for the words I was reading would be told in the song and vice versa.

Ethel's is not an uncommon story. She grew up poorer than dirt in unsavory conditions. A very few of these individuals figure out that they must latch on to any opportunity possible in order to get out of the situation. Ethel was no exception. She was fortunate to have been born with enough brains, looks and talent to find her way out of that bad part of town and the experience gave her words for song.

I enjoyed reading about her triumph and am given yet another example for which to ignore cries of helplessness from those not willing to try to help themselves. Ethel's story proves that we do, indeed lie in the beds that we make for ourselves. According to her story, she always made sure that the sheets were clean...