James Spada Books

Streisand: In the Camera Eye is a collection of 170 of the most compelling photographs of Barbra Streisand, chosen for their rarity, beauty, and insight into Streisand’s multifaceted life and career. The pictures, most of which have never been published before, document her many phases, from her early days on Broadway, including Funny Girl, to her hugely popular TV specials, to her work as an actress in films such as Hello, Dolly!, The Way We Were, and A Star Is Born. Taken by some of the greatest names in photography—including Philippe Halsman, Francesco Scavullo, Douglas Kirkland, Bob Willoughby, and Cecil Beaton—the images also represent her fabled concerts, as well as personal moments away from the set and stage. Seven essays by Spada introduce the various periods of Streisand’s adult life, and, along with substantial anecdotal and quote-filled captions, they combine with the spectacular photos to tell the whole story of one of the world’s most popular and beloved stars. [Please note that the title design intentionally wraps around the spine to the back cover.]

From the bestselling author of Grace: The Secret Lives of a Princess comes a fascinating, heartrending story of a deeply troubled man, whose life was a dizzying whirl of sex, scandal and secrets even the tabloids dared not print. "A compelling morality tale . . . compulsive reading".--Los Angeles Times. Photographs.

She was one of Hollywood's greatest stars, living a life filled with triumphs, tragedies, scandals, and heartache that rivaled any film plot. Acclaimed author James Spada spent three years researching and conducting over 150 interviews to create a definitive biography of Bette Davis, revealing the brash, uncompromising woman behind the superstar. This work captures her as a tortured artist, sexually needy lover, betrayed mother, and lost child. Spada gained unprecedented access to relatives, friends, and colleagues, along with court documents and personal correspondence, to portray one of Hollywood's most complex figures. The biography explores the profound impact of her father's desertion at age eight, her complicated relationship with her mother, and her fears of mental illness. It delves into her self-doubts amidst her Hollywood ascent, her tumultuous extramarital affairs, and her ambivalence about sex. Additionally, it uncovers the cover-up surrounding her second husband's death, her possible role in her adopted daughter's brain damage, and the troubling behavior of her fourth husband, Gary Merrill, alongside the vicious custody battle for their son, Michael. This captivating account reveals the multifaceted life of a woman whose legacy continues to resonate.

A portrait of Julia Roberts describes her dysfunctional family, her early dating life, the impact of "Pretty Woman" and the paparazzi on her stardom, her volatile relationships, and the many films that have marked her career

A photographic biography of Jaqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis covers her entire life, accompanies its many pictures with anecdotal captions, and is largely made up of rarely or previously unpublished images. 50,000 first printing.

In the fifty years since her death, Marilyn Monroe has grown from a superstar and sex symbol to a woman whose very being has been ingrained in the world’s cultural consciousness. This book chronicles her extraordinary life in over 200 rare and previously unpublished photographs, with fascinating, information-packed extended captions.ties that made her a legendary star.

FASCINATING . . . The story of the public's discovery of a genius and the genius's discovery of herself." --The New York Times Book Review "AS CLOSE TO A DEFINITIVE BIOGRAPHY OF STREISAND AS POSSIBLE. . . . The strength of Spada's book lies in his meticulous research."--Newsday For over thirty-five years, her full and luscious voice has defined music for a generation. Bestselling biographer James Spada interviewed more than two hundred people to capture the essence of this iconic figure. With compassion and honesty, he reveals the private life of Barbra Streisand, detailing her lonely Brooklyn childhood with a disapproving mother and abusive stepfather, her insatiable desire to perform, and the discovery of her extraordinary voice. Spada chronicles her rapid ascent to Broadway stardom at just twenty-one, alongside the complexities of her obsessive need for control, her demands for money, and the notable men in her life, including Elliot Gould, Jon Peters, and Ryan O'Neal. A stunning woman whose voice only improves with age, Barbra Streisand stands as one of the most creative and controversial figures of our time. "ENGROSSING . . . There is plenty of material here to amuse, entertain and even illuminate her carefully guarded life." --Los Angeles Times "WELL WRITTEN, LIVELY, AND ASSIDUOUSLY RESEARCHED." --Liz Smith

This book wonderfully captures the spirit, energy, wit, and warmth that has caused the world to take Katherine Hepburn to its heart.

They were the youngest children to live in the White House in over a century -- Caroline just three and John Jr. a newborn when their father took the oath of office. They won the hearts of the American people as they romped around -- and under -- their father's desk in the Oval Office. And when, three years later, Caroline kissed JFK's coffin and John Jr. saluted the passing bier, they were forever etched in the nation's collective heart.In this book, James Spada gathers the rarest and most telling photographs of these remarkable siblings as they grew up in the center of the public spotlight, fiercely protected by their mother and yet never far from the camera's eye. Spada includes more than 250 photographs -- 150 of which have never been published -- and tells John and Caroline's life story in extended anecdotal captions.