The Brothers Mankiewicz: Hope, Heartbreak, and Hollywood Classics (Hollywood Legends Series)

Fascinating to learn Hollywood history through these exceptional brothers’ stories.. Well done Sydney L Stern!

Bolstered by all of the 5-star reviews here, I ordered this book and am looking forward to some good summer reading. However, in skimming through the photos, I noticed on p. 360 two glaring errors in the captions ("There Was a Crooked Man"), right off the bat.On the left (seated) is Martin Gabel, NOT Arthur O'Connell; any film enthusiast knows that's NOT O"Connell. Also, actor John Randolph (the tall guy (center) holding his hat) is incorrectly identified as Alan Hale, Jr; again, a very basic mistake.Not a fair basis to write a review, I realize. But I'm hoping the level of scholarship improves significantly as I begin to read. Too bad such careless errors are allowed to slip by. LR

Fascinating look at the brother's and Hollywood

Where has Sydney Stern been all my life? She writes beautifully and precisely on the Mankiewicz family. She holds nothing back yet doesn't sensationalize or exaggerate. The "Cleopatra" chapter must have been really fun to write and she manages to convey the surreality of this all-time production omnishambles in the equivalent of 70mm Kalmus-supervised Technicolor. Alcoholism looms as the fatal nemesis in the story and it is truly painful read about the damage it did to the brothers, their careers, and what they could have given us had they been able to maintain a pleasant buzz instead setting the controls for self destruction. At any rate, one of the best books about movies I have ever read.

Perfect companion to the movie, "Mank", this book explores the complete lives of both Herman Mankiewicz and his more successful brother, Joe. Easy to read for a dual biography of two complicated people. There is plenty of humor mixed in with tragedy of classic proportion. I particularly loved the section on the making of "Cleopatra", which is hilarious for everyone except Joe and the cuckolded spouses of both Liz Taylor and Richard Burton. Well written and monumental.

Book ordered was in new condition. Better than expected!

The author takes you through the worlds of two of Hollywood’s seminal and largely unsung geniuses and plumbs the depths of their psychology with affectionate care.The Mankiewicz brothers' studio battles are bittersweet, but recognizable to any but the most successful writers of the oeuvre. One wishes that Joe Mankiewicz lived during the seventies, when auteurs like Altman, Coppola, Scorsese, etc. could shine outside the studio system. Alas, there was no Tisch school or Sundance institute in his day. But arguably, he blazed a trail through the studios for the writer/ directors who followed. Great read!

The author's insight into these magnificent brothers is deep, colorful and authentic. I often find myself bored with the background details in bios from the subject's youth, but here, the author really captures the times in a spellbinding manner.The juxtaposition between the brothers, the family dynamic, the frustrations and accomplishments are all so vivid. Highly recommended for any fan of the cinema in general.

I've read many books on the old days of La La Land and this is one of the best! Both brothers are interesting and had a huge hand in shaping early Hollywood. A great read. Goes well with TCM...

Both brothers were exceptionally talented. Herman writing the screenplay for the best film ever made.Joe for many films that remain classics.The author does an excellent job of melding these two fascinating careers and lives together