The author probably knows more about Fitzgerald and his work than anyone else on the planet. Does that make for a good biography? If nothing else, Bruccoli sets the record straight on some popular Fitzgerald myths and legends. Certainly this is more up to date and factual than the Mizener and Trumbull books. It remains the standard Fitzgerald biography/compendium,for now.

Very explicit detailed account of Fitzgerald's mostly depressed existence.Zelda,Scott and Scotty, their daughter had to be the most disfunctional trio in history!

This has been on my list for a long time, and now that school is out, I can still use my University borrowing privileges for pleasure reading over summer break.

I have a fascination with Scott and Zelda that goes back years. They embody the twenties for me. And when Scott was on his game, he was amazing. (Zelda was ahead of her time - her writings are akin to impressionist paintings). And yet, he could be such a brutal person - to others as well as himself, with his destructive behaviors.

Although I'm sure more recent books have now been written - and the newer edition I have is from 2002 - this biography from Bruccoli is in-depth and immensely readable. You can tell that he admires Scott's work, but doesn't shy away from incidents where Scott was acting like a tool. He doesn't make excuses for him, but does separate the facts from the fiction (some of the more well-known tropes are actually untrue or unverifiable).

Additionally, there are several appendices: a genealogical exploration of the Francis Scott Key connection by Fitzgerald's daughter, Scottie; a chronology of his ledger; and a bibliography of books that were popular and more than likely read by Scott during each year of his publishing life.

In sum, if you're looking for one book to explore Fitzgerald's life and works, make it this one.

The best of all the Fitzgerald biographies. Matthew Bruccoli is a gift to all of us FSF fans.