A rather ordinary biography but it did give me some insight into Spencer Tracy's unpleasant personality and Katharine Hepburn's total devotion to him.

Sad biography about the life of Spencer Tray with Katherine Hepburn.

A TRUE LIFE LOVE STORY WELL TOLD

This legendary true-life love story was an engrossing read. Seemingly very well researched & documented it brings to life two American movie icons who loved each other with every breath of their being. Never could any fiction writer concoct such a story. It is sad, funny, depressing, desperate, and passionate in the most asexual way possible.

It is a privilege to have such a close look into the lives of two such brilliant people, the likes of which we are not likely to ever see again.

A special treat for classic movie lovers, but even if you have never seen a movie or ever heard of Tracy & Hepburn, the love story they shared is poignant enough to render you speechless.

Thankfully, Tracy & Hepburn lived in a time when journalism could boast at least a modicum of decency & respect. Had Tracy & Hepburn lived in today’s smut-driven tabloid universe they likely would not have survived & we would probably never have had the several amazing movies they made together.

Read: Oct.15/12

I have always wondered about their relationship and they really loved each other! All I can say is your ever lucky to find this.kind of love you better hold on to it!

Spencer Tracy has been one of my favorite actors since I was young and my dad and I watched "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World" on tv. Katharine Hepburn was never my top list, although I did love "The Philadelphia Story"and "African Queen". Of their movies together, my favorites are "Desk Set" and "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" so I picked up this book for a 12 day vacation that would include long flights. There was a lifetime of information (seriously) about both in this 500+ page biography, but well written and I enjoyed learning more about Spencer's wife and children and what a completely opposite person Katharine became when she was around Spencer and how she handled his alcoholism.

"She was a living legend, a symbol of fierce independence who defied convention to live life on her own terms. He was the greatest screen actor of all time, the personification of the rock-solid American male. During their twenty-six years together, Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy mesmerized the world with their famous on-screen chemistry like no other couple. Yet their private love affair - which ended only with Tracy's death in 1967 - remained shrouded in secrecy. Now, as Hepburn turns ninety, international best-selling author Christopher Andersen draws on his own extensive conversations with Kate - as well as those who knew the legendary duo intimately - to paint the first full, inspiring portrait of these beloved American icons and the life they shared."

Very good.

This was a far more detailed biography of Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy than I had previously read and I thoroughly enjoyed it especially since I have enjoyed all their old movies.

Twenty-seven years, that's how long the love affair of Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy lasted. The first book I ever read on these two remarkable people (Tracy and Hepburn) left me amazed by what they had accomplished in their film careers and introduced me to the beauty of their relationship with each other.

This book, by Christopher Anderson, helped me understand how "one of the greatest romances of our time" endured. Spencer had been married to the same woman for over forty years at the time of his death and the public was not aware that he and Katharine were romantically involved beyond the movie roles they played opposite each other. Mr. Anderson explains this phenomenon in the preface: "Out of respect for all three, the press did something for them it had done for no other figures of their prominence: it jealously guarded their secret."

Hepburn's pre-Tracy affairs and the extent of his erratic behavior are revealed as well as her tragic family history. A full range of some of Katharine's and Spencer's famous quotes are collected in this book, some of my favorites are: "Sometimes I wonder if men and women really suit each other. Perhaps they should live next door and just visit now and then. - Kate" and "I've been loved and I've been in love. There's a big difference. - Kate".

There are some things I'd just rather not know about folks I guess.

This book was really long and I skimmed over some of it. Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy were two of the biggest actors during the Hollywood Golden Age. Due to that fact, people glorify their relationship by calling it one the greatest romances of all time. What romance? He was married, an alcoholic, verbally abusive and often times did not show up for work. She cleaned up his messes, made excuses for him when he was on a bender, and sacrificed her career to make sure he was safe and clean. That is called enabling. I have known more than my fair share of couples who have behaved the exact same way as Spencer and Kate and no one would dare call those relationships "an affair to remember." In any event, I find it sad that someone as talented, smart and outspoken as Katharine Hepburn would put up with such nonsense from Spencer Tracy. She was no better than his wife in that regard -- a doormat.

I think we get blinded by the Hollywood spin when it comes to actors' and actresses' romances. Bad behavior always seems to be excused when it comes to the silver screen. We don't want to know that these people are human beings with feelings, flaws and bad habits and they are treated like they can do no wrong. If both Spencer and Katharine were alive today, I don't think this "romance" would go down in history quite the same way.

If you have seen some of Hepburn's work and want to learn more about her life behind the scenes, check out this book. Hepburn was an incredible woman and her relationship with Tracy is fascinating. The two of them interacted with the greatest stars of the time. The book is filled with a million anecdotes that you can use to drive your friends and family crazy. Like Hemingway goading Tracy, "Can't you just have a drink or two? Do you have to go till you're insensible?" A big theme of the book: no, Tracy couldn't have just one drink.

If you enjoy this book, check out Lauren Bacall's "By Myself and Then Some."

A wonderful, easy read. Warning: this is a romanticized telling of their relationship, but nonetheless enjoyable. If you are looking for a more realistic account, check out Spencer Tracy by James Curtis.