Kate: The Woman Who Was Hepburn

by William J. Mann

Book Overview

The first major Katharine Hepburn biography independent of her control reveals the smart, complicated, and sophisticated woman behind the image Onscreen she played society girls, Spencer Tracy's sidekick, lionesses in winter. But the best character Katharine Hepburn ever created was Katharine Hepburn: a Connecticut Yankee, outspoken and elegant, she wore pants whatever the occasion and bristled at Hollywood glitter. So captivating was her image that she never seemed less than authentic. But how well did we know her, really? Was there a woman behind the image who was more human, more driven, and ultimately more triumphant because ofher vulnerability? William J. Mann - a cultural historian and journalist, a sympathetic admirer but no mere fan - has fashioned an intimate, often revisionist, and truly unique close-up that challenges much of what? we think we know about the Great Kate. Previous biographies - mostly products of friends and fans - have recycled the stories she hid behind, taking Hollywood myths at face value. Mann goes deeper, delivering new details from friends and family who have not been previously interviewed and drawingon materials only available since Hepburn's death. With affection, intelligence, and a voluminous knowledge of Hollywood history, Mann shows us how a woman originally considered too special and controversial for fame learned the fine arts of movie stardom and transformed herself into an icon as durable and all-American as the Statue of Liberty.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0805076255
• ISBN13: 9780805076257
• Release Date: October 2006
• Publisher: Henry Holt & Company
• Length: 621 Pages
• Weight: 2.39 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.9" x 6.5" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Great read

I often skim movie star bios, but I rarely read them. The stories are often predictable (poor beginnings, meteoric rise, and dramatic fall which sometimes leads to a big comeback) and the prose is often purple. Writers will speculate on little, and that becomes the new story for that particular star. So, I was surprised when I began to read Mann's book about Hepburn and I found myself reading every word. His idea that Hepburn was always "Jimmy," a male alter-ego explains a lot about Hepburn in her ninety plus years. I also agree with him that her best and most progressive work was in the 30's when she hadn't "Tracy Lorded" herself yet, having to be broken for her "sins." He does have the unfortunate habit of using the nonstandard "due to the fact," and he makes a factual mistake when he writes that Hepburn's co-star in "Stage Door," Andrea Leeds, won the Acadamy Award. She was nominated, but no win. But otherwise, I recommend this book highly. And go watch "Bringing Up Baby," perhaps the greatest comedy in Hollywood history.

Great book

The book was great... arrived in time for Christmas giving. My girlfriend loved it. Thank you!

I Just Had to Say Something About Kate to WJM!

Dear Mr. Mann - Just finished a couple of weeks ago your bio of Katharine Hepburn and was just floored by how much I loved it. I have read at least 5 other bios of Kate and all of your novels as well, but your amazing attention to detail and research blew the other Kate books out of the water - even her own! I think it is the best Hollywood biography/autobiography that I have ever read AND simply one of the best books period!! And I read 6-8 books a month. I've purchased 6 other copies for Christmas gifts and can't wait to spread my enthusiasm. I now look forward to any writing project that you choose to do. Craig Whitaker

What a great book!

I probably wouldn't have gotten this book -- if it hadn't been excerpted in Vanity Fair a couple months ago. But I'm so glad I did. The writing's superb. What a look at Hollywood -- and its players and actors -- over the decades. I really knew very little about Katharine Hepburn before I picked up this book -- but I've got a much more complex, nuanced picture of her now. Just a very good read. Pick it up!

A great, enjoyable read and a must have for Kate collections!

The first thing I look for in any book is a great storytelling style; one that makes me want to turn the pages and leaves me happy that I bought the book. William Mann's story of Katharine Hepburn is certainly that kind of read. Enjoyable, witty and well researched. Never stiff or boring, he asks the questions that other bios have seemed to tip-toe around. What exactly were Ms Heburn's relationships like and with whom? There are tidbits of Kate's childhood that I found fascinating as well as tales of that old-guard Hollywood machine we know as the "Golden Age". While some might dismiss this book as all about "sex" I certainly didn't find it that way at all. This is more of a look at Katherine's many complex relationships with many interesting and certainly colorful people. Great Christmas gift for the Hollywood buff on your list!