I have always been skeptical of Lady Day. Diana Ross’ portrayal in lady sings the blues doesn’t shine the best light of the struggles and the relentless pressure Billie put on herself to stay off drugs. This book made me FEEL how it felt to be a black women struggling to be better than what she came from in a time period when being BLACK And a WOMAN was very DIFFICULT. I love her honesty and the fact that she bore her soul even though she knew that this book may not change anyone’s perception that she was a singing drug addict and nothing more.

I first read this in paper back form well over 20 years ago it's as magical and as soothing to me now as it was then. Yea historians say she stretched the truth here and their but to me this is how she wished to be remembered and who really can complain about that?

Billie's often tragic story, in her own voice. Fast paced and emotionally involving while remaining conversational in tone, this is the next best thing to pulling up a barstool and hearing about the trials and triumphs from Lady Day herself. A must read for anyone interested in music 1930s/40s culture, or black history.