Dolly Parton 100 Remarkable Moments Book Review – Entertaining, Informative, A Must Have

Details

Category: Books

Published on Wednesday, 01 November 2023 21:00

Written by Janet Walker

Dolly Parton 100 Remarkable Moments in an Extraordinary Life, from Quarto Publishing Group, presents memories of country music queen, entertainer, and star of stage and screen, Dolly Parton from her humble beginnings to global humanitarian.

Told across eight sections, author Tracey E.W. Laird takes the reader on a chronological journey through key moments in the entertainer's life. Beginning with the "introduction" where the image of Dolly Parton vanishes as we are told of an imprint made by a butterfly from her childhood that has remained a constant in her life. She has been called the Iron Butterfly and we understand more about her from this simple introduction.

Entertaining is my Love Language Book Review – A Comprehensive Guide to Successful Parties

"Born to Tell Songs," chronicles her life from childhood through 1966 and as anyone who has heard the faintest whisper of Dolly Parton knows she was born in Gatlinburg, Tennessee with the Great Smoky Mountains as a backdrop. As you turn the page, a tapestry begins to develop and we see someone who was born with a destiny, unbeknownst to her at the time. As early as five she was writing songs, and without the means for "city" entertainment barnyard bands made-making music and entertainment part of family time.

By 1968 she had won a CMA award and was photographed along with Johnny Cash, Jeannie C. Riley, Glen Campbell, Chet Atkins, Porter Wagoner, and Tammy Wynette. She was introduced by Johnny Cash at 13 to sing at the Grand Ole Opry. By 1962, at 15, she was recording for Mercury Records.

Dolly Parton 100 Remarkable Moments in an Extraordinary Life is filled with many behind the scenes images and personal stories from media interviews given over the years. The book also includes "Big Dreams with Big Wings" chronicles from 1976 through 1980; "Find Your Place and Shine, 1981-1990," "Back to her Roots, 1991-2000," "A Twenty-First Century Cultural Icon, 2001 - 2013," and "Still Rocking, 2014 and Onward."

Sydney Pollack: A Subliminal Existentialist Book Review – Enlightening, Entertaining, A Treat

Limiting the work to only 100 remarkable moments, especially for such a multi-talented powerhouse entertainer, doesn't seem like it would be enough to cover the moments, but the author travels across the mountain peaks, with limited time in the valleys.

Obviously for many, the days of Dolly variety show were short lived with a few high moments and in the end even Dolly acknowledged the genre was exhausted and audiences had moved on. With her larger-than-life personality and persona, Dolly was a natural for the big screen and was a smash in comedy 9 to 5 starring Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin and of course, Dolly Parton, who penned the even bigger hit song, which is described as an anthem for "working class women."

The Brain Health Kitchen Book Review – Informative, Engaging, A Must Have (Recipe)

And so began her silver screen cross over career, with follow up hits like The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, and the role of Truvy in the tearjerker, Steel Magnolias. Each entry is complimented by a quote from Ms. Parton in reference to the moment. Of course, not everyone was a fan of Dolly's acting as the story is told, "The film's director Herb Ross," the author writes, "could be difficult and once snapped at Dolly, telling her she couldn't act." While on a press tour for the film she relayed the exchange and said, "Well, hell, I know I can't act! But that's your job. You're the director. You're supposed to help me with my acting. You hired me 'cause you thought I was gonna make you a lot of money. Now earn it."

As the book moves into more contemporary history, we see Dolly receiving a Kennedy Center Honor along with Steven Spielberg, Smoking Robinson, Andrew Lloyd Webber, and Zubin Mehta during the Presidency of George W. Bush. She was given an honorary doctorate from the University of Tennessee, inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and countless other awards and honors.

Food X Fire Book Review – Perfectly Prepared, Sizzling Over the Fire Cooking Techniques (Recipes)

She has written more than 3000 songs, including "I'll Always Love You," sung by Whitney Houston in the movie The Bodyguard, sang countless duets, sold more than 100 million records worldwide, been nominated for 50 Grammy winning and won eleven. She is the author of multiple books, a humanitarian, championed Covid-19 vaccine research with a million-dollar donation to Vanderbilt University and followed that with a second donation of equal value to Vanderbilts Division of Pediatric Infections.

Dolly Parton 100 Remarkable Moments in an Extraordinary Life allows readers a glimpse of a life well lived, based on faith, and a belief that all things are possible.

Dolly Parton 100 Remarkable Moments in an Extraordinary Life is available in bookstores and online. A must for collectors, fans and anyone needing a little inspiration.

Title: Dolly Parton 100 Remarkable Moments in an Extraordinary Life.

Author: Tracey E.W. Laird.

Publisher: Quarto Publishing Group USA Inc.

Cover Photo: Pictorial press/Alamy Stock Photo.

Length: 264 pages, Hardcover.

ISBN: 978-0-7603-8296-7.

MSRP: $24.99 (U.S.), $32.99 (CAN), £ 18.99 (UK).