Barefoot to the Chin - The Fantastic Life of Sally Rand

Chris Rubel noted Sally's "honest, often pithy expressions and insights." Sally, in her own words, could be a book in itself, her voice is so strong, clear, and defining. It is no coincidence that the author opens this book with a short introduction that includes an epigraph of Sally looking back at her career and musing about fame and a page and a half musing on celebrity autobiography and providing some thoughts on the one many had hoped from her. The foundation of this biography is laid then and there. Trust the author when he writes, "Truth be told, Sally's was a far more interesting life than she modestly acknowledged." As Senor stressed, Sally's boldness and independence are evident throughout. And, as Mr. Keller stated, she was "a truly nice person in so many ways." It's no coincidence that an anonymous donor, later revealed to be Sammy Davis, Jr., paid her substantial, outstanding hospital bill after she died. In their days together in Vaudeville when Sally was flush, she had helped Sammy's father and his friend, Bill "Bojangles" Robinson when they were not. Buy this book, read it as intended - take your time, follow the footnotes and endnotes with the text, examine the related photos, and go to all the YouTube and other internet links - you will be well rewarded with an experience akin to a graduate seminar with a favorite professor. Readers of this book may also enjoy John Updike's late novel In the Beauty of the Lilies, which examines many of the issues running through this book over much the same period. --David Savelle

Very interesting reading. My grandmother came from Finland and chose to change her name to Sally from ezilleah , because of this fancy Lady.

This was an excellently documented , interesting, and researched biography. The story would make an excellent movie. Hope that happens! I knew Sally for about 15 weeks in 1959 when she was doing her show at a cabaret in Chicago while I was a student at Northwestern University. She was a truly nice person in so many ways. Her body was in excellent shape and that of course was aided by her full body stocking.

This is a long book, but very good and very readable. It is easy on the eyes and divided into bite size chunks. I found myself reading all the footnotes so as not to miss the additionsl fascinating morsels of information. So much of interest about all the expositions and world fairs and famous people in the 1920s, 30s, and 40s. A delight for anyone interested in American history

Interesting but way too much detail. Wouldn't have finished it if Sally wasn't my Dad's cousin.

Well done from start of Sally Rand's life until the end.

I just started reading it and I love it. The photos are great.

New book, received quickly.