Shirley Booth’s inspiring story of absolute determination to succeed despite all obstacles.

In 1963, the Hazel theme music played to an applauding audience, as sixty-four-year-old Shirley Booth stepped up to the stage for her second Emmy Award. As Hazel, her superb comedic and dramatic skills resulted from arduous years of perfecting her minimalist approach to acting.

More than fifty years earlier, Shirley first stepped onto the stage against the wishes of her father. How could Shirley Booth achieve so much success as an actress, winning every major acting award possible, without formal dramatic training?

Jim Manago chronicles Shirley Booth’s many years of radio broadcasting, including Duffy’s Tavern, playing in stock theater roles, and starring in successful and abortive Broadway shows until she finally reached beyond her award-winning Broadway performance in Come Back, Little Sheba (1950) for which she earned a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play, and later the film version (1952), for which she won an Academy Award and Golden Globe Award for Best Actress.

Relive her entire career, including the critical receptions to Shirley’s performances, through interviews with her friends and associates, and most notably, her own words, to understand her distinct philosophy of life.

I thought I knew about this talented lady, Shirley Booth, from the awards for theater and movies and the wonderful television show. However, Jim Manago’s book gives much more about her life and career. It’s a very good read with so many beautiful pictures, and I’m delighted I found it, and highly recommend this book. -Wanda L. Clark, Lucille Ball’s personal secretary, in The Brooklyn Daily Eagle (11/14/08)