The Real Bettie Page: The Truth about the Queen of Pinups

From Library Journal
In this unauthorized biography of the 1950s pin-up phenomenon Bettie Page, Style Weekly's associate editor reveals new information about the pop icon's missing years. In 1957, at the height of her popularity, Page walked away from the glamour-girl lifestyle and disappeared until tracked down by reporters in 1992. Recent books and articles about the model, including her coauthored authorized biography, Bettie Page: The Life of a Pin-Up Legend (General Publishers Group, 1996), have left out seamier portions of her story, which Foster includes here. A chapter on Cyber Bettie gives web site addresses, including a hyperlink list to more than 400 images and text. An inventory lists selected book covers, comic books, and album and magazine covers. Although this work reads like a tabloid expose?Foster offers lots of speculation and not much insight?it will appeal to pin-up fans and, thanks to the reference material, collectors. Appropriate for larger public libraries.?Kelli N. Perkins, Herrick P.L., Holland, Mich.Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.


Entertainment Weekly
What was the dark secret of Bettie Page--the curvaceous black-banged pinup goddess who titillated 1950s America with S&M poses, abandoned her career in 1957, and disappeared?... journalist Foster, in this sensationalistic, albeit scrupulously researched book, reveals that in 1979 and 1982, Page (a diagnosed schizophrenic) tried to stab several people to death and was institutionalized.... An eloquent fan, he brings ... insight into her recent revival as a sex symbol.


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During the 1950s, she set hearts ablaze with her killer curves and girl-next-door smile. Her cheesecake modeling earned the adoration of industrialist Howard Hughes and a subpoena from vice-presidential candidate Estes Kefauver. Her images remain etched in our memories.


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