This substantial and very well researched biography of Bob Fosse is also beautifully and clearly written. Fosse was a dancer from a young age as a boy in Chicago. His dancing became a source of income for his family. Vaudeville and burlesque followed. His early sexual experiences with dancers as a largely unsupervised teen affected the rest of his life. One stripper he worked with said “He is the greatest lay I have ever had in my life. There is absolutely no one more sexually competent than this man.” Apparently that skill translated to dancing and choreography.

Fosse was a complicated man. Addicted to Dexedrine and cigarettes, “sex and work” seemed to be the only things to make him feel whole. Success was as debilitating as failure, and Fosse didn’t have much failure, although he felt like one.

Sam Wasson interviewed over three hundred of Fosse’s “dancers, friends, family, lovers, collaborators and enemies.” What he uncovered was “the common theme was love: Fosse’s for them, theirs for him.” It shows in this book. ( )

Outstanding biography of a complex, driven, self-destructive artist plagued by doubt and distrust. ( )

This volume has everything you've ever wanted to know about famous choreographer (and actor) Bob Fosse. Still known for his distinctive style and thru the movie "All That Jazz," Fosse led a remarkable life. He was the epitome of a narcissistic, brilliant, charismatic, but ultimately troubled artist. I don't generally read biographies but I found this one fascinating (if a bit overfull of details). Amazing guy. ( )

FOSSE is a great read. I have no great affinity for choreographers so I wouldn't normally pick up this book except that it received a good review in the NY Times and I do like so many of the musicals that Fosse choreographed and even directed. There is more detail than I need on each production that he was involved in, but it is the arc of his life that interested me. He was a womanizer despite having had several wives but the ex-wives continued to like and respect Fosse. His leading ladies normally slept with him as did the young girls he would select for the chorus but it was never seedy. All were consensual; Fosse knew he had a problem in that he couldn't stay with one woman but it never comes off as mean, seedy or deceitful. Fosse was very open about everything he did and kept no secrets from his various wives and lovers who sometimes worked together with Fosse. He was considered a genius and greatly admired by those he worked with. The book offers a great view into musical making and movie making. I highly recommend it. I am glad I read it. ( )

Why this book? It's the book that inspired the series on FX/Hulu, which is the best thing I've watched in a long time.

Bob Fosse, ebook, star bio, Hollywood, theatre