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Geniuses are often difficult to live with and often not particularly admirable. We have seen this so many times, we oughtn't to be surprised. In the performing arts, we are part of the problem in our role as the audience. Most of what the Barrymores did was well below their abilities, and much is lost thanks to the ephemeral nature of live theatre and the nature of the film used in the early days which turned to jelly and are lost. Hence, we don't have all the evidence we need. This fine book redresses some of this, but cannot touch the essence of their art. Louisa Lane Drew was one of the greatest talents our country ever produced, her accomplishments are legendary. Thus it is fitting that the author examines her too. I might have titled the book, Louisa Lane Drew and the Three Barrymores. As a chronicle of a great era in our culture, this is a magnificent work. If Lionel and John were actors in spite of themselves, their achievements are all the more remarkable. I fell under Ethel's spell thanks to a photo of her in Captain Jinks in a photo book of plays and players. It showed the most beautiful young woman I'd ever seen and she just jumped off the page at me. I can see that in my mind's eye over fifty years later. Though the merits of the script might be highly dubious, it's one of an artist's duties to take something lesser and transform it into something greater. We've an inside look here at how plays and movies got made and learn more about many of the most significant workers in them. The author deserves our highest praise.