This biography of the legendary actress Hattie McDaniel starts with a lengthy description of her father's fight for benefits after serving in the Civil War and being wounded. It is important that Jill Watts included this section, because it helps the reader to understand where Ms. McDaniel got her tenacity.
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This biography not only tells you about Miss McDaniel, but also about where she came from and how she came to be the woman she was. The youngest daughter of a former slave and Union Army veteran, a woman of deep faith and love of family, and one of the hardest working people I've ever read about.
The story isn't just about her acting credits, which were substantial, but about her generosity and her bitter, long-lasting fight with Walter White of the NAACP regarding race relations. I've read a few of the biographies written on this fascinating lady, and this by far the best.
The lady fought for and earned her place in Cinema History, and Jill Watts documents her journey in an informative and interesting way.
The review of this Book prepared by Graceann Maciolek