My Life in Focus

A Photographer's Journey with Elizabeth Taylor and the Hollywood Jet Set

By: Gianni Bozzacchi, Joey Tayler

Narrated by: James Killavey

Length: 9 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's summary

When Gianni Bozzacchi accepted an assignment as a photographer on the set of The Comedians (1967), he didn't know that his life was about to change forever. His ability to capture the beauty of candid moments drew the attention of the film's star, Elizabeth Taylor, and prompted her to hire him as her personal photographer. Not only did he go on to enjoy a jet-set life as her friend and confidant - preserving unguarded moments between the violet-eyed beauty and Richard Burton as they traveled the world - but Bozzacchi also became an internationally renowned photographer and shot some of the biggest celebrities of the 1960s and 1970s.

In My Life in Focus, Bozzacchi traces his journey from humble beginnings to the sphere of the rich and famous. His passion for taking pictures and his ability to put his subjects at ease enabled him to capture stunning images of some of the greatest stars of the 20th century, including Audrey Hepburn, Steve McQueen, Raquel Welch, Mia Farrow, Clint Eastwood, and the royal family of Monaco.

This lively memoir provides an invaluable behind-the-scenes look at the business of filmmaking and the perils of celebrity.

The book is published by The University Press of Kentucky.

©2017 The University Press of Kentucky (P)2017 Redwood Audiobooks

Critic reviews

" My Life in Focus offers a unique look at the business of filmmaking and the perils of celebrity during the 1960s and 1970s." (Douglass K. Daniel, author of Tough as Nails: The Life and Films of Richard Brooks)

"This book is full of fascinating revelations, even for someone like myself who has been a close friend of Gianni's for nearly 50 years." (Christopher Wilding, Elizabeth Taylor's son)

"An extraordinary book about a young boy in neorealismo post-World War II Rome who, through the lens of a camera, grows up to photograph the great stars of cinema and royalty." (Jay Kanter, former chairman of production of MGM-Pathe/MGM Communications)

Very Good Bio

Would you consider the audio edition of My Life in Focus to be better than the print version?

No only because no pictures. But I was able to find tons of his photos through Google.

What did you like best about this story?

Inside the lives of the jet setters by one who was there.

What about James Killavey’s performance did you like?

I thought maybe the author should have narrated it himself but then checked him out on youtube. Heavy accent would have made it hard to follow so I see why publisher got someone else and he was fine.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Both.

Real Life

Would you listen to My Life in Focus again? Why?

No. Good book but once was enough.

What did you like best about this story?

Showed what the stars of the time were really like...beyond the tabloids.

Which scene was your favorite?

Bar hopping with Richard Burton, Peter O'Toole and others.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes - two times - but don't want to give spoilers.

Any additional comments?

Good combo...very good book and good narration.

Excellent

If you could sum up My Life in Focus in three words, what would they be?

Stardom Rags-to-Rices Attainment

What other book might you compare My Life in Focus to and why?

Really can't think of anything like this

What about James Killavey’s performance did you like?

Reader did a good job and I liked his style, but....best to check the sample. He is obviously from the East Coast and may not be everybody's cup of tea. So do the sensible thing...listen before you buy.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

There was a lot of both in this book. Quite a tour de force.

Any additional comments?

I grew up in the heyday of the celebrities the author met and sometimes more than that.
( Like his tryst with Bridgett Bardot ! ) I found his life story fascinating as was the "real" info on the members of "the jet set."

Rags to Riches and Life with the stars

What made the experience of listening to My Life in Focus the most enjoyable?

Just a very good and true story of a kind of Italian Horatio Alger. Went from sleeping in the hallway of his parents house to living with the greatest stars of the time...Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton.

What was one of the most memorable moments of My Life in Focus?

His visit with Princess Grace and Prince Ranier

Have you listened to any of James Killavey’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

One of my favorite narrators. Did his usual good job which could not have been easy. Lots of tough names and places as well as a smattering of Italian.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

There were moments of both. Some very funny true stories but...without giving any spoilers..the author had some real tragedies in his life.

Any additional comments?

Finished the whole thing in two days. It usually takes a week for a book of this size but this one made it hard to stop. Excellent.

Kept my interest all the way.

Would you listen to My Life in Focus again? Why?

Yes...after a year or so it would be worth revisiting.

What was one of the most memorable moments of My Life in Focus?

Too many to cite.

Which scene was your favorite?

Meeting with Princess Grace.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Did both a number of times.

Any additional comments?

Very interesting book. particularly if you grew up in the "jet set" era.

Terrible narration

The guy reading this is awful and annoying! I can’t listen to another word!waste of money!