The Men in My Life

A Memoir of Love and Art in 1950s Manhattan

By: Patricia Bosworth

Narrated by: Patricia Bosworth

Length: 12 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

From Patricia Bosworth - acclaimed biographer of Montgomery Clift, Diane Arbus, Marlon Brando, and Jane Fonda - comes a series of vivid confessions about her remarkable journey into womanhood. This deeply felt memoir is the story of a woman who defied repressive 1950s conventions while being shaped by the notable men in her life.

Born into privilege in San Francisco as the children of famous attorney Bartley Crum and novelist Gertrude, Patricia and her brother, Bart Jr., lead charmed lives until their father's career is ruined when he defends the Hollywood Ten. The family moves to New York, suffering greater tragedy when Bart Jr. kills himself. However, his loving spirit continues to influence Patricia as she fights to succeed as an actress and writer.

Married and divorced from an abusive husband before she's 20, she joins the famed Actors Studio. She takes classes with Lee Strasberg alongside Marilyn Monroe, Paul Newman, and others; she works on Broadway opposite Paul Muni, Helen Hayes, and Elaine Stritch; Gore Vidal and Elia Kazan become her mentors. Her anecdotes of theatre's Golden Age have never been told before. At the zenith of her career, about to film The Nun's Story with Audrey Hepburn, Patricia faces a decision that changes her forever.

The Men in My Life is about survival, achieving your goals, and learning to love. It's also the story of America's most culturally pivotal era, told through the lens of one insider's extraordinary life.

©2017 Patricia Bosworth (P)2017 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Unflinching, Fascinating Memoir

Where does The Men in My Life rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of the best

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

The author's description of struggling to become a successful actress and how difficult it was despite her determination and talent.

What does Patricia Bosworth bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Her world-weary voice speaks of the struggles she went through with her family and her career.

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

I did cry at the end because in so many ways it's a sad saga of a typical American family.

Any additional comments?

Much more than a salacious tell-all (and there are lots of famous names in this book), this brave memoir tells the story of an affluent American family that struggles in the ways all families do: sexuality, identity, money and success. The author is absolutely courageous in detailing the mistakes she makes in trying to come to terms with herself as a woman and as an artist. For anyone interested in the process of acting, this would be fascinating.

i love Patricia Bosworth

i’m so glad i listened to this vs reading it.
In addition to the history of that amazing decade in theater, I really got to know this wonderful woman. i wish i could have met her.
RIP Patty.

This is a moving coming-of-age story

Bosworth writes well of growing up in the middle of the century in the world of ny theater and, to a lesser extent, journalism. It is sad that she died of covid-19 and is now lost to us. This book will help her be remembered. I plan to read her others as well.

Glad when this ended

Unless you are interested in Broadway of the 1950s, an actress who never made it big, and an alcoholic, but functional father, this is not for you. Why did I buy it? I was interested in a part of her career as a writer and editor that she barely touched upon