Unsinkable

A Memoir

By: Debbie Reynolds, Dorian Hannaway

Narrated by: Debbie Reynolds

Length: 10 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's summary

The definitive memoir by legendary actress and performer Debbie Reynolds - an entertaining and moving story of enduring friendships and unbreakable family bonds, of hitting bottom and rising to the top again - that offers a unique and deeply personal perspective on Hollywood and its elite, from the glory days of MGM to the present.

In the closing pages of her 1988 autobiography Debbie: My Life, Debbie Reynolds wrote about finding her "brave, loyal, and loving" new husband. After two broken marriages, this third, she believed, was her lucky charm. But within a few years, Debbie discovered that he had betrayed her emotionally and financially, nearly destroying her life.

Today, she writes, "When I read the optimistic ending of my last memoir now, I can't believe how naive I was when I wrote it. In Unsinkable, I look back at the many years since then, and share my memories of a film career that took me from the Miss Burbank Contest of 1948 to the work I did in 2012.... To paraphrase Bette Davis: Fasten your seatbelts, I've had a bumpy ride."

Unsinkable shines a spotlight on the resilient woman whose talent and passion for her work have endured for more than six decades. In her engaging, down-to-earth voice, Debbie shares private details about her man and money troubles, including building and losing her Las Vegas dream hotel and her treasured Hollywood memorabilia collection. Yet no matter how difficult the problems, the show always goes on.

Debbie also invites us into the close circle of her family, speaking with deep affection and honesty about her relationships with her children, Carrie and Todd Fisher. She looks back at her life as an actress during Hollywood's Golden Age - "the most magical time you could imagine" - including her lifelong friendship with (and years-long estrangement from) the legendary Elizabeth Taylor. Here, too, are stories that never reached the tabloids about numerous celebrities, such as Ava Gardner, Clark Gable, Frank Sinatra, Mick Jagger, Gene Kelly, and many more. She takes us on a guided tour through her movies with delightful, often hilarious behind-the-scenes anecdotes about every film in which she was involved, from 1948 to the present.

Frank and forthright, and featuring dozens of previously unseen photos from Debbie's personal collection, Unsinkable is a poignant reminder that there is light in the darkest times. It is a revealing portrait of a woman whose determination is an inspiration.

Download the accompanying reference guide.

©2013 Maxray Productions, Inc. (P)2013 HarperCollins Publishers

Brilliant!!

This is a brilliant book! Very interesting, highly entertaining and deeply insightful. Loved it and I now have a new-found appreciation of the history of Hollywood told by real people with real lives.

absolutely well told

I thoroughly enjoyed Debbie ' s stories of her many husbands and her tenacity in keeping her dreams of a museum. Now that she has passed, I hope someone will carry on and one day have a museum the way she had always wanted.

Wonderful history of Debbie and Theater

I really enjoyed hearing Debbie read this story of her life as she added so much of her spirit to all that she has experienced. It wasn’t an easy time but she always pushed forward. I am glad it all worked out for her but it really didn’t till she was able to sell all her theater memorabilia. Thanks Debbie

Star’s and Strikeouts

Hearing about the behind the scenes of film making, about the well known actors and directors is fascinating. The failures in her personal life and ability to survive exemplifies courage.

A huge fan

I thought I knew about most of MS. Reynolds’s work. But alas I didn’t realize there was so much more ! He narrated life was west and full of complexities which she never complains of those who took advantage of her. She just kicked up her heals and kept on. I am now inclined to read or listen to her other books as well as Carry’s.

Enjoyed it very much

Loved it! Yes read it. Brought us back to that wonderful era of old Hollywood

A New Fan = Fabulous Life Story

During Covid-19 I am reading/listening to more biographies. I liked Debbie Reynolds and I love classic movies., now I am a big Debbie Reynolds fan. This book is terrific. It’s perfect as her narration made me feel like she was having a conversation with just me. I appreciate how the first part of the book starts out at the later stage of her life and almost 1/2 way she gives all the details of her fabulous journey in a career in entertainment. She’s honest, she gives plenty of teaser tidbits on other celebrities from back in the day, she’s a joyful person. What a family! I have since listened to Todd’s book and Carrie’s too. Todd’s is fantastic, -what a life.

What a life.

I listened to this after watching the HBO documentary. She had quite the life and I am so happy I was able to hear it from her own lips. What a consummate professional she was.

Hollywood Royalty in All Her Sarcastic Glory

I so loved Debbie Reynolds. When I was a little girl I'd watch her movies on the Sunday Family Film Festival and would sing along with her and she was just such a bright, lovely light. AND she was mom to one of my all-time favorite actresses so bonus points there! Debbie Reynolds was a tough cookie, had a big heart, was a consummate professional and lived to entertain others. She was Hollywood royalty and til the very moment of her death wore that crown divinely. Was she perfect? Nope, and she admits it. Here she talks about the more important events in her life; the heartbreak she experienced at not fulfilling her dream of a true Hollywood museum comes through in her narration. I always appreciate when an author narrates their own books and I'm so glad she was able to do that for Unsinkable. I find her voice pleasant and felt a mix of delight and comfort listening to her talk. To the naysayers who think she sounded awful or spoke with forced or odd inflections...have you seen any of her movies? She always had that pseudo-trans-Atlantic Hollywood delivery. And for Pete's sake she was, what...80??...when she narrated the book? Go narrate a book when you're 80 and let's hear how you sound, good lord. Hey if you're a fan of Debbie Reynolds, get the book, it's a good read/listen

Pure Debbie Reynolds, funny and interesting!

I loved this autobiography and it was an extra bonus that it was narrated by the author. She is witty, self-deprecating, and full of great stories from Hollywood and her adventurous life. If you are looking for a good celebrity read, this is a great choice.