Just Outside the Spotlight

Granted, this is not just any run of the mill mother. After all, how many of us have had a mom like Eileen Heckart? Any analogies one cares to make is pointless; Ms. Heckart was truly an original.

Luke Yankee's tribute is for a woman with complexities, loving and real. While not written as a homespun, apple pie confection, or worse yet, a crude tell-all, Mr. Yankee skillfully strikes a balance in recording the personal history of a woman whose persona burns through the pages. If you like your "star bios" straight up with a generous dash of reverence and a great amount of love, this is for you.

As a reader, you will be acquainted with a woman of enormous talent, great intellect and possessing a deep, beautiful soul. Yes, there is - as advertised - the wonderful backstory anecdotes generously told by Mr. Yankee, but the heart of this book is his mother's spirit: nurturing, maternal and wise.

It's not easy to be objective in documenting ones own mother. But Luke Yankee sure makes it look easy and in the process, provides his readership an incredible, insightful journey.

In our era of instant celebrity for the sake of celebrity , it is a delight to read an intelligent and touching biography
of an artist who worked hard on her career ,and dealt with life and family with ease, grace and wit.

The book is written with love by her son Luke Yankee, and actor/ director in his own rights .

I read a lot of biographies, and so can say that this is one of the more engaging ones that are a must have for anyone interested in theatre or even those interested in general biographies should pick up .

Highly recommended .

A phenomenal book giving hilarious and wise insights into the life and work of one of our greatest actresses from the unique perspective of her son. A must read for anyone in the performing arts or interested in the triumphs, tragedies and astonishing events in the life of a colorful and courageous creative artist.