Holiday tells her story in her own words, although some have questioned her memory on several accounts. She recalls her adolescence in Harlem of the ‘20s, her rise to jazz fame with the finest musicians playing the best clubs, and her confrontations with racial prejudice. She doesn’t skirt the hardships--her abusive relationships, addiction to heroin, imprisonment, and loss of her club card which prevented her from performing in New York.

This is an entertaining read for anyone interested in the life and career of the great jazz singer Billie Holiday. With regards to jazz standards, Holiday wrote or co-wrote “God Bless the Child,” “Don’t Explain,” and “Fine and Mellow.” She introduced many more standards and helped popularize dozens with her intense and personal style. Lady Sings the Blues gives you a chance to read her story in her words. There is no index.

William Dufty was a columnist, broadcaster, speechwriter, radio producer, award-winning journalist, and free-lance writer for The New York Post. His interest in macrobiotics led to his books You Are All Sanpaku and the expose on the evils of sugar, Sugar Blues. He also authored the autobiography of his wife, Gloria Swanson, Swanson on Swanson.