I Am Not Ashamed

Sped through this Hollywood Babylonia about Barbara Payton, a talented actress whose need for self destruction was stronger than her need to act. Payton, through ghost writer Leo Guild, describes her tragic life with such campy relish that it becomes entertaining and funny. Formative moments in Payton's childhood, when she first learned to provide favors to boys, and later men, lead to her ultimate fall into prostitution. If you like this book, I recommend Hedy Lamarr's “Ecstacy and Me,” which Guild also ghost wrote.