Queen of Ice, Queen of Shadows: The Unsuspected Life of Sonja Henie

New York: Stein and Day. Near Fine in Fine dj. 1985. First Edition. Hardcover. [nice clean copy, very light shelfwear to bottom of book, no other significant wear; the jacket is in perfect condition, appears to have been protected by a mylar cover for its entire life (now replaced with a new one)]. (B&W photographs) Biography of the Norwegian figure-skating champion whose success as an American film star is one of those strange phenomena that inspire a kind of after-the-fact head-shaking. On-screen she was "a blonde bundle of energy" who skated through whatever improbable plot the 20th Century-Fox writers could dream up for her; off-screen was a different matter altogether, according to this book, co-authored by her brother. "Only those closest to her saw the Sonja possessed by an insatiable passion for money, diamonds, furs, and men. Lawsuits and hysterical attacks against her familiy were brought on by alcoholic binges; friends and business associates were spied upon, abused, and alienated; [etc.] Sonja took dozens of lovers, from among Hollywood's biggest stars and lowliest extras, and three husbands, but there was only one man she ever loved, Tyrone Power." (Lucky guy, eh? Maybe that's why he dropped dead of a heart attack at 44.) ****NOTE that additional postage charges will be assessed for international shipping of this moderately heavy book; if this concerns you, please contact us for a shipping quote before placing your order.**** .