Let's Face It: 90 Years of Living, Loving, and Learning
by Kirk Douglas
ISBN: 9780470084694

Douglas writes about his love for his wife, children, grandchildren, and his two dogs. (His son, Eric, died at 45 from alcohol and drugs.) Douglas discusses dealing with death, his fans, his life as a Jew, his fellow actors, and the dangers of being a celebrity.

 

In his illustration of name changing and it's affect on the person is very complicated when you really take it in for deeper thought. They had to deny a part of themselves, their heritage, to fit into American society. So, a man by a different name is indeed not the same man. The man before the name change did not deny anything about himself, that we know of; but think of the consequences of denying your heritage. How can you be yourself? How can you be the best you are when you cannot even carry a name that indicates your different and consequently perhaps not carry on your culture in daily life? Or maybe your a born & bred American that sees life differently than the typical American. How do you fit into the equation?

This issue hasn't changed to this day. Yes, people keep their unusual names and it's become a popular practice for celebrities to purposely give their children "Different" names. But, society at large expects us all to conform to what is expected of us and any differences are hated, shut-down, demeaned and demoralized. As the Chinese proverb goes...The nail that sticks up is hammered down.

Expectation of conformity is something I've lived through as an ambitious young woman with natural leadership skills. I was lead to believe by my parents and college that I have every opportunity I want at my finger tips with no problems. What I found was quite different. The American male managers & executives of the corporation didn't like me because I exhibited more leadership, ambition & skill than my male counterparts. This made them visibly uneasy and they allowed my young male colleague deliver their message. I was to be more submissive as many men in society still believe. One of my male colleagues bluntly put it, "Women don't belong in Architecture." I rebelled against that and they fired me, much to my manager's dismay (He was from South America & did not agree with typical American culture).

Like Kirk Douglas, what I found during that time of my life is that a large part of American society expects you to deny a part of yourself, bury it and do as everyone else does. Conform and be rewarded, rebel and walk the harder path. What Kirk is reflecting on is his sadness of the loss of that part of himself because he chose to conform. Rebels may have it harder but they are rarely sad as they stood up for what they believe in and that is the underlying message I got from this passage.

Don't deny yourself of your unique personality, abilities or culture or your happiness...you are the one who ultimately loses in the end.

I did NOT expect to be interested in this autobiography, yet I am intrigued by this opening selection. Thank you once again for stimulating reading, to say nothing of readers' comments!

I was wondering, for the people who have read this book, is it really worth reading?

I find this book delightful! I feel as though I'm sitting right there with him as he's telling me (and only me) his story!
Excellent -Read IT.

I enjoy reading your book. I found it fasinated. I wish that a lot more people felt the way that you felt about life or even just think the way that you think maybe this world would be a hole better then what it is now. If everybody would help other know matter if they have money or not maybe a lot of people would feel alot better about there self.