Leading Lady

Sherry Lansing and the Making of a Hollywood Groundbreaker

By: Stephen Galloway

Narrated by: Kirsten Potter

The definitive biography of movie executive and philanthropist Sherry Lansing traces her groundbreaking journey to become the first female head of a major motion picture studio, shares behind-the-scenes tales from movie sets and Hollywood boardrooms, and explains what inspired her to walk away from it all to start the Sherry Lansing Foundation.

©2017 Stephen Galloway (P)2017 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"An energetic and entertaining story, filled with divas, tantrums, and abundant Hollywood gossip...[ Leading Lady] is a brisk, breezy look at the turbulent world of moviemaking." ( Kirkus Reviews)

Working your way to the top with grace and integrity.

Ms Lansing's book is an exemplary model of how to work your way through corporate America with dignity, integrity and grace as a woman.

Although Ms. Lansing has achieved such monumental levels of success, it was very relatable to hear that she deals in real life like everyone else. I believe most women could relate to staying in their home for several days after a bad romantic break up,

The current chapter of her life shares of the importance of giving back to the community, in her case at a national level.

It strengthens the belief that when one volunteers or
works in the nonprofit world there is a self satisfaction that comes from helping others.

I have admired Ms. Lansing's career for many years I really enjoyed reading her story.

Insightful look at the business of Hollywood

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. Interesting to see how the business works and the sometimes preposterous things that you have to deal with. Loved hearing it from a woman's perspective. Sometimes there were too many industry "name drops" and could get confusing as to who is who, but the story still holds.

A masterclass on hollywood

Ms Lansing is a remarkable woman. Everything you could ever want to know or learn about hollywood is all here.

One of the best Hollywood Memoirs!!

What made the experience of listening to Leading Lady the most enjoyable?

Following Lansing's career, as well as very good narration by Kirsten Potter, made it a great read/listen. Potter did very well with emotion, etc.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Lansing.

What about Kirsten Potter’s performance did you like?

Kirsten Potter made it a great read/listen. Potter did very well with emotion, etc. She did great when doing different characters that are talking to each other as well as emoting Lansing's feelings. One of the best narrators I have heard!!!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No.

Written like a romance novel

And that's OK if you enjoy that, but it's a strange choice for a biography of a major executive. Lansing is written about like a celebrity, with novelistic flourishes, while very basic facts about the industry that anyone with a pedestrian understanding of Hollywood would know, are overexplained. It's more like a People magazine feature than a business book. I wonder who the intended audience is, because I imagine most people interested in reading about Lansing would have (or want) a serious understanding of the business.

Engaging

I loved this book. Sherry’s life is so remarkable and inspiring, you feel you really know her by the end of the book.

LOVED IT!

What an inspiring and fascinating book. Sherry is an icon and this book did an incredible job of encapsulating her journey from actress to studio mogul to philanthropist. Can't recommend highly enough. Even for non-entertainment business listeners, the stories of how challenging it is to get any movie made will make you appreciate film even more.

Absolutely Loved It!!!!!

Any additional comments?

This is a fantastic book about of one of the most storied people in Hollywood. Sherry is REAL and this book really showcases her talents and presents her as a real friend who is concerned with humanity. Ironically, her future is brighter than her past. Her founding of and involvement with Stand UP to Cancer is the next chapter!!!!

Strange

Starts off strong. Inspiring woman. Impressive career. But somewhere along the way you realize this is actually an autobiography in the third person. By the end it becomes brutal Trump-age self aggrandizement. The author offers no additional insight or counterpoint to Lansing's views.

BORING

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

no one

What was most disappointing about Stephen Galloway’s story?

it was so boring, I do not think insiders would even read it...nothing new here

Would you be willing to try another one of Kirsten Potter’s performances?

NO No No this women cannot pronounce proper names let alone simple words.....her Mother was MARGO.....NOT MARGOAT......truly disappointing.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Leading Lady?

the self serving ones, it was clear this was a rose colored look at her life, the texture was not there

Any additional comments?

I am pleading to producers of audio books to check the narration before releasing