Ashley Judd Books

I've met Ashley Judd during her humanitarian work, was impressed and wanted to learn more about her history. Unfortunately this unauthorized "biography" speculates based on press stories and pop psychology. If I had known it was unauthorized I would never have wasted my money. So I recommend that you do not waste yours!

When you see a book written by James Dickerson, you'd better roll up your sleeves . The veteran reporter/author leaves no stone unturned when he takes on a subject and he's picked a great one to follow his book about Natalie Portman.

Here he checks out Ashley Judd from all angles and perspectives and does so in a fair, thorough and neat manner. It's also a flowing, enjoyable read thanks to his writing skills as he manages to weave Ashley's biography, her life and times, in and around her famous mother and sister -- Wynonna and Naomi Judd.

Dickerson likes battlers and he's got one here. Despite the success of her mom and sister, Ashley's life has not been an easy one by any means and we're swept into the passions and obstacles that helped give us this remarkable actress. We're left with the impression that Ashley Judd is just now starting to come into her own. Even though she's well-established as an actress her best work my be yet to come.

Photos enhance this book which is beautifully packaged and the cover draws you into her life. Her fans, new and old, will not want to miss this one and neither will the fans of the Judds.

From the moment I began to read the story of Ashley Judd -
"Crying on the Inside", I knew that James L. Dickerson had risen the ladder of greatness in the world of publishing.

Like many of Ashley's fans, I knew of her famous family ties with her mother Naomi and her sister Wynonna, as the award winning country duo "The Judds".

Ashley's story of isolation and abandonment, in both her personal and professional life, is revealed in stark reality to a public relations, glossy magazine article.

James has most effectively written about the struggle and iron-clad determination that Ashley has imbedded in her soul and psyche. She is a true perfectionist, down to the last detail.

This is not simply a story being told for print. Page by page it peels through the layers of an outstanding actress and individual, to reveal the pearl within the hard shell. Priceless and demanded!

James, I'm honoured that you asked me to review this for you. I can't wait for the next one:) Thank you! Diana

Gosh, about half way through the book I began to really bond with this woman as a character and totally look at her mother and sister in a new way. Lovely, beautiful woman with sensitive, brilliant heart.

any story about these extrodinary women is a keeper. this book especially was. it included more on ashley and gave recent details. in my book the judds are #1!!

Given the subject matter -- 3 very successful women and the obstacles they had to overcome -- this book had the potential to be a great read. Unfortunately, it turned out to be barely readable. Not only is the prose plodding and cliche'-ridden. It's difficult to follow. For example. On one page, Naomi's (Dianna's) brother is a 14-year-old dying in 1964. On the next page, he has died in 1965 at the age of 17. Huh??? What really forced me to lay the book down without finishing it was a horrible factual error. The author has Hank Williams dying in 1952. Anyone calling himself a Country Music fan knows Hank died January 1, 1953. For the author of a biography of country music stars not to know that -- or at least research it -- is the ultimate in sloppy reporting. If you want a good country music book, try "Dreaming Out Loud" by Bruce Feiler.

Luckily, I picked this poorly written book up at the library before buying. The jacket is convincing, as is the fact that the author had 35-36 yrs experience as a journalist etc. But his innumerable errors border on the ridiculous, including his constant referral to the Merv Griffen show as the "Merv Griffeth Show". His commentary is calculating, biased, and just plain nonsensical. PLEASE, don't waste your time!

I have read almost every book and article written on the Judds. There is no way this author did anything but rehash info from other publications. The typos and mis-statements are so bad that I cannot believe that a reputable publisher would print this. At one point the author attributes a quote to Naomi that is actually some lyrics from the song "John Deere Tractor" which the Judds recorded. This book was a total waste of money. I put it down about half way through and have no desire to finish it. I agree that a country music fan's dollars are much better spent on books like "Love Can Build a Bridge" or "Dreaming Out Loud".

I did enjoy reading this book, but agree with the reader in Virginia, that the story was difficult to follow at times. The editing in this book was far from meeting my expectations. There are several typos and word reversals throughout the book. One thing stated which really baffled me was the author's statment that Naomi was quite upset by Princess Diana's death in 1997 because Naomi and Princess Diana shared the same birthday. Just a few pages prior to that statement it was stated that Naomi's birthday is January 11 and Princess Diana's birthday was July 1. Where did the author get his information on that one? It made me wonder what other information is his book was incorrect.