Dietrich

Skarved's snazzy little volume, part of Haus's Life & Times series, pays homage to the glamorous star of Shanghai Express and Destry Rides Again. Showing Dietrich (1901-1992) as a woman who had impeccable""control of her persona and career,"" the author presents a chronological view of the actress's life, from her German youth to her Hollywood successes. Pull-out quotes (printed in red) and intriguing tidbits about Dietrich's life add pizzazz and colorful details. Despite its slim, pocket-sized format, the work is comprehensive; Skarved, who teaches screenwriting at London's Birkbeck College, paints a well-rounded portrait not only of the woman, but of the era in which she lived. Among the dramatic b&w and color photographs are images depicting the siren being showered with carnations after a 1963 Stockholm theater performance and of her donning a jacket and tie on her first Atlantic crossing in 1930.