It Seemed Important at the Time: A Romance Memoir

I had heard lots good things about Anderson Cooper's new book about his mother, Gloria Vanderbilt, and when I ran across this book I decided to start with it since I know nothing about her, other than for the fact that she is a wealthy woman. I was sorely disappointed in this book. She comes across as such a shallow person who is totally self-absorbed that it made me dislike her enough not to want to even finish the book. I got tired of all her self-adoration and put the book down for good. This book is little more than a listing of all the men she apparently slept with and her crowing about how talented she is. B_O_R_I_N_G!

Growing up having anything with Gloria Vanderbilts name on it meant. You were styling! It was really interesting reading about her life and loves. I have not read little gloria but it is definatly on my list!

Gloria seems very spoiled and no wonder. She has had a very interesting life but seems most interested in herself.

It makes you wonder how she every had a wonderful son like Anderson Cooper. He seems so down to earth and very concerned with the world and the people in it.

Gloria seems only interested in ME, ME, Me.

This is a wonderful book by a talented woman from a wealthy and famous family. this book is short, insightful and lyrically about the ups and downs of a woman born into a famous family. it reveals her struggle to survive, her marriages, one to Pat Dicicco(who abused her), Leopold Stokowski, a legendary conductor, film director, Sidney Lumet and C Wyatt Cooper, and her affairs with Howard Hughes, Bill Paley, Frank Sinatra and Marlon Brando.
Gloria Vanderbilt knew famous people and writes about parties in hr apartment with people like Truman Capote, Judy Holiday, Harold Arlen and others.She writes about her seven- year acting career, which she did not like, and her career as a writer. I like reading about Gloria's commitment to her painting, which she excelled, despite family problems.When you read this book you will see what it takes to survive in a world where life is unpredicable and where money cannot protect you from evil.
Gloria Vanderbilt has always remained optimistic about life, through all her ups and downs, unlike her son Andrson Cooper, who is pessimistic about life. When you read this book, you will find yourself in it, and I think what you learn about the so-called poor little rich girl, will enrich your life and make you stronger. Gloria Vanderbilt is a symbol of beauty, elegance, polish, fashion, and creativity.

I believe it is important to always honor oneself: through your decisions, mistakes, pains, loss and experiences. When looking back on your life and the memories you've made, the bad tattoos, the stupid flings, the comebacks you keep rehearsing and will never have the chance to fire back at antagonists, honor yourself and just... be... you, and know WHO you are! Gloria Vanderbilt has done that. The title of this piece is perfect for the story and for a memoir. It seems that Gloria Vanderbilt lived a Disney Princess' existence. The supporting characters responded around her sometimes in fairytale ways and sometimes in human error but usually with a combination of the two. Ever noticed how so many Disney main characters don't have mothers present? GV's mom was less than lucid and somewhat driven by recreant indulgence and so the girl GV was raised by an aunt. This mother hungry set seem always slightly broken but well weathered and somehow easier to pull for, more worth sympathizing with. Albeit there is nothing here to feel sorry about: Ms. Vanderbilt won't let you!

She has had a good time, has loved love, loving and gettin' lots of lovin' and never had to apologize because she's quick to flitter off to the next episode guided by celebrity invitation and supercharged but shrouded crushes . The sumptious pictures really help complete and fill in the elegance of the story. She's never full of herself and is a refreshingly hard worker. That lack of fullness could have added a little edge to the memoir, but the absence of self-puffing is reflected in her loose end romances and the expression on her beautiful face featured on this extremely readable and decadent memoir. More of the shining stars who light up our guilty pleasure loving lives should take such an approach. Sexy and classy!

I read White Knight Black Knight several years,ago and was captivated by Ms. Vanderbilt's writing style and her ability to totally draw you into the world as it was in the 1940 's as a young woman experiencing life in wartime and what it felt like to be in love. My mother grew up in exactly the same time frame and it was a different world then. I found this book fascinating and find her to be a very talented, accomplished woman with a great capacity for love and writing.

I enjoyed reading this book. Parts of the book are factual and the rest of it is pure emotion, rich with the author's thoughts, observations and feelings about events in her life, sometimes happy, sometimes funny, sometimes sad. Nobody in life gets to pick the family they are born into. Regardless of her background, Gloria's book is about the struggle we all face, in trying to find meaning in this life with the means that we have and in making it with the best that we've got. Some parts of the book are written like thoughts going through her mind, and like all thoughts, they sometimes retrace their steps back to lead to different conclusions.

This is an endearing quick read. Thanks to the author for her honesty.

I wanted this book after reading a commentary by Vanderbilt's son, Anderson Cooper. He was reflecting on how we adults never really like to think about, let alone read about our parents sex lives and his mother asked him to proofread her romance memoir. He played up the more racy parts of the book, which turned out to be the only racy parts of the book.

This book is not so much about romance, as it is about a woman finding he own way in the world. Gloria Vanderbilt was, of course, born rich and influential. She ran with the young and beautiful of Hollywood's golden age. She also struggled between being the proper young lady her controlling aunt expected and her desire to be noticed by her self-absorbed and very troubled mother.

It is not long or terrible complicated, but it is more moving than I had expected.

Many of us have romances & marriages fraught with hurt, lust & drama but I really think that as adults there are certain areas of your life that should remain private. Writing books for the world to read just cheapens these past relationshps. There is nothing to brag about if you flew to California to have a one night stand with a famous actor (Brando). Nothing to brag about committing adultery with the husband of a "friend". Now we are all capable of using poor judgement but to "brag" about it is something else. Vanderbilt seems to think it is okay for her grown sons to know all these things about her past romantic life. I think it is totally inappropriate. There are certain boundaries that should be set between parents & children for their welfare & the parents too. Interesting how Goria always whines about her "dream of having a close relationship with my mother" when the reality is that the poor silly woman died almost destitute & Gloria, as a an adult, told her to go to hel. Such is what really happened not this dreamy world of "lost mother love". Depicts herself in a very shallow way with no real understanding of her own behavior or the ability to see faiings of herself. Vanderbilt seems to have lived learning nothing from her life. Too bad about her son which really was a tragedy. In that she does seem to take it in but no where else.

Many of us have romances & marriages fraught with hurt, lust & drama but I really think that as adults there are certain areas of your life that should remain private. Writing books for the world to read just cheapens these past relationshps. There is nothing to brag about if you flew to California to have a one night stand with a famous actor (Brando). Nothing to brag about committing adultery with the husband of a "friend". Now we are all capable of using poor judgement but to "brag" about it is something else. Vanderbilt seems to think it is okay for her grown sons to know all these things about her past romantic life. I think it is totally inappropriate. There are certain boundaries that should be set between parents & children for their welfare & the parents too. Interesting how Goria always whines about her "dream of having a close relationship with my mother" when the reality is that the poor silly woman died almost destitute & Gloria, as a an adult, told her to go to hel. Such is what really happened not this dreamy world of "lost mother love". Depicts herself in a very shallow way with no real understanding of her own behavior or the ability to see faiings of herself. Vanderbilt seems to have lived learning nothing from her life. Too bad about her son which really was a tragedy. In that she does seem to take it in but no where else.

Here is some Hollywood history written by Gloria Vanderbilt. The book is a quick read, and the stories she tells about all her famous boyfriends like Howard Hughes, Marlon Brando, Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra are amazing.

I couldn't put this book down. I loved reading about the Glamorous and Romantic life Gloria Vanderbilt has lived.

IT SEEMED IMPORTANT AT THE TIME: A ROMANCE MEMOIR by entertaining writer, Gloria Vanderbilt is a book you won't want to miss.

Going from the thought process to actually acting on impulse, was a thrilling journey to be sure.

I found Ms. Vanderbilt story unique and insightful. Parts of her story were touching with moments to cherish while others were, well...you get the picture, right? We're all only human as the saying goes.

I enjoyed this book a lot and am happy to recommend it to anyone who longs to slip into someone elses world for a few fun-filled hours.

(Recommended Reading!)

Gloria Vanderbilt was 80 years old when she published this book, which I find astonishing. She has lived through so much tragedy, lived so many different lives, had so many relationships that much of it really does not matter anymore, but it is interesting to read about it.

It is quite irritating to read and re-read comments about Gloria Vanderbilt being unloved by her mother, her 'less than lucid' mother, or being harmed by a self absorbed mother. Perhaps those who believe these descriptions would do well to read "Double Exposure" by Gloria M. Vanderbilt and her twin, Lady Thelma Furness. This autobigraphy relates her mother's side of what happened at the custody trial (when wealthy, connected Aunt Gertrude 'won' little Gloria she no longer had an interest in her), the court allowed heresy and libel to colour testimonies and soil the reputation of mother and widow Gloria Morgan Vanderbilt as 'unfit'. Gloria M.'s own mother, Laura (little Gloria's grandmother) testified against her daughter at this trial with outrageous lies and unmotherly love. Read more about Grandma Laura's unstableness, selfishness, and self absorbsion (she left her oldest daughter at school in Paris during WW1 bombing seige). Grandma jetsetted around Europe shuttling her children to various boarding schools; she allowed her twins to move into a Manhattan apartment by themselves at age 16 to live there basically unsupervised. This was in 1922. Modern medical knowledge would most likely diagnose Grandma Laura as suffering from a neurological disorder. One wonders if it was passed down through the genes.
Learn of Gloria M's motherly love and pain of being torn away from her only daughter and the lies spun on both sides to keep them apart. "Double Exposure" should be offered in tandem with any Gloria Vanderbilt autobigraphy. Both sides of the story should be known before one can truly pass any judgement, and even then pause and ask yourself if either one is truly glorious and deserving of gushing praise for a life of having a 'good time' and 'getting lots of lovin'.

Summer seems to be the time for fast, fun reading, so here is fall and here is Vanderbilt and fun. Funny though, that a memoir containg pathos, drama and death could be so entertaining. Artist, actress and writer, Gloria Vanderbilt blithely skirts the details of her love life, viewing calamties and climaxes with sophistication. "It all comes back to me" she says explaining away a wild life of adult love and a tragic life as a motherless child. As Oprah explored on a recent show - drive down any mansion-lined street in envy and dare to find the normal family behind the porticos. In this memoir there are many porticos to envy but normal is not the point. Fun, yes, joy, yes, and a life well lived.

This book lacks depth and leaves the reader feeling that we still don't know Gloria Vanderbilt. Also, why does she give the impression that she only has one living son? What kind of mother would disregard her two older children? Very sad.

A much better book on the Vanderbilts is "Fortunes Children". I recommend it.

The book was much shorter than I thought, and the writing was a bit too scattered, too many side notes - but good. I would average it out to be a 3.5 and you will find it funny, interesting if you know the characters or have read much about them. When you think of them as people it becomes harder to grasp, but characters seems a more realistic yardstick to use. I love Gloria Vanderbilt, I admire her and feel that she deserves applause and praise, but this one didn't do it for me. Maybe a good book to take traveling.

Unfortunately, Gloria does not delve too deep into any of her relationships with the opposite sex. She seems to be a bit guarded in her writing, as if afraid the very mention of a celebrity she was involved with would have cause for potential problems. She does give a glimpse into what was once a very interesting and glamorous lifestyle.

Little Gloria proved that it was not necessarily a "good life" and this is a 'tell-all' to beat all. Gloria Vanderbilt was the female equivalent to Eddie Fisher in BEEN THERE DONE THAT, only more open and vulgar with her descriptions of the sex involved. She knew exactly what she was doing. Eddie had a hard youth growing up in Philadelphia. She, on the other hand, was rolling in wealth, moving from one place to another. Sure, there was the custody battle described in LITTLE GLORIA, HAPPY AT LAST. But, was she ever happy? And she didn't exactly stay little.

She turned into a Don Juan with no scruples at any time. Most times, it's the men who 'use' women, but this memoir shows clearly that was the opposite for Ms. Vanderbilt (Cooper).

Peppered with sexy photos to match the braggart sex-kitten actions, she might be compared with Ann Margaret, or Elvis! In the family portrait, she looked like a Russian duchess with the four children in tow. She went from man to man indiscriminately looking for a father, as did Marily Monroe, she said. She lived the high life, that's for sure, but she was not happy inside.

She labels her mother as a lesbian. I disagree with her that same-sex couples should or could raise children. How could they possibly be termed as normal or set a good example, and children are taught by the "parents" the facts of life (which should not be perverted.) Gloria went to the extreme opposite of her mother, more promiscuous than most movie stars on the way to stardom via the bedroom activity.

Her strange ideas are not for everyday, average people. The rich do as they please. Even Truman Capote, a gay, with his cache of cocaine was exposed. She moved in a wild group and the men meant nothing to her more than mere sexual partners. She may have lived well, but she did not love anybody but "little Gloria." She has no morals. Has she no shame, a high school dropout, having all those affairs with the famous and intelligent men who should have known better. Some of those men are dead now and can't refute her accusations of bedding them. I ask, will Little Gloria ever be happy after living such a sordid life?

Legendary actress/heiress Gloria Vanderbilt's latest memoir, "It Seemed Important At the Time" might as well have been called "He Seemed Important At The Time." Despite the enticing idea of an heiresses passions put on paper, Vanderbilt's tepid book is as vapid than any autobio of Paris Hilton's -- and with less reason to be.

Vanderbilt skims over most of her childhood, and the meat only starts in her a adolescence -- a lesbian affair with a classmate, before she knew what bisexuality was. But later she switched strictly to men (partly because of a scandal involving her mother), marrying at an early age and soon discovering what a pig her husband was. So begin a lifetime of marriages, romances, and an attempt to find love, if not happiness.

"It Seemed Important At The Time" is one of those books that seems like it was dashed off in an afternoon. About 150 pages, large print, and vast parts of Vanderbilt's life are skipped -- her childhood is about five pages long. As a result, this book seems like half a biography -- just the juiciest bits, with all non-romantic details carefully snipped out.

But really, what could be more exciting than a lifetime of love and passion? Quite a few things -- Vanderbilt's "love" rarely seems to get beyond an elongated crush; she developed interest in several men due to seeing them on movie screens. If she developed a crush, she pursued it, and usually got burned. Crushes are normal in a thirteen-year-old, but not so normal in an adult woman. Vanderbilt consistently puts her men on pedestals, then blames them if they don't live up to her hopes -- and time has not taught her that this is a bad idea.

And Vanderbilt's ultra-rushed writing isn't too great either. Instead of detailing important parts of her life and affairs, she just crams as many in as possible. She gives little personality to legendary men like Marlon Brando and Frank Sinatra -- they and all her other paramours melt into a bit featureless blob. Yes yes, she loved them all -- she still makes them all boring. At one point she burbles about how much she loves her late son Carter, yet barely mentions him in the book until he took the high-dive out a window. (So much for her criticism of her mother for a lack of maternal love!)

Gloria Vanderbilt fails miserably at writing a juicy tell-all -- instead it's a bloodless list of how many men she dated, slept with, and married. In the end, it's something you'd expect from a sixteen-year-old heiress... but not one born in the Roaring Twenties. Tepid, annoying, and unromantic.