American Eve: Evelyn Nesbit, Stanford White

This is a biography about Evelyn Nesbitt, the "It" girl from the last turn of the century. She was considered one of the most beautiful girls in the world.

Most people who are familiar with Evelyn Nesbit's name were introduced to her in the movie Ragtime. However, the girl presented in this book is markedly different from the rather dim and money-hungry portrayal of her in Ragtime. She is a tragic figure in this biography.

Although American Eve is a page turner, the author omitted crucial facts. For example, while Uruburu portrays Evelyn's relationship with John Barrymore as little more than a fling, historians tend to agree that Evelyn was impregnated by John at least twice. She was sent overseas not to have an operation for appendicitis, which was the cover story, but to have an abortion. Uruburu doesn't mention this at all. I'm left with the impression that Uruburu slanted the truth to shine a more positive light on Evelyn.

After the Harry Thaw trial, the book starts to feel rushed. Uruburu glosses over the rest of Evelyn's life, abandoning the storytelling quality that makes the rest of the biography so engrossing.

Despite these flaws, American Eve is a good read. It held my attention and gave me a better understanding of Evelyn and the men in her life.