First and foremost, let me say that Maureen O'Hara was a huge part of my childhood. I grew up in a household where Irish movies and music were a part of everyday life. Every year around St. Patrick's Day, my father would ensure he could see "The Quiet Man" starring John Wayne and the incomparable Maureen O'Hara. 

 

Maureen O'Hara was born in Dublin, Ireland into a theatre family.  Maureen believed that she would be a theatre actress until a Hollywood agent noticed her and invited her to come to Hollywood for a test.  O'Hara was quickly hired and went on to become one of the icons of Hollywood's Golden Age. While many people may recognize her from "Miracle on 34th Street" with Natalie Wood. She plays a Macy's executive who hires a Santa Claus for the season, only to have him claim that he REALLY is Santa. 

 

One of O'Hara's favorite movies and the one she is most protective of is "The Quiet Man." This film started John Wayne, Maureen O'Hara, and a host of other Irish actors.  Her character, Mary Kate Danaher is a tough Irish woman who takes no guff and makes her feelings known. This is just one of many movies that she would star in besides John Wayne. 

 

I wanted to read this book for the longest time and had very high hopes for it. I loved every moment of this book and now further appreciate all that O'Hara went through in order to provide her family with the best life possible and her fans the movies they have come to love.