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Scott Thorson
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Behind the Candelabra: My Life With Liberace Paperback – May 10, 2013

by Scott Thorson (Author), Alex Thorleifson (Author)
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 1,397 ratings
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In this unusually frank book Scott Thorson tells all: the good, the bad, and the ugly truths about a legendary entertainer who went to outrageous extremes to prevent public knowledge of his homosexuality. Liberace's unhappy childhood, dominated by a mother determined to force him into a concert career, serves as the prologue for a story that goes on to detail Liberace’s early appearances in honky-tonks, his move to New York to seek fame, and, finally, his first booking in Las Vegas, where he was courted by the Mafia. His successes create a bright counterpoint to a darker tale of a man hungry for power, given to every excess. Liberace's credo—"too much of a good thing is wonderful"—is reflected here in his acquisition of new lovers, luxurious homes, a large collection of pornography, and a total of twenty-six house dogs. Behind the Candelabra also reveals the details of the fundamentally tender love affair between Liberace and Thorson—whom Liberace sent to his own plastic surgeon to have his face remodeled in Liberace's own image! This fast-paced story, sprinkled with anecdotes about famous entertainers such as Michael Jackson and Shirley MacLaine, ends with an intimate look at Liberace's final days as he lay dying of AIDS—and his deathbed reconciliation with Scott.
Previous page
  1. Print length
    244 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    May 10, 2013
  4. Dimensions
    6 x 0.61 x 9 inches
  5. ISBN-10
    0988349485
  6. ISBN-13
    978-0988349483
  7. See all details
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About the Author

Scott Thorson became famous for his relationship with and lawsuit against Liberace and his testimony against gangster Eddie Nash. He currently lives in New England. Alex Thorleifson is a freelance journalist. Her first book, John Wayne: My Life with the Duke, was written with Pilar Wayne.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Tantor Media, Incorporated; 1st edition (May 10, 2013)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 244 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0988349485
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0988349483
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12.8 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.61 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 1,397 ratings

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Scott Thorson

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Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
4.2 out of 5
1,397 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

sharkychick
5.0 out of 5 stars Well written and riveting
Reviewed in the United States on June 7, 2013
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I honestly don't like reviewing books because there is just so much more subjectivity that doesn't apply with an honest review of an electronic or kitchen item that is pretty universally used, and viewed, in the same way.

That said, however, I will say that I just couldn't put this book down. It was well written and, in my opinion, written with love. The book covers a lot of information from Liberace's growing up period through to his death. I found his life fascinating and came to understand his ways, based on his upbringing. His mother clearly favored him over his siblings and was so controlling that I can completely see how he came to be somebody who wanted to control his environment as completely as possible, including those with whom he shared his life in various capacities.

Watching the current HBO movie is actually what made me want to read the book. So I got the book and blazed through it because I just didn't want to stop reading - even when I was finished. Then, I watched the HBO movie again. While the movie, of course, was unable to cover everything as thoroughly as the book it did stay pretty true. Of course, this is not about the movie but I think it's noteworthy that they work well together.
3 people found this helpful
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kt
4.0 out of 5 stars Very sad story, but believable
Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2013
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Right off, please be aware there are no pictures in this book with the exception of the one on the front cover which I found disappointing. I assume considering his relationship with the family at the time he could not obtain permission to print any. I found this disappointing that is why I gave it a 4 instead of a 5.

I have been a big fan of Liberace since evenings when my family would sit and watch his show in the late 50's on our old black and white TV. Was priviliged to see him at the Seattle Opera House in the early 70's and was still awed by the man. I have read Bob Thomas' "Liberace: The True Story" and found it to be a good companion to Scott Thorson's book, however I found this book to be a touching memoir of the relationship between these two men who I, without a doubt felt a great deal of love, devotion and affection for each other. Although this book may be what some rock solid Liberace fans may not want to read, I believe Mr. Thorson has written a very honest account of his life with Liberace. I did not find any hostility or revenge motive in this book whatsoever in fact, I found it written with compansion and love.

I recommend this book as a definate read. It does differ in some areas from Mr. Thomas book as it relates stories told by Liberace to Scott about life experiences in his life that were not the ones Liberace wanted the public to hear about. Liberace wrote his own book which was not always truthful because he worked so hard to hide his homosexuality which, unfortunately other biographers and filmakers have relied upon in their own narratives.

I find this book totally believable, however the one discrepency I found was his version of how Bugsy Siegel was murdered. The true story is well documented so I'm not sure where he got his version....maybe from Liberace himself.
42 people found this helpful
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kibby lee savannah
5.0 out of 5 stars A GREAT LOOK INSIDE THE LEGENDARY LIFE''
Reviewed in the United States on January 24, 2010
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Liberace's books have always been a source of joy-as he invited you into his life and work as one of the most loving and greatest showmen in the industry. I've always loved reading about the entertainment world and Lees books were a wonderful source of joy. His great enthusiasm for life and his showbiz world were a delight to read about as well as the great joy Lee gave to his audiences during his performances which I have been fortunate to attend. His story about recovering from illness early in his career and his continued rise in the entertainment world is a great read. Scott Thornson opens up this world through his book. Scott tells his story both candidly and with great feeling. His love and respect come through. It was a fascinating look 'behind the candelabra'...and I enjoyed reading the book immensely. I felt the book was written in a most professional and human way...and I read his story with an open mind. What Lee, or Scott for that matter, did is now in the past and doesnt take away from the great legacy Lee left. I very much enjoyed reading Scotts book for a peak into a world where 'too much of a good thing..is wonderful'' As Scott says in the final pages...there is a lesson here to learn...and Scott tells how he learned some serious lessons himself. Yes, Lee should have never ended on such a 'sour note'...not for one as giving as he....not for one with such a zest for life and a great talent to give....and Scott shared those few years with us telling us both the good, bad and sometimes shocking elements.
13 people found this helpful
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Victoria
5.0 out of 5 stars A True Insight Into Liberace's Life! Well Written...
Reviewed in Canada on December 31, 2020
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The book was much better written than I expected and Scott Thorson comes off as a very believable man. He does not lay all the blame of their breakup on Liberace, he admits to his drug abuse openly. Liberace's own book is full of lies, he was so afraid of exposure all of his life, but this story definitely hits the nail on the head about his very private lifestyle. A must read whether you are a fan of Liberace or not!
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Lucien
5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoy
Reviewed in France on July 10, 2020
Verified Purchase
Love it.
Very selfish, self center,egoist men
And very sad ,uncomfortable with himself.
Nothing to do with the chap movie
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Gio
5.0 out of 5 stars OMG!
Reviewed in Germany on November 1, 2013
Verified Purchase
Über Liberace wußte ich NICHTS. Ich laß eines guten Morgens einen Bericht im Spiegel über den bald erscheinenden Kino-Film. Kurz zum Inhalt: der Musiker Liberace wächst in ärmlichen Verhältnisse auf und wird zum Superstar. Der gute Mann versteht es seine Homosexualität in vollen Zügen auszuleben, was manch einer in der jetzigen toleranten Zeit nicht hinbekommt (leider auch etwas zu leichtsinnig wie sich später herausstellt). Er trifft auf den 18jährigen Scott, der sein Lebensgefährte und "Kollege" wird. Neben der normalen Liebesbeziehung passieren auch viele "kranke" Sachen wie die Gesichte mit der Schönheits-OP, die Liberace an sich durchführen läßt und Scott auch eine aufschwatzt, damit dieser aussieht wie der Junge Liberace...

Das Buch fängt zwar sehr harmlos und witzig an. Aber wer sich diesem "Thema" generell auskennt, kann sich schnell vorstellen, wie das Drama ausgehen wird!

Spannend, witzig, dramatisch. Auch wenn es auf englisch geschrieben ist, kann man das sehr leicht verstehen. Ich freue mich schon auf den Film.
6 people found this helpful
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Isabella Mauro
5.0 out of 5 stars really impressive
Reviewed in Italy on August 24, 2013
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I read this book after have seen the movie. and everything became much more clearer. the story is really interesting, very well written
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JOSEPH OLIVER
5.0 out of 5 stars Like looking behind the curtain in the Wizard of Oz's palace.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 10, 2013
Verified Purchase
Quite an eye-opener of a book really. I knew nothing about Liberace and have only see clips of the film (dialogue lifted directly from this book too!). It's a hard world to understand - the world of the fabulously wealthy where you can indulge yourself constantly. The problem with Liberace was that he had no culture, education or background to focus his desires and seemed to have shopping as the only means of relaxation. He was talented by all accounts and cute enough to know that he would never make the concert grade and certainly would never get the easy money he could get from his campy Las Vegas shows.

Behind the scenes should be replaced with `looking under a rock'. The normal rules of society don't apply to these entertainers functioning at this level so we have to accept that and move on. He wasn't the first and he's certainly not the last but such conspicuous consumption doesn't sell well especially when it was spent entirely for his own gratification. One telling part of the book is the Liberace Museum which was set up as a Foundation to furnish music students with scholarships. He used it as a tax break and made every attempt to get the trust fund dismantled when the museum was making $1 million or so a year - all money he couldn't get his hands on.
Into all this consumption the author arrives - reluctantly we are lead to believe. Even if you never read a word of the book you could see he was set up for a fall. He is rather vague about what age he met Liberace at - I suspect for decency reasons but he wasn't shy off 16. He had a very unfortunate background being moved from one foster home to another and a mother with mental health issues. Money was something he just never had. And then someone famous invites you into his life and the sky's the limit. The problem is that Scott had no compass, no one to guide him and no means of looking at his situation objectively. The others of the entourage knew exactly what the score was - one in a long line of male companions. If he had some background he could have milked it, pocketed the money and set himself up for life. But `easy come easy go' and it went up his nose in cocaine and lawyers. He had nothing to show for 5 years of a bizarre lifestyle.

The ironic thing is that he still speaks well of Liberace or `Les' as he was known to the few. He has a lot to be bitter about and he was used but he holds little resentment and shows up both sides of the man, even where the good is not so good and the bad is rotten. He admired him as an entertainer who would never miss a show no matter how ill but would never look after his family or allow anything outside his tiny closeted world to enter in case it might disturb or distress him in any way. You will learn a lot that is most interesting about that sort of world and you don't need to like or have even heard of Liberace to enjoy the book.

Full praise must go to the ghost writer. The book is very well written - but you can tell it is not by Scott. He wouldn't have the education to write in this way or even the vocabulary. I suspect Scott just gave taped interviews and the ghost writer had to do all the running about and fact checking. One aspect of the book that is a weakness is that we get to hear little of Liberace's connections with other `entertainers' - I suspect that is because they are either still alive or the estate would sue them. We hear of lavish parties attended by the stars but rarely who these stars were or what they got up to. I bet every line of this book had to go through the legal department of the publishers.
5 people found this helpful
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