Actor Sarah Bernhardt was a stage and cultural icon of the 19 ^th and early 20 ^th centuries; hers is a name still sometimes referenced in theater circles and beyond. A woman defined by a strong will and generous character, the fascinating Bernhardt was born and raised in France, the daughter of a courtesan in a society where this was not harshly judged. Bernhardt's talent was apparent by the time she was a young woman and she pursued a career on stage with intelligence and passion, while her compassionate off-stage endeavors included volunteering during the Franco-Prussian War. During the Dreyfus Affair, when anti-Semitism saw Alfred Dreyfus scapegoated in a military scandal with far-reaching societal implications, Bernhardt, of Jewish descent, staunchly defended Dreyfus, even at the expense of her relationship with her beloved only child. Following an injury late in life, Bernhardt lost a leg, but like all the challenges that had come before, she met it with fortitude, continuing to take charge of her career and perform. A visual as well as performing artist, Bernhardt's electric talent and drive are palpable in this account that includes occasional black-and-white photographs, and an author's note, timeline, sources, and bibliography.
(Age 12 and older)

A tantalizing biography for teens on Sarah Bernhardt, the first international celebrity and one of the greatest actors of all time, who lived a highly unconventional, utterly fascinating life. Illustrated with more than sixty-five photos of Bernhardt on stage, in film, and in real life.

Sarah Bernhardt was a French stage actor who became a global superstar in the late nineteenth century--the Lady Gaga of her day--and is still considered to be one of the greatest performers of all time. This fast-paced account of her life, filled with provocative detail, brilliantly follows the transformation of a girl of humble origins, born to a courtesan, into a fabulously talented, wealthy, and beloved icon. Not only was her acting trajectory remarkable, but her personal life was filled with jaw-dropping exploits, and she was extravagantly eccentric, living with a series of exotic animals and sleeping in a coffin. She grew to be deeply admired around the world, despite her unabashed and public promiscuity at a time when convention was king; she slept with each of her leading men and proudly raised a son without a husband. A fascinating and fast-paced deep dive into the world of the divine Sarah. Illustrated with more than sixty-five photos of Bernhardt on stage, in film, and in real life.