I liked the Clark Gable bits. Well that's not entirely true it seemed kind of intrusive on the man's life. (I really don't care about his sex life or how he felt about it.)
I liked that it switched from the investigation to the days leading up to the crash. Personally I preferred the days leading up and the story of Carol Lombard's life. The investigation just seemed prolonged.

I was looking forward to reading this book because I have always loved Clark Gable and knew a little of Carole Lombard but obviously wanted to know more. She was definitely his greatest love and I don't think he ever got over his death despite remarrying. This book did not disappoint. It described her as full of life and very much in love with him too. She was a great loss to him and to the world of cinema.

I had every intention of reading this book and writing an honest review but it expired before I had the chance. My apologies, If you like to resend it to me I would be happy to get it reviewed,

Well researched, tragic book, covering the last few year of Carol Lombard's life as well as her tragic death. I know enough Hollywood lore to know of the love between Lombard and that rascal Clark Gable, but this was a reminder of that love. If only Hollywood romances could still be on that caliber.

The other half of this book remembers the other lives lost in the tragic plane crash and I found that to be an interesting insight. We often forget about the 'others' involved when a 'celebrity' is involved.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this book.

Robert Matzen's "Fireball: Carole Lombard and the Mystery of Flight 3" is a clever melding of two forms: Part biography of the famous "screwball" movie queen and part investigation of the plane crash that took her life. For the first half of the book, Matzen tells the stories in alternating chapters, providing an insightful biography of Lombard, followed by details on the events that took place on January 16, 1942, leading up to TWA flight 3, which crashed into Potosi Mountain near Las Vegas, killing all aboard. The device of switching from Lombard to the lead-up to the flight creates a very effective dramatic tension -- a tough thing to do in a nonfiction book -- as it becomes clear that Lombard's life and the doomed flight are on an inevitable collision course.

After the crash, the book focuses on the flight recovery and investigation -- to this day, there's no definitive reason why the plane crashed -- and the reaction of Lombard's husband, Clark Gable, who was changed and aged by the tragedy.

Matzen's research, which includes the accounts of several surviving witnesses and researchers, is excellent. Those looking for a good Lombard biography will find a compelling amount of material, while those interested in air disasters and investigation will likewise see this as a good read.

I love anything with old Hollywood, so I was very excited to get my hands on this. I enjoyed the story and all the details included of Lombards life. So much information that you can't read elsewhere, and so interesting! I will definitely be reading this again.

I wanted to read this book because one of my favourite actors was Clark Gable, although I didn't know much about Carole Lombard, who was the love of his life, he never recovered after her death. This book gives an extraordinary insight into Carol Lombards life, her vivaciousness, her spirit and her tragic loss to the world of cinema and her loved ones.

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I am a big reader of books about stars. This book interested me because of course I know who Carole Lombard was and her tragic death, but i really didn't know a lot about it. Now I do. The book goes into Ms. Lombard's life and it gives you insight not only on the crash, but activity before the crash as well as those whom were waiting for the plane's return. Very in depth book detailing the life and death of Carole Lombard. I plan to buy this book for some friends. Thanks NetGalley for the advance copy in return for my honest review.