Speedbumps by Henriette Mantel, Teri Garr (2005, Hardcover)

I fell in love with Teri Garr way back in the sixties, so I may be a bit prejudiced. It started as a typical adolescent crush based on her down home beauty and the personalities of the characters she played, me being only a few years younger than she. I believe Star Trek was the first time. But over the years, as I caught her on the various talk shows of the times and other media, I began to learn more and more about the real Teri Garr. In Speed Bumps, Ms. Garr reveals even more about herself, her ups and downs, her hopes and dreams, her loves and failures and--lucky for us--her wonderful sense of humor. Yes, she's the same as we mere mortals, but oh so much more. By reading her book, I see that the pedestal I have had her on all these years is actually a bit short for her. She lets the reader into her private life and you get all of her. She provides us with a wonderful trip and I would not have any less speed bumps (or hammers) along the way. My only regret is to have never met her in person (which is rather difficult living here up in Northern California!). Ms. Garr's strength and beauty throughout her life is to be admired. Yep, I'm still in love.

Rick Barton
Paradise, Ca.

I have always liked Teri Garr because she seems like the girl next door (she describes herself in the book as, "The girl next door to the girl next door"). There is an ample amount of name-dropping in the story but then I suppose that is to be expected. Not a lot of substance other than her battle with MS. Still, she comes across as a likable person - someone I could be friends with - so I guess I can tolerate the me-me-me character of the book - it is her biography after all.

I bought this book because I have MS also.
I wanted to read about Terri Garrs story about how she has dealt with the disease herself.
I try to keep a great attitude towards every thing and that is why I read alot
about how others manage.
I haven't read the entire book yet but so far it is really good and I am looking for humor which it does have.