"Lobenthal (Tallulah!: The Life and Times of a Leading Lady) and playwright Willis present the first book about Diana Sands, the trailblazing Black actress whose career was tragically cut short when she died of cancer at 39 in 1973. Sands rose to prominence in “A Raisin in the Sun,” appearing in both the 1959 Broadway play and the 1961 film version. In 1964, she earned her first Tony nomination for James Baldwin’s “Blues for Mr. Charlie.” The following year, she received another Tony nomination for “The Owl and the Pussycat,” playing opposite Alan Alda, a notable role because her skin color did not factor into the play. On television, she earned an Emmy nomination for East Side/West Side. In films, she shone in The Landlord, Willie Dynamite, and Georgia, Georgia. Sands possessed a vibrant personality; she was hard-working, determined, and dedicated to the craft of acting, as well as an advocate for Civil Rights. These points are strongly conveyed through extensive quotes from original interviews with more than 100 actors and coworkers. VERDICT An entertaining biography of an almost forgotten but influential actress, as well as a fascinating look at the impediments African-American actors faced during the Civil Rights Era."
- Library Journal
