A Cry from the Heart: A Biography of Edith Piaf

Margaret Crosland's definitive biography sheds new light on the phenomenon that was Piaf, enlarging on and in some cases correcting the half-truths provided by Piaf in her two autobiographies. Piaf's rise to international stardom, her lifelong addiction to alcohol and heroin, and her turbulent love affairs are documented, as are her friendships with such stars as Jean Cocteau, Marlene Dietrich, Maurice Chevalier, Yves Montand and Charlie Chaplin. Crosland concludes with a moving description of Piaf's early death at the age of 47, when some two million fans followed the funeral procession to Pere Lachaise cemetery.