Forry: The Life of Forrest J Ackerman

Painter's book reads less like a biography of Ackerman and more like an extended diary entry in which the author recalls everything she can about her subject that made him meaningful to her. Given that in the 1940s Ackerman was, among other things, working as a literary agent for the likes of Ray Bradbury and Robert Heinlein, the book creates a historical gap that prohibits a fuller understanding of Ackerman's evolution from young fan to industry professional. A problem with Painter's very personal approach, facilitated by the author's limitations as a writer, is that much of the book presents piecemeal tidbits of information that are trivial at best and offer no insight into her subject.