All or Nothing at All: A Life of Frank Sinatra by Donald Clarke Macmillan, $280 Throughout much of his extraordinary career, Frank Sinatra could have had almost any woman he wanted. The feelings he aroused with songs that seemed to illuminate his own and others' vulnerability brought fans to their knees, crying out for his attention. Sinatra cheerfully obliged.
Although married to his childhood sweetheart, Nancy, the mother of his three children - Nancy junior, Frank and Tina - Sinatra showed a greater loyalty to the prettiest hangers-on and groupies.
His sexual stamina and unfaithfulness knew no bounds. In the event of undesirable consequences from these one-night stands, his lackeys would be forced to look after the business of irate boyfriends, abortions and inquisitive reporters.
Later, when his rising fame made him even more attractive and his career revolved around the celluloid dream machine in Hollywood, the women in his life became household names. He had an affair with Marilyn Monroe, before passing her, like a second-hand toy, to John F Kennedy.
He fell heavily for Ava Gardner, perhaps the one woman with enough resolve and spirit to stand up to his selfish, dominating personality.
Finally, after the long-suffering Nancy let go in 1950 and agreed to a legal separation (she never gave up hope they would be reconciled, keeping jars of his favourite spaghetti sauce in the refrigerator for years afterwards), the brash, bullying singer and stunningly beautiful screen star were married.
