Babylon Confidential

by Bob G Cannon II

Babylon Confidential: A Memoir of Love, Sex & Addiction by Claudia Christian with Morgan Grant Buchanan Copyright 2012, 297 pages BenBella Books, Inc. Dallas, Texas. ISBN 978-1-937856-06-9

While I read and enjoy occasional autobiographies and biographies I don't make it a habit to read many about Hollywood personalities. I can't really say why as I love Speculative Fiction and Fantasy and if there is any place in what is called 'the real world' where people behave as uniquely as in SF and Fantasy novels it must be Hollywood, California. As it is, despite having a relative that is a Hollywood actress (Amanda Walsh) I generally ignore the antics there. When 'reality' magazine TV shows come on I usually leave the room.

Recently, through social media I struck up an acquaintance with a Hollywood star and after some research (the book's co-author is a SF writer and she has had major rolls in SF productions) I asked if I could review her recent autobiography. The involvement in SF was only a part of my decision as my brief exchanges with her and reading some of her other statements in interviews had made me curious. If you are anything like me in mostly ignoring the people side of Hollywood I ask you indulge me and read this through – I'll keep it short and this book may provide some information you or a loved one can use.

Photograph ~ David Honl

Claudia Christian seems to have known from an early age that her place was in acting. She worked hard for it, sacrificing much and shows a dedication rarely seen. Despite her talent it was not an easy path and from reading we see her highs and lows as she worked, often fought for her chosen career. At times she fought not only for her career but her life as well. Claudia has built a career from a childhood that included both loving parents and intolerable injustice. She prevailed and Babylon Confidential takes the reader on a roller-coaster ride that spans everything from assault, death and addiction, luxurious yachts and fine French wines to a final victory that leaves a reader feeling both fulfilled and hoping that any additional chapters will be of success and happiness. Yet, despite the trials she faces and the looming presence of Claudia's own personal monster the entire book is strangely positive. Not much 'poor little me' but quite a bit of picking up, dusting off and re-entering life. This contrasts well with her giving credit to others where they had a positive effect on her life. Also told are stories of frightening stalkers and unique insights into some of Hollywood's luminaries. Not all are favorable but the book is not about vilification but seems an honest telling of her life's experiences.

As with a good novel (this book is not fiction though) I experienced a growing sense of foreboding as the book progressed. For me it was from two fronts, alcohol and a suboptimal relationship with God. It is in the conquering of this first, alcohol that the book takes a special importance. Very few know that there might be a cure for alcoholism – not simply abstention but a real cure with a high success rate. I can think of a number of people I deal with that could look at the methodology presented here who might find a benefit.

What Claudia discovered was a near secret. Secret because it flies in the face of most traditional treatments. Secret because it is still relatively new and unpublicized. The Sinclair Method is explained well in the latter portion of Babylon Confidential, as is Claudia's success with it. Should you wish to know more (I recommend that anyone interested look into it, even if not an alcoholic) check here for details of The Cure For Alcoholism by Roy Eskapa, PhD. While a near secret the Sinclair Method is based on sound science, sound tests.

I found it powerful and enjoyed Babylon Confidential much more than I expected to. It presented a well told story of acting, some interesting behind-the-scenes details of productions I have enjoyed and ended with a strong feeling of victory over near insurmountable odds. I recommend it even for those who don't read biographical works, I recommend it for those facing their own alcoholism monster (or maybe who want to prevent one from growing) and for those who just enjoy a good read.

Overall Recommendation 5/5

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