This fascinating biography of one of the most legendary sex symbols of the twentieth century tells the story of how this surprisingly ordinary woman achieved her iconic status. From her early days as a performer on the Vaudeville circuit, to her big debut in She Done Him Wrong alongside Cary Grant that famously saved Paramount Pictures from bankruptcy in 1933. Immortalised by her infamous one-liners, her comedic talent remains firm in our consciousness, yet beneath the mask hid a private and often insecure woman. From interviews with those who knew her best, the author brings to life the real Mae West.