This book is a must for anyone who is a fan of Fred Astaire because it fills in the gaps from his stage career and features his first partner, his sister Adele. It is hard to believe that Adele was the star of the act but her outgoing manner, sense of humor and fun, wowed the audiences of the early 20th century. It was also interesting to read how Fred was torn between loyalty to his mother and loyalty to his sister. I found the book an excellent addition to Astaire's autobiography as it fills in so much missing information that I wanted to know about Adele. Because Adele only did stage appearances, there is no film footage of her dancing with her brother. The author did a good job of filling in unanswered questions as to what happened to Adele's husbands and Fred's first wife although I would have liked to have known more about what Fred's children did throughout their lives and what happened to Lismore Castle. The book has some good appendices including all the shows and charity events the Astaires appeared in as well as a calendar of other notable theatrical events that occurred during the years the Astaire's were active. ( )

It is good to have a portrait of Adele Astaire, the first and perhaps most influential, partner to her brother Fred. Reading words about performances just doesn't bring them back. We can watch Fred Astaire any time we want (and millions do) since his art was captured on film. But Adele only appeared on the stage before the era when every movement was captured in moving pictures. We do have her voice in recordings of the Gershwin songs that were written for her and Fred.

The book gives a chronological account of the siblings' early career to the point of Adele's retirement upon her marriage. There is a scholarly tone to the book. It is heavily footnoted with among other things, Fred Astaire's own memoir which recounts the same events in a more personal way. For the student of musical theater history, this book is a godsend. But for the fan, as I am, it is a tiny bit repetitive, and leaves unsaid some things I would really like to know. What was the relationship really like between the children and their mother who continued to accompany them on ships to London long after they reached mature ages and did not need a parent or guardian. Did they go to their father's funeral? The death of poor Mr. Austerlitz is recounted almost as an afterthought. I would like to have known if he had any friends, or just how his children took it since they did go on with the show.

There is a lack of context of the jazz scene. I think of jazz as innately African American. Except for one racial slur, this book tells of an all white world without Louis Armstrong, or Duke Ellington, or any of the other greats that made such an impact on American culture. It is true that Fred and Adele were also major, but the emphasis on their success in London, and their hobnobbing with the landed gentry denies us what else was happening simultaneously. This is not Kathleen Riley's interest though. It just goes to show how limiting class can be. ( )

This was a tough read. Lots and lots of technical details and an assumption that everyone knows the 1920's theatre and vaudeville as well as the author.

Although the book is title The Astaires: Fred & Adele, it is Adele who is the star of this work. You can't write about Adele without Fred since they appeared together for every show that Adele did, but often Fred was in the background while Adele glittered and captured the audiences. She was more pushy and more ungoverned than Fred and thus early on was the lead in the pairing. Being a few years older also meant she was the lioness, protecting those who underestimated his skills.

The early family life is mostly glossed over, born in Omaha, started in vaudeville and early dance lessons for Adele that soon included Fred.

The book ends with a chapter or two on Fred alone but truly this book is a love story for Adele.

I wish it had been a bit more balanced between the two but it wasn't. It does, however, make me want to watch more of Fred's movies. ( )