Breaking the Silence

Mariette Hartley's Polaroid commercials with James Garner and her Emmy Award-winning television performances have made her one of America's favorite stars. But hidden behind her high good humor was a family legacy of abuse, suicide, and alcoholism that nearly destroyed her. Growing up the privileged granddaughter of pioneering psychologist John B. Watson, who preached that children should never be kissed, hugged, or even touched, Mariette went from days of martinis, tweeds, and roses in suburban Connecticut to madcap nights in Hollywood, outwardly leading a charmed life. Inside, though, her family secrets and abusive husband were pushing her toward tragedy. Filled with wit, humanity and marvelous inside stories of Hollywood and television, Breaking the Silence is the story of Mariette's triumphant journey to hope, courage and a happy new life-a work as warm and engaging as the woman herself.