Citizen jane

After a promising start--detailing Fonda's childhood and adolescence and her relationship with her famous father--this biography starts to come unraveled when discussing the actress's political awakening. The second half of the book veers off into a political tract in which Andersen seems intent on bringing to the reader's attention every intemperate remark and foolish deed committed by Fonda during the late 1960s and early 1970s. Furthermore, the author exhibits a lack of understanding of cultural and social movements of the period, which undercuts his case against Fonda. While Andersen does give Fonda her due as an actress and gives a balanced assessment of her professional life, his apparent bias toward her as a public person undermines the whole book. Such a controversial and significant figure deserves a more thoughtful treatment. Literary Guild and Doubleday Book Club featured alternates.- Thomas Wiener, formerly with "American Film," Washington, D.C.Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.