Of course I am so sad that such a remarkable, upstanding, alluring and groundbreaking woman has died, namely, Elizabeth Taylor. She knew what she stood for and she never backed down, as far as I can see, from certain causes which were deemed unacceptable at the time. She would pick up the torch and carry it with incredible grace.

I was given a spectacular book by a friend of mine about Elizabeth Taylor's jewelry collection  while she was still alive. I treasure this book.
Here are some of the reviews from Amazon about it:

From Publishers Weekly

Taylor has presumably had love affairs with many things over the course of her illustrious life. Her acting career might be one, and her seven husbands might be others. But perhaps her one constant love affair is the lifelong one she's had with baubles, bangles and beads. In this dazzling book, Taylor shows off her collection, complementing the gorgeous color photographs with snippets about the provenance of each piece. "I mean, how many young women get a set of rubies just for doing something wholesome like swimming laps? Or win a diamond ring at Ping-Pong with their husband...? Well, I did, and for all of these memories and the people in my life I feel blessed," Taylor writes. She then launches into descriptions of the "glorious" ruby and diamond Cartier necklace from Mike Todd, the 33.19-carat Krupp diamond from Richard Burton ("When it came up for auction in the late 1960s, I thought how perfect it would be if a nice Jewish girl like me were to own it") and a crystal and diamond lily of the valley brooch from Rex Harrison ("You're the stingiest man alive," Taylor told Harrison, "...your giving me this pin would be doubly important because it would signify a personal triumph over your naturally stingy nature"). The photographs, many never before published, are a mix of catalogue-type photos and shots of Taylor wearing the items, creating not only a tremendous feast for the eyes but an entertaining waltz through a Hollywood icon's decadent life.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Known for her beauty, her seven marriages, and her stunning jewelry collection, screen star Elizabeth Taylor treats us to a first look at her jewelry, in gorgeous actual-size photos and in personal photos-some never before seen publicly-of herself wearing them. Taylor reminisces about the occasions when these pieces were given to her by the men in her life. The two greatest loves of Taylor's life, movie producer Mike Todd and actor Richard Burton, gave her some of the most famous jewels: Todd presented a stunning Belle Epoque diamond necklace, diamond girandole earrings, and a diamond tiara, while Burton made world headlines when he gave Taylor the famous 33-carat Krupp Diamond ring. Every piece in Taylor's collection has sentimental meaning, some as poignant as the gold charm bracelet celebrating the birth of her children. This stunning book is more than a catalog of Taylor's jewelry; it serves as a very personal autobiography that will delight both Taylor's fans and lovers of fine jewelry. Recommended for all public and academic libraries where there is interest.
Therese Duzinkiewicz Baker, Western Kentucky Univ. Libs., Bowling Green
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

As you can see, it is no longer in print, either in hardback or in paperback. Here is an image of the cover:

As an iconic beauty for the twentieth century, Elizabeth Taylor was also an empowered person even with all her frailties and weaknesses. She was very human and never tried to hide that aspect of her personal life, it seems to me.

Did I have fantasies about her always staying with Richard Burton, and living happily ever after?  Yes I did.
Did Jim like watching them act together in Albee's "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf"? Yes, he did.
Did I enjoy hearing my Grandfather Baldrige telling me he saw them boarding a ship together once with so many purple and green flowered (probably hand made for them by Louis Vuitton) leather edged trunks and suitcases  it was as if they were going to be travelling the rest of their lives? I certainly did!
Glamor and reality clash and combine when you think about Elizabeth Taylor.
Try to locate this book in your library. She wrote it herself with another author helping her.  It is fabulous and inspirational, just like Elizabeth herself was and always will be.

--jean