Sylvia was an early fitness guru, who preached about a regimen of massages and exercise. In the 20s and 30s she reached fame in Hollywood, working with a parade of well known screen stars. After she left Hollywood she wrote this tell-all, revealing beauty and body secrets of many of her former clients. So the book has some gossip. It also contains most of Sylvia's beauty secrets. Her system seemed to involve pummeling people as a form of exercise. Other than the aspects that make Sylvia seem like some kind of sadist, her system is a tad dull. Mostly sensible things we hear today. I much more enjoy it when books of this nature include crazy suggestions--leeches, electrical belts etc.