Why so many celebrities are writing their memoirs is a question I think about a lot. A lot of stars, especially older ones, do it for a reason that seems valid: They one to get a jump on biographers who will write about (and maybe misrepresent) them after their deaths.

But too often their books descend into score-settling or self-congratulation, both of which can be so unattractive, they backfire on the celebrities. From my perspective as a critic, so much depends on choosing the right ghostwriter.