4. Force of Circumstance by Simone de Beauvoir (1963) Part gossipy diary, part reflection on postwar Paris and her own life as a writer, this final instalment of De Beauvoir's autobiography testifies to how unruffled and grownup she is – in contrast to the still-volatile, ego-driven philosophers, writers and artists with whom she hangs out.
That character, Bertha, is less a separate figure of derangement in the play than the volatile alter ego to the orphaned and destitute Jane.
In part, that is because they tend to carry around some volatile matches: an ego and a way with words.
Mr. Weill's experiences with the volatile earnings and egos to be found in investment banks have been more painful.
The Yale-educated Ms. Brooks, strikingly tall and exuberant, was known for her strong personality, volatile temper and big ego.
This transaction is described with amusing concision in "Molto Agitato: The Mayhem Behind the Music at the Met," Johanna Fiedler's brisk history of this gilded institution and the volatile mixture of talent, ego and money that keeps it going.
Set in the pressurized chamber of immediate championship expectations, the Lakers present a momentous challenge of outsize egos and volatile personalities — and that's not even counting the curious case of Metta World Peace.
The late Jack Valenti served as the unchallenged head of the Motion Picture Association of America for well over three decades, only stepping down in his 80s, and continued to be influential even out of his formal role, though he held his job at the whim of the heads of the major motion picture studios individuals with colossal egos and volatile tempers.
He had that volatile lightning temperament, personality and ego of all great goalscorers".
They couldn't last, of course; the markets and egos involved were too volatile.
"To have his ego mixed with ours was a very volatile mixture," recalled the Queen guitarist Brian May.
