Book Description

At age ten, Tatum O'Neal became the youngest Oscar winner in history for her performance in the film classic Paper Moon. She was hailed as a new kind of child star -- sassy and precocious -- for a hip, cynical age. As the sidekick to her father, the flamboyant star and man-about-town Ryan O'Neal, she became a fixture at the most glamorous Hollywood parties and counted celebrities ranging from Cher to Stanley Kubrick among her childhood friends.

But behind the glittering facade of Tatum's life lay heartbreak: abandonment, abuse, and neglect. Her alcoholic mother, the actress Joanna Moore, drifted in and out of her life. Her father, saddled with both Tatum and her brother Griffin, grew increasingly punishing and distant, especially after moving in with his longtime love, Farrah Fawcett. By her late teens, Tatum -- though a working actress with ten movies to her credit -- had begun a perilous slide into self-destruction.

Then, just before her twenty-first birthday, Tatum met the man who would become her husband: the explosive tennis great John McEnroe. They had three children, Kevin, Sean, and Emily, in quick succession, followed by one of the messiest high-profile divorces on record. With the collapse of her marriage and no real family to turn to, Tatum succumbed to the demons of her past, which would nearly kill her.

Now she has emerged clean and sober, rediscovering herself as an actress, mother, and wonderfully vibrant woman in what she considers the prime of her life.

A Paper Life is a story of strength and courage: unflinchingly honest, yet poignant, often funny, and unfailingly uplifting. It is a tale of triumph steeped in Hollywood lore -- and an inspiring testament to the healing power of love.

Amazon.com

Someone was bound to go after Michael Moore eventually and this book holds nothing back. An immensely popular figure to political left-wingers, Michael Moore presents himself as a regular working-class guy in a baseball cap with the courage to take some rich and powerful folks to task for their corrupt and deceitful ways. David T. Hardy and Jason Clarke say this populist, muckraker image is pure whitewash. Believing that this charade has gone on for too long, and done too much damage to the U.S., they have written this book to expose Moore as narcissistic and irresponsible and his body of work "as manipulative as totalitarian propaganda." To prove their point, they pick apart Moore's books and movies to illustrate how he is consistently manipulative, dishonest, and, at times, simply absurd. They show how he altered the timeline of Roger and Me in order to unfairly blame things on General Motors that happened before their layoffs, not as a result of them. Regarding Bowling for Columbine, the authors explain how he took quotes out of context and reassembled them to give the impression that people made speeches they did not make---most famously his interview with Charlton Heston, then president of the NRA. They also illustrate how Moore manipulated statistics in his books Dude, Where’s My Country and Stupid White Men to fit his theories, making some truly outrageous claims in the process. The authors have certainly done their homework, and it's impossible to view Moore's work the same way after reading this book. "How does a man with so many contradictions manage to blind his enormous trove of followers to how hypocritical he really is? How does he get away with it?" they ask.If the authors have their way, he won't much longer. Now that Moore has joined the ranks of the rich and powerful, Hardy and Clarke have engaged in bit of muckraking of their own. --Shawn Carkonen ... Read more

Reviews (395)

Dissecting two-faced Moore
First of all, I'd like to thank the Barnes and Noble store on 18th street and Union Square in NYC for not only REFUSING to carry the book but somehow mixing it up with Michael Moore's fictitious STUPID WHITE MEN title when I clearly asked for the former. With J&R also refusing to carry the book (their playing of NPR radio should have been an indication,) it was up to Border's bookstore in NYC to save the day. Ironically, in the first few pages of the book, it is revealed that Moore has a personal vendetta with Borders, thus the connection was made. The book so far is a solid read, disssecting the lies and distortions that Moore has perfected, as well as illustrating how phoney he is, charging 5 figure numbers for public speeches, not to mention his two mansions and so forth. Not exactly a working class man (especially since he was fired from alot of jobs for being late as well as being lazy,) a man who claims to fight against the rich when he himself is a pompous, lying rich man. As a matter of fact, Moore took millions from corporate conglomerate Disney to make his film FARENHEIT 9/11. Now why would a man who claims to be against big corporations and capitalism take money from a corporation lke Disney? Then again, according to the book, this is the same man who defamed one of his "actors" in ROGER & ME and got sued successfully by the man, but had Warner Brothers bail him out with the fees and damages.

Facts Deflate Moore
Michael Moore used the victims families of the Columbine
attacks to bolster his movie. Michael Moore did get his
interview with Roger, but didn't want to use in his film.
He used a frail and sick Charlton Heston to mock him. He
has admitted in print and on tv that the new mockumentary
is full of falsehoods, not necessarily true parts, and yes,
lacks a lot of facts. Other than that, the 'documentary'
is very truthful. It's an opinion piece, well done for those
who want to believe it. But, considering the man has said
repeatedly that Americans are stupid and dumb and ignorant,
he made a movie aimed at that mentality. I applaud him on
his capitalistic success.

But, the book only points out the verified truth about Michael
and his multi-corporate ties, millionaire profits, and his
use and misuse of facts and truth to make a buck. Jackass the
movie made more money than Michaels movie, even after the 24/7
public relations campaign the media lovingly gave him for over
a month. That doesn't say much for Michael does it? He won
an award in France not because the movie was good or great, but
because it hated George W. Bush. Prize for that. Good. He's
had best selling books, but then so has Millie the dog, and
Garfield the Cat and Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity and every
diet expert in the world. What does it mean?

The book is reasonable, fact packed, and truthful. If that's
hard to take, then so be it. Michael Moore is entitled to his

political opinion, but so is Mr. Hardy. The only difference is
that Hardy gives facts, and Michael Moore ignores them. If it
sells his opinion, he tosses the facts aside. Anyway, why can't
the opposition allow the freedom of speech to take place...or is
that only a one way street? Guess George Soros didn't buy out
Amazon just yet....we'll give that time. Billionaires and
millionaires whining about corporate greed, kind of funny isn't it?

As Michael gets on a private jet, or a private limo, and
sends his kids to private school, and lives in a multi-million
dollar home in New York...the average man alright. The book
tackles all of his work with a lot of humor and truth. Two things Michael seems devoid of these days.

I recommend the book for anyone who wants to know more about
Michael Moore's work, and his motivations, and also what he's
willing to do to make his point: avoid the truth.

This book says what I've thought for a long time!!
To say it's easy to take potshots at Michael Moore is to state the obvious. He makes it almost too easy, but what potshots often lack is substance. With that said, this book makes up for the lack of substance that hurts many criticisms of Michael Moore. A few of the reviews on this site claim that there are no facts in this book, no references or accounts of events to back up the authors' claims. That simply isn't true. Almost everything is backed up. (I say "almost everything" because there are some op-ed pieces included, and op-ed pieces don't have to be based in fact. Hence the reason they're called op-ed.) I know that the primary audience for this book is people who hate Moore, but I think people who love and adore the director would be the ones best served by this book. They could read how their icon really lives and how he manipulates the medium that has made him famous. They may not like what they read, but they would at least see that "the emperor has no clothes." Of course, people who despise Moore and his "work" (yes, I am one of them) will find themselves pumping their fists in the air, saying "I told you so" a lot. It will also give them ammunition to hurl at Moore's admirers. The best thing about this book is that it covers his entire career; it wasn't something just thrown together to combat Farenheit 9/11. That lends it even more weight because there is as much criticism of Roger and Me as there is of Bowling for Columbine or his books. In all honesty, this book didn't make me think less of Moore, but I didn't expect that to happen. It just helped me justify my dislike of him and what he calls "art."

piss poor
Poorly Written with little factual evidence to back up their story. An obvious personal attack based on opinions presented by the right. Even though Moore is a fat stupid white man he does provide documented facts.

Very funny
It's too bad this movie hasn't been exposed as devious by the mainstream media. The Bin Ladens flew out of the country AFTER Sept. 13th? So did everyone else! ... Read more

Reviews (23)

John Denver, the man
This book is a must-read for those who hunger to learn about the human side of a man who, in the 1970s, captured millions of hearts through soaring music that celebrated life, love, and nature. The story shines a revealing light on John Denver. It's most interesting that he's holding the flashlight himself. What he paints is a picture of an honest and earnest, sometimes sad, man who loved music, life, his children, the earth, and his fellow man. He doesn't whitewash problems he experienced, but the reader also learns of the great environmental and humanitarian works that went largely unnoticed during his lifetime. When you close the cover on the last page, you feel as though you know the man. Now, that's what makes a good autobiography!

Not just one Man's Life
As a child of the 70's I waswith him from the start and Ican't believe people think hewas a GOD . I loved him as mychildren do now. He was a well known person who had a special gift of music and compassion for all. But he was human and his life ws not always his to do with as he wanted, he belonged to the world, and the world made a lot of demands of him. He gave all and we always wanted more. I cherish him and his music, I listen to it frequently I never tire of the upbeat and even the sad songs.He represents to me a little of us all not just one man.s life, I too have made mistakesin judgements and I always refer to the Phrase "Judge notlest ye be judged". In my book on the last page I entered "John Denver flew home at 5:PM on Oct.12,1997 We willmiss him but his spirit is forever flying in the blue skies and our hearts.

Very honest
This is a great book. I read it and used it as one of my cited resouces in a 9 page report on the singer. Denver writes honestly of his life. Sadly he died as most of us know on October 12, 1997. There are somepeople who think or thought he was a god. This is simply not true and this book shows you the real man. The man who did far more than his part through out his life. The best way we could remember this special normal everyday man, is to teach people who to respect the environment.

Even though he has yet to get any respect in newspapers we shouldn't fight the useless fight to get him more respect. Even though I admit that he does deserve a whole lot more credit and respect. We need to follow his example and stand up to protect the environment and to stop world hunger.

We miss you dear friend. We were lucky to have you as a teacher and role model. Rest in Peace.

Never Forgotten
It's hard to believe that John Denver has been gone for 5 1/2 years. I bought my book when it first came out and was dissappointed that it didn't have more personal information. Recently I paid over four times as much for another copy just so that I could understand more accurately how he thought. Maturity has lead to an increased appreciation of the candor in this book.
Until and if Annie chooses to write about her first husband there will be no better source for the history of this remarkable man. With each reading I gain insight into the music that has touched me so deeply for so many years.

The Real Denver
I confess! I never read the book! BUT on cable I just saw the autobiographical movie called Back Home Again starring Chad Lowe as John. From the reviews I read, this movie was just the filmed version of the book. To see John as screwd up as the rest of us was delicious to behold because I always wondered what he was really like. As a result, I respect and honor the man more because behind the musician was a human being. John Denver was, is, and always will be, my hero. ... Read more

Book Description

Amazon.com

One would not anticipate a conventional memoir from Bob Dylan--indeed, one would not have foreseen an autobiography at all from the pen of the notoriously private legend. What Chronicles: Volume 1 delivers is an odd but ultimately illuminating memoir that is as impulsive, eccentric, and inspired as Dylan's greatest music.

Eschewing chronology and skipping over most of the "highlights" that his many biographers have assigned him, Dylan drifts and rambles through his tale, amplifying a series of major and minor epiphanies. If you're interested in a behind-the-scenes look at his encounters with the Beatles, look elsewhere. Dylan describes the sensation of hearing the group's "Do You Want to Know a Secret" on the radio, but devotes far more ink to a Louisiana shopkeeper named Sun Pie, who tells him, "I think all the good in the world might already been done" and sells him a World's Greatest Grandpa bumper sticker. Dylan certainly sticks to his own agenda--a newspaper article about journeymen heavyweights Jerry Quarry and Jimmy Ellis and soul singer Joe Tex's appearance on The Tonight Show inspire heartfelt musings, and yet the 1963 assassination of John Kennedy prompts nary a word from the era's greatest protest singer.

For all the small revelations (it turns out he's been a big fan of Barry Goldwater, Mickey Rourke, and Ice-T), there are eye-opening disclosures, including his confession that a large portion of his recorded output was designed to alienate his audience and free him from the burden of being a "the voice of a generation."

Off the beaten path as it is, Chronicles is nevertheless an astonishing achievement. As revelatory in its own way as Blonde on Blonde or Highway 61 Revisited, it provides ephemeral insights into the mind one of the most significant artistic voices of the 20th century while creating a completely new set of mysteries. --Steven Stolder ... Read more

Book Description

The Jimi Hendrix legend has lived on longer than the man, who died in 1970 at the age of twenty-seven. More than thirty years later, what the world knows about him has become deeply distorted. Now Sharon Lawrence, a trusted friend of Jimi's in the final years of his astonishing life, has written a serious exploration of his life, death, and enduring legacy, based partly on the author's never-before-heard recorded interviews with the late musician.

Jimi Hendrix: The Man, The Magic, The Truth contains new and rare material about Hendrix, with major insights from sources who have previously kept their silence -- from childhood neighbors to rock stars and musicians, to music-industry insiders. This book corrects years of false information, reveals key truths, and supplies facts previously known to only a precious few. It also chronicles the years of mind-boggling legal battles over his estate and legacy.

This is the definitive account of Jimi Hendrix, the young man from a pathetic poverty-stricken childhood who invented himself into something rare and special, the man who radiated genius and a bold yet charming personality when he picked up a guitar. It revisits the glory of Hendrix's talent, giving new insight into his sensitive persona, imagination, musical standards, and far-reaching impact.

Iluminating, honest, and bracing, Jimi Hendrix will forever change how we view one of rock and roll's greatest icons.

Reviews (6)

Another fan of this bio
I won't repeat all of the praises of the previous reviewers. Just wanted to add my "2 cents" that I also found the book well written, compassionate, and eye opening.Thanks to Ms. Lawrence for her decision to re-visit some painful memories and share her perspective and information with us.

Et Tu, Al ... and Janie, to Boot!
For years, I've been a Jim Morrison fanatic, in fact, having corresponded with Ray Manzarek, the keyboard player of the fabled band The Doors, in reference to an adaptation of Manzarek's book on his experiences in the band.While I searched for sources at my local library for my proposed screenplay on the last days of Jim Morrison, I happened upon Sharon Lawrence's new book on Hendrix.Suffice it to say, my curiosity prohibited me from passing up the opportunity to read up on a musician whose imagination, both lyrically and musically, have captivated me for over twenty years.

Having read David Henderson's "'Scuse Me While I Kiss the Sky" Jimi bio in 1985, I thought I possessed some discriminating knowledge, although not some connoisseur's discernment, of Hendrix.I do have to admit that only in the last six years have I begun to replace my Hendrix tapes with remastered CDs, with that all-too-familiar sticker, "Authorized by Experience Hendrix."Well, after reading Lawrence's book and her all-too candid impressions of Jimi's father, Al, and step-sister Janie--who has attempted to pass herself as Jimi's full-blooded sister--I wanted to burn each new CD.

My only other response: If Instant Karma hits both Al and Janie, they'll either admit their greed and perform contrition or burn in some eternal afterworld for urinating on the legacy of a great musician.Too bad Jimi had to be so naive when it came to business dealings.

Buy or check out the book.You owe it to Jimi.

Interesting, Informative, Insightful
Wow, what can I say, the first 2/3 of the book were amazing. It was amazing to see Jimi from the perspective of someone so close to him. But I can honestly say that after the point at which Jimi Hendrix died, it seemed to me to be pages upon pages of law-related platitude and obituary-like talk. Other than that though, it was a very well written book that would sit well with any Hendrix fan.

Touching and long Overdue!
I just finished Ms. Lawrence's compelling, honest, heartbreaking and touching biography of Jimi. I could not put it down.I have been a fan since I was 13 years old and while not a maniac had a curiosity about this musician who came and left all to quickly, but left an endelible mark on the music of his generation and many more to come.

This book tells the story of Hendrix through the eyes of someone who cared about him, who had an honest relationship with him and this has allowed her to descibe this man in a way no other really could. She describes him in such a way that I was almost in tears by the time Sept 18th rolled around.Such a loss for all of us, one that I had not really comprehended before or for that matter mourned at the time.

2 months prior to his death he played at New Yorks Randalls stadium.I begged my mother to allow me to go and after hours
of pleading she relented.I went early that morning in July because the radio station was looking for volunteers.For whatever reason I was selected to sit on stage and make sure people did not climb up during the shows.

There were many acts that night, Tull, Grand Funk, John Sebastian and of course Jimi.

I could not have been more than 6 feet away from him during that 60 minute set, virtually at his feat, watching in awe, the man whose records I listened to over and over again.I think back to that time every so often and after reading Ms. Lawarence's book much of the dynamics of that night started to come back to me.
Now if I could only find a copy of the video, I could die a happy man!

Any way read this book, even if your not a Hendrix fan. He was a good man who treated people fairly and who really got a raw deal in life.I never would have known many of the things that I learned in this book and I'm a better person for having been a fan and been able to sit at the masters feet all those years ago!

JOHN HOVING
NYC

Thank you, Ms. Lawrence
I too have read many biographies of Jimi Hendrix. But when I saw this one was being published I felt that I had to read it because many of the other biographies about Jimi were penned by individuals who were too involved in Jimi's business (either while he was alive and after his death). For instance John McDermott's (with Eddie Kramer) biography is very interesting but may be somewhat suspect as Mr. McDermott is now an employee of Experience Hendrix.

But I have to say thank you to Ms. Lawrence both for her touching and poignant biography but also for being Jimi's friend when he did indeed desperately need a friend who was not interested in his business and who wanted nothing from him but his friendship. And from Ms. Lawrence's book, it is apparent she cherished Jimi and their friendship. So I have to thank her for sharing this part of her life with Jimi's fans. She portrays Jimi as a very polite, very giving, and very unassuming person...someone who did not think of himself as a genius, even though now it is apparent that he was. All Jimi wanted was to make music, the way he wanted to make it, no matter the cost and apparently it cost him his life. It is very tragic that Jimi did not have better management who actually cared about him and his talent, as it is apparent that Michael Jeffrey only cared about Michael Jeffrey and only cared about Jimi as long as he was making money for him. Unfortunately, as Ms. Lawrence points out, Jimi has not fared much better after his death. His image and his music are still being exploited so that persons who claim to be his family can make money and live off of his great legacy.

All I can say is that we miss you Jimi, and wish you were still around making "truth and emotion" as you called it. Unfortunately you are not, and that is a tragedy for the entire world and for those of us loved your music 35 years ago and still love it to this day.

If you are a Jimi Hendrix fan, you will definitely enjoy Ms. Lawrence's book. I recommend it. ... Read more

Book Description

As products of the same urban landscape, Pete Hamill and Frank Sinatra have both been credited with giving the American city a voice. In this widely acclaimed and bestselling appreciation--now available in paperback for the first time--Hamill draws on his intimate experience of the man and the music to evoke the essence of Sinatra, illuminating the singer's art and his legend from the point of view of a confidant and a fan. ... Read more

Reviews (23)

A wonderful read--like an old song
Pete Hamill, beyond a doubt, is an excellent writer. He does a wonderful job here. The book is part bio, part history of immigrants in America, and part memoir. It works on all levels. Hamill treats Frank with the respect he deserves. The book is not a gossipy memoir--Kitty Kelly fans should look elsewhere. Instead, he makes the important arguement that Sinatra gave voice to first, a generation, and then an entire country. His artisty is what matters. The myth of the man is fun and gets most the attention, but that is besides the point for Hamill. And he is right. We all talk about the "Sinatra in a hat" (as Hamill dubs him) and the Rat Pack--but the music endures. It is, argues Hamill, what matters in the Wee Small Hours of the Morning. It is what will stand the test of time and give voice to a thousand broken dreams, hearts, and help us--like Frank after the Fall--get back up and start all over again. Thanks, Pete Hamill for getting it right.

There will never be another...
I only saw my hero, Frank Sinatra, perform once. It was at the end of his career - and his life. It was a strange evening; he was obviously at the end - he couldn't remember the words to his songs or read the teleprompter. Few people left however - the evening soon became about us - his fans - letting him know that we still loved him. "I LOVE YOU FRANK!" a huge, middle-aged, rough-looking man yelled out during a pause. Sinatra, taken aback by the violence of the outburst, chuckled and replied, "I love you too, pal." As Pete Hamill once pointed out, "Seeing Sinatra in ruins is like seeing the Coliseum in ruins - it's still magnificent."

Why Sinatra Matters is a must-read for any Sinatra-phile. In the Overture, Hamill cites Sinatra's death as the impetus for writing this book. He saw all these young reporters from MTV and VH1 doing stories on Sinatra (obviously prepared in advance) telling the world Sinatra was important, without really understanding why. It certainly wasn't just because he did it "his way."

This is a very short book. As Hamill points out it is not a "definitive biography" - although once he was in talks with Sinatra to write just that. It is, as the title plainly states, an explanation of why Sinatra matters - artistically and culturally - and why he always will. In terms of Culture, Hamill reminds the reader of a time when America felt it was morally obligated to persecute Italians - Sinatra helped change all that. Musically, the reasons are more complex. To put it succinctly, no one ever sounded like Sinatra before.

The book is great because it also sheds light on Sinatra the man, who is often lost in the obscurity of his own public image. He was not just some gruff tough guy - a kind of idiot savant who could churn out a great recording in one take. He was a fiercely intelligent, well-read, well-cultured, self-educated man who worked hard at his craft. The most enjoyable parts of the book are the conversations Hamill recounts between himself and Sinatra. Most shocking of all - to me at least - was to imagine Sinatra using the F-word!

Great book, horrible book-on-tape
Do not buy the book on tape! Get it in hardcover or paperback.

This is a fine little book, but it's the first book on tape I have had to turn off because the narrator's voice was too grating (and I've listened to tons of books on tape). Had it been read by the author himself, certainly allowances could be made. Instead, the publisher went out to find a professional reader and chose someone who speaks in an harsh, barking monotone, one part Howard Cosell, one part Rain Man, one part the guy who does the Moviephone listings. When the voice first came on, reading the copyright information and other technical details, I assumed that, well, that's just the preliminaries, surely someone else will narrate the rest of the tape. Nope. Amazing.
I have switched to the print version, which is excellent.

"It's a quarter to three and there' s no one in the place...
I've read several books on Sinatra;But this one is really different.Hamill is an excellent writer and shows us why Sinatra matters;this was not done in other books.He has also shown what made Sinatra so popular,what influenced the changes in his audiences and without coming right out and saying so;why there won't nor can't ever be another one like him.He also reveals the art form that Sinatra perfected in his voice.
As great as Sinatra's music was;it was Sinatra as a man,and all that he represented, as well as the use of the microphone like a painter uses a brush;that made him so great.
Read this book;it will give you a deeper appreciation of Sinatra.

Why Sinatra Matters is a fine book.
Pete Hamill is a fine reporter who knew Frank Sinatra as a friend. Sinatra was an enigmatic, charismatic and complex singer of the American soul. Perhaps no singer in 20th century America popular song could get inside a lyric and make it his own like the great "ole blue eyes."
Hamill's opening chapter in which we sit beside Sinatra and his cronies in a Brooklyn bar in 1970 is like something out of Hemingway in its description of a man, era and city.
Hamill points out that it was Sinatra in music, Laguardia in politics and Joe Dimaggio in sports who raised the immigrant Italian ethnic group to greatness in insular, xenophobic America of the 1940s.
Sinatrta could be obnoxious and cruel but he could also be
generous and kind,
This book reminds me of the Penguin Lives series as it is a good starting place for anyone who wants to learn more about Sinatra, his women, his era and most importantly his music. The music will live forever in the American soul.
Sinatra did it his way and Hamill does a fine job of writing in this interesting little book. A good read to take on vacation or a long flight. I recommend it. ... Read more

Amazon.com

With three steamy books by the women in Elvis's life already published (1997's Elvis: In theTwilight of Memory by June Juanico; Priscilla Beaulieu Presley's 1991 tell-all, Elvis and Me;and Joyce Bova's Don't Ask Forever: My Love Affair with Elvis), can the world absorb another?Suzanne Finstad, author of Child Bride: The Untold Story of Priscilla Beaulieu Presley, certainlyhopes so.

With as many darkly intriguing details as the chambers of Graceland, Finstad--journalist, lawyer, andauthor of two true-crime books--defends her own theories on the complexity and grit of the former Mrs.Presley. Why did she conspire with her mother to keep her paternity a secret? How old was she when shetook up with the King? Suzanne Finstad treats us to her own exhaustively researched version of the facts. ... Read more

Reviews (38)

The Price of Fame
I don't usually read this kind of book - (the last biography I read before this was of Darwin), but for many of my generation Elvis came on the scene as we were entering pubescence, and represented the sentiments we felt in his songs. There was something remarkable about him - the "good ole boy" honesty as it seemed to us. His downfall and death shook many old fans who had left him behind for a time. Now, we revisit the wonder of who he was, for better and for worse - the tragedy of his short life. This book brings the reader to see Elvis through this significant aspect of his life. Without Elvis, there would not have been a Priscilla Presley. I think the author tried to present a fair perspective, and took a journalistic approach to the writing her book. What is the truth? - who can say - in some aspects it is a matter of perspective, and in others, the guy Currie who introduced her to Elvis, for example, simply bad bad manners because there is a certain aspect of privacy that people deserve of intimate relationships. Who could blame Priscilla for suing about that aspect of the book. It was a very very ugly part of the book. The book certainly has drawn reaction. One thinks - too bad Elvis didn't marry Ann Margret .... Not in any bad vibes of Priscilla, because she is some smart lady, and I think did well by any measure for Lisa, but because Ann Margret is some classy lady and she stood by her man Roger Smith, through sickness and good times, as he did for her. Wishful thinking.. Elvis' fame gave him a tremendous power, and that power prevented anyone from saving him. Who could blame Priscilla for leaving him? Child Bride is a good read through - once, for those who have a deep feeling of who Elvis was. He was a unique man. He died too young. His music lives on.. cliche, but oh, so true...

bad
This book is tabloid fodder. Don't read it. It contradicts itself and is terrible all the way around.

Jealous author seeks fame
Where do I begin? I began reading this book with an open mind, having heard good and bad things about it. It is bad. Ms. Finstad comes off as a very jealous woman. She sounds like a 12 year old still mad that she didn't marry Elvis. If you are a fan of either Elvis or Priscilla, don't read this book. If I described this book in one word it would be contradictory. Ms. Finstad constantly refers to the "web of lies" that Priscilla has spun. I find it hard to believe that if the web truly exists, why would she be the first to discover it? Wouldn't some one else have uncoverd it years before? There are countless contradictory ideas in this book. She describes how Priscilla was a master of masking her true emotions then a few pages later she says that once Elvis left Germany Priscilla acted happy go lucky so that meant that Priscilla didn't love Elvis. Couldn't she be masking her true emotions so people didn't think that she was deeply sad? That is just one example. I also don't respect the opinions of her sources. All of whom have reason to be jealous of Priscilla. I find it hard to believe that someone you knew for a year when you were 12 can be a judge of your true character. Ms. Finstad can't even get simple things right. She said Elvis was 11 years older when he was 10. She said they married 7 years after meeting when it was 8. Ms. Finstad needs to understand adoption as well. Priscilla was adopted by her step-father so her name was legally chnaged to Beaulieu but Ms. Finstad tries to say that Priscilla was denying her past by not going by Wagner. There are several sources from the book that say how Priscilla never loved Elvis but these same people go onto TV interviews and say they loved eachother but just couldn't make it work. Elvis was not stupid. He would have known if she didn't love him. The virginity issue is always a hot topic. I'll just say that Elvis thought she was a virgin before and after they got married so I'll leave it at that. I can't even remember every little bit of contradiction in the book right now but rest assured that it is filled with it. Don't waste your money.

Child Bride - The truthful side
I had originally read Priscilla Presleys, "Elvis and Me", and to be honest, I couldnt help but feel that Priscilla had glossed over her story with Elvis. There didnt seem to be any real emotion portrayed throughout the book, just a glossy, storytale fashion that the myth of her and elvis has evolved from. I truly felt that Priscilla was very good at painting the most perfect, sweet image of herself, yet she didnt open up and reveal any raw, honest regrets that she also may have made in the relationship. I admit, I was left throughout the book with many questions for various situations/events in her life with Elvis.So, it came as a surprise when a friend of mine mentioned that there was a book that may answer those doubts that I had.
Suzanne Finstad's account seems to be 100% researched before any information was put into this book and I truly feel that Priscilla Presley was the victim of an overly ambitious mother and father. This book (unbelievably), seemed to answer all those doubts and questions that I had in my head from the first book. The evidence is there to support that Priscilla made the "rape" story up in order to detract what had went on between herself and Curry..after all lets face it, it would take quite an "advanced 14 year old" to be able to hold the attention of a 25 year old man. Also, whilst I completly condem what Curry Grant did, what reason would this man lie for ?? to hurt his family?, to destroy his own character ?, I dont think so. Unfortunatly I found that the evidence in this book supports the fact that the Elvis/Priscilla myth, that Priscilla painted was a (PR), motivated stretch of her imagination. There is some dark truths in this book, I feel, and for those hardened Elvis and Priscilla fans who believe in the Priscilla myth, this book is not for you, however, If you too felt similar opinions about Priscilla's book, This is a must read, backed up by ground breaking evidence and reliable sources (close associates of both). GO BUY IT !

I found this to be a very good read..
People are so wrapped in the myth of Elvis and Priscilla, that when anything comes along to refute that, people get very upset. Because from reading some of these reviews, this book was something that diehards didn't want to read about, because they are so used to hearing the usual spin from Priscilla, which they take as the gospel.

People tend to be gulliable when it comes to celebs and believe everything they say. Because if you go back and read her book and then Suzanne's, the inconsistences are very obvious. Plus Priscilla did say she learned PR from the best Colonel Parker and Elvis.

Celebs create lies about themselves all of the time, Priscilla is no diffrent. Some reviews have said that the ex's and the entourage have a ax to grind. But what about her childhood friends, I doubt they had a ax to grind. And you can pretty much tell from reading their stories, which were very well collaborated, that they were telling the truth.

Priscilla always had it in mind to meet Elvis, and she wasn't a virgin on her wedding night. Priscilla had a active (...) life when Elvis was gone. And her parents, seeing Elvis as the big mealticket, sent her back to the States because she was getting to wrapped up in Jamie Lindberg. Even though they were eventually going to follow soon after.

And it was a eye-opener that her parents had a diffrent set of rules for her other boyfriends but when it came to Elvis, anything went. Sometimes Priscilla came home as late as after midnight, and her parents really didn't put a stop to that. And lets not get started on the fact that Elvis was a grown man and Priscilla was still a child, which gets glossed over because Elvis such a legend now. Honestly, how many parents would knowingly let their daughter go over to a adult man's house, let alone live with him. Not many but i know alot would, if the guy was a big celebrity..

Currie Grant's story i believe 100% because he readily admits his wrongs, the fact that he wasn't perfect in the whole situation. And i found it funny that Priscilla sued him and no one else, probably because he was the easiest target because he was shut out of Elvis's world. Plus Priscilla has made enough money off of Elvis's name to pay lawyers for years.

And the interviews with her friends at the time about the Eve comparisons are good, because i believe that Priscilla is a very calculating and intelligent person, discarding those she has no more use for, after she learned all she can from them. Joe Esposito, who numerous people have said is a very nice guy and Rick Stanley, i found to be very truthful to and thought they had alot of good insight.

In regards to Ann-Margaret, who i believe was the love of Elvis's life and Priscilla and Lisa. I read this book in a objective frame of mind and i came away from it thinking that this is in the top 5 of books of anything Presely related. Suzanne Finstad did a very good job writing this book, very well researched. ... Read more

Book Description

In the witty tone that made Phil Doran a success as a writer in Hollywood, The ReluctantTuscan will captivate a wide audience, from those who simply love a captivating travelnarrative to anyone who loves the quirky humor of Bill Bryson, Dave Barry, and Jerry Seinfeld.

After years of working on a string of successful sitcoms, Doran found that just as he and his peershad replaced the older guys when he was coming up, it was now happening to him. And it wasfreaking him out. He came home every night burned-out, angry, and exhausted. But even if hehadn’t had enough, his wife, Nancy, had. After twenty-five years of losing her husband toHollywood, Doran’s wife decided it was finally time for a change—so on one of her many solotrips to Italy she surprised her husband by purchasing a broken-down three-hundred-year-oldfarmhouse for them to restore. The Reluctant Tuscan is the author’s transition from asuccessful but overworked writer-producer in Hollywood to someone rediscovering himself andhis wife while in Italy, finding happiness in the last place he expected to.

Doran finds himself navigating through the maddening labyrinth of Italian bureaucracy just to geta road paved to their house; dealing with the foibles of their neighbors and the tangled drama ofthe family who sold them the home; coming to accept that the Italians live with a million laws andno rules—all while he becomes slowly seduced by the inexhaustible beauty and tactile pleasuresof Tuscany. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Don't pass this one by
I am a reader who usually takes 5 weeks or more to get through a book. Once I started The Reluctant Tuscan I could not put it down. I had it finished in 2 days!! The author's humor and experiences made this book one to tell everyone about. Anyone who has ever done any type of home remodeling will connect with the author's journey and be able to laugh about events that at a previous time would have had you in a different frame of mind. I can not stress enough DON'T PASS THIS ONE BY. If they had 10 stars that's where I would have rated it.

Great Landscapes
Phil Doran has written a lovely, funny and terrifically-readable book.It brings the Tuscan landscape and people to life.But what makes it truly unique are the portraits of Doran's own internal landscape - his growth and insights through the course of the book.You can travel to Tuscany without leaving home, and you might just get some personal insights on the way.This book is a great read.

A light summer read...
Phil Doran's dry humor is evident in this light-hearted romp under the Tuscan sun.The story sounds predictable with an American writer escaping to Italy impulsively buying a fixer-upper in the country.Sounds familiar?Sounds like the plot for Under the Tuscan Sun, only this version is from a man who has the knack for comedy.Doran is the writer and producer of the tv hit Wonder Years.The Reluctant Tuscan has the feel of Peter Mayle's travel diaries but with more story than diary.Would be great for a light summer read. ... Read more

Book Description

Like a restless ghost, James Dean (1921-1955) continues to haunt us. Though he died nearly 50 years ago, the enigmatic star of East of Eden, Rebel without a Cause, and Giant still symbolizes the mystery and torment of adolescence-an image that his sudden, violent death fixed forever in the public mind.

Magnum photographer Dennis Stock met Dean in Hollywood in 1954 and began to capture him on camera. Shot over a three-month period just as the young actor's star began to rise, these iconic photographs are the greatest pictures ever taken of Dean. Together with Stock's text and an introduction by Dean biographer Joe Hyams, the images provide an extraordinarily intimate view of the cult legend whose brooding good looks captivated fans by illuminating the troubled depths of his character. Published on the 50th anniversary of his death, this is the definitive photographic portrait of James Dean in both his professional and his private worlds-the real man behind the lingering legend. AUTHOR BIO: Dennis Stock has been associated with Magnum Photos since 1951, and his photographs are in the collections of many major museums. Stock is the author of 16 books, including California Trip, on the surrealistic landscape of that state. He lives in Connecticut. Joe Hyams is the noted author of 28 books, among them James Dean: Little Boy Lost, the definitive Dean biography. Immediately after Dean's death, he was the first authorized by the actor's family to write about him. ... Read more

Book Description

For the millions of fans of Jimmy Buffett's music as well as his bestselling books, Tales from Margaritaville and Where Is Joe Merchant?, here is the ultimate Jimmy Buffett philosophy on life and how to live it.As hard as it is to believe, the irrepressible Jimmy Buffett has hit the half-century mark and, in A Pirate Looks at 50, he brings us along on the remarkable journey which he took through the Southern hemisphere to celebrate this landmark birthday.
        
Jimmy takes us from the legendary pirate coves of the Florida Keys to the ruins of ancient Cartegena.Along the way, we hear a tale or two of how he got his start in New Orleans, how he discovered his passion for flying planes, and how he almost died in a watery crash in Nantucket harbor.We follow Jimmy to jungle outposts in Costa Rica and on a meandering trip down the Amazon, through hair-raising negotiations with gun-toting customsofficials and a 3-year-old aspiring copilot.And he is the inimitable Jimmy Buffett through it all.
        
For Parrotheads, for armchair adventurers, and for anyone who appreciates a good yarn and a hearty laugh, here is the ultimate backstage pass--you'll read the kind of stories Jimmy usually reserves for his closest friends and you'll see a wonderful, wacky life through eyes of the man who's lived it. A Pirate Looks at 50 is a breath of fresh air and a ingenious manual for getting to 50 ... and beyond. ... Read more

Reviews (224)

I gotta go where it's warm!
This is an unassuming book that sneaks up to you with a warm enjoyable feeling. I've always wanted to know what Jimmy Buffett is like when he's not on stage, and I'm happy to find out that he's a genuine person with enough flaws to make him interesting.

I was particularly pleased to see that Jimmy didn't do a Jerry Springer spill yer guts kind of tale, but instead just related stories as they came to mind. Jimmy comes across as a man who's found his niche. You have to have respect for a guy who hasn't had more than 1 or 2 top ten records and still manages to sell out every concert.

Some people may not enjoy all the fly fishing stories and the flying descriptions. I did, but I'm one of those types who reads everything including the back of cereal boxes. (Sick I know, but hey there's probably a 12-step program for it somewhere!).

This book is like a comfortable afternoon in the hammock...not much gets accomplished, but it's a wonderful way to spend the day.

A Typically Unique Buffett Experience!
This was a typically unique Jimmy Buffett experience whereby he weaves his personal "songline" into an entertaining narrative to be enjoyed by Parrotheads, fishermen, "flying boat captains", and anybody with an adventurous spirit! I gave this 5 stars for the sheer entertainment value...it may not be a literary masterpiece, but it's a lot of fun!

I especially enjoyed the vivid explanations of Caribbean history. As a high school social studies teacher, I think some of Jimmy's descriptions would be very motivating for some of my students and I plan to incorporate some of them into my Global Studies lesson plans.

In an earlier review, I read that this is more of a man's book since most women wouldn't be interested in fishing or seaplanes. As a woman, I found these sections very interesting. Granted, flying planes and fishing aren't my hobbies, but learning something new is always fun. I don't think gender should influence one's decision to read this book - just keep an open mind!

A big kid's fantasy
Each time I read this book, I pick up previously missed "words of wisdom", and am transported along with him to all the adventures he describes so intimately, all over the world. Here is a man who went for his dreams, freely admits when he screwed up, and made it in a way we can only imagine. I absolutely loved this book.

Another Caribbean Soul
I first read this book on my honeymoon on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, and it has truly inspired me. A fellow sailor from childhood, I had lost touch with my ties to Mother Ocean as I pursued a career in engineering that was successful by conventional standards but left me feeling like something was missing. This book reminded me what it was. Jimmy Buffett is an incredible storyteller, and has lived a life many (like me) only dream of. He makes you want to visit each and every place he describes. Some may claim that this book does not deserve 5 stars because it is not a literary masterpiece, and if you want a literary masterpiece, this book is not for you. If you are looking for an enjoyable vacation read, or for inspiration to truly live life instead of following the status quo, then this is a 5-star book for you!

The man behind Margaritaville
Playing on his classic song "A Pirate Turns Forty", Jimmy Buffett weaves an autobiographical tale that takes you to that mystical place in our minds called Margaritaville.

The book is long on facts, going through Jimmy's life as a youngster, covering the famous story of how he picked up the guitar to meet girls, and through the life as a family man and musician.

An interesting point that comes across is that Jimmy Buffett is not just this carefree guy who sings on stage all day long. He has his own nuances, such as a need to overpack. How does that fit into the life of the troubador? It doesn't, and that peek behind the illusion makes this journey a personal one.

The one downside is that if you're not a Parrothead, the book is probably not for you. If you are a Parrothead, get out the blender, set the chair just right on the deck, and enjoy the book on a lazy sunny afternoon. ... Read more

Book Description

"Woooooo!"

With that triumphant yell, "Nature Boy" Ric Flair surpassed his predecessors and his peers to become one of the greatest professional wrestlers in history.

Throughout the years, there may have been equally charismatic performers, comparable athletes, and even better interviews, but none were blessed with the same combination of talents to manage to stay on top for over three decades.

To wrestling fans, the Nature Boy is a platinum-blond deity, a sixteen-time world champion who accurately boasted that he could have a five-star match with a broom. No matter how limited the opponent, Flair had the skill and determination to bounce all over the mat, transforming his rival into a star. When the camera light went on, "Slick Ric" could convince viewers that, if they missed an upcoming match, a momentous life experience would pass them by. Flair's opponents were challenged with this simple taunt: "To be the man, you have to beat the man."

Away from the arena, Richard Morgan Fliehr spent years struggling with his own concept of what it meant to be a man. He suffered periods of crushing self-doubt, marital strife and -- in a profession where there was room for only one Ric Flair -- broken friendships.

Ric Flair: To Be the Man, cowritten with Keith Elliot Greenberg, chronicles the anguish and exhilaration of Flair's life and career -- in painfully honest detail.

From the moment he was born, Flair was enmeshed in controversy. Like many of the other children adopted through the Tennessee Children's Home Society, he was apparently stolen from his birth parents and placed on the adoption black market. Raised just outside Minneapolis by a gynecologist and a theater writer, Ric was a distracted student, brilliant athlete, and wild party boy. Through a chance meeting with weightlifter Ken Patera, Flair was directed to the place where his athletic proficiency and personality quirks were highly valued: the pro-wrestling circuit.

After beginning his pro-wrestling career in the Minnesota area, Flair relocated to Charlotte, North Carolina, in 1974, and never left, igniting the Mid-Atlantic Wrestling promotion. He was almost forced to retire a year later when his back was broken in a plane crash. Flair recuperated, winning his first National Wrestling Alliance championship in 1981. As the most traveled champion ever, he journeyed from one regional "territory" to another, once wrestling eighteen hour-long cards during a fourteen-day stretch.

On television, Flair portrayed himself as the consummate ladies' man, a role he also felt compelled to play in his private life, holding all-night parties. Few fans realized there was also a traditional side to Flair, who battled to reconcile his nocturnal antics with his love for his family.

Before Ted Turner purchased World Championship Wrestling in 1988, Flair was given assurance that the Nature Boy would come with the package. But his clashes with WCW management would drive Flair into World Wrestling Entertainment, where he'd win the group's championship in a dramatic match at the Royal Rumble 1992. Flair later returned to WCW, where he collided in and out of the ring with Hulk Hogan, and -- as the company disintegrated over the next few years -- began losing all shreds of his self-esteem.

Arriving back at the WWE in 2001, Flair was a broken man, unsure if he still fit into the business; what he didn't know was that wrestlers who'd grown up idolizing him now inhabited the WWE locker room. With their support, he was finally able to claim his legacy and receive the credit he so richly deserved.

In addition to his own words, Flair's story is enriched by anecdotes from ring greats like Superstar Billy Graham, Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat, Harley Race, Sgt. Slaughter, David Crockett, Arn Anderson, Bobby "The Brain" Heenan, "Mean" Gene Okerlund, Shawn Michaels, Triple H, Undertaker and Brock Lesnar.

To Be the Man traces the rise of one of wrestling's most enduring superstars to the pinnacle of the sports entertainment universe, and is a must-read for every wrestling fan. ... Read more

Reviews (36)

You can never imagine how this book touched me...
I've been a wrestling fan for almost 14 years now. Still my priorities were with WWF/E. Ric Flair was not an unknown to me, but I just didn't know his greatness. Untill a couple of years ago ,I became a big fan of the "Nature Boy". I loved his charisma and work ethic. Yet, I still didn't see the stuff of greatness. I bought his DVD and was mesmorised. The guy was divine. He instantly became my favorite wrestler because of the fact that I haven't seen this kind of quality in wrestling matches. So eventually I bought this book . Now, I read a lot of wrestling books including the critically acclaimed Foley books. I still hold his first in high esteem, but this definately topped it. Foley's book was very well written and funny enough to let me ROTFL! But I never, ever expected a book to generate this much emotion from me. During the last chapters of the book, I admittedly wept my tears off my face. The book was so honest that I really felt Flair's depression. Here was a guy, strutting on TV, chanting "WOOOOO!", and being a limousine ridin son of a gun. Yet he was struggling with self doubt. I'm a tough guy. I hold a tough man reputation. Putting me into tears is a nearly impossible thing to do, yet this book did.But how will I recommend it the crowd ? If you like wrestling, you will absolutely love the stories told in this book . They will make you laugh . Flair was so honest about his divorce, blaming himself and wondering how could flair's first wife live with him. The book also includes comments from various superstars like HHH, Shawn Michaels, Ricky Steamboat, Harley Race,Chris Jericho,etc... I couldn't recommend this enough. If you've just heard of Ric Flair, nothing more, then buy this . Read it again and again . Ric has once again proved why he's the measuring stick . "To Be The Man" is a wonderfull journey full of laughter, pride, sorrow , and depression. A "real world" fairy tale with a prince charming that wore custom made suits ,diamond rings, corvette cars, limousines, jets, 16 World Championship reigns, and most importantly a family to love. Ric , you proved to me that you are the MAN! WOOOOO!

Woooooooooooooooooo!
The best wrestling book put out, period. No surprise given that Ric Flair's name was attached to it, it had to be the best. My only gripe was that it was too short--I wanted more.

Lots of good inside stuff from the 70's and 80's, and the tragic sufferings of a man who was literally beaten down by one of the biggest clowns in wrestling, Eric Bischoff. Flair doesn't really pull any punches here, and it is intriguing to watch his relationships with Dusty and Hogan develop from one of idolization to a certain animosity (Dusty Rhodes), to a mutual respect to a portrayed hatred (Hulk Hogan).

Flair clearly has his favorites: Harley Race, Wahoo, Steamboat, Windham, Sting and Arn--no surprise. He also identifies some folks who should not never have even bothered wrestling, Ultimate Warrior, Brutus Beefcake, to a lesser extent, Mick Foley. Gotta love the take on Shane Douglas as well. How's your book Shane? heh heh.

What's great is Flair's respect for the guys who came before him, and the hard work that had to be put in for Flair to be the best. How many people today could live through Verne Gagne's training camps? If Flair hadn't partied so hard, we might be already looking at the next sports politician. Great story, but I just wish it was longer- Flair's stories are so good that you really wish the book would keep going. Fantastic read, you have to pick this up.

Well Worth It
This is the story of Ric Flair, written towards the end of his career. Flair's book has an advantage over other wrestling books. Since he wrote it now, as opposed to ten years ago, it is pretty comprehensive, whereas when people like Rock and Foley wrote their's, they were unable to cover everything since their careers still had plenty of more time. The main advantages Flair has though are his life experiences, stories, and accomplisments. Put another way, he has a lot better material to work with than other wrestlers because he has been around a long time and practically 'done it all.'

So what is in the book? A few chapters about his early childhood, years in high school and college, and then the story of how he broke into wrestling. From there, he tells of the people he first met, and how he was in awe of many of them, as he had followed their careers. We learn that Flair was an avid wrestling magazine collector, who idolized many wrestlers. Flair talks a lot about people like Wahoo McDaniel and Dusty Rhodes.

From there he talks about his early successes. Among them are some title wins (tag titles, tv title) and his early feud with Ricky Steamboat. A lot of the book is devoted to his first few reigns as NWA champion. Less is devoted to his first stint in WWF, his return to WCW, and then his take on different time periods in WCW, mainly when Hogan first came in, when the NWO was hot, and then when Russo came in.
Do not worry though, he spends enough time talking about his backstage battles and concerns with Hogan, Bischoff, and Russo that the reader should be satisfied.

Throughout the book, he gives his take on several wrestlers like: Savage, Sid, Bret, Sting, Lugar, Triple H, Jarett, Foley, Michaels, Undertaker, Hogan, the list goes on. While I do not agree with everything Flair had to say about these guys (I especially disagree with him on Bret and Savage), he is Ric Flair and I believe he has the right to be heard. Basically, Flair tries to distinguish between a "good" wrestler and a "great" wrestler. To him, Bret and Savage are just good, whereas people like him, Steamboat, and Michaels are great.

This is far from a perfect book, but I'd still give it 5 stars. If you ever wanted to know what kind of person Flair is, and what he thinks, you will get a lot out of this book. You will not get everything you want, but probably more than enough to satisfy.

The editor is listed on the cover!
I loved this book but when you're going to list the name of the book's editor on the cover, you'd better not have a sloppy book inside. This book is FULL of typos and bizarre sentence fragments and non-sequitors. The editor can't tell the difference between the Caribbean islands of St. Maarten and St. Martin, and doesn't know that the the North Korean dictator is Kim Jong Il, not Kim Jong II!

The Man Has Spoken
Ric Flair is an entertainer and a gentleman. I went to book signing for this book in Charlotte NC and was amazed at the humility and respect for the average fan that he exudes. I read the book from cover to cover last night and found it insightful, interesting, and entertaining.

Very few entertainers are as honest about their personal demons as Flair is in this book. He has made a lot of mistakes throughout his life and has paid the price for his fame. This aspect alone is worth the purchase price.

This is an excellent book and well worth reading. The reason I gave it only four stars is that it is too short and cannot even come close to summarizing his amazing career. I hear rumblings of a 900 page Bret Hart book -- if this is true, then Flair may well have over 10,00 pages af further anecdotes that he needs to share with us in a sequel. ... Read more

Book Description

Millions of people around the world know Chuck Norris as the star of more than 20 motion pictures, including "Delta Force," "Missing in Action," and "Return of the Dragon."Millions more know him as a martial arts expert, the only man in the Western Hemisphere to hold an 8th degree Black Belt Grand Master in Tae Kwon Do. And then there are others who know him from his eight seasons on CBS’s longest running series, "Walker, Texas Ranger."

What many don't know is that Chuck Norris is a sincere Christian—a man whose faith plays a role in everything he does.Against All Odds is an inspirational story of how Norris overcame abject poverty from childhood, the effects of his father’s alcoholism and desertion of the family, and his own shyness and lack of strength and ability early in his life. Norris writes candidly about how he was able to overcome such obstacles in his life—giving full credit to God. ... Read more

Book Description

Created with their full cooperation, The Beatles Anthology is, in effect, The Beatles' autobiography. Like their music, which has been a part of so many of our lives, this landmark release is warm, frank, funny, poignant and bold. At last, here is The Beatles' own story. Each page is brimming with personal stories and rare, vintage images. Includes over 340,000 words and over 1300 images, including unseen photographs and personal memorabilia. ... Read more

Reviews (203)

Fabulous!
I was going to give this book 4 stars, until half-way through I was struck by the pure genius of it all. Why? It's like a cover song - when someone else plays a Beatles song, does it ever really sound as good as the original? Rarely. "Anthology" is a huge tome of a book comprised entirely of interviews and snippets from the Fab Four themselves, with a very few extras from their manager, studio producer, etc. It seems like a coffee table book, but it certainly isn't - over 350 large pages of fine print.

The reason why this book ALMOST got 4 stars is because of the inherent nature of a book made entirely of quotes - natural conversation doesn't translate well onto the printed page, especially when so many people are quoted from different periods in their lives. The book never says "In 1964, the Beatles recorded Rubber Soul" or anything like that. Instead, the quotes gradually roll around to telling you, until you realize "Oh, we're in the studio again". Often this book is disjointed and hard to follow, especially if you don't anything about the Beatles.

However, few people know nothing about the Beatles! After the first 30 pages, you get used to the style of presentation, and later on you realize the beauty of it all - these boys are down-right inspiring. Worked in with all the tours and stories and pranks and bad rumors and other nonsense are wonderful descriptions of their music and how it was written, what its inspiration was, and the trials that were faced to create it. The Beatles didn't idolize themselves, not like their fans do, so the words just flow out effortlessly and pure, just like their music did. This was their lives, no big deal, this is what they did. The creativity is catchy.

If you are a die-hard Beatles historian, I'm positive that nothing new is said in this book. There is no "myth-making" in these pages - their fights and disagreements are very bluntly presented - but you can see a "No Big Deal" kind of attitude formed. It's is only natural, the survivors are turning 60, after all. Like the video series and the CDs, this version of Anthology is a warm revisit of a wonderful little rock'n'roll band. Check it out.

The Definitive Chronicle At Last
Hundreds of books have been written about The Beatles, but it is
crushingly obvious when reading this Anthology volume that by far the
best one would naturally come from the bandmembers themselves. [The
price] seems like an incredible bargain considering the size and
quality of this work, which covers the years 1940 (the birth of Ringo
and John) to the breakup in 1970. At 368 coffee-table sized pages
it's already huge, but the small print makes it almost double that
size.

The book would be worth it just for the photos alone, which
are beautifully reprinted--many from the early years are actually in
color--chronicling dozens of previously unpublished, intimate moments
taken straight from the group's personal archives. But what really
makes this one essential is the text itself, which is taken from
interviews conducted with Paul, George and Ringo in the 90s and an
exhaustive compilation of Lennon quotes from all points in his life (I
recognized many, but there were also some I've never seen before).
Even after the dozens upon dozens of biographies which have recounted
the group's earth-shattering tale ad nauseum, you feel like you're
reading it for the first time. All four bandmembers speak with a
thousand times more wit, frankness and detail than all of their
previous biographers combined; in fact, they manage to offer up
juicier tales, and more interesting spins on already known events,
than anything you've read before even in the most gossipy bios--and
you get it this time knowing that it's honest (you know it's honest
when you hear conflicting memories about certain events!).

"Anthology" is especially revealing when it comes to the
childhoods and Hamburg era: you get to hear about the first time
George got laid (right in front of the other three bandmembers!), or
when Ringo was a member of the Dingle gang, or what they did at
teenage parties. The detail is so thorough and vividly recalled for
the early years (and butressed by the photos) that you feel like
you're living it as it actually happened. No stone is left unturned
about the famous years, either: George and Ringo philosophize about
their first LSD trips and the meaning of "Tomorrow Never
Knows", the Maharishi controversy is finally put to rest (hint:
he never made a pass at anybody), and new insight is shed on the
evolution of the friendships between John and the other three. More
is made about the breakup than was on the "Anthology"
videos, including Yoko's presence and the business hassles, as well as
the making of "Abbey Road". Finally, all of this is told
with such an elegant sense of Beatle humor that even the heaviest
moments are a joy to read. Also included are excerpts from Stu
Sutcliffe and Brian Epstein's personal diaries. With this volume now
finally released, the only other essential Beatle books to get are
Lewishon's "Beatles Chronicle" and Miles' "The Beatles:
A Diary", both of which give exact reference dates and
descriptions for every live show, radio, recording and filming session
(as well as more great photos).

Magical mystery tour through the Beatles' career
This book purports to tell the Beatles's story in their own words (though augmented by memories from people close to them like Brian Epstein, producer George Martin, roadies Neil Aspinall and Mal Evans, and publicist Derek Taylor), and does the job quite well.

I would estimate that at least 80% of the information contained in this book is already old hat for die-hard Beatlemaniacs who have memorized Mark Lewisohn's "Complete Beatles Chronicle" and read every Beatle book out there. But it's not so much the substance of the information as the way in which it is told--it's great to be able read about these events from the Beatles' point of view, even as seen through the prism of the thirty to forty years that have passed. And I am grateful that George was able to participate in the whole Anthology project before his untimely death in 2001.

The modern-day comments from Paul, George, and Ringo were apparently taken from the interviews from the Beatles Anthology circa 94-95 (if you watch the entire video/DVD and compare it to the text in the book it's pretty obvious). Hard-core fans will be able to recognize where many of the other quotes came from, although they aren't sourced, unfortunately--after each such quote there's merely a superscript such as "64" or "70" showing the year it was said, with no reference to the publication or interview it was taken from. That said, the editors had an incredible job piecing this thing together; they could almost be listed as co-writers!

There's a great deal of eye-candy (photographs, memos, handwritten notes, drawings, etc.), which are fascinating to look at. Sometimes, though, the arrangement of text, typeface, and photographs on the page seems rather random and thrown together, and even can make it difficult to read (for example, page 177, which tells about George and John's first LSD trip is printed on a background of garish red with magenta and orange text that all but obliterates the actual text). But it's never dull.

Despite the fact that it may be a bit of a chore to read, since it's large and heavy (even in paperback), it is a joy to read and I heartily recommend it to all Beatle fans.

The Ultimate Beatles!
This book transcends its overt purpose of being an anthology of the Beatles.

Anyone who loves the music the Beatles gave us will find much rewarding material here. Those who want to know about how success can be accomplished in popular music will be riveted. Those who like to look back on popular culture in times past will have a happy trip. If you just love exciting photography, there is much to attract you to this volume. I found myself singing the Beatles' songs to myself as I read the text and looked at the illustrations. That was the best part!

To me, the most thought-provoking part of this book was its rags-to-genius quality. The Beatles were unlikely candidates to become leading musical innovators. Most of them were so poor that their families lacked indoor bathrooms when they were growing up. None of them could read music. The combined number of music lessons they had was less than ten in total. They could not afford musical instruments. Their families could not afford to subsidize their careers. Yet they were observant about the new, in contact with what moved their hearts, listened intently for better music, and worked with a never-ending frenzy to fulfill their passion for the music. It's vastly more heartwarming and fascinating than any rags-to-riches story ever can be.

I had never understood John Lennon's complaints about the "packaged, predictable" Beatles until I read in this book about the type of band they were while evolving their style. Particularly in the Hamburg gigs, they were more like a jazz combo that played rock and roll. The music was free form, and they stretched some songs into being as long as an hour and a half.

In fact, their commercial success was a tremendous tragedy for their artistic success because they were probably at the edge of developing a whole new musical genre that would have become the dominant one today. I'm sorry it never happened. I feel even more sorry for them, in realizing that they knew what they lost and must feel it very deeply.

I was also moved by the story of their tempestuous friendship. These guys went through tremendous stresses, strains, and deprivations together. They fought, they disagreed, they slugged each other, and they appreciated each other. Yet, there was a strong enough pull towards each other that allowed the group to continue through its amazing journey, despite the difficulties. To have had such friendships, even if they are eventually lost, must be an amazing experience. Few will know thi