Discover the Best Sellers Audiobooks in Arts & Entertainment, Celebrity Bios

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Title: Sinatra

Subtitle: The Life

Author: Anthony Summers, Robbyn Swan

Narrator: Tony Roberts

Format: Abridged

Length: 8 hrs and 38 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-10-05

Publisher: Random House Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 21 votes

Genres: Arts & Entertainment, Celebrity Bios

Publisher's Summary:

Drawing on a treasure trove of documents and interviews, Anthony Summers and Robyn Swan reveal stunning new information about Sinatra's links to such Mafia figures as Sam Giancana and Lucky Luciano. And we see for the first time where the Mafia connection began, how and why it lasted, and how it impinged on others.

Here, too, is the core of the private Sinatra that the singer so long concealed. The heartbreaking truth about his passion for Ava Gardner emerges from never-before-published conversations with Gardner herself. In exclusive, intimate interviews, the women who loved Sinatra share memories of the joy and pain of their relationships with him. And we learn what it was like to be the friend of a man who was generous and loyal to a fault, yet who could turn abruptly into a vindictive brute.

Dramatic, eye-opening, and unfailingly fair-minded, Sinatra is masterful biography: the revelatory story of a brilliant artist and an infinitely complex man.

Critic Reviews:

"The pair also break new ground in depicting what they describe as Sinatra's alcoholism ... their delivery is a lot closer to objective biography than tabloid sensationalism." (Publishers Weekly)

Members Reviews:

A great peek at the crooner

This audiobook is primarily concerned with Sinatra's mafia connections and the need he felt to be the toughest guy in the room. It is tough on ol' blue eyes, but honest and entertaining.Full of never before brought up anecdotes, and a full analysis of the films in Sinatra's career, this audiobook is a well done and truthful biography.

Fascinating History and Story

I am not a huge Sinatra fan but I am very glad I read this book. He and his contemporaries played major roles in the early days of US entertainment industry - music, stage and movies. The 'behind the scenes' stories were fasfcinating. But I particularly enjoyed the early years of his life - those that covered intersting details about Italian immigrants and particularly his mother's influence on New Jersey Politics.

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Title: Dylan Thomas

Subtitle: A New Life

Author: Andrew Lycett

Narrator: Simon Vance

Format: Unabridged

Length: 18 hrs and 3 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-10-05

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 20 votes

Genres: Arts & Entertainment, Celebrity Bios

Publisher's Summary:

When Dylan Thomas died, in New York in 1953, he was only 39-years-old and the myths soon took hold. He became the Keats and the Byron of his generation, the romantic poet who died too young, his potential unfulfilled. Making masterful use of original material from archives and personal papers, Lycett describes the development of the young poet and brings invaluable new insights to Thomas's early writing and the themes that continued to appear in all he wrote. This major new work unearths fascinating details about the poet's many affairs and about his tempestuous marriage to his passionate Irish wife, Caitlin.

Lycett uses as his overwhelming motif the deeply ambivalent forces in Thomas's life that allowed him to be a wild boy in public and a private poet of deep sensitivity, the forces that helped him bridge the gap between modernism and pop, between the written and spoken word, between individual and performance art, between the academy and the forum. Throughout, the social and historical context of Thomas' struggles and accomplishments are vividly presented.

The result is a poignant yet stirring portrait of the chaos of Thomas' personal life and a welcome re-evaluation of the lyricism and experimentalism of his poetry, plays, and short stories.

Critic Reviews:

"Astonishingly detailed, deeply and expertly researched, and captivatingly written....Lycett's biography is, frankly, stunning." (Literary Review)

Members Reviews:

A good listen

This one's still in my head even though I finsihed it two months ago. Facinating.

Bored to death!

After finishing the outstanding biography of Tennessee Williams by John Lahr, I was really looking forward to the bio of another of my favorite authors.

What a disappointment!

It took a real effort to get through the first five chapters which followed an uninteresting litany of family relations to Thomas. I finally gave up.

This book is a crashing bore.

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Title: Elvis Presley

Author: Bobbie Ann Mason

Narrator: Karen White

Format: Unabridged

Length: 5 hrs and 56 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-27-05

Publisher: Books on Tape

Ratings: 3 of 5 out of 8 votes

Genres: Arts & Entertainment, Celebrity Bios

Publisher's Summary:

In 1955, at age 20, Elvis provoked his first near-riot when he sang at a baseball park in Jacksonville. Inspired by black gospel quartets and mentored by producer Sam Phillips, Elvis blended hillbilly music with rhythm and blues in a synthesis that defined a new direction for popular music. Mason's book gets at the consciousness of the icon and of the cultural climate that made him one.

Members Reviews:

slow but informative

The book srarted slow as I didnt care for the narrator. As I continued listening, the book became a lot more interesting and I forgot about narration n found myself wanting to see what was going to happen next.

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Title: A Man of Contradictions

Subtitle: A Life of A. L. Rowse

Author: Richard Ollard

Narrator: Geoffrey Howard

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 42 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-23-04

Publisher: Books on Tape

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 1 votes

Genres: Arts & Entertainment, Celebrity Bios

Publisher's Summary:

A.L. Rowse, who died in 1997, was the author of a vast number of books, all of them readable and most of them fiercely arrayed against what he considered to be declining standards of manners, morals, and politics. He was more than a mere curmudgeon, though. His background was extraordinary: from a working-class family, he got a scholarship to Oxford, and from there was elected to All Souls College, the most exclusive of all faculties. He was a Shakespearean scholar who identified the Dark Lady of the sonnets, a historian of vast scope, and a biographer and memoirist, most notably of his beloved Cornwall. He never shied from controversy, and tore great chunks out of other writers in print. In short, Rowse led a fascinating life that bears reading about.

©1999 Richard Ollard; (P)2001 Books on Tape

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Title: Learning to Sing

Subtitle: Hearing the Music in Your Life

Author: Clay Aiken, Allison Glock

Narrator: Clay Aiken

Format: Abridged

Length: 2 hrs and 20 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-11-04

Publisher: Random House Audio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 24 votes

Genres: Arts & Entertainment, Celebrity Bios

Publisher's Summary:

In Learning to Sing, Clay details what his astonishing success has meant to him. He writes from the heart about his life before and since his instant stardom on American Idol, how he has changed, and how he struggles to adapt to life in the public eye. He speaks candidly about his lonely childhood: the father who abandoned him, the school bullies who tormented him, the mother who taught him to be strong, and the friends and teachers who, more than they ever knew, kept him going. He describes his new high-profile life in Los Angeles; the awards shows, the free clothes, the unfortunate presence of avocado on all the food. More significantly, he reveals what he has discovered from diving into the white-hot center of pop culture: what it takes for him to stay true to himself and remember the lessons he learned growing up in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Clay shares his struggle to remain a man his mother can be proud of, and writes about the faith that sustains him today just as it did when he was an awkward, unpopular outsider. "I believe God has a direction for me. He did not give me this life just so I could buy a big house and an SUV. My job is to give back and to be a decent human being no matter how many people cheer my name."

Clay's friends, the old ones from North Carolina and the millions of new ones who love his voice, will hold this inspiring memoir as close to their hearts as they do his music. Learning to Sing reminds you that anything is possible. Like a perfect song, it will send your spirit soaring.

Members Reviews:

YES!

I love this book by Clay Aiken read by Clay Aiken. I hope this will be the first of many detailing his adventures in music.

Must read for every young person

This book is very encouraging and uplifting. Mr Aiken is the best influence a young person can have. He is a very decent and moral person which in today's world is a very rare thing. This book is very entertaining and interesting. I hope at a future date Mr Aiken shares more of his writing ability.

Quite a surprise

I got hooked on this kid from the moment I heard him on American Idol. He was a mirror of the geek I have always been but with a voice that was so powerful and emotional. As I heard Randy Jackson ask, "Where is that voice coming from?", I, too wondered. I have my answer now.

We all are creatures of our history and Clayton has managed to pick the key moments of his history for this book. He is unashamed of any of it and ties it all together perfectly to let us understand who he is.

This is not some 'pop' version of how stardom feels. You'd be disappointed if you want it for that. It's a fine story about a real person who overcame much and won.

My only disappointment is that he did not narrate his own book.

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Title: Learning to Sing

Subtitle: Hearing the Music in Your Life

Author: Clay Aiken, Allison Glock

Narrator: Kirby Heyborne

Format: Unabridged

Length: 4 hrs and 49 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-10-04

Publisher: Books on Tape

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 21 votes

Genres: Arts & Entertainment, Celebrity Bios

Publisher's Summary:

Clay Aiken auditioned for the national singing competition by chance at the urging of a parent of a special needs student with whom he was working. In a matter of months, Aiken made the leap from unknown singer to national sensation, with more than 33 million viewers watching him compete with Ruben Studdard for the title in May 2003. Aiken's debut CD, Measure of a Man, made its debut at #1 and has sold over three million copies.

Learning to Sing is an account of Clay Aiken's extraordinary faith and will and perseverance, and an inspiring memoir by someone who became, against all odds, one of the biggest pop stars of his time.

Members Reviews:

CLAY IS COMPELLING

I am a REAL fan....I have read Clay's book and also listened to the audio-book and I came away with one thought. Here is a genuine human being; a young man who is devoted in every aspect of his life--his religion; his relationship with his mother (which I find adorable); his wanting to help those children with special needs (and autism in particular) and the talent he brings to the world......that magnificant voice and the ethics he brings along which will not be compromised.

I adore Clay and everything he is and has done. I guess you could say I am a 'rabid' fan and I am a 60 year old women!! So you see--he crosses all barriers even to us older folks!! I cannot wait for his next album so.......hurry up Clay!!

S.H. in Maryland

At Times I Thought I Was Reading My Own Story

I never thought a book could bring me to tears like this one did. I was looking forward to reading it just curious about the man behind this wonderful voice. His story tells me that his past unfavorable experiences help balance the avalanche of love and adoration pouring out to him now. I think about how intense my feelings have become and then see footage of his Claymates and have to wonder if he becomes overwhelmed. Is there such a thing as too much love for one person?

The sad part is there will be those who are jealous of it and feel the need to trample on this deserved success. While reading this book you begin to feel Clay is right there in the room with you and certainly don't want the book to end because that means he's leaving. He is by no means invisible. If walking on water or running through fire would guarantee a weekend with Clay I would start practicing right now. That officially graduates me from Claymate to Claymaniac. I feel certain this is just the beginning for Clay and want to thank the cosmic forces that brought this soaring positively infectious spirit to our hearts. I try not to question the pure excitement, the euphoria, but just wallow in the wonderfulness of it all. If I wrote our fan fiction the title would be, `For However Long It Last.' Its times like this when it's good to be alive. Thank you Clay for not being afraid... to sing!

Exceptional memoir - Exceptional audio book

Learning to Sing is a frank and open memoir by Clay Aiken. It contains many experiences from his life, often difficult experiences and a difficult life. I was continually surprised in the book. It's both sad and humorous at the same time.

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Título: Shakira

Subtitular: Woman Full of Grace

Autor: Ximena Diego

Narrador: Monica Stever

Formato: Unabridged

Duración: 4 hrs and 19 mins

Idioma: Español

Fecha de publicación: 05-06-04

Editor: Recorded Books

Calificaciones: 3.5 de 5 de 6 votos

Categorías: Arts & Entertainment, Celebrity Bios

Resumen del editor:

Shakira la gran estrella de la musica pop Latina se hace paso en la escena internacional con una electrificante demonstracion en los anuales premios Grammys. Ella es ahora una de las mas adoradas mujeres en este genero de la musica Latina. La multi talentosa sensacion firmo su primer contrato al tener solo 13 aqos y desde entonces ha sido tambien una estrella en la television colombiana. Con todo esto ya alcanzado, ella ha mantenido su nivel de fama sin dejar que affecte su vida personal y es una gran inspiracion para muchas personas. Esto la hace a ella tener un gran carisma, con su incontable energia y gran espiritu que la hacen una de las nuevas super estrellas.

Crítica Comentarios:

"A useful primer for those who have been intrigued by the beautiful Latina rocker." (Publishers Weekly)

Opiniones de los miembros:

Great for more Background info, not so much for depth and complexity

Woman Full of Grace, referring to her Arabic translation of her name, is an empowering biography of Shakira's life and how her family was her first inspiration and muse. She started her work very early on which in turn made her that much more succesfull. But this book will leave a very dedicated fan of hers dissapointed. The book itself is very simple and and over view of her entire life. The book does not match the depth and sophistication that the singer/dancers possesses. It leaves you wanting to know how she would phrase the book, how Shakira herself would describe her life journey, not having someone narrate it. Some really interesting things that the author, Ximena Diego, did was shed new light on the woman who has wooed over millions of hearts from Latin America to North America to China. Diego shows the soulfullness of Shakira when it comes to her family. Shakira is shown to always put family first and has never second guessed that. Diego shines a light on some of the not so important times of her life as well. Shakira talks continuously through the book of her faith and how it has shaped her. Coming from a father who is strongly founded in his Lebanese roots and a mother of catholic blood. Being raised in two different religions really sparked my interest on how that formed her own thoughts and beliefs. Seeing more of a background to the "making" of her made me only want to read more and learn more of her thoughts. ÂDiego also gets into details and stories that did not affect Shakira in the long run or add to her career and where she is now. Diego talks to Shakira about topics such as her first kiss all the way to her diet. I felt I could just skip those paragraphs and sections and get more out of the book then if I were to read them. Going into the book already being a Shakira fan only fueled my love for her music and respect for herself more.Â

Great book on Shakira's life.

A great read for Shakira fans that want to know her early years in life and how she was brought up.

great

book with very well written basics on Shakira's life both her early life and her later life - many things I had not heard about her before

thanks

Basic "Shakira"

Shakira's rousing Latin music, belly-dancing and pleasant personality have snagged the attention of the American public.

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Title: Hollywood Animal

Subtitle: A Memoir

Author: Joe Eszterhas

Narrator: Eric Bogosian

Format: Abridged

Length: 5 hrs and 43 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-05-04

Publisher: Random House Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 59 votes

Genres: Arts & Entertainment, Celebrity Bios

Publisher's Summary:

On one level, Hollywood Animal is a shocking and often devastating look inside the movie business. It intimately explores the concept of fame and gives us a never-before-seen look at the famous. Eszterhas reveals the fights, the deals, the extortions, the backstabbing, and the sex, drugs, and rock'n'roll world that is Hollywood. But there are many more levels to this extraordinary work. It is the story of a street kid who survives a life filled with obstacles and pain...a chronicle of a love affair that is sensual, glorious, and unending...an excruciatingly detailed look at a man facing down the greatest enemy he's ever fought: the cancer inside him...and perhaps most important, Hollywood Animal is the heartbreaking story of a father and son that defines the concepts of love and betrayal.

This is a book that will shock you and make you laugh, anger you and move you to tears. It is pure Joe Eszterhas: a raw, spine-chilling celebration of the human spirit.

Critic Reviews:

"The story about Mr. Eszterhas and his father, buried at the heart of Hollywood Animal, is a powerful and affecting one." (The New York Times)

Members Reviews:

Hollywood animal

If you love behind the sceans of hollywood you will love this book!

easy listening narration and full of great stories. 28 hrs of listening went like a flash.If your into Hollywood and movies... this book is for you!

Very well done.

Very well done. Worth the time. A piece of American history and film history. Enjoy.

MUST READ FOR ASPIRING SCREENPLAY WRITERS

Joe Eszterhas is a TRUE Hollywood animal. I knew the guy was a character, had to be Look at his body of work Show girls, Basic Instinct and Flash Dance. I LOVED THEM ALL!!!!!! A must read for any aspiring screenplay writer. Joe candid brutal honest truth is refreshing and enjoyable in a town that dose not like to air it dirty laundry. Kudos for Eric Borgosian masterful narration Loved it.

MILDLY INTERESTING

Would you try another book from Joe Eszterhas and/or Eric Bogosian?

NO, THANK YOU. THE BOOK IS A LITTLE "INSIDER" FOR ME.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

THE BACK STORY OF JOE'S FAMILY WAS RATHER INTERESTING BUT THE INSIGHT AS TO THE GREED AND THE AIR OF SELF IMPORTANCE THAT PREVAIL IN THAT INDUSTRY ONLY SERVES TO CONFIRM WHAT MOST ALREADY SUSPECTED.

What three words best describe Eric Bogosians performance?

SUBSTANDARD BUT ADEQUATE.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

HUMMM.....NO.

Any additional comments?

A LOT ABOUT JOE,A LITTLE ABOUT HOLLYWOOD.

Entertaining

Joe Eszterhas memoir is a strong, engaging romp through Hollywood of the 80s and 90s. "Romp" may be the wrong word, "stomp" might be better. But it's a lot of fun and very revealing. Great stories of an audacious character, who has a fascinating life history as well. The reading by actor Eric Bogosian is wonderful. My only regret is that I had to listen to the abridged version. I had waited to order the unabridged version, and for some reason it does not seem to be offered at this time?!? This abridgement is thoroughly enjoyable, but I think it's only about a quarter of the length of the unabridged book. I'm sure I'm missing a lot.

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Title: Married to Laughter

Author: Jerry Stiller

Narrator: Jerry Stiller

Format: Abridged

Length: 6 hrs

Language: English

Release date: 09-19-00

Publisher: Bantam Doubleday Dell Audio

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 14 votes

Genres: Arts & Entertainment, Celebrity Bios

Publisher's Summary:

Jerry Stiller discovered the power of comedy when, as a child, he saw Eddie Cantor transform an audience. Jerry's father often took him to vaudeville performances, where Jerry decided that he too wanted to make people laugh. After studying drama at Syracuse University, Jerry returned to New York to begin a life in the theater. Jerry soon met Anne Meara. At first they encouraged each other in their separate performances, but eventually they began doing a comedy act in the coffeehouses of New York's Greenwich Village. They created a brilliantly successful act with two characters who were exaggerated versions of themselves. Before long, they were regulars on The Ed Sullivan Show. Stiller and Meara was a smash hit.

But Jerry's first love has always been the theater. He tells us about his nearly 50 years in show business - from summer stock to the early days of Joe Papp's pioneering Shakespeare in the Park, from his Broadway performance in Hurlyburly to his roles in such films as The Taking of Pelham One Two Three, Seize the Day, and Hairspray. But most of all, he describes life with Anne, showing us his admiration for her as a performer and describing how she gave him the insight into acting that he'd long sought. Married to Laughter is a great love story about two people who found their place in show business without ever losing sight of each other.

Critic Reviews:

"Warm, funny...Stiller is always amusing and easy to follow." (AudioFile)

Members Reviews:

Delightful Story

For anyone who remembers Stiller and Meara as a great comdey act from 40 years ago this is something you must listen to.

If you're under the age of 40 only know Jerry Stilller as George's father on Seinfeld, this book will be enlightening as to how someone in his 60's becomes a star for the "first" time.

It's not great literature but the behind the scenes story of Jerry and Ann is really fascinating. He narrates this himself which adds a great deal of the charm.

Very enjoyable, light fare.

Very insightful

A great read and wonderful outlook

Shows a very different side to the man that we see on tv and a look into the life. A great read made all the better by being read by the writer

great voice.

Jerry is a great actor I love this guy, I have been looking for a book about his life. I love that he loved his wife and they had a long and happy marriage. I would of really liked to of met him but I live so far away. Very interesting man and I wish him many more years of happiness with his career

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Title: My Father, Frank Lloyd Wright

Author: John Lloyd Wright

Narrator: Robin Lawson

Format: Unabridged

Length: 5 hrs

Language: English

Release date: 04-27-00

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 14 votes

Genres: Arts & Entertainment, Celebrity Bios

Publisher's Summary:

Frank Lloyd Wright is widely regarded as the twentieth century's greatest architect - an unconventional genius who transformed both residential and commercial building design with his concept of "organic" architecture. During a long and productive life, Wright designed some 800 buildings, received scores of honors and awards, and left an indelible imprint on modern architectural theory and practice. In this charming memoir, Wright the architect and father comes to life through the vivid recollections and firsthand knowledge of his son. John Lloyd Wright characterizes his father as "a rebel, a jolt to civilization, whose romantic theme - purposive planning, and organic unity in inventing and combining forms - is an epoch in the architecture of the world." His unique view of that epoch will intrigue architects, students and all who admire the work of this visionary and uncompromising spirit.

(P) 1996 by Blackstone Audiobooks. All rights reserved.

Members Reviews:

A personal, positive look at Wright

This book gives an excellent look at Wright's life, work, philosophy, architecture and relationships. It covers a much more human look at the great man and his work that the documentaries usually don't have enough time to get just right. It is also as much about the great life of the author and great architect, John Lloyd Wright. I enjoyed this book very much and I would recommend it to anyone interested in architecture and/or Frank Lloyd Wright and wants an honest, complete view of his life and work. Its also one of those great personal stories that you just can't get in fiction.