Learning to Sing

Okay, this book should put the naysayers of Clay Aiken at rest unless that is, they have no soul because to read this book is to read the life of a man who has been through hard times (the teasing I can relate to, I too was a "geek"), has had anything and everything thrown at him and perservered despite all of that. He shows us that with extreme devotion to everything that is important to him and also being accountable for his flaws and faults he can still rise up and be the man that God intended him to. He shows us that as a celebrity you don't have to be just in it for the "bling bling"; the fame, the fortune and every salicious temptation that comes with it. He shows us what a celebrity should and could be if extreme egoism and selfishness didn't get in the way. He shows us what it is to look deep inside yourself and find an inner peace, to reach out to those less fortunate and do everything you can to help. He shows us that despite those that give him bad reviews (not just those here on Amazon that profess to be giving "honest" opinions but as was evidenced last year when MOAM was released are simply out to derail his success. Hello, he does not have to fail for your favorite to be successful. Read the book and you will see) he can stand up, rise up and display the maturity that he did on American Idol. This is a must read for everyone I truly believe.

I loved this book. It is up there with three other of my favorite books "The Little Guide to Happiness", He's Just Not that into you", "He Never Called Again". If you are a fan of Clay Aiken you will love him more, if you're not a fan- you will be. I found "Learning To Sing", very inspirational and plan to share it with my friends. This book is uplifting, it's focus on human faith is what people need in the world today. This book will lift you're spirits. I will even buy a couple of them to give away as Christmas presents, that's how much I loved it.

Wow, Elrica, hate much??? You haven't even read the book, by your own admission, & already you run over here to try & discourage prospective buyers. It's pretty obvious where your type is coming from ... the Kelly & Ruben boards, as usual. Amazon, watch out, you can expect a whole bunch of 1-Star ratings from jealous fans of other "Idols." I have read the book in its abridged form selling now at Christian bookstores & everyone in the shop was raving about it. It's been a long time since a celebrity has been so brutally honest with the details of his life so early in his career. Clay's experiences with a violent, alcoholic & disinterested birth father, a strictly religious mother & a hard-nosed military step-dad & his ability to emerge as a level-headed, positive & upbeat young man with a burning faith in his Creator & in the inherent goodness & generosity of mankind is extremely inspiring to all but the hardest of hearts. I highly recommend this lovely book to Christians everywhere. But please don't be put off by the "inspirational" moniker - this is a story that all young people of middle school age & beyond should read, no matter their religious beliefs. And plenty of adults will gain insight into their own life experiences as well by the example Clay has set in learning from his misfortunes & mistakes. If Clay Aiken isn't a fine role model for the youth of this day & age, then no one is.

I loved this book. It reminds us that many of the things that we go through as children and teenagers can be overcome as adults if we have the right positive attitude... and the right role model whoever that may be. I found "Learning To Sing" inspirational and plan to share it with my church and their library.

Do NOT mistake Learning to Sing for some standard-issue ghost-written celebrity autobiography with all the content of a marshmallow. Neither should you discount singer Clay Aiken's life history because of his youth. Capably assisted by Alison Glock, Clay tells his story with his trademark wit and charm, and without a trace of ego or self-pity. Plenty of people would pity themselves if faced with the situations he has seen. Instead, Clay's heart, brains and faith led him into a career path he thought settled--teaching children with special needs--before the mother of one of his students encouraged him to enter a TV talent show, and his life changed forever. He is as honest, sometimes brutally so, about himself, his shortcomings and fears, as he is about the strange new world of pop superstardom he now lives in.

If you are a fan, read this book. If you just wonder what all the fuss over Clay Aiken is about, read this book. If you want to be moved by an uplifting story of human faith and spirit...well, you get the idea. This is one powerful book, and not to be missed!