Sinatra - A Complete Life

by J. Randy Taraborrelli

Book Overview

Taraborrelli is known for capturing and penning the untold stories of icons such as the Hiltons, Michael Jackson, Marilyn Monroe, Diana Ross and the Kennedys and has written a page-turning biography... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 155972434X
• ISBN13: 9781559724340
• Release Date: January 1997
• Publisher: Citadel Press
• Length: 547 Pages
• Weight: 2.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.9" x 6.4" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

5 STARS * * * * *

Let me tell you, THIS BOOK IS AMAZING. This biography is one of the most respectful, carefully written *TELL ALL* books I've ever read. This book tells you soooooo much info on Frank, it's unbelievable! It's almost as if you're standing in the studio with him, or in the middle of one of his notorious fights w/ Ava Gardner. You feel like you're RIGHT THERE. I thought I knew a lot about Mr. Sinatra, but I was proven wrong. Randy Taraborrelli (the author) gave it to you straight; he threw the whole story at you, but unlike a LOT of other books, he supplied proof to back it up. He interviewed many of Sinatra's old friends from his neighborhood in Hoboken, as well as fellow actors and musicians who knew Sinatra best. On top of all of that, there are 2 sections of black and white pictures and 1 color section. To sum things up...the author obviously had respect and admiration for Frank Sinatra, but he didn't hold back Frank's bad qualities...he let them all come out, all the while praising, respecting, and keeping Ol' Blue Eyes' memory alive!!!! A+

Even better than "His Way"

If Frank Sinatra interests you at all, I highly recommend thisbook. For one thing, it goes all the way up through the '90s, and thepictures are great. It's a very detailed, revealing book, that I never get tired of. It has made me see Sinatra in a brand new light- a positive one. I like him more than ever before, after having read parts of this awesome book. The author did an outstanding job!

The best Sinatra biography I've read

This is by far, the most well-balanced, interesting, Sinatra biography I have read. It is a must-read for any Sinatra fan, or anyone at all interested in reading a Sinatra biography. The only flaw is that even more details would be desirable (not just the "juicy" type, though there are quite a bit of that type: The details about Sinatra's romances - i have to admit, that made for some very fascinating reading!). There is hardly any information about Sinatra's music and films, but there are other books on those subjects. This is the story of his more private, yet fascinating, life. Some of it is funny, warm and sweet, some of it is shockingly barbaric, and the last few chapters about his deteriorating health are very sad. But what makes this bio different from other Sinatra bio's i've read, is the author neither comes across as an enemy nor a hero-worshipper - just a chronicler of an incredible life. Ultimately, the writer seems to respect Sinatra, as an all-too-human being. This book describes Sinatra's tremendous drive and vitality, his very tender and sensitive side, as well as a temper that had more behind it than mere brutality - he was an extremely complex and emotional man who had great difficulty communicating his true feelings, except in song. This book explains a lot about why and how those complexities developed; perhaps the most fascinating part of the book is Sinatra's long and tempestuous relationship with ava gardner - that subject, in itself, could fill a whole book. I hope that an author with the skill of Mr. Taraborrelli is considering writing a book about Frank and Ava - their story is more amazing, romantic, and dramatic than fiction! The best Sinatra biography, but it is possible that an even better one will be written someday - for now, this is the one, and an excellent read; not a dull page.

Tops all other Sinatra Bios

This is the book that tells it like it really was,no holds-barred. The singer. The actor. The man. A fascinating life story and Frank's life was never dull;whether growing up in Hoboken, breaking into the business in New York or his Hollywood Rat Pack days. Even his difficult times make for a mesmerizing read. Sure the book is a big,long read but remember Frank was in showbiz for 60 years. What a life!

The best of the Lot!!

I've read all of the Sinatra biographies, and Taraborrelli's is the only one I would recommend. This is the book that tells Frank's story in the most balanced way, and in a way that makes Sinatra's life really come alive for the reader. I actually could not put this down, and I especially enjoyed the parts about Frank's many romances. He was a complex man, but I think he tried to do the right thing ... though he often was not capable of doing it. Taraborrelli writes with a lot of compassion, as if he really cared about his subject -- and that makes the book even more readable and believable. This is really the best Sinatra biography published to date!