Born to legendary Nat King Cole in the halcyon days of the 1950s, Natalie Cole grew up to become a versatile singer with Grammy Award status. But that success came with a price, where she was dragged down by depression and drugs. This is her story.
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Editorial Reviews
From Library Journal
Cole's performance enhances her refreshingly honest and candid autobiography. Although she is the daughter of legendary singer Nat "King" Cole, she has been no stranger to adversity, both in her career and personal life. The title of her memoir reflects the pop singer's strong religious beliefs; she is certain that, several times in her life, it was only the intervention of angels that saved her. Frankly describing her devastating addiction to drugs, Cole assumes full responsibility for her past mistakes and could certainly serve as an inspiration to others facing the same terrible struggle. She is also open about domestic troubles including her marital problems and love-hate relationship with her mother. This substantial account of Cole's life and Grammy Award-winning career also offers interesting glimpses into the inner workings of the pop music industry. Highly recommended for all music and biography collections.DBeth Farrell, Portage Cty. Dist. Lib., OH
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Booklist
Songstress Cole's as-told-to autobiography opens with the harrowing tale of how she and her bodyguard nearly were killed in a hotel fire. As it happens, she had just "made a bargain with the Lord." If the deity let her take a hit of freebase as the room filled with smoke, "then that means I'm finished. I'm going to get high, and then I'm going to die." Fortunately, the Lord acted swiftly. As Cole readied the pipe, "the door was blown off its hinges" by "twin angel Gabriels," who turned out to be firefighters. The singer was saved! And her life changed. Besides that amazing grace, Cole mentions her famous father--one of her abiding companions--early and often, so that Nat Cole, God, and the music she considers a gift from them both could be said to dominate her life. Thoughtfully, she recalls her childhood, recounts the legal battle between her mother and her and her siblings over her father's estate, and relates the erratic behavior of an aging Frank Sinatra, whom she felt had transferred his affection for her father to her. Although she concentrates mostly on the good times, Cole isn't shy about the bad times, which makes this intriguing, engaging, and inspirational life story worthy of attention. Mike Tribby
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
after being a fan of nat king cole in the fifty's ibecame interested in natalie after hearing her cd "UNFORGETTABLE" i knew nothing about her life and was amazed that she shared so much of her bad times. was touced by the way she poured her heart out. i am happy that she trusts in GOD and wasn't afraid to share all he has done to keep her safe.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Natalie Cole, versatile superstar singer and daughter of the unforgettable Nat "King" Cole, chronicles her amazing life in this autobiography. Frank and revealing, Natalie tells about growing up in a famous family; the devastating effects of losing her father when she was 15; her descent into drug abuse and how it nearly destroyed her life and career; her complex relationship with her mother, Maria Cole; the phenomenon of her comeback with the multi-platinum, Grammy-winning UNFORGETTABLE...WITH LOVE CD, a loving dedication to her father; an abusive marriage, her struggle to uphold her family legacy, and much more. This book is honest and sincere, and although it may seem as if in some parts she's venting, well, maybe it's because she needed to. It made me laugh out loud, shed some tears, and definitely made me think...because many of her experiences mirrored ones in my life as well. Not everyone may have grown up as the child of Nat King Cole, but there are situations in this book I feel everybody can identify with. If it's not happening to you, it's a sure bet that you know someone who went through it, or is going through it. Highly recommended.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
What can I say? This is a book by a woman that has shown us not only can she sing but she can act as well. But now we see she's a writer too! With that aside this book had me laughing, it had me on the verge of tears. It had me shaking my head that one person could go through so much and still be here to talk about it! She is truly an open person when it came to sharing her life with us. Grab a copy of this book!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
The Magic of Angels
I can totally relate to Natalie Cole's story, I've been thru similiar trials and tribulations in my life. I even almost share the same birthday as her, February 7th. Read more
Published 15 months ago by zooni
Ask a woman who knows
I remember all the flak Natalie Cole got after her comment that Amy Winehouse shouldn't have won those five Grammys because she thought it was rewarding bad behavior. Read more
Published 18 months ago by rmcrae
Wonderful Read
I am still reading the book and I must say I cannot put it down! Natalie Cole is not only very beautiful to look at, but her beautiful spirit shines through in her writing as... Read more
Published on October 27, 2009 by Kissed by the Sun
Truth Serum
Natalie put herself out raw with "Angel on My Shoulder". Even if she possibly told half truths, she told more about her speckled upbringing and life. Read more
Published on January 13, 2009 by Makeda Peterson w/Phenomenal Women Book Club
Natalie Coles "Angel on My Shoulder"
Wow is the first word that comes to mind with this book!!! Natalie is
very straightforward about her life, she didn't "sugarcoat" her life like
so many celebrities do. Read more
very straightforward about her life, she didn't "sugarcoat" her life like
so many celebrities do. Read more
Published on December 22, 2008 by Yetiv A. Knight
Angel On My Shoulder by Natalie Cole
The delivery was surprisingly fast-- thank you. However, even though the pages of the book are a bit yellowed, overall it was delivered in good condition. Read more
Published on December 2, 2008 by L. Donaldson
I'll never forget this book.
I am not (at least I wasn't until recently) a big Natalie Cole fan. Never seen an interview or a concert, only owned one album. Read more
Published on September 2, 2007 by Spiritual Seeker
Who would have thought...
I saw the TV movie of Ms. Cole's life a few years ago and found it interesting. I was looking for something to read and came across this book on Amazon. Read more
Published on April 10, 2007 by N. McEachron
An excellent read from the Daughter of Nat King Cole
What can I say. This book is one of those that you can't put down. Very frank and honest account from the daughter of one of the greatest singing legends. Read more
Published on April 4, 2006 by J. Collins
This Book Is an Amazing Inspiration and So Is Natalie!
Natalie shares with astounding truth, humbleness, and shows us all how much she has been through, and how she - with the Divine help in her life - has triumphed from the darkest... Read more
Published on May 29, 2004 by Barbara Rose
Inside This Book
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First Sentence:
That was the banner headline from tomorrow's paper that I composed for myself as smoke poured under the door to my hotel suite. Read the first page Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Los Angeles, Nat King Cole, New York, Natalie Cole, Aunt Bay, Hancock Park, Capitol Records, Ella Fitzgerald, Aunt Lala, Frank Sinatra, Aretha Franklin, Beverly Hills, Johnny Mathis, David Foster, Grammy Awards, Kevin Hunter, Las Vegas, Pink Cadillac, Sarah Vaughan, Barbra Streisand, Bob Krasnow, Count Basie, Mona Lisa, New England, Sammy Davis New!
Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
That was the banner headline from tomorrow's paper that I composed for myself as smoke poured under the door to my hotel suite. Read the first page Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Los Angeles, Nat King Cole, New York, Natalie Cole, Aunt Bay, Hancock Park, Capitol Records, Ella Fitzgerald, Aunt Lala, Frank Sinatra, Aretha Franklin, Beverly Hills, Johnny Mathis, David Foster, Grammy Awards, Kevin Hunter, Las Vegas, Pink Cadillac, Sarah Vaughan, Barbra Streisand, Bob Krasnow, Count Basie, Mona Lisa, New England, Sammy Davis New!
Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 17
books:
See all 17 books this book cites
2
books
cite this book:
- Hollywood Legends: Spencer Tracy by Rh Value Publishing on page 20
- It Takes Two by Malinda M. Hall on page 162
- Humpty Dumpty (Cambridge Reading) by Richard Brown in Back Matter
- A Tisket, A Tasket by Ella Fitzgerald on page 35
- Money for Nothing: Piano/Vocal/Chords by Straits Dire on page 250
See all 17 books this book cites
- All Music Guide to Soul: The Definitive Guide to R&B and Soul by Vladimir Bogdanov on page 153
- The Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock & Roll (Revised and Updated for the 21st Century) by Holly George-Warren on page 196
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