Angel on My Shoulder: An Autobiography [Hardcover]

Natalie Cole (Author), Digby Diehl (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 14, 2000

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.

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.

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

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 368 pages
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing (November 14, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446527467
• ISBN-13: 978-0446527460
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 1.2 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (37 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #384,651 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #57 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Arts & Literature > Composers & Musicians > Pop

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars inspiring, October 30, 2000

By 

joanne methia (massachusetts) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Angel on My Shoulder: An Autobiography (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:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Cole legacy lives on!!, October 26, 2000

By 

The Fancy One "blackprincess" (Westchester County, NY) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Angel on My Shoulder: An Autobiography (Hardcover)

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:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Girl has got Talent, October 28, 2000

By 

iwishyoulove "iwishyoulove" (Cleveland Hts., Ohio USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Angel on My Shoulder: An Autobiography (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!