Customer Reviews

Celine Dion: For Keeps

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In the 25 years of Céline Dion's career a not exaggerated estimate of thirty books were written about Céline's lifestory and her rise to stardom. I've read about all of them and after you've read the first one none of them really stands out anymore. Until, the release of the latest official biography about Céline Dion "Céline Dion For Keeps" by New York author Jenna Glatzer.

The first thing you notice is the special format of the book that was published by Andrews McMeel Publishing and put together by Becker&Mayer! You'll be pleasantly surprised to see that this coffee table book, contains many of her most personal keepsakes as removable facsimiles in vellum envelopes.

Before you even get to the reading, you spend hours, literally hours looking at those keepsakes and the more than 200 pictures in full-colour and black and white. Many of them taken just like that from Céline's personal scrapbooks and photoalbums, and many of them never published or seen anywhere before except in the private environment of Céline's home.

Jenna Glatzer travelled to Las Vegas, Nevada where Céline currently performs in her extravaganza A New Day... her incredible succesful show that already had over a million visitors. Jenna sat down with Céline to talk about her career, her life and her loves husband René Angélil and their 4-year-old son René-Charles. She also interviewed the people that were key-persons in Céline's so successful career. Among them Céline's manager (and husband) René Angélil, producer David Foster and French top songwriter Jean-Jacques Goldman.

From the very beginning Jenna Glatzer included Céline's biggest fans from all over the world in the process of writing this book. She asked them about their personal stories about Céline. She asked them to think of questions they'd like her to ask Céline, fans even contributed in making suggestions for the title of the book and for the cover art.

Céline's answers are more candid then ever. She talks openly not only about the the positive aspects but also about the downsides of an international career, about the fans, about the challenges and sacrifices of motherhood and her future plans.

Jenna Glatzer's style of writing is fantastic, even for me as a foreigner easy to read and to understand. It makes me feel like I am IN the story, and actually IN Céline's life. The level of personality she brings into this book is something that I am in awe about...I really feel we never were so close to Céline before. What really stands out for me are the quotations of people who where actually there when it happened...which makes us learn about the stories not only from Céline's point of view but also from the people who lived those moments with her. I also love when Jenna uses her own personal experiences to underline Céline's personal qualities that we fans have come so to value.

This book is for everybody who loves to learn more about the woman behind the voice and above all this book is for the fans, who have followed her career and who've grown to love Céline for who she really is.

I recommend this book whether you're a die-hard fan like myself, curious to know more, or are just looking for an inspiring read. Despite that you may already know the stories, author Jenna Glatzer digs deeper and goes further than any other biographer previously has. Céline Dion has always had one of the most open and honest personalities, but the intimate details you've yet to learn are found within the pages of this masterpiece. Céline has never been more candid speaking about her career, her family, and the fans who adore her. You will learn never to underestimate this woman, who is capable of climbing higher and higher when there is no place higher to climb. She's reached the pinnacle of success, yet she still has various insecurities and maybe even a few regrets. After all the accomplishments she still has many goals to achieve, while never forgetting the small town girl from Charlemagne, Quebec. The little girl she will always keep inside, and desperately never wants to lose touch with. After reading this book it almost doesn't feel appropriate to call her famous or celebrity. Although she is arguably the most amazing voice of our time, having sold more records than any other female in history. While there are scores of fans around the globe who idolize her, Céline is as normal as anyone with her talent could possibly be. She doesn't want recognition, she is just happy to be doing what she loves. Glatzer takes you on her journey through Céline's past, present, and future revealing new aspects of this wonderful woman. You will learn not only about the performer, but also the woman, mother, wife, sister, daughter, and friend. A truly interactive book with little mementos and breathtaking photographs that truly envelope you in this remarkable story. An important lesson is to be learned about what is important in life, and what is most precious. With every turn of the page you will sometimes be moved to tears, and occasionally sent into bouts of hysterical laughter! But by the turn of the last page this is for certain, you will be left dazzled by the phenomenal woman that is: Céline Dion.

I couldn't put this book down. I read it in 2 days, and would have probably read it quicker if I hadn't started reading it late at night. This book is a MUST for all Celine Dion fans! You will be taken right into Celine's thoughts and wishes for the future. Celine opens up and shares with Jenna things she has never shared before. I have always known Celine was more then just a wonderful singer, and this book certainly shows that and more. She hasn't let all her success go to her head, at heart she is still the little girl from Charlemagne. You will love all the pictures from her childhood, up until today. This book is AMAZING, and Jenna Glatzer did such a great job taking us behind the scenes. This book would make a terrific gift for the Celine fan in your life. GET IT, trust me, it is a "KEEPER!!"

The book arrived this morning and all I could think was OMG!! The book is HUGE!!! It measures 8 1/2 x 12 inches and is OVER an inch thick! Then I unwrapped it to see the most stunning photo of Céline on the cover! But wait... the best is yet to come!!! Not only has Jenna weaved a spectacular tapestry of stories from childhood to beloved chanteuse in this biography...there are actual reproductions of some of Céline's most treasured mementos!! Photos, announcements, invitations, personal notes, etc.! My favorites being the family album with pics of René & René-Charles (BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL BOY!), Barbra Streisand/Céline photo, and a report card from grade school (LOL!!)!

THIS IS THE ULTIMATE CELINE FANS NUMBER 1 COLLECTIBLE!!!

BEST BIOGRAPHY TO DATE!!! BUY IT NOW!!! YOU WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED! 5 STARS!!!

**Special Note to Biographer...

Jenna, YOU ROCK!

Thanks for everything!

XXOO,

Brenda O aka ByuSmurf

Whether you are a super Céline Dion fan or just a novice, this book is for you. Author, Jenna Glatzer, will take you on a journey through the person behind the voice. From her first song, Ce N'était Qu'un Rêve to her ground breaking show in Las Vegas, Céline talks candidly about her personal trials and tribulations as well as her every day life. Since the beginning of the book's creation Jenna has been in contact with Céline's fans from all over the world gaining their questions, suggestions, and concerns about the book. The book truly represents Céline's astounding connection with her fans. Included in the book are many mementos such as personal notes and family pictures. This book provides an intimate portrayal of the person who is Céline Dion. It is a MUST read and would make the perfect addition to a library whether yours or the Céline fan in your life's.

If you think that Celine Dion has a "Diva" behavior .. you're completely wrong! *- Before meeting Celine in Las Vegas, the author Jenna Glatzer contacted many fans to ask them what they would like to know about Celine - which questions they wanted her to answer... and all that. In that book you'll find who Celine Dion really is: her desires, her fears, her plans for the future, her values, her love for her family,her son, her husband, the people she works(worked) with... and all the trajectory she made to reach the top of the mountain where she is today, in her career. *- You'll be surprised to find out that she's real. In spite of all the money and fame she has.. she still remains very grounded, simple, generous, kind... and more!

Celine Dion For Keeps brings memories from Celine's lifetime.. - her childhood, her early career... - you'll find the lead sheet for "Ce N'etait Q'un Rêve, the first song she ever recorded and that was written by her mother, and it's Celine's favorite song; love letters that Celine wrote to her husband Rene, many personal pictures and much more! On top of all that, you, reader, will feel like you're in the story because of the way Jenna wrote the book; in a very intimate way that makes you travel and see each part of the story like a movie in your head.

I had to order this from the USA as it is not available in the UK and it was well worth the price and wait. I really enjoyed reading it and seeing the memorabilia. There were no big surprises or revelations but that is to be expected for big Celine fans who have usually read everything else available. A must for Celine fans and interesting enough for non fans too.

An excellent project.

I purchased this book for my upcoming birthday, it is simply a beautiful book. You can see the great care put into making this book, from the pictures to the little insights. I have always loved Celine, for both her outstanding vocal abilities and her unwavering faith in love. This book is very touching, it brings the Dion Family, Rene, and little Rene Charles to life. This book contains lovely candid photos, one of my favorites is of her wedding, not the photo we usually see with Celine dressed formally to the nines, but one with her in a rather plain frock, and in Rene's arms as he carries her over the threshold, both with happy wide smiles. I would also suggest purchasing "My Story, My Dream", having read both myself it makes for a complete read.

This amazing book offers a detailed overview of Celine's life in the spot lights. It has removable documents and photos from celine's personal archives.

The great thing is that it seems like a very honest book, even discussing her insecurities and the difficult times in her personal and professional life.

The book is quite big and heavy, so not for traveling, but ideal for reading on a lazy sunday afternoon.

Absolutely recomended for everyone who is interested in Celine's music and her life.

This book has everything, huge pictures, an insightful history of Celine Dion, and well, some "memorable" memorabilia from her.

It is a once in a lifetime book and anyone who loves Ceeline and doesn't have it should get it now.

Absolutely amazing, from any point of view.