Clay Aiken: From Second Place to the Top of the Charts (Paperback)

~ Kathleen Tracy (Author) "Despite the stifling heat, the over six thousand people who were packed into the Universal Amphitheater were buzzing with anticipation..." (more)
Key Phrases: pop idol, American Idol, Clay Aiken, North Carolina (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

When Clay Aiken took a one-in-a-million shot at music stardom by qualifying for and then nearly winning the American Idol contest in the second season, he captured America's heart. Now, with hit records to his name and a new Christmas album to be released this year, the North Carolina native has a voice that is being recognized everywhere. Veteran celebrity biographer Kathleen Tracy takes readers behind the scenes of one of America's most popular television shows to learn what Clay actually went through to achieve his success. Tracy delivers all the information Clay fans have been waiting for. A thoroughly satisfying read with 160 pages of text! Plus 16 pages of beautiful full-color photos of Clay!

From the Publisher

Clay Aiken has proven that it isn’t whether you win or lose, it’s how you relate to the audience that matters. Despite being the runner-up on American Idol 2, Clay has gone on to be a record-breaking singer whose first album, Measure of a Man, sold over three million copies in its first year. His down-home charm and boyish good looks have earned him fans everywhere, young and old.

This inspiring biography traces Clay’s journey from a self-described nerd to pop star; how he overcame a painful childhood to work with children who are mentally disabled; and how he was only a semester away from becoming a special education teacher when he agreed to audition for American Idol just to make a friend happy.

Clay has proven himself to be a unique celebrity in that he is more interested in using his fame to continue his work with children who have special needs through the Bubel/Aiken Foundation than in padding his bank account. A new breed of star, Clay Aiken proves that sometimes, good guys do finish first.

The publisher has committed a portion of the proceeds from the sale of this book to be donated to the Bubel/Aiken Foundation.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Mitchell Lane Publishers (October 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1584153261
• ISBN-13: 978-1584153269
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #854,873 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is the Fan Book You Have Been Waiting To Read, September 28, 2004

By	Matt Marvis (Grapevine, TX) - See all my reviews

This book is filled with interesting information about Clay Aiken packed into 160 pages of fun reading. In addition there is a 16 page color insert with page after page of wonderful photographs of Clay. The book is a real fan book that will not disappoint anyone who wants everything about Clay in one book. I'll bet that even the most devoted Clay fan will learn new things about Clay.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Clay AIken: From Second Place To The top Of The Charts, May 27, 2005

By	D. Ballard "blue49eyes" (AR USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I could not put this book down. I watched Clay Aiken Go from a geeky looking kid sanding in front of Simon Cowell telling him that he felt he could have at least made it into the final 10, I have been a great fan of his since that day. It was interesting to read about him and find out what makes him tick. He is an interesting young man and I think everyone aught to read this very interesting book.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful trip down memory lane!, November 4, 2004

By	Margaret E. Anderson (Bluffton, SC USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I don't remember when I've enjoyed a book so much! As an 'extreme' Clay Aiken fan, it was so much fun reliving the entire season of American Idol 2 with him once again, and also the tour after and beyond. And the authershows him the total respect he deserves. She also does a wonderful job crediting the sources of articles quoted. I had read somewhere that it was mostly quotes from sources us Claymates have already seen, while this may be true to an extent, lots of those quotes I haven't seen in over a year and a half. To have it all compiled in this wonderful journey that had me tranfixed for over 4 hours tonight was incredible! And there really were lots of insights into behind the scenes things I hadn't read. I would really recommend this to everyone, and will do so on the message boards I belong to.
And the 16 pages of pictures are quite a bonus!
I was extremely happy to read that some of the proceeds will go to the Bubel/Aiken Foundation. Thank you for that.