Customer Reviews

Fortunate Son: The Unlikely Rise of Keith Urban

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

A quick guilty pleasure. I love Keith Urban and this book does a fair job of capturing bits & pieces of his life. However, the chronology jumps around too much. Just as I begin to get a feel for Keith's evolution, the chapter (even paragraph) will flashback to commentary from years prior that don't seem to help clarify what Keith may have been going thru. This book doesn't bash Keith, but it comes close. It's like it wants to, but can't due to lack of material. I was left thinking the author was disappointed that Keith life wasn't more scandalous. The scandals that were there were no more intense than a normal person. In fact Keith has two major ex's. I mean really - Handsome country/rock star with unlimited talent that chose to grow up, face and beat down his demons to become a mature husband and father. Addictions aside, not much foder here for those looking for juicy details. I for one am very proud of Keith and (unless he goes man-diva) will always buy his albums.

This book is wonderful. I am reading it for the second time. Mr Apter has captured the journey that Keith has taken from when he was a young boy to where he is now. It is so well written that you feel the desire and the drive that has pushed Keith to make him the incredible musician that he is today. If you are a fan of Keith, you will want to read this book.

I finished this book and I too am on my second round of reading it. I was very impressed with how well this book was written. It is not a trashy, gossip-heavy book, it is filled with actual accountance of his life from people he knew and worked with along with. The book is not filled with left-over bits and pieces from interviews, but written with lots of dedication to make sure the truth pervails.

I know there was a lot of speculation from Keith Urban fans about if this would be hurtful, but I for one do not view it as that at all. It's in no way a threat to him. It's just an honest detailing of his journey through life.

Definitely a MUST read...

Never made it past the first 40 pages. Absolutely bored me to tears and the author could not keep the book interesting. Someone out there will probably find it entertaining, I did not. Just 1 opinion folks, you might find it interesting.

I like Keith Urban and have had an eye on his career for a number of years now, his music is relaxing and catchy. I'd be very interested in reading a biography on him if it was written by someone who wasn't just a petty minded, bitter little journalist who makes a living by dishing whatever he can get his hands on about people more famous then himself.

I hate rubbish written by people like this. Even if it is essentially factual (or claims to be), it's still tainted by their attitude.

Tried five or six times to force myself to read this book, even jumping ahead in hopes that it would get better. Not to be. I found it totally boring and lacking it what I hoped to read when I bought it. Writer can't seem to stay on task. Jumps all over the place to the point I had to put it down and give up. I see that a few people loved it. To each their own, but I certainly wouldn't recommend it. I'd give you my unused copy.

I enjoyed this book. As a keith Uban fan I was VERY familiar with many of the stories the author told. He did not talk to Keith or his family instead he talked to MANY people who surrounded Keith from his early days until Sunday Rose's birth. It is heavy on details about KU's rise and struggle but not much on after he started to get traction in the Nashville music scene. I am assuming the people around KU now learned from the past and did not spill and information when asked so that they could keep their job. I enjoyed this book, it gives you a clear idea of just how determined KU was to make it. I was suprised to learn that he earned a great deal of critical acclaim in Nashville with the Ranch just no radio play. It is a definite must read for any good Monkeyville member but don't expect to learn anything new about Keith and his "girls".

I was very disappointed in this book. Much of it is spent on Keith's childhood and very early days in Australia, and when it does move on to Keith's arrival in Nashville circa 1992, there is little new to be learned outside of small tidbits of who was a fan, etc. The author's theme of the book could be captured in "Cute, Talented, Easy to Like". Most of us who are fans of KU already know that. While the author makes an attempt to describe how hard it was for Keith to break into Nashvile - the 1 star is for some of those insights, especially the fact that Jerry Flowers knows all and speaks none of it - my respect for him grows. I was hoping for more but should have realized that an unauthorized biography was not going to do anything but rehash already released and printed information. Those who would not speak with the author were numerous and were the people who can give more insight into Keith. I felt strangely sad after reading this and thought the account of the "Kurbans" was somewhat mean-spirited. Maybe a talent as deep and natural as Keith's just can't be described or defined, and the reasons for his own drive kept close to the vest. I learned nothing new about Keith himself. I have a gently used copy for sale.

KU is my favorite artist...after being lucky enough to see him in a small venue, Reno, I was addicted. He is a fantastic, talented performer and Jeff Apter reiterates this. Nothing eart dhattering, but a decent read.

If you are a devoted Keith Urban fan or new to his amazing music - this is a book that you need to read. Lots of background information and chronicle of his hard work and devotion to become the true musician and artist that he is now.