39 of 45 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Book reveals much about our society, not only through music., June 6, 1999
By A Customer
One would not expect a Kitty Kelley book about Frank Sinatra to have any great profundity, but *His Way* stands as a major cultural and social document of our times. Sinatra is one of the most-worshipped gods of our age. His life story shows all over again how much misery goes into "lifestyles of the rich and famous," and how much corruption comes out. Sinatra's origins were unromantic. His mother was a neighborhood abortionist. This was an albatross around young Frank's neck. Symbolic of our age, he grew up to personify the "good life" -- the suave, wealthy, hyper-romantic, carefree, yet blues-ridden one -- in his art, while his life embodied many kinds of evil. His mafia connections are well known and, like other unpleasant details of his legend, the book removes all doubt as to their authenticity. The most remarkable thing about *His Way* is in fact the superb job Kelley does of writing and documenting it. She researches and writes like a seasoned college professor. Like most muckrakers Kelley's truthfulness has been called into question, but the book seems entirely trustworthy, especially at a time so many entertainment deities are revealing themselves as tragically flawed or worse. Sinatra, the king of musical romance, bullied, used, and abused women, including his gentle wife Mia Farrow. The worlds of entertainment, crime and politics came together when Frank and company helped get JFK elected President. Frank was supposedly king of the heap himself, but displayed a pitifully boyish awe toward his fellow rake Kennedy, even after he himself helped to "create" Kennedy as president. *His Way* is a chronicle of an egomaniac who knew no restraints. He cause endless harm to others, then wrote them a check to cover their suffering. The moral of the story (every good book still has one) is that we ought to be more careful in whom we elevate as our heroes and "role models." Even those not fond of Sinatra or his swank big-band genre of music will find the book hard to put down. People of discernment will learn much from it as to why life is the way it is in 1999.
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14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Public and private person seperate, July 28, 2001
By A Customer
Die-hard fans of the singer will naturally raise skepticism of this read. In addition, Kelly discredits herself in one section of the book that deals with Peter Lawford. She quotes him on a certain date, and it was past the date he bought the farm.
However, most of the book is cited with references. And for those in doubt, the inexcusable incident with the employee at the casino in Atlantic City was shown on the CBS Evening News. If you're still in doubt, then you probably still believe that there was no police violence towards Rodney King.
If Sinatra's music moves you, as it does myself, then by all means enjoy it. But don't make the mistake of thinking that because someone's talents elicit feel-good emotions, you would love him personally. Entertainers (much like politicians) are supposed to make us feel good.
I do take issue with Kelly's not acknowledging him as a great artist, arguably the greatest entertainer of the century. He got to the top not because of connections, but because he was obsessed with his craft, studied the great singers and musicians of the day and perfected a style he invented. If this were not true, there wouldnt be a mass of stars who emulate him, sometimes without even realizing it.
In conclusion, for his artistry, read Will Friedwald's book. And on a personal level, beware of those who put up a good front. Who among us have never been mislead by someone who seems angelic on the outside, and then, down the road, we learn the true character. Watch that video of Atlantic City. Giving $$$$ to charities and making sure it gets in the papers is self-serving, serves as a tax write-off, and many of the stars are not connected in the least.
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
More objective than reported, June 27, 2000
By A Customer
Yes, the book is full of well documented dirt on Sinatra, but Kelley also liberally includes the goods on Sinatra, such as his frequent generosity. Full of facts, but no agenda there unless you arrive with one yourself.
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