Patrick Stewart: The Unauthorized Biography [Paperback]

James Hatfield (Author), George "Doc" Burt (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1996

Describes the celebrated actor's violent upbringing at the hands of an alcoholic father, extramarital affair, early years as a recognized but struggling Shakespearean actor, relationship with Star Trek co-stars, and psychological therapy. Original.

Editorial Reviews

Review

In this candid, and unauthorized biography, Patrick Stewart's life is examined from his earliest, unhappy days growing up in a violent, alcoholic household, where make-believe provided the fantasy and escape necessary for the sensitive young boy to survive his abusive father. Listeners will discover how those formative years shaped the gifted actor leaving him insecure and tortured until the critical acclaim he enjoyed as a great Shakespearean actor helped him reveal a charming, charismatic side -- and eventual the role that would make him a household word: Star Trek's Captain Jean-Luc Picard. Patrick Stewart: The Unauthorized Biography examines the highs and lows of Stewart's 25-year marriage and the affair that destroyed it, his years of therapy to deal with the traumas of his childhood upbringing, and his drive to be creative, demanding only the best of himself and those around him. -- Midwest Book Review --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Pinnacle (September 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786003154
• ISBN-13: 978-0786003150
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,262,130 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars What garbage!, December 29, 1999

By 

Mel in Vermont (Shaftsbury, VT USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Patrick Stewart: The Unauthorized Biography (Paperback)

In deference to my longstanding crush on Patrick Stewart, my husband gave this to me as a joke, and a joke it is! If I were to gather up a pile of fanzines, tabloids and talk show video clips, I could have written this book (although I hope I would have proofread it a little better. The typos are legion.) The "authors" did nothing except cut and paste previously published material -- no additional research or interviews went into producing it. Faithfully repeating what Mr. Stewart said to Jay Leno is about as insightful as it gets. All my Amazon pals who gave this 5 stars might want to try reading a real biography some time!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Solid research marred by tabloid-style narrative, August 7, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Patrick Stewart: The Unauthorized Biography (Paperback)

Authors Hatfield and Burt sifted through mountains of press clippings and hours of interviews to give their readers a solid foundation of facts about the life of actor Patrick Stewart. These facts, however, are often couched in an "En-quiring minds want to know" writing style that does a great disservice, at times, to their subject as well as their own hard work. Tales of Stewart's violent childhood are harrowing enough without the Dickensian embellishments by Hatfield/Burt. The star's private life (an oxymoron?) as "documented" in tabloid headlines gets an extra dash of spice by the smirking account supplied by the authors. Stories of conflict with Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry show Stewart as a canny operator not unlike some of the Shakepearean villians he has portrayed. Hatfield and Burt didn't need to resort to tabloidization; the truth is colorful and fascinating enough. Stewart fans hungry for information will find facts and documentatio! n in plenty here, and overlook the dramatizations.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars outstanding behind-the-scenes look at STTNG, October 9, 1998

By 

dialysis biller (Layton, UT, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Patrick Stewart: The Unauthorized Biography (Paperback)

I found the biographical information on Stewart very interesting and well done. Plus, the book gives a great look at the happenings behind the scenes during the making of the Next Generation television series. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and had a hard time putting it down.