Patrick Swayze: One Last Dance (Hardcover)

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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

A heartwarming, in-depth portrait of the beloved star whose sensational performances in Dirty Dancing and Ghost seduced a generation, and whose courage in the face of illness captivated millions

For almost thirty years, Patrick Swayze has been an American icon of masculinity and sex appeal, strong but sensitive, romantic yet dangerous.

In this intimate and revealing biography, New York Times bestselling author Wendy Leigh shares the inspiring untold story of Patrick's incredible life: his show business childhood, his fairy-tale love affair with wife Lisa Niemi, his catapult into alcoholism after his father's untimely death, the daredevil exploits that almost killed him, and his courageous fight against pancreatic cancer, a fight that has off-ered hope and encouragement to others grap-pling with similar life-threatening illnesses.

Ever since the steamy low-budget film Dirty Dancing skyrocketed Patrick to fame and cemented his place in the hearts of audiences around the world, he has been one of our most cherished public figures. Based on interviews with countless sources who have never spoken about Patrick before -- from the Texas beauty who shared his first kiss, to the woman he almost married, to the manager who worked closely with him from his teen idol days until his romantic tour de force in Ghost -- and many more, Leigh unveils surprising details about the charismatic actor's life on- and off-screen. Beginning with his training as a dancer with his choreographer mother and spanning his remarkable -- and at times challenging -- career, this groundbreaking biography of the un-forgettable entertainer is the mesmerizing, enduring, and definitive story of a man who captured our hearts.

About the Author

Wendy Leigh is the New York Times bestselling author of eleven books, including True Grace: The Life and Times of An American Princess.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Simon Spotlight Entertainment (May 12, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1439149976
• ISBN-13: 978-1439149973
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #12,554 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #37 in	Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Leaders & Notable People > Rich & Famous
  #38 in	Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Arts & Literature > Actors & Actresses
  #42 in	Books > Entertainment > Movies > Biographies

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Compassion compendium, May 15, 2009

By	Chalice Wells (Long Island, NY) - See all my reviews

In a time where every celebrity gets a scandal-ridden tell-all, especially if they are just dead or perhaps about to be, this is a refreshing, compassionate read. Although it touches on the current and seemingly intractable suffering Patrick is going through, it concentrates on the bravery, strength, and originality of character he has showed all his life, the stuff that real biographies are made of, the essence of the personality and the deeds that will live on when there is no more to be said. Congratulations to the author for choosing the high road (the road less travelled, these days) and giving us a picture of the whole man, the whole life...

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Loved this book, May 15, 2009

By	Biography Maven - See all my reviews

Patrick Swayze: One Last Dance

I've been a fan of Patrick Swayze since I saw him in "Dirty Dancing," and was thrilled with this biography - which I was lucky enough to buy when I was in New York a few days ago. First of all, although I thought I knew all there was to know about Patrick, the book continued to surprise me on page after page. His mother turns out to be a fascinating character, and the chapters on her dance studio, where Patrick grew up, were riveting, in particular all the interviews with the dance students who grew up with Patrick there. And amazing to read the memories of some dancers who were actually at the studio and witnessed Lisa and Patrick's first meeting! Loved all the amazing detail about his time in New York, his early years in Hollywood, all the inside stuff from the set of Dirty Dancing, Ghost and all his other movies, and was deeply touched by the sensitive and compassionate way in which the author ended the book. I can't recommend this book enough to Patrick's fans and anyone else who is interested in him

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars PATRICK SWAYZE, ONE LAST DANCE, June 1, 2009

By	Carol Ann Friedman - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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As a life-long fan of Patrick, I was most anxious to read the biography of this fascinating and terrific actor.

His current physical struggle saddens my heart, and I pray that he will continue to beat the odds that are stacked against him.

The book did a great job of portraying him and his rise to stardom.

I look forward to an autobiography that the author has eluded to in her book.