Customer Reviews

Random Acts of Badness: My Story

5 star:		(35)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

On air, Danny seems to be an open book; those who believe that they've heard Danny's stories or those who generally shun the celebrity "tell all", will be blown out of their seats by this book. The most shocking aspect of "Random Acts of Badness" is that his expected sharp wit and humor is intertwined with truly poignant moments. Thanks to Bonaduce's comic timing, this reader was in tears through the whole book, caused, one moment, by the sadness of a life almost wasted and the next because of a hilarious one liner, usually at the expense of the author. This is NOT another in an endless parade of celebrity tell alls this is the true story about a man, his demons, and the woman who saved him.

I read Mr. Bonaduce's book from cover-to-cover in a single night. I knew him vaguely in Los Angeles, in 1980-something (I really don't remember those years too well), via mutual friends, and he was a wild, messed-up [person] -just like everybody else back then and there, in Hollywood...a lovely, wild, fun place, much like Sodom and Gomorrah must have been before they put in the mini-malls. The delightful thing about Danny Bonaduce is that he is, and has always been, purely Danny Bonaduce, without excuses. It's not "The Partridge Family" movie; it's Danny Bonaduce being honest, and funny, and always accepting the fact that he had been a f..k- up at one time in his life...okay, many times in his life. He doesn't blame his family, his up-bringing, or his "child-stardom"...that would be too easy of a way out-Danny Bonaduce doesn't do anything easy, or simply, even if it may have seemed like the easy way at the time. ...then you get bored with it, or find someone who gets bored with you when you are that way. Mr. Bonaduce got lucky-he found someone who loved him enough to make him love himself. I've never met his wife, Gretchen, but, after reading his book, and hearing him speak of her, I'm fairly certain she is one of those few angels who have found their way to earth.

Crux of review: Mr. Bonaduce doesn't take that now-boring route of blaming his problems on his childhood, his "too-early" success, or being afflicted by some mysterious inherent disease-he just tells it like it is, pure and simple. Mr. Bonaduce merely admits that he was an a__hole for a long time, and that now he's better. He cured himself-with a little help from his friends...mainly, his best friend, his wife. We've all read the ... tear-jerkers, and have seen the "former child-stars in AA" specials, and, frankly, it becomes a little tiresome...really gets to be a bit too much to ask you to weep for someone making [more dollars] a year, ..., when most of the country is still cooking up new versions of spam-casserole and wondering if that long-distance call to mom last week may just put you over budget. It's nice, for a change, to hear an honest story about a man who isn't afraid to tell us he is just human, and remind us that we all make mistakes sometimes, and that we can overcome those mistakes, even without the benefit of gazillion dollar rehab centers and scandal magazines that set out to shame you, or at least attempt to, just for a few extra sales points. Mr. Bonaduce didn't have to tell his story to the world, but he did-maybe it's just the entertainer in him, always willing to please his public and give them what they want. Maybe he will help a lot of people who went through what he did, and many are still going through it. No matter how you want to define it, Danny Bonaduce gives you a good read, without apologies, and with apologies. He's a complex man, and he gives you the simplicity of pure truth. He's no longer "Danny Partridge". He's Danny Bonaduce, the grown-up man, and the star he always was-you can take that on both a professional and personal level-either way, he's a star. Good luck, Dan, if you should ever read this, and thanks.

Donn Kean

I absolutly loved reading Danny's book. Like most folks I had heard about the crazy Danny stories but reading all the sordid details straight from the man who lived them was awesome. I really couldn't put it down. You can almost hear him saying the words on the page. So often celebs have ghost writers help them look good on paper... but not Danny. He actually wrote the book. My husband saw me reading it and we ended up spending evenings reading to each other. This is one child actor who went from good to bad to worse to nearly dead to reborn success. It's an excellent read and You will not be disappointed.

Although it's not a literary masterpiece, RANDOM ACTS OF BADNESS is an enjoyable read. It's too bad that this book cannot be required reading for all young people, especially those who may consider venturing into drug experimentation. It is truly amazing that Danny Bonaduce is alive today! He tells his story without making any excuses nor blaming others. After reading this, I respect the guy and admire his strength and more-recent altruism. If nothing else, you'll believe in fate; Danny's marriage is a prime example.

Want a book that takes you away from it all? you got it . want a story of a real human with troubles, and tribulations to make your own life seem dull? Its right here. Danny's self depreciating style is at once entertaining and heartwarming in that the good guys Do finish first but he who laughs last, laughs best. And Danny on the air is still laughing his @$$ off.This book is a must read. Yes, you must. If you miss it, you will have missed a great story by one heck of a real deal kind of guy.

I read this book from cover to cover in no time at all. Icouldn't put it down. Danny Bonaduce is a very interesting character and I never realized just how bad things got for him. This is a great story of a "bad boy" turned good. If you grew up in the era of "The Partridge Family" or the "Brady Bunch", you will truly appreciate Danny's story. All in all a great read.

Talk about honesty. This is excellent. Its hilarious too. And yes, Danny is right--many of us want to know just what do the rich make and what do they do with it? Mainly because we cant imagine having that much. He was obviously a gifted child and with no way to funnel it he turned to drugs. But I was impressed with the strength from his wife and his own strength, he pulled himself out of it and has become successful in spite of all of it. There are those that are funny because they have funny writers for them and those that are just naturally funny. Danny is the latter. Great read.

Every once in awhile we hear a name that we recall from years ago and say, "I wonder whatever happened to ...?" This book caught my attention because I can remember very well "Little Danny from the Partridge Family." Who would ever have guessed the cute little red-haired kid of television-land had such a traumatic childhood and equally shattering life to follow.

After reading the book, I liked Danny Bonaduce even moreso as a adult than I did in the days of the Partridge Famiily. Why? Despite his personal trials and tribulations, some of which might "knock your socks off," Danny comes across as a down-to-Earth, humble, ordinary guy who simply fell between the cracks. The fact that, with the help of his wife, Gretchen, he has managed to overcome the demons of his past and turn his life around makes him an exceptional person. I have counselled numberous people with addictions over the years, and it takes great strength and courage to accept one has a problem in the first place, and even greater courage to overcome their addiction and rebuild a happy, functional life. Everyone deserves a second chance and Danny made the best of his. His story is not one of self-pity, but rather one of a misguided soul who managed to "beat the devil." Hats off to Danny for having the strength, guts and courage to rebuild his life! This is definitely a book worth reading and most deserving of a five-star rating.

Danny's done it again. Actor, disc jockey TV host and now author.
Random Acts of Badness is not just another troubled child star bio. It's a funny, outrageous and touching book about survival told as only Danny could tell it. You may have heard some of these stories before...Danny's never been shy about sharing his life...but don't let that keep you from this truly enjoyable read.

This wasn't a bad book, just not as good as it could have been (or as good as I'd hoped it to be). While there are a few laugh-out-loud moments, I expected it to be much funnier, based on the review excerpts printed in the book. (I know, I know, I shouldn't have fallen for that...)

While he has no qualms about dishing the dirt on a variety of people with whom he's worked, he notes that he doesn't discuss his family out of respect to their privacy. Seems more than a bit hypocritical to me. With an abusive, but successful Hollywood father, he alludes to, but goes into very little detail around the chaos that must have existed at home. More discussion around this might help us better understand him and some of the choices he made.

The pictures in the book aren't terribly revealing and none show him in his down-and-out period. The caption of the picture with Danny in the ring with Donny Osmond is hilarious and the story of their boxing match is pretty funny, too.

While I applaud his candor about his struggles with drugs and alcohol, if you really want to read an honest account of someone who's been to hell and back, read Chuck Negron's Three Dog Nightmare. That guy went through the wringer and lived to tell about it.

This book is a very quick read and while it's not great, it's not terrible, either.