Customer Reviews

Robert Shaw: More Than a Life

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4 star:		(1)
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This book gives a fine recollection of the life of one of the most talented actors of our time. It is too bad that his talent was somewhat unappreciated during his lifetime. The books covers all aspects of Shaw's life, the good and the bad times. He was a tremendously talented, complex man but he was also a genuinely good man. He was lost to us much too soon and I will always miss him. For those who believe this book to be harsh on Shaw, I can only say "Read the John French book on Shaw". It is a terrible, nasty account of things through French's eyes. It also is an obvious attempt by Fench to make Shaw seem unstable in order to cover up his poor job as a manager of his career. French should be ashamed of himself. Do yourself a favor and appreciate the "..More Than a Life" book. It is the truth and you can get a real feel for all the talent we lost when Robert Shaw died. He was and is always remembered fondly by his fans.

This is an excellent and engrossing account of a complex, flawed, difficult, passionate, honest, immensely talented and hugely underrated actor, author and playwright.
The book provides a superb overview of his life, and provides a counter-balance to the only other completed (to date) biography, the rather more subjective view of his former manager John French.
Robert Shaw's brilliance as a performer and writer was underpinned by the early experience of his father's tragic suicide; the resultant fiery over-competitive will to succeed was best channelled in performances that displayed his talent for supreme intensity backed by intelligence. On this form Shaw commanded the camera; witness his scene-stealing in From Russia with Love and Jaws - then witness again in his other works; this is Gold standard British talent that is yet to be fully appreciated by his profession and public...this book helps redress the balance a bit and lets us know what we are now missing.

I have just finished reading Robert Shaw : More Than a Life and found it an interesting read. I knew little of Shaw before this book and always wondered why he was not given more credit as an actor. The book, which is filled with recollections from family and friends gives great insight into a truly complicated man. He was constantly conflicted about acting versus writing. He excelled at both. When he was happy in his work, he was happy in his life. The suicide of his father, the death by drugs and alcohol of his second wife Mary Ure and the early death of Erroly Flynn at age 51 (same age as Shaw) all influenced his life and his work. It was also interesting to learn of the tax problems that plagued Shaw and others who worked in and out of Britain. If you like biographies, movies, and men who lived bigger than life, I highly recommend this book.

Having been a fan of Robert Shaw since seeing The Deep as a boy with my father and having read articles about him, I was rather dissapointed with the way his biography was written. It is often harsh and even demeaning at times. The authors appear to me to go out of their way to exploit the faults of the man, however one is still left with the impression he was an artistic genius. There was also very little time devoted to his experiences in Jaws and other movies which would probably be entertaining. The authors also spend a large portion of the book seemingly drawing their own opinions of Shaw. I am hoping to find another book on the subject.

Because Robert Shaw wanted to be remembered more as a writer than an actor, I was delighted with the indepth discussions about his literary works. They gave me insights into his writings that I may not have understood otherwise. The book also vividly portrays the many, often conflicting facets of this complex man. The authors seem to have researched their subject thoroughly, including interviews with Shaw's family, friends and colleagues. Although in many places they seem to focus on his problems, they are also quick to point out his strengths as well. My biggest complaint with the book isn't the writing, but the proofing and typesetting - both make the text difficult to read, particularly near the beginning. I can only imagine what Mr. Shaw would have to say about that!

While he never reached the mega-stardom of Sean Connery, Richard Burton, or Peter Sellers. Robert Shaw was still one of Britains major stars. A very talented, but difficult man, it is not hard to see why he had problems in his life. A tragic childhood experience (his father commited suicide), haunted Shaw all though his life. Determined to succeed, Shaw was over competitive, which alienated him from many people. Basically he was a decent man, who while had many faults, never had the self-disgust of Richard Burton, or the utter selfishness of Peter Sellers. 'From Russia with Love,' made him a star, but it was his role as 'Quint' the shark killer in 'Jaws,' which made him a major player in Hollywood, but success came to late, for like so many of the character,s Shaw played in his films, he had used all his skill and determination to get to the top, only to fail at the last minute. His death in 1978, at the early age of 51, robbed Britain of one of her truely international stars. A total family man, Shaw was also a talented author and playwright (something he was returning to at the time of his death). It's good to see a biography of this talented but neglected man. The authors do a completely fair study, pointing out his strengths as well as his faults. Recommeded.

I HAVE ADMIRED ROBERT SHAW SINCE I WAS A LITTLE GIRL. AND I KNEW THIS WORLD WAS ROBBED OF A GENUINE TALENT AND A VERY GIFTED MAN WHEN HE DIED IN 1978. I HAVE ALWAYS HOPED SOMEONE WOULD WRITE A BOOK ON HIS LIFE. I WANT TO THANK KAREN CARMEAN AND GEORG GASTON FOR DOING SO. THEY HAVE ANSWERED MANY QUESTIONS THAT I HAVE HAD OVER THE YEARS. I'M PROUD THAT THEY POINTED OUT HOW ROBERT SHAW WANTED TO BE REMEMBERED AS AN AUTHOR. BECAUSE EVEN THOUGH I LOVE HIS MOVIES, HIS TRUE TALENT IS FOUND IN HIS WORDS. THANKS TO THE TWO OF THEM, I NOW KNOW WHAT I SUSPECTED ALL THESE YEARS, THAT HE WAS ALSO A GOOD FATHER, FRIEND AND HUSBAND.HE WAS A MAN I WOULD HAVE BEEN HONERED TO KNOW. AND TO THIS DAY, HE REMAINS MY ALL TIME FAVORITE. THANK YOU! KAREN AND GEORG FOR COMFIRMING EVERYTHING FOR ME.

This is a great book about the actor Robert Shaw. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in the life of the actor. It includes great stories about the films and his personal life as well. You will also find out that Robert Shaw was more than just a film actor. He also wrote 5 critically acclaimed novels and appeared on several TV series as well as stage plays. I'm very glad that this book was written. Anyone knowing of how I can get a copy of John French's book "Robert Shaw - The Price Of Succcess" please email me at SHcomedy@interaxs.net

When I saw Mr Shaw for the first time (in Jaws)I was about nine years old.
Now I'm twenty and Shaw was far before mine time but I feel that he can learn me how to life because this great biographie from a man who I love and dream about.
I'm sure that I'm the most fanaticus of the "Shaws-fan" from the Netherlands.
I have a private archief from this unique person and I dream about him and think most of the time how sweet he was for childeren.
Mr Shaw is deep in my heart because I discover his live and read this colourful biographie and I will thank Garmean and Gaston for this great great great book, thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!
This book is the most best biography because the spirit that Shaw in his short live had give this book the most power.

(sorry for my bad english I think)

Love you all Gilian Schmidt,

the Netherlands