5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Despite the lack of details about "Survivor" it is a solid autobiography, August 15, 2007
This review is from: Rupert: Just Being Me (Paperback)
Rupert Boneham is one of the few bonafide celebrities to have come from the "Survivor" television show. Rupert tells about his difficult family life growing up in Kokomo, Indiana, his difficulties as a young man struggling with alcohol, drugs, tricky female relationships and his own desire for an instant family. However, through it all that big heart of his shines through and the reader is rooting for him to find his way.
Despite his gruff and bearlike appearance, this book confirms that the attribute that we loved him for on Survivor was no act this man is a Teddy Bear with a heart as big as all outdoors.
Most enjoyable is Rupert's discussion of helping troubled teens. Even at his lowest, Rupert helped out kids - often his program was their last chance to stay out of jail. Rupert proudly details some of his successes and acknowledges that some kids need "a thousand strikes" before they get it figured out.
You know how people say that if they won a million dollars they'd help out this charity or do something to help make things better. Mostly that's wishful thinking. But, Rupert is a guy that followed through and he proudly talks about his Rupert's Kids program in the last half of the book. He also includes addresses, websites and e-mails for his organization. As an Indianapolis resident I can assure you that Rupert still is quite active in the community and still attracts a crowd around here. His image and name are used with a number of good programs around town, and that's one of the reasons we love him.
Unfortunately, due to contractual obligations with the TV show, Rupert is not allowed to discuss "Survivor" at all in his book. In fact the word "Survivor" is not even in the text, only in a legal disclaimer page inside the front cover. Too bad, but it is still a strong read.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Life Story of America's Favorite SURVIVOR., August 14, 2007
This review is from: Rupert: Just Being Me (Paperback)
I'm a huge fan of the television show SURVIVOR. In fact, over the years I've only missed seeing one episode. There have been many contestants from the show that I've enjoyed watching play the game and have thought to myself, "I'd really like to know them better." One of these is Rupert Boneham. Rupert is one the most memorable contestants to play the game and is also one of the fan's all-time favorites. Like many people, I really related to Rupert and watching him on the show it seemed to me that he was just a regular guy. Therefore, I guess it's apt that his book is titled RUPERT: JUST BEING ME.
I'll be the first to admit that initially, there might not be a great deal of appeal for RUPERT: JUST BEING ME outside of the SURVIVOR fan base. It's been a few years since Rupert was last on the show and the instant celebrity he attained from it has died down. For instance, last spring when talking with people about the latest season of the show and making a comparison to some of the people to Rupert, I was asked, "Rupert, who's that?" However, even though his celebrity status might have dissolved, Rupert has a lot to offer people. The book is written in a very simple, straight-forward manner. Reading the book I often felt I was just listening to Rupert talking instead of reading something that someone else had written out for him.
I was shocked at how rough a childhood Rupert had. He had a very difficult time with very little family support. He went through some even more difficult times as an adult. Yet, he was able to overcome those trials and started an organization, Rupert's Kids, that is helping troubled kids around the country.
Rupert talks a lot about his life in RUPERT: JUST BEING ME. Having grown up outdoors and worked with animals, I especially like reading about how Rupert came to love nature and started collecting snakes. He also talks about his drug and alcohol problems, his failed relationships, and the different jobs he has worked and places he has lived. Despite these details, he skips the part of his life that most people would probably want to know the most about: his time on SURVIVOR and how that changed him. He devotes a chapter to it entitled "Fame" but the opening page only says, "Maybe, one day I'll be able to tell you about this part of my life...," and each page after that reads, "These pages left intentionally blank." I hope that Rupert will one day write another book and tell us about that.
Reading RUPERT: JUST BEING ME, I was once again reminded of how life truly is a journey and how precious it is. We all have stories to tell and if we are given an opportunity to tell those stories, we can touch other people.
I recommend RUPERT: JUST BEING ME for any fan of SURVIVOR or Rupert. I also highly recommend it for people who work with troubled youth or a young person who is living through difficult times right now. It might just be the encouragement you need.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The memoir of celebrity figure Rupert Boneham, June 3, 2007
This review is from: Rupert: Just Being Me (Paperback)
Rupert: Just Being Me is the memoir of celebrity figure Rupert Boneham, founder of the Rupert's Kids organization to provide mentoring and educational programming to troubled youth, as told to author Lester Thomas Shane. Chapters tell of the shock of learning the woman he had lived with had legally and surreptitiously become his common-law wife - then divorced him and used the courts to drain him of money; the founding of the Rupert's Kids organization; his television debut; the difficulty of letting go of metaphorical demons and ghosts; and much more. A handful of color photographs and numerous black-and-white photographs illustrate this one-of-a-kind behind-the-scenes memoir of a truly charitable man.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
![[Start the discussion]](http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/x-locale/communities/discussion_boards/start-new-discussion-sec._V192250339_.gif){kind=small}
