Customer Reviews

Sinatra: Behind the Legend

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This is by far, the most well-balanced, interesting, Sinatra biography I have read. It is a must-read for any Sinatra fan, or anyone at all interested in reading a Sinatra biography. The only flaw is that even more details would be desirable (not just the "juicy" type, though there are quite a bit of that type: The details about Sinatra's romances - i have to admit, that made for some very fascinating reading!). There is hardly any information about Sinatra's music and films, but there are other books on those subjects. This is the story of his more private, yet fascinating, life. Some of it is funny, warm and sweet, some of it is shockingly barbaric, and the last few chapters about his deteriorating health are very sad. But what makes this bio different from other Sinatra bio's i've read, is the author neither comes across as an enemy nor a hero-worshipper - just a chronicler of an incredible life. Ultimately, the writer seems to respect Sinatra, as an all-too-human being. This book describes Sinatra's tremendous drive and vitality, his very tender and sensitive side, as well as a temper that had more behind it than mere brutality - he was an extremely complex and emotional man who had great difficulty communicating his true feelings, except in song. This book explains a lot about why and how those complexities developed; perhaps the most fascinating part of the book is Sinatra's long and tempestuous relationship with ava gardner - that subject, in itself, could fill a whole book. I hope that an author with the skill of Mr. Taraborrelli is considering writing a book about Frank and Ava - their story is more amazing, romantic, and dramatic than fiction! The best Sinatra biography, but it is possible that an even better one will be written someday - for now, this is the one, and an excellent read; not a dull page.

Sinatra:Behind the Legened (repackaged as Sinatra: A Complete Life, after the singer's death in May of 1998) has the same failings as Kitty Kelley's infamous 1986 book.

There is much about Sinatra the womanizer, Sinatra the brawler, Sinatra the friend of hoodlums, but comparatively little about Sinatra the musician.

Tabraborelli makes some passing references to various albums and concerts (he makes many errors by the way in discussing these), but the book is long on gossip and short on music.

However, it's breezily written and contains never never published before anecdotes...highlight: the interview with Barry Keenan, the mastermind of Frank Jr's kidnapping.

For those really interested in Sinatra, the musician...check out Will Friedwald's Sinatra: the Song is You and Chuck Granata's forhcoming "Sessions With Sinatra."

This is the book that tells it like it really was,no holds-barred. The singer. The actor. The man. A fascinating life story and Frank's life was never dull;whether growing up in Hoboken, breaking into the business in New York or his Hollywood Rat Pack days. Even his difficult times make for a mesmerizing read. Sure the book is a big,long read but remember Frank was in showbiz for 60 years. What a life!

I've read all of the Sinatra biographies, and Taraborrelli's is the only one I would recommend. This is the book that tells Frank's story in the most balanced way, and in a way that makes Sinatra's life really come alive for the reader. I actually could not put this down, and I especially enjoyed the parts about Frank's many romances. He was a complex man, but I think he tried to do the right thing ... though he often was not capable of doing it. Taraborrelli writes with a lot of compassion, as if he really cared about his subject -- and that makes the book even more readable and believable. This is really the best Sinatra biography published to date!

If Frank Sinatra interests you at all, I highly recommend thisbook. For one thing, it goes all the way up through the '90s, and thepictures are great. It's a very detailed, revealing book, that I never get tired of. It has made me see Sinatra in a brand new light- a positive one. I like him more than ever before, after having read parts of this awesome book. The author did an outstanding job!

I read it from cover to cover and enjoyed every minute of it, every page. Thorough research and an invigorating writing style really bring Sinatra to life like never before. It's gritty, for sure. But very true to Sinatra's experience. As a big Frank fanatic, I would recommend this book. I've read them all, and this is the only one that makes him seem like more than just a skirt-chasing mobster with a good voice.

First of all, if you're a delicate little flower and can't handle blue language, then this book isn't for you, and neither is Frank. This book perfectly reflects Frank's lifestyle and his story -- blue language, mobster talk, tough guy stuff as well as the romantic, loving side of Sinatra. I learned more about Frank Sinatra here than I ever have from any other book about him. I couldn't put this baby down, I'm serious. This is one helluva great book and I commend it's author. Far more balanced and fair minded than Kitty Kelley's hatchet job, yet not as kissy as his daughter, Nancy's book, the reader gets the full Sinatra story here, from his romances with Jackie O and Marilyn, all the way to the details -- real intimate details -- of his music and films. This guy even interviewed the schmuck who kidnapped Frank's son, Frank Jr. Talk about research. Hey, I don't see how any person who cares about Frank wouldn't care about this book. BUY IT!!! You'll be happy you did.

Let me tell you, THIS BOOK IS AMAZING. This biography is one of the most respectful, carefully written *TELL ALL* books I've ever read. This book tells you soooooo much info on Frank, it's unbelievable! It's almost as if you're standing in the studio with him, or in the middle of one of his notorious fights w/ Ava Gardner. You feel like you're RIGHT THERE. I thought I knew a lot about Mr. Sinatra, but I was proven wrong. Randy Taraborrelli (the author) gave it to you straight; he threw the whole story at you, but unlike a LOT of other books, he supplied proof to back it up. He interviewed many of Sinatra's old friends from his neighborhood in Hoboken, as well as fellow actors and musicians who knew Sinatra best. On top of all of that, there are 2 sections of black and white pictures and 1 color section. To sum things up...the author obviously had respect and admiration for Frank Sinatra, but he didn't hold back Frank's bad qualities...he let them all come out, all the while praising, respecting, and keeping Ol' Blue Eyes' memory alive!!!! A+

Whether you are a big Frank Sinatra fan (as I am), or just curious to learn more about the life of what many consider the greatest entertainer of the 20th century, this book will not disappont. Beginning with his birth, and ending with his serious health problems in 1997, this book leaves no stone unturned! The author has done his homework with interviews, court documents, goverment transcripts, reviews, newspapers and a myriad of other resources to give a factual account of the public and private life of Mr. Sinatra. I greatly appreciated that the author rarely let his personal feelings about Frank Sinatra or what he did enter into his writing, and I completed the book still wondering if he was a friend or foe. There are several popular myths about Sinatra that this author exposes as false, and can support why. For example, Sinatra's relationship with organized crime (the "Mob") is examined in great detail throughout his life, and I am sure will leave many readers as surprised as I was as to his dealings with "gansters." Also, the many female companions and four wives of Frank Sinatra are discussed in detail, as they were a very important aspect of his life, and often affected his entertainment career and its success. The book is substantial (over 500 pages), and the reader should be aware that the music and films of Sinatra are not reviewed in great detail. I would recommend other titiles if that is what one is looking for. The only thing I did not like about the book, and the reason for the four star rating, is the author at times dwells on some sexual aspects of Sinatra that I feel are not relevant or necessary. In other words, I would not lend this book to my mother! However, if you want to know the life of Frank Sinatra, and the events that made him what he was, this is an excellent book.

Having read several biographies of Frank Sinatra, I found this book to be the most comprehensive and objective in telling the story of a fascinating life.