Customer Reviews

Straight from the Heart: A Love Story

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

 

 

I was tempted to read this autobiographical love story for two main reasons. One, I very much appreciate Eric Marcus, who assisted in writing "Straight from the Heart." Marcus' collaboration with Greg Louganis ("Breaking the Surface") resulted in a remarkable, moving and amazingly rich autobiography of the famed diver. Really, an exemplary collaboration! Two, I was curious to know more about these obviously very beautiful gay men; more important, I expected their story to be more than just a "feel good" story... I thought it would be a complex character study of two individuals, who just 'happen' to have perfect bodies... and I would be inspired by their story rather than awed by their physical beauty.

The autobiography is rich in detail on the public moments in their lives and tells the reader a lot of what went on behind the several magazine covers the two posed for, the shows they appeared in, and the public appearences they made. And yes, it does read like a nice teenage romance novel- something which has its own merits and value.

On the down side, I feel I still don't know these two men the way, Louganis in "Breaking the Surface", for instance, privileges the reader to enter into his highly complex world and adds remarkable depth and insight to his experience. I am educated and informed in ways that Bob and Rob don't let me.

Bob and Rob Paris, obviously very much in love at the time of writing their story, are so caught up in the novelty of their union and their self conscious awareness that they are perceived as 'beautiful bodies,' that they expect the reader to demand nothing more from them, except a sometimes simplistic and often superficial account of their lives. Importantly, they are often so self-consciously responding to their public persona that their story lacks any self-reflection or depth... Where is the on-going sense of discovery regarding who they are and want to be? Where are the disjunctures in their lives? Where are the multiple "meanings" that make their lives complex and rich? How do they negotiate their need to assert their sexual identity with other important roles that they play? What does marriage between two men mean? What issues does it raise? In retrospect, this could have been an important book, especially in the context of the discourses on same-sex marriage and its legality, if only they had looked beyond themseleves to the larger and more complex issues ....

In the final analysis, that the autobiography fell short of my expectations of what I thought I would read, is perhaps because of my own high expectations of the result of a collaboration between someone as skilled and able a writer as Eric Marcus, and two men, whose story could have intelligibly informed my reality. The often conscious focus on their external 'beauty' takes away a reader's ability to appreciate the kind of men they are and want to be.

I have always admired Bob Paris for his health and fitness and was equally amazed at his coming out. It was a great testimony of rising above the homophobia of his industry.

This book was his and former partner Rod's on-going chronicle of the development of their relationship. It would have been great...had it been another couple. I mean no disrespect but this was the most co-dependent couple that has ever written a book about relationships. You may have to read it to believe it.

I was not surprised when they later announced their public "divorce." The formula for their relationship was a disaster waiting to happen. Perhaps Mr. Paris should write a follow-up book about what lessons he's learned from that experience. This would help others who have thought that his last relationship was something to be modeled after to learn that there is a much better way for relationships to run.

The book is an easy read. The content however is a little hard to swallow but it's a real memoir. It would be an interesting study on co-dependent relationships. Read this book for what it is--a memoir, not a how-to book.

This book changed my life. It is as beautiful a love story as I have ever read, and the book has moments in it that touched the core of my heart and soul. I will be forever indebted to Bob and Rod for their work and for publishing this story. It has the power to save lives, just as it did mine.

Growing up I had no gay role models to look up to. I was so happy to hear about Rod and Bob Jackson/Paris and their book. I highly commend them for their honesty and openness in this book. It truly gave me hope for my future. I know they went thru a lot of public scruteny and humiliation with this book, but I know it will help thousands of gay teenagers and adults. I only hope one day to find my own Rod or Bob.

Every time Bob Paris speaks in the pages of this book I hear to crickets of Indiana and feel the love of the down home folks we both grew up around. This is a book of a love story of two very different men who cared for each other and tried to build a life of mutual respect and love in spite of their differing world views. This public couple, like all of us who are gay people, had to confront the bigotry and homophobia from family, friends, co-workers,and the ugly thoughts we are taught about ourselves. Their sturggles to love and work are surrounded by their intense desire to work and live in a world of highly competitive people all too often focused on their dystruction. Page after page of the realities of our lives spring out of this book into the hearts of it's readers. Rarley have I ever read anything as honest and personal. That a realtionship like theirs could survive, even for awhile, is alomost beyond human belief. As an athlete I know the rigors of training and competition. This book is an open essay of a grander psycho-social-sexual experience few people understand or would be willing to talk about. I recommend this book to all who long for and study topics around human dignity and struggle. My thanks to the wonderful men who wrote it. It is and always will be a blessing to my heart.

A better love story, however, could probably be told by any number of faceless lesbian/gay couples living across America and facing their daily challanges with mutual love, acceptance and support. The relationship of Bob and Rob unfortunately came across as one that was competitive, self directed and controling. One really does get the feeling that they were not ready for the daily trials of total commitment. Nevertheless, they emerge as thouroughly likeable young men, and one has to respect their courage in making a public statement of their relationship given that as public figures they had much to lose. In addition, the amount of energy and time they have devoted to the gay youth isseue is to be commended. I liked the book, I liked the authors. It just didn't seem much like a love story.

Yes, it is true that Bob Paris and Rod Jackson are no longer together, but their love story was still beautiful. This book captures the thoughts of two men falling in love, and as such it should help heterosexuals to understand that our love is the same as theirs. Our marriages are the same as theirs. We have about a THOUSAND obstacles to overcome which heterosexuals do NOT have to confront, so it is a miracle that any of our love stories have happy endings. Some do, this one didn't. But it still shows two beautiful and wonderful people who fearlessly plunged into the treacherous waters of love. Love is always difficult, but when you have the entire world against your love, it is at once more magnificent and far more difficult to maintain. This book should be read by EVERYONE.

A young (...)man interviewed recently by the Washington Post said he wished he could be straight so he could marry and have a long-lasting love like straight couples do. This poor kid had never seen a loving (...)couple on television or in a book. What does this say about our representation of (...)men in the media? They are not showing the true, full story. This book shows a bit of the untold story. (...)men DO have love stories just like straight couples. And some have marriages that last more than 50 years, just like straight couples. It is tragic that our (...)youth are never shown this by America's homophobic media, which won't even allow Will Truman of "Will & Grace" to have a date or a kiss on TV. Every public library needs this book to show these kids that love knows no sexual orientation.

I only give this book two stars only because Rod and I grew up in the same hometown ( Windsor, Colo.), we are both orginally from Nebraska and went to the same church in Windsor ( with the same minister that was mentioned in this book, only this minister wasn't so accepting of my homosexuality as he was mentioned with Rod's homosexaulity in the book). It brought back the same strugles that I had with aceptance of my homosexuality that I had in Windsor 10 years later ( Rod in the late 70s. Myself in the late 80s).
I respect them both individually but as a gay couple on parade I don't subcribe to this approch ( when it comes to marriage ) that is stated in this book. It has been my experience that if you have to broadcast something this personal and this loud some thing is wrong with the situation.
My advice, If you are looking for a gay couples guide for a better marrige you won't find it here. This book is like a supermarket trade romance book that you see in the checkout line. If you want to work on your marrige work on your self first.

Being one of the first gay couples in the national spotlight, Bob Paris and Rod Jackson were pioneers who paved the way for other well-known, and prominent celebrities to come out of the closet in order to gain great greater acceptance in today's society. While many gay celebrity couples such as Ellen DeGeneres & Anne Heche and Melissa Etheridge and Julie Cypher have come out together with little or no opposition from both the media and society. The story of how these two men came out is an inspiration to all seeking acceptance, regardless of your sexual orientation.

Bob Paris, who was one of professional bodybuilding's top stars and Rod Jackson, a former Playgirl Man of the Year, met, fell in love, and later went on to stage a ceremonial wedding where they exchange vows. "Straight From the Heart," is mostly an autobiographical account of their lives, from their childhoods to their present-day lives. Although Paris and Jackson broke off their relationship in 1997, their story is still an excellent account of what it is to be gay and famous in today's society.

The book can be a tad bit too lame when it comes to both authors giving each other accolades or affection. However, I was intrigued by both Bob and Rod's touring the country and speaking at universities, colleges, and at events about their struggle for acceptance and their advocacy for gay & lesbian rights. The tour opened up in my alma mater, Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida, where the authors faced a crowd that was both rude and anxious to hear them speak. I found that interesting because their appearance came a few years before I enrolled there.

"Straight From the Heart," is an interesting account of how love knows no boundaries. While Jackson hasn't been so visible in the spotlight lately, Bob Paris continues to be a best-selling author or fitness and gay studies books. He is an excellent author, as well as a fascinating individual. I recommend this book to anyone wanting to know what it feels like to risk everything in your life in order to pursue happiness with the one you love.

The story can save the life and the future of million of young gay people who feel they are alone in this world. Being young and gay in the world where homosexuality is seen as an awful sin will make it hard for the young gay to see their future. Most of theirr time and energy are spent to deny themselve. This alone will unable them to grow to the maximum of their potential. The book inspires gay people especially the young gay to accept themselve and be proud of who they are. Reading the book will help them understand that falling in love is the most beautiful thing that could happen in every one's life regardless of their sexual preferences. The book also shows that falling in love can transform everyone's life. Thanks to the total honesty of Bob Paris to let us know that he is not perfect. That he used to be a drug additct. His love to Jack (who is anti drug) has transformed him to a better person he is to day. After reading the book I believe the young gay people can start dreaming about their own true love in the future. They don't have to be afraid anymore because they are not alone in this world. They have a hope that one day a wonderful life as wonderful as Bob and Jack woud be theirs too.