Whitney Houston: The Unauthorized Biography [Hardcover]

James Robert Parish (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 2003

Whitney Houston burst onto the music scene in 1985 with her debut album, which earned numerous industry awards including a Grammy for the single "Saving All My Love For You". Since then, the acclaimed artist has released only a limited amount of new material, and yet she retains her pre-eminence in the industry and her popularity with music fans. Similarly, as an actress, since starring in the movie "The Bodyguard" she has chosen to appear in only three other movies to date. And yet she remains in demand among casting directors and, in 2003, has the choice of whether to star in the remake of the French classic "Diva" or to join Pierce Brosnan in a forthcoming Bond adventure. As Whitney Houston approaches her 40th birthday, this biography reflects on the journey which has taken her from a problematic childhood in a broken New Jersey home, to becoming the protegee of Arista producer Clive Davis, to today's diva, mired in rumours of peculiar behaviour and drug abuse. He explains how the shy, pretty young girl from a devoutly religious background, once dubbed the "Prom Queen of Soul", turned into the subject of lurid tabloid gossip, much of it concerning her often turbulent relationship with her husband, hiphop star Bobby Brown. Despite a string of highly publicized episodes of violence, adultery and substance abuse, Bobby still holds a strange attraction for Whitney, who insists "I've got a good man. He takes care of me". This biography tells the whole story of Whitney Houston's dramatic and turbulent life.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Whitney Houston burst onto the music scene in 1985 with a stunning debut album, garnering numerous awards, including a Grammy for the single, “Saving All My Love for You.” Since then, she’s released limited new material, yet she retains her preeminence in the industry and her enormous popularity with fans. Similarly, as an actress, since starring in the blockbuster movie The Bodyguard, she’s chosen to appear in only three other movies. Still, she remains much in demand among casting directors. Now James Robert Parish reflects on the extraordinary journey that has taken her from a difficult childhood, to becoming the protégée of powerful Arista producer Clive Davis, to today’s diva, mired in rumors of peculiar behavior and drug abuse. He also looks at how the shy, pretty young girl from a devout background became the subject of lurid tabloid gossip, much of it focused on her turbulent relationship with her husband, bad–boy hiphop star Bobby Brown.

James Robert Parish is the author of many biographies and reference books on the entertainment industry, including The Hollywood Book of Death and Hollywood Divas.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 294 pages
• Publisher: Aurum Press (September 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1854109219
• ISBN-13: 978-1854109217
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #175,932 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #20 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Arts & Literature > Composers & Musicians > Pop

More About the Author

I have the privilege of doing work (i.e., writing books) that I thoroughly enjoy, so it is no real chore to be active on my book projects seven days a week. Doing research is much like being a detective, bringing as many elements of the subject's life to light and assessing how each piece fits into the puzzle of a celebrity's biography.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Whitney Houston: the Biography By James Robert Parish, October 29, 2003

By 

Jaylee Garver "jgreenefields" (Los Angeles,CA (USA)) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Whitney Houston: The Unauthorized Biography (Hardcover)

This was one I could not put down untill I finished it. Completely up to date, covers her life,rise to fame,and ends on trip to Israel. Mr. Parish has walked the tightrope of keeping his feelings out the book, but still gives warts and all. Has a couple of pictures I never saw before, and is very quick moving as books of this type go. Learned some new things about my favorite DIVA!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Whitney is always the best, January 23, 2008

By 

warren (nj) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Whitney Houston: The Unauthorized Biography (Hardcover)

I have always been a huge fan of Whitney Houston. I read it a few years back before her divorce and new comeback. I hope they update the book or someone writes a new book. She is a talented artist and I found some things I never knew about her.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just when you think you know it all, October 30, 2003

By 

lee mattson (SEATTLE, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Whitney Houston: The Unauthorized Biography (Hardcover)

Whitney Houston is rarely out of the tabloids, so it is tempting to think one knows all there is to know about her. Leave it to Mr. Parish to get beyond the headlines with a fascinating look at this major talent. It is a well-researched look at Whitney Houston, her family (esp mother Cissy) and an era of pop music in which she came of age. From the projects to mansions we follow every step of her rise to the top (including set-backs along the way). This is also a well-rounded look at her marriage to Bobby Brown, a marriage that has continued to defy predictions of doom. Whether a fan or not this is a highly readable book.