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Wouldn't It Be Nice : My Own Story Paperback – January 1, 1996

by Brian Wilson (Author)

4.5 122 ratings

Brian Wilson was the creative genius behind The Beach Boys. He turned a suburban California garage into a group that took the world by storm, with the sound of his songs, the sound capturing the laid-back, sunny Southern California lifestyle. But the cheerful image belied what was really going on. This autobiography describes Wilson's 20-year nightmare of drug addiction, alcoholism, obesity and mental illness. He spent three years alone in his room. He lost his family, and he nearly lost his life. It is a frank discussion of what destroyed his life and of the controversial forces which helped to save it.

Print length

416 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Bloomsbury Pub Ltd
Publication date

January 1, 1996
Dimensions

5.12 x 1.06 x 7.72 inches
ISBN-10

0747531455
ISBN-13

978-0747531456
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Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Bloomsbury Pub Ltd; paperback / softback edition (January 1, 1996)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 416 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0747531455
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0747531456
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 11.4 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.12 x 1.06 x 7.72 inches

Customer Reviews:
4.5 122 ratings

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About the authors

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Todd Gold
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Todd Gold has collaborated on dozens of books across multiple genres with celebrities and newsmakers, many of them bestsellers, including several titles that reached #1 on the New York Times Bestseller List. These books have also appeared on bestseller lists on Amazon and in the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Los Angeles Times, and Publishers Weekly.
His work includes books with Michael Richards, Dick Van Dyke, Valerie Bertinelli, Melissa Gilbert, Billy Dee Williams, Penny Marshall, Billy Ray Cyrus, Ann-Margret, Drew Barrymore, Carl Reiner and Mel Brooks, Cedric the Entertainer, Edward Burns, Cliff Bleszinski, Dr. Drew Pinsky, Burt Reynolds, Richard Pryor, Louie Anderson, Belinda Carlisle, Sharon Rocha, and Elisabeth Kübler Ross.
Between 2007 and 2019, Gold was Editor-in-Chief for Comcast’s XFINITY TV, overseeing the award-winning editorial and programming team responsible for creating and innovating the programming for TV, Music, Kids & Family content for Xfinity On Demand and related platforms. His multi-part series behind-the-scenes look at the return of Will & Grace won a Telly Award in 2018.
Prior to that position, he spent 20+ years as a journalist with People and Us Weekly magazines in Los Angeles, including stints as Assistant Managing Editor, West Coast Bureau Chief, and West Coast Editor. He was recognized for his newsbreaking exclusives with Michael Jackson, Madonna, Barbra Streisand, Robert Redford, Michael J. Fox, Matthew Perry, Britney Spears, and many others.
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Brian Wilson
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Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5

122 global ratings

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G Cupec

I Hope it's Nice

Reviewed in the United States on June 23, 2012

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For Brian being reunited with the Beach Boys. I saw Brian with his group last June at Wolf Trap Park and he was incredible. His voice is a bit gruff yet I could hear the sincerity in his voice. I was going to go and see the Beach Boys 50 th and at this point I am glad I did not go after reading this book.

Brian Wilson is and always will be the heart and soul of the Beach Boys. I have listened to some footage of their 50 th tour. Not overall impressed. As far as this book you decide if Gene Landy was "evil" or not parts of the may make you feel so yet, when in trouble the "family" of Brian's called Landy in a second time. Some evil guy huh, get two cracks at Brian.

Well written book from the soul.

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ARF

Brian Wilson - what he'll he had to go thru.

Reviewed in the United States on July 20, 2015

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Very interesting read about one of America's best in the music industry. He doesn't sugar coat or dodge what he did. A good example of how parents or authority figures can destroy a life. Amazing he was able to step back from the brink of total destruction. Much better than what was portrayed in Love and Mercy.

2 people found this helpful

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carl korn

More than I ever Wanted to Know

Reviewed in the United States on August 7, 2013

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I was a Beach Boy fan since the 60s. I danced and fell in love to many of their songs. I knew the group members and especially the mega talented Brian Wilson had their share of drug and mental health problems This book gave a blow by blow (sometimes literally) of how Brian sank rapidly to dark mazes within his mind. It chronicled his life long struggle to tame his demons. Fortunately, the group has put itself together and is performing their multitude of wonderful songs on tour once again. If you are a Beach Boy and Brian Wilson fan, you won't be able to put this book down. You will be cheering Brian on to every victory in his recovery.

One person found this helpful

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LISA

Best one I read so far

Reviewed in the United States on October 2, 2013

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Lots have been said about Eugen Landy, Brian would have been dead along time ago if it was not for him. Best book I read about understanding Brian and makes for great come back story in the game of life. He was on the verge of death and can't figure out how he did not overdose on many occastions.

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K.B.

Honesty, Complete Honesty

Reviewed in the United States on February 21, 2018

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Loved the book for the complete honesty of Bria. I read this years ago and bought it for a relative who wanted to read it!

One person found this helpful

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divine dee

Great book

Reviewed in the United States on July 10, 2010

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Heard about this book awhile ago. Actually heard about how dysfunctional is family was years ago but never got the book. Glad i did...its heartbreaking what he and his brothers went through. I cried, laughed and wished the whole family had gotten counseling. This book is great...hard to put down. Get this book.

4 people found this helpful

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SASreader

Wouldn’t it be nice

Reviewed in the United States on February 1, 2020

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A book I couldn’t put down. What a story!

Reviewed in the United States on November 25, 2018

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Had to purchase for a child's class. A little worn.

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Else Westphal

Bewegendes Schicksal eines Genies

Reviewed in Germany on January 27, 2017

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Schockierend aber auch sehr aufrichtig - diese Seite der Beach Boys kannte ich nicht und es ist natürlich verständlich, dass das keine gute Werbung gewesen wäre- oder vielleicht gerade das? Die Beach Boys waren vielleicht nicht die Schönsten, haben aber Meilensteine gesetzt. Ich habe mir auch das Album "Pet Sounds " gekauft und war erstaunt wie modern die Musik ist. Stilmittel, für die der gute Brian einiges einstecken musste, sind heute selbstverständlich - super, dass er sich nie hat beirren lassen!

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Amazon Customer

I didn't know much about his girls and so happy that the girls have managed a good life

Reviewed in Canada on October 17, 2016

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It is very well written and interesting, in fact am rereading , can't believe his life was in such a turmoil and he has remembered the a lot of facts pf his difficult life while being under the influence of such destructive drugs. Such a genius and what could have been so much more. I didn't know much about his girls and so happy that the girls have managed a good life. I found it very upsetting that he didn't know them at one point on their lives. This is second book I have read about him and will be getting his next one.

TJP

Great Read

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 9, 2013

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Very difficult to put down - only half way thru but so far would thouroughly recommend. As a life long BB fan this provides very interesting details and in particular Brians thought process. Bit of a roller coaster ride in that sad one minute and on a high the next. If you are in any doubt about making the purchase, just go for it.

One person found this helpful

Napoléon Turenne

Malaise et interrogations

Reviewed in France on July 18, 2012

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Bon, disons-le tout de suite, c'est un autre auteur (Todd Gold) qui a écrit le bouquin, sous la houlette du Dr. Landy, qui soignait (manipulait ?) Brian Wilson. Le livre se lit... et tout le monde en prend pour son grade, à plus ou moins juste titre... Il y a bien sûr Murry Wilson (père horrible, mais ô combien déterminant pour le décollage des Beach Boys), Mike Love et son cousin Stan (qui ont frappé Brian durant la période 1977-1981)... et Carl ou son ex-femme Marilyn... Ces deux derniers voulaient ôter Brian de l'influence de Landy, ceci expliquant cela.

L'ouvrage en lui-même laisse un sentiment mitigé. D'un côté, on a de précieuses indications quant au retour à la surface de Brian. On appréciera les pages autour des albums 15 big ones et Love you (véritable bande son du livre, je dirais), ainsi que le premier album solo de Brian (très bon). On notera que le livre se termine avec l'évocation de l'album Sweet insanity, demeuré inédit (heureusement, d'après ce qu'on m'a dit !).

Pour le reste, il y a de bonnes choses à prendre (l'enregistrement de I get around, la période postérieure à l'épisode Smile jusqu'à Love you, on va dire...). Par contre, vous ne serez que déçus par l'évocation de Smile et la liste de chansons évoquées, tirée sûrement d'un des bootlegs sortis à l'époque : "I ran" (en fait Look) ou "Been away too long" (Can't wait too long, enregistrée fin 1967-début 1968, donc bien après la fin des sessions de Smile).

Entre infos tirées d'interviews (d'entretiens aussi ?), compilations d'infos prises par-ci par-là (parfois sans grande information), réécriture selon les vues d'Eugene Landy, ce livre n'est pas vraiment fiable...

Détail ultime : Au procès qui devait aboutir à l'éloignement de Landy, on demanda à Brian s'il avait lu le manuscrit de son autobiographie... Il répondit par la négative...

3 people found this helpful

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Jill D

An interesting subject

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 30, 2021

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Big fan of beach boys so interested to read this book