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oldsouls_lovebooks's review
4.0
3.75 stars perhaps??
It's always difficult to rate someone's autobiography/memoir since how can you rate a person's life? I know some people critique the writing of a lot of memoirs but I mean come on, they're celebrities not professional authors. So keep in mind my rating is simply based on my personal enjoyment. Now on to the review.
I normally don't pick up books on actors/artists that I'm not particularly familiar with or don't consider favorites. Where James Garner is concerned I've only ever seen one of his movies (Move Over, Darling) which usually means I won't pick up a book about the person, but because I love that movie, know that he was one of my dad's favorite actors, and have seen the pictures of him participating in the March on Washington, I decided that I really wanted to read this and I'm glad I did. I feel like I got to know so much more about him, and in a way that didn't feel too sugarcoated or closed-off.
A man after my own heart where civil rights and environmental protection is concerned. I remember him passing away in 2014. The same year as Lauren Bacall, Robin Williams, Shirley Temple, Mickey Rooney, etc. I will say I'm all the more inclined to check out some of his other movies as well as TV shows he was in now that I've read this because having only watched Move Over, Darling simply won't do anymore.
It's always difficult to rate someone's autobiography/memoir since how can you rate a person's life? I know some people critique the writing of a lot of memoirs but I mean come on, they're celebrities not professional authors. So keep in mind my rating is simply based on my personal enjoyment. Now on to the review.
I normally don't pick up books on actors/artists that I'm not particularly familiar with or don't consider favorites. Where James Garner is concerned I've only ever seen one of his movies (Move Over, Darling) which usually means I won't pick up a book about the person, but because I love that movie, know that he was one of my dad's favorite actors, and have seen the pictures of him participating in the March on Washington, I decided that I really wanted to read this and I'm glad I did. I feel like I got to know so much more about him, and in a way that didn't feel too sugarcoated or closed-off.
A man after my own heart where civil rights and environmental protection is concerned. I remember him passing away in 2014. The same year as Lauren Bacall, Robin Williams, Shirley Temple, Mickey Rooney, etc. I will say I'm all the more inclined to check out some of his other movies as well as TV shows he was in now that I've read this because having only watched Move Over, Darling simply won't do anymore.
jeffburns's review
4.0
The Garner Files. James Garner and Jon Winokur. Simon & Schuster, 2011. 288 pages.
James Garner may be the most beloved man in the history of the entertainment industry. No one has ever had a bad word to say about him, and co-stars, crewmembers, and friends speak in glowing terms. Men love his common sense, humble, smart, and funny on -screen characters, and women love his tall, dark, handsome, sensitive, and humorous side. As the saying goes, women want to be with him, and men want to be him or at least be buddies with him.
I'm no exception. "Maverick" is my all-time favorite western tv show and character, and I still watch often. I watched "The Rockford Files" as a kid and still watch occasionally. I discovered his autobiography from a social media reel that quoted from it. The man was everything you would expect. James Bumgarner grew up in Depression-era Oklahoma, and he had a really hard life with an alcoholic father and an abusive step-mother. He got into acting because he didn't want to be a carpet-layer, and he carved out a fantastic career. The whole book is a great read, and my impressions of Garner are confirmed. He does seem to really have been a great guy. OK, he did have one major defect: even the scent of garlic or onions made him physically ill, but I can overlook that.
Garner, Maverick, and Rockford fans will really enjoy the book with all of its behind the scenes stories
James Garner may be the most beloved man in the history of the entertainment industry. No one has ever had a bad word to say about him, and co-stars, crewmembers, and friends speak in glowing terms. Men love his common sense, humble, smart, and funny on -screen characters, and women love his tall, dark, handsome, sensitive, and humorous side. As the saying goes, women want to be with him, and men want to be him or at least be buddies with him.
I'm no exception. "Maverick" is my all-time favorite western tv show and character, and I still watch often. I watched "The Rockford Files" as a kid and still watch occasionally. I discovered his autobiography from a social media reel that quoted from it. The man was everything you would expect. James Bumgarner grew up in Depression-era Oklahoma, and he had a really hard life with an alcoholic father and an abusive step-mother. He got into acting because he didn't want to be a carpet-layer, and he carved out a fantastic career. The whole book is a great read, and my impressions of Garner are confirmed. He does seem to really have been a great guy. OK, he did have one major defect: even the scent of garlic or onions made him physically ill, but I can overlook that.
Garner, Maverick, and Rockford fans will really enjoy the book with all of its behind the scenes stories
teresa_b's review
4.0
What a great peek into the life of James Garner. If you have any interest in his work and life at all, I definitely recommend this book to you!
kurtwombat's review
4.0
Like the actor himself, this autobiography is charming and smooth, self-effacing and witty. Like most of his film roles, there is not a whole lot of depth involved. He does touch on some emotional points, step-mother was evil on almost a fairytale level and his father a feckless alcoholic, but they are not dwelled upon. For the most part we are left with his love for almost everyone he worked with—even when they had problems he managed a positive spin. For example, Garner got the better of fellow race car driver Steve McQueen who for a long time held a grudge. Garner doesn’t fault him for it. Just waited for years for him to come around and he finally did. Impressive is that prowess as a driver—shown off doing most of his own driving in the movie GRAND PRIX and on his ground-breaking TV show ROCKFORD FILES. Despite being a long time fan, I didn’t know about his involvement in the Civil Rights Movement joining in on the 1963 MARCH ON WASHINGTON or about his potentially personally costly lawsuit battling “creative accounting” in Hollywood. Self-effacing on both subjects but I would certainly have liked to know more. Overall a pleasant ramble through an ultimately charmed life. (one extra * for being a fan)
blevins's review
4.0
I was interested in reading this autobiography by James Garner for a couple of reasons. The first, I love THE ROCKFORD FILES. Growing up, it was always one of my favorite shows and I stream an episode on Netflix every so often--it's still a terrific show. It's held up very well through the decades and I learned a couple of the reasons why after reading Garner's take on the show and what he was trying to do on it. The second reason is pretty simple--Garner is a proud Oklahoman as am I. He's also a rabid University of Oklahoma supporter [he grew up in Norman]--as am I. Have multiple degrees from OU after all. I also liked his earlier TV show MAVERICK and have been a fan of Garner in movies too. I wasn't aware of his strong leftist leanings, which only endears me to him more.
The book would have rated higher for me if Garner wouldn't have given such a large amount of attention to two subjects I could care less about--his relationship with cars and auto-racing and golf. Those are two things I find extremely dull. Other than that, if you like Garner, you'll like this clear, simple story of the key moments in his life. He had a really hardscrabble upbringing and Garner doesn't shy away from the topic. He was a decorated Korea war veteran--he was actually the first Oklahoman drafted into that war. He never really planned on being an actor, he just thought it was easier than laying carpet or the myriad of other jobs he was scratching a living by as. I was a fan of Garner's before I read this, I'm a bigger fan now.
The book would have rated higher for me if Garner wouldn't have given such a large amount of attention to two subjects I could care less about--his relationship with cars and auto-racing and golf. Those are two things I find extremely dull. Other than that, if you like Garner, you'll like this clear, simple story of the key moments in his life. He had a really hardscrabble upbringing and Garner doesn't shy away from the topic. He was a decorated Korea war veteran--he was actually the first Oklahoman drafted into that war. He never really planned on being an actor, he just thought it was easier than laying carpet or the myriad of other jobs he was scratching a living by as. I was a fan of Garner's before I read this, I'm a bigger fan now.
snommers's review
4.0
James Garner tells his own story on his own terms from the point of view of a self-described curmudgeon. He's easy with the praise and the criticism of people he's worked with. It's a bit uneven (I'm not a fan of golf or car races), but as a fan of Maverick, The Rockford Files, and quite a few of his movies, this was a good and easy read. Garner, in my opinion, was one of those 'working class' actors that got the job done and mostly did a pretty good job, not like today's superstars.
malinda_nevitt's review
3.0
It was an enjoyable read--if you like James Garner! I've always been a Maverick fan!
brashley's review against another edition
3.0
All that i got out of this book by my favorite living actor is that he is a grumpy old man. I found myself disliking him the more i read. The only redeeming parts that sort of made up for the rest of the book were his last chapter and the "Outtakes." The Garner described in those parts is the Garner i expected to read about. He is a self proclaimed curmudgeon and he isn't joking.
mountie9's review against another edition
5.0
Perfection. Like most of the world, I loved James Garner. He just seemed like he was an everday sort of guy who took no shit and what you saw was what you got. Sort of had a crush on him and to me he was what I liked in a man. Not sure why I never read this before, but I guess never had a chance. The collaboration works with the author just letting Garner tell his stories and the author just puts it all together to make it readable. It just felt like you were sitting in a room and James was just shooting the shit with you. Really enjoyed the unapologetic straight up way he told his story and wow he doesn't hold back. Highly recommend it. Now I need to go watch some of his movies - because damn he was good.
Favourite Quotes
"I suppose that applies to life, too. You have to take the risk. You may fail, but at least you have given it your best shot."
"I can't legally comment on that, but I can say that for a week or two afterwards, Lois had to keep telling me to wipe the grin off my face, and that she drew a big "V" for victory in lipstick on our front door that stayed there for a year."
Favourite Quotes
"I suppose that applies to life, too. You have to take the risk. You may fail, but at least you have given it your best shot."
"I can't legally comment on that, but I can say that for a week or two afterwards, Lois had to keep telling me to wipe the grin off my face, and that she drew a big "V" for victory in lipstick on our front door that stayed there for a year."