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4.09 AVERAGE
4.09 AVERAGE
I would have tossed this aside long ago if I'd been reading it instead of listening via audiobook - not sure why that is. Lengthy, exhaustively detailed look at first half of Sinatra's life. Kaplan frequently inserts his own judgment of Frank (and others) in between the lines, which I didn't expect and sometimes bristled at (and I'm not a diehard fan). But perhaps a wholly impartial biography would be impossible? Or impossibly dull? Reader of audiobook did an excellent job capturing a little of Sinatra's voice and keeping me engaged.
Drenched in uncomfortably lewd language, which would be more tolerable if it wasn't for Kaplan occasionally sexualizing teenage girls (including Sinatra's eldest daughter). The author's first attempt at writing a biography, and it shows.
Let me warn you that this 700+ page tome stops at 1954. There is no volume 2. There is no printing error. In the life of Frank Sinatra, the book comes to an abrupt halt at 1954 when he won the Oscar for his performance in From Here to Eternity (1953). 1954 is a pinnacle year for Frank Sinatra. After having a tremendous singing career and some nice roles in a few key films, Sinatra's career was in a major slump. Rock 'n Roll was making waves and girls stopped swooning over Frank Sinatra and started swooning over other singers. It seemed like his career was over and his tumultuous second marriage to Ava Gardner didn't help much.
While I can complain all day about there is no volume 2, I cannot say that this book was no good. Frank: The Voice was beautifully written, well-researched, very organized and most important interesting. It's a great book for Frank Sinatra fans, early music buffs and lovers of interesting and unique biographies.
Read the full review here: http://outofthepastcfb.blogspot.com/2011/06/get-your-read-on-frank-voice-by-james.html
While I can complain all day about there is no volume 2, I cannot say that this book was no good. Frank: The Voice was beautifully written, well-researched, very organized and most important interesting. It's a great book for Frank Sinatra fans, early music buffs and lovers of interesting and unique biographies.
Read the full review here: http://outofthepastcfb.blogspot.com/2011/06/get-your-read-on-frank-voice-by-james.html