Exploring the Life and Legacy of Frank Sinatra: An Unauthorized Biography of 'Ol' Blue Eyes'

Maggie Nardi: It is a gift to my husband and is reading it every day.

Canada on Jan 01, 2023

Alfie: It is now 2018, and many years have passed since this famous-before-it-was-published book appeared. As I read it now, it is amazing that a strange man such as Sinatra became a success. He had birth scars about his head and, for most of his life, was so skinny that he could not defend himself .... He doted on his mother while being ashamed of the abortions she performed .... He allowed her to manipulate his marriage to first wife, Nancy, a woman he loved but with whom he was not in love .... He had neither money, education nor much of a voice, yet had the drive to plow through all obstacles undeterred ... he had no intention of becoming a domestic husband, womanizing at will ... he expected respect and demanded loyalty, yet made enemies at a moment's notice, issuing veiled mafia-like threats to those who crossed him -- or he would cut them from his life entirely. Though a singer and actor, Sinatra sought and enjoyed the friendship of powerful people. Ms. Kelley includes investigational inquiries of Sinatra in the book, but dwells upon them a bit too much, in this reader's opinion. Whatever else can be said about this man, he was mercurial; among the least likely to succeed at...

United States on Oct 22, 2018

Lana Logan: Kitty Kelley chronicles "Ole Blue Eyes" from his spoiled New Jersey beginnings to his sad death. Kitty covers in detail his lengthy career, his four wives and many mistresses, his domestic violence due to his bi-polar diagnosis and his violence in relationship with the "mob" connections. There were rumors of three "hits" that Frank allegedly ordered; the proof is murky however. (Kitty Kelley gives great detail and has documentation through taping her live interviews and she has FBI files she quotes verbatim.) Frank's nasty temper and rages are recounted, as well as his many charitable contributions totaling in the millions of dollars. Sammy Davis said you never wanted to cross Frank Sinatra; Sammy was one of the few he ever forgave, and it took six years of obeisance. Frank's random acts of kindness for suffering people are also recorded: paying total hospital bills, paying off mortgages, sending young people to college and etc. His return to Catholicism after his beloved mother Dolly was killed in a plane crash was more than a little surprising. Friendships with President John Kennedy and President Ronald Reagan and his deep involvement in politics was engrossing, considering his...

United States on Mar 16, 2018

sal: Credo sia la migliore descrizione di frank "persona" e "artista" ben scritto e scorrevole . Mi è stato consigliato da un mio caro amico americano

Italy on Nov 10, 2017

Amazon Customer: A very detailed and believable biography - the fact that Sinatra wanted to prevent publication adds to its likely authenticity. That Frankie has gone from being a longtime hero to a miserable bad-tempered vindictive little person in my mind is unfortunate. However, the crazy mixed-up state of his personal relationships does not detract from his wonderful songs with great backing musicians, which meant so much to me in earlier days - even 60 years ago! I suspect that his treatment of the many women in his life stems from a grossly inferiority complex, but that does not explain why they put up with his inconsiderate horrendous treatment of them. Perhaps he was an amazing performer in the sack - he certainly had plenty of practice with many amateur and professional partners - but today's social media would have had a field day much more extensive than that other Hollywood rat recently exposed!

Australia on Oct 22, 2017

M.G.Morency: Great read!

Canada on Oct 16, 2017

Leslie Gardner: great gossip and even new stuff - and i've read them all - she certainly has a beef in for him, though and sometimes that gets in the way - i love sinatra and she does not - she's probably right! but no one can sing those songs like he does, and that's what matters

United Kingdom on Aug 16, 2016

WorldTravelr: I have to admit, I had high hopes for this book. However, in terms of getting a picture of the true Frank Sinatra ... I still say the best book on the market is 'My Life With Mr. S' by George Jacobs, who was Sinatra's valet. Despite Jacobs' 'man crush' on his boss, I'd rather have one concrete story about Old Blue Eyes from start to finish. Ms. Kelly's book is a huge hodgepodge collection of interviews of which she uses one or two lines from. Some of the bigger players in Sinatra's life get more than a couple lines such as Peter Lawford who really lays into Sinatra. Others, such as former friends, crushes and jilted lovers get one or two lines to emphasize an assertion made by Kelly and then poof ... they are gone from the book.

While many say this book paints Sinatra in a bad light, I think Sinatra actually is the one who paints Sinatra in a bad light. Selfish, egotistical, childish and nasty are pretty much the adjectives just about anyone who actually knew Mr. Sinatra would first use to describe him. I don't think Sinatra needed Ms. Kelly's help to make him look bad. However, I think Kelly focuses on some of the more sensationalistic stories, etc. given that she is...

United States on Aug 03, 2013