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Evel: The High-Flying Life of Evel Knievel: American Showman, Daredevil, and Legend Audiobook
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(4.00) - 32 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
From New York Times bestselling author Leigh Montville, this riveting and definitive new biography pulls back the red, white, and blue cape on a cultural icon—and reveals the unknown, complex, and controversial man known to millions around the world as Evel Knievel. Evel Knievel was a high-flying daredevil, the father of extreme sports, the personification of excitement and danger and showmanship . . . and in the 1970s Knievel represented a unique slice of American culture and patriotism. His jump over the fountains at Caesar’s Palace led to a crash unlike anything ever seen on television, and his attempt to rocket over Snake River Canyon in Idaho was something only P. T. Barnum could have orchestrated. The dazzling motorcycles and red-white-and-blue outfits became an integral part of an American decade. Knievel looked like Elvis . . . but on any given Saturday afternoon millions tuned in to the small screen to see this real-life action hero tempt death. But behind the flash and the frenzy, who was the man? Bestselling author Leigh Montville masterfully explores the life of the complicated man from the small town of Butte, Montana. He delves into Knievel’s amazing place in pop culture, as well as his notorious dark side—and his complex and often contradictory relationships with his image, the media, his own family, and his many demons. Evel Knievel’s story is an all-American saga, and one that is largely untold. Leigh Montville once again delivers a definitive biography of a one-of-a-kind sports legend.
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"This book was amazing. I forgot how much my 8 year old self worshipped Mr. Kneivel. This tome was very enlightening about his life. Also says a lot about the entertainment consumption of the American public. Even if you weren't a fan, read it. Tells lots about our culture."
— Will (5 out of 5 stars)
Evel Listener Reviews
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" This book reads like a night of drinking, swapping stories that seem obviously embellished/improbable. Once finished, it felt like a bit of a blur, my head hazy, wondering did that really just happen. An incredible work by Montville. His style is so unique and engaging. "
— Mike, 2/6/2014 -
" I guess I should have expected a bit of grit with this guy. I had to stop due to language and sexual content. "
— Quinn, 1/26/2014 -
" This is an incredible story about someone that I frankly didn't have too much interest in---it turned out to be one of the best biographies I've ever read! "
— Candy, 1/13/2014 -
" Awesome book.. really unbelievable character and story. Highly recommend. "
— David, 11/14/2013 -
" Was really looking forward to this one, but I feel like this bio. only scratched the surface. "
— F.J., 11/12/2013 -
" Interesting but kind of slanted toward the negative. Overall it's a pretty interesting read that I enjoyed. "
— G, 8/7/2013 -
" well written book! "
— Lynn, 7/14/2013 -
" Fascinating and repellent. Clearly some sort of personality disorder--narcissistic, amoral, egomaniacal. Supposedly found God in the last year of his life. Let's hope so. "
— Dave, 6/8/2013 -
" Well written and interesting, but I think I liked him better before I knew this much about him. Especially enjoyed the stories about Butte, MT...was there when reading and was able to get some more "background" story from Ezra's grandpa. "
— Shay, 4/10/2013 -
" Great book. I grew up watching the stuntman on t.v. as a child. And I even had the toy motorcycle. The book tells "all"; the good, the bad and the ugly. I borrowed the book from the library (e-book version). Read it! "
— Ty, 2/18/2013 -
" Excellent, insightful read into the life of the famous daredevil. The guy was a complete mess, and I enjoyed reading about every chapter of this sociopath's life. "
— Scott, 2/12/2013 -
" First few chapters horrible written and stilted, but after that picked up the pace and got more streamlined in the prose. A blast from my 7-'s kid past. "
— Tim, 9/17/2012 -
" The facts, mixed unevenly with bits of snark. "
— Ray, 2/2/2012 -
" Another cherished childhood idol down the drain! A lying, thieving, wife beating narcissist! "
— Rob, 12/13/2011 -
" An awful human being with a fascinating story. "
— David, 5/24/2011
About Leigh Montville
JD Jackson is a theater professor, aspiring stage director, and award-winning audiobook narrator. He is a classically trained actor, and his television and film credits include roles on House, ER, Law & Order, Hack, Sherrybaby, Diary of a City Priest, and Lucky Number Slevin. He is the recipient of more than a dozen Earphones Awards for narration and an Odyssey Honor for G. Neri’s Ghetto Cowboy, and he was also named one of AudioFile magazine’s Best Voices of the Year for 2012 and 2013. An adjunct professor at Los Angeles Southwest College, he has an MFA in theater from Temple University.
About Danny Campbell
Danny Campbell is an Earphones Award–winning narrator and an actor who has appeared in CBS’ The Guardian, the films A Pool, a Fool, and a Duel and Greater Than Gravity, and in over twenty-five commercials. He is a company member of the Independent Shakespeare Company in Los Angeles and is an adjunct faculty member at Santa Monica College.