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Frank: The Voice Audiobook
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(3.06) - 444 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Bestselling author James Kaplan redefines Frank Sinatra in a triumphant new biography that includes many rarely seen photographs. Frank Sinatra was the best-known entertainer of the twentieth century—infinitely charismatic, lionized and notorious in equal measure. But despite his mammoth fame, Sinatra the man has remained an enigma. As Bob Spitz did with the Beatles, Tina Brown for Diana, and Peter Guralnick for Elvis, James Kaplan goes behind the legend and hype to bring alive a force that changed popular culture in fundamental ways. Sinatra endowed the songs he sang with the explosive conflict of his own personality. He also made the very act of listening to pop music a more personal experience than it had ever been. In Frank: The Voice, Kaplan reveals how he did it, bringing deeper insight than ever before to the complex psyche and turbulent life behind that incomparable vocal instrument. We relive the years 1915 to 1954 in glistening detail, experiencing as if for the first time Sinatra’s journey from the streets of Hoboken, his fall from the apex of celebrity, and his Oscar-winning return in From Here to Eternity. Here at last is the biographer who makes the reader feel what it was really like to be Frank Sinatra—as man, as musician, as tortured genius.
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"Not as dishy as Kitty Kellys - but a good read. Very detailed (down to the day), but interesting to read about Frank's life in relation to his peers(not that he thought anyone was his equal). This covered up to the end of his marriage to Ava Gardner. I especcially liked learning about her. "
— Elise (4 out of 5 stars)
Frank Listener Reviews
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" I really enjoyed this biography, and would recommend listening to the songs as discussed in the book. I loved the details regarding his actual songmaking. Now I just need to watch From Here to Eternity... "
— Natalie, 2/12/2014 -
" Good read. Interesting. Well paced. "
— John, 2/11/2014 -
" Not as dishy as Kitty Kellys - but a good read. Very detailed (down to the day), but interesting to read about Frank's life in relation to his peers(not that he thought anyone was his equal). This covered up to the end of his marriage to Ava Gardner. I especcially liked learning about her. "
— Elise, 2/7/2014 -
" The book was long enough to record his entire life but stops after he wins the Academy Award. "
— Clay, 2/1/2014 -
" Amazing....love that it was just his life to 1955. I enjoyed it! "
— Constance, 1/13/2014 -
" Excellent. Best biography of Sinatra to date. Can't wait for the next installment... "
— Jake, 12/15/2013 -
" This is a must read for any Sinatra fan. I can't even imagine how much work Kaplan did researching this, the amount of detail is amazing. I love reading biographies where when you finish you feel like you know/knew the person, this is definitely one of those. "
— Charlie, 12/5/2013 -
" Very interesting and readable biography...looking forward to the next volume... "
— Tim, 10/11/2013 -
" I would have given it 3.5 stars if I could - it was fun and entertaining to read. "
— Jo, 7/10/2013 -
" If you are a Sinatra fan then definitely read this book. I would only caution you that the book ends with Sinatra making From Here to Eternity. I want to read about the "Rat Pack." Something tells me book two in the series is coming! "
— John, 2/15/2013 -
" A poor amalgam of previously written bios of Sinatra. Kaplan adds only some snarky comments and sleazy innuendo, providing a behind the bedroom door look at Sinatra and his many conquests, especially Ava Gardner. "
— Susan, 5/31/2012 -
" I've been recommending this book now for years, a great portrait of a brilliant yet very flawed singer. "
— Garrett, 4/5/2012 -
" Great book, but only covers his life to the mid-1950s. I wished it covered his whole life, with the Rat Pack and all. "
— John, 10/12/2011 -
" Read this book near the computer so you can hear the songs mentioned. I hope there's a sequel about the next part of his life. As a person, he sounds like a stinker but as a singer - well, there is no one better. "
— Carrie, 9/17/2011 -
" Frank fans will enjoy this one. "
— Peter, 4/6/2011 -
" What a voice! What a life. Enjoyed reading about his times with Ava. "
— Patti, 4/5/2011 -
" comprehensive (800 pages long) but not superfluous. it culminates with his Oscar win so if you're looking for something that chronicles sinatra after the mid 50's look elsewhere "
— Shane, 2/6/2011 -
" This is a must read for any Sinatra fan. I can't even imagine how much work Kaplan did researching this, the amount of detail is amazing. I love reading biographies where when you finish you feel like you know/knew the person, this is definitely one of those. "
— Charlie, 1/20/2011 -
" A strange experience to read this after T. Roosevelt and The Hare with Amber Eyes. This explains Sinatra but doesn't make you like him. "
— Linda, 1/13/2011 -
" Very interesting. I can't wait for vol. 2. All I knew about Sinatra was his singing and acting. But he was a fascinating guy. Alcoholic, obsessive-compulsive, and very needy. "
— Thomas, 1/12/2011 -
" Excellent. Best biography of Sinatra to date. Can't wait for the next installment... "
— Jake, 1/4/2011 -
" A quick read, given its density. A great look at his early life and career. "
— Joanna, 12/30/2010 -
" If you like Frank Sinatra, you will love this book-can't wait for volume 2 to be writen "
— Mark, 12/29/2010 -
" Frank fans will enjoy this one. "
— Peter, 12/26/2010
About James Kaplan
James Kaplan is the author of several biographies, books of nonfiction, and novels, including Two Guys from Verona, a New York Times Notable Book of the year. His essays, stories, reviews, and profiles have appeared in numerous magazines, including the New Yorker, the New York Times Magazine, Vanity Fair, Esquire, and New York. He is a 2012 Guggenheim Fellow
About Rob Shapiro
Rob Shapiro is a musician, writer, voice actor, and Earphones Award–winning narrator. He performed several seasons of radio comedy on Minneapolis Public Radio and voiced the titular lion in Leo the Lion. He is a musician and composer with his critically acclaimed band Populuxe. He is also a business consultant and software system designer.