Paul Newman: A Life Audiobook, by Shawn Levy Play Audiobook Sample

Paul Newman: A Life Audiobook

Paul Newman: A Life Audiobook, by Shawn Levy Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Marc Cashman Publisher: Random House Audio Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 11.00 hours at 1.5x Speed 8.25 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: May 2009 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN: 9781415965993

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

182

Longest Chapter Length:

07:07 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

11 seconds

Average Chapter Length:

05:28 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

7

Other Audiobooks Written by Shawn Levy: > View All...

Publisher Description

Paul Newman, the Oscar-winning actor with the legendary blue eyes, achieved superstar status by playing charismatic renegades, broken heroes, and winsome antiheroes in such revered films as The Hustler, Cool Hand Luke, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Verdict, The Color of Money, and Nobody’s Fool. But Newman was also an oddity in Hollywood: the rare box-office titan who cared about the craft of acting, the sexy leading man known for the staying power of his marriage, and the humble celebrity who made philanthropy his calling card long before it was cool. The son of a successful entrepreneur, Newman grew up in a prosperous Cleveland suburb. Despite fears that he would fail to live up to his father’s expectations, Newman bypassed the family sporting goods business to pursue an acting career. After struggling as a theater and television actor, Newman saw his star rise in a tragic twist of fate, landing the role of boxer Rocky Graziano in Somebody Up There Likes Me when James Dean was killed in a car accident. Though he would joke about instances of “Newman’s luck” throughout his career, he refused to coast on his stunning boyish looks and impish charm. Part of the original Actors Studio generation, Newman demanded a high level of rigor and clarity from every project. The artistic battles that nearly derailed his early movie career would pay off handsomely at the box office and earn him critical acclaim. He applied that tenacity to every endeavor both on and off the set. The outspoken Newman used his celebrity to call attention to political causes dear to his heart, including civil rights and nuclear proliferation. Taking up auto racing in midlife, Newman became the oldest driver to ever win a major professional auto race. A food enthusiast who would dress his own salads in restaurants, he launched the Newman’s Own brand dedicated to fresh ingredients, a nonprofit juggernaut that has generated more than $250 million for charity. In Paul Newman: A Life, film critic and pop culture historian Shawn Levy gives readers the ultimate behind-the-scenes examination of the actor’s life, from his merry pranks on the set to his lasting romance with Joanne Woodward to the devastating impact of his son’s death from a drug overdose. This definitive biography is a fascinating portrait of an extraordinarily gifted man who gave back as much as he got out of life and just happened to be one of the most celebrated movie stars of the twentieth century.

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"I love Paul Newman, so I couldn't help but enjoy the book--though there were some things that I didn't want to know. The book was slightly disorganized, but it stuck in my head. I found myself thinking about it for days after. "

— Jennifer (4 out of 5 stars)

Paul Newman Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 3.18181818181818 out of 53.18181818181818 out of 53.18181818181818 out of 53.18181818181818 out of 53.18181818181818 out of 5 (3.18)
5 Stars: 2
4 Stars: 11
3 Stars: 14
2 Stars: 3
1 Stars: 3
Narration: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " A great bio of Paul Newman. Great insight, details in to a great life without being at all trashy! A must reead for Newman & Movie fans! "

    — Jay, 2/19/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " It never fails when completing one of these biographies, you seem compelled to sit down and watch so many of the movies described. This bio was written without the assistance of Paul Newman or his family. Consequently it is a documented timeline of Paul Newman's world as it can be defined through newspapers, magazines, film archives, other's books and interviews that both he and his wife have given. Several of the Newman's friends and work associates were also interviewd. Not to say there weren't some interesting stories and facts that I did not know about. But the book in general read much like a "just the facts" account. And if I remember correctly that is also how I felt about the REDFORD biography I read recently. I guess I perhaps prefer an autobiography! Well, I have to go and review my film selections... see what I am missing in the Paul Newman film list! "

    — Jack, 2/7/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I have always liked Paul Newman so I am interested in what this author has to tell me about his life. "

    — Linda, 1/30/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Not the best written bio I've ever read but Newman is a hero of mine. "

    — Corey, 1/26/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Good, comprehensive study of a very conflicted actor, a man who fought his own image while embracing it at the same time. a well written work by a hometown (for me) boy, Shawn levy, film critic of The Oregonian here in Portland. Good job, sir. "

    — Scott, 1/17/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Very well researched and well written book about an American icon. Besides being a fan of his acting work, I always looked up to Paul Newman for his philanthropic accomplishments. "

    — Michelle, 1/16/2014
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " Man, I love Paul Newman, but I just couldn't do it. This author is a little TOO enamored. There's just to much awe in every. single. sentence. I can't take your biography seriously if I have no trust in your ability to tell the truth. And I don't need a page and a half of rhapsodizing about New York in the '50s. Get to the part where you're talking about your subject. Fellow readers, take it from me: if you want to read a book about Paul Newman, do yourself a favor and go read Shameless Exploitation in Pursuit of the Common Good. "

    — Faith, 1/14/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Never was the greatest fan but this book puts his career in perspective and overall his work is impressive. "

    — Joe, 1/10/2014
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " Not so great - makes me not like Paul Newman. "

    — Kathy, 1/9/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " The author covered it all...acting, philanthropy, race car driving, his perfect marriage with Joanne Woodward. He was Paul Newman. 'Nuff said. "

    — Michael, 1/5/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Shawn Levy wrote a great book on Paul Newman!!! Love the old movie stars!!!! "

    — Kimberly, 12/19/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " finished the bk and found that it was a story of a man who used his wealth in the single pursuit of helping others. It just made me like him even more as a man, husband father and community leader. "

    — Irene, 12/18/2013
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " More about his movie career than his personal life. "

    — Peg, 11/30/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I love Paul Newman, so I couldn't help but enjoy the book--though there were some things that I didn't want to know. The book was slightly disorganized, but it stuck in my head. I found myself thinking about it for days after. "

    — Jennifer, 11/25/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I loved this book about this remarkable actor, man, and humanitarian. "

    — Carol, 10/21/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I learned a lot about Newman that i never knew. I didn't finish the book, because I got bogged down in it. "

    — Lucille, 10/12/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Fall in love all over again with a true star. "

    — Kris, 8/8/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " One of the better biographies I have read. Shawn Levy covers him well in all aspects of his life-professional, personal and philanthropic. Mr Newman is truely a man and actor I respect "

    — Derek, 5/6/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " This felt like kind of a cursory review of Newman's life. Decent biography but not exceptional. Made me realize that I need to see Hud. "

    — Nicole, 8/16/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " A lot of material to get through. Not an easy read, but a thorough presentation of his life. "

    — Martha, 7/15/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Makes me want to see all of Paul Newman's movies. He was truly a great actor and well respected. "

    — Karen, 1/15/2012
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " This is a complete book on Newman's life. It was a little too detailed for me and I found it boring. I will give the author credit - he does stick to facts which I appreciate instead of gossip which may or may not be true. I would rate it 2 1/2 stars if they had that rating. "

    — Kay, 9/9/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Ah so so book. Got bored with it. "

    — Olga, 5/28/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Good, comprehensive study of a very conflicted actor, a man who fought his own image while embracing it at the same time. a well written work by a hometown (for me) boy, Shawn levy, film critic of The Oregonian here in Portland. Good job, sir. "

    — Scott, 5/19/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " dang, newman drank a case a beer a day for 30 years "

    — James, 2/16/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Not the best written bio I've ever read but Newman is a hero of mine. "

    — Corey, 12/9/2010
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " Not so great - makes me not like Paul Newman. "

    — Kathy, 11/17/2010
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Really unbiased and very well chronicled. An amazing guy. "

    — Kevin, 11/10/2010
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " This felt like kind of a cursory review of Newman's life. Decent biography but not exceptional. Made me realize that I need to see Hud. "

    — Nicole, 10/26/2010
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Paul Newman wouldn't be interviewed for this book, and when he declined, so did many of his friends, so it didn't come across as very personal. Still, it was a decent recounting of his life. "

    — Kate, 1/26/2010
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Fall in love all over again with a true star. "

    — Kris, 1/20/2010
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " Overall, I found this book a little boring. I finally started skipping through it just to get it finished in time to return to the library. "

    — Linda, 12/27/2009
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Shawn Levy wrote a great book on Paul Newman!!! Love the old movie stars!!!! "

    — Kimberly, 12/15/2009

About Shawn Levy

Shawn Levy is the film critic for the Oregonian and the author of The Last PlayboyReady, Steady, Go!Rat Pack Confidential; and King of Comedy. He lives in Portland, Oregon, with his wife and three children.

About Marc Cashman

Marc Cashman, Earphones Award–winning narrator, was named one of the “Best Voices of the Year” by AudioFile magazine. His voice can be heard on radio, television, film, and video games. He also instructs voice actors through his classes, The Cashman Cache of Voice-Acting Techniques, in Los Angeles.