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Rin Tin Tin: The Life and the Legend Audiobook
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(3.01) - 2,209 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
One of the most acclaimed nonfiction books of 2011, Susan Orlean’s New York Times bestseller Rin Tin Tin is “an unforgettable book about the mutual devotion between one man and one dog” (The Wall Street Journal).
He believed the dog was immortal. So begins Susan Orlean’s sweeping, powerfully moving account of Rin Tin Tin’s journey from abandoned puppy to movie star and international icon. Spanning almost one hundred years of history, from the dog’s improbable discovery on a battlefield in 1918 to his tumultuous rise through Hollywood and beyond, Rin Tin Tin is a love story about "the mutual devotion between one man and one dog" (The Wall Street Journal) that is also a quintessentially American story of reinvention, a captivating exploration of our spiritual bond with animals, and a stirring meditation on mortality and immortality.
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"Now I understand why my father always wanted German Shepherds as pets! Rin Tin Tin became an American icon in the days right after WWI. The American public fell in love with the breed and its heroism and intelligence. It became the most popular breed of dog in the U.S. Movies were made about "him." My father was born in 1915 and was a young boy while all this was going on. My father's family had at least 2 different German Shepherds, and when I was growing up we had at least 4 different shepherds. They were all sweet and intelligent."
— Linda (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“Fascinating and big-hearted…This book is for anyone who has ever had a dog or loved a dog.”
— Ann Patchett -
“Susan Orlean has produced a hugely entertaining and unforgettable reading experience.”
— Walter Isaacson, author of Benjamin Franklin and Einstein -
“I adored this book.”
— Rebecca Skloot, author of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
Awards
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A New York Times bestseller
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Selected for the October 2011 Indie Next List
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A 2011 Publishers Weekly Best Book
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A Publishers Weekly bestseller
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One of the 2011 New York Times Book Review 100 Notable Books for Nonfiction
Rin Tin Tin Listener Reviews
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" I kinda sorta remember Rin Tin Tin. I mean, I knew who he was but he was before my time. This book is more about the history of dogs as pets in the USA. It also goes into the "animals in the movies" history too. A good book, but not a great book. It does make me want to get a German Shepherd!! I suggest you read it if you are into dogs and or TCM. Otherwise- it's good for insomnia. "
— Holly, 2/19/2014 -
" A great read for any "boomer." Not only does this tell the story of how Rin Tin Tin was found as a puppy on a French battlefield, it documents the evolution of TV, Hollywood, animal "stars" and their rights, and the decades-long in-fighting about the Rin Tin Tin brand. "
— Krenner1, 2/2/2014 -
" 5 stars for how interesting this book was, and how touched I am by stories like it. 3 stars for the lull, at times. "
— Ashley, 1/28/2014 -
" I love the writing style and reading style of Susan Orlean's work. I've always been a dog lover, but I never knew much about Rin Tin Tin. I grew up loving Lassie. I found the story fascinating and a lot like a great movie itself. Learning about the war's Dogs for Defense program was very interesting too. A great and entertaining read. "
— Natalia, 1/12/2014 -
" Susan Orlean is an excellent writer. She approaches the subject with curiosity which leads her into digressions that are fascinating (such as the Nazis' laws against cruelty to animals and the perversion of such a law given the ease with which Nazis killed humans.) She explores the varied identities of Rin Tin Tin, the actual dog who was rescued from a German dog training facility at the end of World War I, a dog who was an actor in films, and ultimately a symbolic dog hero who could be portrayed by other German Shepherds. "
— Peggy, 1/7/2014 -
" Interesting story. I was amazed at how much Rin Tin Tin's owner worked with him and got him to do so many amazing feats and tricks. I didn't know about Rin Tin Tin being a doll during WWI. And then all the rest of Rin Tin Tins throughout time. He was an honest to goodness German dog. "
— Merceda, 1/6/2014 -
" More interesting and more involved than I would have expected, glad I read it "
— Amy, 12/30/2013 -
" This book is a big YAWN even though I love dog and dog stories. "
— Margery, 12/23/2013 -
" Great story about Rin Tin Tin and the movie business. "
— Cynthia, 12/13/2013 -
" starts out wicked strong...fades a little at the end but this is still a solid read. "
— Ruth, 12/11/2013 -
" Very uneven. Interesting 50's nostalgia, WW I and II history, and Hollywood, TV history, but too much filler about her research process. "
— Marcia, 4/12/2013 -
" wish i had written down where he is buried in paris. would have liked to visit that site...... "
— Bill, 2/26/2013 -
" A rather scattered telling of a great story, it has all the elements of fame, heroism, longing for a simpler time that appeals to anyone who ever loved a dog. "
— tana, 11/18/2012 -
" I learned a lot of cultural history in this most unusual story. "
— Dennis, 10/16/2012 -
" Great as a history of the Rin Tin Tin phenomenon, but not as much about the dog(s) and their training as I would have liked. "
— Bitsey, 9/24/2012 -
" As far as biographies go, it wasn't that good. The writing was good, but overall the book left me wanting more and I found it very disappointing. "
— Maureen, 5/9/2012 -
" First half was really interesting because of all the historical facts. The second half finished telling the story of Lee and was not as interesting. "
— Sharon, 4/23/2012 -
" Interesting, informative, and unexpectedly sad. "
— Jean, 3/13/2012 -
" Not in the league of Seabiscut, but interesting facts regarding the history of dogs in films and in warfare. "
— Susan, 11/2/2011 -
" I grew up on Rin Tin Tin K9 Cop and loved watching the antics of such a clever and heroic dog. This book describes how the dog transcends space and time. The idea of the dog reaches humanity's need for a deep, unconditional companionship. "
— Tyler, 10/25/2011 -
" I'm afraid I found the reading of this book tedious. I respect the amount of research that Susan put into this work, but the telling of the story came off as pedantic. "
— Phyllis, 10/20/2011 -
" Great book. Very insightful into popular culture and the media "
— Debbie, 10/9/2011
About Susan Orlean
Susan Orlean has been a staff writer at the New Yorker since 1992. She is the New York Times bestselling author of several books, including The Library Book, Rin Tin Tin, and Saturday Night, as well as The Orchid Thief, which was made into the Academy Award–winning film Adaptation. She lives with her family and her animals in Los Angeles and may be reached at SusanOrlean.com and on Twitter @SusanOrlean.