Play Audiobook Sample
Stories I Only Tell My Friends: An Autobiography Audiobook
Play Audiobook Sample
(3.00) - 20,935 listener ratings
Quick Stats About this Audiobook
Total Audiobook Chapters:
Longest Chapter Length:
Shortest Chapter Length:
Average Chapter Length:
Audiobooks by this Author:
Plot Summary
At age 47, which seems young to write an autobiography, Rob Lowe nevertheless manages to enthrall us in Stories I Only Tell My Friends: An Autobiography with reminiscences of his early days and the way in which his life has changed since then. A member of what has now come to be known widely as "the brat pack," Lowe originally hated this appellation because it made the brat packers seem like they were not serious about their craft and only interested in partying and having a good time. Unfortunately, it seems, from Lowe's autobiography, that this was largely true.
After becoming famous at a very early age for movies such as The Outsiders and St. Elmo's Fire, Lowe started partying heavily and drinking to excess. He was also involved in a scandal regarding sex with an underage girl when the sex tape of said encounter went viral. This was one of the first sex tape scandals in Hollywood and Lowe is up front about everything that happened, taking responsibility for his own endless partying and sexual promiscuity while maintaining that he had no idea the girl was underage, having met her in a club that only admitted those who were twenty-one and up.
The scandal only served to help him in the long run because it took him to rock bottom, a place from where it was only possible to go up. It was at this time that Lowe took charge of his life and entered rehab. He has now been sober for twenty years and is married with two sons.
This book is honest and Lowe doesn't attempt to hold anything back, but the most interesting part of it is all the celebrity gossip—Lowe's encounter with Tom Cruise and his ruthless perseverance when it comes to acting, his perception of Diane Lane as one of the prettiest girls he had ever met, his relationship with Charlie Sheen who doesn't believe in rehab etc.
Rob Lowe is a well-known actor and member of the brat pack who was raised in Ohio but moved to California after his mother's second divorce. He is best known for his breakout roles in movies such as The Outsiders, Oxford Blues and St. Elmo's Fire but he has also been in several TV series including, most notably, The West Wing and Parks and Recreation. He is married to Sheryl Berkoff and the couple has two sons.
Download Stories I Only Tell My Friends: An Autobiography and learn more about this iconic figure who managed to turn his life around from his early brat pack days.
"I loved all the stories about the other stars he interacted with over the years and all the obstacles he has overcome in his life. I see him in a whole new light and will definitely be watching more of his work as a result of reading this book."
— Angela (4 out of 5 stars)
Publisher Summary
Actor Rob Lowe's memoir presents a wryly funny and surprisingly moving account of an extraordinary life lived almost entirely in the public eye. A teen idol at fifteen, an international icon and founder of the Brat Pack at twenty, and one of Hollywood's top stars to this day, Rob Lowe chronicles his experiences as a painfully misunderstood child actor in Ohio uprooted to the wild counterculture of mid-seventies Malibu, where he embarked on his unrelenting pursuit of a career in Hollywood. The Outsiders placed Lowe at the birth of the modern youth movement in the entertainment industry. During his time on The West Wing, he witnessed the surreal nexus of show business and politics both on the set and in the actual White House. And in between are deft and humorous stories of the wild excesses that marked the eighties, leading to his quest for family and sobriety. Never mean-spirited or salacious, Lowe's Stories I Only Tell My Friends delivers unexpected glimpses into his successes, disappointments, relationships, and one-of-a-kind encounters with people who shaped our world over the last twenty-five years. These stories are as entertaining as they are unforgettable.
Download and start listening now!
Quotes
-
“Read by the author, who does killer imitations of every star he's met, this memoir is pure delight.
— People -
Lowe's narration is personal, warm and skilled…His brief vocal characterizations of well-known figures such as Bill Clinton, Cary Grant, and entertainment impresario Bernie Brillstein are remarkable. This audiobook is much like a good film: absorbing as well as entertaining.
— AudioFile Magazine, winner of AudioFile Earphones Award -
Lowe not only has great timing, but proves a skilled mimic of well-known figures ranging from the spacy-sounding Coppola to fast-talking superagent Bernie Brillstein. Which makes the book not only fascinating, but a joy to listen to.
— The Providence Journal -
It's one thing to read Rob Lowe's memoir, intriguing as it is. However, it is quite another to hear his life recounted in his own voice. Hearing his words in his engaging, expressive voice seems to actually bring the listener into his world, much as if one were sitting across the table from him…Many of us may remember him primarily for his iconic role on ‘The West Wing,' but after listening to history we're sure there's a great deal more to come.
— Beauty by the Books -
This book truly surprised me. I knew I'd enjoy it, but I wasn't counting on how much.
— 5 Minutes for Books -
A lovely autobiography, equal parts dish and pathos.
— Vanity Fair -
[Lowe] writes viscerally and insightfully...He looks back at the aberrant highs of his heart-throb days, the changing nature of stardom in Hollywood, the trade-off he has made between high life and home life, and the step-by-step effort behind his show business survival. He looked like the callowest kid in the "Outsiders" crew. Now he looks like the sturdiest of them all
— The New York Times -
I really enjoyed it...Thoroughly entertaining: the Brat Pack years, the Wayne's World years, the Alcoholic Obscurity, the Glamorous Romances (Princess Stephanie of Monaco!), the Inevitable Rehab, and the Triumphant Comeback on The West Wing.
— Time Magazine -
[Lowe's] charming, honest, even affectionate memoir is the story of strong guts behind a strikingly handsome face...A book to recommend widely.
— Booklist -
A fresh pop-culture history of Hollywood in the '70s and '80s from the point of view of the man who lived it…[Lowe] is as funny as he is thoughtful. This is the best type of celeb memoir, because its author is as interested in the world as the world is interested in him.
— People Magazine -
The world would be a better place if more stars' memoirs were like Lowe's--chatty, dishy, and with celebrity walk-ons (Tom Cruise! Sarah Jessica Parker! Princess Stephanie of Monaco! Martin Sheen!) galore. As entertaining as a Brat Pack film festival.
— Parade
Awards
-
Among shortlisted titles for Audie Award Finalist, 2012
Stories I Only Tell My Friends Listener Reviews
-
—
Daryl, 5/7/2023
-
—
Teresa Bahr, 5/6/2021
-
" What Hip E. said....I thought the exact same thing about this book....I even got it after reading the Keith Richards book like him! HA! "
— Niki, 2/20/2014 -
" I realize that running in the circles he has for most of his life, he's met LOTS of famous people. But it still felt like a book full of name dropping and bragging. It's was a mildly entertaining book, glad I can read it for free from the library. "
— Beth, 2/10/2014 -
" what can i say? i've been a rob lowe fan since i was 14 yrs old (i mean, he's dreamy!)-this was an interesting read and reminder that just because people are famous, doesn't mean their lives have always been easy... "
— Cobi, 2/8/2014 -
" Rob reading his own book..I listened to it in the car on the way back from LA..really enjoyed it! But I don't think he was honest about what happened on the West Wing..all a bit too vague! "
— Kathryn, 1/28/2014 -
" I read this book for a one-time attendance at a book club. It was surprisingly good. He tells good stories in a funny and self deprecating way. I saw The Outsiders but didn't remember it vividly, I never watched The West Wing. I remembered hearing about some sort of "sex" scandal involving him but couldn't recall any details (he doesn't give many in this book either). So, I didn't really have any expectations about what this book might be about / include. He starts at the beginning with his childhood - which was not the childhood I would've tagged him with. He is my exact age, and his experience of middle and high school mirrored mine, which was nice to read. I often think that all that crazy stuff only happened at my high school. :-) He describes his chutzpah at gaining entry into the world of Hollywood and the hard work that ensued. He alludes to a drinking problem, but finishes with the idea that his best work was / is his family (sons). It was a quick and pleasant read. If he gets a part in a show or movie, I'll be more likely to make an effort to see it - as a result. "
— Gillian, 1/10/2014 -
" I listened to the audible version which is read by Lowe. What a pleasure "
— Charmaine, 1/3/2014 -
" This was surprise. I knew I'd like it but i found it very inspirational at times and a great read. "
— Martin, 12/13/2013 -
" the audio book, read by Rob Lowe, is really enjoyable! "
— Danielle, 12/11/2013 -
" Although I liked this book, I wish that it had more personal stories...some of it reads rather staged, and is basically a time line of Robb's career. "
— Gina, 12/8/2013 -
" loved this! listened to the recorded version which was read by Rob himself. felt like he was telling me the stories one on one. his imitations of the famous people he talks about were spot on and hilarious. "
— Sarah, 12/3/2013 -
" Totally enjoyable. Especially if you grew up in the 80s when Rob Lowe was the consummate teen heartthrob. And if you're a Cary Grant fan, well, there's something in here for you too. "
— Tj, 10/26/2013 -
" It was fun to read stories about different times in Rob's life as well as the other celebrities that I recognized. He's had many adventures along a life of ups and downs...it's nice to see famous people are real just like us in some ways! "
— Nikki, 8/27/2013 -
" I read a lot of historical non fiction and mini histories so this was a big change. I found it fascinating- rob's got a lot of stories. "
— Christy, 8/26/2013 -
" Crazy, I never thought I would love this...but I did. I was mad when it was over. "
— Shelley, 5/16/2013 -
" What's not to like from Mr Lowe? It was an amusing series of stories and from someone that grew up in the era of the Brat Pack it was a fun read "
— Beth, 5/3/2013 -
" Not bad, but certainly reminded me why I don't usually choose actors' memoirs. "
— Amy, 3/17/2013 -
" great story, wonderful anecdotes. I wonder if he kept a diary, he has a great memory. Love the Bill Murray story. "
— Betsy, 2/18/2013 -
" The people he has met is astounding! What an amazing journey... Well written and keeps you interested. "
— Amy, 1/15/2013 -
" Listened to this while traveling and found it very engaging - the trip went quickly listening to Rob Lowe tell of his many adventures and challenges. "
— Liz, 1/6/2013 -
" One, big, star-fuck. He even star-fucked 9/11 "
— Ann, 7/30/2012 -
" A nice, quick and dishy read. I have to say, Lowe writes in a voice that is so similar to his Parks & Rec character that I could hear his voice in my head as I read along. "
— Courtney, 6/12/2012 -
" I got a little over halfway through (just past the pictures)and called it quits. I got bored with it. "
— Allison, 4/30/2012 -
" I read this over the summer... I couldn't put it down. I enjoyed it a great deal! "
— Sr, 3/7/2012 -
" His friends must be pretty bored by now of hearing stories of Rob Lowe having brief, unremarkable encounters with people slightly more famous than Rob Lowe. "
— Ohyassi, 1/31/2012 -
" Very interesting story of his life. Somethings shocked me, but mostly I enjoyed it. "
— Mary, 12/25/2011 -
" Pretty much exactly what I wanted it to be: light, full of name dropping and stories, and made me want to go rent a bunch of 80s flicks. "
— Katie, 11/21/2011 -
" Great, easy read. Fascinating insight on fame. Who knew this bad boy was really such a monogamous, adoring, doting, family man. Made me Love Rob even more. "
— Jamie, 5/22/2011 -
" He is an excellent writer....fun to hear about his childhood and also of charlie sheen and other familiar names. "
— Gloria, 5/19/2011 -
" I am not ashamed to say, I loved it!! Love to read about the 80's, glad to see how he really cleaned himself up and is a good father and husband. I thought he was going to trash people, but he did not. And, he's actually a good writer! "
— Liz, 5/17/2011 -
" Fun candy-like read. Hunky Hunk made a nice life for himself. "
— Leahsal, 5/17/2011 -
" Amazing. Not only is Rob Lowe incredibly handsome but he is also a very talented writer. I absolutely recommend to everyone - especially those with a sordid past. "
— Angie, 5/17/2011 -
" Surprisingly well written, and quite fascinating. Enjoyed this read! "
— Kirsten, 5/16/2011 -
" I could not put this one down. It is definitely a celebrity biography , but written with heart. It was so interesting to hear about his relationships and his encounters. I've always been a fan. This is a fun light summer read. "
— Nancy, 5/16/2011
About Rob Lowe
Rob Lowe is a film, television, and theater actor; a producer; and an entrepreneur. He is also involved in politics and is the author of Stories I Only Tell My Friends: An Autobiography. He lives in Los Angeles.