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Audiobooks >  > There and Back Again: An Actor's Tale (Abridged)
There and Back Again: An Actors Tale (Abridged) Audiobook, by Sean Astin Play Audiobook Sample

There and Back Again: An Actor's Tale (Abridged) Audiobook

By: Sean Astin
There and Back Again: An Actors Tale (Abridged) Audiobook, by Sean Astin Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Sean Astin Publisher: Macmillan Audio Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 3.00 hours at 1.5x Speed 2.25 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: October 2004 Format: Abridged Audiobook ISBN:
2.98665183537264 out of 52.98665183537264 out of 52.98665183537264 out of 52.98665183537264 out of 52.98665183537264 out of 5 (2.99) - 899 listener ratings
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Publisher Description

The Lord of the Rings is one of the most successful film franchises in cinematic history. Breaking box office records worldwide, capturing numerous Academy Awards, the trilogy is a breathtaking cinematic achievement and beloved by fans everywhere.

For Sean Astin, the call from his agent about the role of Samwise Gamgee couldn't have come at a better time. His career was at a low point and choice roles were hard to come by. But his 18-month experience in New Zealand with director Peter Jackson and the cast and crew of The Lord of the Rings films would be more than simply a dream come true, it would prove to be the challenge of a lifetime.

Though much has been written about the making of the films, the real story of what took place on the set, the harrowing ordeals of the actors and the unspoken controversy and backstage dealings have never been told. More than a companion guide to the Rings films, There and Back Again is filled with stories from the set and of the actors involved that have never before been revealed; an eye-opening look at the blood, sweat, and tears that went into the making of one of the most ambitious films of all time.

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"A nice look at a journeyman actors life with a nice look behind the scenes of the Lord of the Rings films. Astin did tend to the "Why me," syndrome a few times during the course of the book but he was very aware of this and used it to make fun of himself and his tendency to over react to people and situations. I wouldn't call this a must read exactly, but if you are looking for a Hollywood story that isn't a tell all filled with sex, secrets and murder this is the one. Lord of the Rings fans will enjoy this too, though it will take a while to get to that part of the story."

— Jacqueline (4 out of 5 stars)

There and Back Again: An Actor's Tale Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 2.43478260869565 out of 52.43478260869565 out of 52.43478260869565 out of 52.43478260869565 out of 52.43478260869565 out of 5 (2.43)
5 Stars: 1
4 Stars: 3
3 Stars: 4
2 Stars: 12
1 Stars: 3
Narration: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
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1 Stars: 0
Story: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
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Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " What is there to really review? It's about how Sean Astin got the part of Samwise Gamgee in the Lord of the Rings movies, and his experiences afterwards. It's interesting, and even funny at times, but it's only for those who care about the topic. "

    — Jennifer, 2/9/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " In all honesty I picked this book up several years ago expecting to read the behind the scenes activities that went on during the filming of LOTR. I was taken aback when there wasn't too much involving the LOTR but the career of Sean. I'd grown up watching his movies so it was interesting to hear some of the details of his career. This is not a bad book and shows how Sean has grown over the years. The cover is misleading for LOTR fans. "

    — Angel, 12/19/2013
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " I found this really irritating - his style frustrated me. Maybe it was because he was so self analytical and self deprecating? Some interesting information though. "

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

    " I almost wish I hadn't read this extremely self-centered accounting of a very self-centered, self-important, indulgent and whiny actor. I'm just glad I've been able to separate this from my enjoyment of the movies. Sean, you shoulda kept this is your diary in your bedside table. "

    — Tony, 11/8/2013
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " Sean Astin needs to dump that rather extensive chip off his shoulder before it drowns him in the pool of his own shallowness. "

    — Debs, 10/31/2013
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " i wanted to like it. i wish i hadn't read it. i now hate sean astin. i am sad. "

    — Janet, 10/25/2013
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " 2.5 stars really. It has interesting points and insightful looks into the acting world, but Sean Astin comes across as quite an odious self-obsessed chauvinist tbh. Perhaps that's what is normally done in autobiographies, haven't read enough to know. "

    — Snufkin, 7/17/2013
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " If you're interested in LOTR trivia, watch the DVD commentaries instead... "

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

    " after the movies i found this book and had to add it to my collection. "

    — Thobbit1217, 3/1/2013
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " Good read by an actor I like, but he takes himself too seriously. "

    — Angelmaye, 11/16/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Interesting stories, once you get into the LOTR part. But Sean Astin is not a sympathetic narrator, despite how honest he's willing to be. "

    — Annie, 10/16/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Very interesting insider's look at the actor's experience in filming the Lord of the Rings Trilogy. Samwise Gamgee is my favorite LOTR character, so I had to read this one! "

    — Brittany, 10/14/2012
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " Unfortunately, I'm interested in LOTR a whole lot more than a recap of Sean Astin's entire career, complete with gratuitous name-dropping. This one's a did-not-finish for me. "

    — Renee, 8/16/2012
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " The only reason I picked it up is to learn more about TLOTR filming, those bits were interesting enough,still I wish there was more.The actor I don't care about much, sorry to say, so no comment on his other achievements. An OK book. "

    — Anya, 12/5/2011
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " A bit whiny, but I liked it enough. "

    — Stephanie, 4/25/2011
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " Unfortunately, I'm interested in LOTR a whole lot more than a recap of Sean Astin's entire career, complete with gratuitous name-dropping. This one's a did-not-finish for me. "

    — Renee, 3/11/2011
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " I read up to page 2. Then I read something so tacky that I just couldn't stomach this book. I knew then that it was going to be trash. What a disappointment. I'm not only disappointed, I'm disgusted. "

    — Gobnait, 2/12/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I did enjoy it, and it was fun getting a background on the movie-making. However, I did feel Sean did more whining than necessary through this book. It's still a book I own, and still a nice addition to my LotR collection. "

    — Suzanne, 1/6/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Not just a story about hobbits. Well written, interesting autobiography of the actor..........mgc "

    — Michael, 5/13/2010
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I love that Sean Astin doesn't paint himself as a perfect guy. He shares his flaws with the readers, and I that only makes me like the guy more. "

    — Carla, 11/8/2009
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " I had a great time traveling to Boston and meeting Sean Asting when the book came out, but frankly the book is a whiny autobiography that doesn't add anything interesting to the making of the movies, which was what I expected. "

    — Sofia, 10/1/2009
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " What is there to really review? It's about how Sean Astin got the part of Samwise Gamgee in the Lord of the Rings movies, and his experiences afterwards. It's interesting, and even funny at times, but it's only for those who care about the topic. "

    — Jennifer, 9/11/2009
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " A fun look into the life of Sean Astin before and during the making of LOTR. I loved him in Goonies and still love him!! "

    — Wendy, 9/8/2009

About Sean Astin

Sean Astin is an actor, director, voice artist, and producer best known for his film roles as Samwise Gamgee in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Mikey Walsh in The Goonies, and the title character of Rudy.