His Way: The Unauthorized Biography of Frank Sinatra
His Way: The Unauthorized Biography of Frank Sinatra book cover

His Way: The Unauthorized Biography of Frank Sinatra

Hardcover – September 1, 1986

Price
$46.61
Format
Hardcover
Pages
575
Publisher
Bantam
Publication Date
ISBN-13
978-0553051377
Weight
1.25 pounds

Description

From Library Journal This is the expose that Sinatra went to court to prevent. It's all herethe tumultuous marriages, the countless affairs, the Mafia ties, the arrogance, the drunken brawls, the sudden violence, the adulation of powerful figures, whether Mafia or presidential. This is obviously a one-sided portrait, and there are no real surprises, but Kelley has documented her facts with such thorough detail that the total effect is numbing. Barely mentioned are Sinatra's devotion to his parents and his children, and his unquestioned musical talent. This is unpleasant but compulsive reading, which most public libraries will need in order to fill demand. Marcia L. Perry, Berkshire Athenaeum, Pittsfield, Mass.Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc. "The most eye-opening celebrity biography of ourxa0xa0time." -William Safire, The New Yorkxa0xa0Times "Axa0xa0compelling page-turner...Kitty Kelley's book has made allxa0xa0future Sinatra biographies virtually redundant."xa0xa0-- Los Angeles Herald-Examiner From the Paperback edition. From the Inside Flap book Frank Sinatra failed to stop,xa0xa0the unauthorized biography of one of the mostxa0xa0elusive public figures of our time. Celebratedxa0xa0journalist Kitty Kelley spent three years researchingxa0xa0government documents (Mafia-related material, wiretapsxa0xa0and secret testimony) and interviewing more thanxa0xa0800 people in Sinatra's life (family, colleagues,xa0xa0law-enforcement officers, personal friends). Fullyxa0xa0documented, highly detailed and filled withxa0xa0revealing anecdotes, here is the penetrating story ofxa0xa0the explosively controversial and undeniablyxa0xa0multi-talented legend who ruled the entertainmentxa0xa0industry for more than fiftyxa0xa0years.<br><br><br><i>From the Paperback edition.</i> Read more

Features & Highlights

  • This is the book Frank Sinatra failed to stop,  the unauthorized biography of one of the most  elusive public figures of our time. Celebrated  journalist Kitty Kelley spent three years researching  government documents (Mafia-related material, wiretaps  and secret testimony) and interviewing more than  800 people in Sinatra's life (family, colleagues,  law-enforcement officers, personal friends). Fully  documented, highly detailed and filled with  revealing anecdotes, here is the penetrating story of  the explosively controversial and undeniably  multi-talented legend who ruled the entertainment  industry for more than fifty  years.
  • From the Paperback edition.

Customer Reviews

Rating Breakdown

★★★★★
30%
(248)
★★★★
25%
(207)
★★★
15%
(124)
★★
7%
(58)
23%
(190)

Most Helpful Reviews

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Good but clearly a hatchet job

Kitty Kelly has been known to do hatchet jobs on the subjects of her books and Frank Sinatra was definitely one of them. The book has great depth to it. It is mind boggling how she accumulated all the data on his life but the overtone is clearly negative. I was a young bobbysoxer in the days Sinatra was coming up and I was clearly one of his fans in the years to come. His singing style and voice are beyone reproach and that was all I cared to know about him. Through the years I heard all about the mob influence in his life but dismissed it because I loved his style.
However, after reading this book and learning about his childish temper tantrums and how he treated some people badly, I soon began to see a different side to him - one I did not like at all. He was not known for the many charitable things he did and did not want made public, but quite frankly, his good works does not cancel out the many hurts he did to many of his loyal friends. I know he was a good father to his children but did not spend that much time with them especially the 2 youngest.

The book has a great value if one could put his life in proper prospective. No matter how much there are things I would have not rather known, I still consider him one of the greatest singers of his period. I guess Kitty Kelly pulled him down from the pedestal and placed him among us humans. The press was unmerciful to him and for that I quite understand why he literally dispised them. All in all, a good book if you are a real Sinatra fan. I would recommend it.

RoseMarie Antonucci
7 people found this helpful
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Sinatra was a complex man.

Sinatra wouldn't grant the author an interview. So much info is available in the public record it probably was unimportant. His lawsuit to prevent publication is enough insight into his concerns about the book's conent.
4 people found this helpful
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Fun to learn about Sinatra!

I really liked this book even though it was written years ago. I got a real insight into Frank Sinatra and his wild life. Its a big book but you can't put it down so it's a fast read. Lots of history about Las Vegas. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in Frank Sinatra or Las Vegas.
3 people found this helpful
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HIS WAY

All of Kitty Kelley's books are good. Most of her book's are all Unauthorized bio's of popular people. Also, check out: The Family, The Real Story Of The Bush Dynasty.
3 people found this helpful
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His Way: The Unauthorized Biography of Frank Sinatra by Kitty Kelley

Although this novel provided information regarding Frank Sinatra, it was not an interesting novel to read. Specifically, the author related events, however, the events were not woven into a masterful story of Sinatra's life. I was quite disappointed.
2 people found this helpful
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I really enjoyed this!

So many of the old glitzy stars - like Sammy Davis - - are mentioned in this book. The author strove to document, interview, and visit the places that Sinatra lived and worked at. He showed how a small guy with a mediocre education (at best) made his way into show business by loaning his own set of music scores for musicians and bands to play. He ingratiated himself, schmoozed, and hung out to get noticed and to climb the proverbial path. Could he stay there? He worried. Lots and lots of "WOW!" moments. The author crafted well. Made for a good read.
2 people found this helpful
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Very good reading

I was surprised to read about Frank Sinatra having a rather priviliged upbringing and growing up with money--I somehow assumed he came from a rather poor and horrible time growing up. I am continuing to read it and it is interesting.
1 people found this helpful
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Interesting and fast reading

I believe every word she writes
1 people found this helpful
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I love to keepup with frank sinatras antics off screen and ...

I love to keepup with frank sinatras antics off screen and or stage. I lived in las vegas during the time he was there on a regular basis. there will never be another one like him, I still love to hear is voice.
1 people found this helpful
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Five Stars

GOOD DEAL
1 people found this helpful