Sinatra's Century: One Hundred Notes on the Man and his World

by David Lehman

Hardcover, 2015

Status

Available

Publication

New York, NY : Harpers, [2015]

Description

In celebration of his one-hundredth birthday, a charming, irresistibly readable, and handsomely packaged look back at the life and times of the greatest entertainer in American history, Frank Sinatra. Sinatra's Century is an irresistible collection of one-hundred short reflections on the man, his music, and his larger-than-life story, by a lifetime fan who also happens to be one of the poetry world's most prominent voices. David Lehman uses each of these short pieces to look back on a single facet of the entertainer's story--from his childhood in Hoboken, to his emergence as "The Voice" in the 1940s, to the wild professional (and romantic) fluctuations that followed. Lehman offers new insights and revisits familiar stories--Sinatra's dramatic love affairs with some of the most beautiful stars in Hollywood, including Lauren Bacall, Marilyn Monroe, and Ava Gardner; his fall from grace in the late 1940s and resurrection during the "Capitol Years" of the 1950s; his bonds with the rest of the Rat Pack; and his long tenure as the Chairman of the Board, viewed as the eminence grise of popular music inspiring generations of artists, from Bobby Darin to Bono to Bob Dylan. Brimming with Lehman's own lifelong affection for Sinatra, the book includes lists of unforgettable performances; engaging insight on what made Sinatra the model of American machismo--and the epitome of romance; and clear-eyed assessments of the foibles that impacted his life and work. Warm and enlightening, Sinatra's Century is full-throated appreciation of Sinatra for every fan.… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member knahs
Interesting look at Sinatra - with 100 chapters - each with a story or reflection on Sinatra - some just a few sentences and others 2 or 3 pages. A very nice tribute to Sinatra.
LibraryThing member mgalyon789
This was an interesting book. It had lots of biographical information, but it wasn't a traditional biography. It moved in a (somewhat) linear fashion without being too dependent on normal biographical formulas. A great feature of this book: open to any section and find a story worth reading. Frank
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Sinatra really was larger than life; he transcended all norms of fame and celebrity.

He really did do it his way.
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Language

Barcode

8827
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