His Way: The Unauthorized Biography of Frank Sinatra Paperback – December 28, 2010

Very interesting and well-written book! Great writer, not all bio's can pull off over 700 pages and keep you turning pages. Frank had a somewhat sad, but very interesting life. His mother was very strange, no wonder he turned out like he did....

I have to admit, I had high hopes for this book. However, in terms of getting a picture of the true Frank Sinatra ... I still say the best book on the market is 'My Life With Mr. S' by George Jacobs, who was Sinatra's valet. Despite Jacobs' 'man crush' on his boss, I'd rather have one concrete story about Old Blue Eyes from start to finish. Ms. Kelly's book is a huge hodgepodge collection of interviews of which she uses one or two lines from. Some of the bigger players in Sinatra's life get more than a couple lines such as Peter Lawford who really lays into Sinatra. Others, such as former friends, crushes and jilted lovers get one or two lines to emphasize an assertion made by Kelly and then poof ... they are gone from the book.While many say this book paints Sinatra in a bad light, I think Sinatra actually is the one who paints Sinatra in a bad light. Selfish, egotistical, childish and nasty are pretty much the adjectives just about anyone who actually knew Mr. Sinatra would first use to describe him. I don't think Sinatra needed Ms. Kelly's help to make him look bad. However, I think Kelly focuses on some of the more sensationalistic stories, etc. given that she is essentially one of the best paid tabloid writers in the game. She does work very hard to piece together hundreds of stories and sources to give us an insight into Sinatra's private life. Almost too many. At the point I got about 300 pages into the book and realized I was less than halfway done, I wished she had left out about 25% of the ho hum stories.I believed the information about Sinatra's childhood much less than I believed the more substantiated stories of his later career, outbursts, tantrums, etc. It seems a lot of the stories from his youth were collected 50+ years later AFTER he had become a legend. Many of these stories contradict themselves. On one page, Kelly includes an interview that says Sinatra was lacking in attention from his parents. Then, on the next page she talks about how close he was too his parents and that Dolly was too wrapped up in Frank's life. Which is it? This happens a lot in the book ... these contradictions that appear shortly after each other. I think when you are piecing together Sinatra's youth, it is safe to say others' recollections and memories change due to the fame he achieved. I could have done without the whole first part of the book which seemed to run in circles. The only thing Kelly hits over and over with any consistency is the fact that Frank's mother Dolly performed abortions. Kelly seems fixated on bringing this up throughout the book.The most interesting part for me was Frank's relationship with Ava Gardner and Kelly really only devoted a few chapters to it. A lot of the sources were people who were sort of on the outskirts and there were several contradictions in these chapters so it was hard to know what to believe. Frank's rage and jealousy and hatred of the press and those who tried to control him really comes through in the middle of the book. I knew Sinatra was prickly, difficult and purile but I had no idea how bad it was. Even people like Dean Martin, Peter Lawford and Lauren Bacall are quoted frequently in these chapters. I tend to believe these quotes because these are people that Sinatra did wrong but who were still far enough in his circle that they could be believed.Around the middle of the book, I have to admit the stories and sources get overwhelming and I wished the book would end soon. While 'My Life With Mr. S' was pretty much a cover to cover read in one sitting, after a few days Kitty Kelly's book began more to feel like a Grapes of Wrath-esque novel or a textbook. I was Sinatra-ed out. There is just too much information in this book and I feel that it should have been condensed.Overall, it paints the picture of a horrible man who belittles those around him for fun, has no conscience, no tact and is focused only on achieving success and fame. The fact that this was published while Sinatra was alive must have been interesting. There is no doubt in my mind that at least half of what is written in this book is true. Even if only half of the book is accurate, I can't think of anyone I would want to know less than Frank Sinatra. It makes him out to be a monster. I would love to know how Kelly got Peter Lawford, Dean Martin and Lauren Bacall to talk about how awful Frank could be during the time they were actually living in the same town as him.The mafia chapters are really well written and use sources such as actual mobsters along with FBI wiretaps to show how deeply entrenched Frank Sinatra was in the mafia. The chapters about Sinatra's attempt to influence JFK in the mafia's business are jaw dropping. George Jacobs doesn't go too much into this area in his book other than to say he is sure that the mafia had Kennedy killed. But Kelly is fearless and this relationship between the Kennedys, Sinatra and the mafia is amazing, if true.I can't say this is the best biography I've ever read ... but it does a great job of attempting to back up all of the sources that provided stories. It is one of the most comprehensive books about Sinatra I have read. Kitty Kelly is a good journalist, even if she is a sensationalistic/tabloid journalist. I respect her ability to gather information and piece it together to paint a portrait. She actually does point out some of the good in Sinatra which probably gets lost due to the huge amount of bad that is pointed out about him. Balanced, this book is not. But I would say that it is a fair account.If you have some interest in Frank Sinatra and some time on your hands (this isn't a cover to cover in a couple days book) I'd recommend picking up a copy. My favorite thing about this book is that it was written like a biography and not like a novel. One book I read, 'Rat Pack Confidential' has much of the same stories but that author writes in a tone that sounds more like a bad detective novel making the book utterly unreadable. Kitty Kelly's language is matter of fact, straight to the point and easy to read.'My Life With Mr. S' is much better in my opinion than this book. But I am glad I read this book about Sinatra because it makes me like him a lot less. I can't even say 'less as a person' because after reading this book, I don't even know that Sinatra was human. These quotes and stories make him out to be more of a successful monster. However, I do know how Kitty Kelly works, but even with a grain of salt ... Sinatra is still a bitter subject.

It is now 2018, and many years have passed since this famous-before-it-was-published book appeared. As I read it now, it is amazing that a strange man such as Sinatra became a success. He had birth scars about his head and, for most of his life, was so skinny that he could not defend himself .... He doted on his mother while being ashamed of the abortions she performed .... He allowed her to manipulate his marriage to first wife, Nancy, a woman he loved but with whom he was not in love .... He had neither money, education nor much of a voice, yet had the drive to plow through all obstacles undeterred ... he had no intention of becoming a domestic husband, womanizing at will ... he expected respect and demanded loyalty, yet made enemies at a moment's notice, issuing veiled mafia-like threats to those who crossed him -- or he would cut them from his life entirely. Though a singer and actor, Sinatra sought and enjoyed the friendship of powerful people. Ms. Kelley includes investigational inquiries of Sinatra in the book, but dwells upon them a bit too much, in this reader's opinion. Whatever else can be said about this man, he was mercurial; among the least likely to succeed at anything. As his star rose, he learned about being an entertainer, developed charisma as well as a hot temper, as his voice and shading of a song became incomparable. To boost his image and to add to anonymous acts of kindness, he became a noted philanthropist. Like a member of the mafia, he formed his own circle of friends and sphere of influence, and many feared to tangle with him. In the end, he had attained everything he had ever wanted - 'by hook or by crook'.... except keeping the love of Ava Gardner.

It was easy reading, but after reading this biography, I decided I didn't like the man He was such a bully. and I have no respect for him. Just felt sorry for the stuff some of the women took from him. How he insulted any women reporter. I guess if he was alive today he probably would be sued for sexual harassment.

This is absolutely incredible. No wonder Frank tried to sue twice to stop the publication by Kitty Kelley. I have always been a big fan of Frank and his singing and have a great collection of his records and discs. I did know that Frank had legally tried to stop the publication at least twice. I still was not ready for this book. I am over 200 pages into it and still find some parts hard to believe. Sometimes I rather wish I had not purchased the book, but I am still reading it. Also I still play his discs in my car. In other words - READ IT AT YOUR OWN RISK. I find some parts hard to believe but I am still a fan of his music.

Credo sia la migliore descrizione di frank "persona" e "artista" ben scritto e scorrevole . Mi è stato consigliato da un mio caro amico americano

A very detailed and believable biography - the fact that Sinatra wanted to prevent publication adds to its likely authenticity. That Frankie has gone from being a longtime hero to a miserable bad-tempered vindictive little person in my mind is unfortunate. However, the crazy mixed-up state of his personal relationships does not detract from his wonderful songs with great backing musicians, which meant so much to me in earlier days - even 60 years ago! I suspect that his treatment of the many women in his life stems from a grossly inferiority complex, but that does not explain why they put up with his inconsiderate horrendous treatment of them. Perhaps he was an amazing performer in the sack - he certainly had plenty of practice with many amateur and professional partners - but today's social media would have had a field day much more extensive than that other Hollywood rat recently exposed!

great gossip and even new stuff - and i've read them all - she certainly has a beef in for him, though and sometimes that gets in the way - i love sinatra and she does not - she's probably right! but no one can sing those songs like he does, and that's what matters

Great read!