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Rating: 
Summary: The life of Frank Sinatra told in pictures and captions
Review: "Sinatra: A Life in Pictures" is an oversized book by Tim Frew that collects more than 120 photographs from Sinatra's career in both music and movies, along with the personal life that made headlines because of romances with Ava Gardner and Mia Farrow. Frew declares Frank Sinatra to be one of the 20th century's most vibrant entertainers and is hard to argue with that claim when you look at a career that spanned more than six decades in music, film, and television. In his introduction Frew sums up the legendary entertainer's career, from his early idolization of Bing Crosby to his first performance on the stage of the Paramount Theater in New York City. Chapters are organized around the idea that Sinatra was able to reinvent himself to change with the times, moving from being the lead singer in several big bands to his solo career and his most memorable film roles. Sinatra's many love affairs and marriages are also covered, along with his longstanding friendships with his "Rat Pack" buddies and others. Frew provides detailed, informative captions for the photographs, often supplying choice quotations from the people pictures with Sinatra (e.g., daughter Nancy and singer Rosemary Clooney in the pair of photos on p. 50). When Frew can note that Sinatra received his first film kisses from Gloria DeHaven and Anne Jeffreys in the 1944 musical "Step Lively" and add that Sinatra wanted to play the part that went to Paul Newman in "The Verdict" then you have to be convinced he knows the man, his music and more. When you consider that Frew tells the story of Sinatra's career entirely through these pictures and captions you have to be impressed with how substantial the end result. The book ends with a complete filmography and extensive discography. The book is geared more towards the true Sinatra fan versus less ardent admirers, who might not get all of the references.
Rating:
Summary: The life of Frank Sinatra told in pictures and captions
Review: "Sinatra: A Life in Pictures" is an oversized book by Tim Frew that collects more than 120 photographs from Sinatra's career in both music and movies, along with the personal life that made headlines because of romances with Ava Gardner and Mia Farrow. Frew declares Frank Sinatra to be one of the 20th century's most vibrant entertainers and is hard to argue with that claim when you look at a career that spanned more than six decades in music, film, and television. In his introduction Frew sums up the legendary entertainer's career, from his early idolization of Bing Crosby to his first performance on the stage of the Paramount Theater in New York City. Chapters are organized around the idea that Sinatra was able to reinvent himself to change with the times, moving from being the lead singer in several big bands to his solo career and his most memorable film roles. Sinatra's many love affairs and marriages are also covered, along with his longstanding friendships with his "Rat Pack" buddies and others. Frew provides detailed, informative captions for the photographs, often supplying choice quotations from the people pictures with Sinatra (e.g., daughter Nancy and singer Rosemary Clooney in the pair of photos on p. 50). When Frew can note that Sinatra received his first film kisses from Gloria DeHaven and Anne Jeffreys in the 1944 musical "Step Lively" and add that Sinatra wanted to play the part that went to Paul Newman in "The Verdict" then you have to be convinced he knows the man, his music and more. When you consider that Frew tells the story of Sinatra's career entirely through these pictures and captions you have to be impressed with how substantial the end result. The book ends with a complete filmography and extensive discography. The book is geared more towards the true Sinatra fan versus less ardent admirers, who might not get all of the references.
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