Rating: 
Summary: Maybe Aretha Should Just Do What She Does Best....Sing!!!
Review: I honestly was expecting a first-rate book because I had read David Ritz' "Divided Soul" about Marvin Gaye which was most compelling. The biggest difference is that as troubled as Marvin Gayes was, he was infinitely more revealing which gave Ritz a lot more to work with. Here, his subject, notorious for her calculated relationship with the press (not that I blame her at all) does not really reveal that much. She is quite ambiguous, hazy, secretive, etc. about many details which makes you wonder: if you only wanted to set the record straight regarding your mother, it doesn't take a whole book to do that. So the end result is a collage of hackneyed press clippings the most devoted Aretha fan has been all too familiar with over the years, so that while it is easy, entertaining reading, she doesn't really shed a lot of light on anything. It is most deflating. I honestly have no problem with her guarding her privacy. That is certainly her prerogative. But do not goad the public into thinking that you will "bare all" and then you give us old press releases/compact ancecdotes that shed little insight. Her music will forever be the biggest revealer of the woman behind the mask and after reading this, I suppose that is just what we will have to settle for. So be it, Aretha.
Rating: 
Summary: Bland and Unrevealing--very un-Aretha-esque
Review: If you have a general knowledge of Franklin's history you this book is wholly unnecessary because it sheds no new or itneresting light on her as a performer or human being.The writing style is tight and insular with little beyond generic descriptors. Its as though she can't fully recall experiences and gives up on the details. I don't mean gossip-y stuff I mean basic descriptive language beyond "I felt this.." or "I felt that..." Franklin also reveals an unnecessarily catty side toward Gladys Knight, Cissy Houston and Natalie Cole, all undeniable talents in their own right. She also glosses over the recording process beyond a handful of albums and never discusses her pregancies or marriage with much depth. This was clearly an attempt to cash in on the R&B singer autobiography trend and her good name because it is strangely heartless and shallow. If one is not interested in being open and accessible what is the point?
Rating: 
Summary: I Eat, I Sing, But Mostly I Eat
Review: If you have ever been transfixed by the raw truth and beauty of Aretha Franklin's voice, this autobiography is sure to break the spell. In a peculiarly bombastic style, Ms. Franklin reveals herself to be self-absorbed, pretentious, petty (especially about other female perfomers,) and delusional. She claims to have worn a bikini and spike heels while strolling with a friend along the French Riviera. This is dismaying for anyone who thinks her music reflects her life. If anything, her story serves as a cautionary tale that too many pickled meats, macaroni and cheese, and menthol cigarettes can destroy healthy brain cells. She swings between loving memories of her father, the celebrated Reverend C.L. Franklin, and hilariously inappropriate recollections of food: "By the mid-sixties I was pregnant and in Los Angeles at the Knickerbocker Hotel, where I discovered Russian Dressing (the best thing since cheeseburgers . . .") About performing at the Apollo: "Running around the corner in front of the theater for charcoal-broiled steaks between shows, and all those burgers, milkshakes, and fries backstage. Excitement and love were in the air." Where was co-author David Ritz during the writing process? Probably fetching more chicken and waffles. While staying at the "ultraswanky" Hotel Savoy in London, she meets up with Ahmet Ertegun (president of Atlantic Records)and his wife Mica who is described as "interior decorator extraordinaire, the most chichi of New York decorators." Hey Aretha: How about the music? While reading this book I laughed, I cried, I had nightmares about hamhocks and bones.
Rating:
Summary: a breezy, superficial read from a soul superstar
Review: I was completely blown away by Ms. Franklin's rendition of Puccini at the Grammys a few years back, and was curious to understand the story of this diverse singer, about whom I knew very little. After reading this book (in an afternoon), I feel as though I learned more about the modern history of Gospel and Soul music, which was great, but I was disappointed by the superficiality of the writing. I often felt like I was reading an extended press bio, which was nice, but not really what I was looking for. If you're looking for a serious, in-depth profile of a mega-star, I doubt this is the book for you.
Rating:
Summary: An intimate conversation
Review: I have been a fan of Aretha Franklin's music for a long time; therefore, was curious to read her biography. Especially because I was unaware of the details of her life. I felt that this book was written as if Aretha Franklin was sitting down with a friend for a cup of coffee and telling her life story. While I'll admit that I wish she would have been more thorough in certain areas, I don't think that is what the woman is about. For those details, I'll have to read another biograpy of The Queen Of Soul.
Rating: 
Summary: Leave Sister Ree Alone
Review: I have been loving Aretha for more than 30 years. And the thing about Aretha's voice,is that it is so intoxicating & mesmerizing,and it sings only to you & for you. Therefore you feel you should know everything there is to know about the woman this voice comes from.Unlike most fans,[& most people for that matter],I don't care to know every little tiny detail about her life. In fact,she gave more info in "From These Roots" than I thought she would. Reading about her early beginnings was very interesting. And learning details about certain songs ["First Snow In Kokomo"] was enlightening. My one major gripe was the discography. A singer of her stature,should have had a complete listing. And to Miss Franklin,"Bridge" was released before "Angel". Other than that,Aretha delivered a decent book. I don't need to know who Mr.Mystic is,nor is it my buisness,who her first son's fathers are. Aretha is my favorite singer,and she is also the Greatest. So to everyone looking for dirty laundry & scandals, Do like Aretha does on the regular,and watch the soaps on T.V.
Rating:
Summary: Leave Sister Ree Alone
Review: I have been loving Aretha for more than 30 years. And the thing about Aretha's voice,is that it is so intoxicating & mesmerizing,and it sings only to you & for you.Therefore you feel you should know everything there is to know about the woman this voice comes from.Unlike most fans,(& most people for that matter), I don't care to know every little tiny detail about her life. In fact,she gave more info in "From These Roots" than I thought she would.Reading about her early beginnings was very interesting.And learning details about certain songs ("First Snow In Kokomo"} was enlightening.My one major gripe was the discography.A singer of her stature,should have had a complete listing.And to Ms Ree,"Bridge" was released before "Angel".Other than that, Aretha delivered a decent book.I don't need to know who Mr. Mystic is,nor is it my buisness,who her first son's fathers are. Aretha is my favorite singer,and she is also the Greatest.So to anyone looking for dirty laundry & scandals.Do like Aretha does on the regular,and watch the soaps on T.V.
Rating:
Summary: NO DETAIL
Review: This book could have been a great book if Aretha didn't keep jumping around the detail. With all the people she met she could have really included some wonderful pictures in this book. It was unfortunately rather boring, since she didn't want to mention names or any detail about her personal life. Aretha kept mentioning that she didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings, well, she shouldn't have bother to write.
Rating:
Summary: Escape From These Roots
Review: I am sorry, but this book reads as if it was written by a twelve year-old. I am so disappointed in this book. The paragraphs jump all around, the the subject order is not linear at all. I am so sad, because Ms. Franklin IS my favorite female recording artist of all time. But, I suspect that she is still more interested in her father than she is in herself. Chapters and chapters of his sermons and wise words and like two paragraphs about the baby she had when she was fourteen, and then the one she had when she was sixteen. HELLO? That is interesting stuff. Then she'll say that her father didn't lecture her about being a two-time teenage mother, he just wanted her to be a good parent. Then, they ditch the kids with her grandmother and do gospel gigs all over America. I am sorry, I do not think I'll be able to finish "From these Roots", because I do not want to further damage my illusion of the strong, wise, respectable "Queen of Soul".
Rating:
Summary: Not enough info
Review: I read the book in two days. If she wasn't going to give names I think she shouldn't have written the book. Every chapter almost she was talking about food. I hope she gets over addiction.
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