Rating: 
Summary: Save Your Time and Money
Review: I suggested this book for my book club and was very disappointed I wasted everyone's time and money when there's so much better out there to read. I thought after Patti, Cissy and Gladys published their books, Aretha's would be the frosting on the cake. Boy, was I wrong! Everyone else was brutally honest about the mistakes they made and the lessons they learned. Except Aretha. This book had no depth whatsoever, but I guess the author pieced together the best he could with the limited info Aretha gave him. By not naming names, she wasn't trying to protect others, she was trying to protect herself! She's supposed to be so God-fearing, the daughter of a respected preacher and so deep-rooted in the gospel. Why then did she commit fornication, have children out of wedlock and commit adultery on her husband Wolf so she could find out "where her heart was"? She was so man crazy that she left her children to be raised by her grandmother, which were never even pictured in the book (one you can barely see). The weight issue was another subject she could have tackled more honestly. At the end of the book, she blamed it on quitting smoking. Let's be honest. Could it be the emotional scars and guilt of not being there for her children, siblings and dying father? She never took responsibility for being wrong even though she was sued for not wanting to fly and her records weren't selling in the 80s. Aretha, if you have the attitude that you can do no wrong, you'll never take responsibility for your weight, financial or emotional problems. I don't mind Aretha wanting to keep her private life private. But nobody twisted her arm to write this book, so why produce a half-hearted effort. I was also disappointed at the interview she had with Oprah. I though if anybody could get the 411 it would be her. However, Oprah compromised herself also by tiptoeing around (pre-screened, I'm sure) questions. Her attempt to set the record straight did quite the opposite by bringing up even more unanswered questions. I am a big fan of Aretha's music. However, this book has made me lose "just a lil' bit of R.E.S.P.E.C.T." for the Queen.
Rating:
Summary: NO TRUTH
Review: I found this book to be very disappointing, poorly written, and not altogether honest. I was expecting more from the Queen of Soul. To disrespect other singers was a waste of time. Ms. Franklin should know that Barbara Streisand has pure talent, and has one of the greatest voices of this Century. Also, Ms. Franklin should know that Chaka is another true talent. Everyone has something to contribute Ms. franklin. Although I am sure it was not their intention, this book offers nothing that we (the public) has not already read or heard. The "SOUL" was missing from this account of Ms. Franklin's life. Also, while most have compassion for her father's death, we would have liked to know more about her life and less about him. It would have been human of her to at least speak more about her child that is in an institution. She should have put the rumors to rest about that child and her relationship with her father regarding that child. Aretha comes off as a woman who is very unhappy with herself. What a shame. I must say that the woman can sing. I have all of her records, and will continue to purchase her work. However, this book is not worth reading. God Bless her!
Rating:
Summary: Aretha: These roots need a re-touch.
Review: I did not like this book. I regret spending one penny on it. I started reading it under the dryer at the beauty shop. It was so boring that I put it down. I hate to waste money so I forced myself to read it. (It took about a month.)Although she gives some lovely historcal accounts of the 60's & 70's, I bought this book to hear her "dish out the dirt" and "give me the 411". On too many occasions, Aretha leaves the reader hanging by refusing to name names. The book read more like a page from her diary than an autobiograhpy of a singer. I was especially let down near the closing of the book, the words to her sisters. She should have just written them a letter rather than waste print. I bought this book to learn more about Aretha. From reading this book, I gathered that Aretha is a man crazy singer who loves to eat and is afraid to fly.
Rating:
Summary: Wasted Money
Review: Aretha,Aretha,Aretha. I am so disapointed. I should have waited and borrowed your book from the library. I could have spent my hard earned money trying to purchase a copy of the hard to find and out of print, Otis William's book. I did not buy your book to read about your father. I 'm from Detroit, we agree he was a great preacher, but instead of wasting our time and money, you should have simply written a biography about him for those who want to read it. Better yet write a book about "Your good old days in Detroit.
Rating: 
Summary: Wait a Minute
Review: I am an enormous Aretha Franklin fan. I feel the need to defend her against this onslaught. I don't believe that she is compelled to reveal the name of her mystery lover. Nor does she owe us the names of her children's fathers. Put yourself in her shoes, if you wanted to keep your private life private, would you broadcast your personal business? Of course not. Besides what business is it of ours who she dates? Now I do want to say this, I did not enjoy the book but not because she didn't tell me who her current lover is or what happened between her and her ex- husbands. I found that the book lacked emotion and honesty. I wanted to know where the inspiration came from for, Natural Woman. How did she feel the first time that she heard her songs on the radio? Looking back does she have any regrets? What was it like for her to work in the studio? Does she prefer concerts or just working in the studio. She didn't reveal any of her personal feelings about the entertainment business. What's up with this attitude of nothing ever being her fault. She had no remorse for throwing the party at Dennis Edwards' house, didn't feel bad about not visiting her son in California, when he was hurt. Nor did she feel bad about lowering Mavis Staples' voice on the song that they sang together. Then to add insult to injury in her mind EVERYONE has offended her. Natalie Cole, Cissy Houston, Gladys Knight (I do not believe for one minute that story about Gladys Knight and the plan ride to Atlanta), Pops Staples, Luther Vandross and all of the other people that she mentioned (or should I say name dropped.) to prove her point of "woe is me" the world is out to get me. I feel that her mentioning Paul Williams' was in poor taste. That man has been gone for over 20 years, why mention him at all? Aretha will always be the Queen of Soul in my opinion (for whatever that's worth) but this is not a realistic account of her life. In fact at certain times I actually laughed out loud. Especially at the White House incident. After she tells the woman off she then goes on to say that her upbringing prevented her from making a scene. I guess it was okay to give the woman the finger? Come on Aretha. Let's be more realistic. And let's be more truthful! I also got the opinion that she is one of those people who try to out do the next man. I say this because I have never heard her mention wanting to write a cookbook before. After Patti LaBelle did her book then here comes Aretha. Oh but wait she is not going to stop at a cookbook she is going to do one better, she is going to do a cooking show. Come on. Aretha the world and everyone therin is not out to get you. And please admit that you have offended some people in your lifetime. You will always be my girl, and I adamantly disagree with those who say that you are coasting off your fame from the 60's. If they could hear you sing today they certainly wouldn't say that. You still have one of the most beautiful voices that I have heard. And you are a legacy. Someone mentioned the new R&B divas, I would like to see if their careers will be as lasting as Ms. Aretha's! (The only one that comes close is Lauryn Hill) Be Blessed 'Rea!
Rating:
Summary: One Star Is Far Too Generous
Review: Whew! I couldn't wait to do this review. When the book first came out, well, I knew I wasn't buying it because I am not an Aretha Franklin fan, but I do enjoy reading celebrity memoirs or authorized (and even unauthorized) biographies. So this weekend, I was in the library and this was about the only halfway interesting book that I could check out. Believe me, YOU DO NOT WANT TO BUY THIS LIGHTWEIGHT GARBAGE. OH, JESUS! All I got from the book is that she hates for people to talk against her in the press, yet she's talking about them in her book. She seems to be stuck on herself, (CONCEITED and gives herself so much credit for stuff no one is even thinking about), seems like she's trying to defend her past actions, she even trips me out when she says Whitney Houston and Lauryn Hill are welcome to come to her for advice? Why would they? She does not reveal the fathers of her children (and interestingly enough there aren't any pictures of her kids who she is so proud of - unless you count the one with one of her babies whose face you can't even see). Anyway, I somewhat enjoyed the references to Detroit because I lived there as a child, but other than that, this book makes you sick. Oh, it's going back to the library TODAY!
Rating:
Summary: THIS IS A TERRIBLE BOOK!
Review: I am so disappointed in Aretha's literary attempt. Being that we share the same birthday, I had hoped her story would be endearing. However, I hope that sharing the same birthday does not make me anything like this arrogant, egotistical, man-crazy woman. I am sure her life has been filled with more than music and men, yet this book doesn't touch on much of her personal life at all. One could easily find a discography of her records,which is the main focus of the book. She did not need to write the history of her music- making, that speaks for itself. By omitting relevant and pertinent info such as the name of Mr. Mystique, her children's father,and other notables, she has done a great disservice to her fans and to anyone who purchases this book. Not wanting the public to know about her private life is acceptable. But do not tease us with this token autobiography. not writing anything at all would have been better than this side-stepping "effort." The book is an obvious attempt to add to her financial bottom line. The book is not worth the paper it was written on. As for david ritz,if this is the best he can do, I will not buy another book that he co-authors. Of all the biographies that he helped compile, etta james' was the only honest enough to be interesting. As a published author, he should be ashamed to printed such a book as this. Surely, both of these notable people could have done better. Now I believe all the negative press and rumors about aretha's attitide. Aretha if you read this: GET A GRIP, YOU AIN'T ALL THAT.
Rating:
Summary: VERY DISAPPOINTED
Review: I, too, have been an Aretha fan forever. But, boy was I disappointed, long before I finished reading her book. I feel Aretha left me hanging in a lot of areas that she touched on and indicated "more on that later" which never came. There was waaaaaay too much information on her father, more detailed than I needed. She could remember and describe the names, taste and places to buy good food, but she could not remember why she had words with or cannot remember why she and Gladys Knight no longer get along. Amazing! I went out and bought this book the day after her appearance on Oprah. I wish I had waited, because I'm sure this book will be given away on the Clearance tables by Christmas. The book had no direction and was very poorly written. Mr. Ritz must have had his eyes closed when he read/reviewed this book.
Rating:
Summary: I'D GIVE IT ZERO STARS IF I COULD
Review: Aretha is full of it and full of herself. Growing up, I adored this woman musically. Sure, she wasn't the greatest role model -- PK with two kids by the time she was 16 -- hmm -- and wasn't a style or fashion paragon by any means -- can I get an amen? -- and no she didn't have the greatest morals or the greatest taste in men -- but boy, there was a time there when the lady could SING. But as we all know, that time was a couple generations ago. As many have long been saying, she has been coasting on her laurels for a long time. But this book -- STAY AWAY FROM IT ALL COSTS! If you really want it, it'll be in the clearance bins right after Christmas. This book is a total waste of time. She may be able to sing but she is not a nice person. She is petty. Not a very happy person. I'm praying for you, 'Ree.
Rating: 
Summary: With all due Respect, Aretha tells of Black music History
Review: I found the Biography Aretha from these Roots both entertaining and informative. "A trip down memory lane" in relating to the Black Church in America, the Early Gospel music Era (with gospel giants like James Cleveland, The (original) Caravans and Clara Ward) as well as the Chitterling circuit with R&B legends like the great Baby Washington, Big Mabelle and Sam Cook etc, the mere mention of these Legends alone made the book well worth the purchase. WITH ALL DUE REPECT I didn't expect much about Aretha's private life which is one of the things I admire of her, how she manage to keep her personal life just that PRIVATE. I know people will be disappointed that it's not the Poor girl sing her heart and soul out, get rich only to commit suicide drama (Lady Soul Sing the Blues), but that was not her life story Aretha came from a black middle class background (and yes there where middle class blacks in the forties and fifties) and she could sing and that she did and still does. However I am a little disappointed in the Vilard's Book Company portrayal of her discography and Pictorial collection. A Star of her magnitude should have been a lot more extensive and informative.
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