Rating: 
Summary: All Hail the Queen.............
Review: The Queen of Soul finally gives the world a small taste of her private life. Being the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the winner of more Grammy Awards than any other female in recording history, living in a state (Michigan) that declared her voice a natural resource and the youngest recipient of a Kennedy Center Honor this book was well overdue. Aretha starts out talking about family life, her parents, the Great Reverend C. L . Franklin and mother Barbara V. Siggers who ultimately seperated when Aretha was six, her siblings: Erma, Vaughn, Cecil and Carolyn. Aretha gives the reader a description of what life was like being the daughter of a preacher who during the sixties and seventees was one of the most famous African-American Preachers of the day. Aretha takes paritcular care to clear up a misfact that she stated "had been written innumerable times" her mother abandoned the family. To the contrary, it was decided between the two that all of the children except Vaughn (a child Arehta's mother brought into the marriage) would remain with her father. She explains how her parents played a important part in their lives and took particular care in providing and sorrounding them all with love and care. She moves on to talk about famous people who made their way into Detroit and through their home. Famous Gospel Groups and singers like: Mahalia Jackson, The Ward Singers, James Cleveland, Smokey Robinson and Sam Cook to name a few. She also tells about her grandmother "Big Mama" who throughout Aretha's life proved to be a strong hold for Aretha and her family. Aretha opens up about her family, giving you an up close description of how their father and grandmother as well as hired help reared them into adulthood. Knowing how private and careful she is about her family life, it was nice to read a detailed description of her childhood and early adulthood in depth. Further into the book Aretha talks about the Roller Rink and the first and second love's she meet there. She then leads the reader into her first pregnancy at the shocking age of fourteen, than her second at sixteen. A child herself now with two children it would seem her life would lead down a predictable road, but fate lead differently. It is surprising to read the responses of her father, considering his position and the time. He was as Aretha explains, supportive as well as the rest of her family. Also we hear about her marriage to Ted White and Glenn Thurman her details of the first (Ted White) leave you wanting more, but it is Aretha's norm to only allow you so much. Aretha has a total of four children Clarence named after her father, Eddie, Teddy and Kecalf whos name bears the intials of his mother and father (Kenneth E. Cunnigham and Aretha L. Franklin). Later in the book, you get a look at what it was like traveling with her father on the road and meeting famous singers like the Staple Singers. Thus the road trips prepared Aretha for her fame that was soon to come. We then move into recording at Columbia and Atlantic Records. Aretha talks about the years at Columbia how she was making good music but not the type that would palce here at the top of the charts. Throughout this portion you get the opinion that Columbia is not on the top of Arethas love lists, although she as always tactfully describes those years. Then there is Atlantic Records, where she gains world fame with hits like, I Never Loved a Man, RESPECT, Dr. Feelgood, Chain of Fools and others. Her years at Atantic were those of hit songs, tours and great stardom. From this section you can tell that Aretha was enjoying her instant success and in the 1968 she was crowned "The Queen of Soul". Once the years at Atlantic grew long and time and interest started change Aretha made the move to Arista Records, were her career after a short low period was set back to high gear. She has truely enjoyed a remarkable career. Aretha ends her book telling of projects and a soon to come Christmad Gospel album. As she states "God has been good to her, and her life is rewarding, exciting and creative". Although the book at times leaves taste for more, I thought this book was written as one should expect from Aretha. Unlike others, Aretha does not put forth all of her personal life for the world to take in. She is a Diva, and with tact and taste only allows so much to be given of her personal life. It is rare in todays age where the more you expose the more popular you are, to find a singer especially of Aretha's stature to still hold true to her reign. She as always only lets you know what you need to know and anything else is up to yous own imagination. So, if you are looking for a "Tell All" story you will not find it hear yet, you will be given a look into the life of one of the worlds few great singers of the time. HFJ
Rating: 
Summary: I really enjoyed reading the book.
Review: Aretha certainly told you what she wanted to know and left you guessing about other things. The book is easy reading it only took me two and half days and that is only because I had to work. She tells about her men and the musician that she didn't get along with or she did respect. It was a really interesting book. If you think she is going to really Dog people out it is not going to happen.
Rating: 
Summary: I found this book hard to follow
Review: I have read and enjoyed all the other books that David Ritz co-author, that is why I was surprised at the poor writing quality of this book. They never stuck to one subject they just jumped back and forth. I wonder if he even went over this book. The queen of soul should stick to singing and leave writing alone.
Rating: 
Summary: DISAPPOINTING AFTER LONG WAIT -- JUST WRITE A COOKBOOK
Review: You know how certain celebrities feel like they've been part of your life? Aretha's been that to me, a 38 year old middle class white girl. Her music, her album covers, interviews, etc from the 60's through the 80's, from the dynamic music through the mediocre -- all these things seem to have touched and marked aspects of my life. OK, with that, I awaited this book, thought it would be as close to Aretha as I could get. Unfortunately, not the case. Like the other reviewers, I felt it a shallow, slilted, uncompelling story. I have to agree with the review that Aretha has been coasting on her 60's reputation all these years. It's one thing not to want to spill your guts over intimate details, but, c'mon, this is an autobiography and no one forced her into it. Maybe she should have stuck to writing just a cookbook. The ancedotal chit-chat would fit better between recipe directions. Come to think of it, this isn't a bad idea, something on the order of Sophia Loren's, Patti Labelle's, Dinah Shore, etc.
Rating:
Summary: Fallen Queen Delivers Less-than-truthful autobiography
Review: A major disappointment. PR-version of her life story that even she is starting to believe. Does not deliver the truth, the grit. This is the church version so the sisters in the Amen corner won't be too shocked -- though most of them know more of the real story than is spooned out here. Like her recent albums, this is a cop-out. Aretha, Aretha, this book is beneath ya.
Rating:
Summary: Hard to Respect A Book This Slight
Review: The Queen of Soul turns out not to be the Queen of books -- this seems like a blown opportunity. Hard to respect -- or care much -- about a book this slight.
Rating:
Summary: The Queen of Soul is full of herself.
Review: Son of a preacher man and popping babies at 14. Drops out of high school. Yes, glosses over that by saying "Babies are gifts from God." Marries a man who makes Ike Turner look like Ghandi. And basically says nothing about this whole period. And ironically, it was during this same period with Ted White that she became the Queen of Soul and recorded the very career-making and legend-making material that has allowed her to coast with the title ever since. Has feuds with everyone from Natalie Cole to Mavis Staples. Not a nice person. Not a truthful person. She's becoming the music world's version of Norma Desmond. In Plus-Plus-Plus Sizes. A total disappoinment. Maybe someone else will tell her story one day.
Rating:
Summary: DYNAMITE/OFF THE HOOK..WANTED MORE TO READ!
Review: REE REE *AIN'T NO WAY THIS BOOK CAN FAIL WRITTEN WITH LOVING ALL THE HURT AWAY CAUSE A ROSE IS STILL A ROSE. I'M STILL JUMPING TO IT WHILE GOING THUR THE STORM CAUSE REE IS PROVING IT THAT SHE IS THE QUEEN THAT DEMAND RESPECT!
Rating:
Summary: Aretha, Please
Review: Aretha,
Why didn't you tell what you know.
You should have explained fully what it was like being a mom at 14 and having to face the criticisms of a large congregation.
What about your father's illness? Did you not think that the church would not hire another minister to take your Dad's place?
The WORD will be preached regardless of the vessel.
You act as if your father owned New Bethel, The church belongs to GOD.
Why should Erma have had to take off from her job when you didn't have anything else to do but care for Carolyn.
Your book makes you out to be somewhat shallow and unhumble but I believe that you would not have made it this far without humility.
Please leave the writing to the pros!!!
Rating:
Summary: Aretha's From These Roots Just Made Me Hungry!
Review: This book was a disappointment and I should have known it would be. Aretha is never candid or openly confessional in her interviews on television or print, so I should have known she wouldn't be too forthcoming about her personal life.
I was also amused by the numerous references to all the food she's eaten. Hell, all those memories of her favorite foods just made me hungry. I must say, she didn't lie about how tasty a Vernor's Float (a beverage made of Vernor's Ginger Ale and vanilla ice cream). I'm a former Detroiter and have had many of those sweet treats.
This has to be one of the most disappointing rock biographies off all time. I'm waiting for a well-researched and much more candid biography by some other author. Lady Soul didn't give it up!
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