Rating: 
Summary: I really wish I could say this was a great book
Review: Maybe my expectations were too high. I've never heard Etta James sing a song I didn't love. Not only does she have one of the most breathtaking voices in popular music, but she uses it brilliantly. She sings every song from the depths of her soul, and at the same time she's a very intelligent singer, obviously very much aware of, and in control of, her craft. I was hoping she'd bring the same kind of feeling and intelligence to telling the story of her life.And it's a great story. Abandoned by her father and growing up in poverty with a difficult mother, Etta James became a juvenile delinquent, and over the course of her life faced down just about every form of addiction you can think of, from food to heroin. She was saved by a gift for music, which other people, thank god, recognized almost as soon as she opened her mouth. So I began reading, knowing I was digging into a great story written by an intelligent and sensitive woman. But as I read, I found myself growing more and more disappointed. The book has some wonderful anecdotes about the nastiness of the music business and the foibles of a lot of famous people. They're entertaining and sometimes even enlightening - and they're the reason I wouldn't rate this book any lower than three stars. But something goes wrong when she writes about herself. A lot of reviewers have praised her "honesty" in accepting responsiblity for her mistakes and addictions.That's certainly an admirable quality, but it doesn't necessarily make for interesting writing. Again and again, James tells you the sordid details of her mistakes, says it was her own fault, and then goes on to something else. And every time she does so, I felt cheated of any insight into what led her down the paths she took. She sounds like someone who hasn't really come to terms with her problems, and therefore most of the book seems rather superficial. The story is inherently interesting and it would probably make a great movie, but its unwillingness to probe below the surface kept it from being a great book.
Rating: 
Summary: road rage.
Review: not your typical black entertainer from the middle of the century tale of life on the stage and on the road, etta james' _rage to survive: the etta james story_ is as important as a historic account of society from the 1920s through present day as it is as a personal testiment to one woman's struggle to survive. unapologetic and non-judgemental, james relates the facts of her life in a no-nonsense way; she boldly tells the truth about those who have crossed and encouraged her with compassion and respect. moreover, james reveals her own personal struggle to survive as drug addiction and self-doubt threatened to destroy her. a true diva with the heart and soul of a real person, etta james takes on an emotional journey that all but lets us relive all her pain and glory. the next time hollywood is looking for a _what's love got to do with it_ biopic, they need no look no further than etta "peaches" james' tale.
Rating: 
Summary: Gripping as her voice
Review: this book has so much realness.i've listened to her music for years but this book puts the power,angier&Passion all into the Power of her voice.the Politics of the Music Business and her Personel Life are all here.this is the kind of Honesty that is Lacking from Artists of Today.Her Life&Career were a SpringBoard for Tina Turner.very powerful and Upfront.she never forgot her roots.also another Gem by David Ritz.
Rating:
Summary: All Out There!
Review: This is basically a recorded miracle. Reason being is that Etta James lived hard, played a even harder, and is still alive to tell about it. Etta's story is one that all music lovers- even if you're not a fan of hers- should read. I think that ALL women should read the stories of relationships gone wrong, and what can happen to you if you don't have faith enough in yourself to make it without using nonsense as crutches. But while reading this, you have to respect the candid honesty that flows from one page to the next, and the stories about friends and lovers, that are told so vividly that you feel as if you're speaking to Ms. Etta, herself. This is one of the best autobiographies I have ever read, and one that I couldn't put down. If you read it, you'll love it!
Rating:
Summary: All Out There!
Review: This is basically a recorded miracle. Reason being is that Etta James lived hard, played a even harder, and is still alive to tell about it. Etta's story is one that all music lovers- even if you're not a fan of hers- should read. I think that ALL women should read the stories of relationships gone wrong, and what can happen to you if you don't have faith enough in yourself to make it without using nonsense as crutches. But while reading this, you have to respect the candid honesty that flows from one page to the next, and the stories about friends and lovers, that are told so vividly that you feel as if you're speaking to Ms. Etta, herself. This is one of the best autobiographies I have ever read, and one that I couldn't put down. If you read it, you'll love it!
Rating:
Summary: Go on GIRL!
Review: This one of those don't hold back, tell it like it is books. Miss Etta doesn't pull any punches and tells her life story the good, the bad and the ugly. She speaks her mind and lets the chips fall where they may. If you like Etta, you love this book. If you don't know much about her, you'll walk away a fan.
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