Rating: 
Summary: A Not-So-Sweet-Life
Review: A first-rate companion to Manilow's autobiography, Patricia Butler goes where Barry wouldn't or couldn't. This is not a gossipy hatchet job - the author clearly has affection for her subject. It is a very honest, well-written, well-researched and entertaining look at one of pop music's best entertainers. Here, finally, is the truth (at least from their point of view) from those who knew him well. A must-have for long-time Manilow fans, especially those who thought they knew the man.
Rating:
Summary: A well written book
Review: A well researched, well written book. Ms. Butler does not deserve the smear campaign lauched by the Manilow fans who have "reviewed" this book (although most "reviewers" proudly admit on various fan newsgroups that they did not read this book.) I found it an interesting departure from the empty press releases issued by Mr. Manilow's press agent and record company. Ms. Butler did her homework, and this book is a good read for the more intelligent fans.
Rating: 
Summary: Nothing New Here
Review: After hearing about this book from friends and fellow Barry fans, and after witnessing her behavior toward those fans on the internet, I figured it wouldn't be worth it. After all, she even said on the usenet group that she was not a fan of Barry Manilow. Seeing that I wondered how can a someone who does not even like their subject possibly be objective? Then I decided to give it a chance and I read it when a friend let me borrow hers. The book did not contain much new information. The author's research consisted of second and third-hand accounts of Barry's life and stops at about the same time Barry's own autobiography "Sweet Life" did. She did not speak to anyone involved with Barry now or even Barry himself. She interviewed Barry's step-mother and past co-workers and acquaintances who may or may not have an axe to grind. The author also decided not to write about or expand upon things written in Barry's autobiography "Sweet Life" saying she did not think them important or relevant. She devotes space to Barry's alleged homosexuality but fails to say anything about Barry's love affair with Adrienne Anderson before she got married. Barry, himself, mentions it in "Sweet Life." To me, something like that would have been interesting to read. The chapter devoted to the fans makes most fans out to be stalkers, mentally ill, and obsessed women. In fact, quite the opposite is true. I personally know many fans who lead perfectly normal lives. They work and have significant others, spouses & families. They are also there for each other in times of crisis, sometimes in person, but mostly on the BarryNet (BMIFC site). I have personally been on the receiving of such support in the form of lovely e-mails, cards, and even in-person from wonderful fans. These people are nothing like how they are portrayed by this author. While I am sure there are those who are obsessed, I am also sure they are in the minority. The final chapter was very difficult to follow. The author skips around trying to tie up loose ends. If you want to see some new and different pictures, the book delivers there, but as for literary content, there is not much there that most fans don't already know (his true age being one) or have suspected. My recommendation, don't waste your money if you want to read it, borrow a copy from someone.
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointed In Barry
Review: After reading this book I enjoyed Ms. Butlers family history of Mr. Manilow. But as I got deeper and found out about his sexuality I was disillusioned. For a musician and performer I have adored since his inception, I don't think I could see him in the same light anymore. What a waste! But the rest of the book was good and held my interest. Too Bad. KBD of Palm Beach Florida
Rating:
Summary: Disappointingly incomplete
Review: Although it includes some interesting facts from Manilow's early years in the music business, this book seems to rely heavily on the recollections of his father's second wife, a disgruntled former employee, and a long-ago singing partner. There's really nothing past around 1980. The author obviously was unable to speak to any of Manilow's present day associates and friends. The fact that 1984's "2:00 AM Paradise Cafe" (which was a major event in his musical career when he worked with jazz greats such as Gerry Mulligan, Shelly Mann, and Mel Torme) was merely glossed over, and there is virtually no mention of either of Manilow's theatrical efforts ("Copacabana" and "Harmony") where his heart seems to have been for the past 10 or so years, the book is totally incomplete. The past 20 years are, for all intents and purposes, nonexistant. Altogether a disappointing book about someone with a 30 year musical career. Not to mention the rather caustic way the author chose to depict Manilow's fans as pathetic creatures totally out of touch with reality, and she did that by quoting page after page from an obscure British book called Starlust. Having been to a few of his concerts, and talked to some of his fans, the author is way off the mark to use a large chunk of that bizarre book to describe ordinary people who enjoy his work. Perhaps none of them would speak to her. I was hoping to learn more about his life after 1983 when his autobiography ended, but I guess I'll wait for him to write the second volume. I wouldn't recommend buying this book as it's so incomplete.
Rating:
Summary: Honest and Accurate
Review: Despite what a previous reviewer has been led to believe, Barry Manilow was, in fact, born in 1943, not 1946. The three years were taken off his age early in his career and his age and birth year have been misreported ever since. (If you believed the 1946 date, you'd also have to believe that Barry graduated high school at age 15 and was married at 18.) This is just one example of misinformation that Manilow fans have been given so long they now refuse to believe they were misinformed. This book not only gets the facts right, but presents them in an interesting and impartial way, daring to discuss important subjects others have glossed over. It's silly that so many fans have gotten into such a twist just because this book is honest in its presentation and doesn't gloss over all the "icky bits" just to make the fans feel good. But that's not to say the book is negative about Barry -- it's far, far from that. This book really is a celebration of Barry Manilow's life and career, an honest biography, and a very good read. Recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Real Fans Rejoice!
Review: Far from being a "tell-all" book, this was the first book I read about Barry Manilow that made him seem human and interesting. It also made him seem like a very nice, talented guy, so it's unfortunate that some fans have gotten themselves all in an uproar just because they had to read a few things they might not have wanted to read about their idol. But everyone has things in their life that make them cringe. Why shouldn't Barry Manilow be allowed some flaws and weaknesses, too? I think real Manilow fans will love this book. But fans who worship him will no doubt have a lot of sour grapes to say about it. Too bad. It's a good read about a great musician.
Rating:
Summary: DONT BUY IT!!!
Review: full of rumors..interviews who supposed knew barry..way back when..not authorized by barry himself or the BMIFC..not very well written , either..Otherwise..its great:)..dont waste your time or money..wait til the REAL thing comes out..if youre a manilow fan..not an un-authorized bio by someone who makes a living writng unauthorized bios..and who should be working for the national inquirer instead..you can also find the suthor on manilow message boards..downing barry AND his fans..does this woman have an ax to grind or what???again, dont waste your time or $$$$
Rating:
Summary: Don't be fooled by the naysayers!
Review: Gosh! To see the nasty comments of some of the people who've "reviewed" this book ("reviled" is more like it) you'd think it was written by the devil himself. The fact is that each of the people who've written these nasty reviews are the same people who've hounded the author online since long before she even wrote the book. They made up their minds back then that they weren't going to like whatever was written about Barry without Barry's blessing, and that was that. In fact, I wouldn't be a bit surprised if most of these folks haven't even read the book they're being so nasty about. The truth is that, for the open minded, this book is a terrific read. For anyone who's more interested in what makes someone the way they are rather than in just hearing about how many celebrities they know, this book is terrific. I really appreciated finding out more about Manilow's family and especially his father, who Barry barely knew, but apparently knew better than he let on. I was also pleased with the sensitivity Butler used in discussing the subject of Manilow's sexuality (which REALLY made some of the more fanatical fans crazy!), only talking about it as necessary, without sensationalizing. The book itself is very well-written, and a quick read. For anyone who secretly hums along in the elevator when the Muzak version of 'Mandy' starts playing, you'll be pleased to know that there is much more to the man than the sum of his songs, or even the idealized image of him some of his fans insist on clinging to. Far from portraying him in a negative light, this book makes Barry Manilow seem very human, very likeable, and is very well worth the read for both Manilow's fans, and just fans of biography in general. So don't let the naysayers fool you. This is, without exception, the best, most comprehensive book about Barry Manilow written to date.
Rating:
Summary: Bird cage liner
Review: I bought this book thinking that Barry had authorized it and had actually cooperated with the author. I could not have been more wrong;the fact that I had to order it instead of finding it on the shelves should have told me something. This woman has set out to trash Mr. Manilow's reputation and she's found just enough people with a dislike for the man and a reason to be less than truthful to do it. If she had proof of why he was rejected by the draft board why didn't she publish it in the book? She could certainly have gotten a copy from the pentagon under the Freedom of Information Act. Lee Gurst claims that he, the rest of the band, and Lady Flash were fired after the shows in Las Vegas yet, all of the members of Lady Flash were with him for the Live at the Greek cable special which was filmed in1978.He also neglected to mention that Barry produced an album for the girls in 1976, and how could Michael Deveraux have possibly gone cruising the bars as he so charmingly put it when, he was in the intensive care unit recovering from an accident that nearly killed him and then had to return to New York to finish recovering.
As for Jeanne Lucas, hell hath no fury like a woman scorned as the saying goes. For every rumor about Mr. Manilow's supposed homosexuality, there are rumors about his involvement with women;one of whom is named REPARATA and I sincerely doubt Mr. Manilow was the one to start them. Lastly, I'd like to point out that I can't imagine any woman staying with a man to cover for him no matter how deep the friendship is,for over thirty years and if these rumors were true, I'm certain the tabloids would have printed it years ago. If anyone reading this book changes their mind about Mr. Manilow because of these allegations, then they weren't truly fans to begin with. I'm sadly disappointed that Ms. Butler decided to hurt someone she's never even met for no reason I can think of.Don't waste your money buying this book.
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