Rating: 
Summary: Read the book then make up your mind
Review: I never watched American Idol so I came to this book with no preconcieved notions. Simon Cowell has written an extremely amusing book. It starts out logical with Simon's childhood. He was by his own admission a really ghastly little kid and grew up into the kind of teenager that makes teachers retire. His saving grace was his love of music. Luckily he ended up with a music career and became a producer. From that success he was able to create Pop Idol and it's American spin-off, American Idol. Simon is very, very frank in his opinions and I think he is mostly right. Britney Spears has made a miscalculation with her image, Madonna really hasn't produced a monster hit in America in years and Michael Jackson's career has suffered a totally self inflicted wound. The behind the scenes gossip is the meat of the book and the tidbits are fascinating. One contestant alienated the show's crew members because of a foul attitude, another contestant blew it due to weird behavior. Another, probably lost because of one off night in a performance. The best part of the book is Simon's advice to aspiring singers. Talent isn't enough to get you over. As he points out, there are a lot of talented folks singing in hotel lounges, and at amusement parks. Getting to the big time takes smarts, guts and strategy. I wouldn't want to sing in front of Simon and I don't think I'd invite him to dinner but the man has a way with words and I enjoyed the book.
Rating: 
Summary: If you want to win, read this book
Review: I feel asleep reading this book and woke up early the next morning because I couldn't wait to finish reading it! Quite frankly, this is the best book I've read on the music industry. It's honest, it's readable, and it's funny. In the first part of the book, Simon shares his path in the music industry -- and if you're interested in making millions in this industry, you need to read this book. In the second part, Simon shares his perspective on the first two American Idol competitions. What would you pay to hear the judges perspective? This alone is well worth the price of the book. In the third part of the book, Simon gives his practical and realistic advice for "star" wannabees. Read this book and you'll have a much better chance. But I'd pay the entire price of the book just to read and re-read the description of Keith's performance of "Like a Virgin" (starts on page 150). I literally rolled out of bed laughing when I read Simon's "behind the scenes description" as it brought back memories of the show. Believe it or not, Keith's performance was my first exposure to the American Idol TV show and I was hooked! (My apologies, Keith, it just brought back emotional memories of my own experience auditioning for Six Flags -- an experience I recounted later for a class of young dance and singing hopefuls where I received the comment from the instructor, "You're a writer." At the risk of encouraging you, Keith, you might be able to turn your celebrity as the "worst singer in America" into something..... It was an earnest performance and hilariously funny!) Oh, I know, it's fun to "bash" Simon in these reviews, but the truth is, after you watch the show a bit, he is right most of the time and I learned to trust him. I didn't substitute his judgement for my own, but I took it seriously. Now, if there were just an American Idol "clone" show for people in mid-life crisis who always wanted to sing.... I just finished watching World Idol and this geeky good thing seems to be catching on all over the world..... I LOVED this book and I think you will too.
Rating:
Summary: Very entertaining book, particularly for AI fans
Review: Written with style and and containing interesting content that has great appeal and insight, particularly if you love 'American Idol', 'I Don't Mean To Be Rude, But.."is a very entertaning book. Even more so perhaps if you are a Clay Aiken fan, as you read what Simon was really thinking about Clay from the beginning. The same applies to Reuben, Kelly, and Justin fans. Anyone who has ever questioned whether Simon knows his business will soon realize as they read the first-third of the book that the answer is "Yes", and they will also know in detail 'why' he is so knowledgable. Simon's background in the music business, plus that natural intuition he has for recognizing what the public wants gives him every right and then some to offer his open, honest, and hopefully helpful comments to talented and creative individuals who want to be 'stars'. The second-third of the book sent me into peals of laughter and kept me glued to the page as Simon covers every delicious detail the two first seasons of 'American Idol'. Every little tidbit is recorded on the page bringing back memories of the auditions, the contestants, the performances, and the outcome of two wonderful talents searches. All the backstage gossip and insider details about the performers, the judges, the hosts, and each week's performances will delight you as you hear the Simon's voice in your head while you read his first-person comments. Simon covers the 'best' and 'worst' AI performances, details of first meeting Randy and Paula, the guest judges, off-screens encounters with contestant's families, after-hours parties attended by the judges, and off-the-show activities of many of the performers, plus much more. The last-third of the book provides a priceless guideline for those looking to become a success in today's music world. All solid advice from someone who is at the top of the field. Helpful direction from someone who would not normally be accessible to the those still as the bottom struggling to break into stardom. I love this book and highly recommend it as a easy-read that will provide great pleasure. Of course, I love Simon as well and think he offers great and valuable critique in a very entertaining style to the contestants on 'American Idol'. That same brutal honesty laced with contagious humor is in the book, but in even greater quantity. This is Simon and reading at their best.
Rating: 
Summary: Light, fluffy, and oddly compelling
Review: This book can only be recommended to fans of FOX's, "American Idol," musical talent show considering that 65% of the content is Simon Cowell's recollections on how the show came to be and summaries of its first two American broadcast seasons. The most interesting part of this book is the first 1/3 which basically serves as Cowell's biography as he recounts his privilleged upbringing as a British youth growing up on a 5 acre country estate and his eventual rise to the top of the music industry starting off as a mailroom lackey. The rest of this book is filled with musings on the 'American Idol' phenomenon and bits on what comprises a, 'Star,' that offeres interesting insight. Also of value to readers is the behind the scenes glimpses Cowell shares on how the music industry is run and how pop/rock stars are developed and herded along in their careers. While not exactly the deepest book on the music industry around Cowell's breezy writing style makes for a nice, effortless read and is certainly worth a few hours of your time if you're a fan of the show.
Rating:
Summary: This is a good book, with some excellent advice & info
Review: I have enjoyed reading this book, which gives me more respect for and understanding of Simon Cowell (& the other Am Idol judges and other insiders in the business!) and the world of pop music. He shares helpful and insightful information, and his values about determination, focus, sincerity, appreciation/gratitude, and hard work. This felt like just the right length and depth, and I recommend it to singers who think they'd like to "make it" to stardom in pop music -- his focus really is pop music, and some of his info would only work in pop music, but that info is vital and to-the-point. His last chapter's concise suggestions about how to audition are excellent. He is, much of the time, very real about his own life and development, and how important he feels mentoring and appropriate training and experience are for one who knows what he/she wants in this world. It also was often startling and sometimes fun experiencing his world and the first two seasons of American Idol from backstage and from his insider's perspective.
Rating:
Summary: an ok book
Review: This book is ok. The first 85 pages are just all about SIMON and his boring life. After that it gets a little more exciting with stories of backstage American Idol seasons 1 and 2. I would only recommend this book to big American Idol fans or just fans of Clay Aiken or Kelly Clarkson. They are two that are mentioned the most in this book.
Rating:
Summary: An insider's look into the entertainment industry
Review: This book is part autobiography and part an inside look into the music industry, and in particular American Idol.
You can divide the book into four major parts: (a) Simon's early life - very entertaining, (b) Simon's early work in the Music industry -probably, the weakest (and driest) part of the book (c) The two American Idol season's - lots of gossip, and fun, even for someone like me who only partially watched the show, and (d) How to become and survive as a pop artist - a very honest, I think, view of the brutal entertainment industry, and probably the best part of the book, especially for people who dream and aspire to become the new Madona or Justin. As you would expect, Simon is not shy about expressing his opinion, but he also never fails to aknowledge the people that helped him in his life. In other words he is not always negative, something I found very positive about him. Overall the book is fun to read. The only weak point in the book is his continuous bragging about the million records he has sold. One senses that Simon still tries to prove to the music industry and to the rest of us how smart he is. A key lesson from Simon is that pop stars don't appear out of thin air. Outside of talent and key determination, they also need a platform - a music band, a TV series, even American Idol. TV in particular seems to be Simon's favorite medium to launch a star. In summary, Simon delivers both the gossip about the American Idol but also his valuable lessons to aspiring artists.
Rating:
Summary: great!!
Review: if you love simon, and AI you will love this book, it has a lot of insight stuff from AI, and makes you look how is really simon cowell!, and is really funny.. great book!
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding, read it in one morning!
Review: This is a very enjoyable book that shows you all the hard work and knowledge behind the genius pop music judge.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: This is an excellent book. Like on the show, if someone does not under Simon or his role, he may come off as being conceited, which Simon implies may be true. I don't see it that way. I know many people similar to Simon who really are conceited, but they deny it. Not surprising. I pretty Simon to those phonies. I have liked Simon on "American Idol" for a long time. His book is very similar. You get to see how he got started and what went into his decisions. You can understand WHY he made some choices that he did. Overall, a very good book and easy reading.
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