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Rating: 
Summary: For Better or Worse...
Review: I enjoyed this book very much, I felt it was well written and gutsy. Michael Landon's stepdaughter describes her father in a way that surprised me, as a human being with faults and weaknesses the same as anyone else. She didn't describe him as this wonderful, larger-than-life megastar that only had time for his work. It was humbling to know his origins, his heartaches, his humiliations growing up as a Jewish person when that wasn't the most popular thing to be. The story of his overcoming all the obstacles was heartening and enlightening, and I finally saw him as just a person, a father, husband, friend, son, brother; not just the Pa I dreamed of having on Little House, and not necessarily as angelic as Jonathan on Highway to Heaven. It is well worth the reading, and I recommend it to anyone who is/was a fan of Michael Landon.
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing
Review: I had mixed emotions after reading this book. I felt it was extremely self-serving and biased, both on the part of the writer. I feel that Michael Landon, had he wanted a book written about himself, should have been respected enough to make that decision for himself. This book wallows way too much in the emotions of the writer, often seeming whiny and desperate. It also seems to be a biography of the writer herself, not only about her stepfather. "I promised my dad" -Promised your dad to write a book about elements that were best left private and sacred, or at the very least, should have had his permission to disclose? Promised him to write a book about yourself and your own misgivings? There were also many subtle negative inferences to Michael Landon's wife Cindy, as well as her relations. This book seems to be a poor attempt to salve regret. Michael Landon deserved much, much better. I think Michael Landon's memory would have been better served through a more professional, gracious and respectful medium than the spirit in which this book was created. This book does not seem a fitting tribute to such a fine individual, actor, director, writer, husband, father, friend and grandfather.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointing
Review: I had mixed emotions after reading this book. I felt it was extremely self-serving and biased, both on the part of the writer. I feel that Michael Landon, had he wanted a book written about himself, should have been respected enough to make that decision for himself. This book wallows way too much in the emotions of the writer, often seeming whiny and desperate. It also seems to be a biography of the writer herself, not only about her stepfather. "I promised my dad" -Promised your dad to write a book about elements that were best left private and sacred, or at the very least, should have had his permission to disclose? Promised him to write a book about yourself and your own misgivings? There were also many subtle negative inferences to Michael Landon's wife Cindy, as well as her relations. This book seems to be a poor attempt to salve regret. Michael Landon deserved much, much better. I think Michael Landon's memory would have been better served through a more professional, gracious and respectful medium than the spirit in which this book was created. This book does not seem a fitting tribute to such a fine individual, actor, director, writer, husband, father, friend and grandfather.
Rating:
Summary: No Intimate Portrait of Michael Landon
Review: I totally agree with Kandice Esposito's excellent, articulate and objective synthesis of this book. Michael Landon deserves an infintely better biography than this. Michael's journey through life was not an easy one and he had both his good and less good sides as we all do. But I would like to read a book that compassionately reflects his life's journey from being a survivor of child abuse to one of the most beloved and successful individuals in the history of television. Cheryl Landon's book seems to me to be the autobiography of a needy individual not yet able to fully resolve her relationship with her late stepfather. The book is poorly written in terms of content and structure and is very poorly illustrated. There are so many wonderful and evocative photos of Michael that could have been used to make this book a collector's item for that aspect alone. I am so glad that I didn't waste my money on this book and, instead, bought the A&E Michael Landon Biography from Amazon. It is a fascinating, compassionate and respectful video that tells the viewer so much about Michael and it also contains many utterly delightful family photos as well as very interesting comments from his family, friends and colleagues. This video is a fine tribute and one that all of us who hold Michael in affection can enjoy
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