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Stories I Only Tell My Friends: An Autobiography
by Rob Lowe

Published: 2011-04-26
Hardcover : 320 pages
3 members reading this now
22 clubs reading this now
10 members have read this book
Recommended to book clubs by 3 of 3 members

A teen idol at fifteen, an international icon and founder of the Brat Pack at twenty, and one of Hollywood's top stars to this day, Rob Lowe chronicles his experiences as a painfully misunderstood child actor in Ohio uprooted to the wild counterculture of mid-seventies Malibu, where he ...

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Introduction

A teen idol at fifteen, an international icon and founder of the Brat Pack at twenty, and one of Hollywood's top stars to this day, Rob Lowe chronicles his experiences as a painfully misunderstood child actor in Ohio uprooted to the wild counterculture of mid-seventies Malibu, where he embarked on his unrelenting pursuit of a career in Hollywood.

The Outsiders placed Lowe at the birth of the modern youth movement in the entertainment industry. During his time on The West Wing, he witnessed the surreal nexus of show business and politics both on the set and in the actual White House. And in between are deft and humorous stories of the wild excesses that marked the eighties, leading to his quest for family and sobriety.

Never mean-spirited or salacious, Lowe delivers unexpected glimpses into his successes, disappointments, relationships, and one-of-a-kind encounters with people who shaped our world over the last twenty-five years. These stories are as entertaining as they are unforgettable.

Editorial Review

No editorial review at this time.

Excerpt

Chapter 1

I had always had an affinity for him, an admiration for his easy grace, his natural charisma, despite the fact that for the better part of a decade my then girlfriend kept a picture of him running shirtless through Central Park on her refrigerator door. Maybe my lack of jealousy toward this particular pin-up was tamped down by empathy for his loss of his father and an appreciation for how complicated it is to be the subject of curiosity and objectification from a very young age. That said, when my girlfriend and others would constantly swoon over him, when I would see him continually splashed across the newspapers, resplendent like an American prince, I wasn't above the occasional male thought of: Screw that guy. ... view entire excerpt...

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Notes From the Author to the Bookclub

"A lovely autobiography, equal parts dish and pathos."--Vanity Fair

"[Lowe] writes viscerally and insightfully...He looks back at the aberrant highs of his heart-throb days, the changing nature of stardom in Hollywood, the trade-off he has made between high life and home life, and the step-by-step effort behind his show business survival. He looked like the callowest kid in the "Outsiders" crew. Now he looks like the sturdiest of them all"--The New York Times

"I really enjoyed it...Thoroughly entertaining: the Brat Pack years, the Wayne's World years, the Alcoholic Obscurity, the Glamorous Romances (Princess Stephanie of Monaco!), the Inevitable Rehab, and the Triumphant Comeback on The West Wing."--Time Magazine

"[Lowe's] charming, honest, even affectionate memoir is the story of strong guts behind a strikingly handsome face...A book to recommend widely."--Booklist

"A fresh pop-culture history of Hollywood in the ’70s and ’80s from the point of view of the man who lived it…[Lowe] is as funny as he is thoughtful. This is the best type of celeb memoir, because its author is as interested in the world as the world is interested in him."--People Magazine

"The world would be a better place if more stars’ memoirs were like Lowe’s--chatty, dishy, and with celebrity walk-ons (Tom Cruise! Sarah Jessica Parker! Princess Stephanie of Monaco! Martin Sheen!) galore. As entertaining as a Brat Pack film festival."--Parade

Book Club Recommendations

Member Reviews

Overall rating:
 
 
by Lisa M. (see profile) 05/10/24

The story was interesting and I admire Rob Lowe for his work and commitment to his family.

 
by Denise A. (see profile) 11/22/21

 
by amy b. (see profile) 09/05/19

 
  "stories I only tell my friends"by Carolyn R. (see profile) 05/11/16

three if you like to read star autobiographies. It was fair - - interesting stories and amazing situations he has been in , in his life. But I wouldn't have missed it if I didn't read it.

 
  "Great for the 40 somethings...."by Liz P. (see profile) 01/10/12

Light and easy read. Super fun to read about all of the people and situations that he just "happens" into. I have a new perspective on the live of an actor. I was also glad he didn't write a bunch of... (read more)

 
  "Perfect for an 80's Brat :))"by Rebecca D. (see profile) 01/10/12

Found this book to be a really fun & fast read. If you grew up in the 80s watching Rob Lowe movies, you will enjoy hearing all his stories of getting in the business, his chance encounters with other stars,... (read more)

 
  "Stories I Only Tell My Friends"by Barb R. (see profile) 07/13/11

Great summer read. We have read some very deep books in the past few months. It was nice to read a light, fun book!! Don't expect too much dirt on anyone, just good hollywood fun.

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