Along the Way: The Journey of a Father and Son

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Along the Way: The Journey of a Father and Son

by Martin Sheen, Emilio Estevez, Hope Edelman (Goodreads Author) (With)

3.96 of 5 stars 3.96 · rating details · 372 ratings · 103 reviews

In this remarkable dual memoir, film legend Martin Sheen and accomplished actor/filmmaker Emilio Estevez recount their lives as father and son. In alternating chapters—and in voices that are as eloquent as they are different—they tell stories spanning more than fifty years of family history, and reflect on their journeys into two different kinds of faith. At twenty-one, st...more In this remarkable dual memoir, film legend Martin Sheen and accomplished actor/filmmaker Emilio Estevez recount their lives as father and son. In alternating chapters—and in voices that are as eloquent as they are different—they tell stories spanning more than fifty years of family history, and reflect on their journeys into two different kinds of faith. At twenty-one, still a struggling actor living hand to mouth, Martin and his wife, Janet, welcomed their firstborn, Emilio, an experience of profound joy for the young couple, who soon had three more children: Ramon, Charlie, and Renée. As Martin’s career moved from stage to screen, the family moved from New York City to Malibu, while traveling together to film locations around the world, from Mexico for Catch-22 to Colorado for Badlands to the Philippines for the legendary Apocalypse Now shoot. As the firstborn, Emilio had a special relationship with Martin: They often mirrored each other’s passions and sometimes clashed in their differences. After Martin and Emilio traveled together to India for the movie Gandhi, each felt the beginnings of a spiritual awakening that soon led Martin back to his Catholic roots, and eventually led both men to Spain, from where Martin’s father had emigrated to the United States. Along the famed Camino de Santiago pilgrimage path, Emilio directed Martin in their acclaimed film, The Way, bringing three generations of Estevez men together in the region of Spain where Martin’s father was born, and near where Emilio’s own son had moved to marry and live.

With vivid, behind-the-scenes anecdotes of this multitalented father’s and son’s work with other notable actors and directors, Along the Way is a striking, stirring, funny story—a family saga that readers will recognize as universal in its rebellions and regrets, aspirations and triumphs. Strikingly candid, searchingly honest, this heartfelt portrait reveals two strong-minded, admirable men of many important roles, perhaps the greatest of which are as fathers and sons.(less)

Hardcover, 432 pages

Published May 8th 2012 by Atria Books (first published January 1st 2012)

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Apr 13, 2013 Bev rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: audio-book, autobiography, non-fiction, show-biz

In 2012, Emilio Estevez wrote and directed (and had a small role in) a movie called The Way, starring his father, Martin Sheen. It tells the story of a man whose son dies on his first day walking the Camina de Santiago, an 800 km road from St. Jean Pied de Port in the French Pyrenees to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. The man goes to France to retrieve his son's body and decides to have it cremated and take it on the pilgrimage himself. It is a voyage of discovery and in making the film Sheen (...more

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Mar 17, 2013 Jefroe20 rated it 4 of 5 stars

I liked the idea from the start.Have never read a 'co-written' bio. Although it had a ghost writer (Hope Edelman,),both their thoughts and personalities come through strongly.As a Father,I found it painful to read at times,as the Father /Son relationship is universal. And has been since the stone age.Martin comes across as a very emotional man,who didn't have the career he should have had.mainly because he wouldn't play the 'Hollywood Game'.He was his own worst enemy,I feel,who blamed everyone...more

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Feb 05, 2013 Roberta rated it 4 of 5 stars

I recently enjoyed the film "The Way" about a pilgrimage by a grieving father on Spain's El Camino de Santiago, so when I saw the book Along the Way on the library's Book to Film shelf I knew it was my next read. It's a memoir written jointly by Martin Sheen and his oldest son, Emilio Estevez. They both starred in the film for which Estevez also wrote the script and directed. The two of them alternate chapters in the book, which is very personal, humorous, and quite moving, and it's not just abo...more I recently enjoyed the film "The Way" about a pilgrimage by a grieving father on Spain's El Camino de Santiago, so when I saw the book Along the Way on the library's Book to Film shelf I knew it was my next read. It's a memoir written jointly by Martin Sheen and his oldest son, Emilio Estevez. They both starred in the film for which Estevez also wrote the script and directed. The two of them alternate chapters in the book, which is very personal, humorous, and quite moving, and it's not just about the making of the film together.

Sheen, born Ramon Antonio Gerardo Estevez, is a man I've long admired for his acting talent but also for his peace and social justice work. But, like all of us, he's had his struggles not only as an actor trying to support a family of four in his early career, but also personal battles with alcohol and anger (not unlike some of Charlie Sheen's troubles). Nevertheless, he and his wife Janet, an artist, have been married for 50 years. When the children were young, the family traveled with Martin to various locations around the world. One of the shocking stories was of Janet shaking out the bedding in Mexico before the children climbed into bed; she was looking for scorpions!

Emilio kept the family's name as a film-maker, director, and actor; by the time he came along perhaps our society was less prejudicial. His stories of his career, his early and unplanned parenthood, his relationship with his dad with whom he attended a Robert Bly men's group weekend, and his planting of a vineyard in his front yard in Malibu also makes interesting reading.

In the center of the book are photos of the family, including paternal grandfather, Francisco Estevez Martinez of the Galicia region of northern Spain. Emilio shares this at the end of the book:

"Our family is not unique in terms of dealing with alcoholism or competition or arguments about faith. But we may be unique at least by Hollywood standards, in that we're still together. So many families around us have fragmented and dismissed and abandoned one another. That's something my father has never done. He always hung in there, with each one of us through everything we've faced, and he always finds the will to forgive. That, I think, is his greatest lesson of all."

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Aug 12, 2012 Sasha rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: biography, travel

Absolutely fantastic memoir! Amazing writing, revelations, and insights. One of my favourite parts is Martin saying "I've known Emilio all my life". All the travel stories and all the bits about other actors and people in the business are really enlightening and fascinating, while the constant self-awareness, groundedness, and solidity of the two men are admirable and inspiring.

I wish there was at least a single photo of Janet included, but I guess for privacy reasons it wasn't possible. It see...more

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Jul 31, 2012 Manny rated it 5 of 5 stars

Amazing story of father and son. Ramón Antonio Gerardo Estévez AKA Martin Sheen and son Emilio Estévez take you on a journey through their lives. I was never a hard core fan of any of the Sheen/Estevez clan until this book. WOW! What a life young Emilio and the rest of his brothers and sister lived. They were jet-setting all around the world while their father Ramon (Martin) was on location filming movies.

It is written in a way where the father reflects on a time period and then Emilio does the...more

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Jul 25, 2012 MaryEllen rated it 5 of 5 stars

Couldn't put it down! First of all — it's one of a kind: a father/son memoir jointly written. Second — what lives they've lived! What stories, what struggle, what love! Just absolutely unflinchingly (as the LA Times says) in its honesty — and as a result, incredibly inspiring and moving. It in itself should be a movie! Now I want to go back a re-watch a whole bunch of their films, knowing the backstories.

Also, it is paced alongside the making of the movie "The Way" — the most recent father/son...more Couldn't put it down! First of all — it's one of a kind: a father/son memoir jointly written. Second — what lives they've lived! What stories, what struggle, what love! Just absolutely unflinchingly (as the LA Times says) in its honesty — and as a result, incredibly inspiring and moving. It in itself should be a movie! Now I want to go back a re-watch a whole bunch of their films, knowing the backstories.

Also, it is paced alongside the making of the movie "The Way" — the most recent father/son collaboration between Martin and Emilio that takes place along the famed Camino de Santiago in Spain - a pilgrimage, a father/son story itself, and a film I loved and highly recommend.

This memoir is also the artist's way — a story of a father, an artist, who passed on ethics, courage, and a deep love for family to his son. Anyone who saw Martin Sheen's episode of "Who Do You Think You Are," where he explores his Spanish and Irish heritages, will also recognize some of the story that's expanded upon here. Because this is also, inevitably, a story of grandfathers and grandmothers too. Of how fathers teach their sons, in one way or another. It's a story of a semi-nomadic artists' life, a family who travels as much as possible with their father's work and locations, and who have incredible experiences, bonding, fighting and loving because of it. It's a story of the struggling artist doing what's necessary to survive financially and still be true to an artists calling, and keeping his family close. It's a story of rebellions within and without the family — refusing to kowtow to sycophantic Hollywood "friendships" and insisting on forging friendships of integrity and value beyond the next job.

From harrowing tales in the Philippines during the filming of Apocalypse Now, to the recent father/son collaboration along the Camino de Santiago — a tale of spiritual transformation through this centuries-old pilgrimage in the Pyrenees Mountains of Spain and France, this is a spell-binding feat of story-telling. Rarely do we get such strength, loyalty and love lasting lifetimes coming out of Hollywood.

Thank you Martin & Emilio for the experience, strength and hope shared here. Many blessing wished for the Sheen/Estevez's. (less)

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Jul 23, 2012 Rachel Choate rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is an interesting take on the autobiography, working two stories into one and exploring the relationship between fathers and sons. Perhaps because of my interest in immigrant stories, I found Martin's story really fascinating as it revolved around his Spanish father, Irish mother and home in Dayton, Ohio. His honesty about his struggles with alcohol and in becoming a husband and father so young is refreshing. I found his story humble and interesting to read. I found myself wanting to go wat...more

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Jun 25, 2012 Teri Kelly rated it 2 of 5 stars

Emilio, having always used the ‘family’ name, has just finished editing the movie of the same name, starring his old man. He has this great idea, why not write a book with pop about their father son journey. Pop, is up for it. Enter a leading literary agent and his entourage, wined and dined at Emilio’s very own winery. That is how good literary business is conducted. The result of that meeting, overlooking the twinkling stars of some place tinselly, is this subsequent tome. A fleshy two person...more Emilio, having always used the ‘family’ name, has just finished editing the movie of the same name, starring his old man. He has this great idea, why not write a book with pop about their father son journey. Pop, is up for it. Enter a leading literary agent and his entourage, wined and dined at Emilio’s very own winery. That is how good literary business is conducted. The result of that meeting, overlooking the twinkling stars of some place tinselly, is this subsequent tome. A fleshy two person account of the trials and tribulations of being Martin Sheen and Emilio Estevez, and before you ask, Charlie still don’t surf, apparently.
Intrinsically, name-dropping and air miles aside, the Estevez/Sheen family tale is no different from the story of every family, of every father and son, of every house on every street corner, with the addition of a fistful of bucks. It’s the latter of course, and the big screen/small screen credits, that have emulsified this rather ordinary ode with star appeal. Yes, there’s alcoholism, Catholicism, realisation and communal living featuring a raging Sean Penn and a smouldering Demi Moore. There’s abandoned kids, reformed fathers, wayward brothers and, one supposes, a mother or two somewhere along the way. Taking aside the anecdotal account of Dennis Hopper’s antics offset during the making of Apocalypse Now, and Estevez’s substantial debt to Repo Man, all ends up well, with teetotaller Father Sheen dropping by elder son’s vineyard on a regular basis to bond with nature. Everyone is a fan in this book, a fan of their old man, a fan of the Pope, a fan of Ghandi, a fan of Robert de Niro . . . and Emilio wonders why he got born so lucky, could live on ranches and flick on a tap for crystal clear mountain water – money, kid, that’s how. It’s been a long walk from the Ambassador Hotel to Rodeo Drive, but, the Sheen’s are still smiling, and rightfully so. The old west winger and his young guns have done triple-good, maybe there’s a trilogy in this?

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May 24, 2012 Trevor Emmitt rated it 3 of 5 stars

Ramon (Martin Sheen) and Emilio Estevez have written a poignant joint-memoir that grew, seemingly organically, out of the movie they made together along the Camino de Santiago in Spain - the Estevez written/directed "The Way". The result explains the history of the Estevez clan's transformation from working class Dayton, OH to the theaters of New York to, eventually, Hollywood. The story is as surprising as it is inspirational - but the history is not all moonlight and roses. Sheen drags Emilio...more

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Jun 26, 2012 Elizabeth-Anne rated it 3 of 5 stars

I loved The Way, (the film Emilio Estavez directed starring his father, Sheen) and an admirer of the work of both men, so was really looking forward to reading this memoir. Unfortunately I came away somewhat disappointed. There are sections that are very interesting - most notably Sheen's childhood and both his and his son's accounts of the filming of Apocalypse Now - and the book is enjoyable to read with the difference between the men's voices well realised by their ghost writer. However I was...more

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Sep 06, 2012 Lisse rated it 3 of 5 stars

Martin Sheen has been an idol of mine since I was 13 and learned of his work with social justice issues. I am always excited to read anything about him...even better that this is partly written by him.
(top paragraph written before I read the book)

Okay...so if you are either a Martin Sheen or Emilio Estevez fan you will probably enjoy this book. If you enjoy hearing about what goes on during movie productions you also will probably enjoy this. If none of this applies to you, this book might not...more

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Jun 07, 2012 Mary Frances rated it 3 of 5 stars

I was surprised at how self-absorbed both Sheen and Estevez sound in this memoir. While they both talk about their spiritual growth, they both seem strangely mired in self-regard. Sheen gave up drinking after many years, but was a 'dry drunk' for a while afterwards. He went to Al-anon only when his son Charley began his slide into addiction. Estevez seems to have embraced a self-focused life that still dodges true commitment (may broken relationships and kids born outside of marriage, now an 8 y...more

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Feb 16, 2013 Laurel rated it 4 of 5 stars

Like most of us who so enjoyed Martin Sheen as President Bartlett on The West Wing, I enjoy any movie that features Martin Sheen as a good guy. I found this book after watching The Way at a film festival. The DVD promoted Along the Way, a dual memoir by the star of the film and his son, Emilio Estevez, the director, as well as Off the Road, by Jack Hitt, the original story on which the film was based. I have enjoyed all three. The best part of all is that I now feel that I have backpacked for 50...more

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Jul 19, 2012 Heidi rated it 5 of 5 stars

My husband and I watched "The Way" and really liked the movie...lo and behold, the next morning this book was calling my name from the library shelves. I didn't even know they had written this biography/autobiography together. I'm not normally a non-fiction reader, but I'm trying to branch out these days. I really enjoyed this book! I like how both of their memoirs are preserved and entwined. The back and forth voices aren't too much. I was glad to have seen the movie, so that I could better app...more

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Sep 01, 2012 Noel rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Saw this at out library and thought...why not.
I enjoyed reading the book which is mostly about their relationship as father and son with a sprinkling of Hollywood thrown in. I liked the way the chapters were alternated and you would see one persons perspective and then the others.

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Aug 27, 2012 Mary Anne rated it 4 of 5 stars

I thought Along the Way would be more about the making of the movie “The Way” which I watched twice, but the chapters relating to the making of the movie provided the framework for the stories of Martin Sheen and his son Emilio Estevez. The reader gets to know these two men as they share their family history and their personal journeys and the making of the film together in Spain. I found the book very interesting and one that I couldn’t put down. I knew a bit about Martin Sheen and his commitme...more

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May 19, 2012 Bonnie rated it 4 of 5 stars

I've read a number of (auto)biographies in the past year or two, many of them celebrities from the 1980's that I "grew up with". The draw for Along the Way though was not particularly Brat Packer Emilio Estevez but his famous father, Martin Sheen, an actor I will always love, and think of, as President Jed Bartlet of The West Wing. The book traces their lives and careers with intermissions of a sort in the present day as they filmed The Way together in Spain along the Camino de Santiago de Compo...more

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Oct 31, 2012 Angela rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is one of my favorite celebrity autobiographies. It starts out a little slow, but as I got to know the two main "characters" I had a hard time putting it down. The book interweaves autobiographies of a father and son and illustrates the separation/individuation/maturation process that they go through together in their relationship. Both Martin Sheen and Emilio Estevez are at their strongest when they write about their personal feelings. They write with honesty and thoughtfulness about somet...more

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Jun 03, 2012 Phil rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: other, spiritual-content

I found the Emilio Estevez film, The Way, OK. Not as "religious" as I expected or hoped, but a rather secular treatment of how a person can discover who he is or desires to be(come). It struck me more as "New Age" in its spirituality, and not the Catholicism upon which the pilgrimage has been based for one thousand years.

This book is not exactly a tie-in, although there are many chapters relating to the film, but which really did not add much, other than somewhat interesting anecdotes.

But I plow...more

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Oct 17, 2012 Beth Willis rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: audiobook

I am not one who enjoys memoirs, but after watching "The Way," including the commentary track, I was so intrigued that I wanted more. I was pleasantly surprised with this book.

I listened to the audiobook version, narrated by Sheen and Estevez. They share the good and bad, the joyful and painful experiences of their lives as actors seeking fame and recognition, and their relationship as father and son.

Sheen in particular has much wisdom to impart, having lived a very intense life. His is a fasc...more

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Sep 27, 2012 Suzanna rated it 3 of 5 stars

I was interested in reading this because of The Way, my favorite film of 2011. This dual memoir, alternating chapters by each author, is framed by some discussion of the film, which Martin Sheen and Emilio Estevez made together. Anecdotes from Martin (Ramon) about his Irish Catholic/Spanish Catholic upbringing were incredibly touching. I skipped over several of the chapters that had Emilio talking about making film versions of S.E. Hinton novels (just not interesting to me).
I felt that Martin c...more

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Sep 05, 2012 Paul Hunsberger rated it 5 of 5 stars

This was one of the better biographies I have read recently. It is a very frank and honest memoir. Emilio speaks openly about his early struggles with fatherhood, where Martin is very candid about his battles with alcohol. Both writers are open about their struggles in their careers, with spirituality and their relationship with each other. I enjoyed the way the book was set up with Martin and Emilio writing their own individual chapters, instead of one continous narrative. It offered a unique p...more

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Aug 31, 2012 Marie rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: biography, memoirs, nonfiction

The balance of input from Sheen and Estevez was wonderful. It was interesting to see the development of the relationship between this famous father and son. Honest, suprising, and intriguing.

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Aug 20, 2012 Lee Ann rated it 3 of 5 stars

A friend who had recently seen the Estevez/Sheen film The Way recommended this book. It's an interesting look at a father/son relationship over the years, including years of teen angst and parent drinking to a very loving relationship today. Not that they weren't loving in the difficult years. I also enjoyed Martin Sheen spiritual journey during the book. In his final chapter, Martin also has a note to his other children, Ramon, Charlie, and Renee, who are referenced throughout the book. He lets...more

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Jul 25, 2012 Mary rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Having been a longtime fan of both Martin Sheen & Emilio Estevez .. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and BTW the film The Way is excellent .. highly recommend!

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Sep 14, 2012 René rated it 3 of 5 stars

It was good. Dragged a bit at the end, especially Emilio's chapters--perhaps because he's still only middle-aged and there's less closure for him to round out the book with. Not that Martin's on his death bed or anything, but his chapters had more experience (including a longer experience with personal wisdom and peace) to offer and so his story comes full circle and feels more emotionally satisfying by the end. Emilio's last chapters (especially the one on the Iron John/Robert Bly workshop he a...more

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Nov 29, 2012 Sam rated it 3 of 5 stars

Not great. Self-aggrandizing, and even preachy at times, ALONG THE WAY falls right into the memoir trap of assuming the reader is already invested in the life of the writer. I love Martin Sheen, but I was looking for universal themes here and, while he does deliver them now and then, both he and especially Estevez get so caught up in their own biographies that meaning is often all but bleached out. Something of the "white whine-er" in Estevez, too, who seems so plauged by his own good fortune. H...more

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Sep 24, 2012 Berry Simpson rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-books

I read this book because I was so moved by the movie by Sheen and Estevez titled, "The Way." I followed the movie to the book.
I am glad I did. It was an exceptional memoir, and the alternating chapters/authors worked very well. Seldom do memoirs give a complete picture, but having both father and son write about the same time periods filled out the stories.
Surprisingly, it was a good book for fathers. While both men struggled as fathers, they are open and honest about it, and their discussion be...more

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Sep 04, 2012 Steven Hartman rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Great memoir

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Jan 14, 2013 Chris rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: biography

A very intimate and revealing look into the lives of the Sheen/Estevez family. It's told with a lot of candidness and sincerity. At times you are enthralled and at other times you are wishing it would move on. Having seen their collaboration on the movie "The Way" I was curious about their family dynamic given Martin's social disobedience, Charlie's outrageous behavior, etc.. This book has moments that are as touching as the film. Martin and Emilio take turns writing chapters about their lives....more

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