Paul Newman, the Oscar-winning actor with the legendary blue eyes, achieved superstar status by playing charismatic renegades, broken heroes, and w...
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Jun 18, 2009
Diane
rated it: 
Paul Newman is one of our true movie stars, back when that phrase really meant something. His death last year reminded us what a unique individual he was- an actor, movie star, race car driver, husband, father, grandfather, businessman, humanitarian.
Shawn Levy has written a new biography, titled PAUL NEWMAN- A LIFE. And it was quite a life he lived. I vividly remember my mother taking me to see "The Sting", starring Newman and Robert Redford. It was one of the first grown More...
Shawn Levy has written a new biography, titled PAUL NEWMAN- A LIFE. And it was quite a life he lived. I vividly remember my mother taking me to see "The Sting", starring Newman and Robert Redford. It was one of the first grown More...
Jan 27, 2010
Martha
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This was a very interesting read. The book is well researched, largely avoiding the gossip that characterizes many celebrity profiles. Very detailed, it nonetheless held my attention throughout (though some of the most intimate details left me feeling a bit uncomfortable). Levy draws a well-rounded picture of his subject, referring throughout the book to the themes that characterized Newman's life: luck, gratitude, focus and passion for his pursuits, love for family, involvement in the
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Aug 04, 2009
Julie
rated it: 
Interesting but laborious ... lots and lots of detail, but in no particular order ... Most biographies are written in chronological order or at least by subject matter, but this one was like someone threw information pick-up-sticks in the air and wrote it like they landed. ..sometimes with duplications. For someone as accomplished as Paul Newman, I expected a better read. Some similarities of other Hollywood men - booze, infidelity, lousy at being a father while his children were growing up,
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Feb 24, 2011
Bethany
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Jun 19, 2009
Barbara
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This book is certainly worth the read. There are two things that are going against me at this point. I have always been a hugh admirer of Paul Newman, perhaps more for his humanitarian work than for his acting, althought I certainly appreciated that aspect of Newman. I feel that I am getting to know a little too much, a private life that should be kept private, they way he chose to live it. I remember one of the occasions I was fortunate enough to see him perform in person in CT, I brought a pai
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Jun 08, 2009
Marla
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This biography tells about Paul Newman's youth in Ohio, love of the stage, work ethic and the way he liked to joke. The book displays him as a nice guy, who knew his faults. He never felt comfortable with his good looks, which may be why he enjoyed playing dark characters in the movies. The book talks about his marriage to his soulmate, Joanne Woodward, and their fifty years together. This is a well-researched book. I learned some new facts about Paul Newman, who was known for guarding his
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Dec 24, 2011
Wendy
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My Runner-Up for best Non-Fiction or BIO that I've read in 2011!
Truly one of the better (or best) biographies I've read, although I'm not sure if that's due to the writing of author Shawn Levy or the subject he was writing on.
Paul Newman certainly didn't have a closet full of skeletons and didn't lead a dramatic life worthy of tabloid gossip. So it may have been easy for Shawn Levy to give the world such a great bio on Paul Newman, the "husband, father, actor, movie st More...
Truly one of the better (or best) biographies I've read, although I'm not sure if that's due to the writing of author Shawn Levy or the subject he was writing on.
Paul Newman certainly didn't have a closet full of skeletons and didn't lead a dramatic life worthy of tabloid gossip. So it may have been easy for Shawn Levy to give the world such a great bio on Paul Newman, the "husband, father, actor, movie st More...
Jun 07, 2009
Matt
rated it:
Full disclosure: Levy covers film at the Oregonian, and we know each other. But I've been enjoying an advance proof of this book, immensely.
Levy's theory is that Newman may not have been the best actor of the 20th century (Brando! Brando! Brando!) but that he was the most American.
When he first got to New York, Newman sold encyclopedias from his apartment in Long Island in the afternoons, after touring all the agents' offices in the morning in a white suit, for several More...
Levy's theory is that Newman may not have been the best actor of the 20th century (Brando! Brando! Brando!) but that he was the most American.
When he first got to New York, Newman sold encyclopedias from his apartment in Long Island in the afternoons, after touring all the agents' offices in the morning in a white suit, for several More...
Dec 07, 2011
Msstressa
rated it:
A well written and well researched book. It gets a little repetitive at times (especially in the multiple wins at racing - so many!), but only because of the length and breadth of Newman's career. I also had no idea that he drank *that* much beer all the time! If you are a fan of Paul Newman's movies, or food business, or philanthropy, this is an excellent documentation of a long life truly well lived. May we all be able to say at the end of our days, "It's been a privilege to be here."
Sep 17, 2009
Jan
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Wow! Quite a guy- he was not only a terrific actor but an amazing human being. A very complete biography, and well-done; it had a little too much info on all the films he made, for my taste- that became tiresome. He certainly lived a full life- born in Cleveland, dad owned a big sporting goods store but Paul was never any good at sports, WWII vet, college grad, married young and had three kids. Joanne was his second wife, with whom he had three more kids. A heavy drinker most of his life.
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Nov 12, 2009
Medora
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I enjoyed reading about Paul in this even handed biography. It was very well researched and well presented, although the chronology was a bit scrabbled at times. Part saint, part sinner, and always ready with a gag, Paul led a fascinating life made more interesting to me by the fact that our paths crossed & almost crossed a few times! Even if you don't want to read the book, you may enjoy the cover photograph!
Feb 20, 2010
Enjoyed this very extensive biography of Paul Newman. There is alot of detail...sometimes too much...but he had a very full and busy life! Levy really captures this man, and portrays him as a good and generous soul but also a man with faults and issues. A very human portrayal of someone who was very lucky (self-described) and very hard-working. And what a beauty!
Jun 19, 2009
Rob
rated it:
A perfectly acceptable biography. It's nothing special, but Levy does avoid meaningless gossip for the most part. There is some repetition of facts (okay, Paul Newman drank a case of beer every day, you don't have to keep reminding us!) and there are definite gaps in the story since it's an unauthorized biography. It will do until someone else can really delve into this remarkable man's life.
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Jan 23, 2011
Frederic
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More an overview of the film career than a real biography,this competently written Cut@Paste Job is interesting as an introduction to the Body of Work for those who may know only the iconic films...Cut@ Paste sounds pejorative...I just meant that the whole book is Secondary Sources...well put together,though...
Dec 05, 2009
Pat
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A fairly decent biography targeted more on his film and theater career than on his personal life. There would not appear to be much new here from a personal point of view except what Levy has been able to dig up from public records. Good job as far as it goes, but really doesn't get to the man himself.
Sep 21, 2009
Jamie
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I love Paul Newman on the screen and in the news, but I should have known better than to invest so much time in a biography about a man who was notoriously private his entire life. The book seemed to me to be a not terribly exciting compilation of the little information that was already pretty well known.
Oct 31, 2009
Kay
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This is a complete book on Newman's life. It was a little too detailed for me and I found it boring. I will give the author credit - he does stick to facts which I appreciate instead of gossip which may or may not be true. I would rate it 2 1/2 stars if they had that rating.
Nov 24, 2009
Marty
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I liked the book, and it was written by a Portland author, but I found it jumped around in years. Also I was not interested in the auto racing, or his politics. There was little dish but over all, I liked the info. Paul was one of the greats, but only human and Shawn Levy did not try to make him out to be other than he was, a great actor.
May 05, 2010
Cindy
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As a fan of Paul Newman movies and an admirer of his successful marriage to Joanne Woodward (so rare in Hollywood), this was a must read for me. Paul Newman guarded his private life, so this book did not contain "juicy gossip" as some other tell alls. At times when the author stuck in editorials..it drug a bit..but I found I could skip over those pages. My admiration for Paul Newman as an actor, man and of course as a philantropist was enhanced..and I would like to go back and watch ag
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Oct 23, 2009
Sueldecker
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I have always been a huge Paul Newman fan, but I wondered how this book could be so long. Then the surprise was that not only is it about Paul Newman, but it is an interesting history of the film industry during the time he was acting.
Jul 12, 2011
Julie
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Love reading about the old icons. I was surprised at how much respect I gained for his accomplishments. Overkill on the deatails, yet it was fun to learn Frank McCourt taped scripts for him when he needed to practice the brogue.
Jan 11, 2011
Jennifer
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I love Paul Newman, so I couldn't help but enjoy the book--though there were some things that I didn't want to know. The book was slightly disorganized, but it stuck in my head. I found myself thinking about it for days after.
May 22, 2009
Kmelloy
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Paul Newman was an ordinary joe who found his way, almost despite himself, into America's creative, political, and philanthropic spotlights... and comported himself (mostly) with grace and sincerity, if not always with class.
May 23, 2011
Scott
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Good, comprehensive study of a very conflicted actor, a man who fought his own image while embracing it at the same time. a well written work by a hometown (for me) boy, Shawn levy, film critic of The Oregonian here in Portland. Good job, sir.
Jul 02, 2009
I love Paul Newman and this got a good review in Parade magazine. The review said this book was extensively researched. I'm sure there are plenty of things the public didn't know, since he was such a private person.
Nov 01, 2009
Brian
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Very informative book about one of my favorite actors. The author showed Newman to be a normal person with a mixture of flaws but also some very commendable character traits.
Jan 17, 2010
Maureen
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The man is gorgeous! Is life was sooo normal! I skimmed near the end because I thought some of the detail was boring. Over all I enjoyed the book.
May 17, 2009
Michael
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This is a good book on the actor's career who seems to have been just as nice a person as he was portrayed in the news and the charities he dealt with.
Jul 17, 2011
Michael
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The author covered it all...acting, philanthropy, race car driving, his perfect marriage with Joanne Woodward. He was Paul Newman. 'Nuff said.
Sep 17, 2009
Irene
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finished the bk and found that it was a story of a man who used his wealth in the single pursuit of helping others. It just made me like him even more as a man, husband father and community leader.
