Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
8th out of 8 books
—
7 voters
When I Stop Talking, You'll Know I'm Dead: Useful Stories from a Persuasive Man
Here is the story of Jerry Weintraub: the self-made, Brooklyn-born, Bronx-raised impresario, Hollywood producer, legendary deal maker, and friend of politicians and stars. No matter where nature has placed him--the club rooms of Brooklyn, the Mafia dives of New York's Lower East Side, the wilds of Alaska, or the hills of Hollywood--he has found a way to put on a show and s...more
Hardcover, 304 pages
Published
April 7th 2010
by Twelve
(first published 2010)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
1,564)
This was like sitting down and hearing stories from the funniest, coolest man in the world - the man who has lived an unreal life and reveals much of it here. Jerry Weintraub grew up in the Bronx and went on to become an extremely successful producer for music (Elvis, Sinatra, John Denver) and movies (Karate Kid, Ocean's 11, 12, 13 and more).
Some quotes I liked:
"The point is, do not get attached to the world as it is, because the world is changing, something new is coming, every ten years a bi...more
Some quotes I liked:
"The point is, do not get attached to the world as it is, because the world is changing, something new is coming, every ten years a bi...more
This was an interesting and well-written book. I had never actually heard of the author before I read the book, so I was astonished to learn that he was such a Hollywood insider. He worked on Oceans 11 with Brad Pitt, et. al. and the guys liked him so much that when they were given spaces to put their hand prints in the cement at Grauman's Chinese Theater, they actually insisted that he join them and put his hand prints in as well.
He was friends with Armand Hammer and actually accompanied him t...more
He was friends with Armand Hammer and actually accompanied him t...more
view all 3 comments
This book was a page turner .. especially for someone in my age group (and older). Weintraub drops names like crazy ... musicians, actors, politicians and directors. He's 74 now, has a wife who was a music star in her day (they have been married for over 50 years) plus a girlfriend for over twenty years!
He promoted Elvis (was partners with the Colonel and was one of the first people they called when Elvis died), was the driving force behind John Denver, brought Frank Sinatra out of retirement t...more
He promoted Elvis (was partners with the Colonel and was one of the first people they called when Elvis died), was the driving force behind John Denver, brought Frank Sinatra out of retirement t...more
I'm not sure why I put this book on my list from the library. Inasmuch as it was insight into the world of a person I'd never meet (nor want to), it only supported the cliche that movie/Broadway show producers are fast-talking and self-glorying. Weintraub seems to have no doubt that he was a good and faithful husband (despite tales of 1970s debauchery), though admits he might not have been the best dad because he wasn't home a lot of the time (ever). Reflection isn't his strong point.
My favorite...more
My favorite...more
1 like · like · see review
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Ok, so he didn’t close Arthur Godfrey. He got Elvis, and Sinatra, and Dylan and Zeppelin. He produced movies ranging from Robert Altman’s ‘Nashville’ to ‘The Karate Kid’ to the star-packed successful remakes of the ‘Oceans’ series (‘Eleven,’ ‘Twelve’ and ‘Thirteen.’) He even counts world leaders like George Bush, Jimmy Carter and the late Armand Hammer his friends.
Meet the real Mr. Showbiz. Meet Jerry Weintraub.
Hard to believe that one man went from being a young New York talent agent to managin...more
Meet the real Mr. Showbiz. Meet Jerry Weintraub.
Hard to believe that one man went from being a young New York talent agent to managin...more
Jerry Weintraub has led an almost Zelig like life, in the room with all the big names of the past 60 years, intimates as diverse as Led Zepplin, Jimmy Carter, Sinatra -- the list is endless and fascinating. His chapter about experiences with Armand Hammer reads almost like fiction. He is the beneficiary of more than a little luck, and if the word chutzpah hadn't been invented, it would have to have been made up for him. But he is more than an operator, a player -- his basic honest nature forged...more
It's hard to believe that I've gone this far through life without ever noticing the name "Jerry Weintraub." I was attracted to the audiobook based on the title, not knowing who the author was. But he's been influential in just about everything you can name in my lifetime, while making a fortune for himself. He took Elvis on a national tour before there were national tours. He was friends with George HW Bush. He was friends with Jimmy Carter. He was friends with Armand Hammer. He made John Denver...more
I so enjoyed listening to this book; I can't imagine anyone but the author reading it. I don't think people live lives like his anymore - talk about doing everything and knowing everyone! Hearing his story was a little like being swept away on a glamourous mini-vacation.
However, I'm not sure I'd like to know this man in person. I was left thinking, "Well! Isn't he the delightful little sheister!" He's probably not actually "little", per se. Still. From my perspective, he seems just this side of...more
However, I'm not sure I'd like to know this man in person. I was left thinking, "Well! Isn't he the delightful little sheister!" He's probably not actually "little", per se. Still. From my perspective, he seems just this side of...more
Showbiz stories and reflections from one of the top Illuminati figures in Hollywood. Lots of name-dropping and self-aggrandizement. But damn are these good stories. You might not know Jerry Weintraub by name, but trust me: this guy had his hand in some of everything. No Boutros? He started out as your typical lowly, madd suspect Broadway Danny Rose-style talent manager, putting on puppet shows and shit. Then he married a much older woman who happened to be friends with George HW Bush, back befor...more
Jerry Weintraub loves Jerry Weintraub and believes that Jerry Weintraub has led a fascinating life. As a result, Jerry Weintraub loves to tell stories about Jerry Weintraub. Here, Jerry Weintraub tells a lot of them, about promoting stars and making deals. Most are quite short. Many are compelling. Weintraub dispenses show business gossip, Mafia talk, family tales, accounts of rock music and movie excesses, and instructions for a successful career in promoting, agenting, managing and producing,...more
2 likes · like · see review
NOSAUCE BOOK REVIEW - WHEN I STOP TALKING, YOU WILL KNOW I’M DEAD by Jerry Weintraub
So I bought this because Jerry was on Ellen (I am obsessed with Ellen) and his life sounded so interesting. He co-managed Elvis. He managed Frank Sinatra. He managed Led Zepplin. He managed so many actors, celebrities, personalities, it was amazing. He also directed the Oceans movies (11, 12, and 13).
The early years, him growing up, his family, learning the business, starting out and working with these legends wa...more
So I bought this because Jerry was on Ellen (I am obsessed with Ellen) and his life sounded so interesting. He co-managed Elvis. He managed Frank Sinatra. He managed Led Zepplin. He managed so many actors, celebrities, personalities, it was amazing. He also directed the Oceans movies (11, 12, and 13).
The early years, him growing up, his family, learning the business, starting out and working with these legends wa...more
Well, I can mark my first audiobook off my list! I won this in a challenge and immediately put it into my car cd player to enjoy to and fro work. Although, this wouldn't be a book I would immediately pick out, I was excited to use it as a test to see if I would enjoy the audiobook genre. As far as audiobooks - I enjoy, but I don't know that I could listen to fiction and read another fiction book and keep it all together.
Now as far as this "book." It was interesting. It was definitely not in my...more
Now as far as this "book." It was interesting. It was definitely not in my...more
Weintraub's biography is pretty self-indulgent. He seems to have left out the parts where he was good at his job and deserved the success. Too many times he seemed to be rewarded for simply doing what he should have done, or bullshitting his way into something he wanted.
It's also worth mentioning that he told all these stories to someone, who then wrote it down for him and (in my case) had him read it aloud. The only time I really believed any of the conviction in his stories was when he got cho...more
It's also worth mentioning that he told all these stories to someone, who then wrote it down for him and (in my case) had him read it aloud. The only time I really believed any of the conviction in his stories was when he got cho...more
Jerry Weintraub was/is a Hollywood producer, deal maker and all around impresario. If you like a book about the behind the scenes stories of the world of entertainment. I should note very funny and entertaining stories about the following people... Elvis Presley, Colonel Tom Parker (Elvis's manager), Sinatra and the infamous Rat Pack, George Clooney, Bruce Willis, George Bush (41), Armand Hammer, John Denver, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Bob Dylan, Led Zeppelin, John Denver and Bobby Fischer just to n...more
Probably the most entertaining memoir I have ever read. Jerry is not the best writer, but he has a wonderful voice that brought the story alive. I loved all of his stories and each chapter made me either laugh or cry. Jerry's anecdotes were never long or boring - they all had good meat, and all added something to the story of his life. There were even a few key points that I took away from his life that I jotted down as notes to myself. Jerry has gained a lot of wisdom from doing what he does fo...more
1 like · like · see review
Weintraub tells his story in a bold,a tad arrogant and un-politically correct voice. When I Stop Talking is an edgy and honest (but refreshingly spare in his criticism of stars, colleagues and family,) memoir of Weintraub's own life swings into the rat pack of the Sinatra days, to the rat pack of the George Cloony-Brad Pitt days, and everyone else he managed or "created" ranging from John Denver to Elvis Presley.
What I liked most about this book is Weintraub's flaming entrepreneurial spirit, al...more
What I liked most about this book is Weintraub's flaming entrepreneurial spirit, al...more
This book was a gift. I didn't know who Jerry Weintraub was, so I really didn't care to read it. I gave it a try, and guess what, turns out I do know Jerry Weintraub, or at least I know so many things he was involved in. Promoting Elvis, John Denver, The Karate Kid, Oceans 11, the list truly goes on and on.
The stories are amazing. If find now that I will sit with a group of people, and tell one of Jerry's stories as if it was my own, and everyone gives me a good laugh, or a wow.
There are books...more
The stories are amazing. If find now that I will sit with a group of people, and tell one of Jerry's stories as if it was my own, and everyone gives me a good laugh, or a wow.
There are books...more
Another autobio on someone I didn't know much about and who I thought I would like. This book is totally for anyone who wants to be a producer in Hollywood. This was a good book on that topic. All I knew about Jerry Weintraub was that he made the new Ocean's movies. (LOVE THEM!!!) I didn't know anything about his background and something I liked about this book was that he talked a lot about his past, which is not really in the movies, but more into music. Plus, the book was nearly all professio...more
Honestly, I am surprised I read this book. When I first heard of it when Jerry was on the Ellen show, I found him interesting but not enough to read it. Last week I downloaded a sample and that was all it took: I was hooked. From stories about Elvis and Sinatra all the way til Oceans 11, I enjoyed this speedy read. I also enjoyed hearing his life and work lessons, especially since my choices were somewhat different: for me it has never been about the money. It was, therefore, interesting to see...more
A review copy of this book was provided by Hachette Audio.
I liked this book. I had heard the name Jerry Weintraub before but I never really knew who he was. After hearing all of the things he has accomplished in his life I now realized that I've probably heard his name a million times but since he's not the star of anything I've never really paid that much attention to who he was.
This book is like sitting with your grandfather listening to the stories of his life and taking in all the advice h...more
I liked this book. I had heard the name Jerry Weintraub before but I never really knew who he was. After hearing all of the things he has accomplished in his life I now realized that I've probably heard his name a million times but since he's not the star of anything I've never really paid that much attention to who he was.
This book is like sitting with your grandfather listening to the stories of his life and taking in all the advice h...more
Dr. J again displays his interest and secret affair with all-things Hollywood in his selection of this book. He enjoyed it enough to pass it onto me, which, I have to say, is extremely enjoyable only 30 pages in.
Page 29
"When I got back from the service in 1956, the Bronx had changes. Everyone was seventeen when I went away, in varsity jackets and white bucks, hair slicked into ducktails, on the corner into the night, nothing but time to argue and boast. Everyone was twenty when I returned, and r...more
Page 29
"When I got back from the service in 1956, the Bronx had changes. Everyone was seventeen when I went away, in varsity jackets and white bucks, hair slicked into ducktails, on the corner into the night, nothing but time to argue and boast. Everyone was twenty when I returned, and r...more
Jerry Weintraub. Producer. Creator. Businessman. SHOWMAN! Not unlike legendary circus founder P.T. Barnum, producer Jerry Weintraub has stories to tell and does he ever in "When I Stop Talking You'll Know I'm Dead." A great memoir about working in the entertainment business with some of Hollywoo'd heavyweights. The Elvis concert story is a keeper. Loved this book. I hope Jerry writes another filled with new stories from his illustrious career and the many adventures he has had. Standing ovation!
By the end of the book, I really, really liked it, but the beginning was a little rough. My problem is in the tone; I heard Mr. Weintraub interviewed on NPR, telling some of the stories, and was immediately engrossed. Reading the book, however, was exactly like reading dictation; this is not a written-word book, it is spoken word translated, and that gives it an odd feel. This is most likely a fantastic audio book, but even though the stories are amazing and his life rich, it does not read well.
I really enjoyed it and it was a pretty quick read. I don't think this man is super amazing, though. He is obviously dedicated to his work, too dedicated. I don't really understand people that choose work over family and I don't think I ever will. Anyone who decides it is easier to start a new relationship with a younger woman instead of working on a decades long marriage gets knocked down a few points in my book. Still, he has lead an extremely interesting life and it is fun to read about.
Aug 04, 2011
Tony Canas
added it
This autobiography of hollywood insider Jerry Weintraub is downright hilarious and very interesting. More than a unified autobiography it is a collection of stories from different periods of his life. This guy managed Elvis, Sinatra and many other greats from yore and from today and learned a lot of stuff along the way which he shares in this book. This one is well worth a read whether you are a big fan of hollywood or you simply want a fun reading.
While Jerry clearly has a sales personality (he's prone to puffing up the truth), I found this memoir very entertaining as it touches on big celebrity names, particularly in my age range, and purportedly lots of behind the scenes "poop." I initially saw Jerry interviewed by Don Imus, and that's when I decided to get the book. Yes, Jerry's a legend ... in his own mind, BUT he does have the contacts and did have a long career working with celebs. Not for everybody, but I enjoyed the read.
I read this book while I was on a hike through the Great Smokey Mountains and something about the juxtaposition of his wild adventures in the urban jungle against my own adventure through the wilderness made this book an even more memorable read. I love Jerry's "I can do anything" attitude and it was a great reminder that good things happen if you never quit. It was like he was there in the room (or the tent) just telling me stories.
From sharing a drink with some of the most well-known celebrities of the 20th century to negotiating deals with titans of industry and spending evenings with the Heads of State that shaped the world as we know it, Jerry Weintraub has seen it all. In an honest and heartfelt memoir, Weintraub shares what has been life that as they say "ought to be in pictures". A very enjoyable read that besides being a recollection of an amazing life, includes more than a handful of useful advice.
Fast read, very conversational style. He's witnessed a lot of show biz history and made some himself. Not the kind of book that dishes out gossip; instead, he presents fairly well-rounded descriptions of giants like Elvis and Frank Sinatra, and the powerful men behind powerful entertainers. No "powerful" women in the entertainment industry, at least in Weintraub's sphere. I hope someday Hollywood is less of a guy's game.
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Share This Book
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
“Every minute doing one thing is a minute not doing something else. Every choice is another choice not made another path grown over lost.”
—
7 people liked it
“Do not get attatched to the world as it is. Because the world is changing something new is coming.”
—
7 people liked it
More quotes…
