Nevertheless

by Alec Baldwin

One of the most accomplished and outspoken actors today chronicles the highs and lows of his life in this beautifully written, candid memoir.

Over the past three decades, Alec Baldwin has established himself as one of Hollywood’s most gifted, hilarious, and controversial leading men. From his work in popular movies, including Beetlejuice, Working Girl, Glengarry Glen Ross, The Cooler, and Martin Scorsese’s The Departed to his role as Jack Donaghy on Tina Fey’s irreverent series 30 Rock—for which he won two Emmys, three Golden Globes, and seven Screen Actors Guild Awards—and as Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump on Saturday Night Live, he’s both a household name and a deeply respected actor.

In Nevertheless, Baldwin transcends his public persona, making public facets of his life he has long kept private. In this honest, affecting memoir, he introduces us to the Long Island child who felt burdened by his family’s financial strains and his parents’ unhappy marriage; the Washington, DC, college student gearing up for a career in politics; the self-named "Love Taxi" who helped friends solve their romantic problems while neglecting his own; the young soap actor learning from giants of the theatre; the addict drawn to drugs and alcohol who struggles with sobriety; the husband and father who acknowledges his failings and battles to overcome them; and the consummate professional for whom the work is everything. Throughout Nevertheless, one constant emerges: the fearlessness that defines and drives Baldwin’s life.

Told with his signature candor, astute observational savvy, and devastating wit, Nevertheless reveals an Alec Baldwin we have never fully seen before.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Audiobook, Biography, Autobiography, Biography Memoir, Film

288 pages, Hardcover

First published April 4, 2017

About the author

Alexander Rae "Alec" Baldwin III is an Emmy- and Academy Award-nominated, and Golden Globe Award-winning, American actor. He is the eldest and most famous of the Baldwin brothers, and has starred in many movies and TV shows. He is also noted for having hosted Saturday Night Live multiple times. He is currently playing television executive Jack Donaghy in the NBC situation-comedy 30 Rock.

He married Hilaria Baldwin in 2012.

Reviews

[Nina (ninjasbooks) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This gave me little and I’ve already forgetting a lot which tells me it didn’t affect me that much. What I do remember is that I found his description of others sometimes condescending when he didn’t like someone, although to be fair he was also kind when he liked someone. Not the best memoir I’ve read to put it mildly.

[Carole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nevertheless: A Memoir by Alec Baldwin was a pleasant surprise. I expected the author to brag more than relay interesting details of his life. Baldwin as the reader and author of this book adds nuance to the narrative. And he is brutally honest about his life, especially his family life, as he was growing up. His professional life is discussed in an articulate, self-effacing manner that retains the reader's attention and interest. There are many facets to this man and he gets this across easily. He does not speak only of the good times, devoting much time to the difficulties of his life. I enjoyed this audiobook very much.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alec Baldwin

Alec Baldwin is an American actor, writer, comedian, producer, and political activist. Baldwin is among the most popular performers of his time, as illustrated by the many times he's hosted Saturday Night Live. This memoir tells Baldwin's story.

Starting in childhood, Alec talked to himself.


Alec (Xander) Baldwin as a child

Alec would repeat lines from films, TV shows, and commercials, trying different dialects and ethnicities. This undoubtedly contributed to Baldwin's abilities as an actor and a mimic, and his impersonations - during his appearances and in the audiobook - are fun and entertaining.

As a youth, Baldwin did not plan to become an actor. Called Xander as a boy, Baldwin grew up in a Catholic family in Massapequa, Long Island.

Xander's father Alexander was a high school teacher/sports coach, his mother Carol was a homemaker, and - with six children - the family never had enough money. Utility and phone bills went unpaid, Mrs. Baldwin became anxious, Mr. Baldwin felt inadequate, and Xander's parents grew distant from each other. The family's dysfunction had a strong impact on Xander, and he determined to attend college, become a lawyer, and make money.


Alec Baldwin's yearbook photo

Baldwin's descriptions of his early years are honest and unflinching, and - though times were hard - it's clear Alec loves his parents and appreciates what they did for him. Baldwin also mentions his siblings: his sisters Beth and Jane - who maintain low profiles as adults; and his brothers Daniel, William and Stephen - who are also actors.


Alec Baldwin with his mother Carol


The Baldwin brothers: Daniel, Alec, William and Stephen (left to right)


The Baldwin clan: Daniel, Jane, Alec, Carol, William, Beth, and Stephen (left to right)

For college, Baldwin attended George Washington University (GW) in DC, financed by Pell Grants, TAP loans, and sacrifices by his parents. For Alec, college was a social equalizer, unaffected by what he 'didn't have' in his parents' home. College was also where Alec developed an interest in politics - majoring in political science, working at an internship in his congressman's office, and later at a law firm specializing in FCC filings.

At GW, Alec was constantly plagued by insolvency, and - almost on a whim - decided to audition for the theater program at NYU.....where he was offered a needs-based scholarship. At NYU Baldwin helped subsidize his education by working as a busboy at Studio 54, selling men's shirts in a discount apparel store, waiting tables in a bistro, and being a chaperone for a tour bus company. Baldwin decided to give up law for the theatre, and the actor was born. Meanwhile, Baldwin's parents separated, his father moved out, and his mother became a successful market researcher - which helped restore her self-confidence and personal pride. Carol went on to become a civic champion and source of pride to her family.


Carol Baldwin won the Ellis Medal of Honor which recognizes individuals who have made it their mission to share with those less fortunate

After graduating from NYU, Alec - who had very little acting experience - was lucky enough to land a role on the daytime soap opera 'The Doctors.' There Baldwin started to make connections and learn skills that assisted him throughout his career. Alec mentions being helped by soap opera star David O'Brien, calling the actor "one of the kindest, most intelligent and urbane men I've ever known." On the downside, during this time Baldwin began drinking heavily and using cocaine.


Actor David O'Brien was very helpful to Alec Baldwin

To advance his career, Alec headed out to Los Angeles for more opportunities, 'snorting and drinking' all the way. By now Baldwin's use of liquor and cocaine was out of control, but he was enchanted with Hollywood and the people he met there. The actor - who had good looks going for him - went to lots of auditions, and says, "In the majority of my early auditions, I was either dreadful or totally unmemorable. But it didn't matter. I was perfect for TV in the 80s." Producers wanted to make Alec the next Bill Bixby.




Young Alec Baldwin's heartthrob good looks spurred his career


Alec Baldwin was being promoted as the next Bill Bixby (shown here)

Baldwin got a little work in LA, but his father became ill with cancer, and Alec returned to New York shortly before his dad died. Feeling bereft, Alec grew close to his agent, Michael Bloom, who became a kind of surrogate parent. Baldwin writes, "[Bloom] would become among my dearest friends, as my life turned fortunate and gratifying on one hand, and abruptly and numbingly painful on the other."

Baldwin's first major break was scoring a role on the prime-time soap opera 'Knot's Landing', set in Los Angeles.


Alec Baldwin starred in Knot's Landing with Lisa Hartman

There Alec worked with the talented Julie Harris, whom he reveres. The actor notes, 'No one I've worked with during my career has come close to Julie Harris in terms of the reservoir of humanity, talent, and professionalism that she embodied."


Alec Baldwin with Julie Harris

In retrospect, Baldwin wishes he'd taken more of Harris's advice, which might have forestalled some of his troubles. Baldwin's substance abuse landed him in the hospital, after which he joined Cocaine Anonymous. It took a while longer for Alec to give up alcohol, but in time he did. There were setbacks, but Baldwin got permanently clean in 1985.

After leaving Knot's Landing, Baldwin returned to New York, did theatre work, and met some of the best stage actors in the business, including Charles Keating, Zoë Wanamaker, Zeljko Ivanek, and Joe Maher.


Charles Keating


Zoë Wanamaker


Zeljko Ivanek


Joe Maher

Afterwards Baldwin returned to California to film a movie, and his career began to seesaw between the East and West Coasts. The actor includes LOTS of stories about this in the book, including anecdotes about films he made, plays he did, people he worked with, parts he had, roles he lost, agents he fired, etc.

Baldwin takes the opportunity to settle some scores, and readers interested in inside dirt and name dropping will find it here. For instance, Baldwin doesn't like Harrison Ford, who replaced him in the role of Jack Ryan after Alec made 'The Hunt for Red October.'




Alec Baldwin in The Hunt for Red October

Baldwin met Kim Basinger in 1989, and the actor was smitten with Kim's beauty and independent spirit.


Alec Baldwin and Kim Basinger

The couple's relationship was never easy, in part because Kim got embroiled in a contentious lawsuit with a studio, which left her embittered and bankrupt. Nevertheless, Alec and Kim married in 1993 and had a daughter named Ireland in 1995. The couple split six years later, and their custody battle is the stuff of legend.


Alec Baldwin and Kim Basinger wed in 1993


Alec Baldwin with his daughter Ireland

In 2007, in the heat of the custody war, Baldwin left a harsh voicemail message for his daughter Ireland....and the fallout went on for years. Baldwin tells the entire tale in his memoir, and it's a sad story all around. Baldwin berates California divorce lawyers and family court judges, and he lambastes erstwhile attorney and TV personality Harvey Levin, who REALLY made hay of the incident. In any case, Baldwin is now on good terms with Ireland, though permanent damage was done by his rant.


Alec Baldwin with grown up daughter Ireland

Baldwin includes a few sentences each about many of the plays, films, and TV shows he did, and writes a LOT about his admiration for actors like William Holden, Anthony Hopkins, and Al Pacino. Alec also writes a good deal about making the movie 'The Edge'; acting in the play and movie 'Prelude to a Kiss'; hosting 'Saturday Night Live'; being in '30 Rock'; making his podcast; and more.







Baldwin also admits to being a belligerent guy, and mentions physical fights with confrontational men and aggressive paparazzi. Alec observes, "Whenever these eruptions occur, sanctimonious tabloid types get on some bullshit show like 'Nancy Grace' and scoff at celebrities who insist on some degree of privacy, especially for their children." After some of his tirades, Baldwin has been called racist and homophobic, charges he STRONGLY denies.

Baldwin despaired of finding love after his divorce from Kim, but met and fell in love with yoga instructor/fitness expert Hilaria Thomas in 2011. The couple wed in 2013, now have six children together, and seem to be very happy.


Alec Baldwin and his wife Hilaria


Alec and Hilaria Baldwin with four of their children


Hilaria Baldwin with the couple's six children

Though Baldwin never got a degree in political science, he's been active in politics for a long time. The actor explains his interest in government, and talks about the work he's done on behalf of democratic candidates. Alec brilliantly lampooned Donald Trump on Saturday Night Live, and was horrified when Trump was elected.


Alec Baldwin playing Donald Trump on SNL

Baldwin doesn't want something like that to happen again, and hints he might become a political candidate himself. He writes, "If I ran for president of the United States, you'd be lucky. Just as if you ran for president, I would be lucky. This country needs to see some new faces in that arena."

Baldwin wraps up by saying, "I offer [this book] to you to entertain, to motivate, to inspire, and to learn....My thanks to you for reading it."

In an afterward, Alec observes, "I never had many actors as friends.....but I have loved so many actors. Their wit, charm, and style. Their vanity, insanity, and courage." The author then provides an index, from A to Z, mentioning the actors he loves best, with little blurbs about them.

For example:

A is for Julie Andrews, the most elegant movie star of them all. And Woody Allen, the funniest screenwriter of them all. And for Jean Arthur in movies like Shane and Mr. Deeds Goes to Town....


Julie Andrews

B is for Burstyn and Blanchett, Beatty and Bening. For Banderas. For Javier Bardem. B is for Brando - and I'll watch it all, the good, the bad and the great....


Marlon Brando

C is for Cagney and his athleticism, passion and tenderness. It's for Joan Crawford. It's most definitely for Tom Cruise.....and so on.


Jimmy Cagney

I love the index and Alec's comments, which are amusing and fun.

I enjoyed this memoir, which seems essentially honest and open. Of course Baldwin presents himself in the best possible light, and people he dislikes in the worst possible light....but who wouldn't? I recommend the book to Baldwin fans and to readers who enjoy celebrity memoirs.

You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot.com

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

If the value of a celebrity memoir is determined by its frankness, then Alec Baldwin's book is highly valuable.

I've long been a fan of Alec's acting -- I think he brings a lot energy, charm and wit to his roles. (One of my favorite movies of his is "The Hunt for Red October," and I'm still annoyed the movie studio replaced him with Harrison Ford in the following Tom Clancy movies. Ford was Blahsville.) Alec has got such a fantastic voice that it's a pleasure to hear him talk, which is why I chose to listen to this memoir on audio. He tells a lot of great stories in this book, and he also settles some personal scores (sharp critiques are made of Oliver Stone, his ex-wife Kim Basinger, Harrison Ford, and others).

This book isn't all jabs, there is also a lot of love and reflection. Alec shares fond memories of watching old movies with his dad, of the games he and his brothers played as kids, of his love for the theater, of his happy times shooting movies (I especially enjoyed the story of him and Anthony Hopkins doing dueling impressions of Richard Burton while on the set of "The Edge"), and of happiness with his wife and children.

One of the life lessons Alec shares in this book is the danger of making decisions based only on money. He shares a few times in his career when he wished he had made a different choice, and often it came down to taking a job just for a good paycheck, rather than a project he was truly passionate about. Alec can be very critical of himself, and on the chance he ever reads this review, I'd tell him that he's had a great career, he's made a lot of entertaining films and TV shows (he was fantastic on "30 Rock" and "Saturday Night Live") and that his fans adore him. The boy from Long Island made good.

I'd recommend Nevertheless to readers who enjoy Hollywood memoirs and any fans of Alec's work.

Favorite Joke
The title of the book is explained in the last chapter. It references Alec's favorite joke, which had been told to him by Michael Gambon:

Lord So-and-So, an English tragedian... is touring the provinces, performing Antony and Cleopatra. One evening, he takes the stage to make an announcement.

ENTER SO-AND-SO (to applause).

SO-AND-SO (quieting the audience):
"I regret to inform you that tonight the role of Cleopatra shall not be portrayed by Lady Margaret Thornbush (a murmur in the crowd) but instead shall be assayed by my wife, Emily Treadwell."

SPECTATOR (from the back of the house and shrill):
"Your wife's a fucking cunt!"

SO-AND-SO (after a pause):
"Nevertheless."

[Luke Narlee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd probably give this one 3.5 stars. I've been a casual fan of Alec Baldwin since I saw him in Beatlejuice at a young age. And, being a movie buff, I always enjoy reading actor memoirs. So I figured I'd give this a try. One of the reasons I enjoy reading this type of memoir is because I love learning the behind the scenes stuff that goes on during the filming of some of my favorite movies. The reason I can't rate this book higher than I did is because this book features almost none of that. At one point in the book he mentions that he starred in Beatlejuice and then moved on. Not one little tid-bit of what it was like to star in that classic movie. Another example of this would be when he discussed starring in the movie "The Getaway" during the 90's, a movie I loved as a teenager. One of the things that movie is well known for is the fairly graphic love scenes that he had with his then real life wife Kim Basinger. Reading this book, I learned that their personal lives were a complete mess during the making of that. They were on the verge of divorce. She was in the middle of a brutal court battle because someone was trying to sue her, and they starred in that movie together as a survival method. They needed money. So I would think it would have been tough being in all those racy, passionate love scenes together under those conditions, but that aspect of it wasn't even mentioned. On the bright side, he is a very good writer. All the early chapters about his childhood are fascinating. His troubled relationships with his parents. I admire how him and all his siblings basically came from nothing and made big names for themselves. He certainly seems like a respectable, somewhat misunderstood guy and I enjoyed the book overall. It just didn't have enough of the inside dirt that I like to read about in these types of memoirs (which directors were hard to work with, what the other actors were like on set). So if you don't care about that and would be perfectly happy reading mostly about his private life that was going on outside of all the movie sets, then I highly recommend it.

[Andrew Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

I knew only four things about Baldwin:

1. He’d delivered seven minutes of venom to the likes of Jack Lemon and Al Pacino in my favourite film of all time, Glengarry Glen Ross.
2. He played the part Dave Robicheaux, my favourite literary character, in the film Heaven’s Prisoners – a film I’ve never actually seen.
3. He played a passable Donald Trump on Saturday Night Live.
4. He has three brothers who are also actors.

I learned quite a bit more from this audiobook, read by the author. The main points being:

- He has five siblings, and they grew up, dirt poor, on Long Island New York.
- He and Kim Basinger shared bumpy marriage – I think I actually knew that, but I’d forgotten it.

Most of the rest of this book is a lengthy (and I do mean lengthy) list of every film, play or tv show he’s ever played a part in and just about everyone he ever worked with is name dropped. He read his own story as though he were bored with it, or maybe bored and also upset by it.

My favourite bits were his candid views on those who didn’t float his boat. For example:

Oliver Stone: would throw his on other down a flight of stairs if it would help him get his project financed, get the shot he wanted, or simply get his way

Jerry Lee Lewis: was an arsehole

I struggled through to the finish, but in truth, it didn’t particularly float my boat.

[Kasa Cotugno · Rating 5 out of 5]

No further explanation for why I gave this 5. Particularly when read in his voice.

[Janice · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wanted to love this book but it was painful to even finish. He comes across as so entitled and self-absorbed....while simultaneously calling out others for the same thing. It felt flat emotionally. The tone is akin to someone narrating a story in third person.

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

I both read and listened to the audio of Alec Baldwin's memoir. Considering Alec's well trained voice talent, the audio is excellent. I've always been a fan, even when he was acting less than the gentleman he is. He frankly and honestly admits his mistakes, especially the horrid voicemail to his young daughter, ( obviously aimed at his ex-wife) that he knows he will never live down, and fully admits he was was a frustrated idiot for doing it. Such the drama of Hollywood divorces. He doesn't relive it in this book since he wrote a separate one about it.
With that glaring object out of our way we can concentrate on Alec's life, his average childhood, his hardworking father, his mother of six children in Massapequa, Long Island. College, theatre, movies, theatre and his love of books and the symphony. He never mentions his intelligence, but it's so obvious. Or the love of his life, Hilaria, and their three children, plus his beautiful daughter, Ireland. He's a softie really, loves his siblings, especially his sister Beth, and his Mom. He cries easily, and has mountains of respect for so many people that helped him along his journey, and he rightfully mentions everyone. You'll like this Alec. I do.

[☮Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mr. Baldwin has an easy to listen to voice, rather sexy; so that on top of his well chosen words and his opinions made this a fantastic listening experience for me. I think some people just dislike him no matter what he does so they may not enjoy this book. I on the other hand tend to go along with his choices, in general, and I think he has great comedic timing to boot. I discovered he is also very good at imitations and accents.

This was one time I wished a book was longer. It only took me 2 days on my commute, while I was hoping to hear more.

[Monica (is working the heck out of · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nevertheless is Alec Baldwin's honest account of his triumphs and failures as the member of a large, lower middle class Irish Catholic family who struggles his way up through the various echelons of show business and politics.
Baldwin’s memoir offers some of the most beautiful and evocative prose I’ve ever encountered in this genre; his employment of imagery transports readers to the various locales at which his multi-faceted story takes place. From the “professional” Long Island neighborhood where he grew up, to the champagne soaked, drug dusted hotel rooms, to the majestic theaters of New York, to the offices of ruthless, greedy studio execs, to the floor of his daughter Ireland’s bedroom, readers walk behind him as he revisits the sights of some of his greatest, most lifechanging moments.

He neither makes excuses for nor glosses over the unfortunate decisions he’s made, the worst of which is linked below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8J0-Z...


He takes full responsibility for his actions and, to an extent, accepts the profound and far reaching familial, professional and political consequences thereof. He speaks candidly about the irreparable harm to his relationship with his daughter as well as how that explosion of temper and frustration exacerbated an already contentious custody battle with his ex-wife, Kim Basinger.

He’s also honest about the multiple physical confrontations he’s had with photographers who, in his opinion, posed a threat to the emotional and physical safety of his wives (Kim and Hilaria have both been witness to his flying fists) and children.

He takes shots at Harvey Levin and Nancy Grace, charging them with the prolonged sensationalism of some of his more…unfortunate moments.

As to his emergence as a pseudo political commentator, he only says that any hilarity we derive from his SNL portrayals of the president are attributable to the writers. To paraphrase his sentiments, he’s not a comedian, but an actor who animates funny words.

Baldwin articulates his political views briefly but explicitly; I’ll just leave it at that.

Ultimately, aside from a handful of skim-worthy moments (These were mainly the sticky-sweet Hilaria gush sessions and dry movie-talk and name drops) Nevertheless offers most of everything you should expect from a good memoir. Four stars.

[TheBookWarren · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 Stars — Nevertheless, Alec Baldwin’s stunningly honest and earnest Memoir, was equally stunning — to me — in terms of quality and the unputdownable nature contained within its pages.

Baldwin’s soothing and sultry voice can be well heard even in the prose here, as he re-tells his life from youth to current day and does so with brevity, openness and a perspective that feels measured and to be perfectly honest, humble!

Humility is not a quality I’d necessarily associate with Baldwin, and I entered this expecting some forced contriteness amidst some self-aggrandisement perhaps, yet I was gladly very much mistaken. Baldwin is at his best throughout when discussing what is clearly nearest and dearest to his heart, being his relationship with his — very much of-the-era — father, whom he lost to cancer, right as Baldwin moved to Hollywood. Baldwin vividly sketches a stoic and selfless figure whom he had a difficult yet close relationship with and it is in reminiscing these moments he is most pure and raw.

There is a visceral quality to this memoir and it was akin to sipping a gritty scotch that washes down the throat a sincere smoother than you could have imagined. Baldwins anecdotal wandering are filed consistently with little gems inc his sleazy man-fondling agent and years in the world of TV Soap-opera amidst his humble beginnings as an actor. All of which are fun and are steeled with a kind of soft sharpness that permeates the page.

A welcome and thoroughly enjoyable surprise.

[Char · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5 stars

Nevertheless: A Memoir was exactly what I expected it to be: Alec's life story. I have always loved his voice and I was thrilled to discover that he performed the audio himself.

His childhood growing up on Massapequa, Long Island was interesting. I enjoyed hearing how his love of books and movies came about and what life was like with 5 siblings.

It was also interesting to hear about how his career got started, how his love for politics developed and what it was like working with various Hollywood actors, directors and agents.

He definitely has some choice words for many in the legal field, especially those involved with divorce cases. He explains, or attempts to, the horrible voice mail he left for his daughter and he also talks a bit about his actions towards the paparazzi.

Overall, I enjoyed listening to this and learning more about Mr. Baldwin.

[Nicole R · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh, Alec Baldwin is kind of an arrogant bastard.

The parts of the book about his childhood and about his struggles with drugs and alcohol were actually quite good. The parts where it is just a laundry list of icons he has worked with, movies he did, and leading ladies he fell in love with were not good. But, they were tolerable. Then, he went on a tangent about politics, which was just completely unnecessary. I didn't pick up his book to hear his thoughts on our democratic system. Though I would have liked more insight to him playing Trump.

I actually think that Alec Baldwin is a decent actor. He hasn't gotten some of the breaks that other actors did early in his career, but Jack Donaghy was a career-defining role. And, Schweddy Balls may be my favorite SNL skit ever.

It was a fine way to spend a couple days of commuting to work, but I ultimately cranked it to 1.5x speed just to get through the last few hours.

[Ariel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was never really a fan of Alec Baldwin, he always seems angry and after reading his memoir I can't really say my unfavorable opinion has been changed. I love a juicy Hollywood memoir and I can sum at the best bits to save you the trouble of reading this. The first part is a really long and boring examination of his childhood where he harps on how poor his family was but it seemed pretty middle class to me. The Hollywood part is actually the shortest part of the book. He falls madly in love with every actress he works with. He hates Harrison Ford for stealing his Jack Ryan franchise. He calls Harrison short and scrawny. Harrison is 6 ft 1" and Alec is 6 ft so how short can Harrison be? Don't mess with Harrison Alec, don't do it. Alec's real hate is for his ex wife Kim Basinger. Apparently the pig in his infamous voicemail left to his daughter was really meant for Kim. That takes us to the end of the book where he has a nice new young wife and three very young children. Typical Hollywood cliche. Now he spends his days doing Donald Trump impersonations on SNL which in truth are pretty funny. For someone who has been in the business as long as he has I expected more Hollywood and less Long Island. Only recommended if you are a real fan. More about Alec Baldwin and the book can be seen here: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/actor-and...

[Heather Fineisen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The audio version of this book was appealing as it is narrated by the author and Baldwin has a great story telling voice. Whether he is talking about his grandfather fondly or his ex wife not so fondly, the stories are interesting and compelling. Towards the end, Baldwin gets a bit preachy concerning his stance on politics and he goes on in a chapter about the love of his life, his current wife. Other than those slight digressions, the narrative is enjoyable and reminds me of why I like Baldwin as an actor. My favorite is his sting on 30 Rock and SNL but I think he has done good work as Jack Ryan and even in his movie debut, She's Having a Baby. I would like to see him on Broadway. I commend his work politically with the Arts and hope he continues his work in that arena as well. Fans will not be disappointed and readers will be satisfied.

[William Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspirational read. The story of a middle class guy who scrapped his way to the top of his field. The good and the ugly of showbusiness.

[Jim Cullison · Rating 3 out of 5]

A mixed bag. The early sections are the best, most compelling, and worthy of your time. A genuinely gifted writer with fascinating insights about filmmaking as well as the darker recesses of his spirit too often sinks into sour score-settling over ancient Tinseltown grievances. This man is a great actor, a spellbinding conversationalist, and he has better books in him, waiting to be written. Wait for this one to become available at your public library.

[Yvonne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alec Baldwin delves into his life from his childhood to present. I found this to be a very interesting, insightful book. He’s truthful about his life, including his own mistakes. He doesn’t hold anything back.

I always find listening to audio books in the author’s own voice really brings the story to life. This book shows how he’s changed over the years and how all the events in his life brought him to where he is today.

[Brian J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fans of Alec Baldwin (me, obviously) could find some level of enjoyment in listening to him narrate a phone book, thanks to his stark, instantly recognizable, no-nonsense delivery. The fact that he narrates the audio edition of this memoir (the version I read) makes it all the better. Actors like Baldwin (intense, serious about craft, intellectually aware of what other masters did before him and knowledgeable of classic roles on both stage and film) are fewer and fewer these days; he may be one of the last of this kind, a masculine presence that doesn't need coaching in how to achieve it naturally. He's had some classic roles in his career, and I hoped this memoir would shed insight into some of his characters, and his stories about the films in which he played them.

Unfortunately, this is rarely the case. Though Alec does occasionally tantalize the reader with carefully rendered filmic information, the majority of this memoir is Alec dissecting various public incidences and scandals, attempting, it seems, to "set the record straight" about various he said, she said battles (with the media, Kim Basinger, studio heads, etcetera). Though this stuff isn't boring, I would've preferred a memoir detailing more of what Baldwin claims (and has essentially proven) he is so passionate about.

Overall this is a worthwhile read, but I can't see non-Baldwin fans finding much-if any--interest in it. Unless they want to hear him rip up Harrison Ford, that is.

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

The great: Baldwin's lyrical remembrances of growing up in Massapequa in Nassau County. He conveys both the good and bad aspects with warmth, deep emotion, and stunning attention to detail.
His tale of a two day (I think -- the telling is understandably disjointed) cocaine bender that soon thereafter led to his 30+ years of sobriety is brilliant.
These parts of the memoir seem to have been written by a different guy from the one who wrote the rest of Nevertheless.

The good: Baldwin ruminating on his peers, and on what he learned from television, film, and theater acting, is fine stuff... although his reminiscences of fellow actors bounce from engaging stories to apparent name-dropping and back again. His true affection for Julie Harris, Anthony Hopkins, and the old friends he came up with and who helped him through hard times, does shine through.

The bad: Rampant score-settling. Venom toward lawyers. Judging worthless producers and why-is-this-guy-working directors, but also admitting there's no way he could do those jobs well. Even his political takes, most of which I agree with, are ill-suited for this book and, like so much of this memoir, come off as self-serving and self-aggrandizing.

Strangely, I wish I had heard the audiobook rather than reading it. I expect Baldwin's sonorous voice might have carried me through many of the passages that troubled me.

[Katerina · Rating 2 out of 5]

When I choose a biography/memoir as my next read, it means I’m tired of newfangled urgent themes and fancy writing and am looking for solid chronological plot and/or curious life anecdotes. The book doesn’t have to be amusing or especially well-written. Just a life will do.

Sadly, this memoir offers none of it. Firstly, it’s surprisingly not funny. (I know as a long-time 30 Rock fan I’m biased but anyway.) The actor does admit that it was his show and screenwriters who were funny, not him, he only delivered the lines, but that was sort of mildly disappointing.

Secondly, the only curious anecdote is that his grandma died of concussion she got while rushing up the slippery hospital stairs to visit his ailing grandpa who had suffered a heart attack. The grandpa lived.

Next, the book is chronological alright, but there’s no life in this chronology. I can neither picture the family Baldwin grew up in, not his neighborhood, not his colleagues. Also, when talking about his film acquaintances, he uses so many annoyingly nice superlatives and strong adjectives as if it was all a part of gigantic “thank-you” Oscars speech.

To sum up, I strongly suspect the book was ghost-written and, unfortunately, that ghost doesn’t even have a wide specter of artistic means. Only Baldwin’s rich baritone made the reading somehow bearable, and I managed to reach the end.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would give this a 4.5. Alec Baldwin writes and honest memoir of his life so far.He grew up on Long Island New York second of six children. His childhood could be tough at times. Went on to college and right after started a career in acting. His first tv part was a role in the soap "The Doctors". He writes of his movie and tv roles and the good and not so good experiences he's had over the years. Although pretty complimentary of most of his co-workers, some were not as a great experience.
He writes of his marriage to Kim Basinger. the very painful divorce and his years of fighting to see his daughter Ireland. His run-ins with the papparazi, etc. I don't want to give too many details but if you are a fan of Alec Baldwin, you may enjoy his well written memoir.

[Don Gorman · Rating 2 out of 5]

(2 1/2). I have read a fair number of memoirs lately and this is this first one I have been disappointed in. Maybe it is true, Baldwin is an arrogant, self serving S.O.B.. The last part of this book really takes down any energy that was created in the first two thirds of it. The information and insights are not that great, he just comes off as bitter. As always seems the case with so many people, lots of bad decisions have caused a lot of problems over the years. Baldwin is an enigma, and he communicates that in an equally enigmatic way in this book.

[Jeff Grosser · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very honest and well written. I enjoyed the stories about his life in the entertainment business. Could have done without all the stories & feelings about politics. It's not that I agree or disagree with any of his views, I just don't read celebrity memoirs to get their feelings on politics.

[Randee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was at my library, saw this book and picked it up on a spontaneous whim. It wasn't on my TBR list, I hadn't read any reviews on it and I'm not even a die-hard Baldwin fan. I enjoyed and thought he was good on 30 Rock, liked the movie 'Prelude to A Kiss' and have enjoyed his performances on SNL (with the exception of his way too frequent appearances imitating Donald Trump-yawn, can a day go by without hearing that name please?) I'm sure I've seen him in some other things, I would say I think he is a gifted with acting talent.

That being said, I found his memoir more notable for what it doesn't say. He's been in show business for more than 3 decades and has appeared in all mediums.....films, theater, radio and television and has appeared with just about every actor/actress in show business. He was in a critically acclaimed TV sitcom, '30 Rock' for 6 seasons, not to mention appearing as a host and player on SNL for the last 15-20 years. He has 3 brothers who act or have acted in film. He was married to Kim Basinger and had a daughter, Ireland, with her. He doesn't mention how many movies he's made, but I would guess he has had to have made a minimum of 30. But does he talk in depth about any of it? He does not. I don't think his writing about '30 Rock' is even as long as a chapter. Apart from mentioning he has 3 brothers and 2 sisters, he doesn't even mention they, too, became actors. Of all the movies and plays in which he's appeared, he barely mentions them or the relationships he has had with others in the industry, with the notable exception being Anthony Hopkins. The last couple of chapters are about politics.....his desire to, maybe, run for office. His fundraising for various liberal Democrats and his admiration on the Kennedys and a little hobnobbing with Ethel. There is truly next to nothing about SNL. I just thought it strange that someone who has had an interesting career and has worked with and known so many 'famous' people has so little to say about any of it.

There is a lot of excuse making which I think is so unnecessary. Alec seems to have that heavy duty Catholic guilt about himself. He did not shy away from that much publicized incident of the brutal message he left on an answering machine for his daughter. He admits he was stressed and that it was a cheap shot of Kim Basinger and her lawyers to publicly release it. Or his beat downs of some paparazzi, which has made the news. Obviously, Mr. Baldwin has a temper and once he loses it, he cannot control his mouth (even when aimed at a young child) or his fists.

I got the impression that he wrote this not so much for an audience but maybe as a way to unburden his soul of things of which he feels very badly. I think his temper has led to both big personal and professional problems. I hope he is getting help for his obvious self hatred and guilt. He's made some mistakes but it is obvious that he is a very deep feeling person. I just wish he had told us more about his profession and the folks he's worked with on his trajectory.

[M. Sarki · Rating 3 out of 5]

For the most part Alec Baldwin provided a thoughtful and heartfelt accounting of his childhood, family, growing up, his schooling, and then his unexpected life-choice segue into a career in acting. Baldwin is a smart man and surprisingly not pretentious. But his reputation continually threatened to derail the so-far well-crafted memoir as this reader waited for the perpetual shoe to fall. And it did. Eighty percent into this rather interesting and revealing memoir Baldwin went on the inevitable attack. But bringing ex-wife Kim Bassinger into the fray as well as their daughter together, and the messy divorce with the rabid lawyers, only served to promote my expectation of Baldwin’s anger and disgust to eventually explode. Using the last twenty percent of his book to address the horrible current state of affairs in our country’s politics in parallel with his perhaps justifiably troubled relationships with women tainted an otherwise good book. All in all an interesting experience and certainly the only Baldwin composition guaranteed I shall read from this point on. But I certainly appreciated the opportunity.

[Barry Hammond · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whether you've seen Alec Baldwin in the TV show 30 Rock, playing the psychotic con-man Freddie "Junior" Frenger in the Jonathan Demme-produced, George Armitage film, Miami Blues, with Fred Ward and Jennifer Jason Leigh (based on Carl Hiaason's book), as Jack Ryan in The Hunt For Red October, as Adam Maitlan in Tim Burton's Beetlejuice, on stage in numerous productions, or as Donald Trump on Saturday Night Live, you know he's an actor of inspired and widely varied talent. His memoir is equally surprising and interesting. Whether dwelling seriously on the events of his life, honestly confronting his trials with the tabloid press, discussing his love of actors and theatre work, or mocking himself and over-the-top Hollywood types, he comes across as a genuine (if slightly flawed) human being who is as wide in his interests and reading as he is in his roles. I was expecting a breezy and perhaps salacious book of show-biz gossip but wound up being impressed with a man seriously looking back on his life and trying to discern its shape and meaning. An unexpected pleasure! - BH.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

If a memoir is measured by its frankness and honesty, then Alec Baldwin’s is at the top of the list. Telling the story of his childhood and family, the troubled parts of his career and those of triumph, his volatile marriage and divorce with Kim Basinger, his involvement and adventure in politics, to his current life filled with a happy marriage and four young children, Baldwin doesn’t hold back his flaws, mistakes, and shares a sincere part of his soul that is endearing. Not to be missed by Baldwin fans. My most favorite movie he was in was actually the one he narrated, The Royal Tenenbaums. His deep, slightly scratchy, hypnotic voice hooked me and brought the movie to a higher level of artistry. Therefore, this audiobook was a true joy to listen to. 4 stars.

[katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was nursing Eero and he fell asleep...and I read this entire thing with him in my arms. It was a delight. I could imagine his cashmere voice with the staccato diction reading it to me. Some of the passages are truly beautifully written, he clearly has a novelist's heart. He also seems really intelligent, willing to own up to some of his lesser qualities. He's also wanting to settle some scores, clearly, and maybe unwilling to admit defeat on some of those accounts -- and it is in those places that his writing is flimsiest. There is a little gossip, a little backstory, a little narrative. (I particularly loved the chapter on him punching people, and hating Harrison Ford for the pettiness aspect of the book.) Not much about his siblings, and not a whole lot of behind the scenes on movies. His editor would have served the narrative better by moving a few sections around or combining/condensing some of his thoughts or topics. But overall I really, really enjoyed reading this!