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The Other Side of Me

Sidney Sheldon

3.72 · Rating details · 5,893 ratings · 259 reviews

Author of over a dozen bestsellers, Academy Award-winning screenwriter, and creator of some of television's greatest hits, Sheldon has seen and done it all, and now in this candid memoir, he shares his story for the first time. ...more

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Paperback, 432 pages

Published August 1st 2006 by Vision (first published 2005)

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Mar 01, 2018 Eric rated it it was amazing

It was a thrill to read this book, considering Sidney Sheldon s novels have been a favourite of mine for decades. What a brilliant, fecund writer! As we learn from this work in the first part of his life he brought entertainment to countless people by being the man behind some great movies, and television series'. He grew up in relative poverty, the fact eg that his family would remorselessly squeeze out any vestiges of toothpaste from the tube resonates with an African like myself.

He loved the It was a thrill to read this book, considering Sidney Sheldon s novels have been a favourite of mine for decades. What a brilliant, fecund writer! As we learn from this work in the first part of his life he brought entertainment to countless people by being the man behind some great movies, and television series'. He grew up in relative poverty, the fact eg that his family would remorselessly squeeze out any vestiges of toothpaste from the tube resonates with an African like myself.

He loved the world of reading and writing from an early age. His breakthrough was fortuitous and a close-run thing, as a lady helped him to type a sort of summary, resume of a book. In this work we are frequently reminded of Sheldon the master of the unexpected in his narratives, it often looks like fiction, but it is not, it is the story of his life. In the early days he does all he can to put together impressive screenplays, and makes a name for himself despite vicissitudes.

Mr Sheldon unambiguously has what is referred to as "ubuntu" in southern Africa, ie he's a humane, good man in essence. Here we read about the bad times when he could not even pay his black "domestic" who helps with the baby at home. He had no choice, she had to go. Yet she refuses, despite the fact her employers cannot pay her! She prefers to stay on. Incredibly, when she hears Mr Sheldon and wife quarelling about not being able to afford to go out one day, she hands some money over to them to go out, despite being unpaid! No doubt she loved her employers very much.

Later on in this work, quite abruptly, we read about the author becoming a novelist and ultimately a world famous, best selling one. But it was not so easy for him in the beginning- we laugh as we read about a sort of promotions/launch of his first novel as apparently nobody is interested in the book, and avoid his section...until a lady takes pity on him and chances to buy a copy. "It was an act of mercy"..

What a wonderful life Mr Sheldon lived, creating so many beautiful things, television classics and novels....and the novels were transformed into superb movies too. Take the early tv series I dream of Jeannie and how it was loved worldwide for many decades. Think of the very first episode with the actor Larry Hagman being kissed by the gorgeous Barbara Eden "I must have gone further into orbit than I thought"…

In our modern times, snippets from all Sheldon creations can be appreciated anytime. I for one even now regularly check on Youtube Sheldon drama with its supplementary, superb music or sound effects - of my favourite Sheldon movies like If tomorrow comes, Master of the game, and The other side of midnight. Sheldon has brought fizz and excitement to millions around the world and we must always celebrate him! A great, great man. ...more

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Nov 15, 2008 John rated it it was amazing

This is a GREAT autobiography. I didn't know a lot about Sheldon, other than the fact that he was the creator/producer of the tv sitcom "I Dream of Jennie."

Sheldon had an indomitable spirit: everytime he got knocked down, he got back up. And he got knocked down a lot. And rather than becoming cynical, he regarded negative experiences as learning opportunities, and kept moving forward.

He worked with a lot of the greats: Cary Grant, Shirley Temple, Fred Astaire, Judy Garland...

You will have a har ...more

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Oct 12, 2020 Rural Soul rated it really liked it

Recommended to Rural Soul by: فیصل مجید

Shelves: biographies-memoirs

Sidney Sheldon is bestseller author and certainly He made a lot of money. So typical approach of youth from my country is to become like Him. So they think that they will write a novel as a fluke and out of the blue it'll make them rich like Sidney Sheldon.
But what you don't know is that he waited hours for a single buyer of his first book in a convention while other authors were busy signing their books.
And mind it, it still happened when He had a prolific career in Hollywood as playwright.
Succ ...more

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Feb 22, 2010 Joy H. rated it it was amazing

Shelves: audio-version, show-business, autobiography

Added 2/22/10.
RE: Sydney Sheldon (1917-2007)

I recently listened to an audio version of the following autobiography: The Other Side of Me by Sidney Sheldon (first published in 1995). He tells about how he got his start as a screenplay writer in Hollywood after many ups and downs. Eventually, he won an Oscar for writing "The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer" which was chosen as the Best Original Screenplay of 1947. He also won a shared award for the writing of "Easter Parade" in 1949.

After going into ...more

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May 26, 2016 Chasia Lloyd rated it it was amazing

*Trigger Warning: suicide ideation*

"But I'd hate to see you close the book too soon and miss all the excitement that could happen to you on the next page--the page you're going to write."

I don't often go for the people behind the camera/microphone when it comes to memoirs, but I couldn't resist Sidney Sheldon's when I read he discusses being bipolar. And the book opens with his father talking him out of a suicide attempt, and the conversation they shared hit me so damn hard. I clung to Sheldon's ...more

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Oct 15, 2008 Rekha added it

Failures we face in our lives will not continue forever.Everyone should learn a lesson from the failure and come out to find a new life.

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Mar 17, 2018 Wasee rated it really liked it · review of another edition

You don’t know what can happen tomorrow. Life is like a novel, isn’t it? It’s filled with suspense. You have no idea what’s going to happen until you turn the page. Every day is a different page, and they can be full of surprises. You’ll never know what’s next until you turn the page, the page you’re going to write...

- Sidney Sheldon (The Other Side Of Me)

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Nov 11, 2013 Anish Antony rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: motivational, soft-reads, autobiography, favorites, all-time-best

I really loved reading this book. I know Sidney Sheldon was an excellent story teller of Thriller and Suspense. But I never has the faintest idea that he had won Oscar award for best writer. I have read a few novels of him and all were great thrillers. I am a big fan of SS but once when i realised his life saga, the admiration really went up.
Grown up in a struggling family, Sidney was in a loss of Hope and Happiness. Everyone in his family forced to work to meet their daily needs. He was desp I really loved reading this book. I know Sidney Sheldon was an excellent story teller of Thriller and Suspense. But I never has the faintest idea that he had won Oscar award for best writer. I have read a few novels of him and all were great thrillers. I am a big fan of SS but once when i realised his life saga, the admiration really went up.
Grown up in a struggling family, Sidney was in a loss of Hope and Happiness. Everyone in his family forced to work to meet their daily needs. He was desperate during times of great American Depression. Finally he decided to end his life. But god has some other plans upon him. His father rescued him and says
"Life is like a Novel. Its filled with suspenses. You have no idea what's going to happen until you turn the page. Every day is a different page and they can be full of surprises. If you really want to commit suicide, Sidney, I understand. But I'd hate to see you close the book too soon and miss all the excitements that could happen to you on the next page. The page you are going to write".
After hearing his dads words Sidney decided to postpone his plan to die and thus started the beginning of a legend. Sidney worked as clerk, salesman, bus boy, usher and whatever opportunities coming along his life. Even though he did all these labours, he got a talent- to write. No one can ever take that talent away from him. He wrote stories which received appreciation from his teachers as well as from his peers. He went to sell his stories. He knocked lot of doors. Even at stages of helplessness he remembered his fathers words and he always expected a suspense in the next page of his life. Finally the stroke of luck came when he got offer to work as a reader to the then renowned producer David Selznick. Wings sprouted to his dreams. Slowly he built his reputation and became the hottest writers in Hollywood. He worked for MGM and Paramount, the biggest studio tycoons of the world. He wrote Broadway scripts which became huge success. He is not always successful, as everyone else he too tasted the bitterness of failure, several times. Each failures were lessons to him. He understood the mindset of people and what do they expect.
'The Bachelor and Bobby Soxer' brought him the Oscar for the best original screenplay. His epics 'Easter Parade' and 'Annie Get your Gun' became top grosser in Hollywood. Whereas 'The Buster Keaton Story' and 'Dream wife' were a few of his flops.
He joined US Army Air corps and trained as Pilot during the second world war but he never got a chance to fly a plane on war front. He returned back to Hollywood and worked with all the best actors, actress and directors of his time. Later in his life he created television shows like 'The Patty Duke Show', 'I dream of Jeanie' and 'Hart to hart'.
After that, One day, an idea of a story got into Sidneys mind. It was about a psychiatrist whom someone was trying to murder. The plot was introspective and it would be impossible to do in dramatic form because we need to get into psychiatrist head to see how he solved the problems. Thus he thought about writing a novel. That paved the way to his first novel 'The naked face'. It was a success. He realised the freedom of a novelist. A novelist can write what ever he needed without bothering the actor, actress or directors. He can put his full imaginations to readers. Keeping all these aspects he created his next novel- 'The Other Side of Midnight'. This novel became a classic phenomenon and an International Best-seller. Followed by this he wrote a series of novels and most of them became International Best-seller and he became World famous. Sidney Sheldon became world famous not because of his Oscar Award, Television shows or movies but through his novels.
His father were right, everyday in his life was filled with suspenses. The hope and the confidence to face these suspenses made him the master of his games.
If you know Hollywood of 40's,50's and 60's then you should read this autobiography. Because it reveals the green room stories of famous movie stars of those times.it includes characters like Cary Grant, Elizabeth Taylor, Shirley Temple, Irving Berlin etc..

Go for it guys. Its a very good read.
My verdict 4.5/5

Regards
Anish Antony ...more

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Oct 12, 2015 Mehwish rated it it was ok

...but ready or not, life goes on.

America had had him in worst of it's time where he had predicaments and owned inadequacies then, that a third world country has today..
Except not much money.
He aspired affluence and some fame too.

His family was a turbulent one, Nothing new in West or in other Authors' Biographies.
He left his college and involved himself in petty jobs to cover their home expenses alongside he struggled to do something that involves writing. he dabbled with radio station, song ...more

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May 17, 2011 Cynthia Bugsey rated it it was amazing

What did I expect? This is an autobiography, so it isn't as interesting as his usual fictional books.The interesting thing about this however is that one can't STOP reading it also. I loved how he told the story of his uncle who was broke and had to 'steal' his work from him which won (lol!). It also gives one the sights and scenes of long ago when people like Cary Grant were big and a good insight on how Hollywood really IS. Sheldon teaches us that you have to have determination coupled with gu ...more

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Nov 19, 2011 Santhosh rated it liked it · review of another edition

It was the title that caught my eye. A clever play with words, it is indicative both of arguably his best novel, The Other Side Of Midnight, and the story of the private Sheldon.

You have to hand it to the guy. He's had a career as a usher, bar-boy, druggist, bell-boy, hollywood, broadway, playwright, screenplay, nibbled at direction and production before finally becoming what he is now.

In short, this is an account of Sheldon's life and is an interesting read. This is not the regular self-promoti ...more

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Dec 26, 2012 Esther Fanny rated it it was amazing

no wonder why many of Sidney's lead characters had a " horrible past " and they had to fight in a hard battle of life to gain a properly life. it was Sidney's past had experienced before. his Struggle to earn living was tough, rejection, disappointing, bitterness, he had them once.
i found myself was mesmerized by the pages i read about him. he had bipolar and he wasn't confident about himself, but as he said, " never go out when your elevator at the bottom, just hold on over and over again "

in c ...more

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Jun 14, 2013 Amrutha Stephen rated it did not like it

Shelves: read-only-half

Too many names of people Sheldon's come across in Hollywood. One gets enough of the names that one can't keep track of who's who. (not that it's important) The book lacks substance and is quite dull. Though it's an inspirational book, it's quite unlike his other books. Having read books like Bloodline and Rage of Angels, I find this book not up to my expected 'Sheldon standard'. ...more

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Apr 26, 2015 Parva Chhantyal rated it liked it

Shelves: kindle-owned, 2015, sidney-sheldon

Frankly, I was kind of bored in the middle. He focused too much on Hollywood and not much on the novels but I guess that's what it is all about 'The other side of me'.

Still, its great to know so much about him. The book is really slow compared to his novels but let's not compare autobiography with fictional books. ...more

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Jan 31, 2019 Chavelli Sulikowska rated it really liked it

There's no business like show business! Clearly Sheldon was not only an incredibly creative writer, he was also tenacious and a workaholic! His autobiography, albeit somewhat emotionally vacant, is highly entertaining, honest, and a real insight into the highs and lows of being a Hollywood writer. I have a renewed admiration for this most prolific, diverse and talented of authors! ...more

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Sep 01, 2013 Paula rated it did not like it

Shelves: abandoned, book-club, memoir, read-in-2012

Written for a fifth grade intelligence.

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Sep 26, 2020 Supriya Verma rated it it was amazing

This is an amazing autobiography. The guy who ones thought of suicide soon after became the world's renowned storyteller, producer, director, novelist.
The story of Sidney Sheldon is really inspiring and it conveys that Life gives chance to everyone we just need to keep turning the pages of this book called LIFE.
If you are an artist you should really pick this one up. It will surely inspire you. ...more

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Dec 24, 2018 Thirumoorthy rated it liked it

Life is like an elevator, the trick is not to get down when it hits the bottom.
Interesting autobiography to read.

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Aug 15, 2019 Huguette Larochelle rated it it was amazing

a writer of many tv show you grow up watching.

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Jan 07, 2014 Leanne Hunt rated it it was amazing

Shelves: biography-and-memoir

As an author myself, I thoroughly enjoyed this memoir. Although I had read several of Sidney Sheldon's books in the eighties, I had no idea that he was also a prolific writer of Broadway musicals, Hollywood screenplays and television series. It was also a surprise to find out that he suffered from bipolar syndrome, which affects many creative people and is a challenge to manage.
I particularly enjoyed reading about how Sheldon began his writing career. He certainly didn't start as a storyteller, ...more

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May 12, 2010 Ice rated it it was amazing

Shelves: biography

Sheldon writes his memoir as an intense and emotional rollercoaster as only he can with battling bipolar disorder nearly his entire life. From his suicide attempt at age 17 in 1934 to the publication of his first book in 1969, Sheldon has worked hard for his accomplishments.

His prolific writing career reads like a grocery list of productions spanning film, theatre, television and books. O'Malley guides listeners through the author's adventures in Hollywood and Broadway with a lively and animated ...more

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Apr 19, 2009 MONiCA rated it it was amazing

i've just finished reading this book a few weeks ago, and i learned a lot of things about my favorite author Sidney Sheldon, like he didn't start as a novelist (didn't become famous cos of his novels). he worked odd jobs to support not only his family but his dream as well. that he really was a master-- of almost everything. but human enough to feel depressed at times.
I kind of relate to his story, the manic depression part of it (bipolar).

overall, this one's a great "ending" for Mr. Sheldon's. ...more

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Mar 13, 2015 Sarah rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: library-books, non-fiction-biography

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Apr 26, 2015 Benazeer rated it it was ok

Recommends it for: no one

Very simple and boring autobiography. It feels like I am reading some notes. like someone just telling what he went through but didn't tell the feelings, depth, how life surprises us, expressionless no enthusiasm less thrill. It could be much better. I just turned the pages to finish this book. Only quote that touched to my heart was " Life is like a novel. It's filled with suspense. You have no idea what is going to happen until you turn the page. ...more

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Jul 12, 2020 Piyush Bhatia rated it liked it · review of another edition

The other side of me is the autobiographical memoirs of Sidney Sheldon. He has shared the journey of his life, his rise from the ashes and the manifestation of his long - time dream of becoming a writer.

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Mar 12, 2019 Krenare rated it really liked it

Beautiful, inspiring! A book that transmits lots of emotions and life lessons.

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Mar 08, 2021 Nasrin Shila rated it really liked it

I have been reading Sidney Sheldon's books since my college life. In this past decade, while searching for a book, I have seen that Sidney Sheldon wrote in movies and TV shows but I never gave it any importance. When I started reading this book, I didn’t know that this is a memoir. While reading I discovered that he actually wanted to be a song writer! Then he started reading novels and making summaries for producers! I didn’t even know this was a job! Then he started writing original stories an I have been reading Sidney Sheldon's books since my college life. In this past decade, while searching for a book, I have seen that Sidney Sheldon wrote in movies and TV shows but I never gave it any importance. When I started reading this book, I didn’t know that this is a memoir. While reading I discovered that he actually wanted to be a song writer! Then he started reading novels and making summaries for producers! I didn’t even know this was a job! Then he started writing original stories and screenplays for movies! Then he started directing and producing movies! He won an Oscar! He received training as a pilot during World War! He wrote musicals for Broadway! He created TV shows! Much later in his career, when he was over fifty, he wrote a novel because he liked the idea but it was not suitable for visual media! After that, he realised that writing a book is a one man show, he has full creative freedom here, unlike movie or tv shows which are teamwork. So, he continued writing books, his books became best seller all over the world and he has a record of being most translated writer!

He wrote the memoir after his 88th birthday and he died shortly after that. I am really glad that he wrote it and I have read it! His life is really inspiring. Once he went to the studios to sell his stories but he was not even allowed inside. A few years later, the studios were calling him for contract! It shows that hardwork is always paid off! Along with the professional struggle, he suffered from Bipolar disorder, he had displaced disc on his back, he went through a divorce, lost a child, lost his wife and faced financial crisis even after his success in showbusiness as according to him, artists are judged based on their last failure. The journey of his life was actually full of ups and downs and drama, I wonder why don't anyone make a movie or tv series based on it!

As a teenager, he faced severe financial crisis due to the great depression. He had to drop out of college to support his family, even though he was on a scholarship. Once he decided to commit suicide, bought sleeping pills and was about to take them when his father suddenly got home. Then he took Sheldon for a walk and said, 'You don't know what can happen tomorrow. Life is like a novel, isn’t it? It's filled with suspense. You have no idea what's going to happen until you turn the page. If you really want to commit suicide, Sidney, I understand. But I'd hate to see you close the book too soon and miss all the excitement that could happen to you on the next page - the page you're going to write.'

I know it sounds cheesy but I think it is not only applicable for people who are trying to commit suicide but also for those who think that their life is stuck in one place and have stopped trying to do anything new. We all have to keep turning on the page and writing new things on each of them! ...more

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Jan 16, 2020 Anuradha Singh rated it really liked it

So when I started this book, I had no idea this was Sheldon's autobiography. Mind you, I am not a person who is big on reading autobiographies (well not really picked them over other books). Anyhow, the story began at a point when Sheldon was 17 years old, his family struggling to make ends meet and the country in the midst of the recession.

While I will try not to give too much away with regards to his life story, I will say that this book was a perfect way for me to enter the world of autobiogr So when I started this book, I had no idea this was Sheldon's autobiography. Mind you, I am not a person who is big on reading autobiographies (well not really picked them over other books). Anyhow, the story began at a point when Sheldon was 17 years old, his family struggling to make ends meet and the country in the midst of the recession.

While I will try not to give too much away with regards to his life story, I will say that this book was a perfect way for me to enter the world of autobiographies.

The biggest appeal of The other side of me is that it has everything that you need to know about Sydney's life, doesn't try to push you towards hating few people (yet lets you know how hard it would have been for Sydney to work with them) and has been written with the charm that Sydney is famous for.

Coming to the story, it is perfect for people who were born before the internet era and were introduced to authors based on personal experience, word of mouth or simply by entering the school library and picking that book up.

The reason I say that is because while these days we know everything about a authors life (thanks to the internet) in Sydney's case most of us have been introduced to him before the internet came in our lives and thus already know how good he is. That said, this is exactly why his life story becomes more interesting for us. Majority of us won't know he won an Oscar early in his life (and not for any of his books), that he was a huge part of the TV show I Dream of Jinnie (I bet a majority of you know of this show), dated Marilyn Monroe and was Bi-Polar.

These are just a few facts that I have stated from the book and I have not even touched 1% of his life.

While I don't do this often with any other authors, with Sheldon I have often just picked up the book without reading the preview of the story on the back cover (Reason I didn't know this book was his life story) and am thus glad I got to read his life in his own words.

Thus, I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to know more about Sydney's life and add not to Google him before that. ...more

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Mar 06, 2018 Ankul Dravid rated it really liked it

Don't give up. There are too many nay-sayers out there who will try to discourage you. Don't listen to them. The only one who can make you give up is yourself.
If someone is scared of failure then he/she must read the masterpiece by legendary Sidney Sheldon. One of the best novelists world has ever witnessed. "The Other Side of Me" is his Autobiography, certainly one of his best creations. It seems like I have lived his life through his book. A man once decided to quit and was ready to commit sui ...more

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May 23, 2020 Yawar Javaid rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Here is the book i read a month ago and i was completely forgotten to write a review about it.
❇️The other side of me❇️ by Sidney sheldon✨
This book is an autobiography by a well known Oscar winning writer. In early nineties Sidney was born in a poor family who was forced to journey around America just to find the job so they can have a better life with some basic facilities. But their life was becoming worst with poverty with every next rise. Sidney was the dreamer and had the dream to become a w ...more

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About Sidney Sheldon

Sidney Sheldon

7,103 followers

Sidney Sheldon (1917-2007) was an American writer who won awards in three careers—a Broadway playwright, a Hollywood TV and movie screenwriter, and a best-selling novelist.

His TV works spanned a twenty-year period during which he created I Dream of Jeannie (1965-70), Hart to Hart (1979-84), and The Patty Duke Show (1963-66), but it was not until after he turned 50 and began writing best-selling no ...more