Barry Manilow: The Biography

This Biography is very interesting and a good insight to his upbringing, which was very good by looking at the Man he has become.

I think the best testimony of this book's accuracy is how mad those fans who've recognized themselves in its pages have gotten; witness some of the "reviews" on this listing that are nothing more than flimsy excuses for the reviewers to insult the author. This book is well written, with lots of new and -- more importantly -- corrected information about Manilow. Fans are upset that the book honestly discusses Manilow's sexuality and some of his minor sins, like lying about his age and his marital status (annulled, not divorced) and tells the truth about his father. The book also takes an unflinching look at some of Manilow's fans, many of whom worship the man to the detriment of their own lives. In the end, the book is completely fair in its discussion of Manilow's strengths and weaknesses, and especially interesting is the author's exploration of why the critics have been so cruel to Manilow over the years, despite his legions of followers and his ongoing success. Real fans, not ruled by silly internet politics, will enjoy getting a better understanding of "the showman of our generation."...

A well researched, well written book. Ms. Butler does not deserve the smear campaign lauched by the Manilow fans who have "reviewed" this book (although most "reviewers" proudly admit on various fan newsgroups that they did not read this book.) I found it an interesting departure from the empty press releases issued by Mr. Manilow's press agent and record company. Ms. Butler did her homework, and this book is a good read for the more intelligent fans.

Gosh! To see the nasty comments of some of the people who've "reviewed" this book ("reviled" is more like it) you'd think it was written by the devil himself. The fact is that each of the people who've written these nasty reviews are the same people who've hounded the author online since long before she even wrote the book. They made up their minds back then that they weren't going to like whatever was written about Barry without Barry's blessing, and that was that. In fact, I wouldn't be a bit surprised if most of these folks haven't even read the book they're being so nasty about. The truth is that, for the open minded, this book is a terrific read. For anyone who's more interested in what makes someone the way they are rather than in just hearing about how many celebrities they know, this book is terrific. I really appreciated finding out more about Manilow's family and especially his father, who Barry barely knew, but apparently knew better than he let on. I was also pleased with the sensitivity Butler used in discussing the subject of Manilow's sexuality (which REALLY made some of the more fanatical fans crazy!), only talking about it as necessary, without sensationalizing. The book itself is very well-written, and a quick read. For anyone who secretly hums along in the elevator when the Muzak version of 'Mandy' starts playing, you'll be pleased to know that there is much more to the man than the sum of his songs, or even the idealized image of him some of his fans insist on clinging to. Far from portraying him in a negative light, this book makes Barry Manilow seem very human, very likeable, and is very well worth the read for both Manilow's fans, and just fans of biography in general. So don't let the naysayers fool you. This is, without exception, the best, most comprehensive book about Barry Manilow written to date.

Since Barry Manilow's rapid rise to super-stardom in the early 1970's, many writers and entertainment watchers have attempted to unravel the mystery of the man that his fans love, and his critics love to hate. It took until nearly 30 years after Manilow's ascension to the pop-come-adult-contemporary throne for a lone, respected biographer to fill in the blanks left by Manilow's own 1987 autobiography, "Sweet Life: Adventures on the Way To Paradise."Patricia Butler has pieced together a fuller, deeper story than any of those before her, with the help of many of Manilow's closest friends, relatives and former band members. While Butler captures the same portrait of a reluctant-but-overachieving star that others have painted, she takes this book substantially further, systematically peeling away at the layer of awe that has blinded many of her predecessors to garner deeper insights.What results is a louder and more credible take on the topics that were previously only whispered and rumored. We learn about the women in Manilow's life: his grandmother's quest to distance a young Barry from his father, his mother's repeated suicide attempts and bouts with alcoholism, Manilow's short-lived and possibly unconsummated marriage, and an awkward relationship with Karen Carpenter.Butler offers stories and anecdotes from Manilow's friends and colleagues that paint an ego-driven perfectionist prone to temper tantrums. Through exhaustive interviews, she offers a variety of "that's-not-how-I-remember-it" clarifications that directly contradict the star's own account of certain events. ...Yet this thoroughly enjoyable celebrity "outing" isn't an expose of Butler's design. Former band members, particularly long-time drummer Lee Gurst, handle the brunt of the dirty work as it relates to Manilow's sexuality.Respectfully, though, Butler doesn't dwell too long on any of the "new" revelations, and in fact provides great balance in her account of Manilow's life and career. Appropriately, both the casual Manilow fan and the diehard fanatic will feel the pride of the icon's quick, enduring and unprecedented pop success. Against the backdrop of music history, Barry Manilow gets more respect in this book than one might rightfully expect. Still, some of Manilow's predominantly female fan base will undoubtedly plug its ears in "La-la-la, I can't hear you" fashion, in attempt to drown out anything that might paint Barry Manilow as a mere mortal. Their loss. Because this book truly succeeds where others have not.