Don't Tell Dad: A Memoir

I knew very little about Peter Fonda before reading his book. He is a very interesting man who bares his soul to the reader. How can you critique what should have been written about (read other reviews)in his book. He loved his days sailing in the Tatoosh (spelled wrong?)The worlds finest wooden sailing yacht. so why wouldn't he write about his adventures on it, with such fond memories. This book was one of the best I have read. He is a very sensitive man who has overcome many odds and has turned his life in a very positive way. What a great book!!!

I liked the writing, and more important, liked Peter. I read the Customer reviews and agree there could be less yachting, but as one reviewer said,"it's his book." Peter is a charmer, and his obvious love and sensitivity toward women is well-written and described. Nowadays, he would be called a "hyper-active" child, no doubt suffering from ADD. A gradually disappearing mother and a cold, stern father were devastating to such a sensitive child. As a reader, I tried to be empathetic with Peter always resorting to tears. (In my family, you die before you cry!)Remember all the times you have been humiliated and later you think "what I shoulda said--" The Germans call this "the wit of the stairway" meaning your swift retorts when it is long over. I think Peter recalled many incidents the way he'd have LIKED them to turn out, but the truth might be a little different. But hey, it's his book. I don't doubt for a minute, he is very impulsive, feisty, loud and belligerent when the mood, the drugs, the drink, whatever are upon him. I remember I heard Peter had taken to roaring past his sister's home on his motorcycle after she married Tom Hayden, screaming what a worthless hanger on Hayden was; who couldn't afford breakfast unless Jane bought it for him, etc., etc. I don't know whether this is true or not, but after reading the book, I certainly believe Peter is capable of such behavior.I was surprised he never mentioned his father's last film "On Golden Pond" which his sister Jane worked so hard to put together and Henry won an Academy Award. I don't know if Jane exercised a heavy editorial hand on his writing, or Peter didn't want her overshadowing him. I doubt the last because with all Peter's problems, low self-esteem does not seem a part of him. And it shouldn't be. He is a brilliant man and writer. It is definitely wrong to say he was gypped in family brains dept. He was not as visible as sis and dad, but he is strictly A-list.

Opinions are pretty useless. So I'll write a review. :) That could set the tone for this book. Peter is a good writer. I found the books continuity got screwed up a little, (names given before introduced) but, not much. So as a writer, he's good. And hell, he has some stories to tell. I found his descriptions vivid. He paints a picture with words and he should be commended on that. As far as his approach to telling his story how can that be picked on, it's his frigging story. Is he a whiner, I don't think so, he had Henry Fonda as a Dad! Unfortunately, I can relate to the mother thing. Just one thing Peter, in the book you score $500,000 and a few pages later it's gone and you're making $90.00 a week. What the ..... Also, I would have thought Lennon would have liked you...go figure.

I enjoyed this book and found it to be a fascinating glimpse into the lives of the rich and famous Fonda family. I agree that Peter contradicts himself often in this book by telling us the things he resents about his relationship with his father, then turning around and doing the same things to his own family. This is precisely _what_ makes this book interesting. Abused becomes abuser. Therapists will tell you that happens all the time. Here we get to see it spelled out in gory detail. Fascinating reading.

I loved Yulee's Gold. I was impressed with Easy Rider. Happy to see Peter make a big comeback. But by the time I finished the book, I did not like him anymore. Couldn't stand him really. Not a person I would invite over for dinner, especially if my wife and daughter were there!