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Angel on My Shoulder: An Autobiography
Born to legendary Nat King Cole in the halcyon days of the 1950s, Natalie Cole grew up to become a versatile singer with Grammy Award status. But that success came with a price, where she was dragged down by depression and drugs. This is her story.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2000
9 people are currently reading
294 people want to read
About the author
Natalie Cole
27 books3 followersNatalie Maria Cole was an American singer, songwriter, and performer. The daughter of Nat King Cole, Natalie rose to musical success in the mid-1970s. In 1987 she had success with her album Everlasting, and her cover of Bruce Springsteen's "Pink Cadillac". In the 1990s, she re-recorded standards by her father, resulting in her biggest success, Unforgettable... with Love, which sold over seven million copies and also won Cole numerous Grammy Awards. She sold over 30 million records worldwide.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
April 28, 2022
4.25 Stars
“As you walk your own journey, keep your eyes open, listen well, and if you look real hard, you just might find an angel on your shoulder.”
Those words are from the last paragraph of the late Natalie Cole’s autobiography, Angel On My Shoulder published November 2000, fifteen years before her death in December 2015. I do not read many celebrity autobiographies, but I have started research on my next novel and I read about one of my favorite singers.
For American R&B female singers, Natalie Cole does not get mentioned in the same vein as Aretha Franklin, Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight, Whitney Houston, Anita Baker, or Mariah Carey. However, she deserves to be mentioned in the same conversation with those names. Cole shares her life story growing up as the daughter of the great Nat King Cole.
Natalie shared her reluctance on becoming a singer, especially in the shadow of her father. She graduated from the University of Massachusetts with a degree in child psychology and had plans to pursue it as a career. She described her workman-like rise to stardom in the late 1970s, leading to her downfall with drugs. Natalie discussed her failed marriages and fractured mother-daughter relationship. Also, when she finally embraced her father’s legacy and recorded Unforgettable…With Love, Cole’s magnum opus. She always believed an angel was with her every step of the way on her tumultuous journey as a singer.
Most readers of celebrity biographies want to read them for the salacious stuff. There is plenty of that material in Cole’s autobiography. However, these words from earlier section in the book describe how Natalie feels about her role as a singer:
“I’ve always felt that whenever I sing, I want it to be sincere. Everything would have to be in the voice. Do I sound sincere? Is there a smile in my voice? Is there a sadness in my voice? Can you feel it–not even can you hear it? Can you feel it? In the end, I focus on the feelings my voice expresses. That, to me, is where the heart is.”
Natalie provided gems like that throughout the book and I connected more with an artist’s creative process than their personal life. I’m glad that Angel On My Shoulder had those kinds of musical insights that give the book a look beyond her dealing with being a famous musician.
I have been listening to her first four albums (Inseparable, Natalie, Unpredictable, & Thankful) along with Unforgettable since reading the autobiography. Cole’s tone and versatility make her unique as a singer and songwriter. Songs like Inseparable and I Can’t Say No sounds like the best of Aretha’s work. Songs like Something For Nothing and Sophisticated Lady(She’s A Different Lady) conjures up the best of 1970s funk. And a song like Annie Mae shows off Cole’s songwriting chops and her ability to tell a story. Her biggest songs like This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) & Our Love have left an indelible mark on pop and R&B. Natalie Cole was a true singing talent and I hope music aficionados and historians take a closer look at her oeuvre.
I’m glad that I read Angel On My Shoulder and Natalie Cole was a shining star that has earned her place in contemporary American music. Rest in Love, Natalie!
“As you walk your own journey, keep your eyes open, listen well, and if you look real hard, you just might find an angel on your shoulder.”
Those words are from the last paragraph of the late Natalie Cole’s autobiography, Angel On My Shoulder published November 2000, fifteen years before her death in December 2015. I do not read many celebrity autobiographies, but I have started research on my next novel and I read about one of my favorite singers.
For American R&B female singers, Natalie Cole does not get mentioned in the same vein as Aretha Franklin, Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight, Whitney Houston, Anita Baker, or Mariah Carey. However, she deserves to be mentioned in the same conversation with those names. Cole shares her life story growing up as the daughter of the great Nat King Cole.
Natalie shared her reluctance on becoming a singer, especially in the shadow of her father. She graduated from the University of Massachusetts with a degree in child psychology and had plans to pursue it as a career. She described her workman-like rise to stardom in the late 1970s, leading to her downfall with drugs. Natalie discussed her failed marriages and fractured mother-daughter relationship. Also, when she finally embraced her father’s legacy and recorded Unforgettable…With Love, Cole’s magnum opus. She always believed an angel was with her every step of the way on her tumultuous journey as a singer.
Most readers of celebrity biographies want to read them for the salacious stuff. There is plenty of that material in Cole’s autobiography. However, these words from earlier section in the book describe how Natalie feels about her role as a singer:
“I’ve always felt that whenever I sing, I want it to be sincere. Everything would have to be in the voice. Do I sound sincere? Is there a smile in my voice? Is there a sadness in my voice? Can you feel it–not even can you hear it? Can you feel it? In the end, I focus on the feelings my voice expresses. That, to me, is where the heart is.”
Natalie provided gems like that throughout the book and I connected more with an artist’s creative process than their personal life. I’m glad that Angel On My Shoulder had those kinds of musical insights that give the book a look beyond her dealing with being a famous musician.
I have been listening to her first four albums (Inseparable, Natalie, Unpredictable, & Thankful) along with Unforgettable since reading the autobiography. Cole’s tone and versatility make her unique as a singer and songwriter. Songs like Inseparable and I Can’t Say No sounds like the best of Aretha’s work. Songs like Something For Nothing and Sophisticated Lady(She’s A Different Lady) conjures up the best of 1970s funk. And a song like Annie Mae shows off Cole’s songwriting chops and her ability to tell a story. Her biggest songs like This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) & Our Love have left an indelible mark on pop and R&B. Natalie Cole was a true singing talent and I hope music aficionados and historians take a closer look at her oeuvre.
I’m glad that I read Angel On My Shoulder and Natalie Cole was a shining star that has earned her place in contemporary American music. Rest in Love, Natalie!
February 22, 2020
Natalie Cole spent her early years running from her father's shadow and make no mistake, Nat King Cole cast a huge shadow. She dreaded to hear the words 'the daughter of'. Why couldn't she just be Natalie Cole? She grew up in a predominantly white (and rich) neighborhood. Houseguests included the likes of Danny Thomas, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, and well you get the idea. Her world came crashing down when she was a teen as cancer claimed her father and life as she knew it ended. Despite her own success as a popular R & B singer, her life spiraled downward. Between hard drugs, bogus checks and bad men, she admits that it was nothing short of a miracle and that 'angel' on her shoulder, that she survived. Then when she recorded her 'Unforgettable' album and sang that duet with her dad, she was elevated to superstar. Whether she was 'the daughter of' or just plain Natalie, the woman had a fabulous voice. Her book was interesting and I learned a lot about her. It was written in 2000 and unfortunately Ms. Cole died 5 years ago at the age of 65. I would like to know more about those last 15 years. There is a whole lot more to Natalie Cole than her voice. Kudos to her for being so honest about her life in the fast lane. Now I must go and listen to her 'Unforgettable' album. She did her daddy proud.
April 2, 2021
Wow! What a great book detailing her life. Very well written, easy read and and engaging. She went from a privileged young child living in a mansion with butlers and horseback riding lessons to living on the streets in NYC with a serious heroin and cocaine addictions and was able to bounce back to stardom, singing with Pavarotti and flying with Sinatra in his private jet. It was also very interesting to read the behind the scenes of making albums, tours, photo shoots and backstage antics. She was my first record and first concert, so she was always a special celebrity to me.
April 7, 2023
I have always been a fan of Natalie Cole and her dad, Nat King Cole. I was unaware of Ms. Cole’s drug problems, but I am so glad she clung to God and got her life on track. I remember buying Unforgettable when I was in high school. It has always been a favorite album of mine. This book was published in 2000, and she passed away in 2015, so I’m sure a lot happened in those 15 years before her death. Nonetheless, they are a very talented family.
July 7, 2024
Wow! This turned out to be absolutely enthralling! I did NOT expect to enjoy it as much as I did, and I didn’t realize I knew as much Natalie Cole music as I did! Prior to reading, I could only name “Unforgettable,” but there are several songs by Natalie Cole that I just love but didn’t realize she was the singer like “This Will Be,” “I Live for Your Love,” “Pink Cadillac,” “Miss You Like Crazy,” and “Wild Women Do.”
From highs to lows and all between, Natalie Cole shares her life’s journey and says, “I’ve come a long way, and I believe that one of the reasons God created me is so that I can tell you what I have learned so far” (47).
“People know more about you than you think they do” (207).
“I’ve learned that God has his own way of preparing his soldiers. He gradually takes away things so that you have to stand on your own. You can’t keep depending on other people to be there. And pretty soon you have to depend solely upon Him” (212).
I remember when “Unforgettable” came out. It was a huge deal because she was singing with her deceased father. People loved it! It was beautiful! Apparently, the album was the “best album of remakes ever made” (256). I admit I would have gotten through this book much quicker had I not continually stopped so I could listen to Natalie Cole songs! I have downloaded the entire Unforgettable album in my Amazon music account, and it is such a breath of fresh air. It amazes me that these songs sung by her father, Nat King Cole, as far back as the 1940s and remade by Natalie in 1991 are still simply beautiful, and relevant, today in 2024.
Natalie tells of singing with Frank Sinatra during one of his last paid performances. I did not realize he had Alzheimer’s. 🥲
“Could not most of us fill up volumes of pages with wrongs—real or imagined—that we believe were done to us in the past? And isn’t it easier to blame than to forgive” (293).
“All you have to do is keep on livin’ to know that eventually life will kick your behind and knock you down. It’s your job to get back up and kick back. Character is born when you’re tested, so when you are tested, know that Someone is trying to tell you something” (328).
“You can choose to live a life that is bitter, or better” (328).
From highs to lows and all between, Natalie Cole shares her life’s journey and says, “I’ve come a long way, and I believe that one of the reasons God created me is so that I can tell you what I have learned so far” (47).
“People know more about you than you think they do” (207).
“I’ve learned that God has his own way of preparing his soldiers. He gradually takes away things so that you have to stand on your own. You can’t keep depending on other people to be there. And pretty soon you have to depend solely upon Him” (212).
I remember when “Unforgettable” came out. It was a huge deal because she was singing with her deceased father. People loved it! It was beautiful! Apparently, the album was the “best album of remakes ever made” (256). I admit I would have gotten through this book much quicker had I not continually stopped so I could listen to Natalie Cole songs! I have downloaded the entire Unforgettable album in my Amazon music account, and it is such a breath of fresh air. It amazes me that these songs sung by her father, Nat King Cole, as far back as the 1940s and remade by Natalie in 1991 are still simply beautiful, and relevant, today in 2024.
Natalie tells of singing with Frank Sinatra during one of his last paid performances. I did not realize he had Alzheimer’s. 🥲
“Could not most of us fill up volumes of pages with wrongs—real or imagined—that we believe were done to us in the past? And isn’t it easier to blame than to forgive” (293).
“All you have to do is keep on livin’ to know that eventually life will kick your behind and knock you down. It’s your job to get back up and kick back. Character is born when you’re tested, so when you are tested, know that Someone is trying to tell you something” (328).
“You can choose to live a life that is bitter, or better” (328).
August 28, 2015
"I'm amazed at how many times I have brought myself to the brink of death in my lifetime," Cole writes about her prolonged drug use. "God was working overtime to save my butt, and I marvel that He never gave up on me,"
From the first paragraph of this lively page-turner, Cole (and co-author Digby Diehl) set the book's tone for honesty, drama and humor. Trapped in the Las Vegas Hilton fire that killed eight in 1984, she reaches for her cocaine and freebasing tools, determined not to die straight.
As the daughter of Nat King Cole, Natalie was raised in a restricted community and treated by the press as a member of "the Black Kennedys." Her father's death from cancer in 1965 left the ten-15-year-old Cole devastated. Raised by a distant mother, she tried to get attention through shoplifting, sex and narcotics.
"I had an incredible stammina for drugs," Cole writes, glossing over nothing as she details shooting heroin, working as a street hooker and finally smoking crack cocaine. Musically, she was able to function beautifully, winning two Grammy awards for her debut album in 1975. But by 1983, with a six-year-old son to support and her career in jeopardy, she finally checked herself into Hazelden, where she stayed for six months, kicking drugs for good. With her career back on track, (albeit with a bad marriage), she finally embraced what she had been running from all her life--the musical shadow of her father--by recording a tribute album of his songs. UNFORGETTABLE...WITH LOVE sold seven million copies, won seven Grammys, and put her past to rest. Her description of producing and recording this labor-of-love album is hypnotic as it this juicy no-holds-barred biography.
From the first paragraph of this lively page-turner, Cole (and co-author Digby Diehl) set the book's tone for honesty, drama and humor. Trapped in the Las Vegas Hilton fire that killed eight in 1984, she reaches for her cocaine and freebasing tools, determined not to die straight.
As the daughter of Nat King Cole, Natalie was raised in a restricted community and treated by the press as a member of "the Black Kennedys." Her father's death from cancer in 1965 left the ten-15-year-old Cole devastated. Raised by a distant mother, she tried to get attention through shoplifting, sex and narcotics.
"I had an incredible stammina for drugs," Cole writes, glossing over nothing as she details shooting heroin, working as a street hooker and finally smoking crack cocaine. Musically, she was able to function beautifully, winning two Grammy awards for her debut album in 1975. But by 1983, with a six-year-old son to support and her career in jeopardy, she finally checked herself into Hazelden, where she stayed for six months, kicking drugs for good. With her career back on track, (albeit with a bad marriage), she finally embraced what she had been running from all her life--the musical shadow of her father--by recording a tribute album of his songs. UNFORGETTABLE...WITH LOVE sold seven million copies, won seven Grammys, and put her past to rest. Her description of producing and recording this labor-of-love album is hypnotic as it this juicy no-holds-barred biography.
July 12, 2019
My second choice (along with Lamonte McLemore of The 5th Dimension's memoir) at early Summer '19 retro-music reading, the late great Ms. Cole has been on my mind. I am an aficionado of the memoir style, especially of music figures, and I have simply lucked out choosing a duet of 2 of the best books in this field. Natalie kept the tone very conversational here, and was never afraid to let loose about everything from drug usage and rehab stays to sexual escapades, but throughout it all her faith in Jesus and sense of humor shines through.
Musically, all the stuff in the studio and onstage about the "Unforgettable, with Love" album is truly a love letter to her dad Nat King Cole, and her own artistic muse. Although her styles are certainly eclectic, Ms. Cole took this chapter of her life very seriously, even sharing with us her vocal lessons with the renowned Seth Riggs. I loved hearing about her take on other musicians from Michael Franks to Whitney Houston, but for Natalie, it is always entwined inter-personally. For instance, listening to Franks got her through rehab. Whitney seems to have sensed Natalie's explosive marriage to record producer Andre Fisher.
I was struck by her coming down on her mother, Maria, toward the end of the book but as a fan, gratefully know those issues were resolved after the memoir was written. With the greatest resolution of all, the complete autobiography is all the more poignant since Natalie Cole is gone and that angel in the title just may be herself. Like my reading this literary work today, I'd like to think that all she's learned is now helping someone else, while perched upon their shoulder.
Musically, all the stuff in the studio and onstage about the "Unforgettable, with Love" album is truly a love letter to her dad Nat King Cole, and her own artistic muse. Although her styles are certainly eclectic, Ms. Cole took this chapter of her life very seriously, even sharing with us her vocal lessons with the renowned Seth Riggs. I loved hearing about her take on other musicians from Michael Franks to Whitney Houston, but for Natalie, it is always entwined inter-personally. For instance, listening to Franks got her through rehab. Whitney seems to have sensed Natalie's explosive marriage to record producer Andre Fisher.
I was struck by her coming down on her mother, Maria, toward the end of the book but as a fan, gratefully know those issues were resolved after the memoir was written. With the greatest resolution of all, the complete autobiography is all the more poignant since Natalie Cole is gone and that angel in the title just may be herself. Like my reading this literary work today, I'd like to think that all she's learned is now helping someone else, while perched upon their shoulder.
September 15, 2024
It is four in the morning and I am writing a review because I don't want it tto get away from me. I started this autobiography with less than normal expectations simply because I was between books and this one came across my desk. I hope that it happens more often. Biographies often need the reader to maintain filters that look for the clues that separate the truth from the narrative and my eyes are always set on this fact particularly when dealing with politicians or entertainers. The way I would describe this personal journey is terribly dysfunctional, wonderfully successful and extremely redeeming. The warmth of her father Nat King Cole and the success of her musical career makes it hard to believe that this story coukd have happened. Unforgettable!
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May 6, 2009didn't know her life was so complicated and what a shame that she had all the tools of everything being at her beckon call. too bad and she is still paying for it but it was a good read--kinda like you sitting in a kitchen and drinking an glass of wine and interviewing her. She seems down to earth.
May 22, 2019
I have finally completed reading this book and it was worth it. I am glad she was able to put her life into words. She chose to keep going even though her desire for something kept trying to pull her back. It was wonderful.
September 1, 2010
An interesting read. Kudos for her overcoming addictions.
February 4, 2016
love the book , she very honest about her life , very easy to read ,
December 12, 2020
This book pulled me in right away. The reader definitely gets a sense of Natalie's voice.
While I'll admit to being a fan of Natalie Cole's later albums (after all, I am a jazz enthusiast), I completely understand why she shied away from her father's style of music and the songs he made popular at the start of her career. There was so much pressure being "Nat King Cole's daughter" and Natalie needed to know she could be successful on her own merit.
I was as perplexed by her mother as Natalie seemed to be. Even though Natalie was hurt when her mother was less than supportive while she went through rehab, I don't think she ever blamed her mother. It's refreshing to see a person take responsibility for their own actions instead of deflecting blame. I didn't like how her mother always seemed to anxious to see her fail, be it rehab or in her career or anything else. Very sad.
I had the pleasure of seeing Natalie Cole perform live at Ravinia in Highland Park, IL in 2013 (I believe). She was fantastic. A true talent who is missed, just like her dad.
While I'll admit to being a fan of Natalie Cole's later albums (after all, I am a jazz enthusiast), I completely understand why she shied away from her father's style of music and the songs he made popular at the start of her career. There was so much pressure being "Nat King Cole's daughter" and Natalie needed to know she could be successful on her own merit.
I was as perplexed by her mother as Natalie seemed to be. Even though Natalie was hurt when her mother was less than supportive while she went through rehab, I don't think she ever blamed her mother. It's refreshing to see a person take responsibility for their own actions instead of deflecting blame. I didn't like how her mother always seemed to anxious to see her fail, be it rehab or in her career or anything else. Very sad.
I had the pleasure of seeing Natalie Cole perform live at Ravinia in Highland Park, IL in 2013 (I believe). She was fantastic. A true talent who is missed, just like her dad.
July 12, 2024
She certainly seemed to have an angel on her shoulder. As she writes, there are many times she could easily have died because of her drug addiction. Being a huge fan of her dad, I've always loved her voice as well, and "Unforgettable" is one of my favorite albums. This was an informative and interesting account of her life, but one story about Sinatra in his later years was hard to read. :(
September 19, 2023
I have known about Natalie Cole and her father for a little while. This autobiography was interesting. I don't know how she survive that hotel fire. It was God that kept her.
August 20, 2024
I learned so much about Nat King Cole and the duet of Unforgettable that they did will have new meaning for me now!
December 9, 2023
I WAS & STILL AM A HUGE FAN OF NATALIE COLE'S MUSIC.
I READ THIS BOOK OVER TWENTY YEARS AGO & I FELT THAT THIS BOOK & ITS TITLE HAD BEEN ACCURATELY FIT FOR MS. COLE GIVEN SHE WAS VERY FORTHCOMING ABOUT HER LIFE BOTH IN PUBLIC & IN PRIVATE, HER STRUGGLES WITH DRUGS & STAYING CLEAN, HER ABUSIVE MARRIAGE TO SECOND HUSBAND ANDRE' FISCHER, HER STRAINED RELATIONSHIP WITH HER MOTHER ESPECIALLY AFTER HER FAMOUS DAD NAT KING COLE'S PASSING, & MUCH MUCH MORE.
I MEAN, MS. COLE WENT INTO VISUAL DETAILED ACCOUNTS ABOUT WHAT ANDRE FISCHER HAD REPORTEDLY DONE TO HER & WHAT HER FRIENDS REFERRED TO HIM AS : "TICK, TICK, BOOM" AS A RESULT OF HIS ALLEGED TEMPER HAD BEEN DIRECTLY TOWARDS NATALIE COLE.
ONE OF THE MOST INTERESTING RECOLLECTIONS STATED AS FACT IN THIS BOOK WAS MS. COLE SHARING HOW CLOSE SHE HAD ONCE BEEN WITH THE QUEEN OF SOUL ARETHA FRANKLIN, THAT IS, UNTIL NATALIE COLE'S MUSIC CAREER HAD BEEN REACHING THE TOP OF THE CHARTS & MS. COLE ELUDED THAT MS. FRANKLIN HAD DEVELOPED SOME FORM OF ENVY FOR MS. COLE'S FAME STARTED TO FREEZE HER OUT AT SOME POINT. I WON'T REALLY COMMENT ON THIS BECAUSE I DON'T BELIEVE THAT MS. FRANKLIN HAD RECALLED OR SPOKE ON THE MATTER AS MS. COLE HAD, SINCE BOTH OF THESE LEGENDS ARE GONE, IT APPEARS TO BE A MOOT POINT AT THIS POINT IN LIFE.
UPON CLOSING THE BOOK IT LEFT ME COMPLETELY ENLIGHTENED ON WHAT LIFE HAD BEEN FOR THE WOMAN WE KNEW AS MS. NATALIE COLE REQUIRING MORE RESPECT FOR WHO SHE HAD BEEN & WHAT SHE HAD BEEN THROUGH COMING OUT STRONGER FROM HER EXPERIENCES!
I READ THIS BOOK OVER TWENTY YEARS AGO & I FELT THAT THIS BOOK & ITS TITLE HAD BEEN ACCURATELY FIT FOR MS. COLE GIVEN SHE WAS VERY FORTHCOMING ABOUT HER LIFE BOTH IN PUBLIC & IN PRIVATE, HER STRUGGLES WITH DRUGS & STAYING CLEAN, HER ABUSIVE MARRIAGE TO SECOND HUSBAND ANDRE' FISCHER, HER STRAINED RELATIONSHIP WITH HER MOTHER ESPECIALLY AFTER HER FAMOUS DAD NAT KING COLE'S PASSING, & MUCH MUCH MORE.
I MEAN, MS. COLE WENT INTO VISUAL DETAILED ACCOUNTS ABOUT WHAT ANDRE FISCHER HAD REPORTEDLY DONE TO HER & WHAT HER FRIENDS REFERRED TO HIM AS : "TICK, TICK, BOOM" AS A RESULT OF HIS ALLEGED TEMPER HAD BEEN DIRECTLY TOWARDS NATALIE COLE.
ONE OF THE MOST INTERESTING RECOLLECTIONS STATED AS FACT IN THIS BOOK WAS MS. COLE SHARING HOW CLOSE SHE HAD ONCE BEEN WITH THE QUEEN OF SOUL ARETHA FRANKLIN, THAT IS, UNTIL NATALIE COLE'S MUSIC CAREER HAD BEEN REACHING THE TOP OF THE CHARTS & MS. COLE ELUDED THAT MS. FRANKLIN HAD DEVELOPED SOME FORM OF ENVY FOR MS. COLE'S FAME STARTED TO FREEZE HER OUT AT SOME POINT. I WON'T REALLY COMMENT ON THIS BECAUSE I DON'T BELIEVE THAT MS. FRANKLIN HAD RECALLED OR SPOKE ON THE MATTER AS MS. COLE HAD, SINCE BOTH OF THESE LEGENDS ARE GONE, IT APPEARS TO BE A MOOT POINT AT THIS POINT IN LIFE.
UPON CLOSING THE BOOK IT LEFT ME COMPLETELY ENLIGHTENED ON WHAT LIFE HAD BEEN FOR THE WOMAN WE KNEW AS MS. NATALIE COLE REQUIRING MORE RESPECT FOR WHO SHE HAD BEEN & WHAT SHE HAD BEEN THROUGH COMING OUT STRONGER FROM HER EXPERIENCES!
January 13, 2016
It was better than I thought it would be, though Natalie Cole's autobiography turned out to be a lot more complex than I imagined. I can see how Shewas compelled to write this book, not only so that her fans would get to know her better, but because there were so many things going on throughout her life that it actually made for a very good book.
Angel on My Shoulder covers Natalie's journey of coming into her own, out from the shadow of her father, Nat King Cole, takes the reader through her from abusive relationships to drug abuse to dysfunctional family affairs. In spite of all the 'hard knocks', there was a unique warmth permeating throughout her storytelling.
I took this book out of my bookshelf and started reading it the day after I read in the news that she had passed away.
Natalie Cole played a very important role in my life and I was glad to have had the opportunity to go even deeper and find out more about her
Angel on My Shoulder covers Natalie's journey of coming into her own, out from the shadow of her father, Nat King Cole, takes the reader through her from abusive relationships to drug abuse to dysfunctional family affairs. In spite of all the 'hard knocks', there was a unique warmth permeating throughout her storytelling.
I took this book out of my bookshelf and started reading it the day after I read in the news that she had passed away.
Natalie Cole played a very important role in my life and I was glad to have had the opportunity to go even deeper and find out more about her
December 14, 2016
The last paragraph: "Oh, and another thing. As you walk your own journey, keep your eyes open, listen well, and if you look real hard, you might find an angel on your shoulder, too. I sure hope so."
In Psalms, David lusted after Bathsheba, etc., and yet is known as a man after God's own heart. Natalie shares of her huge success which supported her drug habit plus. Following in Nat "King" Cole's shadow, her father, she tells of being rehabilitated from drugs as well as going through other problems (including men). As imperfect as her life was, she realized that there was an "Angel on (her) Shoulder", and credits God, quite a bit, for sending them.
Seeming like this book might be sleazy, Digby Diehl does an outstanding job of helping Natalie put her story in words.
In Psalms, David lusted after Bathsheba, etc., and yet is known as a man after God's own heart. Natalie shares of her huge success which supported her drug habit plus. Following in Nat "King" Cole's shadow, her father, she tells of being rehabilitated from drugs as well as going through other problems (including men). As imperfect as her life was, she realized that there was an "Angel on (her) Shoulder", and credits God, quite a bit, for sending them.
Seeming like this book might be sleazy, Digby Diehl does an outstanding job of helping Natalie put her story in words.
January 28, 2010
This autobiography was pretty good. She had a very interesting life. A lot of the details were a little it of a surpise, drug use, divorce, and abuse, etc. Overall, the book was very fun to read.
August 15, 2012
Natalie Cole has been to hell and back twice. It was interesting to read about her time at UMass Amherst (my alma mater) and in Springfield, where she got hooked on heroin.
February 13, 2013
Loved this book!
September 15, 2014
A Story Of Life, Hope & Forgiveness! A Powerful Read!
January 10, 2015
This was a great read! It really took you into the life of Natalie Cole. I would recommend this book.
July 27, 2015
Well done. Surprised how well the writing was done. Surprised by how much she went through in her life. Loved the in depth details about the music making industry.
February 3, 2016
I was struck by the level of honestly contained throughout this memoir. Unlike most 'star autobiographies/memoirs,' this was one in which Ms. Cole did not hold back.
January 25, 2016
This was a re-read, because we lost another singer that had a very beautiful voice. I pull out all of her CD that I had to listen to while I read her books! She will be missed by many of her fans.
January 28, 2018
She over came many struggles by keeping faith in God. Her angel protected her during very hard times.
October 1, 2018
this book grabbed me from the gate, sad life but I felt I learned alot about her based off this read.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews