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Socs and Greasers: Behind The Scenes of The Outsiders from Rob Lowe's Stories I Only Tell My Friends
A scene taken straight from Rob Lowe's New York Times bestselling memoir, Stories I Only Tell My Friends, a wryly funny and surprisingly moving account of an extraordinary life lived almost entirely in the public eye. In Socs and Greasers, Lowe tells us what it was like to work on the set of The Outsiders, a film that helped launch the careers of many of today's biggest stars, including Tom Cruise, Patrick Swayze, Matt Dillon, Emilio Estevez, Ralph Macchio, C. Thomas Howell, and Rob Lowe himself.
108 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 3, 2012
106 people are currently reading
688 people want to read
About the author
Rob Lowe
24 books471 followersRob Lowe is an American actor. Lowe came to prominence after appearing in films such as The Outsiders, Oxford Blues, About Last Night..., and St. Elmo's Fire. On Television, Lowe is known for his role as Sam Seaborn on The West Wing and his role as Senator Robert McCallister on Brothers & Sisters. He currently appears as a main cast member of Parks and Recreation in the role of Chris Traeger.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
February 13, 2012
I downloaded this sample just to see if I would be interested in the full autobiography and the verdict is in: yes, I am interested. I enjoy Rob Lowe's voice and I have to admit, he was always my favorite greaser :)
July 5, 2020
Maybe two stars is unfair here as the book is well written and the well narrated. It was massively disappointing though to hear Lowe only passively acknowledged his wrongdoings without any acknowledgement of his part in them except that he was “caught up in the lifestyle”.
Even his poor choices in scripts and acting parts all seemed to be someone else’s fault and yet his successes were due to him being a precocious young go getter with amazing natural talent.
It’s also pretty gross how he speaks about women. Women are something to be admired and ogled and desired but don’t really feature as humans. Even his wife, who gets slightly better treatment in her descriptions but is still only spoken about in terms of what she offers men.
Disappointing because I’ve always been a fan and thought that someone so talented who later in life was revealed to be very good at comedy would be more self aware, and he does come across very well in podcasts and interviews.
Even his poor choices in scripts and acting parts all seemed to be someone else’s fault and yet his successes were due to him being a precocious young go getter with amazing natural talent.
It’s also pretty gross how he speaks about women. Women are something to be admired and ogled and desired but don’t really feature as humans. Even his wife, who gets slightly better treatment in her descriptions but is still only spoken about in terms of what she offers men.
Disappointing because I’ve always been a fan and thought that someone so talented who later in life was revealed to be very good at comedy would be more self aware, and he does come across very well in podcasts and interviews.
November 20, 2013
(3.5)
There's something about being revealed something "behind the scenes" that grabs me. You know, as if I've been included in a secret and so it's exciting and I feel trusted. Well, Mr. Lowe doesn't know me from Adam so it's not that he trusts me but having read this book, I'm one more person that knows something outside the inner circle and that's exciting and intimate. That said, whoever was responsible for this "teaser" was astute. This disclosure was interesting enough to want me to know more, hence, to read the full memoir. Tricky, tricky, I say! I must admit though, the writing was pretty good. Note however that it does contain conversational adult language.
Jinky is Reading
There's something about being revealed something "behind the scenes" that grabs me. You know, as if I've been included in a secret and so it's exciting and I feel trusted. Well, Mr. Lowe doesn't know me from Adam so it's not that he trusts me but having read this book, I'm one more person that knows something outside the inner circle and that's exciting and intimate. That said, whoever was responsible for this "teaser" was astute. This disclosure was interesting enough to want me to know more, hence, to read the full memoir. Tricky, tricky, I say! I must admit though, the writing was pretty good. Note however that it does contain conversational adult language.
Jinky is Reading
January 7, 2012
A very easy and quick read, this is actually a small portion of Rob Lowe's autobiography rather than a new book. I supposed it's a tease to get us interested in his autobiography ... it worked.
I'm of Lowe's generation and although I thought him very pretty, I was never a fanatic. However, I thoroughly enjoyed this short read about filming "The Outsiders" and the young male actors he worked with before they became famous men. Lowe has an easy writing style to read.
I'm of Lowe's generation and although I thought him very pretty, I was never a fanatic. However, I thoroughly enjoyed this short read about filming "The Outsiders" and the young male actors he worked with before they became famous men. Lowe has an easy writing style to read.
February 16, 2014
So Rob Lowe may be an ass (he's before my generation, so I really don't know much about his sordid tales) but it does not come off in his excerpt. It was interesting to read his lessons in acting and in life. He came off, at least in this bit, as a man who learns from his mistakes and has insight into his behaviour. This makes me interested in his memoir: I really like learning from people, especially those who make BIG mistakes. Of course, a little dirt couldn't hurt.
February 5, 2012
Read on the airplane. "The Outsiders" was one of the more memorable books I read in 8th grade. I remember not liking the movie as much. Rob Lowe outlines how his role as Sodapop was cut extensively, and how the movie ignored the relationship between the brothers. It was a quick interesting read, and I must say, I kinda agree with Lowe's critique of the film.
April 22, 2014
I was unaware that this was only a section of his full book "Rob Lowe's Stories I Only Tell My Friends"
I like how this section was written. it was almost like sitting down with a friend and letting him tell his story. I can't wait to read the whole book.
I like how this section was written. it was almost like sitting down with a friend and letting him tell his story. I can't wait to read the whole book.
September 25, 2015
A freebie from Barnes & Noble and a must-read for any '80's Girl who fondly remembers The Outsiders and it's impressive cast of future stars.
April 6, 2019
I liked this. It pulled me in. The writing was smart and hopeful and vulnerable and respectful all at once. Here was a young man learning about Hollywood as he went along, and he had some hard lessons in store. On one hard you could say he was remarkably lucky, and on the other hand, especially after you read about most of his scenes being cut in The Outsiders, he was remarkably unlucky. And yet, as he points out, that is why addicts go into the business - because what is down one day may be up the next. It's a great teaser and now I want to read "Stories I Only Tell My Friends."
August 25, 2018
Couldn't put it down
Reading this brought me back to my Jr High days. It reminded me when I first saw the Outsiders & the crushes I had on Tom Howell, Ralph & my favorite Rob Lowe. I enjoyed reading the behind the scenes accounts. It made me laugh, smile & feel for Rob when he saw that several of his scenes were cut out. Rob Lowe's writing style is wonderful & he leaves his personality on the page. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Reading this brought me back to my Jr High days. It reminded me when I first saw the Outsiders & the crushes I had on Tom Howell, Ralph & my favorite Rob Lowe. I enjoyed reading the behind the scenes accounts. It made me laugh, smile & feel for Rob when he saw that several of his scenes were cut out. Rob Lowe's writing style is wonderful & he leaves his personality on the page. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
October 3, 2018
This is an excerpt from Rob Lowe's autobiography. He tells the story of his experiences on the set of The Outsiders, a film from the 1980s. I love the way he writes--it's like he's just sitting down with you, telling a story. I can't wait to read the rest of his story.
Well-written and entertaining!
Well-written and entertaining!
April 1, 2021
I was really uninterested in this book, this book was very well written but very self explanatory. This book was 1 hectic day cramped into 2 weeks. This book was. very excessively long other then that the characters were very well described. This wasn't one of the best books, but if you love slow, realistic, books this is the book for you.
July 10, 2022
I loved Rob's honesty in this book. I was hard pressed to remember the outsiders but him telling it from the actor's perspective was amazing. The next time I'm flipping through the channels and see this old movie, I'll have to watch again and I'll remember what Rob was thinking and feeling when he started his career with it.
October 23, 2023
A nice look into the movie
A nice look into the year around wrapping the outsiders and the release of the outsiders. Now I wish I could watch the v original version to see what was cut out.
A nice look into the year around wrapping the outsiders and the release of the outsiders. Now I wish I could watch the v original version to see what was cut out.
December 10, 2019
Great excerpt from the book.
September 1, 2020
A fun trip down memory lane. For both of us.
August 14, 2022
Incredible stories and perspective from one of my favorites from the 80s.
February 18, 2025
Great read. Classic movie. Loved it!
March 25, 2025
Just read the whole original book, its a better option.
December 24, 2013
This is a small slice from a larger book, Lowe's memoir Stories I Only Tell My Friends. It would be unfair to judge the memoir based on this chapter; yet, it was so bad it completely erased any desire I had to read Lowe's memoir.
I read this because The Outsiders has been so important in my life. It has remained a favorite book of mine since I was a teen; it was the first novel I ever taught in a classroom; and, it was the first time a movie affected me so deeply. The movie remained a favorite as well. I was very excited when Lowe started talking about his own personal experiences while reading the book. I agree with him that much of the beautiful story was left out of the film. Alas, this part of his tale was brief. I didn't really care about the rest. Apparently the most disappointing part of Lowe's whole experience of The Outsiders was that his big moment, his artistic pinnacle as an actor, was completely removed from the final film version. I'm sure the movie would have been so much better with this scene in it. (Use heavily sarcastic voice here.) Lowe's jealousy of the other actors, especially Matt Damon, is so obvious and really left a bad taste in my mouth.
I am not really a celebrity fan so the rest of the "book" was annoying. It read like one long name-dropping roster. YAWN!
I read this because The Outsiders has been so important in my life. It has remained a favorite book of mine since I was a teen; it was the first novel I ever taught in a classroom; and, it was the first time a movie affected me so deeply. The movie remained a favorite as well. I was very excited when Lowe started talking about his own personal experiences while reading the book. I agree with him that much of the beautiful story was left out of the film. Alas, this part of his tale was brief. I didn't really care about the rest. Apparently the most disappointing part of Lowe's whole experience of The Outsiders was that his big moment, his artistic pinnacle as an actor, was completely removed from the final film version. I'm sure the movie would have been so much better with this scene in it. (Use heavily sarcastic voice here.) Lowe's jealousy of the other actors, especially Matt Damon, is so obvious and really left a bad taste in my mouth.
I am not really a celebrity fan so the rest of the "book" was annoying. It read like one long name-dropping roster. YAWN!
January 6, 2016
I really enjoyed this extract of Rob Lowe's autobiography. I thought it would be cool to read because of The Outsiders, but I found myself really liking his voice and the way he told the story.
Great behind the scenes look at the disappointment that turning books into movies usually is. Rob Lowe was brutally honest and I appreciated how well his honesty came across. Not to mention that I got a kick out of catching early glimpses of so many of the actors that I grew up with during the 80s.
I also got a few other things from this: in hindsight, Rob Lowe appreciates all the early lessons in Hollywood, that C. Thomas Howell was wise beyond his age, Tom Cruise is a douche from way back, Charlie Sheen & Chad Lowe were snarky about their brothers' chosen profession and then became actors themselves. o.O And one more thing: Coppola was obsessed with Matt Dillon.
Yeah. This was really cool. I'd love to read the whole thing.
Great behind the scenes look at the disappointment that turning books into movies usually is. Rob Lowe was brutally honest and I appreciated how well his honesty came across. Not to mention that I got a kick out of catching early glimpses of so many of the actors that I grew up with during the 80s.
I also got a few other things from this: in hindsight, Rob Lowe appreciates all the early lessons in Hollywood, that C. Thomas Howell was wise beyond his age, Tom Cruise is a douche from way back, Charlie Sheen & Chad Lowe were snarky about their brothers' chosen profession and then became actors themselves. o.O And one more thing: Coppola was obsessed with Matt Dillon.
Yeah. This was really cool. I'd love to read the whole thing.
September 11, 2016
This is an excerpt from Lowe's 2011 memoir, Stories I Tell My Friends. It is clearly written by Lowe, himself, which is nice, since it gives a more intimate portrayal of the events of his life and his take on things, rather than the meshed voices and styles you sometimes get with co-written books.
On the other hand, not being a professional writer can have its disadvantages.
This (free dowload- yay!) story is about the making of the movie, The Outsiders. I was pleased to find out that Rob Lowe was just as disappointed (if not more so, with his personal stakes) with the final cut as I was. In retrospect, I do find some entertainment value in the film, byt ocerall, it pales in comparison to the S.E. Hinton novel. I know, I know..."the book was better" is an old refrain, but thus is one of the strongest examples of that old saw.
Conclusion: Yep, I'm interested. I plan on buying both of Lowe's thus-far published memoirs.
On the other hand, not being a professional writer can have its disadvantages.
This (free dowload- yay!) story is about the making of the movie, The Outsiders. I was pleased to find out that Rob Lowe was just as disappointed (if not more so, with his personal stakes) with the final cut as I was. In retrospect, I do find some entertainment value in the film, byt ocerall, it pales in comparison to the S.E. Hinton novel. I know, I know..."the book was better" is an old refrain, but thus is one of the strongest examples of that old saw.
Conclusion: Yep, I'm interested. I plan on buying both of Lowe's thus-far published memoirs.
April 21, 2012
Book description: A scene taken straight from Rob Lowe’s New York Times bestselling memoir, Stories I Only Tell My Friends, a wryly funny and surprisingly moving account of an extraordinary life lived almost entirely in the public eye.
In Socs and Greasers, Lowe tells us what it was like to work on the set of The Outsiders, a film that helped launch the careers of many of today’s biggest stars, including Tom Cruise, Patrick Swayze, Matt Dillon, Emilio Estevez, Ralph Macchio, C. Thomas Howell, and Rob Lowe himself.
May 26, 2015
I really, really enjoyed learning more about the making of The Outsiders, but the language got a little bit on my nerves. I would still recommend it if you love the movie.
Rob did an amazing acting job (I was lucky enough to see the extended version before the theatrical cut.) so it infuriated me how they did him. It was interesting to read his perspective on that, and his personal relationship with the other actors.
This sample is free on Amazon! :)
Rob did an amazing acting job (I was lucky enough to see the extended version before the theatrical cut.) so it infuriated me how they did him. It was interesting to read his perspective on that, and his personal relationship with the other actors.
This sample is free on Amazon! :)
January 9, 2012
Short teaser to get you to read/buy Rob's autobiography. I enjoyed the behind the scenes look at the actor's rise to stardom. Although I'm not a huge fan of his, I appreciated the anecdotes about his fellow cast members and the lessons he learned from other seasoned actors. Now I need to re-watch The Outsiders.
February 11, 2013
Although this is only a two chapter book from Rob's autobiography, it is a wonderful read. It reads like a journal but gives you a glimpse into one of the best films and books ever written. I learned quite a lot about some of the actors and it fascinating. I also recommend reading the book "The Outsiders" by S.E. Hinton!
January 26, 2014
This is actually a 2 chapter excerpt from Rob Lowe's autobiography which I obtained for free for my Nook. I thought it was a good follow-up to reading "The Outsiders" and was disappointed (but not very surprised) to hear that the movie version is different from the book. Otherwise it was entertaining to read about Rob hanging out with other young & upcoming movie stars.
March 30, 2013
The Outsiders is one of my favorite books, and I also really enjoyed the movie. I really liked this quick litte excerpt from Lowe's book, and learning about some of the behind the scenes stuff from the movie
July 8, 2013
Interesting behind the scenes look into a popular 80s movie with what became an all star cast. Considering Lowe's sorid past, he comes off rather clean in this (other than probably cheating on his girlfriend at the time, Melissa Gilbert.)
July 14, 2013
Have to admit I had a pic of Rob Lowe in my locker in high school. I also watched The Outsiders about 10 times in the theaters . This was a good behind the scenes of what goes on before stars have their big break. Looking forward to now reading his biography
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews