The Way I Was

by Marvin Hamlisch, Gerald C. Gardner

The memoirs of the man who wrote the music for A Chorus Line and The Sting, as well as the hit song The Way We Were. One of the most gifted popular composers of our time, Marvin Hamlisch has written an unforgettable book--outrageously funny, witty, tender, and moving--about the remarkable career that brought him three Academy Awards and international fame by the age of thirty.

Genres: Nonfiction, Music, Biography, Biography Memoir, Musicians

Hardcover

First published October 19, 1992

Reviews

[Don · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best word I can use to describe this memoir from one of the finest songwriters of the late 20th century is "delightful." His breezy writing style allowed me to finish this in two days and his wit and way with words caused me to laugh out loud so often that my neighbors probably thought they needed to call the folks in the white coats!

You'll learn about Hamlisch's early song successes and, of course, about his work on Broadway. As you might guess, I was especially interested in hearing what he had to say about working as a rehearsal pianist for the Broadway musical "Funny Girl" which catapulted a young Barbra Streisand to stardom and about how he wrote her first number 1 hit "The Way we Were." I've heard Streisand tell these same stories over the years; so I guess they are true, (smile.) His memories of "A Chorus Line" were absolutely thrilling to read and what he had to say about his other Broadway work was both interesting and instructive.

Hamlisch's comments about his personal life, especially later in the book, are well worth considering. People would think he had it all. While this was true with regard to his profession, Hamlisch tells us how he came to the realization that his personal life also mattered, something many successful workers often forget.

If you are looking for a tell-all book filled with gossip and shocking revelations, look elsewhere. But if you want to laugh your way through stories about music you know and love along with reminiscences of the Great White Way, you can't do better than this.

[J Layne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to read this because we heard him in person at a concert and enjoyed it immensely. I did not know that his marriage was so unhappy. Apparently that is NOT broached in this book. Terre gave a beautiful tribute to her husband that is printed at the end of this book. Who knows the truth?

UPDATE after finishing book: Touching funeral tributes at end, including from Bill Clinton and Marvin's wife Terre. Also, a few color pictures. PERSONAL STORY: My husband & I were privileged to hear Marvin play his music at a concert. He took pieces of paper with musical phrases the audience turned in and verbal phrases from the audience and composed songs that he played and sang on the spot. Pretty amazing and gutsy thing to do. We had tickets to go hear him a 2nd time, and unfortunately, the concert was cancelled because Hamlisch was ill and could not come. He died a week or two later.

[Juliet Levy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book, and although I am trying to reduce my stacks of books I can't part with it.

Especially memorable is Hamlisch's account of his decision to pay for the rerecording of "The Way We Were" for the final scene of the movie, when the head of Columbia had refused to permit the studio to pay for it.

"So I spent the money, which, believe me, wasn't mere pocket change. But the new music went into the movie...I waited for the next preview...I was standing at the back of the movie house; I heard a woman start to cry. And then I heard another. And within minutes, there wasn't a dry eye left. I knew I was right. And knowing it was right made it worth every penny."

What a perfectionist. R.I.P.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a surprisingly witty (although I don't know why I am surprised) and interesting story if you are familiar with and like Marvin Hamlisch's music. I had trouble putting it down at times. He is (or was--he seems more mellow now) a very anxious person and it's kind of hard, sometimes, to realize how tough it was for him to pursue his genius under the weight of all that angst. It is interesting to see how his projects, especially A Chorus Line, came together and to learn of his days as a rehearsal pianist for Funny Girl. And to see how luck, timing, and contacts, in addition to talent and hard work, figured in to his career, as they do so often for everyone.

[Richard Worden · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very touching story, I recommended to all. It is well edited and full of gems. I saw a concert at Benaroya Hall in Seattle and Marvin was conducting his music. He was very funny in person and the book delights. I was a music major for the first two years of college and a friend of mine transferred to the Juilliard school of music as I changed my major to economics. No regrets, but I am curious to hear how my friend ended up. With this book, I feel a little bit of Marvin is with me.

[Stacey B · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book years ago.
Hamlisch was a superstar .
One of his best gifts that he was known for was a cute routine he did involving the audience.
He asked them to give him one short sentence. Any sentence they wanted. He would immediately turn back to his piano and create a song with that sentence included. Unbelievable.

[Steve Kenney · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books that I have ever read. Serious stuff, written in a lighthearted tone. I am happy that Marvin found new happiness with Terre Blair Hamlisch for the final 24 years of his way too shortened life. God bless.

[Joann Scanlon · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Way I Was by Marvin Hamlisch
The brilliant mind and musical skill of the true professional. Composing for movies and Broadway, probably best known for A Course Line, The Way We Were, Barbra Streisand concerts, I love this quote from Patagonia. "I like myself better when I am with you."

[Hannah Kramer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful man and human based on this memoir! It’s always so enjoyable to read about the influences that shaped someone’s trajectory in life. To hold such a talent whet the same needs and wants that we have is always something to be appreciated.

[Amy Schroeder · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the memoirs of of Hollywood and his was not exception. His musical genius is clear and I loved remembering so many of his songs and musicals.

[Jacqueline McLean · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love listening to the inspiration of artists. The journey of Marvin is interesting and diverse. What a great listen!

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

What surprisingly fun and entertaining read. Marvin Hamlisch is engaging, likeable person and his stories reach out to everyone. Loved this book. Couldn't put it down.

[Jw · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook. Loved it.

[Mark Sr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! Not a biography per se but full of wonderful stories about his life. He left us much too soon.

[Sara Goldenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was truly terrific. Funny too!!!

[Andrea A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable read on the life of the famed composer.

[Bubu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maybe I loved this book so much because I’m a native New Yorker The aroma of New York in both fragrance and culture was absolutely tantalizing. Maybe I also loved this book because I’m an artist. Not a composer but artist and this book game me the courage to accept that gift although I question it daily. The worse part of this book was that it was too short in length. My pallet is now craving the insatiable reading pleasure that only this author can bring.

[Lois R. Gross · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marvin Hamlisch left us too early. He still had music to write, music to play, and gifts to give. This memoir, updated with the many eulogies from his funeral, recounts his early years as a child prodigy through his late-in-life marriage to the love-of-his-life, Terre. Hamlisch was a neurotic, driven, type-A+ musician who seemed driven by his parents and an inner engine to over produce. At age 7, he auditioned and was accepted to the prestigious Julliard School. But classics were not what he wanted to dedicate his life to, to his father's disappointment. As early as 16, he produced bubble gum hits for singer, Lesley Gore, and wrote music for and accompanied lifetime friend, Liza Minnelli. When the rest of his peers were off to college, he was taking classes while playing accompaniments on the Bell Telephone Hour and, later, functioning as an assistant music director on "Funny Girl" where he formed a relationship with Barbra Streisand, another native New Yorker. A chance meeting with Michael Bennett led to his involvement in the multi-Tony winning "Chorus Line." Before the age of 30, he had won the Golden Globe, multiple Oscars, and multiple Tonys. His life was not without its ups and downs. His unrelenting pressure on himself led to bouts of bleeding ulcers, and he had several Broadway "flops" including the show "Smile" which includes the songs, "I Want to Be a Rockette," and "Disneyland." Still he brought much more to the table than he left there. His long distance romance with his wife, Terre, could have been written by his friend, Nora Ephron. While not Moss hart, there are enough amusing stories and snapshots of show business to make this a satisfactory read for any fan.

[Russell Sanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

Last night, I finished reading Marvin Hamlisch’s autobiography The Way I Was; today, I watched Ice Castles, the 1978 film he scored, mostly to hear his lovely melodies featuring what I feel is his most beautiful song Through the Eyes of Love. Hamlisch was indeed an American treasure. A supremely talented musician, inventive composer, and very funny guy, he was loved not only by his friends but the American public through his movie scores (The Way We Were, The Sting, and others,) his musicals (A Chorus Line, They’re Playing Our Song, The Goodbye Girl, Sweet Smell of Success, and others,) and his appearances on talk shows. I would guess that few in the civilized world have not heard Barbra Streisand’s rendition of his exquisite Academy Award winning song The Way We Were. So, as you can, I am pre-disposed to like anything Marvin Hamlisch did. And his autobiography is fun-filled with jokes and anecdotes about his career and the people he encountered in his life. It is also the tale of man who was Mr. Personality outwardly while inwardly plagued with insecurities. The book is a short one and only covers his life until his marriage, ending on a high note. His friendship with Streisand is a highlight, as are his accounts of his shaping night club acts for Ann-Margret and Groucho Marx. The high point of the book is perhaps the chronicle of the creation of one of the most successful Broadway shows of all time, A Chorus Line. Though Hamlisch relates to us his insecurities and physical ills, the book is mostly a light-hearted celebration of a remarkable man with a remarkable life. At age 68—twenty years after this book ends—Marvin Hamlisch died, having lived a full and rich life. But for us, he died far too early. I miss him, as I know his friends and the rest of the world do.

[Al · Rating 3 out of 5]

In 1992 I saw Marvin Hamlisch promote this memoir at the Miami International Book Fair. He was the same Marvin Hamlisch as his TV persona—warm, funny, witty—with the addition of a piano, clearly there to give him a prop to use as he covered the musical highlights of his life. Regrettably, I never read his book until now, two years after his death in 2012. In many ways, this is a traditional show business autobiography with anecdotes about the early successes Hamlisch had (“The Way We Were,” “The Sting,” “A Chorus Line”) that led him to be on the exclusive EGOT list of those who have won all the major awards in film, theatre, recordings and television. But midway through the book, the tone shifts and Hamlisch opens up about his personal life, or maybe it’s better to say his lack of a personal life. As a success driven workaholic since he was a teenager, Hamlisch had a mid-life crisis: “When you are alone, you are actually more likely to find yourself obsessing about yourself. I used to go round and round in circles to the point where I had locked myself into myself—by myself. But having someone to be with all the time, to talk about everything, unlocks a lot of closed doors.” Hamlisch then details how his future wife essentially saved him from a life of misery in what would become a 24 year marriage (giving special meaning to the book’s title, “The Way I Was.”) The 2014 ebook version ends with eulogies from his funeral that provide a loving perspective on his life. Recommended.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hamlisch wrote an exceptional book on his life, the 1960s music scene, and the 1970s and onward Hollywood and Broadway music genre. Concise, yet thorough, you can hear Hamlisch's voice deliver candid stories of his Jewish parents escaping the Nazis, his Woody Allen-type neuroticism regarding perfection, his impeccable piano playing ability from the time he was a child, life at Julliard through college, and in the end finally meeting his wife.
Hamlisch's anecdotes on his work with Barbra Streisand, winning 3 Oscars in one evening, developing "A Chorus Line," and finally writing a symphony explain how this man is one, singular sensation.
Personally, I LOVED this book. Easy read, could not put it down.

[Cathi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this title (by the guy who wrote the song "The Way We Were") and the book was delightfully funny and interesting. I've seen Hamlisch perform with the Houston Symphony, and I love his music. You name it, he's done it. After reading his bio, I also appreciate his great sense of humor.

[Elise R · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't put it down! Marvin's personality really comes through in this memoir. You feel like he's sitting down with you and telling stories. It was so interesting to hear about the behind-the-scenes work from one of my favorite musicals. His passion is so clear and inspiring.

[W. Frazier · Rating 3 out of 5]

This autobiography is satisfying, yet tends to stay on the surface of things. Hamlisch, an icon in the music world, recounts his work on Chorus Line, Funny Girl and other productions as he narrates a straightforward timeline to his career.

[Beverly Hollandbeck · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's interesting to learn that a man of monumental talent like Marvin Hamlisch could have self-doubts and debilitating fears. Makes me think I'm better off with no talents. I have no self-inflicted standards to live up to.

[william delarme · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprising

I very rarely read "show business" autobiographies but this one kept popping up. I decided one rainy night to give it a try and four hours later I ended up pleasantly surprised.

[Corinne Driscoll · Rating 4 out of 5]

So nice when your view of a person is not the result of PR, but is really what the person is. Always thought Hamlisch was a genius, funny, self-deprecating, neurotic and free of pretense. He was, not just through his own words, but in the eyes of those who knew him.

[Deirdre · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty interesting autobiography of the famous film and theater composer. I read it as research for an interview I did with him, or else I probably wouldn't have ever picked it up.

[Brianna Smith Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having lunch with him on Tuesday so read the book. Loved it! Can't wait to meet him.

[June · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely story

I didn't want it to end. It got better and better. Didn't know he had so much inner sadness. God speed Marvin.