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The Billy Bob Tapes: A Cave Full of Ghosts
There is—and could only ever be—one Billy Bob actor, musician, Academy Award-winning screenwriter, and accidental Hollywood badass. In The Billy Bob Tapes, he leads us into his Cave Full of Ghosts, spinning colorful tales of his modest (to say the least) Southern upbringing, his bizarre phobias (komoda dragons?), his life, his loves (including his marriage to fellow Oscar winner Angelina Jolie), and, of course, his movie career. Best of all, he’s feeding these truly incredible stories and righteous philosophical rants through his close friend, Kinky Friedman—legendary country music star, bestselling author, would-be politician, and all-around bon vivant. Put these two iconoclasts together and you get a star’s story that’s actually an insightful pop culture manifesto—a hybrid offspring of Born Standing Up with Sh*t My Dad Says.
323 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2012
368 people are currently reading
477 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews
January 4, 2023
How do you write a review of an oral autobiography by a brilliant talent like Billy Bob Thornton as told to and transcribed by Kinky (frickin’) Friedman?
I like rants. Screeds. Polemics. And shit like that. I absolutely loved this book. Billy Bob tells heart breaking tales of his early years, raised in poverty, starving (literally) might near half to death waiting on a minor acting gig in Hollywood while living in Glenwood or Glendale or Glen goddamned Glenn studios. Seriously- the skinny bastard almost died living on 1 can of tuna a day trying to lose weight for an acting gig. Spoiler: he got down to 135 pounds. Weird? Hell, it’s outtasite!
The book’s like Guralnick’s books on Elvis. Sure, you read it for the hotshit Hollywood gossip but you’re continuously moved by the gigantic humanity of the person otherwise known as Billy Bob Thornton.
I’m a Billy Bob fan admittedly… both as an actor and a writer/director. He should be big as The Coen Brothers. Or at least one of them.
I’d a’finished this sooner except I kept stopping to watch the films he did and appeared in to get a handle.
Look… I’m drinking champagne again, playing YouTube clips of Ry Cooder and David Lindley.
Cutting this short, Billy Bob’s from my part of the world.
Billy Bob’s from Malvern & Pine Bluff, Arkansas where my Uncle Ray and Aunt Ruth lived. I’m from Memphis.
My 1st girlfriend was gangbanged by Black Oak Arkansas who were friends of Billy Bob.
Then she got pregnant and blamed it on “horny acid” she was slipped by the crew. Me? Hell, I bailed like a bitch.
Thing is - I can relate to the stories Billy Bob regales the reader with.
If you’re a movie fan or a fan of Art this book was meant for you.
Grab it when you see it.
If you can find a copy.
I like this guy a whole goddamned lot.
Terrific reading.
I like rants. Screeds. Polemics. And shit like that. I absolutely loved this book. Billy Bob tells heart breaking tales of his early years, raised in poverty, starving (literally) might near half to death waiting on a minor acting gig in Hollywood while living in Glenwood or Glendale or Glen goddamned Glenn studios. Seriously- the skinny bastard almost died living on 1 can of tuna a day trying to lose weight for an acting gig. Spoiler: he got down to 135 pounds. Weird? Hell, it’s outtasite!
The book’s like Guralnick’s books on Elvis. Sure, you read it for the hotshit Hollywood gossip but you’re continuously moved by the gigantic humanity of the person otherwise known as Billy Bob Thornton.
I’m a Billy Bob fan admittedly… both as an actor and a writer/director. He should be big as The Coen Brothers. Or at least one of them.
I’d a’finished this sooner except I kept stopping to watch the films he did and appeared in to get a handle.
Look… I’m drinking champagne again, playing YouTube clips of Ry Cooder and David Lindley.
Cutting this short, Billy Bob’s from my part of the world.
Billy Bob’s from Malvern & Pine Bluff, Arkansas where my Uncle Ray and Aunt Ruth lived. I’m from Memphis.
My 1st girlfriend was gangbanged by Black Oak Arkansas who were friends of Billy Bob.
Then she got pregnant and blamed it on “horny acid” she was slipped by the crew. Me? Hell, I bailed like a bitch.
Thing is - I can relate to the stories Billy Bob regales the reader with.
If you’re a movie fan or a fan of Art this book was meant for you.
Grab it when you see it.
If you can find a copy.
I like this guy a whole goddamned lot.
Terrific reading.
June 10, 2012
This is not great literature, but I gave it five stars because I enjoyed reading it so darn much. People who have a problem with swear words, DO NOT READ THIS BOOK. I'm not a superfan of Billy Bob Thornton, but I do enjoy his films, especially Bad Santa, for which I'm probably going to hell. Anyway, this is just a book of him talking, telling stories of growing up in small-town Arkansas in the 50s and 60s, and his struggles when he came out to Hollywood. There's also some insightful ranty stuff about how the internet is ruining our society, a sentiment with which I mostly agree. I laughed out loud many times while reading this, and I'd love to sit down and shoot the shit with Thornton.
July 30, 2012
I like this "oral tradition" approach to a biography in which I suspect snippets of random, rambling, late-night conversations, between a bunch of friends hanging out, have been recorded and transcribed. BB is a storyteller by nature, so he tells the stories of his life to trusted friends, then Kinky F weaves in the poems and songs BB has written throughout his life with his writing partner and close friend, Tom E.
I sensed his past before he ever began telling his anecdotes -- I saw it in his face and the angle of his skinny shoulders. He has a hangdog expression in some of his character portrayals that suggests a certain life wisdom like "oh, this shit again." What I didn't know was the OCD and severe dyslexia and how complicated his daily existence is.
So, I knew where he came from, but was curious about where he is now, meaning is he like every other liberal, free-Willy, Hollywood dirtbag who scorns the real people who don't live in the magic bubble of California. I was pleased to discover that he is not. His sentiments lean toward a more conservative, structured world in which hard work and sacrifice are duly rewarded, and there's less opportunity for hate to be expressed in a public forum.
He shares my dismay at the lack of "magic" in today's world (thanks to the rampant consumerism and consumption), the vapid crap movies have become (thanks to the greedy studios no longer interested in financing art), and an upside-down, inside-out society where the audience has become the "star" and the Internet has become God -- the great equalizer for every monkey on a keyboard (facts and real news cannot be found anywhere). Hidden deep in the ramblings is a call to action, and I heard it. Someone with power needs to stand up and say our society has become a violent, sick, lawless, Godless, angry, hate-mongering place where petty, jealous, childish morons feel everything is owed them and use their whining to tear others down and spread malice. I especially enjoyed his insight on modern medicine. Despite what he says, he is a VERY smart man.
I enjoyed his movies before, and I enjoyed this book. I think the man has something to say.
I sensed his past before he ever began telling his anecdotes -- I saw it in his face and the angle of his skinny shoulders. He has a hangdog expression in some of his character portrayals that suggests a certain life wisdom like "oh, this shit again." What I didn't know was the OCD and severe dyslexia and how complicated his daily existence is.
So, I knew where he came from, but was curious about where he is now, meaning is he like every other liberal, free-Willy, Hollywood dirtbag who scorns the real people who don't live in the magic bubble of California. I was pleased to discover that he is not. His sentiments lean toward a more conservative, structured world in which hard work and sacrifice are duly rewarded, and there's less opportunity for hate to be expressed in a public forum.
He shares my dismay at the lack of "magic" in today's world (thanks to the rampant consumerism and consumption), the vapid crap movies have become (thanks to the greedy studios no longer interested in financing art), and an upside-down, inside-out society where the audience has become the "star" and the Internet has become God -- the great equalizer for every monkey on a keyboard (facts and real news cannot be found anywhere). Hidden deep in the ramblings is a call to action, and I heard it. Someone with power needs to stand up and say our society has become a violent, sick, lawless, Godless, angry, hate-mongering place where petty, jealous, childish morons feel everything is owed them and use their whining to tear others down and spread malice. I especially enjoyed his insight on modern medicine. Despite what he says, he is a VERY smart man.
I enjoyed his movies before, and I enjoyed this book. I think the man has something to say.
February 3, 2014
The Billy Bob Tapes: A Cave Full of Ghosts (Kindle Edition)
This gave me my first glimpse into B.B Thornton as a person, and a musician somewhat, that I'd not had before.
This gave me my first glimpse into B.B Thornton as a person, and a musician somewhat, that I'd not had before.
August 12, 2012
I endorse the Billy Bob Thornton book with the same enthusiasm that Nicolas Cage's character in Wild at Heart does his snakeskin jacket.
EDITED after finishing: this book is 5 stars for the front end where he talks about things like cutting up a giant cod fish in the bathtub of a fleabag motel he lived in and cooking it in his roommate's toaster over when all of a sudden the man/woman from down the hall with the melted face knocked on the door with his/her arm stubs and asked if he/she could have a picture of Billy Bob so he gave him/her a Polaroid he carried around for years. Those parts are good. The chapter where he details his OCD and phobias practically glows with weird, cocky, candor.
The latter third where he complains about the Internet and how hard it is to make movies his way and how he mentions hanging out with Gary Bussey and Ron Wood and not telling the story are three-star average, skippable even. It is sweet how he wishes the best for Angelina Jolie and how he thinks she and Brad Pitt are great for each other. But dude, the first two thirds are the stuff.
EDITED after finishing: this book is 5 stars for the front end where he talks about things like cutting up a giant cod fish in the bathtub of a fleabag motel he lived in and cooking it in his roommate's toaster over when all of a sudden the man/woman from down the hall with the melted face knocked on the door with his/her arm stubs and asked if he/she could have a picture of Billy Bob so he gave him/her a Polaroid he carried around for years. Those parts are good. The chapter where he details his OCD and phobias practically glows with weird, cocky, candor.
The latter third where he complains about the Internet and how hard it is to make movies his way and how he mentions hanging out with Gary Bussey and Ron Wood and not telling the story are three-star average, skippable even. It is sweet how he wishes the best for Angelina Jolie and how he thinks she and Brad Pitt are great for each other. But dude, the first two thirds are the stuff.
August 14, 2015
Although it's transcribed from tapes of Billy Bob talking to an audience of friends and acquaintances (and so is very conversational)this is a very interesting memoir of his childhood,early experiences as a musician and roadie, his later ventures as a writer, actor, and director and an insight into his life in general. Since the chapters are headed by quotes from his songwriting repertoire (which are surprisingly good) you also get insight into how that discipline reflects his life. Yes, he's a bit eccentric and obsessive but no more so than many ordinary people and by the end you find yourself regarding him as just a guy trying to get by in life. If you've only ever read the outrageous tabloid stories about him, you need to balance it by checking out his own take on his life and deciding for yourself where the truth is more likely to lay. This reader came away with a great respect for his talent and determination. - BH.
May 28, 2012
This isn't a memoir in your typical sense, it is more a one-sided conversation with a really interesting person you don't need to ask a bunch of stupid questions of anyway. You may come to this book wanting to get the scoop on Angie and the vial of blood (which you will, surprisingly enough) but you will stay for the This Boy's Life anecdotes and the fascinating musings of a mad hillbilly movie star. This also provides behind the scenes gems from Sling Blade, A Simple Plan, etc. A must for fans of the only actor in Hollywood with the balls to make it with the name Billy Bob.
January 12, 2025
Billy has always been a favorite writer and actor of mine, and he didn't disappoint with this autobiographical bunch of stories from his life. Interesting guy, very funny, and appears to live life by his own rules.
May 31, 2012
Originally posted at www.notesoflife.co.uk
I love a good autobiography and I love Billy Bob Thornton’s films, so when his autobiography (co-written with Kinky Friedman) appeared on my radar I knew I had to read it.
The dedication of the book, along with a quote from ‘Poor Buds’ Almanac’, is hand written/drawn by Billy Bob Thornton himself, though I’m not entirely sure who the 2 characters are that Billy Bob has dedicated the book to (there’s no names, just caricatures!). The next part that surprised me was the foreword, written by Angelina Jolie. We all know they were married for a few years, but I hadn’t realised that they had remained good friends. Angelina Jolie’s tribute to her former husband is touching, so much so that you’d be forgiven for thinking they were still married if you didn’t already know otherwise.
The Billy Bob Tapes: A Cave Full of Ghosts brings us colourful tales of Billy Bob Thornton’s childhood, family life, music, phobias (which aren’t your bog-standard, run-of-the-mill phobias either!), loves and, of course, career. Billy Bob didn’t sit down and write this book with his friend Kinky Friedman. Instead, Billy’s friends gathered at his place night after night and were given the task of getting him to talk, to help bring back memories and get the words flowing. These conversations and stories told by Billy Bob were recorded and thus turned into his autobiography. Because of this you can really imagine Billy Bob Thornton sat there telling you these stories as you read the book.
Each chapter is given a title, followed by lyrics from songs Billy Bob has written throughout the years. Some might say that Billy Bob Thornton is another of these Hollywood actors having a go at being in a band, but it’s not like that at all. Billy Bob was interested in music long before he ever considered being an actor. He talks a lot about his love for music and playing in bands. It’s every much a part of him as his acting is, he just doesn’t get paid for it!
Billy Bob takes us through his poor upbringing in the American South and then, as an adult, being so poor that he could barely afford to eat and so landing himself in hospital with serious health issues due to the lack of nourishment. But don’t get me wrong, this is no sob story. Billy wasn’t going to let a lack of food get him down. He was determined to make it and make it he did.
Billy Bob sure does name-drop in this book, but mainly he’s not name-dropping for the sake of it or for showing off, it’s usually because he’s grateful to them for the help, encouragement and inspiration he’s had over the years. In fact, the acknowledgements section at the back of the book is several pages long and Billy Bob still admits he’s probably left people out!
I loved reading about how Sling Blade came about. It’s one of my favourite films and it’s where I first came across Billy Bob Thornton. I hadn’t realised he’d also written and directed the film, as well as starring in it. Despite not being well known at the time, Billy Bob even managed to get actors such as John Ritter and Robert Duvall to star in it. If you’ve never seen Sling Blade then I’d definitely recommend getting the DVD and watching it.
This autobiography is honest, touching and even quite funny in parts. And his account of taking mushrooms one time is simply enough to put anyone off taking them! Billy Bob Thornton comes across as pretty forthright in his opinions and I didn’t quite like his take on us blogging reviewers, although I could understand his opinion on the matter. He also puts right some things the press have written about him and Angelina Jolie in the past. He’s honest and you take him as he is.
The Billy Bob Tapes: A Cave Full of Ghosts is a quick and entertaining read (with some flavoursome words included!) from one of Hollywood’s best actors.
I love a good autobiography and I love Billy Bob Thornton’s films, so when his autobiography (co-written with Kinky Friedman) appeared on my radar I knew I had to read it.
The dedication of the book, along with a quote from ‘Poor Buds’ Almanac’, is hand written/drawn by Billy Bob Thornton himself, though I’m not entirely sure who the 2 characters are that Billy Bob has dedicated the book to (there’s no names, just caricatures!). The next part that surprised me was the foreword, written by Angelina Jolie. We all know they were married for a few years, but I hadn’t realised that they had remained good friends. Angelina Jolie’s tribute to her former husband is touching, so much so that you’d be forgiven for thinking they were still married if you didn’t already know otherwise.
The Billy Bob Tapes: A Cave Full of Ghosts brings us colourful tales of Billy Bob Thornton’s childhood, family life, music, phobias (which aren’t your bog-standard, run-of-the-mill phobias either!), loves and, of course, career. Billy Bob didn’t sit down and write this book with his friend Kinky Friedman. Instead, Billy’s friends gathered at his place night after night and were given the task of getting him to talk, to help bring back memories and get the words flowing. These conversations and stories told by Billy Bob were recorded and thus turned into his autobiography. Because of this you can really imagine Billy Bob Thornton sat there telling you these stories as you read the book.
Each chapter is given a title, followed by lyrics from songs Billy Bob has written throughout the years. Some might say that Billy Bob Thornton is another of these Hollywood actors having a go at being in a band, but it’s not like that at all. Billy Bob was interested in music long before he ever considered being an actor. He talks a lot about his love for music and playing in bands. It’s every much a part of him as his acting is, he just doesn’t get paid for it!
Billy Bob takes us through his poor upbringing in the American South and then, as an adult, being so poor that he could barely afford to eat and so landing himself in hospital with serious health issues due to the lack of nourishment. But don’t get me wrong, this is no sob story. Billy wasn’t going to let a lack of food get him down. He was determined to make it and make it he did.
Billy Bob sure does name-drop in this book, but mainly he’s not name-dropping for the sake of it or for showing off, it’s usually because he’s grateful to them for the help, encouragement and inspiration he’s had over the years. In fact, the acknowledgements section at the back of the book is several pages long and Billy Bob still admits he’s probably left people out!
I loved reading about how Sling Blade came about. It’s one of my favourite films and it’s where I first came across Billy Bob Thornton. I hadn’t realised he’d also written and directed the film, as well as starring in it. Despite not being well known at the time, Billy Bob even managed to get actors such as John Ritter and Robert Duvall to star in it. If you’ve never seen Sling Blade then I’d definitely recommend getting the DVD and watching it.
This autobiography is honest, touching and even quite funny in parts. And his account of taking mushrooms one time is simply enough to put anyone off taking them! Billy Bob Thornton comes across as pretty forthright in his opinions and I didn’t quite like his take on us blogging reviewers, although I could understand his opinion on the matter. He also puts right some things the press have written about him and Angelina Jolie in the past. He’s honest and you take him as he is.
The Billy Bob Tapes: A Cave Full of Ghosts is a quick and entertaining read (with some flavoursome words included!) from one of Hollywood’s best actors.
September 26, 2012
3 1/2 stars for sure, I think I would have liked this book even better if I listened to it as I'm pretty sure it would have been read by the author.
Raised in small-town Arkansas, Billy Bob Thornton grew up amid a rich storytelling tradition. "See, the South is just different than other places. . . . You can feel the ghosts there."
This is an interesting read, I had no idea Thorton written and produced "Sling Blade" as well as starred in it. HIs story begins in Arkansas and takes us to California and talks about the bands he played in along the way. Music seems to be the first and true love of his life. This is not a kiss and tell book at all which is refreshing but not surprising as he seems to have an innate and untainted sense of right and wrong. There are some laugh out loud moments and a nice array of pictures. He talks about his OCD and quite unusual phobias as well.
Sadly, he talked about how much the media "deeply hurt his feelings" and that ultimately was the reason for his leaving Angelina Jolie; he just felt plain ugly and undeserving.
Raised in small-town Arkansas, Billy Bob Thornton grew up amid a rich storytelling tradition. "See, the South is just different than other places. . . . You can feel the ghosts there."
This is an interesting read, I had no idea Thorton written and produced "Sling Blade" as well as starred in it. HIs story begins in Arkansas and takes us to California and talks about the bands he played in along the way. Music seems to be the first and true love of his life. This is not a kiss and tell book at all which is refreshing but not surprising as he seems to have an innate and untainted sense of right and wrong. There are some laugh out loud moments and a nice array of pictures. He talks about his OCD and quite unusual phobias as well.
Sadly, he talked about how much the media "deeply hurt his feelings" and that ultimately was the reason for his leaving Angelina Jolie; he just felt plain ugly and undeserving.
April 6, 2021
Admittedly, I'm not a book critic. Wanted to put that out there. I'm just your average book reader, giving a honest, personal review of my thoughts on this book.
First of all, I love it! Billy is an interesting, somewhat eccentric personality. And yet, he's totally down to earth. Which is my sole comment that might be construed as criticism--Billy often seems... contradictory... in his opinions. I won't go into detail, but if you read the book you can't help but notice it. It's fine. It's probably not even contradictory in his mind. The important thing is the message, anyway.
I really wish more books (biographies and autobiographies) were written this way. I mean, many are. But maybe all of them should be? Just sittin' down readin' true stories about someone you *feel* you know. Very nice. And often, very emotional. Humorous, sad, loving, serious... it's all there. Like a previous reviewer, I've given five stars based simply on how much I enjoyed reading this book. And isn't that what it's all about?
First of all, I love it! Billy is an interesting, somewhat eccentric personality. And yet, he's totally down to earth. Which is my sole comment that might be construed as criticism--Billy often seems... contradictory... in his opinions. I won't go into detail, but if you read the book you can't help but notice it. It's fine. It's probably not even contradictory in his mind. The important thing is the message, anyway.
I really wish more books (biographies and autobiographies) were written this way. I mean, many are. But maybe all of them should be? Just sittin' down readin' true stories about someone you *feel* you know. Very nice. And often, very emotional. Humorous, sad, loving, serious... it's all there. Like a previous reviewer, I've given five stars based simply on how much I enjoyed reading this book. And isn't that what it's all about?
December 24, 2012
I loved this book. I've always been a fan of Billy Bob and this book was just as interesting as I thought it would be when I read the inside cover. The fact that he didn't write it but instead was recorded while just telling stories made it better. Not one boring patch in the entire book. However, there were PLENTY of moments I laughed out loud. Five stars, easily.
October 31, 2012
Yes I'm a huge fan of both Billy's acting and singing talents. Right from the start, Billy lets the reader know that this is a book written from interviews with his dear friend Kinky Friedman. It's like sitting around a campfire listening to amazing stories. I didn't want it to end.
June 7, 2012
As you read you can hear Billy Bob's drawl. Very honest and I agree with his opinion on our culture's decline.
August 28, 2013
You MUST be a fan to enjoy reading this book. I laughed out loud at the bus trip. Too much profanity but that's from being in Hollywood too long.
December 16, 2019
What a fun read! It’s as if you’re hanging out with Billy Bob and he just tells stories about his life and career. That’s exactly what he did for this book. He sat down with that other sardonic genius Kinky Friedman for a couple of nights, and Billy Bob just kept talking.
We learn about his upbringing, idiotic adventurous around Arkansas, his profound love for music and his music career, the incredible hardships he had to endure in Hollywood, and then the success that followed. All of those stories are filled with great anecdotes, lovely southern slang and off the cuff jokes. Only in the final chapters, the breezy flow of great stories (some fine editing by Friedman?) come to a halt when Thornton goes off rebelling against the online generation, health freaks, doctors and the Hollywood system. Without these I’d give this book 5 stars, but now will settle for 4,5. Ah fuck it, Billy Bob deserves 5!
We learn about his upbringing, idiotic adventurous around Arkansas, his profound love for music and his music career, the incredible hardships he had to endure in Hollywood, and then the success that followed. All of those stories are filled with great anecdotes, lovely southern slang and off the cuff jokes. Only in the final chapters, the breezy flow of great stories (some fine editing by Friedman?) come to a halt when Thornton goes off rebelling against the online generation, health freaks, doctors and the Hollywood system. Without these I’d give this book 5 stars, but now will settle for 4,5. Ah fuck it, Billy Bob deserves 5!
July 9, 2021
Billy Bob Thornton is FUNNY. I mean, belly laugh, spouse asking, "What's so funny?" level of funny. Lots of hilarious stories from his odd but fascinating rural childhood. If you are looking for him to spill the tea about Angeline Jolie, this is not the book. He has nothing but admiration for her. That's fair pool and I like it when exes get along so well; in fact, she wrote the forward.
I just loved reading this book. He's like a grown up Holden Caulfield who grew up poor. The dark humor and the biting wit are very similar. He's definitely a one-of-a kind.
As a Canadian, my favorite chapter was literally entitled, "I don't hate Canada."
I just loved reading this book. He's like a grown up Holden Caulfield who grew up poor. The dark humor and the biting wit are very similar. He's definitely a one-of-a kind.
As a Canadian, my favorite chapter was literally entitled, "I don't hate Canada."
February 3, 2024
"... I don't think it's good to talk bad about people, I never have. I'll talk bad about types and injustice, not individuals. That's my policy".
May 8, 2018
You don't know Billy _____.
I like biographies but I really like autobiographies. Maybe it the part of the country, maybe it some similar views, but so many things seem true to me. All I knew about Billy Bob Thornton was just gossip. There's a lot more to this guy and this book than I thought there would be. Music, writing, acting and directing? Like my dad used to say, "No job looks hard to the guy that doesn't have to do it. After reading his book, Billy Bob Thornton is the real deal.
I like biographies but I really like autobiographies. Maybe it the part of the country, maybe it some similar views, but so many things seem true to me. All I knew about Billy Bob Thornton was just gossip. There's a lot more to this guy and this book than I thought there would be. Music, writing, acting and directing? Like my dad used to say, "No job looks hard to the guy that doesn't have to do it. After reading his book, Billy Bob Thornton is the real deal.
April 19, 2014
As close as you can get to sharing a beer with the guy. Billy Bob has some great stories that make for an interesting read. He comes across as a genuine, no bullshit kind of guy - humble too, and for that you have to respect him. The later chapters tend to read more like a rant on the current state of affairs but over all a good, easy read.
May 22, 2013
I knew it was going to like this one when he mentions that as he was growing up they ate 3 meals a day: Breakfast, Dinner and Supper. He didn't know jack about something called Lunch. He's honest and funny. He said he shook a chicken foot at his head and the next day his hair grew back (he went to Bosley). This bio reminds me of Neil Young's book, just a plain old good read.
November 25, 2013
This book is fantastic. My only wish is that I could listen to this an audiobook. The book is a transcription of audiotapes and it would be amazing hear Billy Bob narrate this. Can't say much more because it would be spoilers...but it this book pure brilliance.
August 3, 2012
Just finished this, enjoyed it. I did not know that he started out as a musician and then became a screenwriter/actor. I liked that he did not dish dirt on people in the business, and was very open about his problems and trials and tribulations.
May 18, 2018
Sensative creative kind man.
BBT grew up in a tough environment like a lot of us n the fifties. His insight into human nature makes his writings intriqing and raw. All that glitters is not always gold. But BBT is a shining star!⭐
BBT grew up in a tough environment like a lot of us n the fifties. His insight into human nature makes his writings intriqing and raw. All that glitters is not always gold. But BBT is a shining star!⭐
June 3, 2012
Given that I wrote a small part of this book, how could I give it anything but five stars?
August 16, 2012
awesome. read it. even if you aren't that into billy bob thornton. very interesting and not your typical autobio.
August 11, 2020
8-3-20 – The Billy Bob Tapes: A Cave Full of Ghosts: by Billy Bob Thornton and Kinky Friedman – What a fun read! Billy Bob, over the years has sorta become the Southern Redneck’s Renaissance Man. A film actor/director/writer/producer, Oscar winner, Golden Globe winner, rock musician (drummer, guitarist), singer/songwriter and leader of the band The Boxmasters, and overall raconteur.
Co-written with fellow Raconteur Supreme, “author, musician, defender of strays, cigar smoker, and the Governor of the Heart of Texas” Mr. Kinky Friedman; I had a blast with this book.
The book covers his dirt-poor beginnings in the little Arkansas hamlet of Alpine, and his childhood in Hatfield. His hard-ass father died of cancer at age 48. His Uncle Don on his mother’s side (tough WW II vet and survivor of the Battle of the Bulge), took young Billy Bob under his wing and taught him about music and about life.
The Thornton family was quite unusual for their time and place, as they had a house full of books and some educators as well and most interestingly, his mother had The Gift and would do psychic reading for neighbors and local residents. Hence the inspiration for Billy Bob’s screenplay for the 2000 Sam Raimi-directed film The Gift, starring Cate Blanchett as a young rural woman with yep, The Gift.
He recounts meeting a semi-retarded? man in Arkedelphia as a young kid as recounted thusly –
“Every town’s got a guy who’s what they used to call shell-shocked. Now there’s some other term for it. Post-traumatic stress disorder. Used to be shell-shocked. Anyway, this guy could have been one of those, but there was something wrong with him, maybe it was autism. We didn’t know about autism or anything like that in those days. Regardless, we used to pick on him some, because kids do shit like that – you know, pick on the retarded guy. He wasn’t a kid, he was an older guy. Now, when I say older guy, when I was a kid, somebody forty was an old man to me………Anyway, this guy would just kind of mumble and shuffle around town.”
Little did he know that this small-town eccentric would change his life forever as the basis for his breakout Oscar winning 1996 film Sling Blade. I remember being blown away in the theatre when that came out and we all got a good couple of years out of Sling Blade vocal impressions and it was way-fun.
Billy Bob was married to the most popular actress in the world from 2000 – 2003; Angelina Jolie. I would’ve have bet that they had an acrimonious split full of drama and “he said/she said”, but it appears I couldn’t have been more wrong. Ms. Jolie writes a loving introduction to the book and calls her ex “the Hillbilly Orson Welles.”
Most chapters open with song lyrics from Thornton and his Boxmaster collaborator J.D. Andrew. And the book was written in 2012 while he was directing the film Jayne Mansfield’s Car in which he co-starred with Robert Duvall, John Hurt, Kevin Bacon, and Robert Patrick.
The autobiography covers his early life and career up to 2012 which includes cultural touchstone films such as the aforementioned Sling Blade and Bad Santa; not to mention stand-out TV performances in the first season of FX’s Fargo and his current Amazon streaming series Goliath.
His film resume is very impressive – One False Move, Tombstone, Dead Man, Primary Colors, Pushing Tin, All The Pretty Horses, Monster’s Ball, The Man Who Wasn’t There, Intolerable Cruelty, Friday Night Lights, and The Alamo.
I’m not at all familiar with his musical output, but after reading his thoroughly enjoyable life story, I’m now more than mildly interested.
Strongly recommended for fans and non-fans alike!
Co-written with fellow Raconteur Supreme, “author, musician, defender of strays, cigar smoker, and the Governor of the Heart of Texas” Mr. Kinky Friedman; I had a blast with this book.
The book covers his dirt-poor beginnings in the little Arkansas hamlet of Alpine, and his childhood in Hatfield. His hard-ass father died of cancer at age 48. His Uncle Don on his mother’s side (tough WW II vet and survivor of the Battle of the Bulge), took young Billy Bob under his wing and taught him about music and about life.
The Thornton family was quite unusual for their time and place, as they had a house full of books and some educators as well and most interestingly, his mother had The Gift and would do psychic reading for neighbors and local residents. Hence the inspiration for Billy Bob’s screenplay for the 2000 Sam Raimi-directed film The Gift, starring Cate Blanchett as a young rural woman with yep, The Gift.
He recounts meeting a semi-retarded? man in Arkedelphia as a young kid as recounted thusly –
“Every town’s got a guy who’s what they used to call shell-shocked. Now there’s some other term for it. Post-traumatic stress disorder. Used to be shell-shocked. Anyway, this guy could have been one of those, but there was something wrong with him, maybe it was autism. We didn’t know about autism or anything like that in those days. Regardless, we used to pick on him some, because kids do shit like that – you know, pick on the retarded guy. He wasn’t a kid, he was an older guy. Now, when I say older guy, when I was a kid, somebody forty was an old man to me………Anyway, this guy would just kind of mumble and shuffle around town.”
Little did he know that this small-town eccentric would change his life forever as the basis for his breakout Oscar winning 1996 film Sling Blade. I remember being blown away in the theatre when that came out and we all got a good couple of years out of Sling Blade vocal impressions and it was way-fun.
Billy Bob was married to the most popular actress in the world from 2000 – 2003; Angelina Jolie. I would’ve have bet that they had an acrimonious split full of drama and “he said/she said”, but it appears I couldn’t have been more wrong. Ms. Jolie writes a loving introduction to the book and calls her ex “the Hillbilly Orson Welles.”
Most chapters open with song lyrics from Thornton and his Boxmaster collaborator J.D. Andrew. And the book was written in 2012 while he was directing the film Jayne Mansfield’s Car in which he co-starred with Robert Duvall, John Hurt, Kevin Bacon, and Robert Patrick.
The autobiography covers his early life and career up to 2012 which includes cultural touchstone films such as the aforementioned Sling Blade and Bad Santa; not to mention stand-out TV performances in the first season of FX’s Fargo and his current Amazon streaming series Goliath.
His film resume is very impressive – One False Move, Tombstone, Dead Man, Primary Colors, Pushing Tin, All The Pretty Horses, Monster’s Ball, The Man Who Wasn’t There, Intolerable Cruelty, Friday Night Lights, and The Alamo.
I’m not at all familiar with his musical output, but after reading his thoroughly enjoyable life story, I’m now more than mildly interested.
Strongly recommended for fans and non-fans alike!
July 5, 2022
I've been intrigued by Billy Bob Thornton for years...even though you rarely hear about him any more. I think my first impression of him was that he was just weird...always nice to judge someone you know nothing about except what you hear from the media. Then I saw Slingblade...which I watched under duress (to begin with)...and decided that of course he's weird...he's a genius. Now, after reading his book, I still think he's weird (a little) but really, just a product of his life, his experiences and his way of looking at things...so, weird like me or any of us really!! This book is not landmark literature, not riveting and certainly not profanity free...but I think it's definitely his truth and that's what makes it fascinating.
September 19, 2018
https://msarki.tumblr.com/post/178242...
...My mom said my dad was crazy about me until I started talking. After that, he didn’t seem to like me that much…
The voice was certainly Billy Bob’s and his point of view seemed spot-on to what I would think of him. Anyone interested in getting to know the man better would be rewarded by reading this book. His thinking is different from most and that is what sets him apart, even in his acting.
...I’ve been to a handful of strip joints in my lifetime, but I just don’t know where to look—their eyes, their breasts, below their waists, I just don’t know. They’re sad places for me...
...My mom said my dad was crazy about me until I started talking. After that, he didn’t seem to like me that much…
The voice was certainly Billy Bob’s and his point of view seemed spot-on to what I would think of him. Anyone interested in getting to know the man better would be rewarded by reading this book. His thinking is different from most and that is what sets him apart, even in his acting.
...I’ve been to a handful of strip joints in my lifetime, but I just don’t know where to look—their eyes, their breasts, below their waists, I just don’t know. They’re sad places for me...
September 3, 2019
Interesting reading
Because this was written from what was basically transcripts of audio recordings, you get a completely different feel when you read it versus a traditional written biography.. You feel like you're actually there in several places, and you get to know Mr. Thornton in a way that you might not would have if it was a traditionally written book. I enjoyed reading it, would recommend it to anyone who likes biographies, casual reading, or is a fan of Mr, Thornton.
Because this was written from what was basically transcripts of audio recordings, you get a completely different feel when you read it versus a traditional written biography.. You feel like you're actually there in several places, and you get to know Mr. Thornton in a way that you might not would have if it was a traditionally written book. I enjoyed reading it, would recommend it to anyone who likes biographies, casual reading, or is a fan of Mr, Thornton.
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