Secrets of a Sparrow by Diana Ross

by Diana Ross

This long awaited memoir reveals the heart and soul of the most private of the megatalents -- upon the occasion of her thirtieth year as a show business great.If any one performer defines the word "Superstar," it's Diana Ross -- a pop music legend and cultural icon who has been at the top of her profession for three fabulous decades. Secrets of a Sparrow, her inspirational and intimate memoir which takes its title from a favorite spiritual her mother sang to her, focuses on just the pain and pleasure of getting to number one and staying there, along with the lessons learned and the lessons taught. Here are Diana Ross' onstage electricity and allure transposed to the spoken word. Whether recounting triumphs or setbacks, togetherness or solitude, Diana is never less than open. These are the thoughtful and lyrically composed reminiscences of one of the most accomplished women of our time, a woman who is a role model in so many ways. Always true to herself, Ross is the ultima

Genres: Autobiography, Music, Biography, Nonfiction, Memoir

288 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

Diana Ross (born Diane Ernestine Earle Ross) is a twelve-time Grammy and Oscar-nominated American singer, record producer and actress, whose musical repertoire spans R&B, soul, pop, disco, and jazz. During the 1960s, she shaped the sound of popular music and Motown Records as front women of The Supremes before leaving for a solo career in the beginning of the following decade.

During the 1970's and into the early to mid 1980's, Ross became the most successful female artist of the rock era, while crossing over into film, television and Broadway winning a Tony Award for her one-woman show, An Evening with Diana Ross in 1977, and being nominated for twelve Grammy Awards and an Academy Award for Best Actress for her 1972 role as Billie Holiday in Lady Sings the Blues. She was also recently honored by The Kennedy Center.

In 1976, Billboard magazine named her the female entertainer of the century. Guinness World Records declared Diana Ross as the most successful female music artist of the 20th century with a total of eighteen American number-one singles: twelve as lead singer of The Supremes and six as a solo artist. Ross was the first female solo artist to score six number-ones. She is also one of the few artists to have two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame—one as a solo artist and the other as a member of the Supremes.

Including her work with the Supremes, Ross has recorded over thirty studio albums. In 1999, as a solo artist, she was ranked #38 on VH1's "The 100 Greatest Women in Rock and Roll", while The Supremes ranked #16.

Reviews

[Diane in Australia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I gave this 2 stars because in the entire book Diana never admits to being 'wrong' about ANYTHING. Everything negative that ever happened in her life was NOT HER FAULT. She was always a perfect angel. Ummm ... no one is that perfect. We all have our faults, we've all made mistakes, we've all hurt people we care about, we've all totally screwed something up ... better to admit it, and move on. But not Diana. So, despite being a fan of her music, I am NOT a fan of this book.

2 Stars = Blah. It didn't do anything for me.

[jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

on a personal and emotional level, i LOVE it because i love Diana Ross and think she has endless insight. i also got a lot of details on different areas of her career (especially her limited film career) that i couldnt find anywhere else in my research of her life and career, so it’s a really informative book… in that sense, it’s kinda my new Bible

being said, as a memoir it never goes into full detail about any one particular topic, rather glosses over a lot of things. she shouldve gone full Barbra with it, but this was written like 30 years earlier so… maybe she was ahead of her time with this one

[Timothy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Diana writing her Memoirs and not a tell all book. I love this book as she is explaining what makes Diana Ross, Diana Ross. No secrets about Hollywood or the music industry. Just Ross sharing her life.H

[Kameela Lateef · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It was very wonderful to read about what it took for the black musican to break into the mainstream music world. She took us on her journey to how she became the legendary Supreams. She talked about hard work an dedication she put in to be an artist an actor. She is truly a women to be admired for all she did to make it possible to see a black woman on TV. Barry Gordy was truly a man of great vision an he made sure she was ready to execute when the time came for her to shine. What a great book. Most people dont know that he was responsible for the Temptations, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye, Glades Knight an the Pipes an the Jacksons! This is truly an amazing man with a beautiful Gift.

[Joey · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I was in high school. I watched a contest on TV about contestants who had to lip synch any famous singers they wanted to parody. The winner chose Diana Ross. I wondered who Diana Ross is that time . I just had an idea that she may have looked black with these long soft curls. Then the idea had dwelt upon me for a long time . This is the fact that I am fascinated by Black Americans. For me knowing about the lives of Black Americans is a mystery to me. No doubt I have read some of them such as Richard Wright, Maya Angelou, Alice Walker, Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr. So I wish to read others’ more.

Since Diana Ross may be a legend, I try to relate to the story by listening to her songs on YouTube, even listening to other singers namedropped I am not familiar with.Besides, I got wind of other legendary singers like Josephine Baker and Marvin Gaye whom I find very interesting. Thus, reading books is indeed beneficial; it leads you the way to other worlds you have not gallivanted around yet.

This book appears to be simple since it is her memoirs. May be I wish that she had written it at length. Diana Ross just made it special because of the mushy lines she padded with, which touched me to the bone nonetheless, and for sure readers might feel the same way.So it is inspirational for people who want to make something of them. You can understand what makes Diana Rose to be the way she is, how she always believes that there ain’t such high mountain that people can reach, how perfectionist and passionate she is about her profession, and how smart she turns out to be- not only how she views the world from her own perspectives but also the way she puts her ideas into beautiful sentences. In fact, she loves readings books, too. It is just as well I decided to buy it after having skimmed through the pages.

Since this book was first published in 1993, I am sure that somehow I would understand any talks on her life whenever she makes a headline on TV or newspapers, I would just exclaim, “Ah, it’s Diana Ross- the wonderful singer.”

^__^

[Zach Hunt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable but not very in depth. There are a couple of glaring lies but overall, a story that she is comfortable presenting.

[Rachael Wehrle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hmmm I feel bad for Florence

[Marianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Light reading, no real insights into Diana. At times she comes across as a total airhead. In the end, a pretty decent read.

[Stacy Renae · Rating 2 out of 5]

Miss opportunity. Tons of stories/details she could have told but didn't.

[Stephanie Weldy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Growing up poor and half-Black, I, as a child, searched for Black role models aside from my mother. With my mom and dad listening to Motown religiously, I fell in love with Diana Ross. I loved her songs and her voice that so perfectly complimented her music. Studying her lyrics and pictures in my parents' tape cassette inserts, I found her beautiful, confident and strong. She made her mark on and drew diverse audiences in a time when Blacks were not widely not accepted.

Reading Diana Ross Memoirs: Secrets of a Sparrow, I find myself still liking Ross, but I find she may have been a bit manipulative and calculating to make it in her early career. Maybe that's what was needed to make it as a young Black woman in the racist and sexist 1960s. But after doing some research, it is obvious lies were told in this memoir, and some truths were completely dismissed.

I found it very interesting to learn how Ross made her entrance into the world of Motown, and how her group, The Supremes, became a household name across the nation. But I found a lot of the book overly saccharine. Having seen Ross in concert very recently, she does give off very happy and optimistic vibes, and I love that. But the happiness in which Ross writes about her life and her relationships with others seems to be artificial in a sense. Also, in this memoir, a lot of the same ideas are repeated constantly.

Overall, I love Ross. And seeing that she was not upfront about a lot makes me realize that people are complex. Even good people can make bad choices, and that is okay. Ross is just as human as any of us. I just wish she respected her fans enough to be much more honest about her life -- mistakes, questionable decisions and all.

But I continue to see Ross as the Queen. She inspired young Black girls. And she opened up non-Black audiences to a strong, creative, hard-working Black woman who refused to back down or let life tear her down.

[DIVAAARGH! · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is just plain silly, especially the part where she's blathering on about being on stage in the rain at Central Park, taking about, "the rain and I were one. I was a rain woman. I felt like I was in a wet dream". She's not very direct. She allude to things like possibly growing up in a domestically violent home, without actually saying so. Then there's all these goofy poems LOL As one reviewer quipped when this book dropped, "Stop in the name of love... and literature."

[Robyn Ringler · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always loved Diana Ross as her music was a big part of my childhood. Yet I knew little about her life. This book provided an opening to discover who Diana is, what her life experiences were like, insights into her family and professional lives, and what matters most to her. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Imani Gayle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful and positive read from an enchanting performance artist. One does get the sense that there are missing pieces in this narrative. Yet overall, a successful endeavor at sharing her life through her own filters.

[Jemia · Rating 5 out of 5]

a delicious book written in 1993 as a response to mary wilson’s book that was written in the late 80s. diana really tried to make herself seem like she was not a diva when we all know she was. she also really whitewashed her relationship with barry in this book. great read!

[Sandy III · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story on someone with deep Motown and Detroit connections. I did the audio book.

[Adam Brock · Rating 3 out of 5]

Diana gives little away.

[Sharon · Rating 2 out of 5]

After reading Berry Gordie's book on Motown, I saw this book in a used book store. It was a quick read. Comparing the two lovers description of their relationship and the Motown era was interesting.

[Don · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMFG. The Boss is the Boss for a reason. Best comedic book ever written. What a supreme being. I love her and I love that she loves herself too. Unapologetic.

[Piper Winchester · Rating 4 out of 5]

Diana Ross has a heart of absolute gold and joy.
I've never really been a big fan of hers but I will now listen to her voice a lot more.
She's a beaut.

[Edgle Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This an excellent book. And Ms. Ross, tells her story the only way she can! Much love and respect to Ms. Ross.

[Madlyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading her story. I’m sure there is so much more about her than what she chooses to share with her readers. Needless to say, the book was a delightful read.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Youtube

[Paula Dembeck · Rating 1 out of 5]

Diana Ross wrote this book in honour of her thirty years in show business and she begins the first chapter with her concert in Central Park celebrating the event. She says she originally hired a collaborator who she summarily dismissed when the narrative produced was not to her liking. She said it did not sound like her at all and so she decided to take pen in hand herself and delivered her own missive to the publishers, filled with her poetry, little text and packed with reams of glossy photographs. But the lure of "secrets" in the title is a sham. There are no secrets in this volume and we do not learn any more than we already know about this singer and sometime actress.

Ms Ross recalls growing up poor in the projects of Detroit and remembers a loving mother and a distant father. She talks about working for Berry Gordy as a secretary and at sixteen becoming the star of the Supremes. She says it was Gordy who fostered the antagonism among the Supremes by making her the lead singer in the act and the two others took it out on her by continually tormenting her.

There are others that have written about Diana Ross, including Mary Wilson in “Dreamgirl” and Randy Taraborrelli’s unauthorized biography “Call Her Miss Ross”. Ross says she has forgiven Mary for her memoir and does not consider talking about the contents of the Taraborrelli book or any of the rumours that swirl around her life.

Ms Ross admits to being a perfectionist and heaps on the platitudes when describing herself. She talks about her determination to be positive, to grow as a person and to learn as an entertainer and a human being. And despites her efforts she says, there are always people who want to drag her down. She credits a profound spiritual belief and positive thinking helping her through the difficult times and says she is at peace with herself.

Ms Ross sounds pretentious, shallow and self absorbed in the entire narrative, forever spouting clichés such as being ready to “dive headlong” into the rest of her life, the idea that she can “think and dream and make things happen” and that childbirth is “magical”.

I believe it is only her ardent fans who will appreciate this book.

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recommend this book for young people because of its "can do" message. Ross talks about working hard and taking responsibility for your own life and your decisions. She also alludes to how hard this can be.

She is a true diva. She's totally gifted and beautiful. Gordy was right to put her name in front billing on the Supremes, her towering voice and style were the reasons people bought their records.

Diana grew with the times from singing where she had to pee in the bushes when there were no rest rooms for Blacks to some of the most prestigious gigs in the world. She was a key talent in the creation of Motown and her work was influential in mainstreaming Black artists. She has performed with a tremendous range of artists in a variety of media. She not only pioneered a new musical style, but a style for a woman in business.

Compared to her experience the book is too light. It lays out her story and it can be very motivational. I believe she wrote these memoirs too soon. I've seen her more recent coffee table book which features her style and beauty. I hope she writes a third book that is more reflective.

[Caroline Mcphail-Lambert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as I hoped it would be, but interesting nonetheless. I always loved hearing Diana Ross sing and her concert was one of the best I ever attended. She began singing "I'm coming out," long before we could hear her from the bowels of the Winnipeg Arena, and sang for 2.5 hours non-stop. That's what drove me to read her memoir. She looks at everything in a positive light which becomes tedious at times, but I still enjoyed getting to know her a little more than I had prior to reading her secrets. A must read for any Diana Ross fans, as she shares many beautiful photographs throughout the book.

[Selim Vardar · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the book, Diana Ross tells her memoirs very fluently and gives the message that each step of her life has been filled with struggles but she jumped that steps by leading on to the positivity and made it somewhere even more inspiring than any step she took.

[Renee Mills · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've had this book on my shelf for quite a while,and every time I open it,I read more insight about her true soul! What a dynamic spirit of a songstress revealed in this work of art!

[Kathleen Meacham · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was unfortunately a HUGE disappointment.

[Susan Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Little slow start but otherwise a good book.

[Mekhi Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing