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Gandolfini: Jim, Tony, and the Life of a Legend
Based on extensive research and original interviews, this intimate biography reveals the complexities of Gandolfini's character, his rise to fame, and his lasting impact on television and film.
“A riveting look inside the mind of a towering talent, this is a must for Sopranos fans."― Publishers Weekly
"A fast-moving, entertaining bio of a Hollywood mensch."― Kirkus
In Gandolfini, critic and historian Jason Bailey traces the twinned stories of the man and the unforgettable roles he played.
Gandolfini’s roots were working class, raised in northern New Jersey as the son of Italian immigrants, and acting was something he loved for a long time before he could see it as a career. It wasn’t until he was well into his bohemian twenties that he dedicated himself to a life on the stage and screen.
Bailey traces his rise, from bit parts to character roles he enlivened with menace and vulnerability, to Tony Soprano, the breakout role that would make him a legend, and onto a post-Sopranos career in which he continued to challenge himself and his audience.
More than a decade after his sudden passing, James Gandolfini still exerts a powerful pull on television and film enthusiasts around the world. His charismatic portrayal of complex, flawed, but always human men illuminated the contradictions in all of us, as well as our potential for grace, and the power of love and family.
“A riveting look inside the mind of a towering talent, this is a must for Sopranos fans."― Publishers Weekly
"A fast-moving, entertaining bio of a Hollywood mensch."― Kirkus
In Gandolfini, critic and historian Jason Bailey traces the twinned stories of the man and the unforgettable roles he played.
Gandolfini’s roots were working class, raised in northern New Jersey as the son of Italian immigrants, and acting was something he loved for a long time before he could see it as a career. It wasn’t until he was well into his bohemian twenties that he dedicated himself to a life on the stage and screen.
Bailey traces his rise, from bit parts to character roles he enlivened with menace and vulnerability, to Tony Soprano, the breakout role that would make him a legend, and onto a post-Sopranos career in which he continued to challenge himself and his audience.
More than a decade after his sudden passing, James Gandolfini still exerts a powerful pull on television and film enthusiasts around the world. His charismatic portrayal of complex, flawed, but always human men illuminated the contradictions in all of us, as well as our potential for grace, and the power of love and family.
352 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 29, 2025
98 people are currently reading
3219 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
April 20, 2025
An excellent read about a complicated man who left the world too early and a must read for Soprano fans too.
April 28, 2025
Well done.
July 18, 2025
This is a perfectly serviceable biography. It focuses much more on the actor than the man—which is probably how Gandolfini himself would’ve preferred it. Personally, I’d have liked to learn more about his early years, which are covered in just ten pages.
The photographs are a bit of a letdown in terms of quality, and once you strip away the many quotes from critics, colleagues, and Gandolfini himself, there isn’t a huge amount left. Still, it’s an easy read and serves well as an introduction. I just hope it isn’t the last word on such a remarkable figure.
I would've loved to have see him in The Office.
The photographs are a bit of a letdown in terms of quality, and once you strip away the many quotes from critics, colleagues, and Gandolfini himself, there isn’t a huge amount left. Still, it’s an easy read and serves well as an introduction. I just hope it isn’t the last word on such a remarkable figure.
I would've loved to have see him in The Office.
August 19, 2025
Like many, I was awed by James Gandolfini’s performance throughout The Sopranos, which made him an actor whose presence guarantees I’ll watch any movie he’s in. Gandolfini is a professional biography of an actor whose charisma and commitment to his work made nearly everything he was in exceptional. (The less said about Surviving Christmas, the better.) After the book begins by slightly skimming over Gandolfini’s childhood spent in a working-class Italian neighborhood in Jersey, Jason Bailey shifts to his subject’s growth as an actor, production by production, drawing heavily on interviews with both Gandolfini himself as well as those of his friends and peers.
Although Gandolfini was resistant to playing mobsters, two of his early breakout roles saw him feature as charming-but-menacing figures that were excellent practice for the character who would overshadow the actor for most of his life. He developed a speciality as a character actor, someone whose intensity could be brought in to “crush” a handful of scenes and add a strong seasoning to whatever movie he was in. Although he struggled with memorizing lines, his deep investment into developing characters and performing them – the persons, not merely the lines – opened the door to future projects. It was The Sopranos, though, that took him from “solid acting talent” to celebrity. The success of The Sopranos took the entire cast by surprise, as it completely disrupted their lives. Drea de Matteo, the young woman who played Adriana, suddenly had to be escorted through airports by security in a cart, or otherwise be mobbed by fans. Gandolfini was remarkably resistant to celebrity, though: he was grounded in Jersey’s working class, and despite taking advantage of his sudden ability to get last minute reservations at any restaurant he wanted, fame never went to his head. When he celebrated his 50th birthday party, the party included a few of his fellow actors, yes, but also a lot of people from the old neighborhood.
Tony Soprano dominates the midsection of this book, as he dominated Gandolfini’s life during the production years and continued to follow the actor in his remaining working years. Gandolfini’s research and intensity meant that even as he continued to breathe more and more life into the complicated gangster that Tony was also pushing his way into Gandolfini’s life. The actor would seek relief from the sheer emotional darkness through drinking and partying, sometimes not being able to work the next day, and this was habitual enough that his friends and family attempted to throw an intervention for him. It didn’t help that he was undergoing a divorce around the same time that Tony would, and Gandolfini began wondering if the showwriters weren’t mining his own personal misery to add fuel to the show.
His seriousness and intensity as an actor are remarked on throughout the book, but so is his warmth and generosity. He frequently treated the cast and crew to dinner at week’s end, and when the Sopranos wrapped up filming he dispensed nearly a half-million dollars in gifts. He’d been similarly generous during an actors’ strike, giving the cast money in gratitude for their support. He’s frequently noted here for his consideration of other actors, including young actors — helping coach those new to the stage, and always checking his acting peers to see if the take had worked for them. It didn’t matter if he’d been at work for over 10 hours, doing take after take: he wanted other actors to know that their art was collaborative – despite the fact that no one will argue Tony Soprano was the heart of The Sopranos and its success.
After The Sopranos wrapped, Gandolfini moved on to other projects, from serious dramas to rom-coms like Enough Said. When former cast members met him, they remarked on how dramatically he had changed: without having to channel Tony all the time, without living in the anxious, violent, and cruel don’s skin: it was if a cloud had lifted. He was also able to explore a bit, profesionally: he found he liked doing nonfiction documentaries, especially those focused on members of the US military who were dealing with physical and mental trauma from the terror war. Unfortunately, his post-Sopranos life would not be long: he died in June 2013 of a heart attack, one presumably brought on by weight, past stress, and past substance abuse.
As a fan of both The Sopranos and Gandolfini in general, I loved this book. As with Kaplan’s biography of Sinatra, it doesn’t ignore his weaknesses as a human – his own temper, his excesses – but it puts the man’s virtues and talent center-stage. I must note that it’s added several titles to my to-watch list – from his early stuff like Get Shorty to his later work like The Taking of Pelham 123.
Although Gandolfini was resistant to playing mobsters, two of his early breakout roles saw him feature as charming-but-menacing figures that were excellent practice for the character who would overshadow the actor for most of his life. He developed a speciality as a character actor, someone whose intensity could be brought in to “crush” a handful of scenes and add a strong seasoning to whatever movie he was in. Although he struggled with memorizing lines, his deep investment into developing characters and performing them – the persons, not merely the lines – opened the door to future projects. It was The Sopranos, though, that took him from “solid acting talent” to celebrity. The success of The Sopranos took the entire cast by surprise, as it completely disrupted their lives. Drea de Matteo, the young woman who played Adriana, suddenly had to be escorted through airports by security in a cart, or otherwise be mobbed by fans. Gandolfini was remarkably resistant to celebrity, though: he was grounded in Jersey’s working class, and despite taking advantage of his sudden ability to get last minute reservations at any restaurant he wanted, fame never went to his head. When he celebrated his 50th birthday party, the party included a few of his fellow actors, yes, but also a lot of people from the old neighborhood.
Tony Soprano dominates the midsection of this book, as he dominated Gandolfini’s life during the production years and continued to follow the actor in his remaining working years. Gandolfini’s research and intensity meant that even as he continued to breathe more and more life into the complicated gangster that Tony was also pushing his way into Gandolfini’s life. The actor would seek relief from the sheer emotional darkness through drinking and partying, sometimes not being able to work the next day, and this was habitual enough that his friends and family attempted to throw an intervention for him. It didn’t help that he was undergoing a divorce around the same time that Tony would, and Gandolfini began wondering if the showwriters weren’t mining his own personal misery to add fuel to the show.
His seriousness and intensity as an actor are remarked on throughout the book, but so is his warmth and generosity. He frequently treated the cast and crew to dinner at week’s end, and when the Sopranos wrapped up filming he dispensed nearly a half-million dollars in gifts. He’d been similarly generous during an actors’ strike, giving the cast money in gratitude for their support. He’s frequently noted here for his consideration of other actors, including young actors — helping coach those new to the stage, and always checking his acting peers to see if the take had worked for them. It didn’t matter if he’d been at work for over 10 hours, doing take after take: he wanted other actors to know that their art was collaborative – despite the fact that no one will argue Tony Soprano was the heart of The Sopranos and its success.
After The Sopranos wrapped, Gandolfini moved on to other projects, from serious dramas to rom-coms like Enough Said. When former cast members met him, they remarked on how dramatically he had changed: without having to channel Tony all the time, without living in the anxious, violent, and cruel don’s skin: it was if a cloud had lifted. He was also able to explore a bit, profesionally: he found he liked doing nonfiction documentaries, especially those focused on members of the US military who were dealing with physical and mental trauma from the terror war. Unfortunately, his post-Sopranos life would not be long: he died in June 2013 of a heart attack, one presumably brought on by weight, past stress, and past substance abuse.
As a fan of both The Sopranos and Gandolfini in general, I loved this book. As with Kaplan’s biography of Sinatra, it doesn’t ignore his weaknesses as a human – his own temper, his excesses – but it puts the man’s virtues and talent center-stage. I must note that it’s added several titles to my to-watch list – from his early stuff like Get Shorty to his later work like The Taking of Pelham 123.
Read
August 4, 2025listened to the audiobook; I think this was lovely & would’ve been a four or maybe even five star if I hadn’t already known so much in here as a big fan of The Sopranos (tho didn’t see it when it aired, but deep dive later & have watched more than once).
October 16, 2025
I watched The Sopranos for the first time this year while on maternity leave, so of course I had to pick this up. Jim Gandolfini was such a kind, humble, funny man that it makes it even more remarkable how well he played Tony. Robert Iler, who portrayed Tony's son AJ said at the 20th anniversary celebration of the show, "I hate to tell you: He'd probably hate this book. Just because of how nice everyone is gonna be in it, and how much we're gonna talk about how much we love him and how incredible he is. He's so pissed right now."
Sorry Jim, I hope you aren't too mad that a new fan wanted to read all about you and your life. Peace.
Sorry Jim, I hope you aren't too mad that a new fan wanted to read all about you and your life. Peace.
May 1, 2025
Being as my husband and I were huge fans of The Soprano’s, as soon as I saw this offered on NetGalley, I requested it!
What an interesting story and man, and what a complicated life he had…as well as a warped vision of himself. At times difficult to get through, as I ALWAYS saw him as a big teddy bear with some warped Italian values (at least on The Soprano’s…)
Also interesting to hear him speak of his Italian parents who never spoke Italian to him or his siblings… because they had just come over from Italy.🇮🇹 And funny, that my parents said THE EXACT same thing to us! So none of us grew up speaking or understanding Italian…
Also, I did not realize how many ‘misses’ he had before he finally landed in The Soprano’s! 😮😮
Beautifully researched with tons of narrative from family, friends and co-stars… most of them totally loved him! And stuck with him through all of his ups and downs…
And great to see how he really just thought of himself as a regular guy… and how he wanted to share not only his success, but his rewards too, with all those deserving!
This really opened me up to so many more aspects of Tony Soprano via James Gandolfini… So sad we had to lose him at such an early age… 😫
If you enjoy biographies, definitely look into this one! It was just released, so you should be able to find it on shelves now!
#Gandolfini by #JasonBailey and narrated beautifully by #EdoardoBallerini.
***This was released yesterday, 4/29/25. So, look 👀 for it on shelves now!! ***
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me!
Thanks so much to #NetGalley and & #RBMedia for an ARC of the audiobook, in exchange for an honest review.
You can find my reviews on: Goodreads,
Insta @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine
Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!! 📚⭐️
What an interesting story and man, and what a complicated life he had…as well as a warped vision of himself. At times difficult to get through, as I ALWAYS saw him as a big teddy bear with some warped Italian values (at least on The Soprano’s…)
Also interesting to hear him speak of his Italian parents who never spoke Italian to him or his siblings… because they had just come over from Italy.🇮🇹 And funny, that my parents said THE EXACT same thing to us! So none of us grew up speaking or understanding Italian…
Also, I did not realize how many ‘misses’ he had before he finally landed in The Soprano’s! 😮😮
Beautifully researched with tons of narrative from family, friends and co-stars… most of them totally loved him! And stuck with him through all of his ups and downs…
And great to see how he really just thought of himself as a regular guy… and how he wanted to share not only his success, but his rewards too, with all those deserving!
This really opened me up to so many more aspects of Tony Soprano via James Gandolfini… So sad we had to lose him at such an early age… 😫
If you enjoy biographies, definitely look into this one! It was just released, so you should be able to find it on shelves now!
#Gandolfini by #JasonBailey and narrated beautifully by #EdoardoBallerini.
***This was released yesterday, 4/29/25. So, look 👀 for it on shelves now!! ***
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me!
Thanks so much to #NetGalley and & #RBMedia for an ARC of the audiobook, in exchange for an honest review.
You can find my reviews on: Goodreads,
Insta @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine
Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!! 📚⭐️
April 18, 2025
This is how you write a biography. James Gandolfini was a complicated and troubled man, while at the same time being a disciplined and passionate actor. This book showcases all his positive qualities without shying away from his flaws and struggles. The role of Tony Soprano seems to have nearly eaten him alive, but his dedication to his craft wouldn’t allow him do anything less than fully inhabit the role. I highly recommend this book to fans of Gandolfini’s work or anyone interested in the craft of acting.
I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley.
I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley.
May 5, 2025
Gandolfini: Jim, Tony, and the Life of a Legend
Author Jason Bailey
Narrator Edoardo Ballerini
Formats: Audiobook - 9 hrs. 42 mins. / Hardcover- 352 pgs.
Audience = Biography readers, actor aficionados
Insightful, meticulously researched exploration of James Gandolfini’s life & work; from childhood in New Jersey throughout his career up to his unexpected death by heart attack in 2013.
Edoardo Ballerini— superlative narrator of the audiobook edition
Excellent research into his early work experiences, all that shaped him as an ‘actor’s actor’; a “well-respected character actor.”
Balanced content & analysis of film work meld with Gandolfini’s personal feelings about each performance; added are his friendships, family & deep working relationships.
His sensitivity to his own work, self-criticism is clearly delineated via various roles
vulnerability as an actor, essential to all great performances &, as a person, as displayed through his never-ending insecurities.
- However, in no way to suggest Gandolfini was easy with authority; he was able to push back when he felt it was needed in work & life.
- Use of The Method elucidates G’s hungry early years but never crossed into “method madness.”
- “His most unforgiving critic” = himself.
- Not until chapter 8 = Tony, the character that genius writer David Chase created with his iconic series, cast “The Sopranos.”
- Steven Van Zandt = “a character actor in his heart.”
- Screening of “The Sopranos” “his family was proud of him” & his father expressed this to him (his mother died in 1997, before the extraordinary success of “The Sopranos”) ; this meant everything to Gandolfini who was always very hesitant to portray typical monsters because of his Italian-American ethnicity & non-traditional looks.
- David Chase’s creation came out to rave reviews, an unqualified success.
- Gandolfini always shied from “the fuss,” unsettling to this introverted man.
- He felt it was “an ensemble thing” in truth & was very reluctant to do press.
- It was most interesting in the dissection of the Sopranos years. Largely because G’s life & further career was cut short by untimely death at age 51 in 2013.
- “Overnight sensation at age 39.”
- 2004 “Inside the Actor’s Studio” hosted by James Lipton = a great reference source interview with Gandolfini himself
- Gandolfini did films during off season shoots & after “The Sopranos” wrapped.
- Bailey’s dissection of the Soprano years is extremely well-done, season by season, with cast & crew member interviews & quotes. Added are the multitude of public & professional accolades Gandolfini, cast, and crew, led unwaveringly by the ultra-talented David Chase, received throughout the run of the HBO series.
- Bailey intricately dissects his numerous film roles. He explores each film with care & craft. Added are interviews with costars & various reviews. Also was a description of the more vicious, shameful reviews aimed at Gandolfini personally, both throughout his career and at the time of his death in Rome, Italy and his public memorial service. However the acting & arts community never wavered in their utmost respect to Gandolfini,, both throughout his life & after his untimely death. Tributes and public awards are well deserved & described by the author.
- author highlights Gandolfini’s extreme generosity & his less than exemplary follibles (drinking, etc. along w/ his marital issues) w/ respect & a lack of sensationalism. He shows the huge pressure the actor was under during the mid to latter seasons (w/ late or not attending set on filming days.) He was suffering but also had an obligation to the HBO show. It was a sad, difficult situation.
- Ultimately, what’s the reader of Gandolfini: Jim, Tony and the Life of a Legend comes away with is a very rich, well-written (& if listened in audio format, well-told) examination of a “genius” actor: sometimes troubled, complex, fiercely loyal, extremely generous, greatly intelligent and always striving to be better. For any reader who admires James Gandolfini & “The Sopranos” (as is this reader), I would highly-recommend this stellar biography.
Thank you to #NetGalley and #RBMedia for an ARC audiobook in exchange for an honest review
Pub. Date April 29/25 So, look for it on shelves now!!
#Gandolfini by #JasonBailey and narrated by #EdoardoBallerini
2025-netgalley-arc good-narrator
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Author Jason Bailey
Narrator Edoardo Ballerini
Formats: Audiobook - 9 hrs. 42 mins. / Hardcover- 352 pgs.
Audience = Biography readers, actor aficionados
Insightful, meticulously researched exploration of James Gandolfini’s life & work; from childhood in New Jersey throughout his career up to his unexpected death by heart attack in 2013.
Edoardo Ballerini— superlative narrator of the audiobook edition
Excellent research into his early work experiences, all that shaped him as an ‘actor’s actor’; a “well-respected character actor.”
Balanced content & analysis of film work meld with Gandolfini’s personal feelings about each performance; added are his friendships, family & deep working relationships.
His sensitivity to his own work, self-criticism is clearly delineated via various roles
vulnerability as an actor, essential to all great performances &, as a person, as displayed through his never-ending insecurities.
- However, in no way to suggest Gandolfini was easy with authority; he was able to push back when he felt it was needed in work & life.
- Use of The Method elucidates G’s hungry early years but never crossed into “method madness.”
- “His most unforgiving critic” = himself.
- Not until chapter 8 = Tony, the character that genius writer David Chase created with his iconic series, cast “The Sopranos.”
- Steven Van Zandt = “a character actor in his heart.”
- Screening of “The Sopranos” “his family was proud of him” & his father expressed this to him (his mother died in 1997, before the extraordinary success of “The Sopranos”) ; this meant everything to Gandolfini who was always very hesitant to portray typical monsters because of his Italian-American ethnicity & non-traditional looks.
- David Chase’s creation came out to rave reviews, an unqualified success.
- Gandolfini always shied from “the fuss,” unsettling to this introverted man.
- He felt it was “an ensemble thing” in truth & was very reluctant to do press.
- It was most interesting in the dissection of the Sopranos years. Largely because G’s life & further career was cut short by untimely death at age 51 in 2013.
- “Overnight sensation at age 39.”
- 2004 “Inside the Actor’s Studio” hosted by James Lipton = a great reference source interview with Gandolfini himself
- Gandolfini did films during off season shoots & after “The Sopranos” wrapped.
- Bailey’s dissection of the Soprano years is extremely well-done, season by season, with cast & crew member interviews & quotes. Added are the multitude of public & professional accolades Gandolfini, cast, and crew, led unwaveringly by the ultra-talented David Chase, received throughout the run of the HBO series.
- Bailey intricately dissects his numerous film roles. He explores each film with care & craft. Added are interviews with costars & various reviews. Also was a description of the more vicious, shameful reviews aimed at Gandolfini personally, both throughout his career and at the time of his death in Rome, Italy and his public memorial service. However the acting & arts community never wavered in their utmost respect to Gandolfini,, both throughout his life & after his untimely death. Tributes and public awards are well deserved & described by the author.
- author highlights Gandolfini’s extreme generosity & his less than exemplary follibles (drinking, etc. along w/ his marital issues) w/ respect & a lack of sensationalism. He shows the huge pressure the actor was under during the mid to latter seasons (w/ late or not attending set on filming days.) He was suffering but also had an obligation to the HBO show. It was a sad, difficult situation.
- Ultimately, what’s the reader of Gandolfini: Jim, Tony and the Life of a Legend comes away with is a very rich, well-written (& if listened in audio format, well-told) examination of a “genius” actor: sometimes troubled, complex, fiercely loyal, extremely generous, greatly intelligent and always striving to be better. For any reader who admires James Gandolfini & “The Sopranos” (as is this reader), I would highly-recommend this stellar biography.
Thank you to #NetGalley and #RBMedia for an ARC audiobook in exchange for an honest review
Pub. Date April 29/25 So, look for it on shelves now!!
#Gandolfini by #JasonBailey and narrated by #EdoardoBallerini
2025-netgalley-arc good-narrator
_____________________________________________________________________________________
May 21, 2025
wow wow wow- undoubtedly five stars. The ending chapter literally had me in tears even though I knew what was coming. it was so interesting and enjoyable reading how all of these people described their experiences with Jim. although everyone said Jim would hate this book because of how kind everyone was about him, i think the author did an amazing job of respecting boundaries while providing a well rounded depiction of a truly remarkable man and life. i am, however, sad to say that this book did not provide any closure to the series finale of the Sopranos… remains a mystery to this day, even for the people involved.
May 15, 2025
Gandolfini Jim, Tony, and the Life of a Legend by Jason Bailey
Audio Version
Overall Grade: B+
Information: B
Writing/Organization: B
Narration: A
Best Aspect: Lots of information I didn’t know, personal and factual. Made me want to watch The Sopranos again.
Worst Aspect: Some personal sections made me feel they were guessed and that is why I am not as much a fan of personal stories written by anyone but the person themselves.
Recommend: Yes.
Available Now. Thanks NetGalley for this audio book.
Audio Version
Overall Grade: B+
Information: B
Writing/Organization: B
Narration: A
Best Aspect: Lots of information I didn’t know, personal and factual. Made me want to watch The Sopranos again.
Worst Aspect: Some personal sections made me feel they were guessed and that is why I am not as much a fan of personal stories written by anyone but the person themselves.
Recommend: Yes.
Available Now. Thanks NetGalley for this audio book.
May 9, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was so well done 😭
I saw this was being offered on NetGalley and just knew I had to scoop this up!
Gandolfini has an interesting story and was for sure an interesting man — he had a complicated life.
If you’re interested in biographies, this is a can’t miss.
PS — I still haven’t recovered from the last scene of The Sopranos — IYKYK.
Thank you so much to RBmedia & NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC!
This was so well done 😭
I saw this was being offered on NetGalley and just knew I had to scoop this up!
Gandolfini has an interesting story and was for sure an interesting man — he had a complicated life.
If you’re interested in biographies, this is a can’t miss.
PS — I still haven’t recovered from the last scene of The Sopranos — IYKYK.
Thank you so much to RBmedia & NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC!
May 13, 2025
I’m a Fini-fiend!!!!!!!
July 31, 2025
i’m re-watching the Sopranos right now, and it was cool to watch James Gandolfini on screen while learning more about him. a complicated, generous, talented, loving guy. rest in peace
May 13, 2025
as good as it could be considering the lack of info on Jim. the author was very respectful to his memory while not making a saint out of him. very insightful and somber throughout.
May 13, 2025
this was extremely readable, but I learned nothing.
May 7, 2025
James Gandolfini guarded his privacy, which the author does a good job of reminding us often throughout the book. It made me feel a bit uneasy the first time because we want to respect people's wishes, when it's a reasonable request. But in certain cases, for the greater good, it's OK to look behind the curtain because some people are so talented that they make everything they do look so easy. I came to "The Sopranos" late and had only seen Gandolfini in supporting roles. In those roles, he made it look as if he was just himself hanging out on set pretending to be someone else. In fact, he was an artist who put a lot of thought and work into all his roles. He cared about the product and the people he worked with that he expected only the best from himself. All the people interviewed, and there are lot, have wonderful things to say about Gandolfini. They talk about his struggles and addictions, but they all agree that he was a generous and talented person. This is not a hagiography, but there are no anonymous sources saying anything to dispute Gandolfini's bighearted reputation. This book made me feel sad for the loss but happy for what Gandolfini left us.
The narrator does an excellent job with all the different voices. I could picture the people quoted as I was listening to the narrator.
#Gandolfini #NetGalley
This is a review of the audiobook version of the advance reader copy.
The narrator does an excellent job with all the different voices. I could picture the people quoted as I was listening to the narrator.
#Gandolfini #NetGalley
This is a review of the audiobook version of the advance reader copy.
May 5, 2025
DNF @ 7%
When I saw this listed, I was so excited. A lot of actors who play iconic characters get stuck being recognized as that character forever. Sometimes it can really put a damper on their careers, dooming them to only play variations of that one flavor of guy forever. Almost always, it obscures the picture of who they really were in favor of carrying on the reputation of the character. Gandolfini was one such actor, being remembered even in death as "Tony Soprano." And while The Sopranos was an amazing show, and Tony Soprano was a fascinating, complex character, I knew there had to be so much more to the guy who played him.
This book certainly attempts to tell the story of James Gandolfini, rather than Tony Soprano, but it couldn't do so in a more boring and slapdash way. Jason Bailey's writing was dry, and it felt like he was just carrying the reader from one event to the next, to the next, to the next, with little to no substance behind any of it. I'd love to learn more about James Gandolfini, but I certainly won't be doing it from Jason Bailey as long as I value keeping the number of braincells I currently have.
Thank you anyway to NetGalley, the publishing company, and Jason Bailey for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of this biography.
When I saw this listed, I was so excited. A lot of actors who play iconic characters get stuck being recognized as that character forever. Sometimes it can really put a damper on their careers, dooming them to only play variations of that one flavor of guy forever. Almost always, it obscures the picture of who they really were in favor of carrying on the reputation of the character. Gandolfini was one such actor, being remembered even in death as "Tony Soprano." And while The Sopranos was an amazing show, and Tony Soprano was a fascinating, complex character, I knew there had to be so much more to the guy who played him.
This book certainly attempts to tell the story of James Gandolfini, rather than Tony Soprano, but it couldn't do so in a more boring and slapdash way. Jason Bailey's writing was dry, and it felt like he was just carrying the reader from one event to the next, to the next, to the next, with little to no substance behind any of it. I'd love to learn more about James Gandolfini, but I certainly won't be doing it from Jason Bailey as long as I value keeping the number of braincells I currently have.
Thank you anyway to NetGalley, the publishing company, and Jason Bailey for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of this biography.
August 8, 2025
For me, normally memoirs and biographies usually score highly but this one I just could not justify giving it more stars. I went into this book knowing not much more than his character in the Sopranos and was finished with the book learning not much more.
The narrator Edoardo Ballerini did a great job with the material he was given. His voice led perfectly to this mobster-ish vibes Tony Soprano fans expected from this story.
Unfortunately, I found this book to be incredibly slow and informative. There was a lot of name drops and mentions that he keeps things personal and not much actual information. I managed to finish the book but it was definitely a struggle.
I received an advanced reader copy of this audiobook in exchange for my honest opinion and review.
The narrator Edoardo Ballerini did a great job with the material he was given. His voice led perfectly to this mobster-ish vibes Tony Soprano fans expected from this story.
Unfortunately, I found this book to be incredibly slow and informative. There was a lot of name drops and mentions that he keeps things personal and not much actual information. I managed to finish the book but it was definitely a struggle.
I received an advanced reader copy of this audiobook in exchange for my honest opinion and review.
May 25, 2025
Really lovely and thorough biography. I appreciated that it was open about his flaws and “demons,” which is something people seem to only vaguely reference about him, if they bring it up at all. But what I’m most grateful for is the map of films and appearances I will get to investigate now to see the many sides of this incredible actor.
July 26, 2025
James Gandolfini was a versatile actor who was widely identified with one of his largest roles: mob boss Tony Soprano from the HBO series. Jason Bailey explores the life of this terrific actor and also the role that came to define him after his untimely death. A rich memoir of film, stage and television. - BH.
May 1, 2025
An a great look into an amazing man’s life
April 28, 2025
Gandolfini: Jim, Tony, and the Life of a Legend, is an intimate look at a man who became larger than life almost against his will. Through interviews, personal stories, and cultural context, the book captures James Gandolfini’s contradictions — his deep insecurity, his kindness, his intensity, and the quiet sadness that seemed to follow him.
This isn’t a typical Hollywood biography; it’s a moving tribute to an actor who gave everything to his craft and wrestled quietly with the weight of his own legend.
An exceptional read. I finished this book feeling like I knew him, and wishing he were still around.
Thank you to Netgalley + Abrams Press + Jason Bailey for the chance to read this in exchange for a honest review.
This isn’t a typical Hollywood biography; it’s a moving tribute to an actor who gave everything to his craft and wrestled quietly with the weight of his own legend.
An exceptional read. I finished this book feeling like I knew him, and wishing he were still around.
Thank you to Netgalley + Abrams Press + Jason Bailey for the chance to read this in exchange for a honest review.
April 23, 2025
Some interesting information about a legendary man. I would have liked to learn more about his early life but overall this did a pretty good job of telling me who James Gandolfini was as an actor and a person. I wish we could see the things that he would have done if he hadn’t left this world so soon.
May 19, 2025
2.5 stars rounded up. I did enjoy this book, but found myself getting bogged down with much of the movie deals/Hollywood business aspects. The world lost a talented actor when he died before his time.
July 28, 2025
I almost stopped reading this book. The Sopranos was a unique series and remains in the mind / haunts those who have seen the HBO production. I read the early history with some impatience to get to the events during the production. I thought that this would be the highlight of the book. I HATED this part of the book which was largely Jim was a good guy, Jim had a substance abuse problem, Jim did not show up for work. As a person with 40 years of sobriety I abhored the idea that drinking and drugs were allowed on the set. There were enablers / suppliers / sabateurs who kept Gandolfini addicted. I think Tony Soprano was the best and worst thing that ever happened to Jim. It was the best in that it opened doors for his life after the Sopranos and the worst in that he had difficulty separating himself from the character. Over and over the author stresses the extraordinary effort of Mr. Gandolfini to "become" the character he was portraying. I believe he could not separate himself from the role and used drugs to ease the pain. He did not have a stable home life to help him with his struggles. THE BEST PART OF THE BOOK COVERED JIM'S LIFE POST SOPRANOS. We do not know if he was completely sober, but you cannot do an award-winning broadway play for months without missing a performance ( one for health reasons ) if you are heavily using drugs and alcohol. I have not seen many of the films in which Gandolfini acted later in his life, but I am curious to see them. The quality of his work was almost always praised even if the film was panned. I became interested in the documentaries that Jim did with HBO and last night I watched "Alive Day Memories: Home from Iraq". Gandolfini interviews 10 young men and women who have had catastrophic injuries during the war in Iraq. This is the story of the heroes and Gandolfini is largely seen only in profile. I cried. The Sopranos gave him the possibility of making such quaulity work. I was also happy that Jim had found a loving wife, but sad that he passed away when his new daughter was only 6 month old. This is a complex, loving, generous and great actor who died too soon. Kristi & Abby Tabby
May 9, 2025
Gandolfini: Jim, Tony, and the Life of a Legend
Format: Audiobook - ALC
Narrator: Edoardo Ballerini
Genre: Biography
📖 - 5 ⭐
🎙️ - 5 ⭐
Thank you, Net Galley, and RBmedia for allowing me the ALC of this audiobook. I do NOT normally listen to or read biographies or autobiographies. Honestly, I cannot think of a celebrity I would want to spend 15+ hours of MY life listening to, about THEIR life. To me, most are not interesting enough and tbh, I kind of find it strange. That being said, back in the early 2000's, I was obsessed with a television show called, The Sopranos. I loved everything about that show including the talent of the main character, played by James Gandolfini. I loved the show so much, I may have named my son after the main character😏. So, when I saw that the audio was possibly available, I applied, and it was approved.
I smiled and even laughed while listening to his many struggles in the business. All the little 'behind the scenes' antics really proved what kind of person James really was. I think I was intrigued by the fact he never wanted fame. It was stated several times that he performed because he loved it, not for the fame. He passed on several roles because it was nervous about his life changing. I just remember watching a few premiers where he was so bashful and shy, didn't care for the attention he was thrown in to; which I find absolutely adorable. He goes from portraying this this violent mafia guy to this big teddy bear and I loved it.
I have never recommended a biography before and truthfully this will most likely be the only one I ever do but I absolutely recommend this one. If you want a change of pace or to learn a little more about a very talented, charismatic man who had a heart of gold, give this one a listen.
Do I recommend? Yes
Format: Audiobook - ALC
Narrator: Edoardo Ballerini
Genre: Biography
📖 - 5 ⭐
🎙️ - 5 ⭐
Thank you, Net Galley, and RBmedia for allowing me the ALC of this audiobook. I do NOT normally listen to or read biographies or autobiographies. Honestly, I cannot think of a celebrity I would want to spend 15+ hours of MY life listening to, about THEIR life. To me, most are not interesting enough and tbh, I kind of find it strange. That being said, back in the early 2000's, I was obsessed with a television show called, The Sopranos. I loved everything about that show including the talent of the main character, played by James Gandolfini. I loved the show so much, I may have named my son after the main character😏. So, when I saw that the audio was possibly available, I applied, and it was approved.
I smiled and even laughed while listening to his many struggles in the business. All the little 'behind the scenes' antics really proved what kind of person James really was. I think I was intrigued by the fact he never wanted fame. It was stated several times that he performed because he loved it, not for the fame. He passed on several roles because it was nervous about his life changing. I just remember watching a few premiers where he was so bashful and shy, didn't care for the attention he was thrown in to; which I find absolutely adorable. He goes from portraying this this violent mafia guy to this big teddy bear and I loved it.
I have never recommended a biography before and truthfully this will most likely be the only one I ever do but I absolutely recommend this one. If you want a change of pace or to learn a little more about a very talented, charismatic man who had a heart of gold, give this one a listen.
Do I recommend? Yes
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 29, 2025
Review overall: 4.5/5
I really loved this book. I devoured it over just a couple of days. So, it goes deep into James Gandolfini’s career, especially how things started out slow for him and how he found his way into acting. The detail was great without ever feeling boring, and the people they talked to—his co-stars, acting coaches, industry, people from both film and theater and television, other actors he worked with—felt like real, trustworthy, sources, not just random throw-ins. A lot of what they said was subtle but stuck with me. It all felt very genuine and personal.
One thing I appreciated was how the book never went for cheap shots. It clearly respected him. At the same time, I do think it held back a little too much. It hinted at his demons, but never really explored them in any real depth. And since his family didn’t participate, which I totally get, it left a bit of a gap. I felt like if they weren’t going to be involved, maybe the book should’ve leaned a little more into the hard stuff instead of just skimming it.
That said, I came away from it with a deeper appreciation for who he was. Not just Tony Soprano, but a full, complex actor who really cared about the craft. He was and Is iconic. The book describes him as one of the greatest actors of his generation, and I honestly agree. It was sad to read about how he died, but I’m glad I read this. I learned a lot, and it stayed with me. Author did an amazing job with the material, I can tell the editing was tight and on point and I’m very grateful to have gotten a chance to read this book before publication. Thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me a chance to read this amazing bio of the greatest actor of a generation.
I really loved this book. I devoured it over just a couple of days. So, it goes deep into James Gandolfini’s career, especially how things started out slow for him and how he found his way into acting. The detail was great without ever feeling boring, and the people they talked to—his co-stars, acting coaches, industry, people from both film and theater and television, other actors he worked with—felt like real, trustworthy, sources, not just random throw-ins. A lot of what they said was subtle but stuck with me. It all felt very genuine and personal.
One thing I appreciated was how the book never went for cheap shots. It clearly respected him. At the same time, I do think it held back a little too much. It hinted at his demons, but never really explored them in any real depth. And since his family didn’t participate, which I totally get, it left a bit of a gap. I felt like if they weren’t going to be involved, maybe the book should’ve leaned a little more into the hard stuff instead of just skimming it.
That said, I came away from it with a deeper appreciation for who he was. Not just Tony Soprano, but a full, complex actor who really cared about the craft. He was and Is iconic. The book describes him as one of the greatest actors of his generation, and I honestly agree. It was sad to read about how he died, but I’m glad I read this. I learned a lot, and it stayed with me. Author did an amazing job with the material, I can tell the editing was tight and on point and I’m very grateful to have gotten a chance to read this book before publication. Thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me a chance to read this amazing bio of the greatest actor of a generation.
May 13, 2025
Rating: ★★★★½
Let me tell you what initially drew me to Gandolfini: Jim, Tony, and the Life of a Legend: Edoardo Ballerini. Full stop. I would listen to that man read the terms and conditions of my internet provider and be totally captivated.
Jason Bailey's Gandolfini is an emotional, thoughtful, and fairly thorough portrait of a man many of us knew best in a robe and gold chain, yelling about the ducks in his pool. James Gandolfini was already someone I admired as an actor, but Bailey reveals a flawed, passionate, sometimes troubled, often generous human being who never quite fit into the Hollywood mold, even as he became one of its most iconic figures.
The book moves beyond Tony Soprano's mythology (though don't worry—there's plenty of Sopranos info for fans) and dives into Gandolfini's early years in working-class Jersey, his late start in acting, and the heavy crown that came with his fame. It's not just a highlight reel of his greatest hits; it's a reflection of the man as both an artist and a human being. And Ballerini's narration is, as always, perfect.
By the end, I didn't just want to rewatch The Sopranos—I wanted to track down everything else I might've missed. Bailey has that effect; he makes you want to revisit, rewatch, and remember.
If you're even slightly interested in Gandolfini, The Sopranos, Hollywood stories, or just well-written biographies, this one belongs on your list. And if you're an audiobook junkie? Ballerini seals the deal.
Thank you to NetGalley and RBMedia for an advanced reader's copy; all opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Let me tell you what initially drew me to Gandolfini: Jim, Tony, and the Life of a Legend: Edoardo Ballerini. Full stop. I would listen to that man read the terms and conditions of my internet provider and be totally captivated.
Jason Bailey's Gandolfini is an emotional, thoughtful, and fairly thorough portrait of a man many of us knew best in a robe and gold chain, yelling about the ducks in his pool. James Gandolfini was already someone I admired as an actor, but Bailey reveals a flawed, passionate, sometimes troubled, often generous human being who never quite fit into the Hollywood mold, even as he became one of its most iconic figures.
The book moves beyond Tony Soprano's mythology (though don't worry—there's plenty of Sopranos info for fans) and dives into Gandolfini's early years in working-class Jersey, his late start in acting, and the heavy crown that came with his fame. It's not just a highlight reel of his greatest hits; it's a reflection of the man as both an artist and a human being. And Ballerini's narration is, as always, perfect.
By the end, I didn't just want to rewatch The Sopranos—I wanted to track down everything else I might've missed. Bailey has that effect; he makes you want to revisit, rewatch, and remember.
If you're even slightly interested in Gandolfini, The Sopranos, Hollywood stories, or just well-written biographies, this one belongs on your list. And if you're an audiobook junkie? Ballerini seals the deal.
Thank you to NetGalley and RBMedia for an advanced reader's copy; all opinions expressed in this review are my own.
July 21, 2025
Gandolfini: Jim, Tony, and the Life of a Legend by Jason Bailey and narrated by Edoardo Ballerini was one of the best Biography I have hand the pleasure to listen to.
WoW! This was so powerful and a must listen to, about a man who was a fantastic actor and a man with a massive heart. I loved watching Him in Sopranos I just loved his character Tony. One of the finest actors there ever was and taken too soon!!!! RIP James Gandolfini You was one of the best and If you listen to this Yes you will need tissues from chapter 24........Such a shock when he had a heart attack in Rome while he was on Holiday with his son, his son found him.and he was only 51 in the prime of his life and acting area.
The author Jason Bailey wrote a wonderful book, which was based on extensive research and original reporting, including interviews with Gandolfini:;s friends and collaborators, Gandolfini is a detailed and nuanced appraisal of an enduring artist.
James wrote about Gandolfini: rise, from the very beginning of James Gandolfini:s career, to his famous and most loveable ❤️ Tony Soprano, this was his breakout role that would make him a legend, and onto a post-Sopranos career in which he continued to challenge himself and his audience.
This is a must read or listen to if love to read about famous people I am so glad I spent my day listening to this audiobook.
Superb audiobook and the narrator Edoardo Ballerini was excellent.
5 ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ I highly recommend Gandolfini:: Jim, Tony, and the Life of a Legend by Jason Bailey
WoW! This was so powerful and a must listen to, about a man who was a fantastic actor and a man with a massive heart. I loved watching Him in Sopranos I just loved his character Tony. One of the finest actors there ever was and taken too soon!!!! RIP James Gandolfini You was one of the best and If you listen to this Yes you will need tissues from chapter 24........Such a shock when he had a heart attack in Rome while he was on Holiday with his son, his son found him.and he was only 51 in the prime of his life and acting area.
The author Jason Bailey wrote a wonderful book, which was based on extensive research and original reporting, including interviews with Gandolfini:;s friends and collaborators, Gandolfini is a detailed and nuanced appraisal of an enduring artist.
James wrote about Gandolfini: rise, from the very beginning of James Gandolfini:s career, to his famous and most loveable ❤️ Tony Soprano, this was his breakout role that would make him a legend, and onto a post-Sopranos career in which he continued to challenge himself and his audience.
This is a must read or listen to if love to read about famous people I am so glad I spent my day listening to this audiobook.
Superb audiobook and the narrator Edoardo Ballerini was excellent.
5 ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ I highly recommend Gandolfini:: Jim, Tony, and the Life of a Legend by Jason Bailey
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