True Confessions

by Jon Winokur (Editor)

First-person-singular quotations reveal the private thoughts of celebrities such as Mick Jagger, Madonna, Sean Connery, Eddie Murphy, Katharine Hepburn, Mae West, and others

Genres: Nonfiction

304 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1992

About the author

Jon Winokur (b. Aug. 5, 1947) is an American writer and editor. Born in Detroit, the son of Martin M. and Elinor Winokur, he attended Temple University (BA, 1970) and the University of West Los Angeles (JD, 1980). He lives in Los Angeles.

Reviews

[Carson hall · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't know if my rating is very fair, to be honest. The only reason I got this book is it was part of a library sale and I got a huge bag of books for $4.00. I really am not interested in celebrities, nor what they think or say, so that is why I gave it only two stars.

Here is the thing, if I was into this kind of thing, I would have given it a much better rating. It was quick, well organized and almost fun to read.

So, all in all, don't listen to me.

[Nathan · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a collection of celebrities' wit and wisdom. This book demonstrates that most celebrities are neither witty nor wise.

Further, this book was complied in the early 1990s, so the cultural importance of most of these celebrities has diminished substantially as the decades have passed.

[Riley Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of fun! I liked that there were classic artists and inventors sprinkled in with the movie stars and celebs.

Would be a great gift for a Gen X mom or anyone interested in the golden age of cinema, because it seems like a lot of the quotes are from movie stars of that period.

[Cat. · Rating 4 out of 5]

First question: what does Winokur have against Madonna? Or, is it that he has something for her?

This was published in 1992, making the profusion of Madonna quotes unintentionally piquant. The remainder of the book--95% of it, really--is quotes from famous people that, purposefully or not, are very telling. It does help if you recognize the person; who is Daniel Berrigan?? Or Quentin Crisp??

The chapters include titles such as “I Am Born,” “The Secret of My Success,” “Obsessions and Compulsions,” and “My Own Epitaph.”

Here’s a sample I liked, from Aaron Copland:

Composers often tell you that they don’t read criticisms of their works. . . . I am an exception. I admit to a curiosity about the slightest clue as to the meaning of a piece of mine--a meaning, that is, other than the one I know I have put there.”

And another, from Kurt Vonnegut:

“I’d rather have written Cheers than anything I’ve written.”

This must have been a fun book to write/compile. I wish I’d have thought of it... !

[Rebecca Timberlake · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though it's just a book of celebrity quotations, they were organized well, and I really do think some of the best possible ones were picked to be included.

Makes for a good reference book.