When They Were 22: 100 Famous People at the Turning Point in Their Lives

by Brad Dunn

Most of us can point to one or two moments in our lives when everything changed, when a stroke of fate forever altered the future, or a single decision sparked a lifetime of consequences. Across the broadest spectrum of famous people, that moment happens more often at 22 than any other age. 

Brad Dunn's When They Were 22 tells the stories of famous people and the fateful events and choices they faced at the all-important age of 22. From writers, actors, and musicians to politicians, hip-hop moguls, criminals, and porn stars, When They Were 22 chronicles some of the most legendary, influential, and controversial celebrities during the most pivotal year of their lives. Just a few

* Oprah Winfrey dropped out of college to become a newsreader in Nashville, and at 22 moved to Baltimore to work at another station where she landed her own talk show.

* Jack White had his own upholstery business at age 22, but while practicing the guitar he asked his wife, Meg, to try the drums--he liked her playing so much they began performing as a two-piece band, the White Stripes.

* When Karl Rove was 22, he was accused of espionage and deceitful campaign tactics by the College Republicans and wound up meeting future president George W. Bush.

With an eclectic lineup that includes Bill Murray, Sean "Diddy" Combs, Marilyn Monroe, Stephen Hawking, Pamela Anderson, Malcolm X, Stanley Kubrick, Andy Warhol, Larry Flynt, Jane Goodall, Harvey Weinstein, and many more, When They Were 22 is perfect for graduates, job searchers, celebrity watchers, biography lovers, or anyone who doubts that in life anything is possible.

Genres: Biography

192 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2006

About the author

Brad Dunn has been a writer and editor for the New York Times, the New York Daily News, and Court TV, as well as a speechwriter for the NYC Police Department. He also wrote a travel guide, New York: The Unknown City, and the introduction to Above Hallowed Ground, a photography book on 9/11 that reached No. 4 on the New York Times best-seller list.

Reviews

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dunn provides interesting tidbits from the lives of one hundred famous people who made life-altering decisions at the age of 22. Reading this book actually made me want to know more and check out the biographies of several of the stars he included.

[Hannah · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was, in one word, inspirational. I have never seen someone get dates right and everything else wrong, but Brad Dunn does it masterfully. For every narcissist, gas lighter, and equally emotionally abusive scumbag, this book is a how-to manual for convincing women they asked for every abusive thing that’s happened to them. Including, according to Dunn, being raped at 8 or forced into prostitution. But hey, at least they enjoyed it, right? Needless to say, I am so Dunn with this book.

[Talon Crist · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was a great book! Perfect inspiration for a 22 year old to see what so many of todays celebrities were up to back at age 22! Learned lots about people I didn’t know and really enjoyed the simple, get to the point information on each person.

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you're looking for a book that reads like an obituary, then this book is for you. A collection of 100 people, most of whose names are accessible to the average American, Brad Dunn takes a "pivotal moment at age 22" formula and jams it down all 100 celebrities, whether it captures their lives accurately or not.

The book makes use of the one and two asterisk system to link people and themes to others in the book, but it struggles to find consistency or Kevin Bacon. Still, the quick bio format changes subjects every page or so making for an interesting enough read. You'll surely happen upon tidbits you didn't know. Mine? Andy Warhol's stalkeresque fascination with Truman Capote led to Warhol's first art exhibition, "Fifteen Drawings Based on the Writings of Truman Capote," even though it did not, on the other hand, bring either into any likeness of a friendship.

[Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a fun little book that I picked up from a "take-a-book-leave-a-book" shelf in Sydney, Australia.

I am enjoying the commonality among this wide range of people, all of whom managed to have a life-changing experience during the year that they were 22 years old.

Here's a partial list of the people whose stories are included: Muhammad Ali, Giorgio Armani, Desi Arnaz, Jerry Falwell, Larry Flynt, Jamie Foxx, J. Edgar Hoover, Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson, Pope John Paul II, Helen Keller, Bob Marley, Condoleezza Rice, Chris Rock, Ringo Starr, Oprah Winfrey, Frank Zappa.

You can see, the cast of characters runs the gamut.

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book when I had just turned 22 myself. Such an interesting read that you can dip in, dip out of... Turning 21 has so much hype. What's glamorous about turning 22? You might think, not much. But as this book shows, there's actually a whole crew of notable people who somehow hit it big at 22.

[Marisa Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really inspired by the people in this book and I recommend it if you feel like you need a pick-me-up. I felt like I was in a rut and I was never going to live the life of my dreams, but after reading this book, I feel like anything is possible.

[Holly Brennan · Rating 2 out of 5]

eh, sort of disappointed was hoping for something a bit more insightful but still mildly entertaining

[Nicole · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting stories, but ultimately not detailed enough to make a big impression.

[Diem Le · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was inspired by the small stories in this book.