Adele: To 30 and Beyond: The Unauthorized Biography

by Danny White

120 million records sold. The world’s biggest selling album of the twenty-first century. Countless awards and accolades. Adele has captured the hearts of millions and this intimate biography tells the astonishing journey of the Queen of Pop.

The trademark authenticity of Adele’s songs has been hard she was raised by a single mother and has been tested by bereavements and a string of break-ups. Just when she seemed to have left the pain behind, a harrowing divorce and a  career-threatening throat injury brought new darkness and doubt to her doorstep.

This book takes you behind the scenes of her highs, her lows and everything in between. Separating the myths from the truth, it examines the real a shrewd and ambitious star who approaches her career with an iconic blend of tradition and innovation. The superstar is back in the spotlight with a new album and a fresh look. But will Adele ever find happiness, or will she always be followed by what she calls her ‘very dark side?

256 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2023

About the author

Wilford Daniel (Danny) White is a former quarterback and punter for the Dallas Cowboys and an American football coach in the Arena Football League. He has been the color commentator for Cowboys games on Compass Media Networks' America's Team Radio Network since the 2011 season.
A graduate of Westwood High School in Mesa, Arizona, he didn't receive a lot of notice while being the starter at quarterback, because back then he was a better baseball prospect.
Frank Kush, then the football head coach at Arizona State University, helped convinced Bobby Winkles, the school's baseball coach, to sign White to a scholarship with the provision that he would also play punter for the football team. During those early years Kush gave him a chance to improve his skills as a quarterback, which eventually would lead him to become the starter midway through his sophomore season, ending up throwing for 6 touchdowns in a game against the University of New Mexico.
White went on to have a stellar career as a quarterback and punter, compiling a 33-4 record, winning 3 Fiesta Bowls, setting 7 NCAA passing records and being named All-America in 1973, when he lead the nation's second rated total offense. He finished with 6,717 passing yards, 64 touchdowns, 42 interceptions and averaged 41.7 yards per punt.
Besides having his jersey retired, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, the State of Arizona Sports Hall of Fame and the Arizona State University Hall of Fame. In 2000 he was named Arizona Athlete of the Century by the Arizona Republic.

Reviews

[Jess · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh, it was pretty much just a review of each album - all in this guy’s opinion. I love Adele NO MATTER WHAT.

[Angelique · Rating 2 out of 5]

Het boek bevat voor mij veel overbodige tekst.
Heel uitvoerig worden de nummer beschreven.
Daarentegen in verhouding heel weinig over haar leven zelf
Delen van het boek is een opsomming van feiten
Heel veel verwijzend naar andere bronnen, vind dat een mindere manier van lezen.

[Rosalie · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF
After reading the first few chapters and then skimming the rest of the book, I can understand why it is labelled “the unauthorized biography” because I can’t see Adele agreeing to be in anyway involved with this book. While Daniel White is obviously a fan of Adele’s, this book has nothing new about Adele, it is really just a lengthy analysis of all of the individual tracks on all of her albums. It also relies very heavily on: previous biographies of Adele (that were mostly better written); interviews that Adele has given; reviews of her albums both good and bad; and opinion pieces about Adele. Given that Adele jealously guards her privacy and that of her family, it won’t have been easy to obtain new information, but then why bother to write the book if I is only going to rehash old information. Even the photos were mostly from her early days as a performer.
Daniel White did provide a detailed analysis about each track on each od Adele’s 4 albums along with the reviews of these albums, even this wasn’t enough to save this book. A big disappointment and an injustice to: Adele; her music; and her fans.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A three star read

Wasn’t quite an Adele fan, don’t get me wrong, she has an amazing voice and some good songs.
I found it wasn’t quite the read for me.

Perhaps as I am not a fan, and following her work, I just wasn’t as invested in the book.
The book goes in detail regarding both her life and each album release with details regarding each song.
As I have not got any of her albums, the dragging out of each song, just didn’t quite hit the mark, and became quite drawn out in the end.

It left me asking, well who is Adele?

[Reelika Kullerkan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Raamatust saab teada Adele lapsepõlvest, lähedasest suhtest emaga ning isaga leppimisest enne isa surma. Samuti räägib raamat Adele muusikalistest eeskujudest ja mõjutajatest nagu Amy Winehouse ja Beyonce ning kõige rohkem pühendub raamat plaatide 19, 25 ja 30 saamislugudele ning selleaegsetele meeleoludele ja inspiratsioonidele. Raamatu kõrvale sai palju Adele muusikat kuulatud ning leidsin mitmeid rütmikamaid palju, mille olemasolust ei teadnud siiani midagi.

[Emily Irvine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like Adele, but this book was more about her songs than her actual life. You could tell it was written by someone who doesn't really know her and had just used the internet to put the book together. If you want to find out about Adele, find another book.

[Ida · Rating 5 out of 5]

Didn’t think i could love her more than already do LMAO HERE WE F-ING ARE

[Kate · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF. Didnt like the writing style, love Adele but the book doesnt sound like her at all.

[Chyns Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good read!

[Triin Saar · Rating 1 out of 5]

It's more like songs description, lack of emotions, nothing new and ends on quite negative vibes.

[Olivia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesant hoe zij haar succes heeft bereikt. Sommige teksten zijn wel even saai om door heen te lezen maar verder wel leuk!

[Mirtel Ausmees · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty interesting to read about Adele.

[Alesha Moloney · Rating 5 out of 5]

100000900 i mean she's my wife so like. It did make me cry like 3 times tho

[Jo · Rating 1 out of 5]

This biography focuses more on Adele's albums and the author’s opinions of them than on her personal life. It was an alright listen during my drives to and from the ski slopes, but I wouldn’t particularly recommend the book. While it provided some insight into her musical journey, it lacked the depth and engagement I was hoping for. The narrative felt somewhat superficial, and it didn’t offer any new or compelling perspectives on Adele as an artist. Overall, it was a passable experience, but not one I would suggest to others.

[Cymackenzie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Downgrading to 1* given the books i have in the meantime rated 2*. This is poorly written and not particularly coherent. Don’t waste your time.