Remembering Sinatra

by Robert Sullivan, LIFE, Tony Bennett (Introduction)

In his moving farewell, Tony Bennett remembers being in the studio when his friend recorded "Summer Wind': "He did it in one take. One take, and Sinatra gets into this gorgeous Italian sports car, rolls down his window and says to me, 'Was that all right, kid?' and—zing—he drives away. Perfect Sinatra!"Perfect That means many things to many people. From Hoboken to Hollywood, Frank Sinatra was always a larger-than-life package of talent, charisma and controversy. Singers had been big before, but there had never been a sensation like the young Sinatra. He drove the women wild, then drove his career right into the ground. He lived a life of monumental drama and intrigue. Was there truth to the mob rumors? (Some.) Were the suicide attempts over Ava Gardner real? (One of them was.) Did he really split with Jack Kennedy over something as small as a snub? (Sure he did.)And the ferocious comeback that secured his status as an icon of the highest order, one of the towering figures of the American century."Nobody's ever been a bigger star than me," Sinatra said as a young man. "This'll never end." Well, it has, finally, for him. But for those of us left behind, there is the incomparable music. And the movies. And now, thanks to these pictures and reminiscences from the editors of LIFE, vivid memories of the extraordinary life and times of Francis Albert Sinatra.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Photography, Music, History

144 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Robert Sullivan has written several books on his own and dozens in his day job as Managing Editor of LIFE Books. His books include a baseball memoir and a golf collection, but closest to his heart are three collaborations with the artist Glenn Wolff: Atlantis Rising, Flight of the Reindeer and A Child's Christmas in New England.

Sullivan no longer lives in Massachusetts but in Westchester County, New York, with with his wife, three children and a psychotic Springer Spaniel.

Reviews

[GoldGato · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was one of the first books produced for mass consumption immediately following the death of Frank Sinatra in 1998. It is a basic Time-Life compilation, with mucho photographs and many close-ups, both professional and candid. My favourites are the basic 1950s, with the white shirt, tie clasp, and Cavanaugh hat. The man had style.

I remember being in Beverly Hills on my way back to my car from a medical appointment and looking across the street to the chapel where the memorial services for Francis Albert had just ended and watching the long line of film and music stars stream outside. A week later, I was on my way to a meeting in Palm Springs, and wouldn't you know it, stuck at an intersection as the long line of funeral cars proceeded to the cemetery for his burial. In other words, I remember his death because of my appointments. Nicely planned, Frank, nicely planned.

Book Season = Year Round (that's life)

[Chuck · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am not a hero worshipper, but have always had a fascination for Sinatra. His story is fascinating dealing with a career and personal life that had many lows, but his story was always how he rebounded to greater success. Since I have read a half dozen books on his life, there was not much new information, however, the picture coverage was excellent. I have always had a fascination for rebellious, non politically correct people. Those that were in tune with the mores and standards of the forties and fifties would be terribly out of step in this generation. Imagine, Clark Gable used the word "damn" in Gone With the Wind and was almost censured out of the business. But, it's hell growing old, one of the youngsters in my life asked me why I was concerned about something way back in the "19"teens. Maybe she's right.

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got completely sucked into this book. I'm not a huge Sinatra fan (Dino is my favorite member of the Rat Pack), but it is so beautifully put together.

[Jeanette (Ms. Feisty)]

Finished 8/18/2012

[TrumanCoyote · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unfortunately all too glib (and Time-Life-ish). Thus making everything seem a little pat--same as usual.