A Lifetime to Get Here: Diana Ross: the American Dreamgirl

by Tom Adrahtas

This unauthorized biography of entertainment legend Diana Ross strives to give a balanced account of her life and career while giving her the historical due that seems to have escaped her previously. Captured in vivid detail are her groundbreaking performances leading the Supremes, the renowned concert in Central Park amidst a raging thunderstorm, and the peaks and valleys of the more than 40 years of her ongoing stage, studio, and screen career. The book steers clear of dry biography, in that it is interspersed with entertaining essays that capture the effect her life and career have had on fans throughout the years. This book is a must-read for anyone with an appreciation for popular culture over the last half century.

402 pages, Hardcover

First published November 20, 2006

About the author

WHAT DO YOU GET WHEN YOU CROSS HOCKEY, DIANA ROSS, AND A PASSION FOR DOGS?

MY MOTIVATION VARIES DEPENDING ON THE SUBJECT, BUT I LOVE THE CHALLENGE OF COMMUNICATING MY THOUGHTS, CONVICTIONS, AND HUMOR THROUGH THE WRITTEN WORD. CONVERSATIONS BECOME VAPOR, THOUGHTS COME AND GO, BUT THE WRITTEN RECORD IS FOREVER.

Life Achievements, Certifications, Awards

SCHOLASTIC:

-HIGH SCHOOL SENIORCLASS PRESIDENT, VOTED MOST LIKELY TO SUCCEED.

-1980 MOST OUTSTANDING GRADUATING STUDENT, COLLEGE OF DUPAGE

-PHI THETA KAPPA HONORS SOCIETY

-VALEDICTORIAN, COLLEGE OF DUPAGE

-1984 GRADUATED WITH HIGH HONORS, DEGREE IN HISTORY, NORTH CENTRAL COLLEGE



ATHLETICS, PLAYING:

-MOST VALUABLE PLAYER, NJCAA NATIONAL COLLEGE HOCKEY TOURNAMENT 1979

-MOST VALUABLE PLAYER, NJCAA NATIONAL TOURNAMENT 1980 ( BECAME THE FIRST PLAYER IN NJCAA HISTORY TO WIN THE AWARD TWO CONSECUTIVE YEARS )

-CAPTAIN, 1980 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM, COLLEGE OF DUPAGE

-NJCAA FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICAN GOALIE 1980

-JERSEY RETIRED BY THE COLLEGE OF DUPAGE 1980



ATHLETICS COACHING:

-WINNINGEST COACH IN ILLINOIS AAA HOCKEY HISTORY

-1983-TEAM WON TIER II MIDGET NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

-1984 TEAM WON JUNIOR A USA HOCKEY NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

-1994 TEAM WON BANTAM AAA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

-1997 TEAM WON MIDGET AAA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP



-12 ILLINOIS STATE CHAMPION TEAMS

-1986 JUNIOR C NATIONAL RUNNERS-UP

-1996 MIDGET AAA NATIONAL RUNNERS UP

-1998 MIDGET AAA NATIONAL RUNNERS UP



-MEMBER, SOCIETY FOR INTERNATIONAL HOCKEY RESEARCH

-PAST PRESIDENT, CHICAGO MISSION AAA HOCKEY CLUB

-DIRECTOR, 29 YEARS, MIDWEST GOALIE SCHOOL

-HEAD COACH, ROBERT MORRIS UNIVERSITY-ILLINOIS GOLD HOCKEY TEAM

-3 BOOKS PUBLISHED:

-GLENN HALL, THE MAN THEY CALL MR. GOALIE

-A LIFETIME TO GET HERE: DIANA ROSS, THE AMERICAN DREAM GIRL

-RUBY'S HUMANS: A DOGS-EYE MEMOIR

Reviews

[Gabby · Rating 4 out of 5]

For my black history project I asked my mom if she knew of any biographies that was really interesting but not to bloody and tragic I found that in this book. Diana Ross has a wonderful story and you feel like you are in the the story the whole book. When you read the book I don't care who you are you can probably will be able to find a part of the book ad be able to relate to it, I would defiantly recommend it.

[Edgle Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!!!!!! If you're a die-hard fan you'll love this book.

[Timothy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent,Excellent book on Ross, by my friend Thomas. This book really puts the truth out there especially about the Return To Love Concert Tour with the Supremes. Amazing book with great photos and intelligent reading.