- Paperback: 352 pages
- Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC; New edition edition (30 April 1999)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 074754297X
- ISBN-13: 978-0747542971
- Product Dimensions: 19.2 x 12.8 x 2.6 cm
- Average Customer Review: 1.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 2,318,152 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
John Travolta, the dimpled-to-perfection superstar who had a generation of young women lusting after his perfect backside and full-on lips, and a generation of young men honing their own version of the Travolta strut to perfection in the 1970s, slid as quickly down the fame- ladder as he first climbed it. But then, after a string of ridiculous, soft movies which saw him jiggling in lycra or talking to babies, bad-boy director Quentin Tarantino took a chance and thrust him once again into the limelight in the rather marvellousPulp Fiction and, hey presto!, there he was again, this time proving to the world that there was more to this man than a fit body and pouting mouth.
This excellent biography not only gives an insight into the man himself-- his childhood years, his love for an older woman who so tragically died when he was still a young man, his conversion to that seemingly strange belief system so favoured amongst the great and the good of Hollywood, Scientology, his new love for the outrageously beautiful Kelly Preston-- but also takes a wry and intriguing look at the workings of Hollywood, unfolding the mysteries of a star system that makes its screen heroes and then crushes them without compassion when they are done.
Travolta: The Life is a well-written biography that will instil nothing but respect for its subject, an eccentric and remarkable man who, it seems, is universally loved. Travolta fans will, indeed, love it. And Nigel Andrews also manages to provide a fine study on the nature of stardom that anyone with a curiosity about the behind the scenes shenanigans of the Hollywood big boys will find invaluable.--Susan Harrison
Product Description
This biography of John Travolta covers the Hollywood star's childhood in New Jersey; the years of life-endangering fan assault; his refuge in Scientology; and, with insights from the film-makers who have worked with him, the 'comeback' years of high achievement as an actor.
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New Jersey is a terrifying state. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
New Jersey is a terrifying state. Read the first page
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
Format:Paperback
Being a fan of Travolta's for many years, I bought this book hoping to learn more about the man, what drives him, how he succeeded in life - looking for inspiration etc. Unfortunately this book only delivered criticism of him, his films, his religion etc. on the same level of a tabloid newspaper. If you're a fan a John Travolta, don't buy this book!
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
5 reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
A great biography of one of Hollywood's brightest stars.
24 Dec 1998
Format:Hardcover
TRAVOLTA: THE LIFE
by Nigel Andrews
The biography of a great and well-loved movie star is one of the toughest writes in town. The tendency is either to gush or to gutter-prose scandal search. British film critic Nigel Andrews has sharpened his pencil and employed his wit and wisdom to create TRAVOLTA: THE LIFE, a work of rare intelligence and wit. This book is the standard by which other star biogs will be judged. Yes, it's really that good. Andrews looks at John Travolta's films in a fresh and perceptive way marrying the public facts of JT's life, gleaned from a raft of sources, to demonstrate why John T. is the movie star who is also an "original". And then, to boot, he adds more interview material gleaned from Travolta's co-workers and friends (directors, stars, friends, etc.).
There are three problems - not too many really - with the book. Andrews has included three short semi-fictional "Prelude" chapters, which though fun, interrupt the narrative. Still, John Travolta dominates what is, after all, his own story. Though Andrews never met Travolta, he manages to nail down the nice guy that lurks beneath Travolta's image. In this biography he does it over and over right smack up to the last page. Then you want more - and when was the last time that happened? At least in a star-biography.
Arthur Miller
Nigel Andrews needs to stop writing biographies.
8 July 2005
Format:Hardcover
Nigel Andrews wrote a bio on Arnold Schwarzenegger. It was awful. He said Kindergarten Cop was an allusion to the Reagan era and the small children represented the divorce of modern society from the 1960s, or something like that. And just think, I always thought Kindergarten Cop was a comedy about a male macho cop who's stuck with some little kiddies for a week as a teacher. I was wrong, I guess. (End of sarcasm.)
Andrews has no "authorization" in his bios, meaning he hasn't been given exclusive permission by Travolta (or Arnie). In this case he's just pulling stuff out of his butt and most of it is garbage. He tries to become a film critic and fails. He tries to detail Travolta's life, and fails. He tries to come up with insightful facts - and fails, because he has no permission to write anything of substance.
A piece of garbage; the Schwarzenegger one is even worse.
Andrews has no "authorization" in his bios, meaning he hasn't been given exclusive permission by Travolta (or Arnie). In this case he's just pulling stuff out of his butt and most of it is garbage. He tries to become a film critic and fails. He tries to detail Travolta's life, and fails. He tries to come up with insightful facts - and fails, because he has no permission to write anything of substance.
A piece of garbage; the Schwarzenegger one is even worse.
Stylish and informative study of John Travolta's film career
28 Mar 1999
Format:Hardcover
John Travolta: the life, bounces along in a most entertaining,stylish and informative manner. Biographer Nigel Andrews has caught the flavour and detail of John Travolta's career, films and life. I write as a devotee of Mr.Travolta - always on the lookout for one who would do him wrong. That certainly isn't the case here and I do heartily recommend this book to any reader who still has a joy for living and a wonderment at John Travolta's genius.
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