2024 the best of times robin williams review

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A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
A NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW EDITOR'S CHOICE
A SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR
A VULTURE BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR

"A generous, appreciative biography of Robin Williams by a New York Times culture reporter. The author, who had access to Williams and members of the comedian’s family, is an unabashed fan but doesn’t shy away from the abundant messiness in his subject’s personal life."—The New York Times Book Review

From New York Times culture reporter Dave Itzkoff, the definitive biography of Robin Williams – a compelling portrait of one of America’s most beloved and misunderstood entertainers.

From his rapid-fire stand-up comedy riffs to his breakout role in Mork & Mindy and his Academy Award-winning performance in Good Will Hunting, Robin Williams was a singularly innovative and beloved entertainer. He often came across as a man possessed, holding forth on culture and politics while mixing in personal revelations – all with mercurial, tongue-twisting intensity as he inhabited and shed one character after another with lightning speed.

But as Dave Itzkoff shows in this revelatory biography, Williams’s comic brilliance masked a deep well of conflicting emotions and self-doubt, which he drew upon in his comedy and in celebrated films like Dead Poets Society; Good Morning, Vietnam; The Fisher King; Aladdin; and Mrs. Doubtfire, where he showcased his limitless gift for improvisation to bring to life a wide range of characters. And in Good Will Hunting he gave an intense and controlled performance that revealed the true range of his talent.

Itzkoff also shows how Williams struggled mightily with addiction and depression – topics he discussed openly while performing and during interviews – and with a debilitating condition at the end of his life that affected him in ways his fans never knew. Drawing on more than a hundred original interviews with family, friends, and colleagues, as well as extensive archival research, Robin is a fresh and original look at a man whose work touched so many lives.

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B076B17NZP
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Henry Holt and Co. (May 15, 2018)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 15, 2018
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 28475 KB
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Print length ‏ : ‎ 527 pages
Reviewer: Kindle Customer
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Best Bio
Review: I am an avid reader of celebrity biographies even though so many times they are little more than a list of the artist's credits. This is not one of those. Dave Itzkoff has written one of the best biographies I have read in a long time. In this book you will get to know Robin Williams as you never have before. The author details the comedian's life from birth to death, literally. You will follow his ups and downs; you will hear his words and thoughts about himself and others; you will meet his parents, wives, children and friends.Not only is Itzkoff's book comprehensive, it is also written intelligently, cohesively and flawlessly. There is an extensive index as well as photos at the end of the book. It is a testament to the deep research the author obviously undertook. This book is neither a fawning look at William's good side, nor a tear-down account of rumors and innuendo. It presents a real human being with unique and uncanny talents as well as character flaws and self-doubts. Any fan of Robin Williams must read this book; even if you're not a fan of his read this book to learn how a biography should be written.

Reviewer: K. Jordan
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title: tells the tale
Review: I read the book to learn more about what made Robin Williams Robin Williams. Alas, Robin Williams kept the time before performing private. This is more a telling of the arch of his life. Adequate, interesting, and somewhat insightful.

Reviewer: Maryclaire Allen
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: A BEAUTIFUL STORY
Review: There will never be another Robin Williams, at least in this lifetime. I wish he could've written one himself, but he just didn't have time.Robin was a special, kind, hysterical, GENIUS comedian. This book proves that. From SNL to film, he did it all, and he did it well.Rest in Peace ROBIN!

Reviewer: honeybunny
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Fantastic book
Review: I love Robin Williams and this book was well written and respectful. I will always enjoy his works. He is an icon

Reviewer: Cynthia Sanders
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Excellent book.
Review: I enjoyed reading this book. There is so much information from Robin, family and friends included in this book. I highly recommend this book.

Reviewer: Beldar
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Good insight
Review: Enjoyed reading the good bad & ugly about Robin, sad he left us the way he did

Reviewer: Jenny
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Best ever
Review: I gave this book as a gift to my dad. He said it is by far the best book he has ever read. That he learned even more about Robin Williams than what he already new. He laughed and he cried. He found it hard to put down. He wants to actually share this book with everyone he knows and pass it around. Thats huge my dad has never said that. So this book is now on a journey starting with family and then moving on to friends for everyone to ready. Where it goes after that who knows ...but it is a must read.

Reviewer: G.R.Egoville
Rating: 3.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Tragic funnyman
Review: Everyone agrees that Robin Williams was a funny man. He was like your hilarious, naughty school friend who never knew when to stop. But he didn't age well sadly; not physically but emotionally at least according to Dave Itzkoff's telling. His early life wasn't the usual horror saga of say, Richard Pryor. He had loving parents, friends, privilege and educational opportunities afforded to the exceptionally talented. Yet he was wracked with insecurities and neuroses and addiction problems for much of his life.What does it take for these gifted souls to find purpose or happiness? Robin William's story is as old as the hills, nothing was ever enough for him. Mr Itzkoff is obviously a devoted fan and his book reflects his admiration for his troubled subject. Mr. Williams wanted fame and all of its accoutrements but at what cost, I wonder. Sad story about a sad man.

Reviewer: Seann Haver
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Robin was an amazing comedian, kind person and small ego! Like most exceptional humans he also had his demons.I never really new why he committed suicide and was really sad and disappointed he did that. But after reading this book I now understand, how sad that disease got him. I am so sorry for his family and friends. R.I.P. Robin.

Reviewer: Hauwech
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review:  

Reviewer: Solsken
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Llena de detalles e información interesante sobre Robin Williams. Incluye muchas anécdotas de las personas que lo conocieron.

Reviewer: Paola
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Ottima biografia sulla vita privata e professionale di Robin Williams. Sicuramente la migliore! Io ho acquistato l'originale in lingua inglese, ma esiste anche in italiano......se amate Robin non potete perdervi questo libro! Ottimo!

Reviewer: Ines PINTOS-LOPEZ
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: It was a great read. Discovering what motivated Robin’s life choices was a journey into the behaviour of so many people around us. I was not disappointed!