Polite, mildly entertaining, smartly written story of not only a "pretty" boy, but an intelligent and matured survivor--surprisingly free of self-importance and handled with class. I remember that video scandal--much more of a career derailer than touched on in this book--and admire the fact that Lowe realized, that in spite of the hubris-fueled "zeitgeist" of today, no one needed another lurid star tell-all....spewing raunchy details of sexual encounters, fun-with-drugs, or degrading name dropping and outting of colleagues. It is clear that Lowe doesn't relish those "good old days", but rather has gained enough wisdom to appreciate that he survived them, and that he values his life, opportunities, friends, and family.
Lowe shows real talent as a writer and does a nice job of narrating his work. He admittedly walked a hair-line tightrope between destruction and peace; it's not always about the journey--sometimes it is the destination, and he seems to finally be in a very very good place.

I got this book based on a recommendation of my hairdresser. I had just finished Keith Richard's Life (another excellent listen) and was telling her about it and she said that she heard about Rob Lowe's book and that some of her friends said it was great. I wasn't sure when I started listening but was quickly hooked. So hooked that I couldn't stop listening...for hours!! Rob is a fantastic writer and story teller. I laughed out loud numerous times, not something I was expecting. I am a couple of years older than Rob and remember all the headlines but who didn't do a few things they regret in their early 20's. The story of the Academy Awards is priceless. It was great to get a peak into his life and see what it was like for young actors in the 80's. Very good listen.

He is a great writer and narrator. I loved hearing the journey of his life and his growth. His stories are all from my generation. So many of his stories made me stop and think..."I know where I was when that happened." Many interesting inside stories. Love how he changes his voice for the different characters! Now I want to go back and watch all his shows again.

Thoroughly enjoyed this book and insight into a celebrity who seems to have figured things out about life. Nice that he reads it himself. Love his discriptions of celebrities he's met, how & where.

but he’s not telling things a good biography should.

This is Rob talking about his life and career from grade school forward. I was impressed with his desire to be an actor at an early age. During 7th grade he wrote a letter to Aaron Spelling (top TV producer) about wanting to be an actor. As a result of Rob’s early efforts he was in a TV show at age 15 and a major film at age 18. Rob did not have a stage mother or other adult helping him in the business. His parents were divorced. His mother was sickly and occupied with other things. Everything Rob did was self initiated and self motivated. He was not popular at school and considered a nerd. So he was surprised later when girls would throw themselves at him. He said “they wouldn’t like me if they knew me,” meaning other kids knew him as “not cool” at school.

I have not seen most of his movies and shows. But I was interested in what he had to say. He really cares about his craft.

As to content, this is mostly stories of Rob interacting with famous people. I wish he had “opened a vein” and told us pain and details about other things, for example: his sex tape scandal, his long relationship with Melissa Gilbert, anything about his brother Chad, his mother’s vague early illness issues, more details about things with the Sheens and other peers, were there drugs in his life (never mentioned), and other things that I don’t know enough about to ask. I’m reminded of the fabulous Isaacson biography of Steve Jobs. We got warts and all. Rob is not giving us that. This should be re-titled “stories I’m willing to tell the public.” His friends would get details that we are not getting.

One thing was annoying. For every actor, director, and other person in the business, Rob said they were great, classic, perfect, oscar winning, charismatic, one of the best, favorite, etc. Although I’ve not seen a lot, every actor I have seen on talk shows does this. It’s as if they are all politicking for possible future jobs. Or, forgive me for the elephant in the room, but is it possible that they want to be liked by coworkers because coworkers vote for academy and other awards? They all do this. It’s good to say nice things about everyone, or in this case great things about everyone, but I question the sincerity.

The only negative Rob said about anyone was the Prince of Monaco. When Rob was dating his daughter Princess Stephanie, the Prince was avoiding Rob at a fundraiser. At the same event, Robert Wagner said to the Prince and some other men “I think he’s banged every one of our daughters.” Oh! Rob had a very active sex life in his 20s. He would see a girl on TV, was able to get her phone number, invite her on a date, and she would go. I wonder if he was ever turned down? He didn’t say. Again he’s not giving us any pain - his or others.

Then he married Sheryl at age 27 and is still married today, twenty years later. That was unexpected and admirable. Prior to his marriage he had alcohol problems. He’s been sober ever since - again admirable.

PHYSICAL BOOK VS. AUDIOBOOK:
The physical book has pictures. Sadly there were none included with my audiobook purchase. I wish he would have included pictures in a downloadable pdf file for audiobook customers. Other authors have done that. Rob wrote and narrated this. He did excellent voice impressions for several celebrities which I enjoyed.

Genre: autobiography.

i simply loved this book, and i have never been a rob lowe fan, but because i enjoy a good tell-all autobiography, i took a chance on this one. so many of the stories were captivating, and made you feel as if you were in rob's inner circle of friends, exactly as he titled it,

Having grown up in the 80's I was intrigued by this book by my former Teen Beat crush but went in not expecting much. I LOVED this book. Rob Lowe's narration following his career from his childhood through the video scandal to the West Wing has renewed my crush all over again and really put that sex video scandal in perspective. If it had happened now it would've restarted his career not stalled it!

Nice listen. I greatly appreciate an auto-biography by someone in recovery that not only isn't a drunk-a-logue it's not the focus. Rob's recovery comes shining through as insight, gratitude, humility and a clear sense that he realizes how much grace he has been given and what a gift it is.

So Rob if you read this-thanks for sharing and keep coming back. I'm looking forward to your next book and btw your role on Californication ROCKS. Good for you for pushing that far out.

What an unexpected pleasure this book was! I found myself sitting in my driveway with my iPod plugged into my car with no headphones and not wanting to stop the playback! Rob Lowe can write, and write well! What a great storyteller!
Mr Lowe has had a very interesting life. Full of ups and downs and hard work and lots of struggle and just plain fun. Nothing, not one thing has ever been handed to him and that has instilled in him a drive that has gotten him where he is today.
It's seems to me from this memoir that Mr Lowe has his mother to thank for so much. She was a tragic soul, who i firmly believe was literally being poisoned for many years. He mentioned more than once how his mother felt it was important that he find his own way and figure things out for himself. She was the antithesis of the current day "stage mother". Rob Lowe rode a bus for 2 1/2 hours a day to get to the studio! Can you imagine that happening today? My Lord, someone would call Child Protection!! Yet the result is clearly a man with an arsenal of personal strengths and enormous character that has gotten him very far! When push comes to shove Rob Lowe has what it takes to pick himself up and do the right thing and stay on track. When partying was his priority he did it hard and he did it well. When responsibility and love became his priority he did it hard and did it well.
Kudos Mr Lowe! YOU are the Hollywood actor I would like to see as the role model, You are the person our children should be emulating!

It was a great romp through his acting career.

I was more interested in his insights into the world and his family in particular. It would be great to see him open more about his personal views. Leaves me wanting more.