Stories I Only Tell My Friends

An Autobiography

By: Rob Lowe

Narrated by: Rob Lowe

Length: 9 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

A wryly funny and surprisingly moving account of an extraordinary life lived almost entirely in the public eye.

A teen idol at 15, an international icon and founder of the Brat Pack at 20, and one of Hollywood's top stars to this day, Rob Lowe chronicles his experiences as a painfully misunderstood child actor in Ohio who was uprooted to the wild counterculture of mid-'70s Malibu, where he embarked on his unrelenting pursuit of a career in Hollywood.

The Outsiders placed Lowe at the birth of the modern youth movement in the entertainment industry. During his time on The West Wing, he witnessed the surreal nexus of show business and politics, both on the set and in the actual White House. And in between are deft and humorous stories of the wild excesses that marked the '80s, leading to his quest for family and sobriety.

Never mean-spirited or salacious, Lowe delivers unexpected glimpses into his successes, disappointments, relationships, and one-of-a-kind encounters with people who shaped our world over the last 25 years. These stories are as entertaining as they are unforgettable.

©2011 Robert Lowe (P)2011 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

"[Lowe] writes viscerally and insightfully...He looks back at the aberrant highs of his heart-throb days, the changing nature of stardom in Hollywood, the trade-off he has made between high life and home life, and the step-by-step effort behind his show business survival. He looked like the callowest kid in the "Outsiders" crew. Now he looks like the sturdiest of them all" (The New York Times)

"A fresh pop-culture history of Hollywood in the ’70s and ’80s from the point of view of the man who lived it…[Lowe] is as funny as he is thoughtful. This is the best type of celeb memoir, because its author is as interested in the world as the world is interested in him." (People Magazine)

"A lovely autobiography, equal parts dish and pathos.” (Vanity Fair)

Surprisingly honest

He had a charmed and lucky life but had a work ethic that made it even better.

He’s not who you think he is...

He’s more… Much more. Rob Lowe tells the wonderful story of his life with honesty, self-reflection, emotion, and lots of humor. His story will surprise you in more ways than you can imagine. He is both real and relatable.

Rob is a class act

So glad to have read this book. I found it to be an engaging, funny, candid and insightful story told in an honest and emotionally open way.

Very Very Good

Rob Lowe narrates his live excellently. How his life intersects with so many names and faces is amazing. Great to listen to. No sappy stories, just interesting and engaging.

Great stories, well read by Lowe himself

Great reader, great life story, honest and very funny too. One of my favorite audible reads

Remarkably Surprised

What made the experience of listening to Stories I Only Tell My Friends the most enjoyable?

Lowe's narration certainly added to the overall enjoyment. However it was the unexpected interjection of "the lessons I've learned" inside the stories that caught me off guard. I was truly taken aback, and then mesmerized by Lowe's stories and how he CHOSE to learn from each chapter of his life rather than just "write it off" as an event.

Which scene was your favorite?

The full circle vision of Lowe on the couch with his sons (even though they are teenagers at this point) and how he preserved a very special relationship with them in spite of, or because of his life's journey.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I cried at times, not sure if it was his story or recollections of where my life was at the times he was illustrating.

Any additional comments?

A great listen and enlightening view into how we can control our surroundings or let them control us. Very happy that I listened to this book.

Suddenly now on a huge Rob Lowe kick!

I hadn't realized how much I always enjoy Lowe until listening and being made aware of his huge body of work (much of which I've seen and loved already).
His voice, his manner of story telling and WOAH the stories, themselves.
Grateful to hear such strength from inside an industry that isn't always perceived as strong.
Excited to listen to his next book.
I've also added every film & tv show to my Amazon Prime Watchlist

Insightful and funny, and great voice

Would you listen to Stories I Only Tell My Friends again? Why?

A great depiction of Rob Lowe's star-crossed life, lots of funny and very detailed anecdotes with other famous folks. I especially enjoyed his voice imitations of some of his famous acquaintances.

Rob Lowe Hits It Out of the Park

Where does Stories I Only Tell My Friends rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is a very honest and entertaining autobiography. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to it. There was not a dull moment in this book. It also had many funny moments and Mr. Lowe obviously has a great sense of humor. I can see that Lowe is a class act. He does not Kiss and Tell about his many relationships with women. He understands the importance of privacy and respects those he has been romantically involved with. Good for him!

Have you listened to any of Rob Lowe’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, it was very good.

Any additional comments?

Mr. Lowe does a very good job with impersonating people's real voices. This added to the pleasure of listening to the book.

Lowe's book gives a realistic insider's view of the many difficulties, challenges and rewards of what it is like to make a living in the movie and television industries. This can be a very cutthroat business. This book reflects Lowe's artistic creative passion and drive for his craft of acting and writing. Lowe always had and he continues to have the courage to take chances with his work and to grow and mature as an artist.

It is also a great coming of age story, about a person's journey from boyhood to manhood, and the important personal choices Lowe made to overcome his personal fears, anxieties and addictions. Lowe made the choices to do what was necessary to be whole and well, and to find meaning and integrity in his personal life. In this sense his book is also a great inspiration to others.

This is an honest book, written by someone who is completely real and honest. I highly recommend it!

Profound perspective, inspiring, Rob’s Fantastic!

Would you consider the audio edition of Stories I Only Tell My Friends to be better than the print version?

Yes - It's always fun to hear an autobio told by the biographer - plus Mr. Lowe's impressions of some great icons are first class.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Hmmm we'll I'm partial to the Brat Pack Rob Lowe or his Sam Seaborn era but I am now more partial to the shy yet fearless child Rob depicts who is driven by his dream of becoming an actor and am very impressed with the father, friend, husband, philanthropist and genuine person Rob Lowe is.

Have you listened to any of Rob Lowe’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Next on my list is Nightmares & Dreamscapes, Volume I - also read by Rob Lowe among others.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Wow! Mr. Lowe's ability to write soul searching stories, past and present, that not only entertain but remind you of what's important in life, is a true gift. The stories of relationships or acquaintances throughout his life are concerned with how or why they affected his person and the significance these people had on his life. Rob has a beautiful way of tying encounters and experiences of his early years to the present day person he has become. Although deep it is hularious as well!

Any additional comments?

Thank you for sharing your journey and life Mr. Rob Lowe! A truely inspiring book that I would recommend to anyone!