• Stories I Only Tell My Friends

  • An Autobiography
  • By: Rob Lowe
  • Narrated by: Rob Lowe
  • Length: 9 hrs and 10 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (13,727 ratings)

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Stories I Only Tell My Friends  By  cover art

Stories I Only Tell My Friends

By: Rob Lowe
Narrated by: Rob Lowe
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Editorial reviews

Prepare to be amazed by the many ways this book and its author are better than you thought they would be. Everybody knows that Rob Lowe is very handsome, and that he spent a long time being a Hollywood wild child. Now in his 40s, Lowe’s reflections on his life thus far demonstrate a remarkably responsible perspective and a refreshingly self-deprecating look at how he ended up in the better state of mind he inhabits today. While the headlines and high notes may come and go, Lowe remains a devoted husband and proud father.

This listen is a small miracle for many reasons. It’s not simply the fact that Lowe reveals himself as capable of compelling writing, which he certainly does. It’s also not merely the path of the narrative that’s intriguing, though that’s definitely the case. Whether he is spending several chapters thoroughly reminiscing about the many lessons he learned during The Outsiders or sharing a quick anecdote about trying to meet Liza Minnelli when he was a little kid, Lowe indeed offers up a terrific set of insights about both life and stardom. He proves himself as a generous spirit, with strong thanks for Martin Sheen and solid praise for Patrick Swayze.

His narration is clearly heartfelt, and never comes across as phony or acted. This listen feels like a casual dinner conversation, minus the slick descent into rumor-mongering that usually rears its ugly head in memoirs of this variety. Lowe manages to steer clear of the blame game when analyzing the simultaneous blessing and curse of the Brat Pack label or his decision to leave The West Wing, and even finds some gracious adjectives for Tom Cruise. Be on the lookout for eerily spot-on impersonations of many stars, including a particularly good Christopher Walken and Matt Dillon.

In the end, it’s hard to put a finger on what makes this book so utterly fascinating. There isn’t anything shocking in the subject matter; there isn’t any mud-flinging in the tone; there is very little that stands out as an exclamation point. Yet the total package undeniably and irresistibly triumphs at being genuinely charming. This is ironic, because the book then actually sort of mirrors Lowe’s career. He’s spent the last two decades trying to upend the idea that he is simply a pretty face. The book succeeds in that endeavor, just as his several iconic film roles have done, and yet the shallow type-casting of Rob Lowe somehow too frequently persists. It’s true that he is a very dreamy guy, but this memoir absolutely proves that he is also intelligent, worldly, witty, and political. It’s an excellent listen that ought to once and for all put an end to the notion the Rob Lowe’s charisma is only skin deep. - Megan Volpert

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)

Featured Article: The top 100 celebrity memoirs of all time


The best celebrity memoir audiobooks are in a league of their own—there is no greater listening experience than a memoir performed by the celebrity behind the title. Their charisma and authenticity greatly enhance the experience, making it all the more engaging. Many listeners who would never think to read a celebrity memoir in print gravitate to the genre in audio. There’s something magical about hearing, in their own voice, the nitty-gritty of a star’s path.

What listeners say about Stories I Only Tell My Friends

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Couldn't stop listening

This book is so well written and very entertaining. I finished it it two days. Couldn't stop listening! This book made me laugh out loud at times. Worth the listen!! Well done Rob!

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Loved it

I absolutely loved this book. I grew up in the 80’s and adored Rob Lowe like all teenage girls. This book was so wonderfully written and narrated by Rob. Gives such a glimpse of who he really is, and what he really values. I loved him before and still love him today as an actor. Such great stories and insight into Hollywood. Loved it!

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Great Storytelling

This book was so good and he’s such a good storyteller, that I wanted more.

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So glad I listened rather than read. Well written, well performed!

Friends recommended this and I am SO GLAD they did. What a gift to have Rob Lowe walk us through his life, in his own voice, with such honesty and humility. For those who have been fans for his entire career, this is an absolutely please-don’t-bother-me-right-now kind of story to listen to. I loved everything from The Outsiders through The West Wing, and listening to all of those experiences from his perspective was magnetic. Learning of everything else he felt and experienced during his first 30-something years was just that much more engaging. Thank you for sharing, Rob! And I can’t wait to listen to everything else you’ve written and recorded!

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nice for listening on vacation

rob lowe has a story telling gift and his impressions and imitations of other actors is great. very enjoyable.

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Wow!

What a great story....Rob Lowe has lived an amazing life! The audio book is the only way to go, he does great impressions.

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I can’t tell you enough how much I LOVED this book!

I can’t tell you enough how much I LOVED this book!
It is well written, very entertaining and the narration is fantastic. Just when you think you knew about Rob Lowe and his life, there’s so much more to know.
I highly recommend this and cannot wait to move on the biz next book.

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Fascinating and Fun

If you’re a fan of Rob Lowe, interested is the business of show business, or simply curious about how lives evolve through success and challenge, this is a winner.

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Thoroughly enjoyed it!

Rob Lowe’s story is not only enlightening, interesting and insightful, but his performance telling this story is like listening to a one man play.

I had no idea he’s a gifted impersonator. His Tom Cruise impression had me laughing out loud.

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Outstanding book

I truly love this book, I love his attention to detail and the way he describes it is amazing. you truly do feel like he's infront of you talking and it's enjoyable and entertaining yet serious. I liked how he names the people he is talking to or about,which are people we know too,I can see where the title comes from❤. I hope he writes more books.

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