• 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 (13,720 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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  • Overall
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    5 out of 5 stars

AWESOME !!!!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Rob Lowe is so interesting ,

What did you like best about this story?

All of it :)

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

I watched Brothers and Sisters , the Outsiders

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

yes , cry when he spoke about John Jr.
the way he spoke of his love for his wife .

Any additional comments?

Yes , ...... His voice was the best !!!!!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Thumbs up!

Great story! A lot of inside Hollywood history. Better than I even anticipated with unexpected twists and turns.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Great Listen - Great Stories

I bought this book for my wife and ended up loving it myself.

A fascinating ribbon of stories that weave through Rob's life. Hearing Rob tell the stories in his own words and voice makes for a riveting and delightful listen.

When it was over it made me wish for more.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Wonderful!

Wonderful journey through Hollywood and Rob adventures. Read by Rob himself this feels like a very person story. It makes you feel like your sitting in his living room talking over coffee. Would suggest this read to anyone!!!

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
  • GW
  • 08-25-15

Honest and entertaining

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

The author doesn't gloss over the subjects he discusses. The book comes off as an honest account and as far as his own personal struggles, I think Rob Lowe is straightforward. He doesn't offer a lot of easy excuses. Also, the book isn't mean-spirited. This is not a book that trashes others.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

I enjoyed hearing about the process of getting into films and making them. I liked the stories of Lowe's friendships and work experiences but at times, the book leaned too heavily on name-dropping.

What does Rob Lowe bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

its like having an interesting dinner guest who tells fascinating stories. Since this is his life, it is all the more personal for having been read by him.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

i was moved by Mr. Lowe's feelings about his sons and his wife. He seems to have a strong sense of family.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great performance. Now I know Rob Lowe.

If you could sum up Stories I Only Tell My Friends in three words, what would they be?

Entertaining, Enjoyable, Engaging

What other book might you compare Stories I Only Tell My Friends to and why?

Audiobiographies

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

I have not listened to Rob Lowe before, but I felt like I became a friend of his and could just invite him over if he comes to my area.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

From the heart.

Any additional comments?

I really feel like I got to know Rob Lowe from this performance and really enjoyed the story.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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entertained and pleasantly surprised

loved, thoroughly entertaining! great storytelling as well as naration. Rob Lowe is just as good at narration as he is author.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

An amazing well written Autobiography !!!

If you could sum up Stories I Only Tell My Friends in three words, what would they be?

I never knew anything about Rob Lowe, so I was not sure if i should even spend the time and money on it..Glad I did,!!! Great story, I never once had a second thought that i should of not purchased it. Well written and well told and very much kept me engaged in the entire story. I hope he writes again, for he has a talent not many of us have.

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Honest and interesting

Finished it pretty quickly. Enjoyed Lowe's honesty and the voices he did to mimic a certain character. Happy that he found what he was looking for.

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Enjoyed the Book

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, honest, fun, interesting and entertaining autobiography.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Enjoyed hearing about the other actors and people he grew up with and met along the way.

What does Rob Lowe bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Great hearing him tell his story, like he was in the car with me.

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

It was had to stop at times, but I didn't mind a few breaks.

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