• 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 (13,711 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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Amazing Life/Amazing man

I had no idea when I began this book that Rob Lowe would bring me to tears so many times. He is a humble and kind man and I so hope to meet him someday to thank him for this beautiful story.

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Exceptional storytelling, done with great candor.

I was completely entertained by story after story of Robs career and life adventures. So many "behind-the-scenes" peeks at interactions with celebrities and Hollywood history. I am grateful Rob is open to sharing these stories. I did not want it to be over. Can't wait to read anything else Rob has written.

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I will listen to this again

Love Rob !! His story was great & relatable made me laugh out loud & want to cry at times. His voice very soothing I actually used this to put me to sleep then would go back over it the next day. Thanks Rob for sharing & for being you.

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Extremely enjoyable

My husband and I listened to this on our 15 hour car ride. It made us laugh out loud, and cry, sometimes at the same time. It left us feeling that we know the person Rob Lowe, and grateful he has chosen to share his life so personally, which truly has brought us joy.

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Intriguing, Insightful, Inspiring.

I am an avid non-fiction reader with autobiographies at the top of my list. I have read multitudes of autobiographies and own many of them in hardcover. I love this opportunity with audible to listen to books and then decide if I want to add them in hardcover to my library. Stories I Only Tell My Friends, Will definitely be added to my library. I couldn’t stay away from it and I’m now on to Love Life And then the Silent Rob Chronicles. I absolutely enjoyed this audio version and the many different voices he impersonated. A tribute to his talent. I find him a most engaging author and look forward to reading his other and future works.

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  • 07-03-21

An Incredible Journey

I couldn't wait to get back to where I had left off. This book is so moving and insightful from a human who has done the work. Very well done!

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A must for brat pack generation

Fun, engaging, surprising and a wonderful trip through a life well lived. Rob takes us to the 'back lot' of many movies those in mid-age here in 2020 grew up watching again and again. His raw sharing of experience, feelings, realizations and stories is wonderful.

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Reminds me of my husband

Rob tells his story in such a way that you feel you are with him and can relate. Good reminder that good men aren’t perfect but they can always strive to be better!

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Top notch all the way around. Amazing listen.

First thing that needs to be said is Rob Lowe is easily the best narrator I've ever heard on an Audible book, wow!
Hell of a story, hell of a journey and one hell of a book. Cannot recommend this one enough.

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Stories I only tell my friends

Very nice read kept it interesting and it was great that it was Rob Lowe reading his book and not someone else.

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