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 good and entertaining

Some incredible stories here. At times a bit formulaic but also really honest and insightful. Not my typical read but worthwhile

Surprisingly Beautiful

Funny, emotional, and riveting. Rob Lowe has explained so many parts of his life I never would have believed if someone else told me. This book offers the kind of perspective I needed in 2021, 10 years after he wrote it. Great book.

Riveting story from a great storyteller

Rob Lowe’s stories were engaging from start to finish. His honest look at the successes and failures of his life and career was refreshing and endearing. It is amazing the number of encounters he has had with titans in the film and television industry and with history itself.

Unexpectedly Great

I listened to this based on an out-of-the-blue recommendation. I am about the same age as Mr. Lowe, and could relate to many of the popular milestones referenced. The book focuses heavily on the early years growing up and his first acting successes; with the final chapters telling the story of meeting his wife-to-be and his experiences on the West Wing. Rob Lowe turns out to be a great story teller and offers warm vignettes of the many people and celebrities he has crossed paths with over the years. What makes listening to the audiobook probably better than reading the book is it is in Mr. Lowe's own voice. In addition, he has a pitch-perfect way of intoning the many directors and co-stars with whom he has worked. The voices of Francis Ford Coppola and Patrick Swayze are just great. The personal stories about his family, his struggles and ultimately his finding fulfillment with his wife, Sheryl, balance out the insider tales of Hollywood. But more than just a collection of insider stories, the author reflects on what he learned and how he grew from each chapter in his life. Recommended even if one is not a Rob Lowe fan - I have gained a newfound appreciation.

Real

Hello fromMason, OH. Not to far from Dayton. It’s so amazing time to hear how similar Rob and I are. We’re just kids trying to play on the adult world. Great work Sir. You have lived well.

Surprising

I enjoyed this book except for its adoration of Bill Clinton and other horrible liberals.

Moving, honest and introspective

Really enjoyed this book...how raw, honest and entertaining it was. Touching emotion about life’s journey.

Narration not to be missed

Rob Lowe's memoirs are quite interesting, and, as he indicates in title, told in the style of stories or vignettes usually with a surprising or unexpected twist to them. I suspect this book would be highly entertaining in written form - Lowe is a sensitive and intelligent writer, with a surprising gift for storytelling - but, given a choice, I would have to say that this Audible version is really the way to go. It is hard to beat hearing tales from his childhood or early auditions in his own voice, but as he is a really gifted actor, he succeeds like few other writers could in giving voices to all the other people in his life as well. This book is worth listening to for the impressions alone.

I particularly enjoyed his story because he is only a few years younger than me, so I got a kick out of hearing him talk about growing up in the 70s. But I would recommend this book to just about anyone who enjoys autobiography and learning about another person's journey of self-discovery.

Fascinating

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

Yes, this book was a great behind the scenes look at the movies of my teen years.

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

Only Rob could tell this story, it is his life. He is, at times is a bit too melodramatic for my tastes. If you can look past this tendency, it is an inside look at what goes into a career in movie making. It made me want to go back and watch re-watch his movies.

Any additional comments?

I never would have purchased this book. My daughter gifted this book to me, and I dove in with some trepidation...it didn't exactly seem like fine literature. Once I started, I couldn't put it down! Very interesting insights into the movies of my teen and childhood years. I loved it.

One of my Favorite Audible books

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

I loved hearing all the behind the scenes of the "brat pack" this was all happening when I was growing up, young adult years, and so fun to look back and remember these movies, movie starts, and all that Rob went through.
His Narration is so fun, really adds to the book.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Stories I Only Tell My Friends?

I can't pick just one. But I couldn't put the book down (or on pause) during the Outsiders chapters! I loved every minute! I got everyone around me hooked, including my husband and his cousin on a 3 hour drive!