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)

Rob Lowe - Stories I only tell my Friends

An amazing life ...so blessed....it is so reminiscent of a regular kid growing up in the 60's and yet so full of fortunate circumstances and friends who are anything but ordinary, and despite having a broken home life. He triumphs thru the twists and turns, and defeats of a movie star career.... an enjoyable listen !!

Light, fun

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

This is an audiobook that is enhanced by being in audio formate. Rob Lowe impersonates many the people he writes about which I found quite funny and almost endearing.

Any additional comments?

This is a light, fun book. The stories are very fun and Rob Lowe is a funny writer. I could have done with less self analysis which to me came across as excuses, but it wasn't enough to dampen my enthusiasm for this audiobook.

Great stories that are well read by Rob Lowe!

What did you love best about Stories I Only Tell My Friends?

I felt like I was getting real insight in to some of the most interesting people of the last 30 years. Rob Lowe is a very likable and seems very down to earth. His life has been extraordinary but he seems so self effacing. I finally realized why I always like his characters-he's a nice guy.
His perspective seems very unbiased, you feel like your getting a behind the scenes peek. Although Rob didn't seem bitter over his West Wing departure I now am-I was a huge fan and the producers (or whoever made the stupid decision) messed up a great show by allowing Rob & the writer to get away. I laughed out loud at several of the stories & I really enjoyed this book.

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

No

The story behind the man

Nicely narrated and honest but he did not tell all. I wish he had. This is my first autobiography of any actor. Interesting life, he does have stories to tell.

Fantastic book!

rob Lowe is a fantastic writer and story teller along with his many other talents. This is a great book!

Entertaining, especially for a child of the 80s

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to Rob Lowe read his book. It was like hearing tell stories at a cocktail party (though he wouldn't be drinking). I was a teenager in the 80s so many stories read like a behind-the-scenes documentary of some of my favorite movies. It is amazing how his life intersected with so many well-known real-life characters. The best part of audio vs book? Hearing Rob Lowe's spot-on impressions of several famous voices!

Rob Lowe is a master storyteller LOVED this book

What did you like about this audiobook?

Listening to Rob Lowe tell his own stories is absolute brilliance. The stories are hysterical and truthful. You can hear through his own voice how he grew from young adult trying to get work as an actor, to being a self indulged brat - to a wiser empathic man

How has the book increased your interest in the subject matter?

I never gave much thought to the man, but after this book and Love Life, I can say I love the man. I see him through a whole new lens as a person, a man, a husband, a father.

Does the author present information in a way that is interesting and insightful, and if so, how does he achieve this?

Rob's self deprecating manner in telling his stories - owning up to mistakes and highlighting his frailties. His story telling manner sucks you in, and I laughed so much.

What did you find wrong about the narrator's performance?

not one thing

Do you have any additional comments?

Listen to this book - you wont regret it!

Enthralling

What an interesting story describing his life in the fascinating world of a top actor, told from a very human standpoint. The fact that it is read by Rob Lowe himself is what makes this audiobook a five-star book. The book and the reading of it is entirely engaging, and easy to listen to as it flows effortlessly. I absolutely recommend it as a book that you can get lost in for a long time, or something that you can take in chunks as your daily schedule permits

Never dreamed I would LOVE it!

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

The best part of this book was that it was read by the author. Thats not always a plus....I had an experience with a story I was really interested in and it was read by the author and I absolutely could not get through it. Thankfully it was later made into a movie which I enjoyed. Anyway.....to hear about Rob Lowe's experiences from his voice with its inflection and tone was extremely entertaining. He is very entertaining and he really is able to make you feel his experiences....perhaps its the actor in him. I have always liked him, but was not an adoring fan....you don't have to be to enjoy this book. Its warm and very honest; he lays his faults right out there with his gifts. Extremely entertaining....great read!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Well Rob of course

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

Reading doesn't give you the voice inflection, tone and emotion of the experience.

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

Could not put it down...so to speak. Yes, I wanted to listen to it all in one sitting!

Any additional comments?

Really good book and you don't have to be a Rob Lowe fan to enjoy it. Although I must say after listening to this book, I AM a fan and I hope he writes another.

Engaging while brutally frank

Rob's writing is intelligent, witty, and strikingly honest. Merely based on his vocabulary, he is a man of above average intelligence. His ability to descriptively paint a picture as he is telling his story is remarkable. He wrote is such positiveness, it was nice to not hear negativism, whining, and bemoaning. He is fortunate and he understands as well as appreciates this. He characteristically brings his story full circle to give these small chapters of his episodic life closure. He has always been an actor I admired. Now it is clear I have yet another reason to admire him. As a novice writer myself, his talent of writing and telling a story engrossed me. His interpretations and insightfulness contribute to his remarkable talent. It isn't every day I read (isten to) a book written by someone who is popular in Holywood. It is clear that I made the right choice in reading this book. My Thanks to Mr. Rob Lowe for giving me the opportunity to hear those stories you only tell your friends. Thank you. I look forward to more writing from you in the future.