• 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 (13,725 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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Wow!

I didn't expect to love this memoir. If you listen for more than 20 minutes and don't identify in some you, you are NOT a GenX male.

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My first 5 star review

I have been listening to books on Audible for several months, and am quite addicted. Out of all of the books I have listened to, this is my first 5 star rating. The book is great, the performance is great. Thanks Rob! I have been a fan since the Outsiders, but feel like a new fan all over again. I look forward to your next project.

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Loved it!

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

It was told by Rob Lowe himself

Who was your favorite character and why?

Rob Lowe because the story was about him and that is why I wanted to listen to it.

Any additional comments?

It really gave another dimension to Rob Lowe, the person, not the celebrity. I found out very interesting and heart warming things about him that you won't find on the tabloid stand, because that wouldn't "sell" Really glad that he wrote this book! Looking forward to reading the next one!

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Really blown away.

With no malice or insult intended for Rob Lowe...but if anyone said I would 1. Ever want to read a book about Rob Lowe or 2. Ever want to read a book by Rob Lowe ...I would have thought it a joke...that said-on the suggestion of my son I did read and and it was great-on many levels . He is a GREAT story teller and all I can say is I am very grateful that somebody convinced him to share this book with more then just his friends. Not at all a waste of time...he is much more then a pretty face....much more.

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Great read

This was a great find and I have a new respect for Rob Lowe. Intelligently written and performed with stories you can't imagine. Loved his impersonations of other characters in the book. Wow!

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Rob Lowe's Book

I'm not sure I've gotten the whole story, but Stories I Only Tell My Friends goes back and forth about his life and how he finally became an actor. Rob had a difficult childhood, and I think it's amazing how he's managed to change his family life to be the way he wished his had been.

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great book

This was an interesting, candid, extremely well-written book! Rob Lowe should do some more writing!

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Informative & Entertaining

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

Great background stories to the Hollywood headlines we all saw on the news or read about. The story of Hollywood actors sure seem removed from reality, but the way Rob told his story makes it all relate-able to the average normal american boy.

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great story teller!

Where does Stories I Only Tell My Friends rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

top rated for sure!

Which scene was your favorite?

when he partied with Michael J. Fox and their bantering!

Any additional comments?

was never really a rob lowe fan..that has since changed! great job!

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Wonderful

It eliminated most of my assumptions of ‘people’ like him, since I grew up worshiping him and the brat pack but I felt left out because I’m a second generation American. So many wonderful reminders of life’s challenges but also precious gifts in this audible performance by Mr Lowe, it rivals Elon Musk and Michael Jordan biographies!

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