• 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 (13,719 ratings)

Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
Stories I Only Tell My Friends  By  cover art

Stories I Only Tell My Friends

By: Rob Lowe
Narrated by: Rob Lowe
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $15.74

Buy for $15.74

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

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

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    10,130
  • 4 Stars
    2,782
  • 3 Stars
    631
  • 2 Stars
    109
  • 1 Stars
    67
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    10,230
  • 4 Stars
    1,461
  • 3 Stars
    268
  • 2 Stars
    50
  • 1 Stars
    28
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    8,694
  • 4 Stars
    2,501
  • 3 Stars
    599
  • 2 Stars
    102
  • 1 Stars
    60

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Engrossing!

WOW! This wonderful man writes and READS as good (well) as he looks, and that is saying a lot!! Sadly, this was my first audible purchase and now absolutely nothing comes close, and I've downloaded several in eager anticipation after this.
It is a joy to recommend this so highly. I envy you!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Loved this book!

What a surprising and entertaining book. I'd definitely recommend it. I also liked that Rob Lowe read it himself. Can't wait to read his next one!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Couldn't believe how good. Couldn't stop listening

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

It was a fantastic telling of real stories... Love how it interconnected all of Hollywood as made it so real.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Fastastic! Read by Rob Lowe himself!

An insider's look inside Hollywood seen through the eyes of sensitive and witty Rob Lowe. He's charming and funny. A very nice book to listen to!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Connects so many dots

Loved listening to my "friend" (I can call him that now, right?) Rob recount his life in detail that is sometimes almost infallible and often poignant. As a contemporary of his, it took me back through my own coming of age and connected so many dots between films and celebrities I know so well. Peppered with delightful impersonations, too.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Simple story well told!

Would you consider the audio edition of Stories I Only Tell My Friends to be better than the print version?

Yes, the emotions of the writer/narrator come through this audio version, better than it would in a book. I am glad it's read by Rob Lowe himself. Makes it very authentic, almost like you are his friend and he is talking to you in person.

Any additional comments?

Considering I wasn't living in America when all of the story was happening, and honestly did not have a clue who Rob Lowe was; I was compelled to read the story. I am truly impressed by the book, in terms of the ability to relay a story, it's honesty that comes through, and the good writing. I had to do a lot of background research as I read the book to make all of it make more sense to me. Rob Lowe... now decades later, I am a fan!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Loved it!

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

This was my first audio book and it was the perfect choice! I love Rob's animated and sincere narration and his stories were entertaining and engaging. I thoroughly enjoyed the entire 9 hours and it left me wanting to hear more. Thanks Rob!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent!!!

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

From a guy who doesn't have time to read books, I had a wonderful time listening to this story. I would sit in the car after I got to the office just not wanting to stop listening.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Fascinating

This story was both fascinating and engaging.
To actually hear Rob Lowe's soothing and calming voice tell the listener about his childhood, family, friends, early career struggles,
success stories and life was wonderful. The lessons he's learned over the yeas and has shared with us are deep and inspirational. The love he has for his wife and children is refreshing and lovely. I really enjoyed this and highly recommend it to others.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Exceptional, loved every minute.

One of the best audio books about an actors life I have ever heard. His true personality shines through, and such an interesting way.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!