I'll Be Damned

How My Young and Restless Life Led Me to America's #1 Daytime Drama

By: Eric Braeden

Narrated by: Eric Braeden

Length: 7 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's summary

In this startling candid and poignant memoir, the legendary Emmy Award-winning star of The Young and the Restless, America's number-one soap opera, chronicles his amazing life, from his birth in World War II Germany to his arrival in America to his rise to humanitarian and daytime superstar for the past 35 years.

For nearly four decades, fans have welcomed the star of television's number-one daytime show, The Young and the Restless, into their living rooms. While they've come to know and love the suave Victor Newman, few truly know the man behind the character, the supremely talented Eric Braeden. I'll Be Damned is his story - a startling and uplifting true tale of war, deprivation, determination, fame, and social commitment that spans from Nazi Germany to modern Hollywood.

Braeden's journey from a hospital basement in Kiel to the soundstages of Los Angeles has taught him more about joy, heartbreak, fear, dignity, loss, love, loneliness, exhilaration, courage, persecution, and profound responsibility to the global community than he could have hoped to learn in several lifetimes. Growing up in the years after Germany's defeat, Braeden knew very little about the atrocities of his parents' generation until he arrived in America as a teenager - a discovery that horrified and transformed him. Trying to redress the wrongs of his homeland, he has dedicated his life to humanitarian work - even forming the German American Culture Society - working for decades to show the world that what we share as humans is far more important than what separates us from one another.

Told with openness, candor, humor, heart, and occasional raw vulnerability, I'll Be Damned reveals a man committed to making the world a better, more loving place. I'll Be Damned will be a treasured keepsake for Y&R fans and is an inspiring testament to the goodness within us all.

©2017 Eric Braeden (P)2017 HarperCollins Publishers

loved it!!

I was truly captivated by Eric's story of how he came to be on America's number one daytime drama. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to all of his viewpoints and his life lessons. Thank you so much for taking the time to write this book. as a long-time fan of The Young and the Restless, I highly recommend this to all of the fans and even to those who do not know the show and do not know who Victor Newman is. It is still a wonderful book!

Long time fan

I have been a Y&R Victor Newman fan most of my life but I'm a bigger Eric Braeden fan!! I've read for years what a great guy Mr. Braeden is and what a gracious actor he is to work with. Listening to his story, told to me by him has been a beautiful experience. He is so humble and so grateful for everything he has, everything that he has been through and so gracious to the people in his life and the ones he has met along the way. He is a shining example of white should all strive to be... a person who is kind, compassionate, caring yet strong in his beliefs and his passions.
I loved every minute of Mr. Braeden's story and reccomend to ALL, Y&R fan or not, this book is worth the read, VERY worth the listen.
God Bless you and yours Mr. Braeden, tha k you for sharing your life with me, with all of us.
PS: Perfect Title

Brilliant

Interesting, entertaining, enlightening. The reader gets great insight in the making of a great man,

Awesome

I have watched Y&R since the early 80’s. I love Victor. This was such an interesting book about his life. I am in awe of the things he has accomplished. Kudos.

Very very good

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

Yes! very enjoyable and what a surprising life

What was one of the most memorable moments of I'll Be Damned?

His young life.

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

lol I almost did

Any additional comments?

worth every penny

Enthralling

Victor is a pimp. Grew up watching Y&R. Loved this book. Emotional & entertaining all the way.

A book you could listen to over and over

Eric Braden as I call him Victor Newman story of his life it was as if he was speaking directly to me. Loved listening to his memories of the cast off the air. His determination is pure amazing just wish his Mom would of known how talented and wonderful man she raised. #VictorNewman #Y&R

Love Eric Braeden!

This is a compelling and very enjoyable book. It was interesting to discover how he made it to the USA and how he started in acting.

A very enjoyable read

I loved every chapter of this book. Mr. Braeden is a very interesting man. I have watched the Young & Restless since it started with the exception of when I was stationed in Germany for 5 years. I also remember Mr. Braeden from the Rat Patrol. Absolutely loved the book.

What a Fascinating Man

What made the experience of listening to I'll Be Damned the most enjoyable?

I loved hearing the author tell the story in his own voice and words. About halfway through the book, I began to realized that "I'll be damned" must be one of his oft used phrases and can be used in many different circumstances meaning different things (much as the word "fine"). I did watch Y&R back in the mid-80's for a year or so but wasn't really a fan. I did think that Eric Braeden might have an interesting story. I was right, he's a fascinating man's man.

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

His own laconic style of speaking and his gentle laughter at certain passages was genuine.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

There was a moment that brought tears to my eyes. I could tell this was an important moment in Eric Braeden's life as well.