The Extraordinary Life of an Ordinary Man

A Memoir

By: Paul Newman, David Rosenthal - editor, Melissa Newman - foreword, Clea Newman Soderlund

Narrated by: Jeff Daniels, Melissa Newman, Clea Newman Soderlund, Ari Fliakos, January LaVoy, John Rubinstein, Emily Wachtel

Length: 8 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's summary

The raw, candid, unvarnished memoir of an American icon. The greatest movie star of the past 75 years covers everything: his traumatic childhood, his career, his drinking, his thoughts on Marlon Brando, James Dean, Elizabeth Taylor, John Huston, his greatest roles, acting, his intimate life with Joanne Woodward, his innermost fears and passions and joys. With thoughts/comments throughout from Joanne Woodward, George Roy Hill, Tom Cruise, Elia Kazan and many others.

In 1986, Paul Newman and his closest friend, screenwriter Stewart Stern, began an extraordinary project. Stuart was to compile an oral history, to have Newman’s family and friends and those who worked closely with him, talk about the actor’s life. And then Newman would work with Stewart and give his side of the story. The only stipulation was that anyone who spoke on the record had to be completely honest. That same stipulation applied to Newman himself. The project lasted five years.

The result is an extraordinary memoir, culled from thousands of pages of transcripts. The book is insightful, revealing, surprising. Newman’s voice is powerful, sometimes funny, sometimes painful, always meeting that high standard of searing honesty. The additional voices—from childhood friends and Navy buddies, from family members and film and theater collaborators such as Tom Cruise, George Roy Hill, Martin Ritt, and John Huston—that run throughout add richness and color and context to the story Newman is telling.

Newman’s often traumatic childhood is brilliantly detailed. He talks about his teenage insecurities, his early failures with women, his rise to stardom, his early rivals (Marlon Brando and James Dean), his first marriage, his drinking, his philanthropy, the death of his son Scott, his strong desire for his daughters to know and understand the truth about their father. Perhaps the most moving material in the book centers around his relationship with Joanne Woodward—their love for each other, his dependence on her, the way she shaped him intellectually, emotionally and sexually.

The Extraordinary Life of an Ordinary Man is revelatory and introspective, personal and analytical, loving and tender in some places, always complex and profound.

*Includes a downloadable PDF of all the photographs from the printed book

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2022 Paul Newman (P)2022 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Unlike most celebrity self-retrospectives, this is not a “first I did this, then I did that” kind of memoir. It is, rather, a sharp, acerbic, often somber “what was I thinking?” analysis that reveals a level of vulnerability and insecurity surprising for a man who was seen as the epitome of cool…Fans looking for Hollywood gossip will not find it, while those who really want to know the man behind the image and the legend will be compelled by Newman's raw, open, and principled self-portrait…Newman's timeless allure will work its magic on readers.”—Booklist, Starred review

"Actor, race car driver, and philanthropist Newman (1925-2008) was a deeply private man living an intensely public life; this posthumous memoir features the Hollywood legend’s own voice as he “sets things straight” and “pokes holes in the mythology” that accompanied his celebrity…Newman’s story unfolds in a humble, sometimes humorous narrative voice—“I’m aware that in some ways it’s my nature to deprecate everything I do”—punctuated with earnest awe of the turns his life has taken, astonishment at the intensity of his passion for wife Joanne Woodward, affection for his children and anguish that he could not shelter them from the vagaries of fame. Newman’s voice is interwoven with transcripts from friends, relatives, and colleagues (including Eva Marie Saint, Tom Cruise, Elia Kazan, and more) whose memories shed light on what transformed the summer stock actor into an international sex symbol and what curbed his struggles with alcoholism and grief from veering into tragedy. …[T]hese collective perspectives do more than offer a prismatic view of film industry glamour and dirty laundry: they elevate the book from a humble autobiography to a more nuanced, human portrait—with the “semblance of truth” that Newman craved when he went on the record. With equal parts grounded authenticity and inviting charm, this candid memoir captures the life of a legend."—Publishers Weekly

"Raw reflections from a movie icon…a revealing memoir of a life marked by pain, grief, and regret…Intimate reflections on an extraordinary life steeped in sadness."—Kirkus Reviews

No holds barred

From his early days as a wild boy to his benevolence in late life, this is a wonderful account of the life of an icon.

Enjoyed

So interesting to learn what he was like off screen. It was sad but a wonderful love story. Never having met a movie star I can see why they don’t want to be confronted out in public. I’ve always loved him and will miss his acting!!

The best of Paul Newman

I always like liked Paul Newman as an actor and after listening to the book on his life l wish l could have had the opportunity to meet him in person.

Love it! Highly recommended

What a life! An American legend. PN life is compelling and touching. Great performance of Jeff Daniels.

Perfect title

As a fellow Clevelander, Mr. Newman does us proud - what a great and regular guy!

A must read, especially if you like Paul Newman!

Loved it from beginning to end!! I wanted more!! Paul Newman was such am intriguing character and in addition to making movies, he was such a generous person as well!!

What a recollection of a fascinating man

I’m only wondering where the pdf of photos can be found. It was mentioned in the foreword.
Well read/narrated and a captivating story.

A wonderful inspiring experience!

A unique format and compilation of work!
Will read this again, there is so much to grasp!
Thank you.

Great man

Enjoyed his story and the love he had for his wife. Glad I listened to it.

Compelling and interesting

Interesting reflection on the life of Paul Newman. Entertaining and informative. A compelling book I enjoyed very much.