Respect

The Life of Aretha Franklin

By: David Ritz

Narrated by: Brad Raymond

Length: 17 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's summary

The definitive biography of the Queen of Soul from acclaimed music writer David Ritz.

Aretha Franklin began life as the golden daughter of a progressive and promiscuous Baptist preacher. Raised without her mother, she was a gospel prodigy who gave birth to two sons in her teens and left them and her native Detroit for New York, where she struggled to find her true voice. It was not until 1967, when a white Jewish producer insisted she return to her gospel-soul roots, that fame and fortune finally came via "Respect" and a rapidfire string of hits. She has evolved ever since, amidst personal tragedy, surprise Grammy performances, and career reinventions.

Again and again, Aretha stubbornly finds a way to triumph over troubles, even as they continue to build. Her hold on the crown is tenacious, and in Respect, David Ritz gives us the definitive life of one of the greatest talents in all American culture.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio.

©2014 David Ritz (P)2014 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"Narrator Brad Raymond does a great job of portraying the relatives and friends in her life who helped her succeed." (AudioFile)

Thrilling!

This story is intriguing from beginning to end. The writer did an excellent job of research and interviews. We got to hear from immediate family members, close friends, ex-lovers, as well as other geniuses who had a working relationship with this awesome diva. David Ritz didn't hold back: you got Ms. Frankin's bad side as well as her warm and generous side. The diva came off as a well-rounded complex human being. Brad Raymond did a masterful job of relaying this story and keeping the reader engaged. I highly recommend this book.

Respect The Life of Aretha Franklin

Loved the book. Recommended to others really enjoyed the story about her life good and bad how she over came struggles and not others. Helps one to reflect on self.

New To Audio Books

Loved It.
I especially liked the recap at the end.
I have only listened to 5 books so far and this is definitely one of the best.

An American Diva in Denial

This story is an interesting look inside the life of an American musical prodigy and icon who came to realize legendary status despite a shaky beginning and major personality flaws that could have tanked her career. Despite her refusal to reveal her true self and portray a made up facade to the world, her stubborn and sometimes abrasive and volatile personality and her relentless pursuit to stay relevant and current, she become music royalty and the definition of the American soul diva. An unfiltered take on her life and must read for true fans of Ms. Franklin.

I Leared a LOT

I LOVE Aretha and now I understand her more. I appreciate how the author provides the good, bad and ugly and isn't one sided like so many are. I highly recommend this book!

raw honesty

hreat read to peer into the true Areth
a. she was definitely a true Diva

Aretha in Wonderland

Constantly paraded out to perform from a young age by her father, she was never really a child, but an old soul. Her tantrums, her refusal to allow others to have any musical success (including her own sisters), and never listening to the advice of others appears to be the child coming out. This biography doesn't sugar coat anything. Like all great talents, Aretha was self- destructive.

New and Renewed Respect For A Living Legend

Would you listen to Respect again? Why?

The story was researched and written well and told in a way that was entertaining.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Ruth Bowen Aretha's outspoken and salty booking agent who didn't have any reservations in telling it the way she saw it. Everyone should be so lucky to have a Ruth Bowen in their lives.

What about Brad Raymond’s performance did you like?

His performance was great and told the story with unabandoned engagement and bright imagination giving each character their own vocal inflections and tone.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Retouched Portrait Of A Diva

Any additional comments?

This book was far more complimentary to the persona of Aretha Franklin that I thought it would be based on her own reaction to the book proclaiming it was just a book of lies. Not only did it recount several stories that I had known about previously being an enduring fan of Aretha over the years, it also includes historical events and other stories told by Aretha's contemporaries who had interactions with her. I thought the book was well written and researched and should give us a new...or renewed respect for this woman who has had a remarkable career in spite of many obstacles that were personal, professional, real and imagined, imposed by others and self imposed. As the author stated there is not just one story of Aretha, but several. And this story as told by Ritz, paints her in a humanistic light fraught with frailties and imperfections of which she should not be ashamed of and Ritz should not have to apologize for.

Great book!

Awesome look at the life of a superstar! Check this book out! It's worth it!

very interesting

I really enjoyed this read. it allowed me to see into the life of a great singer