Sinatra

The Chairman

By: James Kaplan

Narrated by: Donald Corren

Length: 40 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's summary

Just in time for the Chairman's centennial, the endlessly absorbing sequel to James Kaplan's best-selling Frank: The Voice - finally the definitive biography that Frank Sinatra, justly termed "The Entertainer of the Century", deserves and requires. Like Peter Guralnick on Elvis, Kaplan goes behind the legend to give us the man in full, in his many guises and aspects: peerless singer, (sometimes) powerful actor, business mogul, tireless lover, and associate of the powerful and infamous.

In 2010's Frank: The Voice, James Kaplan, in rich, distinctive, compulsively understandable prose, told the story of Frank Sinatra's meteroic rise to fame, subsequent failures, and reinvention as a star of the stage and screen. The story of "Ol' Blue Eyes" continues with Sinatra: The Chairman, picking up the day after Frank claimed his Academy Award in 1954 and had reestablished himself as the top recording artist in music. Frank's life post-Oscar was incredibly dense: In between recording albums and singles, he often shot four or five movies a year; did TV show and nightclub appearances; started his own label, Reprise; and juggled his considerable commercial ventures (movie production, the restaurant business, even prizefighter management) alongside his famous and sometimes notorious social activities and commitments.

©2015 James Kaplan (P)2015 Recorded Books

Book well read by the Narrator

Story line kind of why and how things happened in American history during the,50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s. While Blue Eyes lived his life. The book clarified many different historical events.

Outstanding!

I have never listened to a 40-hour book before and probably never again, but I would certainly read Sinatra, at least, once again if not twice more. Kaplin not only dug into the life of Sinatra but made mini digs, that is, some background information about everyone who interacted with Sinatra. Readers got to learn many naughty things about these characters that were in and out of Sinatra's life. And I believe that's what made this bio so darn interesting. Instead of dragging through the 40 hours, I flew through and was sorry when it ended. Corren did a great job bringing the book to life. I really recommend this book, mostly because of the author.

Amazing, an excellent addition to Frank The Voice.

This is an excellent addition to the previous Frank The Voice. Kaplan's attention to detail is astounding and he ties Sinatra's life into relevant historical events very well. Truly the definitive Sinatra biography, an inspiring second book to an already inspiring first.

before my time

I'm a little young for Sinatra, but wanted to hear his story. it was well written and interesting.

An Excellent Biography of Frank Sinatra

I was sorry when the narration ended. It was perfect. This is the best biography I have read of his music and time.

compeling account of a man

recalled to mind with great nostalgia
a group of men and women that defined a generation of young and old. singers, song writers, musicians, actors, producers, directors all choreographed in the words and music of a gifted writer who retells a story already recorded in history. Done in a style without guile. Creates an intimacy with readers about a history and a time reminiscent of camelot its king and and loyal nights. if life imitates art, what an incredible pallette of color Frank Sinatra chose for the artform he embodied

A very well written work!

This was a very good book. It was an honest and open story about a singer who was loved and revered by many people.

I liked the stories about Frank that portrayed him not only as a wealthy man, but also a human. In other words, you can feel his suffering at difficult times in his life. These are things that the public only surmises but never knows.

This is a good book and I thoroughly enjoyed listening to the story of a most iconic singer who impacted the lives of many people.

Terrific biography and fabulous audio voice. The best book on Sinatra ever - both in terms of his biography and his music.

Terrific biography and fabulous audio voice. I read the previous book and loved it as well but this is the best book ever on Sinatra - both in terms of his biography and his music. Incredibly well researched. I will check other books by this reader as he added immensely to the overall experience,

Fascinating

After first listening to The Voice and loving it, I was a little disappointed to find that The Chairman used a different narrator. It did take some time to get used to but after a chapter or two I grew to love this one just as much. Such a thorough, fair, and well written biography. Together, both volumes give the listener the breadth and depth of Sinatra's life, and for the life he lived, that is truly a complement of high order.

Things you didn’t know

I thought this was a very interesting account if Sinatra”s life. I loved hearing about all of the stars and other people in his life. I’ve probably never googled so many times throughout the course of listening to a book. I really enjoyed it even though it was long, it kept my attention all the way to the end