When I Stop Talking, You'll Know I'm Dead

Useful Stories from a Persuasive Man

By: Jerry Weintraub, Rich Cohen, George Clooney - foreword

Narrated by: Jerry Weintraub

Length: 7 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's Summary

Here is the story of Jerry Weintraub: the self-made, Brooklyn-born, Bronx-raised impresario, Hollywood producer, legendary dealmaker, and friend of politicians and stars. No matter where nature has placed him - the club rooms of Brooklyn, the Mafia dives of New York's Lower East Side, the wilds of Alaska, or the hills of Hollywood - he has found a way to put on a show and sell tickets at the door.

"All life was a theater and I wanted to put it up on a stage," he says. "I wanted to set the world under a marquee that read: 'Jerry Weintraub Presents.'"

In When I Stop Talking, You'll Know I'm Dead, we follow Weintraub from his first great success at age 26 with Elvis Presley, whom he took on the road with the help of Colonel Tom Parker; to the immortal days with Sinatra and Rat Pack glory; to his crowning hits as a movie producer, starting with Robert Altman and Nashville, continuing with Oh, God!, the Karate Kid movies, and Diner, among others, and summiting with Steven Soderbergh and Ocean's Eleven, Twelve, and Thirteen.

Along the way, we'll watch as Jerry moves from the poker tables of Palm Springs (the games went on for days), to the power rooms of Hollywood, to the halls of the White House, to Red Square in Moscow, and the Great Palace in Beijing - all the while counseling potentates, poets, and kings, with clients and confidants like George Clooney, Bruce Willis, George H. W. Bush, Armand Hammer, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Bob Dylan, Led Zeppelin, John Denver, Bobby Fischer...the list goes on forever.

And of course, the story is not yet over. As the old-timers say, "The best is yet to come." And as Weintraub says, "When I stop talking, you'll know I'm dead."

With wit, wisdom, and the cool confidence that has colored his remarkable career, Jerry chronicles a quintessentially American journey, one marked by luck, love, and improvisation. The stories he tells and the lessons we learn are essential, not just for those who love movies and music, but for businessmen, entrepreneurs, artists...everyone.

Download the accompanying reference guide.

©2010 Jerry Weintraub (P)2010 Hachette

Great stories!

I wasn't too excited to start the book but the stories turned it around.
I don't usually like whem authors narrate their own books, but in this case, it was the audiobooks greatest attribute. You could hear the pain im his voice when he told the story of his father's passing away. It wasnt just another bullet point to get through. He was clearly choked up. That type of genuine emotion infused throughout, is what carries an already interesting autobiography into the realms of greatness.

Pure Enjoyment

This is one of my favorite books. Mr. Weintraub tells outstanding stories from his life that are a pure joy to hear. He's seen it all and done it all. You feel as if he is just talking to you alone. His live is a who's who of the famous and not so famous. It was so good I listened to it twice and it is really him talking in his own voice!!

How could you not really like Jerry Weintraub??

Would you consider the audio edition of When I Stop Talking, You'll Know I'm Dead to be better than the print version?

Yes. The winning personality of Jerry Weintraub blazes through the audio like a hot knife thru butter.

What other book might you compare When I Stop Talking, You'll Know I'm Dead to and why?

This one is unique. Probably more enjoyable to just read Weintraub's book again.

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

The "New York" attitude really comes to the front.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

How does a guy fall in love with and marry a lady that is a "ten" plus and then has the "hutzpah" to move another woman into the same house for purposes of co-habitation?? Now that's a salesman!!

Any additional comments?

Great story! Well told.

Great story, interesting guy

Loved his voice, interesting stories. RIP Jerry, glad you took the time to do this.

Interesting and Well Done

Would you listen to When I Stop Talking, You'll Know I'm Dead again? Why?

This book is highly interesting and relevant. I was only disappointed that the book came to an end. I wish it had been lengthier.

What did you like best about this story?

I think the stories, occasionally wrapped in life lessons, could not have been more interesting. If this book is not a bestseller, it should be.

Have you listened to any of Jerry Weintraub’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

N/A

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

It did make me laugh. And it did have touching moments.

Any additional comments?

This is a must-read. I am usually a harsh critic, but I really really liked this book.

Funny, Engaging and Lessons For Business

From Sinatra, Elvis, John Denver to the Karate Kid and the Ocean's 11 movies Jerry Weintraub has been around and very successful at a myriad of businesses. Great stories and great business and people lessons.

Mr. Weintraub, when can you come for dinner?

Jerry's stories span the fascinating years of the 20th century and he tells them as if we're sitting at the Friar's Club over a fine glass of wine. Jerry's well lived life shines like a fine sapphire from his father's jewelry business in the Bronx: values, quality, humility, wisdom with a sparkle of humor to keep the reader (listener) eager for the next story. I hope he writes a sequel, so I can continue feeling a part of the political, social, and entertainment history of our era. For those unfamiliar with his time and place, the beginning gets off to a slow start, but he quickly hits his stride as he builds his career and sphere of influence. His lessons learned are as relevant today as they were when he learned them...and I find myself smiling in recognition of a similar experience in my own life. Mr. Weintraub, the invitation to dinner is always open: you bring your stories, and I'll pick up a bucket of KFC and some Lafitte-Rothchild bubbly to wash it down.

Very Interesting

I liked it, alot of stories about familiar occasions, also seeing them from a different perspective is great. Well done.
If you read this Jerry, well done mate on some great life experiences.

Funny, quick, memorable

It's one of those books you find yourself telling others about; the anecdotes that are just too funny to be real must be told. I really enjoyed this one!

MUST READ BOOK...EVERYTHING WAS GREAT

Where does When I Stop Talking, You'll Know I'm Dead rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of the best books I have hear or read. Jerry Weintraub weaves an interesting story. A story nobody could tell better.

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

He already did and it is called My Way.

Wonderful Wonderful Wonderful!!!

Jerry becomes your friend throughout this brilliantly told life story and makes you chuckle and tear up in equal measure. A truly amazing life that makes you marvel at how incredible some people are. I made my kids (reluctantly) download it and they loved every second.
For me, just one of the great autobiographical life stories told so personally that you just never want it to end. Kol Hakovod JW.

Thoroughly enjoyed this

Life lessons, business lessons, and encouragement to persist. All told by Jerry himself and with his great sense of humour and storytelling ability.

Fascinating and insightful - couldn't stop

One man's life offers so many lessons. And told in such an interesting and engaging narrative.

What a legend

A must read! Great stories could listen to this talk all day. Took a lot from it aswell. Just brilliant

Highly recommend

The book is above my expectations. Such people should be awarded for decisions they made right and wisdom they’ve got and share with through biography!!!

FANTASTIC book

Now it is one of my favorites. Valuable lessons, great speaker, and fo far no useless filler.

Just wow... best audiobook I've listened to ever!

thank you to the author for sharing his stories, these have brought me inspiration and also loved every emotion the stories got me to!

interesting and fun

Absolutely loved it, had never heard of him but amazing how much he was a part of I learnt a ton and enjoyed it

Brilliant

I am so glad I listened to this book, what a a great life. My only wish is that the story of Ocean’s 11 was more flashed out

But that would have doubled the size of the book. Learned a lot.

Sad to hear he had passed away.

very lovely story

what a great man, I really loved the way he share feelings while reading his life.
It ends up with a great feeling of have been hearing a great story.