The Extraordinary Life of an Ordinary Man: A Memoir

clear and concise

Newman wavered about producing a memoir, so it's terrific that his family picked up the pieces of his musings and recordings and adroitly inserted the words and opinions of his contemporaries. There are few significant revelations here, but the salad dressing magnate comes across as the flawed, self-deprecating human he was who became a brilliant actor and a very good race car driver -- although there are limited anecdotes about his career as a driver. Simply as enjoyable as most of his movies, even if some of the films had more grit.

I'm a lifelong fan of the late Paul Newman, and also an avid reader of autobiographies. I was shocked to find this title and realize most of it is in his own words along with input from many friends, coworkers and family members!Some time before he passed away, the author recorded many interviews with Mr. Newman and others, but the project of transcribing and assembling the material was postponed and nearly forgotten until years later. I Am SO glad it was not forgotten completely!His words, along with the input of those who knew him (some knew him well, some only thought so) makes for an enlightening story. There are moments that made me smile, laugh out loud, tear up or shake my head over what he was able to accomplish .Paul Newman was an intensely private man and more than once I felt like an eavesdropper, but I'm so happy that his family chose to complete this project. He was a product of his generation and values. He struggled with personal and professional conflicts but ultimately touched millions of lives through his work, civic activities and charitable commitments. And by opening up about so many things I'm sure he accomplished what he intended, filling in the blanks and making himself more accessible to his loved ones.Highly recommended!

If you like non fiction, this is a good read

Paul Newman, Iike so many other addicts, was a highly intelligent and very talented person. Sadly, and as this story conveys ( even cherry picked to present the best) Newman, with all of his striving for integrity, his work ethic and his hard earned talent, was your every day alcoholic. Due to his alcoholism, his insight was lacking. Which makes for an unsatisfying story. Hence, 3 stars.

Beautiful

Between 1986 and 1991, Paul Newman, then in his early to mid-sixties (he died at 83 in 2008), collaborated with Stewart Stern and taped material for an autobiography. Stern also interviewed whomever he could find who had had some contact with Newman, personal or professional. Newman then asked Stern to stop and in 1998 burned all the tapes. However, the tapes had been transcribed by Stern and the transcriptions resurfaced when Ethan Hawke was making his 2021 documentary TV series, “The Last Movie Stars”, about Newman and Woodward. The material was edited by David Rosenthal into the book with the above title.There is an excellent review of the book by Louis Menand, “Becoming Paul Newman”, in The New Yorker of October 24, 2023, the source of the above details. My notes are an attempt to add information to make clear to the potential buyer what exactly they are purchasing.The hardcopy of the book is 6.5”x9.5” and 295 pages. Thirty-nine black and white photographs are scattered throughout the text. There is a foreword by Melissa Newman and an afterword by Clea Newman Soderlund, the two younger daughters of Paul and Joanne. Paul Newman had six children altogether, Scott, Susan, and Stephanie with his first wife, Jackie Witte, whom he married in 1949 and divorced in 1958, and Nell, Melissa, and Clea with Joanne Woodward, whom he married in 1958. Sadly, as I write these comments in April 2023, her family reports that Joanne Woodward, at 93, is in hospice care at the end of a long bout of Alzheimer’s. Jackie Witte had died in 1993 at age 64.This book is not an ordinary autobiography. Here is Melissa Newman in her foreword:“You can read about private jets and red carpets elsewhere. This is definitely not that. Instead, it’s sort of a self-dissection, a picking apart of feelings, motives, and motivations, augmented by a Greek chorus of other voices and opinions, relatives, Navy buddies, and fellow artists”.This is Paul Newman talking in the first person. It feels like one long confession in which he comes clean with his children. As an outside reader, I felt somewhat embarrassed and guilty as if I had come across someone’s private diary and read it. Maybe Paul Newman burned the tapes because he did not want their content exposed to the public? How much did he know of the existence of the transcripts?The material has been arranged in roughly chronological order in fourteen chapters without titles. For the benefit of the potential buyer, I will make up my own descriptive and imperfect chapter titles. These made-up headings may leave the wrong impression of a much more structured narrative than is the case. Each of these labels covers a collection of loosely connected first-person stories told by Newnan interspersed with comments and anecdotes by relatives and acquaintances.I. Youth and parents.II. Early schooling and no-sex adolescence.III. Military service in WWII.IV. Kenyon College, Ohio, June 1946-June 1949.V. Summer stock theatre, marrying Jackie Witte, birth of Scott, death of father, 1949-1951.VI. Yale School of Drama, theater in NYC, success in “Picnic”, meeting Joanne, 1951-1953.VII. Early Hollywood, from the disastrous “The Silver Chalice” (1954) to “Somebody up there likes me” and the break-out successful “The Long Hot Summer” (1958) with Joanne Woodward. A five-year double life with Jackie and Joanne ends with the final break-up with Jackie and marriage to Joanne (1958).VIII. Reflections on fame and privacy. “With Elizabeth Taylor in “Cat on a hot tin roof”. More on Joanne Woodward and “The Long Hot Summer”.IX. On parenting. Scott’s death.X. Various film personalities’ comments on Paul Newman and his films.XI. On racing and related topics.XII. On drinking and related topics.XIII. On charitable giving and related topics.XIV. On aging and other last-chapter thoughts.How do I feel after reading this book? I cannot express it any better than Louis Menand in his New Yorker review:“The problem with all this biographical insight is not that Paul Newman wasn’t Cool Hand Luke around the house. That’s no surprise. The problem is that his flaws were so, well, ordinary. People do drink too much, cheat on their spouses even though they love them, and wish they had been better parents. What people generally do not do is become the biggest male star in Hollywood and get nominated for ten Academy Awards. There’s got to be more to Paul Newman than this.It seems that most people who knew Newman thought that there was. In the memoir, the juxtaposition of their testimonies with Newman’s self-analysis produces a sort of cognitive dissonance”.While public self-deprecation by celebrities is a common publicity tool, you don’t doubt Newman’s words in this book because I don’t believe he ever expected his words to become public. However, I now want to read a genuine biography of Paul Newman with his accomplishments as the main course and his flaws a second or third.Final comment. It would have helped the reader navigate through all the stories and anecdotes if, at the end of the book, there was (a) a filmography of Newman and Woodward and (b) a dated chronology of the main events in their lives.

If you are a Paul Newman fan, this is a must.

Loved the book!

If you're a fan of the great Paul Newman, you have to read this book. It is written with heartfelt, true emotion, by the man himself. He explains all his trials, frustrations and difficulties of becoming and being an actor and of course his deep love for Joanne. (I’ll be reading her biography next). I learnt another side of Mr Newman I didn't know. It's a short auto biography and after finishing it, I was hungry for more. However, I felt privileged that I was invited into Paul Newman's personal life from his childhood and beyond and got to understand him a lot more.

Paul Newman - The Extraordinary Life of an Ordinary Man: A Memoir is an exceptional literary work that immerses readers in the captivating world of one of the most iconic actors of our time. This memoir pays homage to the extraordinary life and legacy of Paul Newman, taking us on an intimate journey through his remarkable career, profound passions, and the unwavering humanity that made him a true legend.From the very first page, it becomes evident that this memoir is a labor of love, meticulously crafted to honor Paul Newman's life in all its complexity and brilliance. The author's dedication shines through in their thorough research, rich storytelling, and profound insights into the man behind the legend. It is a testament to Paul Newman's character that he lived an extraordinary life while remaining grounded and true to his values.The memoir paints a vivid picture of Newman's rise to stardom, delving into the nuances of his early struggles, his unyielding perseverance, and the serendipitous moments that shaped his career. The author masterfully weaves together personal anecdotes, interviews, and behind-the-scenes accounts, offering readers a front-row seat to Newman's journey as he navigated the highs and lows of Hollywood with grace and integrity.What sets this memoir apart is its unwavering commitment to portraying Paul Newman as not only a gifted actor but also a philanthropist, activist, and family man. It delves into his philanthropic endeavors, most notably the Newman's Own Foundation, which has had an immeasurable impact on countless lives. The memoir showcases his unwavering dedication to making a difference, demonstrating that his extraordinary achievements extended far beyond the silver screen.Moreover, the book offers glimpses into the man behind the public persona, revealing a vulnerable and introspective side to Newman that few had the privilege to witness. His relationships, including his enduring marriage to Joanne Woodward, are tenderly portrayed, illuminating the depth of his character and the love that fueled his extraordinary life.The prose is eloquent and evocative, capturing the essence of Paul Newman's spirit with remarkable clarity. The author's passion for their subject shines through every word, creating an immersive reading experience that transports readers into Newman's world. Whether you are a fan of his films, admirer of his philanthropy, or simply intrigued by the life of a true icon, this memoir will leave an indelible mark on your heart.Paul Newman - The Extraordinary Life of an Ordinary Man: A Memoir is an unparalleled tribute to a legendary figure, written with profound admiration and meticulous attention to detail. It celebrates the indomitable spirit of a man who lived life to the fullest, leaving an enduring legacy that transcends his artistic contributions. This memoir is an essential read for anyone seeking inspiration, insight, and a deeper understanding of the extraordinary life and profound impact of Paul Newman.In its pages, readers will discover a remarkable tapestry of talent, compassion, and unwavering dedication, reminding us all that even the most extraordinary individuals can be grounded, humble, and truly ordinary at heart.

Amazon Sg occasionally have good sale for their book like this Paul Newman but somehow I can tell from this and a few other book that I bought from Amazon Sg the pages are getting a bit yellowish most like from old stocks to clear unlike from Amazon US and Japan so far with some discount too but quality are much better. Oh well.

I enjoyed reading this. Despite some of the negative reviews I’ve read, he comes across as a thoughtful, giving man. His affair with Woodward apart, he appeared to be an honest man striving to find himself. I’m looking forward to watching some of his movies again.