The Extraordinary Life of an Ordinary Man: A Memoir

What an unusually entertaining & informative read! Highly recommended.

I bought this book for my sister who is a longtime Paul Newman fan. She just finished it. In her word the book was raw, honest and a great read.

This is a really great book, I really enjoyed it and a really nice inside take on this extraordinary man.

An interesting life review.

I was happy to pick up on Paul Newman's personal story because I felt he's been such a "Hollywood enigma" for lack of a better way to express it. I have always loved his acting in ALL his movies; no complaints here. What troubled me was? I didn't realize the level/degree of his own self-doubts, a more melancholy man if not morose to some degree. Did his mother Theresa "do" this to him? Or was it always in his "DNA" as they say. I will never know...But part of me feels bad HE didn't feel "good enough" because he really was a fine man, son, husband, father, actor and friend to many. If this book is representation of his cathartic journey in his life? Than so be it. I wish he had accepted in his lifetime, that what happened to his son, Scott, was not of his doing. Again, was there a genetic predisposition from father to son and further on back in time; because depression can run through families with a true predisposition for it. We will never know but I sure am glad Paul Newman shared such insight into his thoughts and life at the end of his life because it helps to understand more of just who he was...Really, a true maverick among Hollywood men.

Paul Newman saw himself as an ordinary man. He knew he was good looking but he felt that was the only reason he made it as an actor. He felt he was a failure in life with his family. He was an alcoholic and had a failed first marriage which produced three children, one of whom died of a drug overdose. His second marriage, to Joanne Woodward produced three more children and lasted 50 years, until his death. In addition to having a successful acting career he was a championship race car driver and race team owner. In the final years of his life he became an important and successful philanthropist. All this information was already public knowledge but Newman was a very private man who rarely gave an interview where he disclosed much of his personal life. This book is a compilation of Newman talking about himself and the intimate details of his personal life and relationships. We get first hand knowledge of his thinking behind why he was the man he was, both good and bad, and the incredible amount of self doubt he had about himself. Additionally, there are many excerpts of interviews with family, friends and co-workers who give us first hand information about what it was like to deal with him on a daily basis. Therefore we see the man through two sets of lenses, his own and those with whom he interacted. If you want to gain in depth knowledge of Paul Newman as told by him personally as well as those close to him this book will be of interest to you.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Good quality, raccomanded

entertaining read