Frank Sinatra: An extraordinary Life Paperback – December 15, 2015

Spencer Leigh has done with his Sinatra book, what he has done with his many previous books about musicians and their music. I have read and enjoyed, especially, his several books about The Beatles. And he has once again been able to capture not only what made the artist tick, but he also re-creates the times and atmosphere around them and how that affects their lives and work as well. He does extensive research and interviews the people who know what actually happened. I learned a lot more about Sinatra, the singer and the man, and how they're connected. As someone who has been involved in music and is a writer, and as just a reader, I strongly recommend, " Frank Sinatra: An Extraordinary Life."

It is disheartening to find an error within the first few pages and as I read on there were so many errors and incorrect information that I seriously considered stopping but then decided to see how many errors I could find. Did the author not do any research? Did his editor not check anything? Additionally, the author would insert his snide opinions on Sinatra (Page 87 - If I had made that joke to Frank I would have been punched) or his music throughout the book. The author seems to have a hard time understanding the lyrics to My Way. This certainly was not an objective biography. There is no filmography or discography and no photos in Leigh's book.For anyone who wants to read a good biography on Sinatra, check out J. Randy Taraborrelli's Sinatra: Behind the Legend.Some of the errors I found include:Page 10: The relative that lived with the family (Frank's uncle) was Vincent Mazzola not Manzola.Page 14: Russ Columbo was not killed when showing his friend his antique guns - Columbo was being shown the antique gun by his friend.Page 48: the Mafia's boss name was Willie Moretti not Willie MorettiaPage 51: Rudolph Valentino dd not come to Hollywood in 1926. His first film was in 1914. He died in 1926.Page 69: Sinatra did not open the Flamingo Hotel and Casino in December of 1946. The opening acts were Jimmy Durante and Rose Marie.Page 71: I believe Liberace was Catholic, not Jewish.Page 87: The songwriter of Nature Boy, eden ahbez, real name was George Alexander Aberle not Alexander Aberle.Page 96: The author says there are only two books about Dean Martin - Nick Tosche's Dino and Deana Martin's Memories Are Made of This. Guess he doesn't know about Ricci Martin's That's Amore or William Schoell's Martini Man.Page 100: Dean and Jerry worked together 10 years not 8 years as said by the author.Page 105: It was Jimmy Lydon who gave Elizabeth Taylor her first screen kiss in 1947's Cynthia not, as the author contends, Peter Lawford in 1948's Julia Misbehaves.Page 111: The title of the Doris Day song is Que Sera Sera not Whatever Will Be Will Be.Page 113: The author says Frank had his first casino booking in Reno when he set up residency to divorce Ava - this doesn't jive with his statement on page 69 that Frank opened at the Flamingo - the author isn't even consistent among his errors.Page 125: The author says Burt Lancaster played the part of the Captain in From Here to Eternity - Lancaster played a First Sergeant.Page 125: Harry Cohn's wife was Joan not Jean.Page 127: Yes From Here to Eternity did indeed win 8 Oscars but it did not tie Gone With the Wind as Wind won 10 Oscars.Page 127: George Reeves death could have been a suicide but there are other theories that should have been mentioned.Page 133: The Rocky Fortune Show was a drama not a comedy.Page 159: Hepburn spells her first name as Katharine not Katherine.Page 206: The author says that Spencer Tracy took time off from filming of The Devil at Four o'Clock to attend Clark Gable's funeral but later in the page says the Maui shoot ended on November 1. Gable died on November 16.Page 219: The author says that Dean Martin said in the filming of Something's Got to Give that it was impossible to work with Marilyn Monroe. Why then did Martin refuse to make the film with anyone but Marilyn?Page 239: The author says Frank Sinatra Jr celebrated his release from the kidnappers by having a meal with his dad at the Sands but the press conference has Nancy Sr saying I need to feed him. They were in Beverly Hills, not Vegas.Page 292: Actor Jon Voight spells his first name as Jon - not John.Page 328: Sinatra did not attend Stevens Institute of Technology - even for a few weeks.Page 341: Eddie Fisher was never married to Juilet Prowse.Page 341: The BIGGEST error of all in saying Sinatra passed away on April 5, 1998 - I don't know what calendar the author uses but Sinatra passed away on May 14, 1998.It is too bad that books with so many errors get published. I only wish I could have rated this book a big fat zero. Just wish I could get my money back.

I have never read a book with more typos, misspelling, and grammatical errors. Where were the editors? Also, as a previous reviewer writes, the book is filled with factual errors. Here are few more:At one point the author incorrectly writes that Ava Gardner won the Best Actress Oscar in 1954...and a few pages later correctly states that she didn't win, Grace Kelly did for Country Girl.On Page 245 the author states songwriter Sammy Cahn never won a Best Song Oscar before the song Call Me Irresponsible...WRONG!!! Cahn had already won three previously, for Three Coins in a Fountain, All the Way, and High Hopes.In writing about My Kind of Town, the Sammy Cahn-Jimmy Van Huesen song from Robin and the Seven Hoods (1964) the author refers to part of the lyrics at "the Ripley Building"...WRONG!!!!! the correct lyric is of course the Wrigley Building...incredible mistake.Finally, the worst error of all...the author claims Mr. Sinatra passed away on April 5, 1998...INCREDIBLY WRONG!!!!!! Mr. Sinatra passed away on the evening of May 14, 1998...believe me, as a huge Sinatra fan, I know. As a matter of fact, I'm writing this review on May 14, 2016. The fact the author got this date wrong is irresponsible and unacceptable.The only reason I give this two stars as the author does write extensively (not always accurately) of Sinatra's music and the Harry James and Tommy Dorsey bands and the many great music arrangers Sinatra worked with. But if you want to learn about Sinatra's music, get a copy of Sinatra! The Song is You by Will Friedwald...EXCELLENT book!

As I considered "Frank Sinatra: An Extraordinary Life", I wondered if we needed another book about the legend. But I can assure you, the answer is YES and this is it! Noted music authority Spencer Leigh does a masterful job of capturing "backstage facts" about Sinatra's talent, character, relationships (good and bad), vitality and loneliness. Details about the superstar's music, films, romances, personality traits and questionable exploits complete the knowledge treasury of this fast-paced, comprehensive chronicle. Leigh's unique focus on concerts that Sinatra performed in Britain, along with details of his escapades there, give the book a special appeal. If you're a fan of Frank's, don't miss this: it's a brilliant narrative on the ups and downs of a superstar's life lived too well.

Lots of books on Sinatra and I must say I came to this one thinking the world didn't need anymore. But, this book is remarkable because the author has managed to combine an appreciation of Sinatra’s artistry with a clear portrayal of what a repulsive human being he was. For me, the latter has always got in the way of any appreciation I might have had of Sinatra, but I really enjoyed the book. Nice pace to the writing.