John = fantastic fantastic fantastic, 24 Sep 2008
A wonderful personal read, you feel as though you are hearing from the guy himself his life experiences. Very inspirational, he makes you think indirectly about your own life...he makes you question if you can do more to be happy and really go after your dreams. I found that this book was more influential and inspiring than some of those book written solely for that purpose.

All together a lovely fun read just like the man himself.. Thanks for sharing these stories with us John.. xxxx

I loved it, 05 Aug 2008
If you've ever seen any of John Barrowman's interviews or show appearances you know he's a funny guy. He's charming, witty, naughty and doesn't censor himself.
That's the same thing that can be said about this book. John openly talks about his life, and does so in typical Barrowman fashion (watch those footnotes, they're extra hilarious!).
The book is great fun, and as a fan I wasn't disappointed.

Superb..., 30 Jun 2008
As a fan of all John's work, from stage to screen, it was wonderful to finally have all the inside information of who he is and where he has been.
I'm not a big reader of books, but I bought Anything Goes and once i'd picked it up i didn't stop. I'd read the entire thing in only a few hours, and have read it again since.
It is highly entertaining, very funny, hugely touching and wonderfully honest. A brilliant story, wonderfully told.

Self praise is no praise!, 28 Jun 2008
Self confidence is a good attribute to have but endless pages of John telling us how beautiful, talented and good looking he is became a bit tiresome. This wasn't a memoir and I didn't see the humour that others have commented on - the best person to read this book will be John himself as he can then massage his ego even further! Not endearing, very shallow, annoying footnotes on every page and not even well written. Needless to say I gave up before the end.

Anything Goes, and much more, 21 Jun 2008
Funny, touching, naughty and nice. A frank and compeling read. Had trouble putting it down. Inspiring and enticing

John = fantastic fantastic fantastic, 24 Sep 2008
A wonderful personal read, you feel as though you are hearing from the guy himself his life experiences. Very inspirational, he makes you think indirectly about your own life...he makes you question if you can do more to be happy and really go after your dreams. I found that this book was more influential and inspiring than some of those book written solely for that purpose.

All together a lovely fun read just like the man himself.. Thanks for sharing these stories with us John.. xxxx

I loved it, 05 Aug 2008
If you've ever seen any of John Barrowman's interviews or show appearances you know he's a funny guy. He's charming, witty, naughty and doesn't censor himself.
That's the same thing that can be said about this book. John openly talks about his life, and does so in typical Barrowman fashion (watch those footnotes, they're extra hilarious!).
The book is great fun, and as a fan I wasn't disappointed.

Superb..., 30 Jun 2008
As a fan of all John's work, from stage to screen, it was wonderful to finally have all the inside information of who he is and where he has been.
I'm not a big reader of books, but I bought Anything Goes and once i'd picked it up i didn't stop. I'd read the entire thing in only a few hours, and have read it again since.
It is highly entertaining, very funny, hugely touching and wonderfully honest. A brilliant story, wonderfully told.

Self praise is no praise!, 28 Jun 2008
Self confidence is a good attribute to have but endless pages of John telling us how beautiful, talented and good looking he is became a bit tiresome. This wasn't a memoir and I didn't see the humour that others have commented on - the best person to read this book will be John himself as he can then massage his ego even further! Not endearing, very shallow, annoying footnotes on every page and not even well written. Needless to say I gave up before the end.

Anything Goes, and much more, 21 Jun 2008
Funny, touching, naughty and nice. A frank and compeling read. Had trouble putting it down. Inspiring and enticing

Disappointed, 25 Mar 2008
I'm not a Queen fan but I bought this book by "glücklicher Zufall" - happy accident, after literally stumbling into Freddy's statue in Montreux Switzerland. The Swiss just don't do statues and I was really touched as people came up to kiss and touch this fantastic image of Freddy in what became his adopted city.

Two weeks later in Paris (sorry for blatant name-dropping) I saw the book and bought it immediately. I wanted to know "the real Freddy Mercury" and with wife and kids away I plonked myself down eagerly looking forward to reading this "intimate memoir by the man who knew him best" (Cover page).

Oh dear. A great disappointment.

I found out about lots Freddy's taste in curtains, linens and bathroom fixtures, but precious little I didn't already know about the man. No dirt, no sleaze - not an issue for me, but I just didn't feel I knew this man any better even after 250 pages. It was just mundane and superficial anecdotes. Memorable tales? No.

Sorry Queen fans, there must be better biographies on the market.
But I would say to you - go to Montreux if you've not already been and see how the Swiss have have commemorated this great musician and entertainer. I think you'll enjoy your trip.

A fake story fron fake friend, 07 Nov 2007
This man was officially presented as Freddie close friend. But really he is a servant who made himself famous spreading dirty stories about Freddie private life. And everybody believe in it because his lie officially supported by Queen Productions, Queen official fan club and Queen manager Jim Beach. This man is a total liar, his stories - a total fiction, his photos - cheap fake. The people who worked with photoshop laughed hysterically when they saw this kids created photos with "Freddie and his loves".
So, it's taken from this book.

...this lady arrived in the early part of the concert days with the intention of orally catering of the physical needs of as many people as possible involved in the show. It goes without saying that Freddie had admiration for this woman's severance, technique and capacity!

So, teenagers can buy it! Shame.


Life Behind The Keyhole., 20 Apr 2007
As a card carrying member of the Queen Fan Club, circa 1977, I was really looking forward to reading this. It wasn`t bad, but some of the detail regarding Freddie`s house furnishings was downright dull. I wasn`t really sure whether it was written by the house-keeper of an outrageous rock star or Lloyd Grossman. There is absolutely no scandal or tittle-tattle, and believe me, I was looking forward to tittle-tattle. Freestone mentions how Freddie`s ex-manager had hurt him without going into any detail, I read later that he had sold stories to the press. The book has it`s really good moments such as describing Christmas and New Year at Garden Lodge, and the last years of Freddie`s life. The final times are really poignant. It is obvious the author cared deeply for his subject, and in some ways life at Freddie`s place was like a gay Gracelands. Everyone did their duty whether it was feeding the cats or cooking the dinner. Freddie had nothing to do except be Freddie. And he never got doing that for anywhere near long enough.In the end, the greatest rock star ever seen just faded away because of that awful disease. Interestingly, Freestone makes no reference to his own sexuality, we are unaware whether he is gay, straight or bi. What amazed me was the apparent lack of contact between Queen`s lead singer and the other members of the group. There are some good pictures, although everyone looks the same, short hair and black moustache. It was hard to spot Fred. The most disturbing photo showed a bunch of happy men, all wearing hats, all in the prime of life and all mugging for the camera. It was possible to draw a line through the group to connect Freddie, his ex-manager and one of Freddie`s ex-lovers, and realise they were now all dead. Tragic.

Freddie Mercury The AfterLife by David Evans and Peter Freestone., 03 Mar 2007
I wrote this because all the other reviews seemed to be about the first book and not this second book, so I thought this second book, Freddie Mercury The Afterlife, needed an actual review, so here goes: The front cover is a lovely, sweet picture of Freddie and Miko, the back cover is a portion of the final arrangements made for Freddie. I wasn't expecting to see that and it made me very sad even though I know he has been gone 16 years now. This second book takes up where the first one left off and is a description of Peter (Phoebe) Freestone's life since Freddie's passing. He talks about the various things he has been doing throughout the years. Peter mentions what the people talked about in the first book are doing as of 2003. There are some pictures I hadn't seen before within the book. Peter describes a visit he paid to Garden Lodge in 2003, where he met with Mary Austin and got to see Delilah again. He discusses some of the many books which have been written about Freddie and what he thinks of them. I only mentioned some things, the book contains much more than what I mention. David Evans speaks in it too and there's even Recipes of the different foods that would be made for Freddie.
Personally, it helped me to read this second book because it cleared up some confusion I had about some things written in the first book and too, even if it is silly on my part, it was nice to learn that Peter was okay, I had wondered since reading the first book.

Can't make up my mind, 11 Jun 2006
This was the first book about Freddie (and generally Queen) that I'd read (I have more now haha), and to be honest when I first read it I idolised it. Now, thinking back on it, it's not all that impressive.

Freestone seems to drone on and on about the tours and doesn't really pick up on anything particularly interesting whilst doing so. It's a bit of a case of "They dressed up, they performed, then Freddie and I (best chums that we were) went out clubbing". It just all got a bit repetitive for my liking, and incredibly confusing in others. I ended up finding it very difficult to distinguish between the characters mentioned in the book, and although I did find some parts genuinely interesting; I found Freestone's style incredibly boring. There didn't seem to be much passion in the book. Yes, I did cry upon reading the end because it is a genuine tragedy no matter who has written about it - but generally the book was a disappointment.

John = fantastic fantastic fantastic, 24 Sep 2008
A wonderful personal read, you feel as though you are hearing from the guy himself his life experiences. Very inspirational, he makes you think indirectly about your own life...he makes you question if you can do more to be happy and really go after your dreams. I found that this book was more influential and inspiring than some of those book written solely for that purpose.

All together a lovely fun read just like the man himself.. Thanks for sharing these stories with us John.. xxxx

I loved it, 05 Aug 2008
If you've ever seen any of John Barrowman's interviews or show appearances you know he's a funny guy. He's charming, witty, naughty and doesn't censor himself.
That's the same thing that can be said about this book. John openly talks about his life, and does so in typical Barrowman fashion (watch those footnotes, they're extra hilarious!).
The book is great fun, and as a fan I wasn't disappointed.

Superb..., 30 Jun 2008
As a fan of all John's work, from stage to screen, it was wonderful to finally have all the inside information of who he is and where he has been.
I'm not a big reader of books, but I bought Anything Goes and once i'd picked it up i didn't stop. I'd read the entire thing in only a few hours, and have read it again since.
It is highly entertaining, very funny, hugely touching and wonderfully honest. A brilliant story, wonderfully told.

Self praise is no praise!, 28 Jun 2008
Self confidence is a good attribute to have but endless pages of John telling us how beautiful, talented and good looking he is became a bit tiresome. This wasn't a memoir and I didn't see the humour that others have commented on - the best person to read this book will be John himself as he can then massage his ego even further! Not endearing, very shallow, annoying footnotes on every page and not even well written. Needless to say I gave up before the end.

Anything Goes, and much more, 21 Jun 2008
Funny, touching, naughty and nice. A frank and compeling read. Had trouble putting it down. Inspiring and enticing

Disappointed, 25 Mar 2008
I'm not a Queen fan but I bought this book by "glücklicher Zufall" - happy accident, after literally stumbling into Freddy's statue in Montreux Switzerland. The Swiss just don't do statues and I was really touched as people came up to kiss and touch this fantastic image of Freddy in what became his adopted city.

Two weeks later in Paris (sorry for blatant name-dropping) I saw the book and bought it immediately. I wanted to know "the real Freddy Mercury" and with wife and kids away I plonked myself down eagerly looking forward to reading this "intimate memoir by the man who knew him best" (Cover page).

Oh dear. A great disappointment.

I found out about lots Freddy's taste in curtains, linens and bathroom fixtures, but precious little I didn't already know about the man. No dirt, no sleaze - not an issue for me, but I just didn't feel I knew this man any better even after 250 pages. It was just mundane and superficial anecdotes. Memorable tales? No.

Sorry Queen fans, there must be better biographies on the market.
But I would say to you - go to Montreux if you've not already been and see how the Swiss have have commemorated this great musician and entertainer. I think you'll enjoy your trip.

A fake story fron fake friend, 07 Nov 2007
This man was officially presented as Freddie close friend. But really he is a servant who made himself famous spreading dirty stories about Freddie private life. And everybody believe in it because his lie officially supported by Queen Productions, Queen official fan club and Queen manager Jim Beach. This man is a total liar, his stories - a total fiction, his photos - cheap fake. The people who worked with photoshop laughed hysterically when they saw this kids created photos with "Freddie and his loves".
So, it's taken from this book.

...this lady arrived in the early part of the concert days with the intention of orally catering of the physical needs of as many people as possible involved in the show. It goes without saying that Freddie had admiration for this woman's severance, technique and capacity!

So, teenagers can buy it! Shame.


Life Behind The Keyhole., 20 Apr 2007
As a card carrying member of the Queen Fan Club, circa 1977, I was really looking forward to reading this. It wasn`t bad, but some of the detail regarding Freddie`s house furnishings was downright dull. I wasn`t really sure whether it was written by the house-keeper of an outrageous rock star or Lloyd Grossman. There is absolutely no scandal or tittle-tattle, and believe me, I was looking forward to tittle-tattle. Freestone mentions how Freddie`s ex-manager had hurt him without going into any detail, I read later that he had sold stories to the press. The book has it`s really good moments such as describing Christmas and New Year at Garden Lodge, and the last years of Freddie`s life. The final times are really poignant. It is obvious the author cared deeply for his subject, and in some ways life at Freddie`s place was like a gay Gracelands. Everyone did their duty whether it was feeding the cats or cooking the dinner. Freddie had nothing to do except be Freddie. And he never got doing that for anywhere near long enough.In the end, the greatest rock star ever seen just faded away because of that awful disease. Interestingly, Freestone makes no reference to his own sexuality, we are unaware whether he is gay, straight or bi. What amazed me was the apparent lack of contact between Queen`s lead singer and the other members of the group. There are some good pictures, although everyone looks the same, short hair and black moustache. It was hard to spot Fred. The most disturbing photo showed a bunch of happy men, all wearing hats, all in the prime of life and all mugging for the camera. It was possible to draw a line through the group to connect Freddie, his ex-manager and one of Freddie`s ex-lovers, and realise they were now all dead. Tragic.

Freddie Mercury The AfterLife by David Evans and Peter Freestone., 03 Mar 2007
I wrote this because all the other reviews seemed to be about the first book and not this second book, so I thought this second book, Freddie Mercury The Afterlife, needed an actual review, so here goes: The front cover is a lovely, sweet picture of Freddie and Miko, the back cover is a portion of the final arrangements made for Freddie. I wasn't expecting to see that and it made me very sad even though I know he has been gone 16 years now. This second book takes up where the first one left off and is a description of Peter (Phoebe) Freestone's life since Freddie's passing. He talks about the various things he has been doing throughout the years. Peter mentions what the people talked about in the first book are doing as of 2003. There are some pictures I hadn't seen before within the book. Peter describes a visit he paid to Garden Lodge in 2003, where he met with Mary Austin and got to see Delilah again. He discusses some of the many books which have been written about Freddie and what he thinks of them. I only mentioned some things, the book contains much more than what I mention. David Evans speaks in it too and there's even Recipes of the different foods that would be made for Freddie.
Personally, it helped me to read this second book because it cleared up some confusion I had about some things written in the first book and too, even if it is silly on my part, it was nice to learn that Peter was okay, I had wondered since reading the first book.

Can't make up my mind, 11 Jun 2006
This was the first book about Freddie (and generally Queen) that I'd read (I have more now haha), and to be honest when I first read it I idolised it. Now, thinking back on it, it's not all that impressive.

Freestone seems to drone on and on about the tours and doesn't really pick up on anything particularly interesting whilst doing so. It's a bit of a case of "They dressed up, they performed, then Freddie and I (best chums that we were) went out clubbing". It just all got a bit repetitive for my liking, and incredibly confusing in others. I ended up finding it very difficult to distinguish between the characters mentioned in the book, and although I did find some parts genuinely interesting; I found Freestone's style incredibly boring. There didn't seem to be much passion in the book. Yes, I did cry upon reading the end because it is a genuine tragedy no matter who has written about it - but generally the book was a disappointment.

storms are deeper than this, 02 Oct 2008
I too was warmed by the engaging and heart warming person that I meet in this book. Those who have been hurt and wounded by inappropriate responses to their sexuality can learn much from the author. As an exploration of the human condition it is achingly honest, and inspiring in the firm resolution to `hang on in there' no matter what.
Regretfully though, if it is read as a book based on Christian foundations it is somewhat weak, and in places very misleading.
To take a simple and minor example, on page 128 he declares "The United States was founded by people escaping theocracies in Europe". Ironically the United States was founded by people seeking to establish theocracies in their so called New World. It cannot be said that there was a single theocracy in Europe anywhere near the time of the emigrations to the States.
Much more seriously, the author writes what appears to a fabulous chapter (8) on the cross which at the end hugely disappoints. For him the cross would appear to be an act by God of solidarity with human suffering, which it is. It is also perhaps, though the author doesn't make this explicit, a demonstration of love without limits. Both of these understandings of the cross are vital but secondary to the traditional teachings of all mainstream Christian churches over two millennia. The disappointment lies in his complete omission of the cross as the place of sacrifice. This notion of sacrifice can be a deeply offensive notion to the modern ear, for it asserts that all humans have failings, and these can only be dealt with, by God, on our behalf. The sacrifice of the cross is the place of the transaction. Sadly we live in an age of growing denial of the seriousness of our failings, and complete unwillingness to explore sacrifice as a place of restoration and indeed healing. The gospels in the New Testament make this work of the cross clear from the lips of Jesus himself; the letters of the NT explain this with many metaphors; and the letter to the Hebrews describes the cross as the culmination and final act of the sacrificial process of at-one-making. Most regretfully Gene Robinson omits this key and definitive theology from his book, and indeed omits the key passages from the NT.

Also seriously, the author all too often undermines the reliability of the Christian scriptures. eg he describes the many grievous faults of the church over the centuries, and rather than see these as departures from scripture, or manipulations of scripture, he describes them as the consequences of the scriptures. He then asserts that these errors were put right by modern understandings of scripture when in fact they (slavery, exploitation, theocracy, misogyny et al) were corrected from within traditional understandings of scripture. For the author modern human reasoning is put above the steadiness of scripture. History shows that when this approach is taken error and calamity follow.

The book is also somewhat dated. It reads as a treatise in Liberation Theology. This theology has a serious pedigree of some 40 years in the catholic countries of Latin America. Its huge strength is its insistence that God seeks to help everyone from their place of persecution and oppression to the freedom of their Promised Land. It was and is viciously attacked by the wealthy and powerful of central and southern America, and for understandable reasons. This can be described as the horizontal element of salvation theology. The weakness of this theology, and the reason for opposition from the Vatican, is that there is a prior and more important vertical element to the journey, for each human being is called to travel from their broken and lonely present spiritual palce, into the promised land which is the loving presence of their heavenly father, ie the divine. This can be described as the vertical element of salvation theology. Whilst Gene Robinson writes eloquently and passionately and importantly about the horizontal element, he is somewhat weak on the vertical.


Read this book, 24 Jul 2008
Measured, intelligent, inspiring, and very moving. Experience Gene Robinson in his own words and actions - not through the media, or the opinion of others. Compulsory reading for all who care about love, justice, and the coming of the kingdom!

A Wonderful book!, 15 Jul 2008
This book is amazing! Bishop Gene's love for God and for all of creation pours out from every page. What he write is so clear and points to an all loving God. The best book I have read for a long time!

Sobering memoir, 26 Jun 2008
Gene Robinson is known worldwide for one thing - his sexuality - and this book seeks to show that his ministry is rather more than just being part of the storm over gay priests in the Anglican church. The book is a series of reflections on different aspects of ministry, not offered in any particularly logical order but growing out of his experiences as a priest and then bishop over three decades. It's not an autobiography and there are many parts of his life alluded to but not really explained; instead he uses the pages to show how people's attitudes towards gay and lesbian people can be similar to those towards women, non-whites and disabled people, and how difficult it is to know, if we are part of a majority group, what it's like to be in the minority and how hard it can be to be treated fairly.

What's remarkable about the book is the way in which Gene Robinson does not come across as bitter against his many detractors; he sees his ministry as the most important and overriding thing, such as in the local women's prison where he is a regular visitor. The final chapter, discussing the forthcoming Lambeth concert in 2008, is a plea for those in the church to genuinely listen to lesbian and gay members but is a plea that appears to have fallen on deaf ears. This is a sobering and at times moving book which doesn't really seek to discuss the issue of homosexuality and the Bible per se, but more looks at congregations in the church, Jesus's words that all are welcome, the difficulties for homosexual people within the church and the need for genuine discussion about the issues.

Inspirational, a highly recommended read for all, 22 Jun 2008
I have just finished reading 'In The Eye Of The Storm' by Gene Robinson, (who was elected as the first openly gay man to be called by a Diocese to be the Bishop of New Hampshire in 2003)

WOW ... talk about inspirational!!!! I knew it was going to be a great book by the number of comments of praise there are at the beginning including comments from several Rectors, Deans, Bishops, Directors from several organisations and the Forword by Desmond Tutu, who said ...

"May I wholly inadequately apologise to my sisters and brothers who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered for the cruelty and injustice that you have suffered and continue to suffer at the hands of us, your fellow Anglicans; I am sorry. Forgive us for all the pain we have caused you and which we continue to indflict on you"

Desmond goes on to say "Gene Robinson is a wonderful human being" ............ I totally agree and after reading this book, I can see and appreciate what a humble man he is. He is so down to earth, full of compassion and empathy, and can teach us all about loving our enemies.

There are several passages that spoke to me

pg 83
The debate about whose sexuality is acceptable may be just a way to avoid talking about minstering in the way jesus did. If we keep talking about what people do in bed, or who ought to get married, or which celebrity is in rehab and why, we don't have to talk about ourselves and the things that really mayter in our culture and our society - racism and homophobia, injstice and war

pg99
It's not because gay and lesbian people are any different than others who have demanded equality, but because for religious bodies, and for the culture, the full equality of gays and lesbians strikes at the very heart of the patriarchy and misogyny that's been the way of the world for so long

pg 127
If we leave Church [on every Sunday etc] and don't do anything any differently, then church is nothing but a religious theme park

In his book, he shares his views, his knowledge, his experiences, his love and shows great compassion to those who object to him being elected and still try to silence him.

I highly recommend this book to all, Christians and non-Christians, Believers and non-believers, Gay and straight, I feel it has a message for all.

John = fantastic fantastic fantastic, 24 Sep 2008
A wonderful personal read, you feel as though you are hearing from the guy himself his life experiences. Very inspirational, he makes you think indirectly about your own life...he makes you question if you can do more to be happy and really go after your dreams. I found that this book was more influential and inspiring than some of those book written solely for that purpose.

All together a lovely fun read just like the man himself.. Thanks for sharing these stories with us John.. xxxx

I loved it, 05 Aug 2008
If you've ever seen any of John Barrowman's interviews or show appearances you know he's a funny guy. He's charming, witty, naughty and doesn't censor himself.
That's the same thing that can be said about this book. John openly talks about his life, and does so in typical Barrowman fashion (watch those footnotes, they're extra hilarious!).
The book is great fun, and as a fan I wasn't disappointed.

Superb..., 30 Jun 2008
As a fan of all John's work, from stage to screen, it was wonderful to finally have all the inside information of who he is and where he has been.
I'm not a big reader of books, but I bought Anything Goes and once i'd picked it up i didn't stop. I'd read the entire thing in only a few hours, and have read it again since.
It is highly entertaining, very funny, hugely touching and wonderfully honest. A brilliant story, wonderfully told.

Self praise is no praise!, 28 Jun 2008
Self confidence is a good attribute to have but endless pages of John telling us how beautiful, talented and good looking he is became a bit tiresome. This wasn't a memoir and I didn't see the humour that others have commented on - the best person to read this book will be John himself as he can then massage his ego even further! Not endearing, very shallow, annoying footnotes on every page and not even well written. Needless to say I gave up before the end.

Anything Goes, and much more, 21 Jun 2008
Funny, touching, naughty and nice. A frank and compeling read. Had trouble putting it down. Inspiring and enticing

Disappointed, 25 Mar 2008
I'm not a Queen fan but I bought this book by "glücklicher Zufall" - happy accident, after literally stumbling into Freddy's statue in Montreux Switzerland. The Swiss just don't do statues and I was really touched as people came up to kiss and touch this fantastic image of Freddy in what became his adopted city.

Two weeks later in Paris (sorry for blatant name-dropping) I saw the book and bought it immediately. I wanted to know "the real Freddy Mercury" and with wife and kids away I plonked myself down eagerly looking forward to reading this "intimate memoir by the man who knew him best" (Cover page).

Oh dear. A great disappointment.

I found out about lots Freddy's taste in curtains, linens and bathroom fixtures, but precious little I didn't already know about the man. No dirt, no sleaze - not an issue for me, but I just didn't feel I knew this man any better even after 250 pages. It was just mundane and superficial anecdotes. Memorable tales? No.

Sorry Queen fans, there must be better biographies on the market.
But I would say to you - go to Montreux if you've not already been and see how the Swiss have have commemorated this great musician and entertainer. I think you'll enjoy your trip.

A fake story fron fake friend, 07 Nov 2007
This man was officially presented as Freddie close friend. But really he is a servant who made himself famous spreading dirty stories about Freddie private life. And everybody believe in it because his lie officially supported by Queen Productions, Queen official fan club and Queen manager Jim Beach. This man is a total liar, his stories - a total fiction, his photos - cheap fake. The people who worked with photoshop laughed hysterically when they saw this kids created photos with "Freddie and his loves".
So, it's taken from this book.

...this lady arrived in the early part of the concert days with the intention of orally catering of the physical needs of as many people as possible involved in the show. It goes without saying that Freddie had admiration for this woman's severance, technique and capacity!

So, teenagers can buy it! Shame.


Life Behind The Keyhole., 20 Apr 2007
As a card carrying member of the Queen Fan Club, circa 1977, I was really looking forward to reading this. It wasn`t bad, but some of the detail regarding Freddie`s house furnishings was downright dull. I wasn`t really sure whether it was written by the house-keeper of an outrageous rock star or Lloyd Grossman. There is absolutely no scandal or tittle-tattle, and believe me, I was looking forward to tittle-tattle. Freestone mentions how Freddie`s ex-manager had hurt him without going into any detail, I read later that he had sold stories to the press. The book has it`s really good moments such as describing Christmas and New Year at Garden Lodge, and the last years of Freddie`s life. The final times are really poignant. It is obvious the author cared deeply for his subject, and in some ways life at Freddie`s place was like a gay Gracelands. Everyone did their duty whether it was feeding the cats or cooking the dinner. Freddie had nothing to do except be Freddie. And he never got doing that for anywhere near long enough.In the end, the greatest rock star ever seen just faded away because of that awful disease. Interestingly, Freestone makes no reference to his own sexuality, we are unaware whether he is gay, straight or bi. What amazed me was the apparent lack of contact between Queen`s lead singer and the other members of the group. There are some good pictures, although everyone looks the same, short hair and black moustache. It was hard to spot Fred. The most disturbing photo showed a bunch of happy men, all wearing hats, all in the prime of life and all mugging for the camera. It was possible to draw a line through the group to connect Freddie, his ex-manager and one of Freddie`s ex-lovers, and realise they were now all dead. Tragic.

Freddie Mercury The AfterLife by David Evans and Peter Freestone., 03 Mar 2007
I wrote this because all the other reviews seemed to be about the first book and not this second book, so I thought this second book, Freddie Mercury The Afterlife, needed an actual review, so here goes: The front cover is a lovely, sweet picture of Freddie and Miko, the back cover is a portion of the final arrangements made for Freddie. I wasn't expecting to see that and it made me very sad even though I know he has been gone 16 years now. This second book takes up where the first one left off and is a description of Peter (Phoebe) Freestone's life since Freddie's passing. He talks about the various things he has been doing throughout the years. Peter mentions what the people talked about in the first book are doing as of 2003. There are some pictures I hadn't seen before within the book. Peter describes a visit he paid to Garden Lodge in 2003, where he met with Mary Austin and got to see Delilah again. He discusses some of the many books which have been written about Freddie and what he thinks of them. I only mentioned some things, the book contains much more than what I mention. David Evans speaks in it too and there's even Recipes of the different foods that would be made for Freddie.
Personally, it helped me to read this second book because it cleared up some confusion I had about some things written in the first book and too, even if it is silly on my part, it was nice to learn that Peter was okay, I had wondered since reading the first book.

Can't make up my mind, 11 Jun 2006
This was the first book about Freddie (and generally Queen) that I'd read (I have more now haha), and to be honest when I first read it I idolised it. Now, thinking back on it, it's not all that impressive.

Freestone seems to drone on and on about the tours and doesn't really pick up on anything particularly interesting whilst doing so. It's a bit of a case of "They dressed up, they performed, then Freddie and I (best chums that we were) went out clubbing". It just all got a bit repetitive for my liking, and incredibly confusing in others. I ended up finding it very difficult to distinguish between the characters mentioned in the book, and although I did find some parts genuinely interesting; I found Freestone's style incredibly boring. There didn't seem to be much passion in the book. Yes, I did cry upon reading the end because it is a genuine tragedy no matter who has written about it - but generally the book was a disappointment.

storms are deeper than this, 02 Oct 2008
I too was warmed by the engaging and heart warming person that I meet in this book. Those who have been hurt and wounded by inappropriate responses to their sexuality can learn much from the author. As an exploration of the human condition it is achingly honest, and inspiring in the firm resolution to `hang on in there' no matter what.
Regretfully though, if it is read as a book based on Christian foundations it is somewhat weak, and in places very misleading.
To take a simple and minor example, on page 128 he declares "The United States was founded by people escaping theocracies in Europe". Ironically the United States was founded by people seeking to establish theocracies in their so called New World. It cannot be said that there was a single theocracy in Europe anywhere near the time of the emigrations to the States.
Much more seriously, the author writes what appears to a fabulous chapter (8) on the cross which at the end hugely disappoints. For him the cross would appear to be an act by God of solidarity with human suffering, which it is. It is also perhaps, though the author doesn't make this explicit, a demonstration of love without limits. Both of these understandings of the cross are vital but secondary to the traditional teachings of all mainstream Christian churches over two millennia. The disappointment lies in his complete omission of the cross as the place of sacrifice. This notion of sacrifice can be a deeply offensive notion to the modern ear, for it asserts that all humans have failings, and these can only be dealt with, by God, on our behalf. The sacrifice of the cross is the place of the transaction. Sadly we live in an age of growing denial of the seriousness of our failings, and complete unwillingness to explore sacrifice as a place of restoration and indeed healing. The gospels in the New Testament make this work of the cross clear from the lips of Jesus himself; the letters of the NT explain this with many metaphors; and the letter to the Hebrews describes the cross as the culmination and final act of the sacrificial process of at-one-making. Most regretfully Gene Robinson omits this key and definitive theology from his book, and indeed omits the key passages from the NT.

Also seriously, the author all too often undermines the reliability of the Christian scriptures. eg he describes the many grievous faults of the church over the centuries, and rather than see these as departures from scripture, or manipulations of scripture, he describes them as the consequences of the scriptures. He then asserts that these errors were put right by modern understandings of scripture when in fact they (slavery, exploitation, theocracy, misogyny et al) were corrected from within traditional understandings of scripture. For the author modern human reasoning is put above the steadiness of scripture. History shows that when this approach is taken error and calamity follow.

The book is also somewhat dated. It reads as a treatise in Liberation Theology. This theology has a serious pedigree of some 40 years in the catholic countries of Latin America. Its huge strength is its insistence that God seeks to help everyone from their place of persecution and oppression to the freedom of their Promised Land. It was and is viciously attacked by the wealthy and powerful of central and southern America, and for understandable reasons. This can be described as the horizontal element of salvation theology. The weakness of this theology, and the reason for opposition from the Vatican, is that there is a prior and more important vertical element to the journey, for each human being is called to travel from their broken and lonely present spiritual palce, into the promised land which is the loving presence of their heavenly father, ie the divine. This can be described as the vertical element of salvation theology. Whilst Gene Robinson writes eloquently and passionately and importantly about the horizontal element, he is somewhat weak on the vertical.


Read this book, 24 Jul 2008
Measured, intelligent, inspiring, and very moving. Experience Gene Robinson in his own words and actions - not through the media, or the opinion of others. Compulsory reading for all who care about love, justice, and the coming of the kingdom!

A Wonderful book!, 15 Jul 2008
This book is amazing! Bishop Gene's love for God and for all of creation pours out from every page. What he write is so clear and points to an all loving God. The best book I have read for a long time!

Sobering memoir, 26 Jun 2008
Gene Robinson is known worldwide for one thing - his sexuality - and this book seeks to show that his ministry is rather more than just being part of the storm over gay priests in the Anglican church. The book is a series of reflections on different aspects of ministry, not offered in any particularly logical order but growing out of his experiences as a priest and then bishop over three decades. It's not an autobiography and there are many parts of his life alluded to but not really explained; instead he uses the pages to show how people's attitudes towards gay and lesbian people can be similar to those towards women, non-whites and disabled people, and how difficult it is to know, if we are part of a majority group, what it's like to be in the minority and how hard it can be to be treated fairly.

What's remarkable about the book is the way in which Gene Robinson does not come across as bitter against his many detractors; he sees his ministry as the most important and overriding thing, such as in the local women's prison where he is a regular visitor. The final chapter, discussing the forthcoming Lambeth concert in 2008, is a plea for those in the church to genuinely listen to lesbian and gay members but is a plea that appears to have fallen on deaf ears. This is a sobering and at times moving book which doesn't really seek to discuss the issue of homosexuality and the Bible per se, but more looks at congregations in the church, Jesus's words that all are welcome, the difficulties for homosexual people within the church and the need for genuine discussion about the issues.

Inspirational, a highly recommended read for all, 22 Jun 2008
I have just finished reading 'In The Eye Of The Storm' by Gene Robinson, (who was elected as the first openly gay man to be called by a Diocese to be the Bishop of New Hampshire in 2003)

WOW ... talk about inspirational!!!! I knew it was going to be a great book by the number of comments of praise there are at the beginning including comments from several Rectors, Deans, Bishops, Directors from several organisations and the Forword by Desmond Tutu, who said ...

"May I wholly inadequately apologise to my sisters and brothers who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered for the cruelty and injustice that you have suffered and continue to suffer at the hands of us, your fellow Anglicans; I am sorry. Forgive us for all the pain we have caused you and which we continue to indflict on you"

Desmond goes on to say "Gene Robinson is a wonderful human being" ............ I totally agree and after reading this book, I can see and appreciate what a humble man he is. He is so down to earth, full of compassion and empathy, and can teach us all about loving our enemies.

There are several passages that spoke to me

pg 83
The debate about whose sexuality is acceptable may be just a way to avoid talking about minstering in the way jesus did. If we keep talking about what people do in bed, or who ought to get married, or which celebrity is in rehab and why, we don't have to talk about ourselves and the things that really mayter in our culture and our society - racism and homophobia, injstice and war

pg99
It's not because gay and lesbian people are any different than others who have demanded equality, but because for religious bodies, and for the culture, the full equality of gays and lesbians strikes at the very heart of the patriarchy and misogyny that's been the way of the world for so long

pg 127
If we leave Church [on every Sunday etc] and don't do anything any differently, then church is nothing but a religious theme park

In his book, he shares his views, his knowledge, his experiences, his love and shows great compassion to those who object to him being elected and still try to silence him.

I highly recommend this book to all, Christians and non-Christians, Believers and non-believers, Gay and straight, I feel it has a message for all.

funny therapy!, 19 Jun 2008
This book is awesome. It's funny, it's raw and it's thought provoking. I admire Adnrea's ability to speak her mind and her courage to be herself. The book is written in a diary format which makes is easy to read but impossible to put down! Gay, straight, mommy, no mommy, I'd be surprised if you didn't find something in this book that touched you and inspired you. Enjoy x

John = fantastic fantastic fantastic, 24 Sep 2008
A wonderful personal read, you feel as though you are hearing from the guy himself his life experiences. Very inspirational, he makes you think indirectly about your own life...he makes you question if you can do more to be happy and really go after your dreams. I found that this book was more influential and inspiring than some of those book written solely for that purpose.

All together a lovely fun read just like the man himself.. Thanks for sharing these stories with us John.. xxxx

I loved it, 05 Aug 2008
If you've ever seen any of John Barrowman's interviews or show appearances you know he's a funny guy. He's charming, witty, naughty and doesn't censor himself.
That's the same thing that can be said about this book. John openly talks about his life, and does so in typical Barrowman fashion (watch those footnotes, they're extra hilarious!).
The book is great fun, and as a fan I wasn't disappointed.

Superb..., 30 Jun 2008
As a fan of all John's work, from stage to screen, it was wonderful to finally have all the inside information of who he is and where he has been.
I'm not a big reader of books, but I bought Anything Goes and once i'd picked it up i didn't stop. I'd read the entire thing in only a few hours, and have read it again since.
It is highly entertaining, very funny, hugely touching and wonderfully honest. A brilliant story, wonderfully told.

Self praise is no praise!, 28 Jun 2008
Self confidence is a good attribute to have but endless pages of John telling us how beautiful, talented and good looking he is became a bit tiresome. This wasn't a memoir and I didn't see the humour that others have commented on - the best person to read this book will be John himself as he can then massage his ego even further! Not endearing, very shallow, annoying footnotes on every page and not even well written. Needless to say I gave up before the end.

Anything Goes, and much more, 21 Jun 2008
Funny, touching, naughty and nice. A frank and compeling read. Had trouble putting it down. Inspiring and enticing

Disappointed, 25 Mar 2008
I'm not a Queen fan but I bought this book by "glücklicher Zufall" - happy accident, after literally stumbling into Freddy's statue in Montreux Switzerland. The Swiss just don't do statues and I was really touched as people came up to kiss and touch this fantastic image of Freddy in what became his adopted city.

Two weeks later in Paris (sorry for blatant name-dropping) I saw the book and bought it immediately. I wanted to know "the real Freddy Mercury" and with wife and kids away I plonked myself down eagerly looking forward to reading this "intimate memoir by the man who knew him best" (Cover page).

Oh dear. A great disappointment.

I found out about lots Freddy's taste in curtains, linens and bathroom fixtures, but precious little I didn't already know about the man. No dirt, no sleaze - not an issue for me, but I just didn't feel I knew this man any better even after 250 pages. It was just mundane and superficial anecdotes. Memorable tales? No.

Sorry Queen fans, there must be better biographies on the market.
But I would say to you - go to Montreux if you've not already been and see how the Swiss have have commemorated this great musician and entertainer. I think you'll enjoy your trip.

A fake story fron fake friend, 07 Nov 2007
This man was officially presented as Freddie close friend. But really he is a servant who made himself famous spreading dirty stories about Freddie private life. And everybody believe in it because his lie officially supported by Queen Productions, Queen official fan club and Queen manager Jim Beach. This man is a total liar, his stories - a total fiction, his photos - cheap fake. The people who worked with photoshop laughed hysterically when they saw this kids created photos with "Freddie and his loves".
So, it's taken from this book.

...this lady arrived in the early part of the concert days with the intention of orally catering of the physical needs of as many people as possible involved in the show. It goes without saying that Freddie had admiration for this woman's severance, technique and capacity!

So, teenagers can buy it! Shame.


Life Behind The Keyhole., 20 Apr 2007
As a card carrying member of the Queen Fan Club, circa 1977, I was really looking forward to reading this. It wasn`t bad, but some of the detail regarding Freddie`s house furnishings was downright dull. I wasn`t really sure whether it was written by the house-keeper of an outrageous rock star or Lloyd Grossman. There is absolutely no scandal or tittle-tattle, and believe me, I was looking forward to tittle-tattle. Freestone mentions how Freddie`s ex-manager had hurt him without going into any detail, I read later that he had sold stories to the press. The book has it`s really good moments such as describing Christmas and New Year at Garden Lodge, and the last years of Freddie`s life. The final times are really poignant. It is obvious the author cared deeply for his subject, and in some ways life at Freddie`s place was like a gay Gracelands. Everyone did their duty whether it was feeding the cats or cooking the dinner. Freddie had nothing to do except be Freddie. And he never got doing that for anywhere near long enough.In the end, the greatest rock star ever seen just faded away because of that awful disease. Interestingly, Freestone makes no reference to his own sexuality, we are unaware whether he is gay, straight or bi. What amazed me was the apparent lack of contact between Queen`s lead singer and the other members of the group. There are some good pictures, although everyone looks the same, short hair and black moustache. It was hard to spot Fred. The most disturbing photo showed a bunch of happy men, all wearing hats, all in the prime of life and all mugging for the camera. It was possible to draw a line through the group to connect Freddie, his ex-manager and one of Freddie`s ex-lovers, and realise they were now all dead. Tragic.

Freddie Mercury The AfterLife by David Evans and Peter Freestone., 03 Mar 2007
I wrote this because all the other reviews seemed to be about the first book and not this second book, so I thought this second book, Freddie Mercury The Afterlife, needed an actual review, so here goes: The front cover is a lovely, sweet picture of Freddie and Miko, the back cover is a portion of the final arrangements made for Freddie. I wasn't expecting to see that and it made me very sad even though I know he has been gone 16 years now. This second book takes up where the first one left off and is a description of Peter (Phoebe) Freestone's life since Freddie's passing. He talks about the various things he has been doing throughout the years. Peter mentions what the people talked about in the first book are doing as of 2003. There are some pictures I hadn't seen before within the book. Peter describes a visit he paid to Garden Lodge in 2003, where he met with Mary Austin and got to see Delilah again. He discusses some of the many books which have been written about Freddie and what he thinks of them. I only mentioned some things, the book contains much more than what I mention. David Evans speaks in it too and there's even Recipes of the different foods that would be made for Freddie.
Personally, it helped me to read this second book because it cleared up some confusion I had about some things written in the first book and too, even if it is silly on my part, it was nice to learn that Peter was okay, I had wondered since reading the first book.

Can't make up my mind, 11 Jun 2006
This was the first book about Freddie (and generally Queen) that I'd read (I have more now haha), and to be honest when I first read it I idolised it. Now, thinking back on it, it's not all that impressive.

Freestone seems to drone on and on about the tours and doesn't really pick up on anything particularly interesting whilst doing so. It's a bit of a case of "They dressed up, they performed, then Freddie and I (best chums that we were) went out clubbing". It just all got a bit repetitive for my liking, and incredibly confusing in others. I ended up finding it very difficult to distinguish between the characters mentioned in the book, and although I did find some parts genuinely interesting; I found Freestone's style incredibly boring. There didn't seem to be much passion in the book. Yes, I did cry upon reading the end because it is a genuine tragedy no matter who has written about it - but generally the book was a disappointment.

storms are deeper than this, 02 Oct 2008
I too was warmed by the engaging and heart warming person that I meet in this book. Those who have been hurt and wounded by inappropriate responses to their sexuality can learn much from the author. As an exploration of the human condition it is achingly honest, and inspiring in the firm resolution to `hang on in there' no matter what.
Regretfully though, if it is read as a book based on Christian foundations it is somewhat weak, and in places very misleading.
To take a simple and minor example, on page 128 he declares "The United States was founded by people escaping theocracies in Europe". Ironically the United States was founded by people seeking to establish theocracies in their so called New World. It cannot be said that there was a single theocracy in Europe anywhere near the time of the emigrations to the States.
Much more seriously, the author writes what appears to a fabulous chapter (8) on the cross which at the end hugely disappoints. For him the cross would appear to be an act by God of solidarity with human suffering, which it is. It is also perhaps, though the author doesn't make this explicit, a demonstration of love without limits. Both of these understandings of the cross are vital but secondary to the traditional teachings of all mainstream Christian churches over two millennia. The disappointment lies in his complete omission of the cross as the place of sacrifice. This notion of sacrifice can be a deeply offensive notion to the modern ear, for it asserts that all humans have failings, and these can only be dealt with, by God, on our behalf. The sacrifice of the cross is the place of the transaction. Sadly we live in an age of growing denial of the seriousness of our failings, and complete unwillingness to explore sacrifice as a place of restoration and indeed healing. The gospels in the New Testament make this work of the cross clear from the lips of Jesus himself; the letters of the NT explain this with many metaphors; and the letter to the Hebrews describes the cross as the culmination and final act of the sacrificial process of at-one-making. Most regretfully Gene Robinson omits this key and definitive theology from his book, and indeed omits the key passages from the NT.

Also seriously, the author all too often undermines the reliability of the Christian scriptures. eg he describes the many grievous faults of the church over the centuries, and rather than see these as departures from scripture, or manipulations of scripture, he describes them as the consequences of the scriptures. He then asserts that these errors were put right by modern understandings of scripture when in fact they (slavery, exploitation, theocracy, misogyny et al) were corrected from within traditional understandings of scripture. For the author modern human reasoning is put above the steadiness of scripture. History shows that when this approach is taken error and calamity follow.

The book is also somewhat dated. It reads as a treatise in Liberation Theology. This theology has a serious pedigree of some 40 years in the catholic countries of Latin America. Its huge strength is its insistence that God seeks to help everyone from their place of persecution and oppression to the freedom of their Promised Land. It was and is viciously attacked by the wealthy and powerful of central and southern America, and for understandable reasons. This can be described as the horizontal element of salvation theology. The weakness of this theology, and the reason for opposition from the Vatican, is that there is a prior and more important vertical element to the journey, for each human being is called to travel from their broken and lonely present spiritual palce, into the promised land which is the loving presence of their heavenly father, ie the divine. This can be described as the vertical element of salvation theology. Whilst Gene Robinson writes eloquently and passionately and importantly about the horizontal element, he is somewhat weak on the vertical.


Read this book, 24 Jul 2008
Measured, intelligent, inspiring, and very moving. Experience Gene Robinson in his own words and actions - not through the media, or the opinion of others. Compulsory reading for all who care about love, justice, and the coming of the kingdom!

A Wonderful book!, 15 Jul 2008
This book is amazing! Bishop Gene's love for God and for all of creation pours out from every page. What he write is so clear and points to an all loving God. The best book I have read for a long time!

Sobering memoir, 26 Jun 2008
Gene Robinson is known worldwide for one thing - his sexuality - and this book seeks to show that his ministry is rather more than just being part of the storm over gay priests in the Anglican church. The book is a series of reflections on different aspects of ministry, not offered in any particularly logical order but growing out of his experiences as a priest and then bishop over three decades. It's not an autobiography and there are many parts of his life alluded to but not really explained; instead he uses the pages to show how people's attitudes towards gay and lesbian people can be similar to those towards women, non-whites and disabled people, and how difficult it is to know, if we are part of a majority group, what it's like to be in the minority and how hard it can be to be treated fairly.

What's remarkable about the book is the way in which Gene Robinson does not come across as bitter against his many detractors; he sees his ministry as the most important and overriding thing, such as in the local women's prison where he is a regular visitor. The final chapter, discussing the forthcoming Lambeth concert in 2008, is a plea for those in the church to genuinely listen to lesbian and gay members but is a plea that appears to have fallen on deaf ears. This is a sobering and at times moving book which doesn't really seek to discuss the issue of homosexuality and the Bible per se, but more looks at congregations in the church, Jesus's words that all are welcome, the difficulties for homosexual people within the church and the need for genuine discussion about the issues.

Inspirational, a highly recommended read for all, 22 Jun 2008
I have just finished reading 'In The Eye Of The Storm' by Gene Robinson, (who was elected as the first openly gay man to be called by a Diocese to be the Bishop of New Hampshire in 2003)

WOW ... talk about inspirational!!!! I knew it was going to be a great book by the number of comments of praise there are at the beginning including comments from several Rectors, Deans, Bishops, Directors from several organisations and the Forword by Desmond Tutu, who said ...

"May I wholly inadequately apologise to my sisters and brothers who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered for the cruelty and injustice that you have suffered and continue to suffer at the hands of us, your fellow Anglicans; I am sorry. Forgive us for all the pain we have caused you and which we continue to indflict on you"

Desmond goes on to say "Gene Robinson is a wonderful human being" ............ I totally agree and after reading this book, I can see and appreciate what a humble man he is. He is so down to earth, full of compassion and empathy, and can teach us all about loving our enemies.

There are several passages that spoke to me

pg 83
The debate about whose sexuality is acceptable may be just a way to avoid talking about minstering in the way jesus did. If we keep talking about what people do in bed, or who ought to get married, or which celebrity is in rehab and why, we don't have to talk about ourselves and the things that really mayter in our culture and our society - racism and homophobia, injstice and war

pg99
It's not because gay and lesbian people are any different than others who have demanded equality, but because for religious bodies, and for the culture, the full equality of gays and lesbians strikes at the very heart of the patriarchy and misogyny that's been the way of the world for so long

pg 127
If we leave Church [on every Sunday etc] and don't do anything any differently, then church is nothing but a religious theme park

In his book, he shares his views, his knowledge, his experiences, his love and shows great compassion to those who object to him being elected and still try to silence him.

I highly recommend this book to all, Christians and non-Christians, Believers and non-believers, Gay and straight, I feel it has a message for all.

funny therapy!, 19 Jun 2008
This book is awesome. It's funny, it's raw and it's thought provoking. I admire Adnrea's ability to speak her mind and her courage to be herself. The book is written in a diary format which makes is easy to read but impossible to put down! Gay, straight, mommy, no mommy, I'd be surprised if you didn't find something in this book that touched you and inspired you. Enjoy x

profound and powerful decleration of liberty, 27 Jun 2007
I guess it's easy to pigeonhole most of the gay literature, but "Becoming a man" is different. It is real. As I was reading I was able to identify with Monette almost from the outset.The surroundings might have been different,yet circumstences always the same. Secret desires, loves, hidden life...Enormous pain and nobody to share it with, just the closet...What's interesting, once in it, he starts perceiving his life through the prism of own captivity...no way-out for him, barred entrance for everyone else. Only the time and the mounting omens will slowly break his shell... Poetry plays here a profound yet unappreciated role of leading him to the light, as it is a platform for all the actions he takes, including the one at the end of the book.
The ending is extraordinary! Neither happy, nor sad, but it's enough for Paul Monette as it is finally real.

Brilliantly Written but Disingenuous, 23 Feb 2004
Born in 1945 to a small-town, middle-class New England family, Paul Monette--like most Americans of the era--was spoon-fed a negative knee-jerk re homosexuality. When he himself began to realize that his own sexuality was at odds with society's dictums he entered two decades of struggle: first a struggle to at least give the appearance of conformity, then a struggle to step beyond the status quo itself. And BECOMING A MAN is a very powerful testament of that struggle, of the price paid, of the self-destructive behavior that the false conformity of "being in the closet" inevitably produces.

It is extremely difficult to read BECOMING A MAN without sharing the sense of fury and bitterness that Monette felt when he contemplates his life, and if ever there were an argument in favor of sexual honesty, this is it: the language, an artful mix of the literary and the hardbitten, is remarkable, and Monette pulls no punches when it comes to detailing the fear that drove him. Truly, the book deserves every accolade heaped upon it.

All the same, it is a remarkably disingenuous memoir. Even as Monette displays a justifiable loathing for the social institutions that buried him alive for some three decades, he tends to disregard a basic point: he was in many ways a remarkably privileged individual who actually fed upon those same institutions, having a host of opportunities that few people--gay or straight--ever have. It was his own determination to place social advantage above personal integrity that led to his decision to remain in the closet in the first place.

True, Monette (who died of AIDS not long after this book was published) was born and came of age in an era that had little tolerance for anything beyond the status quo. But Monette presents being in the closet as something forced upon him by external forces--and this is not strictly true. There was a choice, and bitter though it was for him and the many others who made it, being in the closet was actually the path of least resistance at the time. To pretend that it was otherwise does a tremendous disservice to those of Monette's generation who found the courage to select an even more difficult road of sexual honesty.

GFT, Amazon Reviewer

this book will consume you!, 07 Sep 2001
This has to be one of my best reads, I was completely absorbed by it like a sponge. The style with which it's written is beautiful and you travel with him through each chapter. I am now looking into reading all his other material. Because this is a personal memoir of his it saddens me to read of his death in 1995 which is stated in the book. It's like you almost know Paul Monette!

A journey from a loveless closet., 01 Dec 2000
Paul Monette's book has one overriding theme - liberation from the closet. The inescapable message that shouts itself from the pages of this book is the regret at internalising his feeling for over two decades. Monette paints a picture of a closet that is needlessly built, one that will leave his feelings and guilt buried for nearly twenty years. It is in this way that we begin to understand a little of what makes Paul Monette so assertive in his beliefs about a wasted life in the closet. Monette suggests that those of us who live in the dark and hide behind the façade of sexuality - believing it easier to be outwardly "Straight" are collaborators with those in society who seek to repress, separate and destroy gay people - although this he leaves to our own consciences, the message is clear and powerful. The books strength lies in ability to make the reader feel the frustrations of young Monette - who is unable to make the step between sex and love, firmly believing for years that the two cannot co-exist. "That as long as I kept them apart, love would be sexless and sex loveless, endlessly repeating its cycle of self-denial and self-abuse." Thus Paul sacrifices a friend he loved for another he did not - believing sex to be the greater of the two emotions. The conflict between his desires as a young gay teenager and the self-image that he constructs for those close to him leave him unable to relate - never truly getting intimate with friends or family. Monette felt that those around him had built most of his early life on a conspiratal silence. The frustration of realising that all those years of believing that he was passing as straight had actually fooled very few people. The time his mother caught him fooling around with a friend, unsure about what they were actually doing but the silence that surrounded the episode deafening. The most compelling aspect of the book is the sense of loss for wasted years and it is here that we come full circle to his belief of life in the closet. "I can't conceive the hidden life anymore, don't think of it as life. When you finally come out, there's a pain that stops, and you know it will never hurt like that again, no matter how much you lose or how badly you die." Prepare to be challenged by the strong views that Monette asserts in the first few chapters and if you are not - reread them.

Inspirational story of someone that could be you or me..., 05 Apr 2000
Each time I pick up this book I feel like I'm reading a letter from a friend. Paul Monette writes like you or I, in his most colourful autobiography, which pulls you in from the outset and doesn't let you go until the end. If you've read Borrowed Time, Monette's simple sentence at the conclusion strikes you with amazing insprition - "Paul Monette, say hello to the rest of your life" as he meets Roger for the first time, his partner of many years to come. You realise that events that change your whole life can happen in an instant, with no warning.

This is the story of his life up until that moment, filled with honest stories and no apology recollections. For anyone that has ever doubted whether it's worth it, this book is a must. If only for that brief moment at a party that changes the rest of your life, your past was definately worth it.

Read this book!

PS The boy on the cover is dead cute! :)

John = fantastic fantastic fantastic, 24 Sep 2008
A wonderful personal read, you feel as though you are hearing from the guy himself his life experiences. Very inspirational, he makes you think indirectly about your own life...he makes you question if you can do more to be happy and really go after your dreams. I found that this book was more influential and inspiring than some of those book written solely for that purpose.

All together a lovely fun read just like the man himself.. Thanks for sharing these stories with us John.. xxxx

I loved it, 05 Aug 2008
If you've ever seen any of John Barrowman's interviews or show appearances you know he's a funny guy. He's charming, witty, naughty and doesn't censor himself.
That's the same thing that can be said about this book. John openly talks about his life, and does so in typical Barrowman fashion (watch those footnotes, they're extra hilarious!).
The book is great fun, and as a fan I wasn't disappointed.

Superb..., 30 Jun 2008
As a fan of all John's work, from stage to screen, it was wonderful to finally have all the inside information of who he is and where he has been.
I'm not a big reader of books, but I bought Anything Goes and once i'd picked it up i didn't stop. I'd read the entire thing in only a few hours, and have read it again since.
It is highly entertaining, very funny, hugely touching and wonderfully honest. A brilliant story, wonderfully told.

Self praise is no praise!, 28 Jun 2008
Self confidence is a good attribute to have but endless pages of John telling us how beautiful, talented and good looking he is became a bit tiresome. This wasn't a memoir and I didn't see the humour that others have commented on - the best person to read this book will be John himself as he can then massage his ego even further! Not endearing, very shallow, annoying footnotes on every page and not even well written. Needless to say I gave up before the end.

Anything Goes, and much more, 21 Jun 2008
Funny, touching, naughty and nice. A frank and compeling read. Had trouble putting it down. Inspiring and enticing

Disappointed, 25 Mar 2008
I'm not a Queen fan but I bought this book by "glücklicher Zufall" - happy accident, after literally stumbling into Freddy's statue in Montreux Switzerland. The Swiss just don't do statues and I was really touched as people came up to kiss and touch this fantastic image of Freddy in what became his adopted city.

Two weeks later in Paris (sorry for blatant name-dropping) I saw the book and bought it immediately. I wanted to know "the real Freddy Mercury" and with wife and kids away I plonked myself down eagerly looking forward to reading this "intimate memoir by the man who knew him best" (Cover page).

Oh dear. A great disappointment.

I found out about lots Freddy's taste in curtains, linens and bathroom fixtures, but precious little I didn't already know about the man. No dirt, no sleaze - not an issue for me, but I just didn't feel I knew this man any better even after 250 pages. It was just mundane and superficial anecdotes. Memorable tales? No.

Sorry Queen fans, there must be better biographies on the market.
But I would say to you - go to Montreux if you've not already been and see how the Swiss have have commemorated this great musician and entertainer. I think you'll enjoy your trip.

A fake story fron fake friend, 07 Nov 2007
This man was officially presented as Freddie close friend. But really he is a servant who made himself famous spreading dirty stories about Freddie private life. And everybody believe in it because his lie officially supported by Queen Productions, Queen official fan club and Queen manager Jim Beach. This man is a total liar, his stories - a total fiction, his photos - cheap fake. The people who worked with photoshop laughed hysterically when they saw this kids created photos with "Freddie and his loves".
So, it's taken from this book.

...this lady arrived in the early part of the concert days with the intention of orally catering of the physical needs of as many people as possible involved in the show. It goes without saying that Freddie had admiration for this woman's severance, technique and capacity!

So, teenagers can buy it! Shame.


Life Behind The Keyhole., 20 Apr 2007
As a card carrying member of the Queen Fan Club, circa 1977, I was really looking forward to reading this. It wasn`t bad, but some of the detail regarding Freddie`s house furnishings was downright dull. I wasn`t really sure whether it was written by the house-keeper of an outrageous rock star or Lloyd Grossman. There is absolutely no scandal or tittle-tattle, and believe me, I was looking forward to tittle-tattle. Freestone mentions how Freddie`s ex-manager had hurt him without going into any detail, I read later that he had sold stories to the press. The book has it`s really good moments such as describing Christmas and New Year at Garden Lodge, and the last years of Freddie`s life. The final times are really poignant. It is obvious the author cared deeply for his subject, and in some ways life at Freddie`s place was like a gay Gracelands. Everyone did their duty whether it was feeding the cats or cooking the dinner. Freddie had nothing to do except be Freddie. And he never got doing that for anywhere near long enough.In the end, the greatest rock star ever seen just faded away because of that awful disease. Interestingly, Freestone makes no reference to his own sexuality, we are unaware whether he is gay, straight or bi. What amazed me was the apparent lack of contact between Queen`s lead singer and the other members of the group. There are some good pictures, although everyone looks the same, short hair and black moustache. It was hard to spot Fred. The most disturbing photo showed a bunch of happy men, all wearing hats, all in the prime of life and all mugging for the camera. It was possible to draw a line through the group to connect Freddie, his ex-manager and one of Freddie`s ex-lovers, and realise they were now all dead. Tragic.

Freddie Mercury The AfterLife by David Evans and Peter Freestone., 03 Mar 2007
I wrote this because all the other reviews seemed to be about the first book and not this second book, so I thought this second book, Freddie Mercury The Afterlife, needed an actual review, so here goes: The front cover is a lovely, sweet picture of Freddie and Miko, the back cover is a portion of the final arrangements made for Freddie. I wasn't expecting to see that and it made me very sad even though I know he has been gone 16 years now. This second book takes up where the first one left off and is a description of Peter (Phoebe) Freestone's life since Freddie's passing. He talks about the various things he has been doing throughout the years. Peter mentions what the people talked about in the first book are doing as of 2003. There are some pictures I hadn't seen before within the book. Peter describes a visit he paid to Garden Lodge in 2003, where he met with Mary Austin and got to see Delilah again. He discusses some of the many books which have been written about Freddie and what he thinks of them. I only mentioned some things, the book contains much more than what I mention. David Evans speaks in it too and there's even Recipes of the different foods that would be made for Freddie.
Personally, it helped me to read this second book because it cleared up some confusion I had about some things written in the first book and too, even if it is silly on my part, it was nice to learn that Peter was okay, I had wondered since reading the first book.

Can't make up my mind, 11 Jun 2006
This was the first book about Freddie (and generally Queen) that I'd read (I have more now haha), and to be honest when I first read it I idolised it. Now, thinking back on it, it's not all that impressive.

Freestone seems to drone on and on about the tours and doesn't really pick up on anything particularly interesting whilst doing so. It's a bit of a case of "They dressed up, they performed, then Freddie and I (best chums that we were) went out clubbing". It just all got a bit repetitive for my liking, and incredibly confusing in others. I ended up finding it very difficult to distinguish between the characters mentioned in the book, and although I did find some parts genuinely interesting; I found Freestone's style incredibly boring. There didn't seem to be much passion in the book. Yes, I did cry upon reading the end because it is a genuine tragedy no matter who has written about it - but generally the book was a disappointment.

storms are deeper than this, 02 Oct 2008
I too was warmed by the engaging and heart warming person that I meet in this book. Those who have been hurt and wounded by inappropriate responses to their sexuality can learn much from the author. As an exploration of the human condition it is achingly honest, and inspiring in the firm resolution to `hang on in there' no matter what.
Regretfully though, if it is read as a book based on Christian foundations it is somewhat weak, and in places very misleading.
To take a simple and minor example, on page 128 he declares "The United States was founded by people escaping theocracies in Europe". Ironically the United States was founded by people seeking to establish theocracies in their so called New World. It cannot be said that there was a single theocracy in Europe anywhere near the time of the emigrations to the States.
Much more seriously, the author writes what appears to a fabulous chapter (8) on the cross which at the end hugely disappoints. For him the cross would appear to be an act by God of solidarity with human suffering, which it is. It is also perhaps, though the author doesn't make this explicit, a demonstration of love without limits. Both of these understandings of the cross are vital but secondary to the traditional teachings of all mainstream Christian churches over two millennia. The disappointment lies in his complete omission of the cross as the place of sacrifice. This notion of sacrifice can be a deeply offensive notion to the modern ear, for it asserts that all humans have failings, and these can only be dealt with, by God, on our behalf. The sacrifice of the cross is the place of the transaction. Sadly we live in an age of growing denial of the seriousness of our failings, and complete unwillingness to explore sacrifice as a place of restoration and indeed healing. The gospels in the New Testament make this work of the cross clear from the lips of Jesus himself; the letters of the NT explain this with many metaphors; and the letter to the Hebrews describes the cross as the culmination and final act of the sacrificial process of at-one-making. Most regretfully Gene Robinson omits this key and definitive theology from his book, and indeed omits the key passages from the NT.

Also seriously, the author all too often undermines the reliability of the Christian scriptures. eg he describes the many grievous faults of the church over the centuries, and rather than see these as departures from scripture, or manipulations of scripture, he describes them as the consequences of the scriptures. He then asserts that these errors were put right by modern understandings of scripture when in fact they (slavery, exploitation, theocracy, misogyny et al) were corrected from within traditional understandings of scripture. For the author modern human reasoning is put above the steadiness of scripture. History shows that when this approach is taken error and calamity follow.

The book is also somewhat dated. It reads as a treatise in Liberation Theology. This theology has a serious pedigree of some 40 years in the catholic countries of Latin America. Its huge strength is its insistence that God seeks to help everyone from their place of persecution and oppression to the freedom of their Promised Land. It was and is viciously attacked by the wealthy and powerful of central and southern America, and for understandable reasons. This can be described as the horizontal element of salvation theology. The weakness of this theology, and the reason for opposition from the Vatican, is that there is a prior and more important vertical element to the journey, for each human being is called to travel from their broken and lonely present spiritual palce, into the promised land which is the loving presence of their heavenly father, ie the divine. This can be described as the vertical element of salvation theology. Whilst Gene Robinson writes eloquently and passionately and importantly about the horizontal element, he is somewhat weak on the vertical.


Read this book, 24 Jul 2008
Measured, intelligent, inspiring, and very moving. Experience Gene Robinson in his own words and actions - not through the media, or the opinion of others. Compulsory reading for all who care about love, justice, and the coming of the kingdom!

A Wonderful book!, 15 Jul 2008
This book is amazing! Bishop Gene's love for God and for all of creation pours out from every page. What he write is so clear and points to an all loving God. The best book I have read for a long time!

Sobering memoir, 26 Jun 2008
Gene Robinson is known worldwide for one thing - his sexuality - and this book seeks to show that his ministry is rather more than just being part of the storm over gay priests in the Anglican church. The book is a series of reflections on different aspects of ministry, not offered in any particularly logical order but growing out of his experiences as a priest and then bishop over three decades. It's not an autobiography and there are many parts of his life alluded to but not really explained; instead he uses the pages to show how people's attitudes towards gay and lesbian people can be similar to those towards women, non-whites and disabled people, and how difficult it is to know, if we are part of a majority group, what it's like to be in the minority and how hard it can be to be treated fairly.

What's remarkable about the book is the way in which Gene Robinson does not come across as bitter against his many detractors; he sees his ministry as the most important and overriding thing, such as in the local women's prison where he is a regular visitor. The final chapter, discussing the forthcoming Lambeth concert in 2008, is a plea for those in the church to genuinely listen to lesbian and gay members but is a plea that appears to have fallen on deaf ears. This is a sobering and at times moving book which doesn't really seek to discuss the issue of homosexuality and the Bible per se, but more looks at congregations in the church, Jesus's words that all are welcome, the difficulties for homosexual people within the church and the need for genuine discussion about the issues.

Inspirational, a highly recommended read for all, 22 Jun 2008
I have just finished reading 'In The Eye Of The Storm' by Gene Robinson, (who was elected as the first openly gay man to be called by a Diocese to be the Bishop of New Hampshire in 2003)

WOW ... talk about inspirational!!!! I knew it was going to be a great book by the number of comments of praise there are at the beginning including comments from several Rectors, Deans, Bishops, Directors from several organisations and the Forword by Desmond Tutu, who said ...

"May I wholly inadequately apologise to my sisters and brothers who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered for the cruelty and injustice that you have suffered and continue to suffer at the hands of us, your fellow Anglicans; I am sorry. Forgive us for all the pain we have caused you and which we continue to indflict on you"

Desmond goes on to say "Gene Robinson is a wonderful human being" ............ I totally agree and after reading this book, I can see and appreciate what a humble man he is. He is so down to earth, full of compassion and empathy, and can teach us all about loving our enemies.

There are several passages that spoke to me

pg 83
The debate about whose sexuality is acceptable may be just a way to avoid talking about minstering in the way jesus did. If we keep talking about what people do in bed, or who ought to get married, or which celebrity is in rehab and why, we don't have to talk about ourselves and the things that really mayter in our culture and our society - racism and homophobia, injstice and war

pg99
It's not because gay and lesbian people are any different than others who have demanded equality, but because for religious bodies, and for the culture, the full equality of gays and lesbians strikes at the very heart of the patriarchy and misogyny that's been the way of the world for so long

pg 127
If we leave Church [on every Sunday etc] and don't do anything any differently, then church is nothing but a religious theme park

In his book, he shares his views, his knowledge, his experiences, his love and shows great compassion to those who object to him being elected and still try to silence him.

I highly recommend this book to all, Christians and non-Christians, Believers and non-believers, Gay and straight, I feel it has a message for all.

funny therapy!, 19 Jun 2008
This book is awesome. It's funny, it's raw and it's thought provoking. I admire Adnrea's ability to speak her mind and her courage to be herself. The book is written in a diary format which makes is easy to read but impossible to put down! Gay, straight, mommy, no mommy, I'd be surprised if you didn't find something in this book that touched you and inspired you. Enjoy x

profound and powerful decleration of liberty, 27 Jun 2007
I guess it's easy to pigeonhole most of the gay literature, but "Becoming a man" is different. It is real. As I was reading I was able to identify with Monette almost from the outset.The surroundings might have been different,yet circumstences always the same. Secret desires, loves, hidden life...Enormous pain and nobody to share it with, just the closet...What's interesting, once in it, he starts perceiving his life through the prism of own captivity...no way-out for him, barred entrance for everyone else. Only the time and the mounting omens will slowly break his shell... Poetry plays here a profound yet unappreciated role of leading him to the light, as it is a platform for all the actions he takes, including the one at the end of the book.
The ending is extraordinary! Neither happy, nor sad, but it's enough for Paul Monette as it is finally real.

Brilliantly Written but Disingenuous, 23 Feb 2004
Born in 1945 to a small-town, middle-class New England family, Paul Monette--like most Americans of the era--was spoon-fed a negative knee-jerk re homosexuality. When he himself began to realize that his own sexuality was at odds with society's dictums he entered two decades of struggle: first a struggle to at least give the appearance of conformity, then a struggle to step beyond the status quo itself. And BECOMING A MAN is a very powerful testament of that struggle, of the price paid, of the self-destructive behavior that the false conformity of "being in the closet" inevitably produces.

It is extremely difficult to read BECOMING A MAN without sharing the sense of fury and bitterness that Monette felt when he contemplates his life, and if ever there were an argument in favor of sexual honesty, this is it: the language, an artful mix of the literary and the hardbitten, is remarkable, and Monette pulls no punches when it comes to detailing the fear that drove him. Truly, the book deserves every accolade heaped upon it.

All the same, it is a remarkably disingenuous memoir. Even as Monette displays a justifiable loathing for the social institutions that buried him alive for some three decades, he tends to disregard a basic point: he was in many ways a remarkably privileged individual who actually fed upon those same institutions, having a host of opportunities that few people--gay or straight--ever have. It was his own determination to place social advantage above personal integrity that led to his decision to remain in the closet in the first place.

True, Monette (who died of AIDS not long after this book was published) was born and came of age in an era that had little tolerance for anything beyond the status quo. But Monette presents being in the closet as something forced upon him by external forces--and this is not strictly true. There was a choice, and bitter though it was for him and the many others who made it, being in the closet was actually the path of least resistance at the time. To pretend that it was otherwise does a tremendous disservice to those of Monette's generation who found the courage to select an even more difficult road of sexual honesty.

GFT, Amazon Reviewer

this book will consume you!, 07 Sep 2001
This has to be one of my best reads, I was completely absorbed by it like a sponge. The style with which it's written is beautiful and you travel with him through each chapter. I am now looking into reading all his other material. Because this is a personal memoir of his it saddens me to read of his death in 1995 which is stated in the book. It's like you almost know Paul Monette!

A journey from a loveless closet., 01 Dec 2000
Paul Monette's book has one overriding theme - liberation from the closet. The inescapable message that shouts itself from the pages of this book is the regret at internalising his feeling for over two decades. Monette paints a picture of a closet that is needlessly built, one that will leave his feelings and guilt buried for nearly twenty years. It is in this way that we begin to understand a little of what makes Paul Monette so assertive in his beliefs about a wasted life in the closet. Monette suggests that those of us who live in the dark and hide behind the façade of sexuality - believing it easier to be outwardly "Straight" are collaborators with those in society who seek to repress, separate and destroy gay people - although this he leaves to our own consciences, the message is clear and powerful. The books strength lies in ability to make the reader feel the frustrations of young Monette - who is unable to make the step between sex and love, firmly believing for years that the two cannot co-exist. "That as long as I kept them apart, love would be sexless and sex loveless, endlessly repeating its cycle of self-denial and self-abuse." Thus Paul sacrifices a friend he loved for another he did not - believing sex to be the greater of the two emotions. The conflict between his desires as a young gay teenager and the self-image that he constructs for those close to him leave him unable to relate - never truly getting intimate with friends or family. Monette felt that those around him had built most of his early life on a conspiratal silence. The frustration of realising that all those years of believing that he was passing as straight had actually fooled very few people. The time his mother caught him fooling around with a friend, unsure about what they were actually doing but the silence that surrounded the episode deafening. The most compelling aspect of the book is the sense of loss for wasted years and it is here that we come full circle to his belief of life in the closet. "I can't conceive the hidden life anymore, don't think of it as life. When you finally come out, there's a pain that stops, and you know it will never hurt like that again, no matter how much you lose or how badly you die." Prepare to be challenged by the strong views that Monette asserts in the first few chapters and if you are not - reread them.

Inspirational story of someone that could be you or me..., 05 Apr 2000
Each time I pick up this book I feel like I'm reading a letter from a friend. Paul Monette writes like you or I, in his most colourful autobiography, which pulls you in from the outset and doesn't let you go until the end. If you've read Borrowed Time, Monette's simple sentence at the conclusion strikes you with amazing insprition - "Paul Monette, say hello to the rest of your life" as he meets Roger for the first time, his partner of many years to come. You realise that events that change your whole life can happen in an instant, with no warning.

This is the story of his life up until that moment, filled with honest stories and no apology recollections. For anyone that has ever doubted whether it's worth it, this book is a must. If only for that brief moment at a party that changes the rest of your life, your past was definately worth it.

Read this book!

PS The boy on the cover is dead cute! :)

It leaves you wanting more, 29 Mar 2001
What a well written book this is! Once I started it I found myself unnable to put it down. This book gives a perspective of Ellen that not only tells of the humour, but also of the sadness and development of her being. If you're a fan of Ellen then you'll love this book, and if you're not? After reading this you'll surely respect her!

A Must for All Ellen Fans, 23 Apr 2000
This book provides a sensitive and revealing insight into Ellen, her career, family and relationships. It is very readable and a good addition to Love, Ellen by Betty Degeneres.

Seriously informative stuff this book, 24 Aug 1999
Always on the lookout for more Ellen info how could I resist. There's loads of background into the workings of the show and some personal details that you won't get from Betty DeGeneres book. The cast interviews are great and it demonstrates that some of the anger which ahs been directed at the netowrk about the series is justified but some is not. A good informative book for Ellenheads.

If U love Ellen you'll love this!, 17 Aug 1999
This book is a must for all Ellen fans. It gives you and insight to her life from her school days, through her tennage years and the until she found her direction in Comedy. It carries on through her days as a stand up through to "Ellen". If you're a British fan then buy it because there is much we have missed out on and this book fills you in. We tend to only know her for her comedy and this books lets you know a little bit more and gives you and interesting insight into Ellen's life. There are also some other interviews with the cast memebers of "Ellen" that you are sure to enjoy!

A must-buy for all Ellen fans, 22 Jul 1999
This excellent, easy to read book tells you all you need to know about Ellen - from her early days in the comedy scene in New Orleans, through her eponymous sitcom, and onto her life since coming out on screen. It also has interesting interviews with some of her fellow actors on "Ellen" - the one with Joely Fisher is particularly good. And to top it all, there are some fabulous photos as well! Buy this book if you are an Ellen fan - you won't be disappointed!