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Ron Howard
- From Mayberry to the Moon...and Beyond
- Narrated by: Donna Postel
- Length: 9 hrs and 26 mins
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Publisher's summary
Ron Howard: From Mayberry to the Moon...and Beyond, the first full-length biography of Ron Howard, takes an in-depth look at the Oklahoma boy who gained national fame as a child star, then grew up to be one of Hollywood's most admired directors. Although many show-biz kids founder as they approach adulthood, Ron Howard had the advantage of brains, common sense, and two down-to-earth parents who kept him from having an inflated view of his own accomplishments. He also had a longstanding goal: to trade the glare of the spotlight for a quieter but equally creative life behind the camera. This biography tracks his career from 1960, when he debuted as six-year-old Opie Taylor on The Andy Griffith Show through 2002, when he accepted his Academy Award as Best Director for A Beautiful Mind.
Author Beverly Gray, an entertainment industry veteran, has spoken to teachers, friends, and professional colleagues from all phases of Howard's career. She has also combed the archives to gain further insight into this very private man whose accomplishments have brought pleasure to so many.
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- And All the Brilliant Minds Who Made the Mary Tyler Moore Show a Classic
- By: Jennifer Armstrong
- Narrated by: Amy Landon
- Length: 11 hrs and 21 mins
- Unabridged
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Mary Tyler Moore made her name as Dick Van Dyke's wife on the eponymous show; she was a cute, unassuming housewife that audiences loved. But when screenwriters James Brooks and Allan Burnes dreamed up an edgy show about a divorced woman with a career, network executives replied: "Americans won't watch television about New York City, divorcées, men with mustaches, or Jews." But Moore and her team were committed, and when the show finally aired, in spite of tepid reviews, fans loved it.
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An Interesting Story That Never Quite Gets Told
- By S. Blythe on 07-26-13
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The Twelve Lives of Alfred Hitchcock
- An Anatomy of the Master of Suspense
- By: Edward White
- Narrated by: Qarie Marshall
- Length: 12 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
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Author Edward White explores the Hitchcock phenomenon - what defines it, how it was invented, what it reveals about the man at its core, and how its legacy continues to shape our cultural world. Illuminating different aspects of Hitchcock's life and work, the book's 12 chapters reveal something fundamental about the man he was and the mythological creature he has become, presenting not just the life Hitchcock lived, but also the various versions of himself that he projected and those projected on his behalf.
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Very Good History of Hitch
- By aaron on 07-31-21
By: Edward White
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The View from the Bridge
- Memories of Star Trek and a Life in Hollywood
- By: Nicholas Meyer
- Narrated by: Nicholas Meyer
- Length: 10 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged
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When Nicholas Meyer was asked to direct the troubled second Star Trek film, he was something less than a true believer. A best-selling author and successful director, he had never been a fan of the TV series. But as he began to ponder the appeal of Kirk, Spock, et al., he realized that their story was a classical nautical adventure yarn transplanted into space and - armed with that insight - set out on his mission: to revitalize Trek.
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Mostly good
- By David W Braddock on 06-07-21
By: Nicholas Meyer
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Street Gang
- The Complete History of Sesame Street
- By: Michael Davis
- Narrated by: Caroll Spinney
- Length: 8 hrs and 21 mins
- Abridged
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When the first episode aired on Nov. 10, 1969, Sesame Street revolutionized the way education was presented to children on television. It has since become the longest-running children's show in history, and today reaches 8 million pre-schoolers on 350 PBS stations and airs in 120 countries. Street Gang is the compelling and often comical story of the creation and history of this media masterpiece and pop culture landmark.
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An important subject, but hardly gripping
- By Scott T. Hards on 09-24-10
By: Michael Davis
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Robin Williams
- By: Emily Herbert
- Narrated by: Marston York
- Length: 6 hrs and 21 mins
- Unabridged
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Through roles in cherished films such as Mrs. Doubtfire, Jumanji, Aladdin and Hook, he became the genial face of family comedy. His childlike enthusiasm was infectious, sweeping viewers away. Allied to his lightning-quick improvisation and ability to riff lewdly off any cue thrown at him, Robin was that rare thing - a true comic genius who appealed to adults and children equally. He could also play it straight, and empathetic depth came to him naturally.
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Good... but too many quotes
- By DDub on 11-09-18
By: Emily Herbert
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Another Nice Mess
- The Laurel & Hardy Story
- By: Raymond Valinoti
- Narrated by: Jack de Golia
- Length: 2 hrs and 53 mins
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Arguably the greatest comedy duo in show business history, Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy delighted filmgoers and theatregoers for over 30 years. The public not only found Laurel's serene simpleton and Hardy's pompous buffoon hilarious, but they also thought of them as friends. Laurel and Hardy may have been nitwits, but they were loveable nitwits.
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Two Hours + of Biography
- By Jim on 05-13-15
By: Raymond Valinoti
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100 Things the Simpsons Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die
- By: Allie Goertz, Julia Prescott
- Narrated by: Pete Cross, Angie Kane
- Length: 7 hrs and 38 mins
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Most fans of The Simpsons can distinguish Lenny from Carl without checking their hands. But only real fans recall the Eastern European equivalent of The Itchy & Scratchy Show, know the name of Barney Gumble's submission to the Springfield Film Festival, and have road tripped to the World's Fair in Knoxville. 100 Things The Simpsons Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die is the ultimate resource for true fans, whether you comprehend at a Ralph Wiggum or Lisa Simpson level.
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BEST BOOK EVER!!😁
- By Kathleen on 11-22-20
By: Allie Goertz, and others
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Pictures at a Revolution
- Five Movies and the Birth of the New Hollywood
- By: Mark Harris
- Narrated by: Lloyd James
- Length: 17 hrs and 19 mins
- Unabridged
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Here is the epic human drama behind the making of the five movies nominated for Best Picture in 1967 - Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, The Graduate, In the Heat of the Night, Doctor Dolittle, and Bonnie and Clyde - and through them, the larger story of the cultural revolution that transformed Hollywood and America forever.
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Would It Be Too Much To Ask?
- By Casey Keller on 12-31-08
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The Sound of Music Story
- How a Beguiling Young Novice, a Handsome Austrian Captain, and Ten Singing Von Trapp Children Inspired the Most Beloved Film of All Time
- By: Tom Santopietro
- Narrated by: Eric Michael Summerer
- Length: 11 hrs and 19 mins
- Unabridged
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Now Tom Santopietro has written the ultimate Sound of Music fan audiobook with all the inside dope, from behind-the-scenes stories of the filming in Austria and Hollywood to new interviews with Johannes von Trapp and others. Santopietro looks back at the real-life story of Maria von Trapp, goes on to chronicle the sensational success of the Broadway musical, and recounts the story of the near cancellation of the film when Cleopatra bankrupted 20th Century Fox.
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A must for super-fans
- By Simone on 07-29-17
By: Tom Santopietro
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Seinfeldia
- How a Show About Nothing Changed Everything
- By: Jennifer Keishin Armstrong
- Narrated by: Christina Delaine
- Length: 9 hrs and 59 mins
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Comedians Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld never thought anyone would watch their silly little sitcom about a New York comedian sitting around talking to his friends. NBC executives didn't think anyone would watch either, but they bought it anyway, hiding it away in the TV dead zone of summer. But against all odds, viewers began to watch, first a few and then many, until nine years later nearly 40 million Americans were tuning in weekly.
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This bad narration is making me thirsty...
- By Audio Gra Gra on 10-06-16
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Get Happy
- The Life of Judy Garland
- By: Gerald Clarke
- Narrated by: Erin Bennett
- Length: 16 hrs and 26 mins
- Unabridged
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She lived at full throttle on stage, screen, and in real life, with highs that made history and lows that finally brought down the curtain at age 47. Judy Garland died over 30 years ago, but no biography has so completely captured her spirit - and demons - until now. From her tumultuous early years as a child performer to her tragic last days, Gerald Clarke reveals the authentic Judy in a biography rich in new detail and unprecedented revelations.
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A good book, but...
- By Donna Deal on 08-27-21
By: Gerald Clarke
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A good book, but...
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What listeners say about Ron Howard
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- kristina
- 03-08-24
Opie!!
I had no idea Howard is so talented! What a great in depth tale of his life and every cool thing he has done! He is a good human.
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- Amazon Customer
- 06-29-23
Really Good Read
I really enjoyed this book. Loved the information and learning about Ron Howard’s life and career.
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- Rich Patterson
- 08-12-23
Life and Times of Ron Howard
I really enjoyed the book! We,m. and n. what's you and whenever I
I'll call you looking for You know like ll
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- Michelle
- 02-14-24
Opi done good!
This is a nice run down on the work of Ronny Howard and those he brought along throughout his rise to fame. A true man of family values, well grounded by his parents. Its a good read and encourages the American dream, but always stay grounded
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- Dr Joseph Borreggine
- 05-17-24
From Opie to a Beautiful mind
A well rounded synopsis of a famous child actor who become one of Hollywood’s famous directors. A book that contains nothing more than copied press releases and movie reviews about Ron Howard that encompass his unauthorized biography.
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- D. Frrazier
- 06-17-22
A solid biography ending about 2002
I listened to this immediately after listening to "The Boys." I really can't decide which one is the better book. "The Boys" may be a bit more compelling because it is narrated by Ron Howard and his brother Clint. "The Boys" also goes into a lot more detail about Ron's early life and family. On the other hand, "The Boys" ends around the time of Ron's earliest directing job for Roger Corman.
This book by Beverly Gray has the upper hand in terms of describing Ron's work after Corman. It describes some of the behind-the-scenes goings on in such films as "Splash," "Apollo 13," and "A Beautiful Mind." Unfortunately, the book does not provide as much detail as some readers might like about the making of these movies (and others). Also unfortunate is that the book ends about 2002. Ron has done quite a lot of work since then, though I am not sure any of it has been as remarkable as the work discussed in Gray's book. (I have not seen much of Ron's recent work.)
I feel author Beverly Gray does herself a disservice by stating quite candidly at the beginning that Ron declined to participate in this book. To make matters worse, the Audible sample clip includes Gray's confession on this point. I feel this is going to turn many would-be readers and listeners away from a book that really is a very decent biography. Despite Ron's non-involvement, Gray is very respectful toward him throughout. At times she almost seems fawning.
I found it remarkable how many anecdotes from "The Boys" also appear in this book. Gray's book came out after "The Boys" so I suppose some parts are derived from "The Boys." Of course, there are some stories about Ron's life that have been in circulation for years.
Occasionally, Gray's book can feel a bit superficial and distant. It is necessarily derived largely from previously published material about Ron Howard. Gray also conducted interviews with some people who worked with Ron over the years. Video clips and Ron's work itself also informs her writing. I sometimes felt she spent too much time summarizing the plots of Ron's most important projects.
Despite these few quibbles, overall I thought it was a pretty good book. I think maybe Ron should sit down with Gray so that maybe she can write an expanded and updated edition.
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- Anonymous User
- 04-11-24
Dissapointing
While some of the book was well done, I should have known that, when the author mentioned the subject did not approve of her writing the book on him, we would be in trouble. But maybe you, as a reader, would like a detailed retelling of the movies and shows Ron Howard was in or directed. To me it seemed the author didn't have enough background to write the details on his life, so she included what she could, then did a retelling of his works to fill in the gaps. I thinks The Boys, by Ron Howard, will be better overall for thie purposof hearing about Mr. . Howard's life and family.
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- Dante D.
- 12-11-23
So boring
I adore Ron Howard but I'm not sure if it was the narration or the story, but it was as dull as it gets!
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