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| Rage to Survive: The Etta James Story |  | Authors: Etta James, David Ritz
Publisher: Da Capo Pr
Category: Book
This item is no longer available
Avg. Customer Rating:  19 reviews
Sales Rank: 6815770
Media: Hardcover
ISBN: 030680784X
Dewey Decimal Number: 782.421643092
EAN: 9780306807848
ASIN: 030680784X
Publication Date: September 1997
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Product Description
Perhaps the finest soul singer of the rock era-but equally at home singing blues and jazz—Etta James is one of the great women of American music. In Rage to Survive she tells her mesmerizing tale in her uniquely big, bold, and unrepentant voice. Without a trace of self-pity she describes her chaotic world of early R&B, depicts legends like Sam Cooke and Little Richard, details her dependency on drugs and bad men, and unsparingly recounts the golden age of soul, when her “Tell Mama” topped the charts. Rage to Survive is a funky, ribald tale told with unparalleled sass.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 14 more reviews...
 What a sad story! December 21, 2008
Etta James was a before my time, but I'm familiar with her work. I've always been curious about the life that lead her to a serious drug addition. This book gives a detailed insight of her life. This truly is a sad story, but worth the read.
 Really real August 30, 2008
Etta James has lived a wild life, and she lays it out unvarnished in Rage to Survive. Plenty of detail about what the music scene was like during her formative years, and she pulls no punches when discussing her bad habits and mistakes. Refreshingly straight forward and entertaining. I highly recommend reading this.
 Rage de survivre June 28, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
The title of this book, Rage to Survive, is very well chosen, hinting is at does to the French phrase "rage de vivre," rage to live.
I grew up with Motown, Aretha, and Otis Redding, but never heard of Etta James until I was over 50! The singer I know only thanks to YouTube, but what I heard there was so talented it's almost scary: soul and blues, sure, but also country and jazz. I suspect that her drug addiction in the late 50s and early 60s led the publicity industry to shun her. (It was only starting in 1968 that one could do drugs and not get the silent treatment.) I know that this is an "as told to" book, but how many soul musicians have bothered to write any kind of memoir? This book deserves to become a classic of its kind.
Amy Weinhaus sounds fresh and interesting only because Etta James is so little known. Weinhaus's career may be over, and she probably won't live to see 30. James is 71. If I am right, Weinhaus will never have a child. James performs with her sons. Etta, you are one tough momma...
A BOOK WORTH THE ASKING PRICE! May 14, 2008
I, Tina; Don't Block the Blessings by Patti LaBelle, Bobby Womack, Pryor Convictions (Richard Pryor), Super Freak (Rick James) and The Etta James Story have been some of the most TELLING books that I have EVER had the pleasure of reading.
I personally prefer when an artist joins with their OWN writer and composes their OWN story, instead of waiting for someone else to do it, only to wind up in court desperately trying to refute the ill-refuted claims gathered by 2nd, 3rd and 4th-hand witnesses to something they heard told to their 3rd cousin twice removed.
I agree with Etta, your only TRUE judge in this ball of confusion is God, so why should you apologize to anyone else? Why not put it out there for everyone to finally snicker, whisper and gossip about, and then ultimately get over?
This book is only a grave reminder to everyone who has always looked to "Holly-WEIRD'S" version of a "hero", that perhaps it would be best to look a little closer to home.
Celebrities are only humans, too. Try looking up to the everyday, ordinary people that you see delivering your mail daily, pulling over drunk drivers, extinguishing fires, teaching your children, preaching to your families and saving your loved ones~~instead of people who can never vote (because they're felons), don't own property or their own vehicles, and are barely able to do a better job than YOU at child-rearing!
the etta james story January 9, 2007
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
the book is great to read it came in very good condition not dirty or torn or bent.
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