Review (PDF) Robin Williams: When The Laughter Stops 1951–2014
A thoughtful look at the brilliant life and tragic death of a comedy icon At midday on August 11, 2014, much-loved comedian Robin Williams was pronounced dead at his California home. From Mrs. Doubtfire, Jumanji, and Aladdin to Good Will Hunting and Dead Poets Society, Robin Williams brought laughter—and deep joy—to a generation. He was sparklingly funny, a lightning-fast improviser, and a wonderful comic. But what touched millions of people was the warmth and compassion he exuded. The deeply tragic manner in which he took his own life has come as a shock to the world and caused people to wonder about the desperately troubled life behind the laughter he gave to millions. With Twitter igniting from record volumes of tributes to the much-loved actor, the death of Robin Williams has caused a public outpouring of grief not seen since the passing of Michael Jackson or Whitney Houston. Emily Herbert’s sensitive and thoughtful biography celebrates his genius, and attempts to understand what could have driven such a warm and gifted man to take his own life.
Paperback: 244 pages
Publisher: John Blake (November 15, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1784183008
ISBN-13: 978-1784183004
Product Dimensions: 5 x 0.7 x 8 inches
Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (56 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #31,802 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #61 in Books > Humor & Entertainment > Humor > Comedy #102 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Arts & Literature > Television Performers #377 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Arts & Literature > Actors & Entertainers
This book is little more than a compilation of quotes from magazine articles and movie reviews. Emily Herbert does little to delve into Robin Williams' life, except to make assumptions about his ongoing depression and its causes (without verifying any of it factually). She reports rumors (some from RadarOnline.com, a site equivalent to the National Enquirer newspaper, complete with anonymous sources) without double checking the truth, and spoke with no members of the family or actually contacted any live bodies for their input. There are other errors (she states "the comedian David Steinberg" was Williams' manager, when the comedian and the manager were two different men with the same name).Herbert doesn't mention Williams' friendships with the likes of Bobby McFerrin, with whom he performed music outside the film industry, or his trips to Scotland to participate in Billy Connolly's annual birthday celebration.Overall, a shallow biography. Not much better than Andrew Duggan's biography from 1999.
I was given this book as a gift from someone who knew how much I admired Williams and having read it, I am no more informed than I was before I read it.It was obviously thrown together(Williams died on August 11th, 2014. The book was published 96 days later)using biographical facts already well known, quotes from Williams as well as friends and associates and far too many in depth descriptions of plots of his films that his fans already know by heart.Then there is the "Monday morning quarter-backing". On page 236 of a 239 page book the author has the nerve to say, "Without wishing to become too much the amateur psychologist...", especially nervy since, using subjective narrative and innuendo, that is what she does through the entire book.Her writing style is anti-pedantic and dull, and she seems to have a belief that the use of the exclamation point is a writer's tool which will alert the reader to A VERY IMPORTANT EVENT OR ISSUE!I hope one day someone who actually knew the man (I'll settle for someone who can actually write) will pen a biography worthy of his genius.Because, to borrow Emily Herbert's favorite writer's tool for a moment, this isn't it!
I agree with the other one star reviews. How fast did she throw this together! I wanted to read a ghod biography, instead i got a constant.... This is why he was so depressed on every page. What a disappointment, just because he committed suicide, there are some great points in his life that could be mentioned, but obviously you didnt know him that well. What a shame.
Very poorly written. Interesting stories, sure, but it even says that some of the stories may not be completely factual because they couldn't get ahold of some of the people involved. Disappointed. Will not purchase any other book by this woman.
Quote: Poverty was not much of an issue in Lake Forest and neither were ethnic minorities: the city was largely white.Herbert, Emily. Robin Williams: When the Laughter Stops 1951-2014 (Kindle Location 334). John Blake. Kindle Edition.When I read that I was stunned, how did this even get past editorial.
I was disappointed with this book. It included rumors that Robin Williams denied. ex The blood bond (that they would support each other depending on who made it first) between Robin and Chris. Robin denied it on Oprah so why mention it unless you are going to say these are rumors. I want to learn facts about a person when I read these types of books (bio..) not just a rehash of rumors. This is good work of fiction there are too many falsehoods (rumors) in the book to consider this non-fiction.
If all of the quotes were removed there would be approx 3 pages to the book. Very poorly written as it is just a bunch of quotes strung together interspersed with plots and details of movies that Robin was in.Not informative, too full of quotes,everything is constantly blamed on the death of Robin's Mother and his estrangement from his Father.Can not recommend this book to anyone - the word refund comes to mind.
The book digs into the dark side of Robin and does not paint Robin as a saint. Of course no one ever said Robin was a saint. The book actually paints a balanced picture of Robin's strengths or great points and his weaknesses. His weaknesses are not unusual. He struggles with women throwing themselves at him as he is famous and with his drug and alcohol problems. The book documents how he admirably stopped with the women, drugs, and alcohol when his first wife was pregnant with their first child. The author does a great job quickly profiling Robin's different TV shows and movies. The book also shows how generous and kind Robin was to everyone he met and worked with. He always had time for his fans. It also detailed his two other marriages. The author is straight forward with Robin's struggles with depression and Parkinson's. This is a short book which would be excellent for those who have not read any other sources about Robin Williams. Experts on Robin Williams might be quickly bored with the book. I have studied Robin extensively but I am always searching for more information to get an even more complete picture of who Robin Williams, the man, really is or was.
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