Robin

De: Dave Itzkoff

Narrado por: Fred Berman

This program includes a prologue and epilogue read by the author.

From New York Times culture reporter Dave Itzkoff comes the definitive audiobook biography of Robin Williams - a compelling portrait of one of America’s most beloved and misunderstood entertainers.

From his rapid-fire stand-up comedy riffs to his breakout role in Mork & Mindy and his Academy Award-winning performance in Good Will Hunting, Robin Williams was a singularly innovative and beloved entertainer. He often came across as a man possessed, holding forth on culture and politics while mixing in personal revelations - all with mercurial, tongue-twisting intensity as he inhabited and shed one character after another with lightning speed.

But as Dave Itzkoff shows in this revelatory biography, Williams’ comic brilliance masked a deep well of conflicting emotions and self-doubt, which he drew upon in his comedy and in celebrated films like Dead Poets Society; Good Morning, Vietnam; The Fisher King; Aladdin; and Mrs. Doubtfire, where he showcased his limitless gift for improvisation to bring to life a wide range of characters. And in Good Will Hunting he gave an intense and controlled performance that revealed the true range of his talent.

Itzkoff also shows how Williams struggled mightily with addiction and depression - topics he discussed openly while performing and during interviews - and with a debilitating condition at the end of his life that affected him in ways his fans never knew. Drawing on more than a hundred original interviews with family, friends, and colleagues as well as extensive archival research, Robin is a fresh and original look at a man whose work touched so many lives.

©2018 Dave Itzkoff (P)2018 Macmillan Audio

FANTASTIC

DO NOT BELIEVE THE ONE STAR RATING! I cannot understand how a reviewer can give this wonderful story about the life of Robin Williams only one star and blame it on the narrator.

The narrator is fantastic. He actually becomes Robin Williams during his reading of the book. I give this story five stars because it is worth ten stars and Audible won't allow me to go up that high. Itzkoff takes you on a journey of this unbelievable artist from the time he was a boy until his death. I feel the author answers many of the questions I had immediately following this tragedy. For instance, did the author ever meet Williams? How did he really die? What happened to his estate? Was depression the actual catalyst that caused his death?...and so many more unanswered questions I wanted to know about this great artist.

It is my opinion that any person, fan or not, will love this story from its opening page to its last. This is an in-depth look into more than just a comic genius. It's a story that explores not only his life in show business, but answers the most important questions! Those questions include: What happened after his death...How did Williams reach such sights in show business and What made him so great!

I listened to the story in about three sittings and can't give it enough praise, from the narrator to the author.
ROBIN IS SIMPLY A WONDERFUL BOOK!

good good listen

I was a fan of Robin, had the pleasure of seeing him do an amazing standup routine. Learned a lot about him, enjoyed every minute of this book.

A Must Listen

I think that if you grew up with Mork and MIndy and fell in love with this man's comedy and character it is a must listen. It tells the story of a performer who loved to perform. Although he won many awards and did amazing things for other human beings he never seemed to find peace in who he was. The critics always seemed to find something to be critical about, even though he seemed always to give it his all.

It explains a lot about his mindset at times and of course his faults, but in the end he is a human being that lived his life the best he knew how.

We get a great perspective on who were his close friends and allies. Also those who used him and made their fortunes from him. A great telling.

Robin by David Itzkoff

Impressively thorough and perfectly narrated. Itzkoff actually knew Robin Williams, clearly admired him, and gives us an unblinking but sympathetic look at the rise and fall of our favorite Orkan.

Wow!

What a powerful book about the life of someone we thought we knew well in the earliest years of his public life, and then not at all as his work became deeper and more profound. I immensely enjoyed the details and flow, giving me a chance to reflect on my own life as I learned about Robin's.

Captain, my captain. We have so enjoyed what you gave us, and what you did to make us laugh and cry. Thank you.

Gave a sliver of understand to a man that was a universe of stars that everyone looked toward

It was an incredible book. Loved it. The last chapters were difficult and actually got me chocked up in teary eyed. Thank you Dave for writing this book. I have and will continue recommending this novel.

Thank you, Dave and Fred, for bringing this glimpse to life.

I didn't know Robin directly. Most of us didn't. And yet, his death hit me far harder than my otherwise cynical disposition would normally allow. I was lucky enough to have a friend who did know and work with Robin on a film. I won't name the film or the person, but the issue at hand was the person was, in effect, a refugee from his country, primarily due to his defecting to avoid a compulsory draft to partake in a dictator's military. As a result, the person couldn't set foot in his country. In describing this to Robin, it turned out that the actor had a personal relationship with the leader of the country, with the leader having reached out as a fan. So Robin called this leader and, believe it or not, had the person pardoned. The leader agreed. This is the kind of person Robin was, and when I heard that story, along with another more personal one I won't share here, it was ingratiated in me just who that man was. I wish I could've thanked you for your work in person, Robin. Nevertheless, I'm glad I have this excellent work to put your life and struggle into perspective. And as a note on the narrator, I thought Fred was a bit campy in his reading of 'Console Wars,' but I still enjoyed listening to him. In this work, however, Fred truly shines. It's clear he's among the few that have the range to approximate Robin's countless personas. He brings this story to life and the work is made more meaningful and engaging as a result. It almost seems like Fred knew Robin or was a deep fan of his work. It comes through in the performance. Sometimes the medium of audiobooks is just the right thing for a story. Fred shows us why.

Fred Berman channeled Robin Williams...

...I'm voice modulation, phrasing and rhythm of speech. Well done! "Robin Williams, what a concept!"

Great Story—sad but good. Amazing delivery by narrator!

A true loss . After listening to this story it really makes you appreciate Robin more. He was an amazing talent but such a sad guy inside. Wish he could have known how many truly admired and loved him.

Robin

An intimate look at one of the great comedic minds and versatile performers in my lifetime

The author explores the performer we saw and the man we did not. The complexity and the simplicity that was Robin was unknown to me. He could be generous and magnanimous. He could also be thoroughly unlikeable. In the end, I knew him better and appreciated him more.

If you are a fan, read the book,