Stories I Only Tell My Friends

An Autobiography

By: Rob Lowe

Narrated by: Rob Lowe

Length: 9 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

A wryly funny and surprisingly moving account of an extraordinary life lived almost entirely in the public eye.

A teen idol at 15, an international icon and founder of the Brat Pack at 20, and one of Hollywood's top stars to this day, Rob Lowe chronicles his experiences as a painfully misunderstood child actor in Ohio who was uprooted to the wild counterculture of mid-'70s Malibu, where he embarked on his unrelenting pursuit of a career in Hollywood.

The Outsiders placed Lowe at the birth of the modern youth movement in the entertainment industry. During his time on The West Wing, he witnessed the surreal nexus of show business and politics, both on the set and in the actual White House. And in between are deft and humorous stories of the wild excesses that marked the '80s, leading to his quest for family and sobriety.

Never mean-spirited or salacious, Lowe delivers unexpected glimpses into his successes, disappointments, relationships, and one-of-a-kind encounters with people who shaped our world over the last 25 years. These stories are as entertaining as they are unforgettable.

©2011 Robert Lowe (P)2011 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

"[Lowe] writes viscerally and insightfully...He looks back at the aberrant highs of his heart-throb days, the changing nature of stardom in Hollywood, the trade-off he has made between high life and home life, and the step-by-step effort behind his show business survival. He looked like the callowest kid in the "Outsiders" crew. Now he looks like the sturdiest of them all" (The New York Times)

"A fresh pop-culture history of Hollywood in the ’70s and ’80s from the point of view of the man who lived it…[Lowe] is as funny as he is thoughtful. This is the best type of celeb memoir, because its author is as interested in the world as the world is interested in him." (People Magazine)

"A lovely autobiography, equal parts dish and pathos.” (Vanity Fair)

Believe the hype

Would you listen to Stories I Only Tell My Friends again? Why?

It's unlikely I would listen again, but not because there is anything wrong with this book or this narration. Lowe's memoir is phenomenal and his narration is near-perfect. There are just so many other books out there I haven't yet listened to, I don't see myself doing a re-listen.

What does Rob Lowe bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

His voice adds a lot. To hear him tell his stories in his tone, at his pace, with his inflections, makes the entire thing much more relatable. After listening, I felt like we were buddies.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

If I had the time, I would have tried. It went very quickly, and I was sad when it was over.

Any additional comments?

I now want to watch The West Wing start-to-finish on DVD because of Rob Lowe.

Nicely done, Mr. Lowe.

First, I was never a "fan" of Rob Lowe. Sure, I've seen his work but have never really thought much about it. I purchased the audiobook because it often popped up on lists of books that others have liked and I thought I would give it a try for a long car ride my wife and I were taking together. I was pleasantly surprised.

Rob Lowe is an excellent narrator of his own words. As one would expect. He's an actor after all. But some actors don't necessarily have a voice one would want to listen to. Mr. Lowe does. I usually listen to non-fiction books at double speed in order to pack in the information into a shorter period of time, but I listened to Mr. Lowe's story at regular speed because his voice is pleasant and his stories felt more performed than conveyed.

The author is an amazing mimic and he parrots the voices of famous and not-so-famous people throughout the book. His stories are compelling and interesting and well worth a listen. It's also refreshing to read a story about a person ??? star or not ??? who has hit rock bottom and has gotten their butt kicked by life, only to get help and later find happiness and success. It's a great story. Nicely done, Mr. Lowe. Now I am a fan.

I never knew he has was so interesting!

What made the experience of listening to Stories I Only Tell My Friends the most enjoyable?

It was told by Rob himself. He has a wonderful voice.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Stories I Only Tell My Friends?

Everything he told about the making of The Outsiders was a glimpse into both moviemaking and many beloved actors in the beginning of their careers.

What does Rob Lowe bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Hearing him tell it was as if he was in the car with me (which was really nice)

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

If I had the time, yes.

Any additional comments?

A friend recommended both this book and Bossypants. I've never been a fan of autobiographies, but I loved them both. Rob's book was a lot about culture, politics, movie stars and learning from a very practical and grounded person (who made some mistakes along the way)

Now Rob Lowe and I are Friends

Would you consider the audio edition of Stories I Only Tell My Friends to be better than the print version?

I think that listening to Rob read his own book makes his stories more intimate and compelling. I'm not sure that I would have liked the print book nearly as much--it might have seemed a little heavy-handed. However, Rob Lowe reading added warmth and humanity to his words.

So surprising

Guess it is again a time not to judge a book by its cover. I consider myself to have high standards so when my daughter read this book and suggested I do, I think I guffawed. So too my friends when I told them I was not only reading this but loving it. I majored in drama and this is a possible teaching piece for young actors. It's a fascinating and often brutal world in Hollywood and it's fascinating to read someone's story of being in the middle of it - someone with integrity and insight. And he's a good writer! This is obviously not for everyone but if you are a bit intrigued, you won't be disappointed.

Intelligent and engaging memoir

I really enjoyed listening to Rob Lowe's memoir from start to end. He has a great voice, and I loved him on West Wing, and enjoyed him in many movies throughout his career. Lowe is an intelligent and interesting guy, and this book captures him as a person. He has had his ups and downs and confronts them. Obviously, his life is filled with famous people, but unlike most actor memoirs, this never felt like name-dropping. Lowe is a talented writer, and this book has just the right balance of anecdotes and soul searching. It moves smartly between his private and public life. Lowe is a committed artist, but not immune to the allures of celebrity life. He strives for a life of meaning and normalcy in a life where that can be a challenge. He tells his story with humor and heart. I rarely read celebrity bios, but the rave reviews drew me to this, and I was not disappointed.

Interesting and light

Honestly I have never given Rob Lowe a second thought, but after a couple people recommended this to me i bought it. I liked it, its interesting and easy to listen to. Narration was good and though I didn't take any real knowledge or growth from having listened to it, it was a good book. Might be really really great if you are the type to follow movies star's lives.

Fascinating

What a fascinating book. I couldnt stop listening to it. I always enjoy audiobooks that are read by the author, but this is one of the most personal i have ever heard. Great audibook.

Not What You Would Expect

Based on my scant knowledge of Rob Lowe, I expected this book to be a recital of a risque life with few serious notes. Instead I found a wonderfully written, stong, inciteful story of one actors personal evolution. This is the first book I have read about Hollywood that evoked real emotion and understnading in me. It is well paced, interesting, very real and very well read. Thank You...Write MORE

loved it..

I have a whole new perspective on Rob Lowe.. I want to take another look at Outsiders.. He has lived a charmed life.