The Extraordinary Life of an Ordinary Man

A Memoir

By: Paul Newman, David Rosenthal - editor, Melissa Newman - foreword, Clea Newman Soderlund

Narrated by: Jeff Daniels, Melissa Newman, Clea Newman Soderlund, Ari Fliakos, January LaVoy, John Rubinstein, Emily Wachtel

Length: 8 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's summary

The raw, candid, unvarnished memoir of an American icon. The greatest movie star of the past 75 years covers everything: his traumatic childhood, his career, his drinking, his thoughts on Marlon Brando, James Dean, Elizabeth Taylor, John Huston, his greatest roles, acting, his intimate life with Joanne Woodward, his innermost fears and passions and joys. With thoughts/comments throughout from Joanne Woodward, George Roy Hill, Tom Cruise, Elia Kazan and many others.

In 1986, Paul Newman and his closest friend, screenwriter Stewart Stern, began an extraordinary project. Stuart was to compile an oral history, to have Newman’s family and friends and those who worked closely with him, talk about the actor’s life. And then Newman would work with Stewart and give his side of the story. The only stipulation was that anyone who spoke on the record had to be completely honest. That same stipulation applied to Newman himself. The project lasted five years.

The result is an extraordinary memoir, culled from thousands of pages of transcripts. The book is insightful, revealing, surprising. Newman’s voice is powerful, sometimes funny, sometimes painful, always meeting that high standard of searing honesty. The additional voices—from childhood friends and Navy buddies, from family members and film and theater collaborators such as Tom Cruise, George Roy Hill, Martin Ritt, and John Huston—that run throughout add richness and color and context to the story Newman is telling.

Newman’s often traumatic childhood is brilliantly detailed. He talks about his teenage insecurities, his early failures with women, his rise to stardom, his early rivals (Marlon Brando and James Dean), his first marriage, his drinking, his philanthropy, the death of his son Scott, his strong desire for his daughters to know and understand the truth about their father. Perhaps the most moving material in the book centers around his relationship with Joanne Woodward—their love for each other, his dependence on her, the way she shaped him intellectually, emotionally and sexually.

The Extraordinary Life of an Ordinary Man is revelatory and introspective, personal and analytical, loving and tender in some places, always complex and profound.

*Includes a downloadable PDF of all the photographs from the printed book

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2022 Paul Newman (P)2022 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Unlike most celebrity self-retrospectives, this is not a “first I did this, then I did that” kind of memoir. It is, rather, a sharp, acerbic, often somber “what was I thinking?” analysis that reveals a level of vulnerability and insecurity surprising for a man who was seen as the epitome of cool…Fans looking for Hollywood gossip will not find it, while those who really want to know the man behind the image and the legend will be compelled by Newman's raw, open, and principled self-portrait…Newman's timeless allure will work its magic on readers.”—Booklist, Starred review

"Actor, race car driver, and philanthropist Newman (1925-2008) was a deeply private man living an intensely public life; this posthumous memoir features the Hollywood legend’s own voice as he “sets things straight” and “pokes holes in the mythology” that accompanied his celebrity…Newman’s story unfolds in a humble, sometimes humorous narrative voice—“I’m aware that in some ways it’s my nature to deprecate everything I do”—punctuated with earnest awe of the turns his life has taken, astonishment at the intensity of his passion for wife Joanne Woodward, affection for his children and anguish that he could not shelter them from the vagaries of fame. Newman’s voice is interwoven with transcripts from friends, relatives, and colleagues (including Eva Marie Saint, Tom Cruise, Elia Kazan, and more) whose memories shed light on what transformed the summer stock actor into an international sex symbol and what curbed his struggles with alcoholism and grief from veering into tragedy. …[T]hese collective perspectives do more than offer a prismatic view of film industry glamour and dirty laundry: they elevate the book from a humble autobiography to a more nuanced, human portrait—with the “semblance of truth” that Newman craved when he went on the record. With equal parts grounded authenticity and inviting charm, this candid memoir captures the life of a legend."—Publishers Weekly

"Raw reflections from a movie icon…a revealing memoir of a life marked by pain, grief, and regret…Intimate reflections on an extraordinary life steeped in sadness."—Kirkus Reviews

Extraordinary,yes, but exceedungly sad

Such a unique compilation of many onservations by Mr.Newman’s friends and family into a ciohesive posthumous memoir. Much to celebrate with what he was able tio do with his gifts and talents and humanity. But this book underscores his self deprication that has always been a prominent hallmark of his public prersona and sense of humor. When I first read of the Oct. release in the NY Times just about a week ago, I was struck by the words of two of his daughters that these forgotten tapes and manuscrpts reveale deep-seated pain and sadness and loneliness … so we all have been forewarned. I am glad to have learned so much more about the man I have admired most of my adult life, but at the price of acceptance of all hus personal pain and sadness.

Excellent memoir … !

Loved all the stories the good the bad and the ugly - left the book feeling appreciative for him being real ! Mistakes and all 💎

Very interesting insight to an amazing man.

Having been a fan of his work, my entire life, and having met the man once or twice in his later years I thought I had a feel for who he was but there was so much more to him. I am amazed at the lack of self-confidence, he cast a light on with this book.
I was captivated by this book, as I think most Newman fans will be. Though I hate the word fan!

Superb, stoic, sublime

I barely know who Newman the man was. He was a bit before my time. But after this book, I'm determined to see all his films, some again and others for the very first time. Newman was both ahead of his time and a product of his time. Stoic, devoid of self pity, rarely showed his feelings but had incredible courage. He wouldn't bow to the pressure to change his name like so many others did. He wasn't an in your face type but held his ground. If you have ever felt disassociated from parts of your own past, this book will comfort you. Newman, for a variety of reasons, was very private, never one to show off_;_partly because of his lackluster academic performance and partly because he had to escape the antiseptic hell that was his childhood home. His perspective towards the end of his life was a quiet victory. Inspiring and cathartic story.

A wonderful read.

Paul Newman was one of the most polished, iconic and versatile actors of our time. I enjoyed his magnetic presence on stage and screen but understood and respected his need for insularity.

This is a painful dichotomy of both privacy and fame; an unvarnished, personal, sometimes painful look at his humnaity, both good and bad, flaws and all.

Aside from Paul Newman himself, there is no more perfect narrator that Jeff Daniels and his melodic, distinctive voice.

Since this is posthumously told, many thanks to his family for sharing both his and their story. If you’re a fan of his work, don’t miss it.

Extraordinary

Any words on my part would not do it justice!
Just listen to it yourself….

Interesting Life

An interesting look into the private thoughts of a celebrity from that era. Jeff Daniels did a great job narrating and the insights and observations of friends, peers and family was helpful.

Great Book !!

Fantastic read .. Great narration from all parties involved. Can’t say enough good things about it.

Excellent Audible!

I learned so much about Paul Newman, his career and family. It is narrated by different people which kept it quite interesting and personal. I also enjoyed the depth of his story.

An extraordinary memoir

A very interesting, engaging in-depth look into his life. Exploring his motivations and his introspection in to his very complicated personality.