What a Fool Believes

A Memoir

By: Michael McDonald, Paul Reiser

Narrated by: Michael McDonald, Paul Reiser

A sweeping and evocative memoir from the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, Grammy Award-winning, platinum selling singer-songwriter Michael McDonald, written with his friend, Emmy Award-nominated actor, comedian, and #1 New York Times bestselling author Paul Reiser.

Doobie Brothers. Steely Dan. Chart topping soloist. Across a half-century of American music, Michael McDonald’s unmistakably smooth baritone voice defined an era of rock and R&B with hit records like “What A Fool Believes,” “Takin’ It to the Streets,” “I Keep Forgettin’,” “Peg,” “It Keeps You Running,” “You Belong to Me,” and “Yah Mo B There.”

In his candid, freewheeling memoir, written with his friend, the Emmy Award-nominated actor and comedian Paul Reiser, Michael tells the story of his life and music. A high school dropout from Ferguson, Missouri, Michael chased his dreams in 1970’s California, a heady moment of rock opportunity and excess. As a rising session musician and backing vocalist, a series of encounters would send him on a wild ride around the world and to the heights of rock stardom—from joining Steely Dan and becoming a defining member of The Doobie Brothers to forging a path as a breakout solo R&B artist.

Interwoven with the unforgettable tales of the music, Michael tells a deeply affecting story of losing and finding himself as a man. He reckons with the unshakeable insecurities that drove him, the drug and alcohol addictions that plagued him, and the highs and lows of popularity. Along the way he relays the lessons he’s learned, and that if he’s learned anything at all it’s that there’s often little correlation between what you get and what you deserve.

Filled with unbelievable stories and a matchless cast of music greats including James Taylor, Ray Charles, Carly Simon, and Quincy Jones, What a Fool Believes is a moving and entertaining memoir that is sure to be a classic.

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

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

©2024 Michael McDonald and Paul Reiser (P)2024 HarperCollins Publishers

The best audiobook I've had the joy of listening to, hands down.

The bonus at the end with both guys chatting, the musical ditties in between the chapters, make the audio version the one worth getting in my opinion.
Hearing Micheal's voice and personality come through is something I'll treasure forever. And Paul, it's good to hear from you, too. I've missed you.

Real Love

Listening to this book will make you even more of a fan of Michael McDonald than you were before--- if that's even possible.

Having Michael in the car with you, telling you his story is an absolute gift. His honesty and sense of humor shine through. The anecdotes, and behind-the-scenes look at his career and family is heartwarming and inspiring. Michael we love you.

wonderfully told autobiography

Like many, I thought I had an idea about his story. It turns out that I was too young to really know and understand. Such an amazing career

Nice surprise!

Wow, so easy on the ears, good story teller, witty sense of humor. Loved it.

His honesty and clarity in so many aspects of his life.

I loved the book. I bought the hardback as well as listened to the audible. Michael is a very good story teller so the audible really made the stories come to life. The book I used as a reference to go back and find all the songs and bands he mentioned. I also loved the pictures in the book. In fact, there was a picture of my cousin, Jack Story, who was one of the winners in a band contest along with Mike. That was really special to our family, but I also loved his family and band pics through the years.
Congrats on a great job!
Sincerely,
Nancy Swensen

More than I ever needed to know, but terrific!

I am a lifelong fan of all the music he loved and got involved with, whether the stuff he listened to growing up or all the music he made with the Doobies, etc as well as what he did on his own. As others had commented, having him reading his book to me with his own voice made it all the richer. The story is not just a collection of interesting "inside baseball" stories of the music scene in 70's, 80's to the present, and the backstory on songs and bands, but it is also a touching and personal story of a life well lived. I enjoyed the bonus material discussion between him and Paul Riser, recounting how the book idea first presented, and how their collaboration made it so good. If you like his music, and you think you like him, you will enjoy this book on Audible...I don't think it would be as good in print. I will also seek out some of Paul Riser's other work, too.

Love this!!! Awesome book!

My husband and I play "Six Degrees of Michael McDonald" where we'll try to link him with other 70s/80s-era musicians. He seemed to have connections with anyone and everyone from that era but how he got started and wound up on so many albums in such a short period of time was never quite clear to us. This book explains it all and in great style! McDonald is a great storyteller and it's so much fun having him narrate so you get to hear his stories in his own voice. He also is very honest about how his ADD has played into his path and some of the choices he made along the way. As parent of an ADD son, I really enjoyed that aspect of his story. Terrific book from start to finish on many levels!

Mike's candor and humility

Who hasn't wondered what the man behind the ubiquitous and warm carmel voice of the 70's and 80's is like? In this autobiography we see a man who is constantly surprised by his successes and continually doubting his ability - just like all the rest of us! He is ever grateful for the opportunities he's been given and for all the people he's worked with so far. Thank you to Paul Reiser for helping this book happen. A great read.

Very informative and entertaining

It was very well written and I enjoyed the Honesty
Thank you
I have always been a big fan.
And was honored to have a look into your life and career. Congrats on all you have achieved and will continue too.

Now I know

I learned so much listening to this audio. A huge fan of Michael McDonald and of course Steely Dan and The Doobie Brothers, I was fascinated to learn how he became a part of each group and then how his solo career transpired. It felt so real and honest.