You Never Know

A Memoir

By: Tom Selleck, Ellis Henican - contributor

Narrated by: Tom Selleck

Length: 15 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

There are many miles from the business school and basketball court at the University of Southern California to 50 million viewers for the final episode of a TV show called Magnum P.I. Tom Selleck has lived every one of those miles in his own iconoclastic and joyful way.

Frank, funny and open-hearted, You Never Know is an intimate memoir from one of the most beloved actors of our time, the highly personal story of a remarkable life and thoroughly accidental career. In his own voice and uniquely unpretentious style, the famed actor brings listeners on his uncharted but serendipitous journey to the top in Hollywood, his temptations and distractions, his misfires and mistakes and, over time, his well-earned success. Along the way, he clears up an armload of misconceptions and shares dozens of never-told stories from all corners of his personal and professional life. His rambunctious California childhood. His clueless arrival as a good-looking college jock in Hollywood (from the Dating Game to the Fox New Talent Program to co-starring with Mae West and escorting her to black-tie social functions). What it was like to emerge as a mega-star in his mid-thirties and remain so for decades to come, an actor whose authenticity and ease in front of the camera connected with audiences worldwide while embodying and also redefining the clichés of onscreen manhood.

In You Never Know, Selleck recounts his personal friendships with a vivid army of A-listers, everyone from Frank Sinatra to Carol Burnett to Sam Elliott, paying special tribute to his mentor James Garner of The Rockford Files, who believed, like Selleck, that TV protagonists are far more interesting when they have rough edges. He also more than tips his hat to the American western and the scruffy band of actors, directors and other ruffians who helped define that classic genre, where Selleck has repeatedly found a happy home. Magnum fans will be fascinated to learn how Selleck put his career on the line to make Thomas Magnum a more imperfect hero and explains why he walked away from a show that could easily have gone on for years longer.

Hollywood is never easy, even for stars who make it look that way. In You Never Know, Selleck explains how he’s struggled to balance his personal and professional lives, frequently adjusting his career to protect his family’s privacy and normalcy. His journey offers a truly fresh perspective on a changing industry and a changing world. Beneath all the charm and talent and self-deprecating humor, Selleck’s memoir reveals an American icon who has reached remarkable heights by always insisting on being himself.

©2019 Tom Selleck (P)2019 HarperAudio

TOM SELLECK

I've waited a long time for this audio biography. I liked the fact that he narrates his book that makes it more real. Tom goes into a lot of details of people and how his acting career started. This was a very good account of his life. No bragging. Just a simple account of his life as it unfolded. I liked the whole book but my favorite parts was how the Sacketts came about. And how he and Sam met and there Friendship. The western movies and how that became a large part of his life. The Jesse Stone series is my favorite role he played. I do wish there would have been a chapter about Jesse Stone. There is a little bit at the end about Blue Bloods, not a lot. I was very satisfied with this book. If you like Tom Selleck I think you'll like this. I'm more impressed with Tom Selleck now than I was. Tom Selleck does a great job narrating his book. Also writing it. A five star book and well worth a credit in my opinion. If my review is any help will you please click on the helpful link below. Thank you.

Great story

Tom Selleck has such a rich and familiar voice. Wonderful facts about his life and writing. Highly recommend.

epic

thank you Mr. Selleck I loved hearing about all the old stories of Hollywood. thank you for all your great work over the years I enjoyed it all. and more to come I hope.

A listen by an 84 year old lady who followed yiur careeer

Truly enjoyed this audio and getting to know you better .
Loved your honesty and feel it truly depicts you.

Great story with wonderful narration

This book reaffirmed my good judgment in becoming a Tom Selleck fan in 1980. Must read.

best memoir ever

He is an amazing storyteller and narrator of his own memories. The voice. I felt everything he talked about: the sadness, the happiness, successes and failures. I loved his humility throughout.