Product Description

Everyone knows the story of Frank Sinatra, voice of the 20th century, movie icon and friend of the mafia. Not so many people know the hidden side of Ole Blue Eyes - a man who spoke out against racism and injustice, a man who the FBI wanted to colour a Communist and who raised money for Martin Luther King's struggle for black civil rights. Martin Smith looks at Sinatra, his music and his politics and explores his transformation from teen idol to one of the greatest interpreters of popular American music.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #204218 in Books
• Published on: 2005-09-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 196 pages

Customer Reviews

Wow - what an eye-opener
I thought I knew about the life and times of Frank Sinatra, who doesn't? We all know the songs and that he was involved with the mafia and the he cosied up to Ronald Reagan. But this book concisely presents a whole other life that seems to have been written out of the popular record

While not shying away from the more unsavoury parts of Sinatra's life, this book also gives a real insight into Frank's commitment as an anti-racist, progressive and also details his involvement in standing up to the bullying McCarthyite witchhunts of the 1950s.

A neat potted biography of Sinatra, fascinating history lesson on 20th century American politics and knowledgeable descritptions of his music and its connection to the social and political farbric of his time. All this written by someone with an excellent understanding and passion for his subject.

A must have for anyone who wants to know anything about Frank Sinatra.

Wow what an eye opener!
I thought I knew about the life and times of Frank Sinatra, who doesn't? We all know the songs and that he was involved with the mafia and the he cosied up to Ronald Reagan. But this book concisely presents a whole other life that seems to have been written out of the popular record

While not shying away from the more unsavoury parts of Sinatra's life, this book also gives a real insight into Frank's commitment as an anti-racist, progressive and also details his involvement in standing up to the bullying McCarthyite witchhunts of the 1950s.

A neat potted biography of Sinatra, fascinating history lesson on 20th century American politics and knowledgeable descritptions of his music and its connection to the social and political farbric of his time. All this written by someone with an excellent understanding and passion for his subject.

A must have for anyone who wants to know anything about Frank Sinatra.