Art & Music Audiobooks | TV & Radio

Move over Miss Lonelyhearts . . . Steven R. Schirripa, author of the runaway bestseller A Goomba's Guide to Life, is back with more life lessons from the neighborhood. Recalling stories of his own colorful journey from the streets of Bensonhurst to the bright lights of Las Vegas and stardom as Bobby Bacala Baccalieri in the HBO hit series The Sopranos, Schirripa observes the finer points of amore in all its forms love for his mother and her Sunday sauce, his wife and kids, his friends, his goomar on the side, even for his car (and he better not catch you eating in it, if you know what's good for you). Alternately touching, telling, and laugh-out-loud funny, The Goomba's Book of Love proves that no one loves as fiercely (or as frequently) as a goomba.

Charles Fleming, Steven R. Schirripa (Author), Steven R. Schirripa (Narrator)

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Whatever You Say I Am: The Life and Times of Eminem

Does Eminem matter? On assignment for his first cover story for Rolling Stone, the very first national cover story on Eminem, Anthony Bozza met a young blond kid, a rapper who would soon take the country by storm. But back in 1999, Eminem was just beginning to make waves among suburban white teenagers as his first single, “My Name Is,” went into heavy rotation on MTV. Who could have predicted that in a mere two years, Eminem would become the most reviled and controversial hip-hop figure ever? Or that twelve months after that, Eminem would sit firmly at the pinnacle of American celebrity, a Grammy winner many times over and the recipient of an Oscar. Did eminem change or did america finally figure him out? Whatever You Say I Am attempts to answer this question and many more. Since their first meeting, Bozza has been given a level of access to Eminem that no other journalist has enjoyed. In Whatever You Say I Am, original, never-before-published text from Bozza’s interviews with Eminem are combined with the insight of numerous hip-hop figures, music critics, journalists, and members of the Eminem camp to look behind the mask of this enigmatic celebrity. With an eye toward Eminem’s place in American popular culture, Bozza creates a thoughtful portrait of one of the most successful artists of our time. This is so much more than a biography of a thoroughly well-documented life. It is a close-up look at a conflicted figure who has somehow spoken to the heart of America.

Anthony Bozza (Author), Josh Hamilton (Narrator)

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Hollywood Animal: A Memoir

He spent his earliest years in post WWII-refugee camps. He came to America and grew up in Cleveland-stealing cars, rolling drunks, battling priests, nearly going to jail. He became the screenwriter of the worldwide hits Basic Instinct, Jagged Edge, and Flashdance. He also wrote the legendary disasters Showgirls and Jade. The rebellion never ended, even as his films went on to gross more than a billion dollars at the box office and he became the most famous-or infamous-screenwriter in Hollywood. Joe Eszterhas is a complex and paradoxical figure: part outlaw and outsider combined with equal parts romantic and moralist. More than one person has called him "the devil." He has been referred to as "the most reviled man in America." But Time asked, "If Shakespeare were alive today, would his name be Joe Eszterhas?" and he was the first screenwriter picked as one of the movie industry's 100 Most Powerful People. Although he is often accused of sexism and misogyny, his wife is his best friend and equal partner. Considered an apostle of sex and violence, he is a churchgoer who believes in the power of prayer. For many years the ultimate symbol of Hollywood excess, he has moved his family to Ohio and immersed himself in the midwestern lifestyle he so values. Controversial, fearless, extremely talented, and totally unpredictable, the author of the best-selling American Rhapsody and National Book Award nominee Charlie Simpson's Apocalypse has surprised us yet again: he has written a memoir like no other. On one level, Hollywood Animal is a shocking and often devastating look inside the movie business. It intimately explores the concept of fame and gives us a never-before-seen look at the famous. Eszterhas reveals the fights, the deals, the extortions, the backstabbing, and the sex, drugs, and rock'n'roll world that is Hollywood. But there are many more levels to this extraordinary work. It is the story of a street kid who survives a life filled with obstacles and pain . . . a chronicle of a love affair that is sensual, glorious, and unending . . . an excruciatingly detailed look at a man facing down the greatest enemy he's ever fought: the cancer inside him . . . and perhaps most important, Hollywood Animal is the heartbreaking story of a father and son that defines the concepts of love and betrayal. This is a book that will shock you and make you laugh, anger you and move you to tears. It is pure Joe Eszterhas-a raw, spine-chilling celebration of the human spirit.

Joe Eszterhas (Author), Scott Brick (Narrator)

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A Goomba's Guide to Life

Attention would-be paesans: Can't distinguish gabagool from pasta fazool? Not sure how to properly accessorize your track suit with gold chains? Does the phrase go to the mattresses make you sleepy? Now Steven R. Schirripa, The Sopranos' own Bobby Bacala, exposes the inner mysteries of this unique Italian-American hybrid in A Goomba's Guide to Life so that anyone can walk, talk, and live like a guy from the neighborhood.Über-goomba Steve Schirripa shows how being a goomba made him what he is today, offering lessons learned on his own journey from Bensonhurst to Vegas, and to his current gig as Bobby Bacala on one of TV's most popular shows. Along the way, he shares secrets that will help you get in touch with your own inner goomba. You'll learn what music to enjoy (Sinatra, yes; Snoop Dogg, no), what movies to watch (Raging Bull, yes; Titanic, never), which sports to follow (baseball is good; golf and tennis, fuhgeddaboudit), and even tips on goomba etiquette. Ever wonder how a real goomba gets the best seat in the house? (Hint: It involves tipping, jewelry, and intimidation.) Schirripa even includes goomba do's and don'ts (never, ever criticize a goomba's mother or her gravy; always wear more jewelry than you think you need).With knockout photographs of Schirripa and his compares, and insider information on how to think goomba, speak goomba, cook and eat goomba, and even how to behave at goomba weddings and funerals, A Goomba's Guide to Life will show any wiseguy wannabe how to sing like a Soprano.From the Hardcover edition.

Charles Fleming, Steven R. Schirripa (Author), Steven R. Schirripa (Narrator)

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Jazz 101: A Complete Guide to Learning and Loving Jazz

Jazz 101 is a fascinating entrée into the world of jazz, for the beginner, novice, or jazz enthusiast. Szwed takes listeners on a tour of the varied and nonlinear history of jazz, exploring how it developed from an ethnic music to become America's most popular music and then part of the avant-garde in less than fifty years. Szwed's complete overview includes the major types of jazz and significant jazz musicians of the twentieth century; the roots of jazz, including its European and African influences; and recommended listening, plus appendixes on jazz singers, record guides, and more. Infinitely readable and highly entertaining, Jazz 101 is a vital tool in understanding and appreciating jazz.

John F. Szwed (Author), Grover Gardner (Narrator)

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A Man of Contradictions: A Life of A.L. Rowse

A.L. Rowse, who died in 1997, was the author of a vast number of books, all of them readable and most of them fiercely arrayed against what he considered to be declining standards of manners, morals, and politics. He was more than a mere curmudgeon, though. His background was extraordinary: from a working-class family, he got a scholarship to Oxford, and from there was elected to All Souls College, the most exclusive of all faculties. He was a Shakespearean scholar who identified the Dark Lady of the sonnets, a historian of vast scope, and a biographer and memoirist, most notably of his beloved Cornwall. He never shied from controversy, and tore great chunks out of other writers in print. In short, Rowse led a fascinating life that bears reading about.

Richard Ollard (Author), Geoffrey Howard (Narrator)

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Pretty Good Bits from A Prairie Home Companion and Garrison Keillor: A Specially Priced Introduction

Ever wondered what makes over 3 million listeners tune in week after week to Garrison Keillor's A Prairie Home Companion? Thought about a visit to Lake Wobegon but never got around to it? Now is the time to find out and take a special tour. Pretty Good Bits is a special limited edition sampler containing 'pretty good bits' from this popular radio program, including an episode of Guy Noir: Radio Private Eye, ads from loyal sponsors, trademark sound effects, and a classic News from Lake Wobegon monologue.

Garrison Keillor (Author), Garrison Keillor (Narrator)

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Stories: An Audio Collection

“I think people have an absolute ear for what is true,” Garrison Keillor told an interviewer. It is this rare and marvelous sense of truth—of laughter, joy, and compassion and situations—that makes Keillor such a brilliant and beloved storyteller. The collection includes: Your Book Saved My Life, Mister, End of the Trail, Meeting Famous People, Family Honeymoon Al Denny, Basketball, After A Fall, The Babe, We Are Still Married, Drowning, Attitude, Letter From Ruth Luger to Joanne Leinenkranz, Nu Er Der Youl Igen, The Chuck Show of Television.

Garrison Keillor (Author), Garrison Keillor (Narrator)

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Kate Remembered

#1 New York Times bestseller! For seven decades Katharine Hepburn played a leading role in the popular culture of the twentieth century-reigning as an admired actress, a beloved movie star, and a treasured icon of the modern American woman. She also remained one of the most private of all the public figures of her time. In 1983-at the age of 75, her career cresting-the four-time Academy Award winner opened the door to biographer A. Scott Berg-then 33-and began a special friendship, one that endured to the end of her illustrious life. Here are the stories from those countless intimate conversations, and much more. In addition to recording heretofore untold biographical details of her entire phenomenal career and her famous relationships with such men as Spencer Tracy and Howard Hughes, Kate Remembered also tells the amusing, often emotional story of one of the most touching friendships in her final years. Scott Berg provides his own memories of Katharine Hepburn offstage-quiet dinners in her townhouse in New York City, winter swims (she swam, he watched) in the Long Island Sound at Fenwick, her home in Connecticut, weekend visits with family members and dear friends . . . even some unusual appearances by the likes of Michael Jackson and Warren Beatty. Finally, Kate Remembered discusses the legendary actress's moving farewell, during which her mighty personality surrendered at last to her failing body-all the while remaining true to her courageous character. Kate Remembered is a book about love and friendship, family and career, Hollywood and Broadway-all punctuated by unforgettable lessons from an extraordinary life.

A. Scott Berg (Author), Tony Goldwyn (Narrator)

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