Book description
From one of the most iconic actors in the history of film, an astonishingly revelatory account of a creative life in full To the wider world, Al Pacino exploded onto the scene like a supernova. He landed his first leading role, in The Panic in Needle Park, in 1971, and by 1975, he had starred in four movies - The Godfather and The Godfather Part II, Serpico, and Dog Day Afternoon - that were not just successes but landmarks in the history of film. Those performances became legendary and changed his life forever. Not since Marlon Brando and James Dean in the late 1950s had an actor landed in the culture with such force. But Pacino was in his midthirties by then, and had already lived several lives. A fixture of avant-garde theater in New York, he had led a bohemian existence, working odd jobs to support his craft. He was raised by a fiercely loving but mentally unwell mother and her parents after his father left them when he was young, but in a real sense he was raised by the streets of the South Bronx, and by the troop of buccaneering young friends he ran with, whose spirits never left him. After a teacher recognized his acting promise and pushed him toward New York's fabled High School of Performing Arts, the die was cast. In good times and bad, in poverty and in wealth and in poverty again, through pain and joy, acting was his lifeline, its community his tribe. Sonny Boy is the memoir of a man who has nothing left to fear and nothing left to hide. All the great roles, the essential collaborations, and the important relationships are given their full due, as is the vexed marriage between creativity and commerce at the highest levels. The book's golden thread, however, is the spirit of love and purpose. Love can fail you, and you can be defeated in your ambitions - the same lights that shine bright can also dim. But Al Pacino was lucky enough to fall deeply in love with a craft before he had the foggiest idea of any of its earthly rewards, and he never fell out of love. That has made all the difference.Review"Pacino's high energy proves to be as mesmerizing in print as it is onscreen. Sonny Boy is a page-turner that allows the reader to experience the struggles, inspirations, tragedies, and triumphs of an artist from humble beginnings who becomes infatuated with 'the power of expression' at a very young age . . . So touchingly reflective that [it] left me in tears." -The Washington Examiner "A movie superstar of rare stature . . . In Sonny Boy, Mr. Pacino still sounds like the actor who dazzled in his heyday. The book, written with Dave Itzkoff, preserves Mr. Pacino's personality, with all his intelligence, his wit and his eagerness to talk about the theater history he loves." -Farran Smith Nehme, Wall Street Journal "Very revealing of an artist's soul . . . a beautiful, heartfelt piece of work." -San Francisco ChronicleAbout the AuthorActor and director Al Pacino is a unique and enduring figure in the world of American stage and film. He grew up in New York City's South Bronx, attended the School of Performing Art, and studied acting at the Herbert Berghof Studio with Charles Laughton and the Actors Studio with mentor Lee Strasberg. He has been nominated for the Academy Award nine times, for movies including The Godfather, Dog Day Afternoon, Serpico, The Godfather Part II, and The Irishman, and won the Oscar for Best Actor in 1992 for Scent of a Woman. He has been nominated for the Golden Globe Award nineteen times, and won four, and has been nominated for three Tonys and won two. Pacino has been awarded the Kennedy Center Honor, the American Film Institute Life Achievement Award, the National Merit of Arts from President Obama, and the Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award for Lifetime Achievement in Motion Pictures.
Springheel Jack
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Cuff Queen
Listening to audiobooks has become my guilt-free indulgence, and I love it. With ListenBook, I can keep track of my audiobook consumption and explore new content with ease. ListenBook's support for a variety of download methods means I can access my content in the way that suits me best. ListenBook's library organization keeps my audiobooks neat and accessible. A true organizational lifesaver!
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Sky Bully
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D-Hog-Day
ListenBook's comprehensive format support makes it the ultimate companion for audiobook enthusiasts. Elegant design and easy-to-navigate interface. Very pleased with ListenBook.
Red Hot Kevorkian
Audiobooks have become my companions during daily chores, making them enjoyable. is a breeze with ListenBook. It's convenient and reliable. Automatic metadata retrieval adds a professional touch to my audiobook collection. ListenBook’s playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches.
Fast Draw
Now I can enjoy my favorite books anytime, even during workouts. The diverse range of narrators adds a new layer of depth to each story. Audiobook excellence simplified – this app's functionality is a true delight. The app’s design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player. I’m so impressed with ListenBook. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Highly recommend this app!
VisionVortex
With this app, reading is no longer a luxury – it's a convenient habit. ListenBook has become my go-to app for all audiobooks. Full of useful features.
Aqua Monsoon
ListenBook has transformed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is a game-changer! I love the ability to change the playback pitch. It’s a unique feature. A serviceable audiobook that met basic expectations. The narration was clear if somewhat unremarkable, and the production quality was standard without any noticeable technical issues. It kept me moderately engaged during workouts but didn't leave a lasting impression.
Eerie
🌟 Adding excitement to each day – this app ensures that every moment is an opportunity to explore new stories. 📚🚀 ListenBook's user-friendly interface and quick access to chapters enhance my overall listening experience. ListenBook's audio filters allow me to customize the audio playback to suit my preferences perfectly. Automatic artwork and metadata retrieval is a time-saver. My library looks fantastic.
Gentle Avenger
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Ember Rope
Audiobooks on this app have turned my exercise sessions into moments of education. 🎉📚 Rekindling my passion for books – this app has sparked a reading revolution in my daily life! 🔥📖 The app is lightweight and doesn’t drain my battery.
Street Squirrel
The narrator's voices are so engaging, it's like having a personal storytelling session. The audio filters on ListenBook enhance the sound quality, making every listening session a treat for my ears. 🏡 Embracing audiobooks while tidying up the house – it's like having a helper! 🏠📚
Star Jammer
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BloodEater
Efficiency meets audiobooks – this app's functionality is a true standout. CarPlay compatibility is a fantastic addition. It enhances my driving experience with seamless audiobook integration.
Baked ZD
Book groups feature keeps series and related titles together. Neat and tidy! ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay is a major convenience during road trips. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to introduce them to captivating stories.
Hobo Samurai
Thanks to ListenBook's extensive statistics, I can track my audiobook consumption and celebrate my progress. Effortless audiobook exploration – this app's design is a reader's dream. ListenBook has become my ultimate audiobook companion. It enhances every listening session. I love the cloud integration. I can access my books from anywhere. I love the ability to change the playback pitch. It’s a unique feature.
SprkR
This app's ease of use has made reading an integral part of my everyday life. User-centric audiobook joy – this app's ease of use is impressive.
Killer Curio
Audiobooks have brought a new level of enjoyment to my daily workout routine. ListenBook Pro offers amazing value with unlimited audiobook length and noise reduction features. ⏰ Waking up to audiobooks – mornings have never been this magical and inspiring! ☀️🎧 Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is impressive. My recordings sound crystal clear.
Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience