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.
Sugar Apple
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Ex0tic
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Tough Nut
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Soiled Dove
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QuantumQuill
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Spellbinder
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Bad Princess
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Midas
I can't get enough of this app's user-friendly interface – it's a true delight. The subtle background music at key moments enhanced the experience without being distracting. More audiobooks should use this technique when appropriate!
Skull Crusher
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Waylay Dave
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ForumFusion
ListenBook's configurable auto-rewind after interruptions is a smart addition that keeps me on track. The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple.
Sneaky Lady
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Free Ham
I love that ListenBook Pro allows me to customize the tone of the sound – it adds a personal touch. ListenBook's features are a bookworm's dream come true – from chapters to bookmarks, it's got everything. Looping playback is a study aid sent from heaven. It's helping me ace my exams! Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is impressive. It's like getting a clear, immersive listening experience.
Blinker
The narrator's voices are so captivating, it's like they bring the stories to life. I love how ListenBook extracts artwork and metadata from audio files, adding a visual touch to my listening experience. With this app, I've discovered a new way to make my workouts and downtime more engaging and insightful. ListenBook's dedication to user convenience is evident in the drag-and-drop download feature from web browsers. Adjusting playback speed has given me greater control over my audiobook experience. I can optimize my learning and enjoyment by customizing the pacing.
Midas
I can’t believe how easy it is to manage my audiobook library with ListenBook. Highly recommended! I’ve tried many audiobook players, and this one is by far the best.
Whip 2T
This app's intuitive features and easy navigation make it the perfect companion for any audiobook lover. I'm amazed by the extensive statistics tracking. It's fascinating to see my listening habits. Navigating through chapters has never been easier. It's a user-friendly delight. Love the silky-smooth playback and easy-to-use interface. ListenBook is the best! ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate, making it a joy to use. Five stars!
Shadow Bishop
The convenience of having an entire library at my fingertips is a dream come true. I'm rediscovering my love for literature through this app – it's revitalizing. ListenBook's basic audio filters enhance my listening experience and make it uniquely mine. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fantastic way to introduce them to captivating stories.
Mustard Centaur
🎧 Elevating my reading experience – this app's intuitive controls and organization features make audiobook enjoyment effortless. 📱📖 Audiobooks at my fingertips – this app's functionality is truly impressive. ListenBook’s audio quality is excellent. The app enhances my listening experience. This app is perfect for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is sleek and modern, and the playback controls are super responsive. I also appreciate the cloud integration, which lets me access my books from anywhere. Great work! I don't have strong feelings about this one either way. The narration was competent but forgettable. The story itself was more engaging than the performance.
RiddleRanger
🎧 This app has changed my reading game! Now I can 'read' while I work – genius! 📚💼 🏃♂️📚 Combining fitness and fiction – this app keeps me motivated during workouts with its engaging stories! 🏃♂️📖 I love the variety of themes available. It makes the app feel personalized. The app is so reliable. I’ve never had any issues with it. I’ve been using ListenBook for months, and it’s been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesn’t drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
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