Product Description
Once in while a book is produced that captures the energy and spirit of the rock world.Somebody Someday was published to massive popular and critical acclaim in September 2001.It shot straight to number one in the best-seller lists.

Why? Because the book offers an intimate glimpse into the life of Britain’s greatest pop star. Robbie Williams joined Take That in 1991 and before he left, the band had eight Number One singles.

He went solo and sold millions of albums, the only artist to have two albums in the Top Ten at the same time.He is a rock icon in the truest sense -- hero and entertainer -- and here he tells his story. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

Not what you think, but enough to stir your curiosity
Living in the States, I find it next to impossible to get my hands on any legitimate news or information about Robbie Williams. Only recently a fan, I have been fascinated by his on-stage presence and consequently curious to discover what might be at its source. 'Somebody Someday' I don't think was ever intended to be a full-fledged biography. It is instead a running commentary by journalist Mark McCrum who joined Williams on his European 'Sermon On the Mount' tour from late 2000 thru early 2001. Indeed, it is for all practical purposes the literary companion to the video documentary for those same shows, entitled 'Nobody Someday.' Therefore, although it provides occasional vignettes about Robbie's past as well as those of his crew and managers, it is more often a description of the eventssurrounding the tour.

The book is more reactive than insightful, but that is for the better; there are few if any platitudes and virtually no excuses for what the author witnesses. The narrative also moves quickly and is so true to what occurred that I actually began to feel the rigors of the hectic schedule. To that end, there are vivid portraits of just how unglamorous life 'on the road' can be, despite the girls, the glitz and the excitement(including thelife-threatening incident in which Williams is thrown off stage by a crazed German fan). The author occasionally splices in bits from his interviews with Robbie, but this is not a comprehensive life story of themegastar as much as it is about him in the moment. Given that the tour coincided with yet another attempt by Williams to swear off drugs and alcohol, there are no descriptions of debauchery or outlandish public displays that were known to characterize other times in his life. If anything, after the author briefly recounts some regrettable incidents in the past, you hear how Robbie is successfully fighting to stay sober.In fact, that item is part of a larger underlying theme that slowly emerges: it is that Williams is coming of age.Starting out with a show for a German Bank group in London, he is cynical and frustrated, but by tour's end, he has become less troubled, more grateful for his good fortune, and more enthusiastic about being a performer. He can more easily reconcile Rob, the private person, with Robbie, the musical celebrity. However contrived that transformation may have been, McCrum seems to provide his honest impressions, and in the end, this was an interesting read. For a guy like me who knew virtually nothing about Robbie Williams two months ago, it also serves as a practical introduction to the pop phenomenon (before March 2004, I had never heard of him or Take That or Rock DJ -get the picture?). It doesn't answer all the questions, but I recommend it if you want to begin to become familiar with this enigmatic performer from the UK. Having done that, I submit that you'll discover that you still don't know him at all.

The world's best entertainer - Rob and Robbie!!
This book is absolutely awesome! I got it for last Christmas and if you like Robbie Williams and his music I suggest you get it *fast*. I have been a Robbie fan for about eight month now and this is the first book I read about him, but it's such a wonderful book, you'll love it no matter if you're already one of his greatest fans or someone who's just getting to know him and his music.
Not only does it give some great insight on his life as a famous rock star and his tours, but also on Rob the man. It also includes some of the best pictures I have yet seen of him. Including a bunch of him recording music and performing and some with his dogs!
It is entertaining, sad, humorous, exciting, sensitive, sweet, desperate, hilarious... great. I really love that book! The definite best parts for me were his performances on stage and all the anticipation and preparation that goes with it, because I could really relate to that myself. It also shows such a different side to that whole cliché of the famous celebrity who seems so far away from our own little world. That's so not true! Celebrities too have troubles and quirky moments sometimes. And overall their lives are not much different from ours, apart from the fact that they are, well, known to about a million more people.
It also introduces you to a whole bunch of the people he works with everyday and how they see the Robbie world and the fame. Overall it takes you into the life of the world's best entertainer and onto his tour. After you read this you'll wonder why you can't find Robbie's e-mail on your computer because you'll feel like you know him in person.

UK New Book
If you want a better book on Robbie, you can buy Robbie Williams: Biography by Sean Smith.

Amazon.co.uk has it

Wait a minute....
This is a book with Robbie Williams' name on the cover....and it doesn't get five stars??What's going on?

I'll explain.This book, while it claims to be a biography of Britain's biggest pop star, actually has very little information about the star himself. It seems as if author Mark McCrum really had trouble getting access to the star.Most of "Somebody Someday" is either McCrum's own observations or his talks with members of Robbie's entourage.A LOT of space in this book is devoted to the band and crew members and their past and present activities. As much as some of their stories were interesting, I did not buy the book to read about them.I wanted to know more about Robbie's personal life, his relationships, his history with Take That, etc. Let's face it:I really could care less if the accountant is getting girls or if the guitarist is getting drunk.

Sifting through all of the tales, and trying to keep who's who straight, makes this a very slow read. It's unfortunate.I really wanted to enjoy this more than I did because I'm an admirer of Robbie and his music.

Amidst all of my disappointment, I can't call this book a total loss.The moments that McCrum DOES speak with Robbie are insightful, and it really shows how much the singer has matured since his early days. Fans also get to see just how much of a paradox he really is:how he can be so charismatic and egotistical on stage, but how he hates himself in real life.But by far the most interesting segment of the book tells of an incident at a concert where a mental case rushed the stage. There's a bit of suspense there.

In addition, there are some great photographs by Scarlet Page, some B & W and some color. Don't expect any cheap, unofficial calendar-like photos.These are really beautiful shots.

Perhaps a more appropriate title for this book would have been "Behind the Scenes on the Sermon on the Mount Tour."Then I might not have felt so misled. If you would really like an in-depth look at Robbie's life (and you have a multi-region DVD player), I recommend checking out the movie "Nobody Someday" instead.It requires a special order or an Ebay hunt, but it is worth it.You'll actually get to see a lot of what is talked about in this book, including the crazy guy rushing the stage. It was filmed at the same time the events in the book took place.

I'm willing to wait a while for a better book to come out. If you are a true Robbie Williams fan, you probably should too.

As An Entertaining as His Music
"Somebody, Someday" is wonderful autobiography and travelogue. Robbie Williams, one of the biggest pop stars on the planet except in the United States, and Mark McCrum takes us on a yeaer-long journey through the ups and downs of Robbie's life. We get to see the ugly moments that inspires his introspective, self-effacing, and witty music. These moments are offered up forthrightly and honestly without the sense that he is fishing for pity. It's a good and solid read even if you're not a Robbie fan. ... Read more

Product Description
This is the second book from Robbie Williams, written with acclaimed music writer Chris Heath. For the first time the full, unexpurgated story of his life - brutally frank, funny and honest. First came Ebury's massively successful, 2001 illustrated account of Robbie's touring world, "Somebody Someday". Now the time has come for the complete, intimate story of Robert P Williams. Spanning his childhood through Take That to his current status as rock icon, probing his love life and his family relationships, this is closer than you'd ever thought you'd get to Robbie Williams. Written by Chris Heath, who has spent nearly two years working with Rob on this book, every word is imbued with Rob's humour, charisma, talent, memories and complexity. But more than ever before, this book tells the truth about his extraordinary life. Billy Connolly told his story through his wife, and with Rolling Stone journalist, Chris Heath, Robbie's own story promises to be as brilliantly and insightfully told. You may have seen his face a million times, heard his music every day, followed him from the beginning of Take That, but this is a man with some serious surprises in store."Robbie Williams" is a ground-breaking package; a truly original and brilliantly written book; a grippingly honest story of an extraordinary man. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Kindle copy ??
To Amazon,

Please can we have this book on Kindle !!!!

Great readfor fans
I loved the book. Very interesting, and funny. Unfortunately, it is very sad at times. I am not big on tabloids so much of the info in the book was new for me. This info probably nevergot to the US in the firstplace though.

Amazing
Amazing account into the life of somebody who is far beyond rich and famous... he is on another level. It is great to see a first hand account of the person under the persona and what it must be like to live in the spolight. I would recommend this to anybody who is delusioned into thinking fame and celebrity is something to aspire to. Not just for Rob fans but anybody who wants a good read.

Fabulous expose of the downside of fame
At a time when more and more people seem to court 'celebrity', this book is forewarning of the unwanted consequences of fame: media intrusions, obsessive fans and inevitably self absorption and self doubt.

You don't need to like Robbie Williams, or even know who he is, to appreciate this book.It is much more than a biography.This is not the place to look for titillation or scandal on the man (try the papers). It is instead a philosophical yet highly readable account of what can happen when a normal but talented person finds extreme success.

I found the writing non-judgemental.The reader is free to make up their own mind on the merits of the main character, if they feel the need to do so at all, and I disagree with a previous reviewer that the text is sycophantic.

Frankly, if this is fame, who'd want it?

Well-written, disturbing view into celebrity life
I am an unabashed fan of Robbie Williams, I love his voice, his swagger and his mischief with reporters. I picked up this book as a fan, but it turned out to be much more interesting than a simple biography.

Chris Heath spent (by my guess) upwards of a year with Robbie Williams, sometimes living with him, sometimes through correspondence. The result of that time together is this book. The book doesn't really go into drawing conclusions about Robbie as a person or a professional, but rather it shows us a very thorough snapshot of life as a mega-celebrity (albeit an unapologetically self-centered one). He shows us behind the facade of Robbie Williams, the over-the-top charismatic performer, and gives readers a disturbing glimpse as to what its like to be Robbie everyday.

Robbie, from what I can tell from the book seems to be a reasonably normal guy in his late 20s. He has issues, especially with social anxiety and depression, and is a recovering addict, but he comes across as pretty funny, charming and generally vivacious. Chris Heath shows us the dark side of being a mega-celebrity, Robbie is constantly hounded and haunted by false tabloid reports, he is chased incessantly by paprazzi and he often deals with fans who feel like Robbie "owes" them something for helping to make him a star. Through this Robbie proves to be quite resilient, extremely creative and reasonably productive. There is little gossipy writing and the book focuses more on the process it takes to turn Robbie Williams the person into Robbie Williams the persona.

I really enjoyed this book. I found it to be a fascinating and well written character study and I don't think it should be relegated only to the legions of Robbie fans. I always wished he was a bigger star in the States so he would tour here, but after reading this, I don't begrudge him the relative anonymity he enjoys here. ... Read more

Product Description
With a record–breaking $140 million–deal with EMI and a new home in Los Angeles, Britain’s King of Pop is at the top of his game. Journalist Paul Scott looks at his often–troubled life and his rise to superstardom. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

in response to the other review
please don't take too much of this book to heart.Rock stars of this caliber need to protect themselves and not give up too much info about their personal life.Personally, I get a kick out of how he plays with the media and keeps everyone guessing.I was fortunate enough to meet him in his own home and even spend a good deal of time in his house with him and his crew.As far as the MTV Cribs thing being a big lie - I designed the media systems in his house and believe me those cars are real... except the Bentley, I think, but he said that in the interview.Whether he actually drives them?Who cares?If I had that much dough, I'd have someone cart me around LA as well.

Illusions...
Having been a fan of Rob since his first chord in Take That, I was extremely disappointed by some of the revelations in this author's work. It's one of two things... Either the author, Paul, is extremely jealous/bitter about Rob's success... or it's all pretty much true with some hearsay mixed in, and it's not a very good reflection upon his personality. He struck a nerve when he mentioned... women always want to have sex with him and then 'fix' him. Reading about his serious drug and alchohol addiction almost put me off because of the type of person he seemed to turn into when he was under the influence. I'm extremely open minded, so the slight jibes that he might actually be gay, they didn't bother me half as much as hearing Kinsella apparently quoted that 'he was an extremely boring man.' 'Not much to talk about'. 'Self obsessed'... This was disturbing and I have to say, this piece of work has influenced the way I see Rob for forever... I'm a transplanted Brit too.. and I understand that no one here was privy to his tormented years in the late nineties, but if he doesn't make it, oh well. May he find whatever it is he's so desperately searching for (and get his driver's licence on the way. What disappointment to find out he doesn't even drive and hasn't passed his test) This means the LA version of Cribs was a big lie. And the gay men in his lounge may well have been indicative of his true preference. Oh well, he has the ability to be a great entertainer, but for God's Sake Rob, Get over yourself! ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (1)

Re:Robbie Williams Facing the Ghosts
This book was very informative, however, compared to Emily Herbert's autobiography of Robert Williams, it's lacking.I read this one and am half way through hers, and hers just flows.....this one is more like reading the news.I laughed during reading hers and don't recall laughing during reading of this one.Also, I didn't much appreciate a different title on the paperback book, misleading me into thinking it was a different book--however, when it got there--it was the same as the hardback book by this man, only with a different title.I didn't return it, but I wasn't very happy about it.That was very misleading.
I'm not saying the whole book is a washout.It gives you a good look into his life.I just like Emily Herbert's better. :) ... Read more

Product Description
Commentary (music and lyrics not included).Chapters: Angels, Mack the Knife, Bodies, Somethin' Stupid, She's Madonna, Rock Dj, Freedom! '90, You Know Me, One for My Baby, Lovelight, Tripping, Millennium, Kids, Rudebox, Supreme, Eternity/the Road to Mandalay, Trouble, Feel, Come Undone, No Regrets, She's the One, Radio, Beyond the Sea, Morning Sun, Something Beautiful, It's Only Us, Let Me Entertain You, Misunderstood, Bongo Bong and Je Ne T'aime Plus, Advertising Space, Better Man, Sexed Up, Sin Sin Sin, Old Before I Die, Kiss Me, Strong, My Culture, South of the Border, Make Me Pure, Close My Eyes, Let Love Be Your Energy, Lazy Days, Mr. Bojangles/i Will Talk and Hollywood Will Listen, Win Some Lose Some, Well, Did You Evah!. Source: Wikipedia. Pages: 197. Not illustrated. Free updates online. Purchase includes a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Excerpt: "Angels" is a song written by Robbie Williams and Guy Chambers, originally performed by Robbie Williams and covered by Jessica Simpson and Beverley Knight, in Spanish (as Ángel) by Mexican singers Yuridia and Marco Moré, in Italian (as Un Angelo) by Patrizio Buanne, All Angels, singer Declan Galbraith as well as Verena Von Strenge's latest group, Moon Dust, and American Idol season 7 runner-up David Archuleta. The original recording by Williams proved to be his greatest commercial success, being certified Double Platinum in the United Kingdom and selling 2 million copies worldwide. Williams is proud of the song, but irritated that many people assume it was written by his former co-writer Guy Chambers, from whom he split after a row about money. He said recently: "It pees me off because everyone thinks Guy penned 'Let Me Entertain You' and 'Angels', but they're my songs." Williams co-wrote this with Irishman Ray Hefferman, then Guy Chambers transformed it into Williams' biggest worldwide sellin...http://booksllc.net/?id=2029170 ... Read more

Product Description
All the songs from the album arranged for piano, voice and guitar including complete lyrics and guitar chord boxes. ... Read more

Product Description
This fascinating full length, major biography of one of pop's biggest stars addresses the questions millions of fans have always wanted to ask. The answers will surprise and delight as ROBBIE: THE BIOGRAPHY chronicles the triumphs and disasters of an unlikely lad from Stoke-on-Trent on the rocky path to his unrivalled position as the nation's number one entertainer. Despite his celebrity profile, the real Robert Peter Williams has remained an enigma. Using exhaustive research and exclusive interviews, author Sean Smith examines the many stages in Robbie's life and career and reveals how he became the superstar he is today. ROBBIE: THE BIOGRAPHY, fully illustrated, will be the must have music book of the year. ... Read more

Product Description
Titles are: Baby Girl Window Clean Ego a Go Go Killing Me Lazy Days Let Me Entertain You Life Thru a Lens Old Before I Die One of God's Better People South of the Border. ... Read more

Product Description
Robbie Williams tells her story of growing up a young lady of theSouth and marrying a much older Augusta attorney.Not content to be a golf widowwhose function was to look pretty at social events, Williams took lessons on thesly and became a crack golfer able to beat many of the men in Augusta. She and herdaughter Lee Heffernan, who also learned golf in Augusta, offer dozens ofrevealing anecdotes about Augusta and its golfing brethren. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Wow
I enjoyed the book, but I was eager to learn more about the men in their lives. Who were these men and how did they feel about the experiences.

Augusta Unveiled
This is a terrific book written by a member's wife and their daughter. I am a big golf fan and have read several books about Augusta National and the Masters in recent years, but this one has an entirely different angle--a woman's perspective, and an insider-woman at that. The authors are respectful of the club, but they also are open in offering dozens of refreshing anecdotes that are funny and border on irreverent. There are also a bunch of photos in the book depicting the golf course from a candid viewpoint.

Can't put it down - great golfing insider stories
I started the book about 6 and finished about 12. Every golfer, Masters fan, everyone in Augusta will want one of theses books.

It's full of real inside stories of the Club, its founders, the grounds, the caddies, the famous players.

I know the author personally and figured her book would be interesting but did not expected to be glued to it. The wording contained many of the unique phrases used at the National and un golfing. I could not put the book down.

I am not a golfer, but my dad was and I have heard him day dream about golf; I've seen him high on 72 and down on 90; it seems the author got to the point she day dreamed about sandtraps, the rough, the fairways, how she would handle different shots.

Stories about personal encounters with famous golfers and politicians were great. The stories about the caddies and their betting, "ownership" of golfers, their nicknames were fascinating.

The stories about how one gets into the club gives the Augusta National a sense of intrigue.

The stories about the president of the club presented a man bigger than life, who put fear into the hearts of the wealthy and powerful.

Fishing stories, access to the club during the Masters, access to the club during off season were all highly readable and clearly inside, non-public, unpublished views into a closed society.

That only a few people were there at a time off season was amazing; there is/or was a wonderful wine cellar; there were no socials unrelated to golf and no 5 somes.

This is a wonderful book of private information that every golfer will enjoy, buy 2 of (one to keep and one to give away).

Can't put it down - you will have to finish it in one day!
I started the book about 6 p.m and finished about 1 a.m; I could not put it down. Every golfer, every Masters fan, every body in Augusta will want this. Lots of great (and courteous) insider stories about the the Club; the creek, the community power fights about the creek; about great golfers, the caddies; the role of women; the founders of the club; the author's learning golf; rubbing elbows with Washington big whigs.

I know the author personally; I never dreamed her book would be interesting; I certainly never expected to be glued to her book, but it is a gem. I've got a couple of golfing buddies in mind who will want to read this book.

The story about the golfer who would "never" play with a woman was great...he parted with a dollar of two.

The "ownership" of the caddies, the nicknames of caddies and the nicknames given by caddies to their "horses" was fascinating.

The stories about the club president show a man "bigger than life."

Perhaps some of you know what trunk bangers are...now I know.

My grandmother lived a few blocks from the club and she rented to people who attended the Masters...so the book brings back memories...

Anyone struggling with golf, all you addicts out there, who day dream about shots, greens, the rough, creeks and sandtraps will identify with the author, whether male or female.

I'm not even a golfer, but my daddy was; and after listening to him talk golf, get down with 90, high on 72, talk about lights for night golfing, discuss the game over a few drinks, I found this book a clincher. I never expected to enjoy a book so much.

Can't put it down - you will have to finish it in one day!
I started the book about 6 p.m and finished about 1 a.m; I could not put it down. Every golfer, every Masters fan, every body in Augusta will want this. Lots of great (and courteous) insider stories about the the Club; the creek, the community power fights about the creek; about great golfers, the caddies; the role of women; the founders of the club; the author's learning golf; rubbing elbows with Washington big whigs.

I know the author personally; I never dreamed her book would be interesting; I certainly never expected to be glued to her book, but it is a gem. I've got a couple of golfing buddies in mind who will want to read this book.

The story about the golfer who would "never" play with a woman was great...he parted with a dollar of two.

The "ownership" of the caddies, the nicknames of caddies and the nicknames given by caddies to their "horses" was fascinating.

The stories about the club president show a man "bigger than life."

Perhaps some of you know what trunk bangers are...now I know.

My grandmother lived a few blocks from the club and she rented to people who attended the Masters...so the book brings back memories...

Anyone struggling with golf, all you addicts out there, who day dream about shots, greens, the rough, creeks and sandtraps will identify with the author, whether male or female.

I'm not even a golfer, but my daddy was; and after listening to him talk golf, get down with 90, high on 72, talk about lights for night golfing, discuss the game over a few drinks, I found this book a clincher. I never expected to enjoy a book so much. ... Read more

Product Description
"Livewire" is a range of reading material with a teenage/adult interest level for those with a reading age of 10 or below, or for adult students learning English as a second or foreign language. All "Livewire" titles have been written by experienced special needs teachers, and have been fully assessed by The Basic Skills Agency to ensure accessibility in both layout and content. They are subtly colour-coded for the appropriate "reading age". This biography of Robbie Williams is part of the "Livewire: Real Lives" series, which features personalities from sport, film and music, politics and history. ... Read more

Product Description
Robbie Williams explores the remarkable career of Robbie Williams, photographed by renowned music photographer Hamish Brown. The reportage style pictures in this book cover Robbie from just after the release of his first album Life Thru' a Lens to the promotion for his top selling album I've Been Expecting You. This book will unite both published and never before seen shots, including the image chosen for The National Portrait Gallery's definitive Icons of Pop collection. Through Robbie's involvement with the late Ian Dury, Robbie Williams will be published to help raise money for the charity Cancer BACUP. The introduction to the book is written by Ian's eldest son Baxter. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

I got to know the man behind the music.
Though rather short, Brown gave a great inside detail to the man behind the music of Robbie Williams. Giving out a few person affects of Mr. Williams, as well on what he's like. A must have for any Robbie fan! ... Read more