Aretha Franklin

The Queen of Soul

By: Mark Bego

Narrated by: Mel Foster

Aretha Franklin: The Queen of Soul documents the beloved singing star’s rocky personal life and internationally acclaimed show business career. An in-depth and frank examination of Aretha, this definitive biography traces her career from her beginnings as a 12-year-old member of a church choir in the early 1950s, recording her first album at the age of 14, a major recording contract at 18, and stardom in her 20s, right up through her headline-grabbing 2010 health scare, to her triumphant return: singing to her cheering Detroit hometown fans in summer 2011.

This New York Times best-selling author’s detailed research includes interviews with the most important people in Aretha’s life, including record producers Jerry Wexler, Clyde Otis, and Clive Davis; her first husband; several of Franklin’s singing star contemporaries; and a rare one-on-one session with Aretha herself.

Bego’s portrayal of the singing sensation is done with clarity and neutrality. A no-holds-barred look at her roller-coaster life, it takes her from two teenage pregnancies and an abusive first marriage, to drinking problems, battles with her weight, the murder of her father, and tabloid wars. This critically acclaimed, freshly updated biography will give readers a clear understanding of what makes Aretha Franklin the “Queen of Soul.”

©2012 Mark Bego (P)2012 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Worst book ever

Worst book ever. very boring didn't like it. it took me 5-6 months to get through it. I'm a truck driver and it made my days even longer.

A detailed study of Aretha Franklin's life.

An in-depth, almost too detailed examination of Aretha, this biography traces her career from her beginnings as a 12-year-old member of a church choir in the early
1950s, recording her first album at the age of 14, a major recording contract at 18, and stardom in her 20s, right up through her headline-grabbing 2010
health scare, to her triumphant return: singing to her cheering Detroit hometown fans in summer 2011. This author's research includes interviews with the most important people in Aretha's life, including record producers Jerry Wexler, Clyde Otis, and Clive Davis; her first husband; several of Franklin's singing star contemporaries; and a rare one-on-one session with Aretha herself. This book takes her through two teenage pregnancies and an abusive first marriage, to drinking problems, battles with her weight, the murder of her father, and tabloid wars. The problem with a book like this for me is that I get bored with reading every detail of each album (14 in her case) most of the concerts, including each song, who she sang it with if it was a duet, etc.That said, it was an extremely interesting journey. I may have to review some of those albums mentioned here.

An excellent biography!

A great narrator who expresses the words of the author who in turn draws you into the story! Wonderful!