Thanks for the info, Princhester. Clapton also stated in his book that the two subjects he excelled at in school were English and art. I neglected to mention that in my previous post.
I had no idea that he had such a serious problem with drugs and alcohol. I knew of course that he did drugs (he was arrested at the airport in a town I lived in once for disorderly behavior caused by drugs) but I didn’t realize how much and for how long, nor did I realize his problems with alcohol were even worse. I also had no idea his relationship with Pattie Boyd was so torturous, both in terms of what it took to win her over (not to mention the odd relationship between him and George Harrison while it was going on with Harrison’s knowledge) and in their own relationship once they were finally together. Like I said, it’s a good book. I’m thinking about buying Pattie’s book now as it’s supposed to describe some of the same events from her perspective. Sounds like an interesting read, though some of the reviews I’ve seen describe it as something of a mundane travelogue once she’s past the Harrison/Clapton days.
And on preview, good point about the job of editors, cricetus.
If you’re willing to contemplate an exception, I can recommend Arthut Schlesinger’s A Life in the Twentieth Century: Innocent Beginnings, 1917–1950, which was the first part of his autobiography (He never finished it). I wouldn’t say that it’s not self-serving, but there’s enough in it that is fascinating ot make it worth it
I read both Clapton’s autobiography and Pattie Boyd’s autobiography (with ghost writer) on my recent vacation.
I thought that Clapton was much more forthcoming and came across as contemplative and humble. I really enjoyed it.
Same cannot be said for Boyd who seemed childish and unable to accept any of the blame for her shortcomings. For instance, she speaks regretfully about letting Clapton “seduce her” away from Harrison. Later she says how embarrassed she was to go Christmas shopping at Herrods and have her credit card rejected after her divorce from Harrison. She claims that that she wanted no settlement from either man which is puzzling considering she never seemed to hold a job once she quit modeling.
Personally, I’m amazed either of them made it out of the 70s. What a circus.
Ted just got &10 million from Hachette, for his soon to be ghostwritten autobiography. Why anybody would want to buy this idiot’s life story is beyond me. I guess I’d pony up $1.11 for it; just wonder how old ted will deal with his Chappaquiddick experience, or his ex-wife Joan, or his new wife Vicky…but, since I’m only willing to py $1.11., I’ll have to wait till it hits the bargain bin.
If there’s one thing more predictable than the rising of the sun, it’s that ralph124c will bring up Ted Kennedy and Chappaquiddick at the first available opportunity. Good to see your obsessions don’t wane with time.
I’ve wondered if the of disputed or provably exaggerated false or completely fraudulent autobios by people famous only for their autobio has much to do with the recent trend of B and C listers or if its just a cycle. There were several lawsuits and scandals over the matters in recent years.
Most ridiculous of all was when a salon.com writer blasted David Sedaris for exaggerating and sometimes fictionalizing [NAW! Next you’ll tell me that comedian I just watched didn’t really just break up with his girlfriend!] then wrote another article blasting readers for not being more upset over the “revelations” in his first article. (Most Sedaris fans already assumed he embellished- he’s a humorist, not a historian.)
