By Gay Talese Frank Sinatra Has a Cold: And Other Essays (Penguin Modern Classics)

There is something knowing about these pieces that I found irritating throughout. This reaches a peak with the meeting of two considerable egos in the Peter O,Toole article and even more in the author's self-regard in the final piece;' Origins of a Nonfiction writer.'Three of the articles feature boxers of note: Joe Louis, Floyd Patterson and Muhammad Ali. Of these the most gripping seems to me to be the one on Patterson, probably the best piece of writing in the collection. Here we feel that Talese forgets himself, and is genuinely caught up in the emotional states of his subject. The Ali article , apart from showing his subject painfully in the grip of Parkinson's, is much more concerned with Castro and Cuba and tells us little that is new. Apparently, the title essay about Sinatra won few accolades from the family, who found it both offensive and inaccurate. If it serves any general purpose, it is that it is all but impossible to live any kind of consistent inner life under the enormous pressure of fame such as Frank Sinatra knew. I have a sense that Talese both bathes in the glow of the great man, while diminishing him at every opportunity. There are flashes of humour and insight, but the tone of the articles seems to me to be dictated by Talese's sense of his own importance.

These essays by Gay Talese are worth reading. The main essay as the title suggests is about the 'Chairman' Frank Sinatra. It sheds some light on Sinartra and is an intresting read, anybody not knowing much about ' Frankie Boy' it could be an eye opener. There are two storys about the boxers, former heavyweight champ's Muhamed Ali and Floyd Patterson. I found the one on Floyd excellent , extremely intresting. The one about Ali takes place in Cuba, he meets among others Fidel Castro, also intresting. Of the other essays Ifound them not bad but a little boring, especially the last one on Gays newspaper career.

I knew about Galese by a friend. I had never heard of him even when now I remind some of his scripts (it happens easy when you read magazines) I have found this wonderful book very illustrative. Not only because the author looks at the characters and their environment with used to capture the detail eyes but also by his skill when describing them. If you have not read it yet, try and do it. Their characters may not be actual, but the writing is delightful and will win something for your language.

A very good read. Brings Frank Sinatra to Real Life on a printed page - I enjoyed reading it. This was two years ago. I know I shall re-read this book.

This volume contains some of the finest contemporary writing I have read. The articles are extremely amusing and diverting andprovide a perceptive insight into the lives of a number of celebrities, their frailties and human weaknesses. The writer showshis affection for his subjects and presents the anecdotes about them with humour and understanding.

Recommended by a friend who said that it was the best piece of journalism of the past fifty years, he wasn't wrong, absolute joy to read including the other short essays

Journalism - interviews with famous people and excellent. A book to delve into when you want a break from the tome you are currently involved with; by your bed, on the train, on the plane. Well worth buying.

Becoming a bit of a fan