Halo 3 (Xbox 360)
Kingston Technology 2GB SD Secure Digital Card
Braun Oral-B EB17-8 Refill Pack
|
|
|
|
Life with My Sister Madonna | 
 enlarge | Authors: Christopher Ciccone, Wendy Leigh
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Ltd
Category: Book
List Price: £17.99
Buy New: £6.99
You Save: £11.00 (61%)
New (32) Used (5) from £5.97
Rating:  28 reviews
Sales Rank: 1720
Media: Hardcover
Pages: 352
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.2
Dimensions (in): 9.2 x 6.3 x 1.3
ISBN: 1847374387
EAN: 9781847374387
ASIN: 1847374387
Publication Date: July 14, 2008
Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours
| |
| Also Available In:
|
| Similar Items:
|
| Customer Reviews: Read 10 more reviews...
 Hilarious and sad July 26, 2008
R. Ure (Edinburgh)
4 out of 5 found this review helpful
This is one of the funniest and saddest books you'll ever read. Sad, because of the sheer lack of any real depth of insight by the hopelessly co-dependent author and hilarious, because of his lack perspective having lived and breathed little else but Madonna since birth! The author has a sensational sense of entitlement and only now seems to have wised up to the fact Madonna has been playing him like a fiddle from the start. It's hard to feel any sympathy for anyone but the massively underwritten remaining members of the Ciccone family.
Finally something worth reading about Madonna July 16, 2008
MV
14 out of 21 found this review helpful
If someone had written a biography of Madonna who would you be most likely to believe? An ex lover out for revenge? A seedy hack cashing in on rumours and gossip? Maybe even an autobiography by Madonna herself? My answer is none of the above. It's quite unlikely that Madonna will be writing an Autobiography anytime soon - if ever. Even if she does, she's notorious for editing her own life to her own advantage in her rock-documentaries - who wouldn't? Not to say that Madonna's memoirs or view of her career wouldn't be fascinating - but not as privately insightful as a book written by her own brother who she grew up with and has worked with constantly since the beginning of her career. Christopher literally provided support to Madonna from the very beginning. He was her first backing dancer both before and after her first hit single. He then continued to work with her throughout her career, providing support both in and out of the public eye, most notably working on some of her biggest and most ambitious world tour shows. It is probably best to exercise caution with a book like this. Believe what is stated as fact and understand that personal opinions are just that. There are scores of trashy books about Madonna out there, none of them worth buying. This is probably the first time that a book has been published regarding this hugely famous but elusive woman that is actually worth reading. Remember though, it's only one opinion but certainly an opinion from someone worth listening to.
Insight Into an Icon July 15, 2008
Norma Lehmeierhartie (New York, USA)
11 out of 17 found this review helpful
Life with My Sister Madonna, by Christopher Ciccone, is a revealing look into the life of Madonna, the "global icon". It is also about Christopher, their relationship, family and friends.
The book begins with a prologue that takes place in London in 1993 and portrays the good times between brother and sister. Christopher explains that Madonna is an insomniac: "unbridled desire for fame and fortune, you see, is incompatible with sleep."
Madonna is portrayed as someone with both a massive ego and riddled with insecurities. She was very nervous about performing for the 1991 Academy Awards, because it was in front of established actors, "whose respect she desperately wanted to win."
Those who worked for her--including Christopher--knew to praise her during and after performances and movie premiers--no matter how poorly she acted, no matter what. When Madonna hired a new person to dress her between performances, for example, Christopher told him to keep quiet, except when Madonna asked, How do I look?" The reply: "Wonderful Madonna, wonderful.
Ciccone writes that Madonna wanted to be a great movie star: "I wish her well, but secretly believe that the only part that she is truly capable of playing is that of herself, Madonna, a part that she has created and curated."
Ouch.
The first chapter begins with their childhood in Rochester, Michigan. Tragically, their mother died when Christopher was 3 years old and Madonna, 5. The father remarries and there are 8 children.
The children are expected to do daily chores and are punished for transgressions; all save Madonna. Christopher writes that she rarely had to do chores and was virtually never punished. He wrote that Joan, his step mom, even seemed a bit afraid of Madonna.
Turns out, Madonna looks like their mother and is dad's favorite.
The book progresses though their lives. In high school, Madonna secretly took ballet classes and got Christopher involved as well. He explains that it was not for his company--which he desperately wanted; rather, the instructor, who Madonna adored, needed a male dancer.
Christopher believes that the disputes between brother and sister come with the addition of Guy Richie into Madonna's life. Richie is portrayed a homophobic jerk and it is obvious that there is no love between the author and Richie.
Ciccone writes that in 2001, Madonna: "treats me as if I am nothing other than a serf paid to decorate her house." He writes about how cheap Madonna is, especially in light of how much money she makes. In 2001, Richie and Madonnas worth were said to be worth $260 million. And Madonna had the highest female annual income in Britain of $43.8 million dollars. Ciccone writes that Madonna perpetually underpaid him, disputed payments and blackmailed Christopher over money. For example, he would not get paid unless he took Kabbalah classes with her.
No matter how badly Madonna treated her brother, he always came back for more, incapable of stopping himself. Madonna's power, so the book indicates, strong from childhood, only got stronger as she aged--making her a powerful, successful magnet that nobody--not even her brother--could resist.
A compelling read.
By the author of the award winning book, Harmonious Environment: Beautify, Detoxify and Energize Your Life, Your Home and Your Planet.
A great summer read July 20, 2008
French girl (France)
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
I've spent the last two days reading Life with my sister, as I could hardly put it down! I was actually chuckling to myself outloud now and then, and enjoying all the juicy little tidbits on Madge. Definitely a great read, light and fun I would certainly reccommend it.
Fantastically fascinating July 23, 2008
Song2 (London)
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
I wouldn't dream of reading celeb biogs normally, but this seemed too good an opportunity to pass up. And wow, it didn't disappoint. If you are looking for a window into the A-list life, this is it. Not only do we get a full insight into how Madonna became Queen of Pop, but we are also allowed a real peek into the superstar celebrity lifestyle (the one they didn't really want you to see, rather than the one in Hello! magazine). As Christopher attempts to live in the wake of his sister, we are treated to fantastic stories of hanging out with Kate and Naomi, catching a lift with Bruce and Demi, and partying at Palazzo Versace.
The relationship between brother and sister is also extremely interesting. It is often unclear who is using who most, but it is a rollicking ride from bug-infested New York to 'lady of the manor'.
|
|
|
| |
