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  • Life Itself

  • A Memoir
  • By: Roger Ebert
  • Narrated by: Edward Herrmann
  • Length: 14 hrs and 16 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (24 ratings)
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Life Itself

By: Roger Ebert
Narrated by: Edward Herrmann
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Summary

"I believe that if, at the end, according to our abilities, we have done something to make others a little happier, and something to make ourselves a little happier, that is about the best we can do. To make others less happy is a crime. To make ourselves unhappy is where all crime starts. We must try to contribute joy to the world. That is true no matter what our problems, our health, our circumstances. We must try. I didn't always know this, and am happy I lived long enough to find it out."
—from Life Itself

Roger Ebert is the best-known film critic of our time. He has been reviewing films for the Chicago Sun-Times since 1967, and was the first film critic ever to win a Pulitzer Prize. He has appeared on television for four decades, including 23 years as cohost of Siskel & Ebert at the Movies.

In 2006, complications from thyroid cancer treatment resulted in the loss of his ability to eat, drink, or speak. But with the loss of his voice, Ebert has only become a more prolific and influential writer. And now, for the first time, he tells the full, dramatic story of his life and career.

Roger Ebert's journalism carried him on a path far from his nearly idyllic childhood in Urbana, Illinois. It is a journey that began as a reporter for his local daily, and took him to Chicago, where he was unexpectedly given the job of film critic for the Sun-Times, launching a lifetime's adventures.

In this candid, personal history, Ebert chronicles it all: his loves, losses, and obsessions; his struggle and recovery from alcoholism; his marriage; his politics; and his spiritual beliefs. He writes about his years at the Sun-Times, his colorful newspaper friends, and his life-changing collaboration with Gene Siskel. He remembers his friendships with Studs Terkel, Mike Royko, Oprah Winfrey, and Russ Meyer (for whom he wrote Beyond the Valley of the Dolls and an ill-fated Sex Pistols movie). He shares his insights into movie stars and directors like John Wayne, Werner Herzog, and Martin Scorsese.

This is a story that only Roger Ebert could tell. Filled with the same deep insight, dry wit, and sharp observations that his readers have long cherished, this is more than a memoir-it is a singular, warm-hearted, inspiring look at life itself.

©2011 Roger Ebert (P)2011 Hachette Audio

What listeners say about Life Itself

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To be honest very disappointing

What disappointed you about Life Itself?

I wasn't really sure what to expert and ebert's reputation precedes him but this was a pretty boring biography

Would you ever listen to anything by Roger Ebert again?

Probably not

What does Edward Herrmann bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

Difficult with the material

You didn’t love this book--but did it have any redeeming qualities?

It was ok bit like going for a walk with someone kind of interesting but who in all honesty was a bit of a bore....god I feel harsh slagging this bloke off but it was rubbish

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2 people found this helpful