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  • Robin

  • The Definitive Biography of Robin Williams
  • By: Dave Itzkoff
  • Narrated by: Fred Berman
  • Length: 16 hrs and 15 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (122 ratings)

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Robin

By: Dave Itzkoff
Narrated by: Fred Berman
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Publisher's Summary

'This well-written page-turner is the definitive biography of the genius of Robin Williams, whose life redefines the highs and lows of the American dream' - Steve Martin

From his rapid-fire stand-up comedy riffs to his breakout role in Mork & Mindy and his Academy Award-winning performance in Good Will Hunting, Robin Williams was a singularly innovative and beloved entertainer. He often came across as a man possessed, holding forth on culture and politics while mixing in personal revelations – all with mercurial, tongue-twisting intensity as he inhabited and shed one character after another with lightning speed.

But as Dave Itzkoff shows in this revelatory biography, Williams’s comic brilliance masked a deep well of conflicting emotions and self-doubt, which he drew upon in his comedy and in celebrated films like Dead Poets Society; Good Morning, Vietnam; The Fisher King; Aladdin; and Mrs Doubtfire, where he showcased his limitless gift for improvisation to bring to life a wide range of characters. And in Good Will Hunting he gave an intense and controlled performance that revealed the true range of his talent.

Robin by Dave Itzkoff shows how Williams struggled mightily with addiction and depression – topics he discussed openly while performing and during interviews – and with a debilitating condition at the end of his life that affected him in ways his fans never knew. Drawing on more than a hundred original interviews with family, friends and colleagues, as well as extensive archival research, Robin is a fresh and original look at a man whose work touched so many lives.

©2018 Dave Itzkoff (P)2018 Macmillan Digital Audio

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What listeners say about Robin

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Not quite as 'personal' as I would've liked...

As a great admirer of Robin Williams' 'work' I'd have liked more insight into the man...

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

a great read

I really enjoyed this book and the glimpse of Robin and his life. I was a child when I first watch Robin perform and have always loved his works it was nice to understand a little more about how his life ended so abruptly. I think I will have to watch a few of his lesser-known works particularly the ones critics didn't like to judge them for myself.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

A must read for William's Aficionados.

I was not entirely sure about this biography at the beginning because Williams was portrayed in a way to which I had not previously had insight. This was not initially helped by Berman's narration. However, as the biography progressed I gained a new understanding of this extraordinary man. Berman then excelled as his characterisations of Robin progressed. His enormous number of friends/associates, his family, his loves and weaknesses, his loneliness, his lack of self-confidence, only excelled by his need to be better and a great comedian. His tragic end and the real story that happened behind that one many imagined and its cause for me added particular meaning (as a doctor). Williams was a most unusual, and immensely talented individual. Like all special people, they are complex, sometimes hypocritical but this man, loved by so many, was his own tragedy. He will be remembered as a one-off. A great comedian not yet to be outdone. This book allows us more insight into what this man was really like. For those who like Williams, this is an important book.

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4 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Beautiful

Loved it. To hear a more in depth portrayal on the fantastic human being of Robin William's it really pulled a few strings on my favourite childhood and adulthood comedian. Worth a listen to see the man behind the comical genius. I miss his beautiful heart soul and laughter. brilliant an absolutely brilliant man.

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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  • Lee
  • 19-02-2019

Excellent reading, and a touching story.

Got me through some tougher times in life and brought me back to the good old days of Robin, What a concept.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Robin

This is a remarkable book which I was enthralled with from the beginning. Fred Birman was simply brilliant with his pitch perfect narration. RIP Robin Williams.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing book that must be listened to.

A wonderfully emotionally challenging story of a great man that changed history.
It takes a journey for the listener through Robin‘s life; the highs and lows, respectfully and with the same way that Robin would have been happy. It contains the occasional profanity, yet quite an example of an impressive character’s mannerisms.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great book, in depth, well told.

A very good biography that covers so many aspects of Robin's life, I feel I know so much more about him now.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Robin Williams WOW

I learnt so much about Robin. He was a pioneer in his craft. No one could ever copy him or take his place.

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Robin

So much revealed about this truely magnificent human beings life.
A roller coaster of life’s highs and lows lived by a wonderfully unique man
May his memory be a blessing to all who loved him
RIP 🕊️ 💕

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