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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 (281 ratings)
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Robin cover art

Robin

By: Dave Itzkoff
Narrated by: Fred Berman
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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

What listeners say about Robin

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

A fitting biography for a tortured genius

I have been waiting for a decent biography of the beloved Robin Williams and this book is superb. The narration is excellent. I have read some reviews where some have said that the book is to long and detailed.. It is long and it its detailed, But this amount of details is necessary to to tell the story of a genius who was troubled insecure and many other facets which are described in this book. The research is impeccable as many close family and friends give the reader an amazing insight not just into the comedian/actor that we think we know but also the complex private man drawn from amazing interviews.

I came away with the notion of being thankful that for a time i frequented the same plant as this fireball of energy the likes of which we will never see again the later chapters as he got ill and his struggles with dealing with failing health are hard to hear but ultimately this again is necessary to aid in understanding exaclyt what was going on at that time.
There are many surprises and many comedic moments which will leave you laughing out loud. In short I already loved Robin Williams but after reading this book i now have a new found love which is now coupled with respect for both the actor/comedian and the man.

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13 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Essentially perfect

Beautifully written, utterly heartbreaking, incredibly insightful. Strongly recommend to any fan or admirer of the great man.

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7 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Detailed and interesting

I thoroughly enjoyed this detailed account of this unique individual who seemingly was as flawed as he was talented . Though in a different genre from Freddie Mercury there are many similarities in the charismatic sensory tsunami each flooded any environment they inhabited with vast influence and intense interest. Both are reported as being relatively shy in their personal lives.
This account of Robin probably needs addressing at least a couple of times by normal individuals such as I or even more due to its intense detail. It renewed my interest enough to revisit some of his films and presentations. The material from this book enhanced my enjoyment and profound sadness evoked by these.

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4 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Very emotional

This book was a very emotional read for me as Robhin Williams was my hero in the comdey world I feel they cover his life really well in this book I feel like they have done him justice and I have come way from reading this book thinking that he has lived a real exciting life on and of the screen I have grown up watching Robin Williams in meny films and stand up old and new if you want to know what kinda of person he was and is this book will give you an insight to his life and genuines comic mind he was truly one of kind and still missed today this today and at the end the way the author talked about was a very touching and a nice way to finish

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3 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Enjoyed this but not as much as I expected

Enjoyed this book but possibly not as much as I expected.

Pretty in depth and therefore a little bit of a long haul to the end but can't really fault the narrator or the content. Just it didn't really hook me like other books have.

An interesting and in depth insight into the life and man who was Robin Williams and whilst I don't regret the credit or the time spent, just wasn't a 5 star book for me.

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2 people found this helpful

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    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 biography of a great man

Very well put together so pleased to hear a true appraisal of his life hope more people listen to this book

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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fab insight into one of my favourite comedians

awesome insight into a much loved comedian. It was a well read interesting book recommended for anyone who knew the iconic Robin Williams my love and respect to Robin's family Sadly missed RIP Robin

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic audiobook

Absolutely amazing audiobook describing Robin Williams life. A credit to a great actor, comedian & person.

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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A gifted Man , and a deeply troubled Man

A wonderful read, it's just a pitty he didn't allow himself the time to sit and enjoy his fortune, not just his wealth in money but his wealth in his family and good friends, and exactly what he had achieved in his career. Which was more than great.

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1 person found this helpful

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Touching

It was a very good book. Hearing the journey Robin went through, his self doubt, His struggles.

A great read. Narattor impersonated snippets of his stand up routine well. I cannot wait till this book gets copyright licences to use the actual snippets of shows.

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1 person found this helpful