From the Publisher
"Even if readers have never seen a single episode of the show that made his career, Selleck’s style entertains, edifies, and effectively bridges the bookends of his career. Selleck has a knack for maintaining interest in the nuts and bolts of writing and producing Magnum, his own thoughts and actions in the evolution of the character and the show itself, and the difficult decisions he made along the way. Those in search of salacious confessions or anecdotes should look elsewheretext is like the man himself: witty, charming, and honest... A celebrity memoir worth reading." — Kirkus Reviews
“Selleck’s earnestness and self-deprecating folksy style will satisfy celebrity watchers, especially Magnum, P.I. and Blue Bloods fans." — Library Journal
“A candid memoir. Fans of the iconic actor, will revel in his warmth, integrity, humor, and charm. Selleck is a TV star who keeps on shining, and his countless fans will be thrilled to be able to spend more time with him.” — Booklist
Library Journal
04/19/2024
Selleck was a basketball-playing college senior at University of Southern California when, on a lark, he went on The Dating Game. That appearance led to his meeting 20th Century Fox president Richard Zanuck and being invited into the Fox New Talent Program. His first job there was posing with a naked Barbara Parkins for Valley of the Dolls promo art. The actor's memoir primarily concentrates on a play-by-play of his career. He notes that he'd never had an interest in acting before, but he scored a part as Stud #4 in Myra Breckenridge opposite Mae West and escorted her to the premiere. He describes a rocky road before he landed the lead in Magnum, P.I.; he toiled for years doing commercials and small parts on TV and in B movies and making TV pilots that never sold. Some readers may be surprised to learn that he nearly played Indiana Jones. He patently refuses to share personal details, but there are plenty of Hollywood anecdotes. VERDICT The lack of juicy personal information may disappoint celebrity gossip mavens, but Selleck's earnestness and self-deprecating folksy style will satisfy celebrity watchers, especially Magnum, P.I. and Blue Bloods fans.—Rosellen "Rosy" Brewer
Kirkus Reviews
2024-04-18
The beloved actor shares his splendid life and career.
In this well-written memoir, co-authored by Henican, Selleck (b. 1945) tracks an ascent in the entertainment industry that largely began in the late 1960s at the program for new talent at Fox and was solidified by his role as the star of the hit TV series Magnum P.I. The book is often Magnum-heavy, which at first blush may be a turnoff for readers more familiar with his later films, memorable guest role on Friends, or starring role in Blue Bloods. Yet even if readers have never seen a single episode of the show that made his career, the author’s style entertains, edifies, and effectively bridges the bookends of his career. Selleck has a knack for maintaining interest in the nuts and bolts of writing and producing Magnum, his own thoughts and actions in the evolution of the character and the show itself, and the difficult decisions he made along the way. As is the case with any celebrity memoir, there are numerous stories about famous people with whom Selleck has worked and known. However, the author, with the blue-collar mentality to which he often alludes by employing the phrase "laying bricks,” mostly focuses on the actual work of the brightest of stars, such as Frank Sinatra and Carol Burnett on Magnum, as well as the direction of Leonard Nimoy in Three Men and a Baby. Those in search of salacious confessions or anecdotes should look elsewhere. Selleck neither avoids difficult topics such as his first marriage, nor stints on details about meeting and marrying the accomplished dancer and actor Jillie Mack. He does so in the elegant fashion that he exudes on screen. Unless the author is a master of deception, the text is like the man himself: witty, charming, and honest.
A celebrity memoir worth reading.