Sinatra. Just say his last name to someone, and they’ll know who you’re referring to. He’s a music icon, a legend, and an unforgettable part of American history and culture. Even if you aren’t a fan of Frank Sinatra, you’ve heard at least one of his songs used or referenced in other media. And while his catalog of memorable music is vast, there were many sides to this flawed and volatile man that many may not know.
In Frank: The Voice by James Kaplan, we’re given a comprehensive, warts-and-all account of Frank Sinatra’s life. The author does a superb job of chronicling the singer’s personal life, career ups and downs, run-ins with the law, and shady associations that resulted in more than a few FBI inquiries over the decades. This comprehensive approach ensures that no aspect of Sinatra’s life is left unexplored, leaving the reader feeling fully satisfied with their understanding of the man.
The beauty of exploring the life of someone like Frank Sinatra is that dozens, if not hundreds, of people have interacted with and written about their encounters with him. This means almost unlimited resources exist to glean information and verify the truth about events involving the singer.
Kaplan presents an exhaustive and unbiased record of Sinatra’s life, respecting the reader’s intelligence and allowing them to interpret and craft their conclusions about the man under the microscope. This lack of bias is refreshing in a biography and allows the reader to form their own opinions about the complex figure of Frank Sinatra.
I also appreciate that those surrounding Sinatra get their time in the spotlight, with mini-biographical sketches added to give the reader greater depth and meaning regarding their relationships and associations with the singer. It’s always fun to learn trivia about someone you know (like Bing Crosby enjoyed smoking marijuana occasionally. Who knew?).
The 718-page tome is only half the story. Kaplan’s follow-up, Sinatra: The Chairman, continues the fascinating exploration of one of the 20th-century’s most iconic voices and talents.
Frank: The Voice by James Kaplan is a must-read for those interested in Frank Sinatra’s life and legacy, classic Hollywood history, and music history.
I wholeheartedly recommend Frank: The Voice by James Kaplan!