Completely Frank: The Life of Frank Sinatra

Frank Sinatra's career began in the 1940s when he arguably became America's first real pop phenomenon. He matured into one of the greatest performers and singers of his generation. Now approaching 80-years-old, his personal interpretation of popular classics still attracts vast audiences worldwide. This book looks back at Sinatra's career, at the top of two professions, spanning over half a century. His film career embraces both serious drama - "From Here to Eternity", "The Manchurian Candidate", "The Man with the Golden Arm" - and classic musical comedies such as "Guys and Dolls", but his music has always been his priority. Sinatra rose from his Italian immigrant beginnings. He was washed up in the early 1950s, and the loser in a turbulent love affair with actress Ava Gardner and in his long-running feud with the press. He is a contradictory character: an angel-faced bobby soxer idol with mob connections; one of the first celebrities to be denounced as a communist during the McCarthy era but one of Reagan's most loyal supporters some 20 years later; an actor with little respect for film but the winner of two Academy Awards; and a singer celebrated for his sensitivity, with the reputation of a common thug.