My Father's Daughter: A Memoir

by Tina Sinatra and Jeff Coplon

Book Overview

A startling and affectionate portrait of an American entertainment legend by his youngest daughter, who writes about the man and his life, and about the many people who surrounded him - wives, friends, lovers, users and sycophants.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0684870762
• ISBN13: 9780684870762
• Release Date: October 2000
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 1.34 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.4" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

Two Good Books for the Price of One

This book is divided into basically two segments: Part I focuses on Tina's relationship with FAS, although much of the other details of Mr. Sinatra's life are also incorporated here. This part is very interesting, even if it were not about Sinatra. It is mostly about being in a family, what is a good parent, etc. - and virtually anyone would relate to at least parts of it.Part II is almost exclusively about FAS's fourth wife - Barbara. While its true that there are two sides to every story, and it would be interesting to hear Barbara Sinatra's point of view on the various incidents described in here - Tina's story comes across as very credible. Among other things, this credibility comes from the fact that she does not paint the relationship between her father and Barbara as all black and white, nor good versus evil. A short but telling passage in the book is Tina's description of FAS lambasting Barbara for offering her opinion during a dinner table political discussion with his cronies. FAS comes across as nothing short of misogynist and mean in this episode - and Tina's primary criticism of Barbara in it is her amazement that she would put up with such a man. Tina makes it clear that she thinks Barbara married her father for money and power, but she also makes it clear that FAS knew exactly what he was getting into. In fact, the most disturbing character in the latter part of the book is not Barbara, but FAS . Tina does not paint a picture her of a man who does things "his way", but rather of a tired, depressed and scared man who is too emotionally week to protect the people he cares about most in the world. One other point of interest in this book was some clarification of FAS's decline in latter years. Anyone who saw him in concert in the late 80's or early to mid-90's, or who saw his rambling speech at the Grammy's, knows there was something wrong with him, i.e., he was apparently suffering from Alzheimer disease or some other form of dementia in his latter years. His latter concerts were sometimes painful to watch - seeing a man struggle to remember lyrics to songs he'd been singing for half a century. I could never understand why his family did not put a stop these painful performances, nor why they permitted those awful "Duets" albums to be produced. Nancy Sinatra's two books on their father white-washed FAS's mental decline (as she did many other things, such as the mob connections which are clearly acknowledged here. One wonders how Nancy felt about her little sister's book, given that she herself denied so much of what is acknowledged here ). In any case, Tina hit this and other issues it straight on, and so helps clarify what was happening, and why the family did not stop him earlier. Despite his flaws - it remains true that one hundred years from now, when M & M is again only known as a kind of candy, and even people like Madonna, and whoever else is the flavor of the day has been long forgotten, people will still b

What you really wanted to know about Frank - from Tina

Great performers are human beings with problems just like the rest of us. The sadness of man's inhumanity to man emerges from this book as Frank's power, influence, drive, enthusiasm and desires became the victim of greed and deceit by others as he stuggled to do what we are all trying to do, build a life that would work for him. There seemd to be no sense of value to his existence in his later years beyond his material worth. His treatment in later years by others was a source of great pain for his children - as it will be for you after you read the book.I was deeply saddened by the book. I believe that anyone respectful of Frank for whoever he might be (because of his talent) would be so saddened. So few knew him personally. I felt like I drove to the hospital and walked in with Tina on the night Frank died. I felt as though I knelt with her next to him. The visuals from the book are stunning and real - very well done.Frank left everything with us -his music and films are the product of a lifetime of professional dedication and hard work- he took nothing more to his grave than any of us will. Let this book fill in some of the all imporatant gaps in this important life and bring you closer to Frank than you could imagine.The books seems real enough, written by Tina Sinatra, and although Barbara does dispute the content, she would be difficult to believe over this beautifully written piece. Buy it.Thanks again Frank, rest in peace.

Stepmom Dearest.Get it all out Tina

I'm glad Tina Sinatra wrote this book about her late Father,and got the truth out about her money hungrey Stepmom Barbra,who wanted to get all she could for herself and son Bobby before Frank died.Its sad to think about the last days of Frank Sinatra.His kids were not even alerted that there Father was dying in the hospital.There was plenty of time ,but Barbra chose not to call the family untill Frank was already gone.I know there's two sides to every story,but I believe Tina. The pictures in this book are wonderfull.The last photo of Frank was sad.You realize how sick he was at the end,but what a great life he had.Tina writes about her Father's on going relationship with her Mom,Nancy,and her love for Ava Gardner and Mia Farrow.Also,Tina is the first family member to admit her father consorted with gangsters,like Sam Giancana,to help JFK nail the 1960 election.After reading all the other books about the late Frank Sinatra,its wonderfull to finally read the truth.

Most talented singer of all time... life wasn't always sunny

Frank Sinatra was always a father. His wives walked through his life but his children and thier mother were always first in his heart.Tina, FS's youngest child, has recounted her father's life for all to read. She tells of her concern and sister, Nancy's for the care her father was given during the last year and a half of his life. Sinatra's mind was dulled by use of antidepressants and pain pills. Tina felt these drugs were given to her father to keep him a placid and calm frame of mind. Sinatra's youngest let's the chips fall where they may in regard to her father's last marriage to Barbara. Accorinding to the author Barbara ditched her husband Zeppo Marx in order to be with Sinatra. During his last days Barbara kept Frank worried about money enough for him to continue to perform past his prime. His fear of not leaving his family provided for was the reason he had to continue to entertain even though he was forgetting the words and being ridiculed by the press. It seems like Tina is a chip off the old block, and not afraid to call them as she sees them. All Sinatra devotees should make this a must read.