James Patterson by James Patterson: The Stories of My Life

by James Patterson

Overview

Notes From Your Bookseller

Pull up a chair to this kitchen table conversation of a book, a fantastically fun, lively life story of the man who has authored over 200 books — arguably a work for every reader of every age. What shines through is James Patterson’s heart, humor, wonder, and unabashed embrace of everything books — readers, writers, booksellers and librarians.

“It's quite a life, Patterson's, and this fizzing, funny, often deeply moving memoir is a perfect way to understand the dizzying world of a best-selling writer." —Daily Mail 

“Damn near addictive. I loved it . . . that Patterson guy can write!” –Ron Howard

THE INSTANT #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER—How did a kid whose dad lived in the poorhouse become the most successful storyteller in the world?

• On the morning he was born, he nearly died.
• His dad grew up in the Pogey– the Newburgh, New York, poorhouse.
• He worked at a mental hospital in Massachusetts, where he met the singer James Taylor and the poet Robert Lowell.  
• While he toiled in advertising hell, James wrote the ad jingle line “I’m a Toys ‘R’ Us Kid.”
• He once watched James Baldwin and Norman Mailer square off to trade punches at a party.
• He’s only been in love twice.  Both times are amazing.
• Dolly Parton once sang “Happy Birthday” to James over the phone.  She calls him J.J., for Jimmy James. 

How did a boy from small-town New York become the world’s most successful writer? How does he do it? He has always wanted to write the kind of novel that would be read and reread so many times that the binding breaks and the book literally falls apart. As he says, “I’m still working on that one.” 
 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781538709719
Publisher:	Little, Brown and Company
Publication date:	04/23/2024
Pages:	400
Product dimensions:	4.15(w) x 7.45(h) x (d)

About the Author

James Patterson is the world's bestselling author. The creator of Alex Cross, he has produced more enduring fictional heroes than any other novelist alive. He lives in Florida with his family.

Hometown:

Palm Beach, Florida

Date of Birth:

March 22, 1947

Place of Birth:

Newburgh, New York

Education:

B.A., Manhattan College, 1969; M.A., Vanderbilt University, 1971

Website:

http://www.jamespatterson.com

Editorial Reviews

One of the greatest storytellers of all time, Patterson has led an amazing life. James Patterson By James Patterson brings to mind Hemingway’s A Moveable Feast. I love the pithy, bright anecdotes, and at times his poignant narrative will bring you to tears.”—New York Times bestselling author Patricia Cornwell

“The book was damn near addictive. I loved it. Patterson recounts turning points and life-shaping lessons in short, riveting bursts that inform, entertain, and satisfy—then propel you into the next story.  That Patterson guy can write!” —Ron Howard

“James Patterson does it again. The master storyteller of our times takes us on a funny, poignant, and ultimately triumphant journey through his own life. If you are among the many millions of us who enjoy reading Patterson’s books, or if you haven’t discovered him yet, you’ll love reading this one too.”—Hillary Rodham Clinton

“I felt I was interviewing James Patterson under the highest permissible dose of sodium pentothal, the truth serum, for hours—and he spilled the whole story of his truly astonishing life and experiences and the absolute unlikelihood that he would become the best-selling fiction author of all time.”—Bob Woodward

From the Publisher

This memoir, narrated by the bestselling author, recounts his education, experience writing ad copy, and struggle to find his narrative voice. His first wife died, but he and his second wife are incredibly happy. He’s a father who loves his son. He talks about—no, reads about—how many presidents he has played golf with (4) and how many holes in one he’s had (6). His voice is both friendly and engaging—this audiobook is like talking with an old friend on the back porch with a couple of tumblers of bourbon. Anecdotes, yeah, he’s got plenty. Still, the parts of his story about his struggles to get published should encourage any writer. You’ll like James Patterson the person as much as you like James Patterson the novelist. R.O. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine

MAY 2022 - AudioFile

This memoir, narrated by the bestselling author, recounts his education, experience writing ad copy, and struggle to find his narrative voice. His first wife died, but he and his second wife are incredibly happy. He’s a father who loves his son. He talks about—no, reads about—how many presidents he has played golf with (4) and how many holes in one he’s had (6). His voice is both friendly and engaging—this audiobook is like talking with an old friend on the back porch with a couple of tumblers of bourbon. Anecdotes, yeah, he’s got plenty. Still, the parts of his story about his struggles to get published should encourage any writer. You’ll like James Patterson the person as much as you like James Patterson the novelist. R.O. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine

MAY 2022 - AudioFile

2022-03-08
One of the bestselling authors of all time celebrates his life and career.

Publishing juggernaut Patterson offers an upbeat, lighthearted view of his happy and productive life to answer two important questions: “How did a shy, introspective kid from a struggling upstate New York river town who didn’t have a lot of guidance or role models go on to become, at thirty-eight, CEO of the advertising agency J. Walter Thompson North America? How did this same person become the bestselling writer in the world?” In short, punchy chapters, the author sketches his childhood in Newburgh, New York, where he went to Catholic schools, took piano lessons from an elderly nun, played sports, and eagerly accompanied his grandfather on early-hour runs delivering frozen foods and ice cream. After graduating from Manhattan College, Patterson got a full fellowship to a doctoral program at Vanderbilt but left after a year for two reasons: Staying would have thrown him back into the Vietnam draft lottery, and he didn’t see his future in academia. From an entry-level job as a copywriter at Thompson New York, Patterson rose to become creative director and, by the late 1980s, CEO. He fashions sprightly anecdotes of his work among the mad men of the advertising world. At the same time, he was writing at least two bestselling novels per year. In 1996, he quit to write full time. Patterson’s prolific output includes several mystery series, children’s books, romance novels, and nonfiction, sometimes co-authored: Dolly Parton (“down-to-earth, genuine, thoughtful, smart as a whip, funny, and self-deprecating”) and Bill Clinton are among his collaborators. Along the way, he’s met scores of famous people whose names drop like ripe apples: Tom Cruise, Warren Beatty, Idris Elba, George and Barbara Bush, and Clint Eastwood, among others. He and his wife have become literacy advocates, donating books and money to schools and libraries. A list of beloved titles appends the memoir.

A brisk, entertaining read.

Kirkus Reviews