Sinatra
by Richard Havers

your average music biography, the wealth of detail and volume of photographs crammed on every page makes Richard Havers’ account of Sinatra’s life extremely comprehensive. Packed with anecdotes, personal history, career events, love affairs and everything in between, the amount of information would be overwhelming were it not for the presentation. The layout ensures the book is a pleasure to read and can be dipped into at any point, since the chapters can be read separately or as individual articles. Leafing through really gives you a sense of the man himself, even if it’s surrounded by conflicting accounts of his personality and lifestyle. Havers explains that myth played a strong role in Sinatra’s life and, indeed, that these myths were largely self-made, juxtaposing fiction with the testimonies of those who knew him. Exploring Frank’s family roots in Italy, focusing on his upbringing as part of the immigrant community in 20s New Jersey and continuing through almost every aspect of his life, until his death in 1998, this is an excellent compendium-like account.