Heart Full of Soul: An Inspirational Memoir About Finding Your Voice and Finding Your Way by Taylor Hicks Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Heart Full of Soul: An Inspirational Memoir About Finding Your Voice and Finding Your Way
Book Review: A Good Read
Summary: 5 Stars
I read Heart Full of Soul in one night. It was an easy read, very enjoyable. I liked the use of the song titles to define the chapters.The last chapter was very inspirational, and contained life lessons that would benefit everyone. I liked the theme running throughout the book encouraging people to follow their passion against all odds and never give up. Even though there were a few off color words here and there, I gave it to my 12 year old granddaughter to read because I thought the message was a good one for young people and she also enjoyed it very much. It seems Taylor Hicks was a man driven by his passion for music and now he is finally reaping the rewards of his efforts. Book Review: Heart Full of Soul: A great read
Summary: 4 Stars
Taylor Hicks is a hard-working, multi-talented singer and songwriter. His book chronicles his life and his 10 year struggle to make it in the music industry. He is not a writer but from this book I found that he is a story teller.
This is an honest, heartfelt, straight forward account of his life. He doesn't dish the dirt on AI and for that many have criticized him. Honestly, it's not his nature to do that. AI was a big boost to his career and although he skimmed over what happened behind the scenes well, that was how he chose to write this section of the book. He would have sold more books had he done it but as evidenced by his self-titled CD, Taylor Hicks, Taylor is a man who is true to himself.
This book also shows that Taylor is a complicated person. Not a goof-ball or a robot but a man who created a life for himself in his music to help overcome tragedy or adversity. It's told in a way that makes you feel that Taylor is talking right to you.
'Heart Full of Soul' is an inspirational tale that can be enjoyed by any age group. Many of his fans have purchased several copies to place in their community's library.
If this book lacks juicy details readers are craving, maybe it is because the screenwriter is saving them for the movie that I HOPE will be made from this book.
In conclusion, I think that this book is an inspiration just for the fact that Taylor wrote it with a ghost writer while on tour from the summer of '06 through his solo tour that started in February. He has said that while riding on the bus after a long day of promotional appearances, concerts, meeting fans and directing a tour, he would go to the back and work on this book. Not ideal but I think after reading it that he and his ghost writer did an awesome job.
Like everything else Taylor Hicks, you must see him live or hear him live on the CD of the abridged version of this book to truly be able to say that you do or do not like him. He puts his whole heart and soul into everything he does and this book is no exception.
I hope he writes another about his two solo tours this past year!
Book Review: An enjoyable read for any Taylor Hicks fan
Summary: 4 Stars
I'm a huge Taylor Hicks fan and have been since the moment I saw him audition on American Idol. I'm not a big reader, so this was one of the first books I've read in a long time and I actually enjoyed it. It was a pleasant, enjoyable, simple read. I would have liked to see a lot more detail because I did feel like the book was a bit "fluffy" at times. I have to agree with Matthew Moran's review below that the author really did gloss over a lot of potentially interesting things re: American Idol. If you're not a fan of American Idol though, that's water under the bridge. Generally speaking though, I think the book is appropriate for all ages and is a good example of how hard work, perserverance, and dedication at anything can pay off if you just keep at it. Book Review: fluff
Summary: 1 Stars
If you're a member of the "Soul Patrol" then chances are you already know that Taylor Hicks released his autobiography, "Heart Full of Soul," earlier this month. If not, you may already have tried to forget about the former gyrating winner of the "American Idol" contest. That victory occurred over a year ago in May of 2006, and the vacuous new story seems like just a rushed effort to extend Hicks' fifteen minutes of fame.
Ghostwritten by David Wild and subtitled "An Inspirational Memoir About Finding Your Voice and Finding Your Way," Hicks begins his tale by working through his troubled childhood, growing up in Birmingham, Alabama. From there, Hicks devotes several chapters to his extended troubles trying to "make it" as a soul singer, before salvation came in the form of "American Idol."
It isn't the story itself that's unremarkable - whatever your opinion of "Idol" its winners succeed against lottery-like odds. It's really the way it's told that damns this book. Every anecdote seems to lack detail - potentially interesting stories like Hicks' interaction with his fellow competitors get glossed over ("there were times when things would get tense with some of the other contestants, but most of the time it was all pretty cordial"). What results is really just two hundred pages of fluff.
Book Review: Way to Go Taylor
Summary: 5 Stars
I have been reading this book and listening to the Audio version. For me, the book adds the rest of the story to this guy that became music for all of us on American Idol. There was something about how he expressed, music and the he became music. Reading his story, of hardship, depression, joys, and persistance is a true inspiration. He knew he had a voice, and kept trying to get it heard. I see the hand of God for sure in his path, and there is no doubt in my eyes that he is right where he is suppose to be. Getting on American Idol because of escaping a Hurricane? I mean, that's amazing. So, it is a inspiring book of how to take everything in your life, and find the positive, and the learning those situations give you. With all Taylor went thru, he could have given up, and been discouraged forever. But, he persisted, knew what he was meant to do with his life, and we are all extremely blessed by his story, music and courage. Way to go Taylor. Your book is so you, and thanks for sharing yourself with us. Soul Patrol. Soul Patrol!