Frank Sinatra - by Harvey Kaplan (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

When we refer to Sinatra as a narcissist, we mean that he felt like someone who was superior, deserving special treatment and who required excessive admiration. In addition, he tended to be oblivious to the feelings of others and had a strong sense of entitlement. A narcissistic label can be attributed to many people but it would be preferable to be seen as a personality type that can be either productive or unproductive. The productive ones are those who are driven to live up to their potential. They want to change the world or in Sinatra's case they want to change the landscape of popular singing.

He was driven to follow his own drummer and Sinatra, the narcissist trained himself from an early age to block out other voices, other opinions, so one of the few voices he trusted was his own. I use the term 'productive' to indicate that he was able to use his powers and to realize the abilities inherent in him. It was his productiveness that pushed him to live up to his potential. He was an independent thinker who acted out of freedom, even when it meant taking big risks. And he was motivated by a vision of bringing something novel into the performance of popular singing. He used everything he could, including the preeminent composers, lyricists and arrangers to implement his vision, learning as much as possible along the way. He knew exactly who was with him and who was against him.

He was passionately engaged in a mission and in turn, engaged others. Vision is the key to understanding the productive narcissist. Once Sinatra found his purpose, it crystallized his strengths. His passion flared up, bringing his talents and skills to life. He went after his vision with an overabundance of energy and determination. Nothing could stand in his way. He also had an undeniable emotional pull on others. The world was fascinated with his life and he was seen as a big charmer. Someone who could set the world on fire. This is the part that would characterize him as a "swinging narcissist." There was such an excitement and vibrancy about his life and in turn he was so captivating and fascinating.

Review Quotes

There have been lots of books about Frank Sinatra: books about his movies, books about his music and way too many books about his private life, his marriages and other associations, both political and personal. But Dr. Harvey Kaplan has now written a Sinatra book that you've never read before: a study of Sinatra's personality, and how his psychological make-up impacted upon his singing and his career. I found it a fascinating read and I learned a lot about Sinatra that I never knew before.

Will Friedwald writes about music and popular culture for THE WALL STREET JOURNAL & VANITY FAIR (and reviews current shows for THE OBSERVER and Citiview) ). He also is the author of eight books including the award-winning A BIOGRAPHICAL GUIDE TO THE GREAT JAZZ AND POP SINGERS, SINATRA: THE SONG IS YOU, STARDUST MELODIES, TONY BENNETT: THE GOOD LIFE, LOONEY TUNES & MERRIE MELODIES, and JAZZ SINGING.

This is a presentation at its very best - the story of a fascinating character brought to life as never before through a probing analysis and penetrating insights. It is a terrific book where the reader is left to ponder many questions of what really created Sinatra's success.

David Lewis: Musical Director, Arranger and Composer

Kaplan does a nimble, brightly evocative job of tracing the development of Sinatra and the ingredients that went into the legend itself. He gets into the stuff that formed the basis of Sinatra's greatness and his soaring success.

Elliot Ames: Music-Cabaret Host, Journalist, Radio Broadcaster

We have an analysis of Sinatra worthy of the man...a pop innovator whose influence remains incalculable, whose art remains undiminished. Kaplan tells the story with the authority of a psychologist who inhabits his subject from deep inside.

Cary Hoffman: Singer and Producer of My Sinatra