Tina:

Your book was so poignant. All of a sudden it didn't matter that I never got the chance to see him in concert. Seeing the humanity behind the legend was enlightening, comforting and served as the best form of closure for fans.

Keep writing,

Regards,

Hank Festa

[johnofphilly]

Tina took us through the many good times. Time and the book unfolded, and she chose her words well to unravel the events wth the startling spontaneity with which life puts a spin on us all. I think that's why many, like myself, couldn't put it down until finishing it cover to cover, like some roller coaster ride that wouldn't let go. By the same token, the facts were put forth like a straight (as opposed to feature) news cast with few charged words. The events spoke for themselves. Great writing allows the reader to draw their own conclusions.

Thank You, Tina,

For sharing Your Father's Artwork with the World in Your beautiful Tribute Book "A Man And His Art: Frank Sinatra". The Introduction is beautifully written by You, and the Paintings give greater insight to Your Dad's many faceted Genius.

For sharing Your Father's Life with the World in Your Book "My Father's Daughter". The Book is an emotional roller coaster ride. I laughed and cried as I read it. I found comfort in knowing that Your Dad and Mom were together for so long. As far as I'm concerned, Your Mom is the one, true, everlasting Mrs. Francis Albert Sinatra. And, You will "Always" be Your Father's Daughter.

For making the great Documentary Film "Frank Sinatra: The Best Is Yet To Come. Parts I And II". It is a beautiful Tribute to Your Dad.

For making a great TV Drama Miniseries about his Life "Sinatra", which won a Golden Globe for Best Miniseries, as well as nine Emmy Nominations, winning Best Director and Best Costume Design. I am so sorry that You were left wondering if he ever saw it. I know it meant so much to You to know that he did.

For Your Courage and Honesty.

For Your Devotion and Love.

For Your hard Work in making The Frank Sinatra Foundation a wonderful Organization.

For being an Animal Lover and an Animal Rights Activist.

Thank You, Tina. You are very beautiful.

[johnofphilly]

Elizabeth, I was at Border's in Chestnut Hill last night and I discovered that "My Father's Daughter" has come out in a paperback about 4" x 6" x 1".

I bought the hardback which is big and thin and good for a bookshelf or coffee table. But this little one is ideal for tote-bags and purses.

[Lourdes]

Elizabeth, I agree with all your words. You have said what I want to say and din'd have the right words. Tina, is really a very beautiful woman.

Thanks, Tina, for all you did and do for us

Lourdes

I just purchased Tina Sinatra's book "My Father's Daughter" and finished reading it. Once I started reading it, I couldn't stop. Her reflections of her father were warm, but candid. However, the second half of the book (where her father's physical deterioration was discussed) literally brought me to tears on many occasions (especially the "wheelchair story" and the trading of RN's for LPN's to save money--for those of you who haven't read the book, I won't spoil the surprise of who came up with these ideas). I also began to feel a sense of guilt since I was one of the millions of fans who wouldn't allow Frank to retire gracefully (I know now that it was selfishness on our parts, but we genuinely believed that we had the best of intentions back then). I, for one, am just grateful that the Sinatra family chose share this intimate story about their father with his adoring fans.

It's a wonderful book....I have read it about (3) times so far and it never fails to make my stomach hurt towards the end.

I think the book is a good lesson for all of us and gives us something to consider regarding our own choices later in life or if we or a loved one finds themself in need of care.

I think the book has touched many people!

Thanks

Selena

I loved Tina's book, and treasured the warm and poignant family moments which it presented. My heart ached through the turmoil of Frank's later years, ached for Frank, and Nancy Sr., and for their children. I don't think though that as fans we prevented Frank from a graceful retirement. I think he knew how much we loved him, and he responded by reaching out the way he had always reached out to those who loved him, with his precious voice.

Andrea

In Frank's later touring years, I didn't care if there was some wear and tear on the voice or that he would forget lyrics to songs (after all, I have a couple of his shows that were originally done 30 years ago where he forgot some lyrics to "Pennies From Heaven"), however, when I learned that he pushed himself so hard that oxygen was sometimes needed after the shows and he would become dizzy and disoriented, that's where I draw the line. Looking back now, it's obvious how much touring took out of him(compare his tired appearance at the 1994 Grammy's when he was ending his last tour to how healthy he looked at his 80th birthday special after he had been off the road for a year). We all know that he loved his fans and didn't want to disappoint us, but not at the expense of his health. Had I known the truth back then, I would have rather seen him retire from touring 7 years earlier than he did (and produced an occasional CD) than to ever have risked his health like he did. There was so much this multi-talented genius could have done to stay close to us that was less strenuous (ie I always hoped that he would write a book before he died where he would tell stories of his life on the road during his early years with Dorsey and James--not a biography, just anecdotes). The truely tragic part about that book is that it contained one "what if" after another. So many roads not taken.

"My Fathers Daughter" was a wonderful,poignant look at a lovely man . Even if you were not a Sinatra fan or did not know anything about him, the book would be a good read. It lets us know and makes us sad that the end may not always be pleasant.

NanceDn

I have just finished reading this book, it turns out I'm going to use it as the subject of my final paper in English class. I thought the book was wonderful, and also found myself holding back tears by the end of the book. But mainly I am angry at a certain someone towards the end, I think everyone who has read the book knows who I'm talking about. If you haven't read the book, you really should, it was really a wonderful book. Tina wrote the book with as much passion and emotion as her father sang with, at least that is how I feel.

Very, very well said Alex. Your words belong in a published book review. Perhaps you could go to amazon.com, look ip Tina's book, and write a review for amazon.com.

Andrea

Thank you Andrea, I try. lol.

I knew about My Father's Daughter. But I have to check this one out with the paintings.

Took me forever to find this book, but I finally did. I sat and read it all in one sitting.

It was a great, yet heartbreaking, book, and I wanted to thank Tina, as well as the other Sinatra children, for bringing these events to our attention. I found myself crying and reliving Frank's death all over again at the end, and was amazed (and appalled) at the conduct of Babs at the funeral (not just the funeral, though...the whole relationship basically).

I always thought that Frank had married Barbara for love and stayed with her out of his love for her...I guess there was something different to it...almost like a paid escort or something...
Dolly summed it up nicely in my opinion with her candid description!!

Thanks to all the Sinatra children, Nancy Sr., and especially to Frank himself for giving us something special and timeless.

A man of Frank's stature is as vulnerable as anyone. We all must take care to consider whose mortal hands we will be in during our last days.

For those who may not yet have read Tina's book, it has now been released in paperback, and is available on lots of paperback stands.

Andrea

Hi, Peggy!

I think all Frank Sinatra Fans will Love the Book "A MAN AND HIS ART:FRANK SINATRA" by Tina Sinatra.

The book is dedicated to Tina's Grandparents, Frank's Parents, "For Dolly and Marty". Her beautifully written Introduction includes a photograph of Frank's home art studio (it's the same photograph that appears on the cover of the book). Three of Frank's Paintings appear in the studio photograph. The Studio is neat and organized. A Director's Chair is situated in the foreground of the photograph. The chair's back is turned toward the camera. The name "Frank Sinatra" is beautifully embroidered in large, orange letters on the chair's handsome black background. A long table, neatly arranged with art supplies, is situated beneath the studio windows. Desert flowers and trees, and a clear blue desert sky are visible outside the studio windows. The floor, walls, and ceiling of the studio are white. White track lighting hangs from the ceiling. The Director's Chair, art supply tables and easels are all light oak. A blank canvas sits upon one of the easels. Jars of paint and jars of various sized paintbrushes sit upon the art supply table, ready and prepared for the Artist's Inspiration.

Tina's Introduction includes three endearing photographs of Frank with Granddaughter Amanda, who paints a canvas of her very own creation, in her Grandfather's studio, as he observes her with loving curiosity, and lends her his gentle guidance.

The Introduction is a keen and sensitive observation of Frank as a Painter. It gives insight to his awareness of light and shadow, and his sensitivity to the beauty of color. To emphasize his passion for painting as expressed in this Book, I would like to quote a short paragraph from it:

Tina writes, "Once I said to him, 'If you had to be blind or deaf, which would you take?' He said deaf. 'I would hate to live in darkness,' he said. 'I can remember what things sound like, but I would hate to have to remember a sunrise or a wave hitting the shore.' He was emphatic about it."

Photographs of his Paintings follow the Introduction.

For any Fan to ignore this Book, is to miss a very important dimension and facet of Frank Sinatra's creative Genius.

It was a great book! I read it two times. Thaks Tina for your thoughts and memories.

[Fred F]

Besides filling in the blanks for us about what Frank's last years were like, this was a book with a lesson in life for us all. As Peggy mentioned: "we all must take care whose mortal hands we will be in during our last days". It seems that FS had a choice in the mid 70's. I never knew it before I read it in this book, but it's clear that he could have reconciled with Nancy. But he was still healthy then, just turning 60, and for reasons only he knows, he chose not to get back with Nancy. Hindsight is 20/20 and it's easy to look back on that decision and call it a mistake. But we can all learn from it. It was a short-sighted decision. He wasn't thinking: "who would I be better off with when I'm older? Who can I trust to stand by me and my children? Who will take care of me if I should become incapacitated? " It's so sad that he and his family paid so dearly for that mistake.