Amy, My Daughter audiobook

I had a lot of preconceptions before buying this book; none of them were true. I thought Mitch Winehouse must have been a neglectful parent, ignorant of his daughter's addiction. I thought Amy Winehouse went on a downward spiral with little if any progress toward recovery. After reading the length to which Mitch Winehouse went, and the dedication he had time and time again to rehabilitate his struggling daughter, I must admit I was very wrong. The media painted a picture of someone that many like me believed. Amy Winehouse was not a doomed Goddess who fell from glory; she was human. Her circumstances could have been anyone's. Yes, she had her problems, but she was at heart a generous woman with enormous talent, giving her money and time to anyone who needed it. I think many stars and celebrities could walk by someone struggling and put it out of their mind, but not Amy. Mitch tells a story of her seeing a sick man on vacation and not just giving him money or food but physically taking him to the hospital and paying his bill. That's something almost unheard of anymore. We fear each other, say we're busy and forget people struggle, but not Amy. This was not even the most incredible part of her journey: she did kick the drug addiction, contrary to popular belief. Amy Winehouse went three years without drugs. It was the alcohol that killed her. But, it is telling. Amy was not weak; she was strong. I only wish she had been strong enough.On the whole, I find this book very significant. I recommend it highly. If you or someone you know is going through the hell of addiction Mitch Winehouse's story will guide and comfort you. But, more importantly, the proceeds go to Charity. If you did not like Amy, the story is still worth learning from and you will help those struggling through the Amy Winehouse foundation with your purchase.

4 Stars for Amy, My Daughter (audiobook) by Mitch Winehouse read by Rupert Farley and the author. I’ve had to wait a long time before I was ready to hear this story. I actually checked out this book earlier in the year and returned it because I wasn’t ready yet. Her story is so much harder to hear when you already know the ending. Amy Winehouse had an amazing voice and style. I really didn’t follow the gossip about her but, listening to her lyrics, it would be hard to miss that she was troubled. This had to be a very hard book for her father to write. He definitely used it to help and try to set the record straight. It was good to hear to what lengths he and others would go to try and save her. I think it will be a while before I’m ready to listen to her music again.

I rarely tend to seek out biographies, however in the past years I've become borderline obsessed with this voice -- this voice that was/is capable of breaking any emotionally stable person down within seconds. Never do I follow those in the entertainment industry, but I became so mesmerized with, not only the voice of this angel, but ,also, the punch-in-your-face of raw, beautiful--yet, sometimes ugly--emotions she revealed and shared with the world through her amazing gift of a voice. Was she considered the best singer in the world based on conventional standards? Probably not, but the gut-wrenching candidness of her emotions in combination with a very distinctive voice is one that will continue to haunt many of us for years to come. This story is narrated simply, yet powerfully, through Amy's father. It's told in, pretty much, chronological order, starting from her childhood, living through moments up until after her death. Of course, it includes a private collection of photos and even hand-written greeting cards Amy gifted her dad with. A lovely side of her for the rest of the world to discover is that despite her being a tortured soul (cliché, I know), she really enjoyed joking around and making others laugh. This is revealed through shared anecdotes, as well as the greeting cards. Very touching. I'm still greatly disturbed by Amy's death. People come and go. It's the "cycle of life", blah, blah, blah. I understand this, but losing her was -- and will forever be -- a tremendous loss to not only the music industry, but to those of us who loved her. No, many of us didn't know her personally, but we "knew her" through her music. Definitely recommend this book, not only for AW fans, but for those who are curious to get to know the real Amy behind the ugly persona that was created by the media and the God-awful tabloid photos. You'll get to know the funny, loving, tender and naive Amy...the way that she should be known.

In Amy, My Daughter, Mitch Winehouse tells a heartbreaking story of family, fame, talent and tragedy. The book really allows you to get to know the girl behind the high beehive and the thick eyeliner.The book details the memorable moments from Amy's childhood, her constant changes of schools, her rise to stardom with Frank , her introduction to future-husband Blake Fielder-Civil and, subsequently, her introduction to Class-A drugs. And this is where the majority of the book lies... Less of a music biography and more of a story of addiction.The technical writing leaves a lot to be desired but, for the most part, this will be read by Amy's fans to get to know the girl they all felt they knew and knew they loved. As in any story of addiction, there are bright moments, and in those moments you smile and promise yourself, just as her family did, that that is what you will remember about Amy.The end of the book comes much too soon and, though you already know how it ends, it is gut-wrenching. You spend the majority of the book forgetting reality and rooting for her to overcome her demons, but she does not. Prepare yourself. This is emotional.All in all Amy, My Daughter is a quick book that all fans should read. It should also be read if you or someone you know has struggled with addiction, if you like celebrity biographies, or if you simply like stories of a family that truly always sticks together.

I have been intrigued with Amy Winehouse ever since her father talked about her generosity after she passed away last year. He was giving away Amy's belongings to fans that had thronged outside her London home after her death. He said that "Amy would want it that way." This is a heartbreaking read about Amy's life and her battle with drugs and alcohol. Told from her father's perspective, you watch him go from through hell and back trying to help her through different bouts of rehab, detoxing, hope that this time the addiction is beat for good, and then crushing despair when she falls to the chains of drugs and alcohol again.What most impresses me about this wrenching journey of Mitch Winehouse is his steadfastness and decision to never give up on his daughter no matter how many times she failed in her attempts to get clean. He was always there for her even when his heart was breaking or he could see where she was headed. His love and dedication is a real inspiration to me with my own children. Hopefully I will never have to go through the horrors of drug and alcohol abuse but his example of sticking with her in the bad times and encouraging her in hopeful times gives me a template for what to do when my children are being difficult or frustrating and I just feel like giving up on them. I know that I need to keep loving them, keep patience and keep positive. I appreciate Mr. Winehouse sharing this difficult and sad story.

I liked this story by Amy Winehouse's father, Mitch Winehouse. Even though I knew the sad outcome, it helped me get to know her, at least from her dad's perspective some, and he shared the heartbreak of loving a family member whose life is in the throes of drug and/or alcohol addiction, and how it affects the addict along with everyone around them. I feel he really wanted to show that Amy had been doing lots better before she died, and it was important to him to get that point out, which I feel he more than accomplished. It tells the story of Amy at work and at play, married and single, in love and out. Gives a much broader picture of her than most of us got from the news and makes her more real. And yet she still seems a mystery.

I absolutely loved this biography of Amy Winehouse, told by her own father. Although painfully sad, Mitch Winehouse holds nothing back about her life, especially her painful drug addiction. He poured over his frustration trying to make her better, send her to rehab, and save her from her abusive husband. He also delves fully into her childhood and schooling. She transferred schools several times and even went to an art school, both of which I can relate to. I thought it was so interesting learning about her slow and steady climb to fame. I found it really inspiring learning about her songwriting process: her songs had to mean something to her personally, and often came from tough experiences she went through. An aspiring songwriter myself, I think this is perfect if you want to really put emotion into your work. Reading the details of her drug addiction from the point of view of her father is extremely tough to read. The hardest part about it all is knowing her life inevitably comes to a tragic end. Her fathers final eulogy at the conclusion of the book is both heart- wrenching and tear- evoking, but there was a silver lining. Mitch Winehouse channeled his grief into helping create the Amy Winehouse Foundation, and all proceeds from this book attribute to that cause. The book is so interesting to read, sometimes sad, sometimes hopeful, but over all a good read. It is deeply harrowing, but one of my favorite books.

This biography, from the perspective of the subject’s father, is gut-wrenching in all of the emotional perspectives. Readers will view Amy and her father during their low and high points. Mitch Winehouse was in despair about Amy’s substance abuse and her drug- and alcohol-fueled performances in which she was booed. On the other hand, he felt immense pride in her music career, awards, and spectacular performances. Amy was a budding talent in her teens and early twenties, but when a boyfriend introduced her to hard drugs, her life changed forever. She was in and out of rehab facilities and hospitals since that point. The end chapters were hard to read. Even though she seemed to be experiencing an upswing writing new songs, looking forward to marriage, and having fewer drinking episodes, her life was tragically cut short.

I had downloaded this as an audiobook, read by Mitch, from my library. I liked Amy's music, didn't like Amy's lifestyle, but thought it would be good to see how that lifestyle may have come about.Clearly, this wasn't a book Mitch wanted to write as no parent wants to outlive their children. So I felt for him there. He starts off describing how he got the news of Amy's death and then goes back to the beginning of Amy's life.Apparently, from the time she was very little, Amy was destined to be famous. Singing anywhere and everywhere so that the most common phrase around the house was "Be quiet, Amy!". Her parents divorced but she stayed close to both, along with her brother Alex.Once we get up to the point of Frank, her first album, things start rolling, mostly drink and pot. I had no idea of Amy's stage fright. I've watched many a Youtube video of her performing and, the drunken years notwithstanding, she seemed pretty good. Amy meets Blake and anyone who could read remembers the tabloids about those two. Blake got Amy started on drugs - yes, it was her choice to take them, but also remember that addiction is an illness and some people are more susceptible to addiction. Things went downhill quickly once crack cocaine and heroin were introduced.Back to Black, Blake in prison, kicking drugs, becoming an alcoholic, attempting to kick alcoholism... Amy had lived a tremendous amount in her 27 years. The above are just facts. Listening to Mitch Winehouse tell the stories is emotional. It's a rollercoaster ride that people who love someone who is an addict have to ride. For Mitch, it didn't seem that he had any intention of getting off that ride. He was 100% alongside Amy. Based on this book, which naturally is just Mitch's side, I want to say SHUSH to all those people who wonder why her parents didn't do anything. They did, but if the addict doesn't want to quit, they won't. That is a sad fact and Amy's family learned it the hard way.I love Amy's voice and crank up the stereo when her songs come on. She could have been so much more ....Her family set up The Amy Winehouse Foundation. Proceeds from the book go to that to help other kids with addictions.

Amy, My Daughter by Mitch Winehouse was my choice for the "Read a Biography" category in the 2016 Read Harder Challenge by Book Riot."I love to live and I live to love"Most people know Amy Winehouse for two things, 1) her incredible voice, and 2) her problems with addiction. Amy, My Daughter delves a little deeper. Yes, we are familiar with the crazy pictures posted all over the media with equally crazy stories, but in this book Mitch provides the true story behind those pictures. While the true story isn't always much better, you begin to understand her better. Here is what I can add to the list of things I know about Amy Winehouse after reading this book 3) family was very important to her 4) she was extremely charming and generous 5) she wrote all of her songs. This book adds more dimension to her and her life. As a huge fan of her music, I found the tidbits about where she created the musicand who/what scenario in her life it was about fascinating and I was really glad Mitch included them sprinkled throughout the book.The several chapters about Amy's addiction to Class A drugs and alcohol started to make my head spin, so I can only imagine what she and her family went through on her very long and often tumultuous road to recovery. The most heartbreaking part is that she was finally getting better and things were looking up when she passed. Of course I knew this from media coverage, but to read it from her father's perspective makes it all the more real and tragic. I know there is the possibility that Mitch wrote this book with a biased opinion toward his part in Amy's life, but I do feel his words were genuine. I also really liked that proceeds from the book are not going straight to him but rather to the Amy Winehouse foundation that he created for under-privileged kids after the passing of his daughter, in her honor. Amy, My Daughter by Mitch Winehouse, 3.5/5 stars.

The only song I know of Amy's is "Rehab", which I like. I like reading bios/autobios and I thought hers would be an interesting story ... and it was. This book is written by her dad, Mitch, and tells the story of Amy's life from her birth to her death at age 27 in 2011. I enjoyed the writing style. There was a lot of detail but I didn't find it was too much information. I thought it was written in an honest manner and it must have been hard for the author to tell his story. Her dad did so much to control her life, trying to save her from her dependency on drugs, booze and her ex-husband, Blake (who sounds like a jerk). As I was reading this book, I wondered if there comes a point where a parent eventually steps back and lets their child take responsibility for their actions. As a parent, that would be a hard decision to make knowing it could end badly. As exasperated and pissed off as Mitch was at times with Amy, he never gave up on her.There were times when I liked Amy and times when I didn't. She would be very generous and a loving daughter. But she was also selfish and self-centred even when she wasn't on drugs or booze. She was an adult and though people called her on her actions, it wasn't enough to make her stop acting like a spoiled brat.Mitch is donating all his proceeds as author of this book to the Amy Winehouse Foundation, which her family has established. The Foundation works to prevent the effects of drug and alcohol misuse on young people. They also aim to support, inform and inspire vulnerable and disadvantaged young people to help them reach their full potential.Blog review post: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2013/07...

I'm going to preface this review by saying I'm a devoted Amy Winehouse fan, so therefore, bias is inevitable in this review.I really enjoyed this book, however, I found it saddened me greatly to watch the downfall and turbulent recovery of Amy, and ultimately her demise. The book is obviously written by her father, who shared a very close relationship with Amy, and it's exhausting and heartbreaking to see her struggles through his eyes. Throughout the book I found myself becoming frustrated with Amy's behavior and wishing that her family had have been much tougher on her and locked her in Rehab. But, I've never had to deal with someone with addiction and by the end of it I came to understand that locking someone away was no use, they needed to have the drive to quit if anything was going to work.Undoubtedly, there is a certain degree of bias in the book, being that it was written by her father, but I feel glad for their family that they had an opportunity to air the truth, seen as though when Amy was alive a lot of scandalous lies were published about her in publications such as The News of the World.I'll never be able to listen to her music the same way, I've come out of this book with an understanding of the deeply personal nature of her songs. But, I'll never stop listening. As a singer myself, and a lover of blues, jazz, soul and Motown, I can honestly say that she was the most naturally talented singer of this century, and her voice was unique. I was devastated the day she died, cried when I finished this book, and I will be eternally disappointed that there is no more music from her.RIP Amy.