If You Would Have Told Me: A Memoir

by John Stamos Narrated by John Stamos

Overview

This program is read by the author.

“...I love him, and I respect him, and I need him. We all do.” -from the foreword, written and read by Jamie Lee Curtis

If you would have told a young John Stamos flipping burgers at his dad's fast-food joint that one day he'd be a household name and that, at the height of his success, he'd be living alone, divorced, with no kids, high on a cocktail of forgetting, he might've asked, “You want fries with that?”

John burst onto the scene in General Hospital, propelling him into the teen idol stratosphere, a place that's often a point of no return. But Stamos beat the odds and over the past four decades has proved himself to be one of his generation's most successful and beloved actors. Whether showing off his comedic chops on Full House or his dramatic skills on ER, pushing the boundaries on Broadway or living out his youthful dreams as an honorary Beach Boy, John has surprised everyone, most of all himself.

A universal story about friendship, love, loss, and the courage to embrace love once more, John Stamos's memoir is filled with some of the most memorable names in Hollywood, both old and new. Funny, deeply poignant, and brutally honest, If You Would Have Told Me is a portrait of a boy who went from believing in Disney magic to a man who learns that we have to create our own magical moments in life.

A Macmillan Audio production from Henry Holt & Company.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

An Instant New York Times Bestseller
Named a USA Today "Best Memoir to Read in 2023"

“An earnest debut memoir from the General Hospital, Full House, and ER star...Although Stamos is a legitimate celebrity himself, his memoir is a lesson in humility and gratitude for the people he’s shared scenes and stages with throughout his life...A portrait of a charming and charmed actor who has received plenty of love—and who has plenty of love to give...A heartfelt, sincere memoir filled with useful wisdom.”
—Kirkus

“In this charming debut, Full House star Stamos reflects on fame and family...Readers will be enchanted.”
—Publishers Weekly

Library Journal

09/29/2023

Stamos found success as a teen heartthrob on the soap opera General Hospital, followed by even more fame as Uncle Jesse on Full House and a later role on ER. In between, he starred on Broadway and played drums for the Beach Boys. But his personal life was less flourishing as he struggled with his addiction to alcohol, and his 10-year marriage to fellow actor Rebecca Romijn fell apart. Now sober, Stamos shares his story in a memoir that is as much about family (he gives his parents great credit for whom he's become) as it is about fame. But there are plenty of celebrity anecdotes too, with behind-the-scenes stories about his TV series; his Broadway work, including Cabaret, How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, and Nine; his friendships with Don Rickles, Jack Klugman, and Bob Saget; meeting Frank Sinatra; and a TMI moment with singer Vanity. This is a candid story about the joys and sorrows of fame, but Stamos has no regrets. VERDICT A self-deprecating, honest, and often humorous performing arts memoir that fans will enjoy.—Rosellen "Rosy" Brewer

DECEMBER 2023 - AudioFile

John Stamos begins his performance with everyday language, including a few expletives to emphasize the brash teenager he used to be. He was a wild heartthrob who, despite all his antics, seemed to get what he wanted, which was to be famous and well paid, from the sheer force of his exuberance and personality. As his story progresses, he interjects asides about the famous people he's met, including excellent impressions of them, most notably Sammy Davis, Jr. Listeners will be amazed by his abilities in this area. Stamos opens his life up to examination by fans and critics alike. Listeners will enjoy every minute of his audiobook. E.E.S. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine

Kirkus Reviews

2023-08-09
An earnest debut memoir from the General Hospital, Full House, and ER star.

Opening with an account of his drunken drive down Rodeo Drive in 2015, Stamos (b. 1963) puts his mistakes front and center. Whether it’s missing the mark in love, slipping up with substances, or blowing auditions, the author tells it like it is, and he demonstrates empathy for everyone involved and hindsight showing that the former teen heartthrob has learned a thing or two from his journey through life and fame. Stamos is a self-described “band geek” and Disney fanatic, and he describes a Southern California youth filled with love, hard work, and opportunity. He chronicles his first big break on General Hospital and how he became a teen idol, balancing weekday fame with weekend modesty and working at his father’s restaurant. Even though he’s made it as an actor, Stamos’ first love, music, has never faded away. His dream of playing drums for the Beach Boys came true, and his awe and respect for the band never flags. “The Beach Boys, represent all the best of who we can be: generous, talented, brilliant, benevolent, and divine,” he writes. “God only knows where I’d be without them.” Although Stamos is a legitimate celebrity himself, his memoir is a lesson in humility and gratitude for the people he’s shared scenes and stages with throughout his life. He credits relationships with his parents, mentors, and close friends like Bob Saget for keeping him grounded and safe from more tragic Hollywood pitfalls. The author intersperses the narrative with handwritten notes his mother left for him, and the effect is a portrait of a charming and charmed actor who has received plenty of love—and who has plenty of love to give. Jamie Lee Curtis provides the foreword.

A heartfelt, sincere memoir filled with useful wisdom.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940178254400
Publisher:	Macmillan Audio
Publication date:	10/24/2023
Edition description:	Unabridged
Sales rank:	344,170

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