The Boys: A Memoir of Hollywood and Family


Unabridged Audiobook

Ratings
Book
72
Narrator
23
Release Date
October 2021
Duration
13 hours 18 minutes
Summary
AN AUDIOFILES BEST AUDIOBOOK OF 2021

WINNER OF AN AUDIOFILES EARPHONES AWARD: ''This audiobook is simply a delight...a must-listen.''

“This extraordinary book is not only a chronicle of Ron’s and Clint’s early careers and their wild adventures, but also a primer on so many topics—how an actor prepares, how to survive as a kid working in Hollywood, and how to be the best parents in the world! The Boys will surprise every reader with its humanity.”   — Tom Hanks

''I have read dozens of Hollywood memoirs. But The Boys stands alone. A delightful, warm and fascinating story of a good life in show business.”   — Malcolm Gladwell

Happy Days, The Andy Griffith Show, Gentle Ben—these shows captivated millions of TV viewers in the ’60s and ’70s. Join award-winning filmmaker Ron Howard and audience-favorite actor Clint Howard as they frankly and fondly share their unusual family story of navigating and surviving life as sibling child actors.

“What was it like to grow up on TV?” Ron Howard has been asked this question throughout his adult life. in The Boys, he and his younger brother, Clint, examine their childhoods in detail for the first time. For Ron, playing Opie on The Andy Griffith Show and Richie Cunningham on Happy Days offered fame, joy, and opportunity—but also invited stress and bullying. For Clint, a fast start on such programs as Gentle Ben and Star Trek petered out in adolescence, with some tough consequences and lessons.

With the perspective of time and success—Ron as a filmmaker, producer, and Hollywood A-lister, Clint as a busy character actor—the Howard brothers delve deep into an upbringing that seemed normal to them yet was anything but. Their Midwestern parents, Rance and Jean, moved to California to pursue their own showbiz dreams. But it was their young sons who found steady employment as actors. Rance put aside his ego and ambition to become Ron and Clint’s teacher, sage, and moral compass. Jean became their loving protector—sometimes over-protector—from the snares and traps of Hollywood.

By turns confessional, nostalgic, heartwarming, and harrowing, THE BOYS is a dual narrative that lifts the lid on the Howard brothers’ closely held lives. It’s the journey of a tight four-person family unit that held fast in an unforgiving business and of two brothers who survived “child-actor syndrome” to become fulfilled adults.
Reviews
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Anonymous

Absolutely loved everything about this book! The Howard Family has been a part of my entire lifetime ! Tv, movies, and love of Hollywood! The way that this family was nurtured by Rance & Jean has been obvious throughout the years by the actions and projects each Howard has been a part of . To hear it step by step through the eyes of these two beloved brothers is music to my ears. I could "Imagine" each scenario through the creative storytelling. To know that the story continues with each newscript and interpretation of new content makes me hopeful for the future and yet longing to revisit the past..... Thanks Boys Sincerely......

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KJ D.

Enjoyable listen - great story told by the brothers. I found myself rooting for the Howard family.

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Beverly S.

It was a great listen…I enjoyed the HX of the family of Howard’s…I give their parents a big thumbs up…they did a great job starting the careers of both boys/men.

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PuzzlingPandora

So interesting! Well told.

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Sandy S.

What a wonderful book and what a wonderful life this family has had. I, too, have grown up with this family on my tv for as long as I can remember. Such fantastic parents raising their boys the way they did. Even better is it is narrated by the authors which gives it that feeling of authenticity in their readings. It isn't just some person reading a book - it's by the authors themselves and their memories sitting down in what feels like a fireside chat session. Well done to everyone involved, congrats on a fantastic life and thanks for sharing your memories, good and bad, with us all.

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Christine C.

What an amazing story! I’ve grown up with these guys and the tale of their life is so heartwarming and incredibly insightful. This has connected me more to my growing up years and the present in such a touching way,..I didn’t want it to end.

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James R.

Having grown up alongside of Opie, his experiences became my lessons. Having getting lost in myself like Clint, my experiences mirrored his. To hear them tell the stories in their own voices lended an authenticity unmatched in any autobiographic novel I have read or heard. Both tell it like it was, and like it is. I will 'miss their friendship' long after this ..... this experience -- to call it a book is not enough.

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Don H.

Absolutely loved this! As a fan of both Howard brothers, I loved hearing about their own personal journey.

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Kitti Capps

Listening to this book was like spending time with old friends. I have such respect for their parents and for "the boys" for being so grounded and humble in the crazy world of Hollywood. Now that I'm finished with the book, I miss spending my morning & afternoon drives with Ron & Clint. Thoroughly enjoyed it!

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Linda F

I love the closeness between these two regular guys who happened to grow up before our eyes as child actors in Hollywood. “The Boys” gives us a peek into their lives on and off the many sets that Ron and Clint Howard inhabited over the years. As someone who has taken many acting classes, it was fascinating to hear how their dad, Rance Howard, coached both boys to listen to the other characters, not be distracted, and find what their characters want in every scene. They had the best possible training! I’m so glad Ron and Clint narrated their own audiobook. Nobody else could have told their story. Great listen!

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