Over the Top and Back


Book Description

The long-awaited autobiography of legendary singer Tom Jones, following six decades of unparalleled experiences in the spotlight to coincide with his 75th birthday. Across six decades, Sir Tom Jones has maintained a vital career in a risky, unstable business notorious for the short lives of its artists. With a drive that comes from nothing but the love for what he does, he breaks through and then wrestles with the vagaries of the music industry, the nature of success and its inevitable consequences. Having recorded an expansive body of work and performed with fellow artists from across the spectrum and across every popular music genre, from rock, pop and dance to country, blues and soul, the one constant throughout has been his unique musical gifts and unmistakable voice. But how did a boy from a Welsh coal-mining family attain success across the globe? And how has he survived the twists and turns of fame and fortune to not only stay exciting, but actually become more credible and interesting with age? In this, his first ever autobiography, Tom revisits his past and tells the tale of his journey from wartime Pontypridd to LA and beyond. He reveals the stories behind the ups and downs of his fascinating and remarkable life, from the early heydays to the subsequent fallow years to his later period of artistic renaissance. It's the story nobody else knows or understands, told by the man who lived it, and written the only way he knows how: simply and from the heart. Raw, honest, funny and powerful, this is a memoir like no other from one of the world's greatest ever singing talents. This is Tom Jones and Over the Top and Back is his story.







The Real Tom Jones


Book Description




The Real History of Tom Jones


Book Description

The Real History of Tom Jones revivifies historical materials from which Henry Fielding constructed the greatest comic novel of the eighteenth century. This study recovers and explores the contexts necessary to understand Fielding's subtle art, such as the bloody conflict for the throne between Stuarts and Hanoverians, a contradictory class system, game laws that both protected and flouted individual property rights, and a justice system that proclaimed hanging for many crimes but let most criminals go. Drawing on evidence such as the peculiar appearance of eighteenth-century money, the fraudulent autobiography of a gypsy king, and a magical prayer book illustration, the book offers new readings of both Tom Jones and the political and legal landscape of Georgian England.




Rebel in high Heels


Book Description

Rebel in High Heels is a memoir about Dr. Charlotte Laws—“the Erin Brockovich of revenge porn”—who was voted one of the “30 fiercest women in the world.” She fought a dangerous war against “the most hated man on the Internet” to protect her daughter and other victims. She was bombarded with death threats and computer viruses and targeted by a stalker who appeared at her home. But who is this woman that MSNBC calls a hero? In addition to detailing her gripping revenge porn fight, this book chronicles the first 22 years of Laws’ life. Her adoptive mother committed suicide, her little brother was killed, and her father’s only comment was he wished it had been her. Laws’ first boyfriend was pop idol Tom Jones. She has hobnobbed with the rich and famous. Though not born with VIP access, she taught herself how to gate-crash any event, anywhere, anytime. Rebel in High Heels details Laws’ intriguing—sometimes scandalous—encounters with Bill Cosby and other stars. At age 20, Laws earned 300k per year as a Las Vegas chip-chatter. She also worked as a bandit cab driver, a backup singer for an Elvis imitator and bodyguard for a prostitute. Laws—a former Southern California politician and weekly NBC commentator—has appeared on “The Late Show,” Fox News, “Oprah,” “Nightline,” CNN, “Dr. Drew” and “Larry King Live.” She has a Ph.D. in Social Ethics, as well as two Master’s degrees and two BAs. Her articles have been published in The Huffington Post, The Los Angeles Times, Newsweek, Jezebel, Salon and the L.A. Daily News. Rebel in High Heels is mostly about perseverance and looking beyond oneself. It is about fighting for ones dreams, while striving to better the world. Laws is the little Atlanta girl who could. And did. _____ “Dr. Charlotte Laws became the ‘Erin Brockovich of revenge porn.’” —CBS News “Never underestimate a former Buckhead debutante.” —The Atlanta Journal-Constitution “This book is two for the price of one. Rebel in High Heels provides a gripping account of Charlotte Laws’ dangerous battle against revenge porn. But it also details Laws’ roller-coaster early years: dating a superstar, dealing with suicide, hobnobbing with celebrities, fighting racism and being thrust into the glitzy world of ‘sex for sale.’ By following Laws’ bold, life-crashing adventures, the reader learns how to become a rebel and a relentless advocate for victims. This memoir is about persistence, leading an active life and helping others. Laws invents her own recipe for success. She reveals her secrets in this mesmerizing tell-all book, tidbit by tasty tidbit.” —Every Way Woman Show “I didn’t realize how brave Charlotte Laws is until I see her in action.” —The Guardian "Charlotte Laws singlehandedly dismantled the empire of pure evil that earned Hunter Moore the title of ‘Most Hated Man on the Internet.’” —MSNBC “Charlotte Laws… a very appropriate last name. Trying to get laws passed in a number of states.” —Fox News "If you care about women, you need this book. Charlotte Laws is the Erin Brockovich of ‘revenge porn,’ and she will change your life just like she changed mine. Buy this for your daughters, your sisters, your mother and yourself.” —Mandy Stadtmiller, deputy editor, xojane “Charlotte Laws [is] a prominent anti-revenge porn activist.” —Washington Post “I am glad that Charlotte is sharing her story in writing this book. It is important that we educate people about revenge porn and the devastating effects on victims.” —Senator Anthony Cannella, California “In spite of the risks, Laws took up the sword.” —YES! Magazine “When Charlotte gets something in mind, nothing can stop her…She has embarked upon lots of activities in her life but with one purpose: to fight for her beliefs.” —Stylist Magazine “My goodness, she does a lot!” —LA Talk Radio




The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling


Book Description

A foundling of mysterious parentage brought up by Mr. Allworthy on his country estate, Tom Jones is deeply in love with the seemingly unattainable Sophia Western, the beautiful daughter of the neighboring squireathough he sometimes succumbs to the charms of the local girls. When Tom is banished to make his own fortune and Sophia follows him to London to escape an arranged marriage, the adventure begins. A vivid Hogarthian panorama of eighteenth-century life, spiced with danger and intrigue, bawdy exuberance and good-natured authorial interjections, "Tom Jones" is one of the greatest and most ambitious comic novels in English literature.




Just Help Yourself


Book Description

"The story that the public were never supposed to read. Brilliantly written, a must-read for all those who want to know the real story." – Peter Karrie "Colourful, candid, humorous and poignant, I couldn't put the book down. Vibrant with unique and wonderful characters." – Iris Williams Just Help Yourself tells the story of The Senators – soon to become The Squires – in 1960s Britain. The band, formed by sixteen-year-old Vernon Hopkins, was to play something called rock and roll, the fresh musical import from America. From practising in his parents' front room to a reputation as the best band in south Wales took just a year. But by 1961 they were in need of a new singer. Vernon recruited local boy Tommy Woodward, and the rest is history. Or is it? This is a classic tale of rock and roll. Successful young musicians from 'the provinces' are enticed to London by their hopeful management, in search of the game-changing record deal. After a period of hardship in Notting Hill, and the addition of a new and thrusting manager, they get a break: records are cut, gigs are played, tv appearances arrive. But as success and money comes the star singer is ruthlessly uncoupled from the band. While Tim Jones takes off, The Squires become increasingly peripheral. Finally, they are cleverly and brutally sacked by the manager, and left to carve out their own careers in the shadow of Jones' success. Vernon Hopkins's authentic story reveals the highs and lows of the music business, and of the allegedly Swinging Sixties. It is full of gritty detail about life in Pontypridd and London, and with great insight into the music business, Just Help Yourself is a cautionary tales of ambition and success. Illustrated with previously unseen photographs from the author's archive.




Tom Jones: Close Up


Book Description

Tom Jones: Close Up surpasses all other attempts to chronicle the life of a unique star who has been notoriously unforthcoming about himself. It also offers a fascinating insight into half a century of pop, spanning the Fifties pub scene of South Wales, the glitzy resort hotels of Eighties Vegas and a triumphant period of personal reinvention for a whole new generation of Jones fans at the start of the 21st century.This highly readable biography finally separates truth from myth to reveal the flesh-and-blood man behind the legend. With over 70 interviews including friends, family and colleagues, Tom Jones: Close Up offers a minutely-researched chronology of Jones' 40-year career as well as details of his odd life of deep family ties and unbridled sexual promiscuity. From Las Vegas and L.A. to London and South Wales, the authors the pieces together the roller-coaster life of Tom Jones spanning his carer childhood and the days of legendary stardom, through the career slump in the eighties to the spectacular comeback of the Reload album. Includes 24 pages of photographs from every era of Jones' life.




Ask the Astronaut


Book Description

Ever wondered what space is really like? Thanks to his 25 years of training for, flying in, consulting on, and writing and speaking about space, astronaut and spacewalker Tom Jones can answer that question and many others. What do you feel on liftoff? What is weightlessness? Where do you sleep in space? Can you see the Great Wall of China? Jones answers every question you have ever had about space in Ask the Astronaut. His entertaining blend of wit, personal experience, and technical expertise shines in each answer, and together all the answers illuminate the true space experience from start to finish. His engaging and informative responses remind readers of historic space achievements, acquaint them with exciting new ambitions, make them feel like they have experienced space firsthand, and even inspire an urge to explore space themselves. Jones covers everything from the training process for new astronaut candidates and the physical sensations and challenges of rocketing into orbit to what it's like to live, work, and walk in space. Jones also explores the future of spaceflight, both professional and commercial, in the years to come. Ask the Astronaut is a delight for all readers, especially "armchair astronauts" and younger, 21st century space explorers.




The Fantasticks


Book Description

The Fantasticks tells an age-old tale. Its ingredients are simple: a boy, a girl, two fathers, and a wall. Its scenery, a tattered cardboard moon, hovers over an empty wooden platform. With these bare essentials, Jones and Schmdt launched a theatrical phenomenon unmatched the world over.