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A Life in Parts
A Life in Parts
A Life in Parts
Audiobook8 hours

A Life in Parts

Written by Bryan Cranston

Narrated by Bryan Cranston

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

4.5/5

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About this audiobook

Winner of the 2017 Audie Award for Narration by the Author

“Nothing short of riveting...an engrossing first-person account by one of our finest actors” (Huffington Post)—both a coming-of-age story and a meditation on creativity, devotion, and craft—Bryan Cranston, beloved and acclaimed star of one of history’s most successful TV shows, Breaking Bad.

Bryan Cranston began his acting career at the age of seven, when his father, a struggling actor and sometime director, cast him in a commercial for United Way. By fifth grade he was starring in the school play, spending hours at the local movie theater, and re-enacting favorite scenes with his brother in their living room. Cranston seemed destined to be an actor. But then his father left. And his family fell apart. Troubled by his father’s missteps, Cranston abandoned his acting aspirations and resolved to pursue a steadier career in law enforcement. Then, on a two-year cross-country motorcycle journey, Cranston re-discovered his talent for acting and found his mission and his calling.

In this “must-read memoir” (The Philadelphia Inquirer), Cranston traces the many roles he inhabited throughout his remarkable life, both on and off screen. For the first time he shares the story of his early years as an actor on the soap opera Loving, his recurring spots on Seinfeld, and his time as bumbling father Hal on Malcolm in the Middle, to his tour-de-force, Tony-winning performance as Lyndon Baines Johnson in Broadway’s All the Way, to his most iconic role of all: Breaking Bad’s Walter White.

“An illuminating window into the actor’s psyche” (People), Cranston has much to say about creativity, devotion, and craft, as well as innate talent and its challenges and benefits and proper maintenance. “By turns gritty, funny, and sad” (Entertainment Weekly), ultimately A Life in Parts is a story about the joy, the necessity, and the transformative power of simple hard work.
LanguageEnglish
Release dateOct 11, 2016
ISBN9781508226321
Author

Bryan Cranston

Bryan Cranston won four Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his portrayal of Walter White in AMC’s Breaking Bad. He holds the honor of being the first actor in a cable series, and the second lead actor in the history of the Emmy Awards, to receive three consecutive wins. In 2014 he won a Tony Award for his role as Lyndon Johnson in the bio-play All the Way. In film, Cranston received an Academy Award nomination for his leading role in Trumbo. Among his numerous television and film appearances, he was nominated for a Golden Globe and three Emmys for his portrayal of Hal in FOX’s Malcolm in the Middle. He is the author of A Life in Parts.

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Reviews for A Life in Parts

Rating: 4.544145873320537 out of 5 stars
4.5/5

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  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    W-O-W. Not only is he an amazing actor but also a talented author too! This is one of my favorite memoirs of all time. This is not a book about an actor tooting his own horn. This book actually taught me some life lessons through his candid sharing of his life experiences. I really enjoyed his story it was clever, funny, entertaining and insightful. Definitely worth the time!

    1 person found this helpful

  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Brain is a superb story teller and telling his on story was a page turner for sure. Lessons we all need to practice, forgiveness, forethought, acknowledgment of events on our life and how we cope with them. The list is ever ending. I plan on absorbing his words and listening again.

    1 person found this helpful

  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Great insightful book. Never knew Cranston came from such a humble background.

    1 person found this helpful

  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Cranston outlines memorable moments in his life, things that shaped him as a man and performer. The joy & the pain. He is present to his experience & grateful for it. This is one of those books that sheds light on our own stories because he’s so honest about his. Plus he’s the reader, great voice for 70 chapters:) loved it.

    1 person found this helpful

  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    One of the essential books on the actors life. With words of wisdom from the stage and screen as well as life itself, Brian Cranston covers it all. And what a delight to have it read by the man himself. A must listen and a must read.

    1 person found this helpful

  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Bryan Cranston is a born storyteller. I loved every minute of this book.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    A truly wonderful journey of a man growing up from simple means to becoming a respected actor with lots of insights into his deeper feelings, observations and reflections along his way, and being confronted with and overcoming fears. Well read and funny!
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I liked that Brian read the entire book. It was a good read. Nothing incredible but certainly semi entertaining if nothing else.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Inspiring, humble, personal, educational. I loved how real Bryan seems and feels, and I am grateful for his generosity in sharing many intimate and insightful gems.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I've always loved bryan cranston and this book and his life is amazing I started it at work and I listened to the whole thing in one sitting what a life he has lived. Thank you for a great book and all the great characters you have played.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Enjoyed every minute. Now I'm back to watching breaking bad all over again. His voice is great, he's had an interesting life and I appreciate the level of depth in this book. Highly recommend it!
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Absolutely loved this memoir. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys learning about actors' lives. ?
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Since Malcolm’s dad suddenly became yet another more sinister household name... I’ve become intrigued with Bryan. He’s such a solid actor who’s truly and still is giving it his all, honing his craft and getting from strength to strength. Like all of us, he too has a complicated relationship with his dad. And the part about his relationship with his wife, it’s wonderful to see that these sorts of things still happen in good ol tinsel town!
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Really good; an interesting life story and love listening to Mr Cranston’s voice! Highly recommended.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Hiighly recommend especially if you're an actor. Bryan Cranston's truths are very relatable. I loved every moment of listening to him tell his story.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I think besides the great insight to Bryan's life, listening to his voice for around 8 hours was calming. Great overall!
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Bryan Cranston is at his creative best in his autobiography ' Life in Parts'. For me as a fan of ' Breaking Bad' it was a moment to again experience his genius for story telling and penchant for crisp narration.
    This is the first time I listened to an audio book and I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed the whole thing.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Incredible book and amazing narration! From beginning to end, this is an awesome experience and a great journey.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Bryan's amazing insight and self awareness combined with dry humour make this a must read
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I loved this book read by Brian Cranston himself. He was so open and honest about his family life and how he became the great actor he is! I really have known him from breaking bad and playing Lyndon Johnson. He’s just like all of us in certain situations which makes you like him even more!! He struggled when he was young and worked hard to get where he is today!! It’s excellent!!
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Honest, well-written, fast moving, laugh out loud funny at times, a tear jerker at others.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I have a new found respect for Bryan Cranston. Thank you for sharing your life.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    An amazing biography all those interested in e actors life should read.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    One of the best audiobooks I've listened to. Insightful and funny. Who knew Walter White could be any cooler.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Great book. A very human story. It is great to hear the author's voice.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    It was well written and loved the subject. Thanks again. Steve
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    insightful, well structured, well written. i grew to like the man cranston as well as the actor
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    what an inspiring book! thank you for sharing your story with us, Bryan! deeply touched by the events of your life!
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Best autobiography I have ever read and listened to. ✨
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Cranston is honest, descriptive and incredibly poignant at times. I really enjoyed learning more about his life and career through this book.