Book Recommendations by Steve Rudd

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Here are some short and sweet book recommendations in place of the usual fully-fledged reviews, quite simply because I haven't had time to write up these reviews in more detail. The fact is that there are too many great books, and far too little time to read them - let alone write about them in gushing retrospect. Anyway, here's some mention of some of the books I've recently been enthralled by.

First up, Ethan Hawke's 'The Hottest State' focuses on the many and varied trials and tribulations of young love, both when it runs like a dream and when problems surface, in this case because the two young lovers appear to be obsessed by each other. The action kicks off in America before switching to Paris, with this novel being Hawke's debut bash at creative writing for the masses. And he can write as well as he can act, so any fans of the celluloid Hawke are advised to indulge in both The Hottest State and his second novel, the thrilling Ash Wednesday caper.

Like Ethan Hawke, Michael Francis is a man who knows all about show business. And not just the glamorous side of affairs either. While the name Michael Francis might not be very well recognised compared to Ethan Hawke, it's only because Michael has worked behind the scenes so to speak as bodyguard and security advisor to the stars. In his genuinely eye-opening autobiography - Starman - Michael, who is the son of the late but undeniably great boxing trainer George Francis, takes us from his childhood days in and around Camden Town, to something of a chance meeting with none other than Paul McCartney.

Then on through his career as he hooked up with Led Zeppelin, and then the Bon Jovi boys in the latter part of the 80s just as they were breaking into the big-time with their Slippery When Wet album. Michael was away on tour for months on end with them and naturally became personal friends with Jon Bon Jovi, band guitarist Richie Sambora and the rest of the boys. Still, after the band's mammoth 'New Jersey' tour with Michael, the BJ machine recruited somebody else for the security job.

Still, despite being initially upset at no longer working alongside the BJ boys, it didn't seem to be all that much skin off Michael's nose, as he soon went on to work with Cher (who was Richie Sambora's girlfriend at the time), during which time he stayed with her in her lavish Malibu home after a fan managed to break into her house. Michael also later went on to tour with Kiss, before retiring from the business a few years ago.

As well as making fascinating reading for any Bon Jovi fans in particular (should they really want to know what the band used to get up to in their spare time to the tune of sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll in excess), Starman is exhilarating in the way that Michael makes no bones about coming from nothing to working with some of the richest and most famous superstars in the world. Michael Francis truly has led an extraordinary life, and if you read Starman you will find out exactly why...

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