First published 2010
Jerry Weintraub chronicles his rise from Brooklyn club rooms to Hollywood power broker in this autobiography. Born in the Bronx, Weintraub transformed himself into one of entertainment's most influential dealmakers. He scored his first major victory at twenty six by putting Elvis Presley on tour with Colonel Tom Parker's blessing. From there he conquered music promotion with Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack, then shifted into film production. His movie career spanned Robert Altman's Nashville, the Karate Kid franchise, and Steven Soderbergh's Ocean's trilogy. Weintraub operated across multiple worlds simultaneously, moving between Palm Springs poker games that lasted for days, White House corridors, and meetings in Moscow's Red Square and Beijing's Great Palace. His client roster included George Clooney, Bruce Willis, President George H.W. Bush, Bob Dylan, and Led Zeppelin. Weintraub presents his philosophy that all existence functions as theater, with himself as the perpetual promoter. He reveals how luck, love, and improvisation shaped his quintessentially American success story, offering insights for anyone in business or entertainment.
Genres: business, autobiography, non-fiction
Vibes: fast-paced, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: rags-to-riches, self-made-man
Setting: Brooklyn, Bronx, Hollywood, Palm Springs, White House, Moscow, Beijing
Period: 20th Century
304 pages · Hardcover · Twelve