The Boys
A Memoir of Hollywood and Family
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The Boys
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Narrated by:
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Ron Howard
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Clint Howard
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Bryce Dallas Howard
About this listen
An AudioFile Best Audiobook of 2021
Winner of an AudioFile 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.
©2021 Ron Howard, Clint Howard (P)2021 HarperCollins PublishersListeners also enjoyed...
What listeners say about The Boys
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Pete and Val
- 01-04-22
great book great story
enjoyed this very much ,only criticism is that when Clint speaks he needs turning up and he's barely audible at times
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Stephen Powell
- 21-07-22
Happy lives
An honest and beautiful account of 2 brothers and there parents. Every year when I organise my summer holiday I try to find a book to listen to this I was luck to find a great story of a man and a woman who had 2 kids and did a dam good job of showing them a life to be had
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- ROSE BETTS
- 04-10-22
Delightful
Fascinating insight to Ron and Clint Howard's childhood.
I had been unaware of their child acting careers and only knew of Ron from his role in Happy Days - which I had loved to watch!! A real delight to listen to .
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- O RAWBONE
- 22-12-21
A great book
I really loved this book, wonderfully read by Ron and Clint Howard, it was fascinating to hear about their upbringing and experiences in the entertainment industry. I hope that they consider writing a second book of their exploits in the movie business as they no doubt have many more stories to share. A really inspiring read.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Flea FitzGerald
- 27-12-21
Good parenting
This will be interesting for people hoping to join the film or TV industry and everyone for lessons in good parenting. It was too “aw shucks” for me but I was impressed with the parents and the Howards determination and ability to navigate this line of work.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Sharon
- 17-11-21
Outstanding Audiobook
Wow! Such a wonderful memoir and beautifully narrated by Ron and Clint Howard. One of the best audiobook autobiographies you will ever listen to. Highly recommend.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- CARNLOU
- 22-09-23
Solid Listen
Overall, this is a solid listen from brothers Ron and Clint Howard.
It's a memoir detailing their childhoods growing up in Hollywood and their coming to adulthood with Ron wishing to be a director full-time and Clint wishing to retain his status as a jobbing actor.
The material within is 5 stars, all week long.
However, the audiobook is let down at times by Ron and Clint's narration.
They sound 'forced', 'robotic' at times; This can be improved by tweaking the playback to the (1.50×) mark.
Nevertheless, the above can still be heard, despite being improved.
Another flaw concerns the flow of the narrative at times.
For instance, Clint will be talking about his substance abuse in early adulthood one second, while Ron pipes back in and talks about his success with 'Happy Days' the next second.
As a result, the narrative can be unbalanced at times.
When push comes to shove, though, I highly recommend this listen.
The material within is 5 stars, despite the above flaws.
Thank you for reading this.
I hope it helps.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- T Andrew
- 14-01-23
A heartfelt dip into a tv/film acting family, earnest and touching
More open and earnest than I anticipated. This is a touching and warm memoir from two brothers who happen to be well known and loved.
An easy listen without taking the easier fluffy detours. The openness of family personal history is welcome and applauded. I loved hearing the journey and having both Ron & Clint’s perspectives really made the difference l. Loved the sit down with the two of them
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- FarnhamMand
- 02-04-23
A story of a family filled with love.
What a great autobiography from Ron & Clint Howard. Being in my early sixties I could really enjoy the references to old Hollywood actors that may pass by a younger audience. I loved this book and felt like it was a trip back into my own childhood. Excellent
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- GARETH MARK HOPKINS
- 24-02-23
One if the best
One if the best autobiographies you will read/hear very clever how the narrators swapped to tell their side of the stories
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