Patrick Swayze: One Last Dance (2009) - Plot & Excerpts
I found this title odd when I purchased the book, since it was before my beloved Patrick passed away, but I couldn't resist purchasing a biography about the man who was my first love. However, I couldn't give this book more than 2 stars because of Wendy Leigh's terrible writing. She makes more than one odd Harry Potter reference, as if she couldn't think of a more articulate way to make her point. I am a big fan of those books but what does that have to do with Patrick Swayze? Some of her facts are also questionable. Overall, the writing was very juvenile.I did enjoy the quotes from random people in his life: the extra who tripped and fell during a filming of North and South, his childhood friends from the dance studio, etc. The biggest bonus is the middle section with great photos.It's a nice book, but by all means not a great book. I'm looking forward to reading the book that he and his wife Lisa wrote together: "The Time of My Life." I think most of my rating has to do with the subject matter rather than the actual writing. It carried an odd tone almost as if Patrick Swayze had already died, who at the time of publication (or writing this) he has not. It is very informative about his training and his life however she tanks all her credibility with one key detail. Dirty Dancing is a well beloved movie, one that has been watched over and over and over. She sets the scene quite well, Johnny Castle enters Kellerman's and receives his instructions from MAX Kellerman not NEIL. Her simple mixing up of dorky, annoying, full of himself Neil for his stick in the mud grandfather colors the rest of the book. The interviews with Swayze's friends and childhood classmates do enhance the story. It's a short book, has some great pictures, and moves along quickly. I was looking for a good airplane book and it fit the bill. It also expanded my must see movie list.
What do You think about Patrick Swayze: One Last Dance (2009)?
I love this book and how well it was written to tell about the star who could do almost anything.
—Janice
Very interesting and readable book about Patrick Swayze's life until right before his death.
—deepti
horribly written, it seems publisher wanted to print something up fast.
—Ralph
