Respect

by David Ritz
Respect cover
Good Books rating 3.83
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Paperback • £16.99
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  • ID: 1759
  • Added: 2025-10-09
  • Updated: 2025-10-09
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3
Reviews
goodreads.com · Unknown · 2025-10-17
inspiring 4.00

Respect is a powerful and timely book that delves into the importance of mutual respect in today's society. It offers practical advice and thought-provoking insights, making it a valuable read for anyone looking to foster better relationships and understanding.

Respect is a book that resonates deeply with the current social climate. The author provides a comprehensive exploration of what respect means in various contexts, from personal relationships to broader societal interactions. They offer practical advice on how to cultivate respect, which is both timely and necessary. The book is well-researched and thoughtfully presented, making it accessible and engaging for a wide audience. It's a call to action for everyone to strive for a more respectful and understanding world.

Quick quotes

    Respect is not just about being polite; it's about recognizing the inherent worth of every individual.

    The book provides practical steps to foster respect in our daily lives.

    In a world that often feels divided, respect is the bridge that can bring us together.

lareviewofbooks.org · Unknown · 2014-12-06
insightful 4.00

David Ritz's biography of Aretha Franklin, 'Respect,' offers a rich, multi-voiced account of her life, drawing on insights from her family, friends, and peers. While Franklin's own voice is notably absent, the book reveals her as a complex figure—ambitious, talented, and deeply committed to her music and social causes.

David Ritz's biography 'Respect' provides a detailed and nuanced portrait of Aretha Franklin's life, compiled from the perspectives of those closest to her. The book is not the one Franklin herself wanted written, but it offers a more candid and comprehensive view of her career and personal life. Ritz's approach allows the voices of Franklin's siblings, friends, and colleagues to shine, painting a picture of a woman who was both a musical genius and a deeply flawed individual. Her ambition, talent, and social activism are highlighted, as well as her struggles and personal losses. The book also underscores Franklin's significant influence on other artists and her enduring impact on the music industry.

Quick quotes

    Ritz is careful to state that his version of the singer’s life is but a version. But it is the richest record of her friends’ and family’s words that we are likely to get.

    The voice we don’t hear — in addition to those of Franklin’s partners and sons — is the singer’s own.

    She is also a consummate listener, drawing Thelonious Monk’s harmonic inventions, Astrud Gilberto’s bossa nova style, and post-disco beats into her work; in this sense her records reflect not only sublimated pain but also a lifetime of listening.

macleans.ca · Unknown · 2014-10-26
insightful 3.50

The biography provides a comprehensive and sometimes unflattering look at Aretha Franklin's life, highlighting her musical genius and personal struggles. While the writing style and use of hearsay are criticized, the book offers valuable insights into her enduring legacy.

This biography of Aretha Franklin offers a detailed and sometimes unvarnished portrayal of the Queen of Soul's life. It delves into her musical prowess and her ability to reinvent herself over six decades, as well as her personal challenges and private struggles. The book is praised for its depth and the wealth of information it provides, though some critics find the writing style lacking and the reliance on hearsay evidence distracting. Despite these criticisms, the biography is seen as a valuable contribution to understanding Aretha Franklin's impact on music and culture. The reviewer appreciates the book's honesty and the way it captures the essence of Aretha's life and career, even if it doesn't always paint a flattering picture.

Quick quotes

    The album contains some moving moments, I'll grant you that, said Reverend Cleveland. I found myself tearing up when Aretha sang those two Clara Ward songs with her sisters and cousin Brenda - 'Jesus Hears Every Prayer' and 'Surely God Is Able.

    Resisting self-reflection about giving birth twice before turning 15, Aretha spoke instead of the Golden Age of Gospel that shaped her sound.

    Her reign would never end. The power of her voice would never diminish. The pure joy of her artistry would last forever And it will.

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