When I Stop Talking, You'll Know I'm Dead

Useful Stories from a Persuasive Man

By: Jerry Weintraub, Rich Cohen, George Clooney - foreword

Narrated by: Jerry Weintraub

Length: 7 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

Here is the story of Jerry Weintraub: the self-made, Brooklyn-born, Bronx-raised impresario, Hollywood producer, legendary dealmaker, and friend of politicians and stars. No matter where nature has placed him - the club rooms of Brooklyn, the Mafia dives of New York's Lower East Side, the wilds of Alaska, or the hills of Hollywood - he has found a way to put on a show and sell tickets at the door.

"All life was a theater and I wanted to put it up on a stage," he says. "I wanted to set the world under a marquee that read: 'Jerry Weintraub Presents.'"

In When I Stop Talking, You'll Know I'm Dead, we follow Weintraub from his first great success at age 26 with Elvis Presley, whom he took on the road with the help of Colonel Tom Parker; to the immortal days with Sinatra and Rat Pack glory; to his crowning hits as a movie producer, starting with Robert Altman and Nashville, continuing with Oh, God!, the Karate Kid movies, and Diner, among others, and summiting with Steven Soderbergh and Ocean's Eleven, Twelve, and Thirteen.

Along the way, we'll watch as Jerry moves from the poker tables of Palm Springs (the games went on for days), to the power rooms of Hollywood, to the halls of the White House, to Red Square in Moscow, and the Great Palace in Beijing - all the while counseling potentates, poets, and kings, with clients and confidants like George Clooney, Bruce Willis, George H. W. Bush, Armand Hammer, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Bob Dylan, Led Zeppelin, John Denver, Bobby Fischer...the list goes on forever.

And of course, the story is not yet over. As the old-timers say, "The best is yet to come." And as Weintraub says, "When I stop talking, you'll know I'm dead."

With wit, wisdom, and the cool confidence that has colored his remarkable career, Jerry chronicles a quintessentially American journey, one marked by luck, love, and improvisation. The stories he tells and the lessons we learn are essential, not just for those who love movies and music, but for businessmen, entrepreneurs, artists...everyone.

Download the accompanying reference guide.

©2010 Jerry Weintraub (P)2010 Hachette

didn't like the start..but picks up speed

when i first started listening to this review i was like, oh god, a tale of the gold ole days of hollywood, and turned it off. then i started it up again and it really picks up speed. he starts talking about how he got started and thats when it really got me and ever since its been quite riveting and fun. his narration style is funny, like a heavy drinker smoker youd meet out. would definitely recomment the book.

Pure Enjoyment

This is one of my favorite books. Mr. Weintraub tells outstanding stories from his life that are a pure joy to hear. He's seen it all and done it all. You feel as if he is just talking to you alone. His live is a who's who of the famous and not so famous. It was so good I listened to it twice and it is really him talking in his own voice!!

Very interesting, cool book

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, really cool stories from the past that are well written. It's really neat that Jerry himself narrates the book, so he can add the correct inflection and tone to the story, as it was originally intended. It makes you feel more like he's talking directly to you than reading a book.

What was one of the most memorable moments of When I Stop Talking, You'll Know I'm Dead?

Him talking about his mother and father passing. You could hear that he got choked up as he was narrating.

those who read about life and those who live it

I have always said “there are those who read about life and those who live it” I now have to add there are those who live, write it, and create a remarkable career out of it… This book is a blast – love it!

Great insights from a legend in Hollywood.

I enjoyed this audio book and am glad the author narrated his book. It's great to hear him tell the stories of his rise in the entertainment industry and about his adventures in life. May Jerry Weintraub rest in peace.

a golden heart in the rough

take a wild ride laughing crying through disarming honest heartwarming story filled with lucky coincidences

two thumbs up.

Ill definitely be listening to this again.
the world's most interesting man.
best book in my library so far.

Fascinating character

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. Inspiring story. Blew me away. What a guy.

What did you like best about this story?

Captivating. Read by the author. He tells a story similar to how my dad would. And my dad could tell a story. I'm blown away by how much this man has had an influence on me throughout my life yet I didn't know of him. Stories that gave me chills and I even cried once.

I'm in awe of the sheer will of this man. So many lessons to be learned here about making things happen for yourself.

Have you listened to any of Jerry Weintraub’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No. This is the first.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Not in one sitting but it's the fastest I've finished an audible program of this length.

Any additional comments?

I'd love to meet Jerry and shake his hand.

Crazy life of a guy who made it

I don’t have much to say. He’s a great storyteller and there is a lot to learn from his experiences.

His own man, his own life

What a wonderful read, for me a listen, to the illustrious life of Jerry Weintraub. So nice to hear his stories from his own voice. His life, like Jerry, was quite colorful. Highly recommend.