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Scribner Book Company

A Life in Parts

    • Based on 3,882 reviews
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Description

“Nothing short of riveting...an engrossing first-person account by one of our finest actors” (Huffington Post)—both a coming-of-age story and a meditation on creativity, devotion, and craft—Bryan Cranston, beloved and acclaimed star of one of history’s most successful TV shows, Breaking Bad. Bryan Cranston began his acting career at the age of seven, when his father, a struggling actor and sometime director, cast him in a commercial for United Way. By fifth grade he was starring in the school play, spending hours at the local movie theater, and re-enacting favorite scenes with his brother in their living room. Cranston seemed destined to be an actor. But then his father left. And his family fell apart. Troubled by his father’s missteps, Cranston abandoned his acting aspirations and resolved to pursue a steadier career in law enforcement. Then, on a two-year cross-country motorcycle journey, Cranston re-discovered his talent for acting and found his mission and his calling. In this “must-read memoir” (The Philadelphia Inquirer), Cranston traces the many roles he inhabited throughout his remarkable life, both on and off screen. For the first time he shares the story of his early years as an actor on the soap opera Loving, his recurring spots on Seinfeld, and his time as bumbling father Hal on Malcolm in the Middle, to his tour-de-force, Tony-winning performance as Lyndon Baines Johnson in Broadway’s All the Way, to his most iconic role of all: Breaking Bad’s Walter White. “An illuminating window into the actor’s psyche” (People), Cranston has much to say about creativity, devotion, and craft, as well as innate talent and its challenges and benefits and proper maintenance. “By turns gritty, funny, and sad” (Entertainment Weekly), ultimately A Life in Parts is a story about the joy, the necessity, and the transformative power of simple hard work. Read more

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Scribner; Reprint edition (August 8, 2017)


Language ‏ : ‎ English


Paperback ‏ : ‎ 288 pages


ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1476793875


ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 70


Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds


Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.7 x 8.38 inches


Best Sellers Rank: #170,242 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #279 in Television Performer Biographies #1,625 in Actor & Entertainer Biographies #5,447 in Memoirs (Books)


#279 in Television Performer Biographies:


#1,625 in Actor & Entertainer Biographies:


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If you place your order now, the estimated arrival date for this product is: Saturday, Nov 30

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Top Amazon Reviews

    • An interest in acting.
Review by Harrison Craig, Silver Creek High School “I saw my future. I saw it so vividly it was as if I’d had a conversation with my older self. At that precise moment I conjured a credo that would guide me for the rest of my life: I will pursue something that I love-and hopefully become good at, instead of pursuing something that I’m good at-but don’t love.” This is one of the many pieces of wisdom gained through reading Bryan Cranston’s autobiography, A Life in Parts. This book tells the story of how a lost, young man goes from a soon-to-be Law Enforcement Officer to a full-fledged, hard-working actor. This is not only exhibited through his seemingly endless, extremely personal stories, but through his infinite amounts of wisdom as well. After reading this book, you will feel as if you really know Bryan Cranston. You will hurt for him, laugh with him, and possibly even cry. This book goes far beyond your standard autobiography: it’s a chance at a new connection. Though I find it difficult to say, I believe my favorite scene(s) from the book would be Bryan’s early years in life: Performing odd-jobs around the world with his brother, taking his first acting course, and even becoming a minister! His eagerness to learn, yet with no sense of direction. You get to see how he comes to find himself, and I think that’s why I find this part of the book to be so special to me. I want to be an actor one day, and to see someone share so many similarities with my own gives me the hope that, I too can become an actor one day. At one point, I had a strong interest and determination to enter the field of Law Enforcement. This book encouraged me to take a theatre course, and now my entire life has changed for the better. At the end of the day, when all is said and done, and you’ve finished reading this adventure of a book, Bryan’s words will continue to ring true. He not only shares his advice on how to be an actor, but how to enjoy and live life as well. The moral of the story is, despite of the circumstances, anything can be accomplished if you put the right amount of work into it; you have to want it. You have to be strong, ready to take the hit. But remember in doing so, to have fun. We only have a finite time on earth, and to waste your time doing something that doesn’t make you happy would be a shame, to say the least. “Finishing. I would never say again “I can’t do that.” That’s what I told myself. Never Again.” I can safely say, without a moment’s hesitation, that I found this book to be absolutely magnificent; a truly enthralling read. Nothing about this book came off to me as a drag, as everyone moment was executed with such an excitement unknown to anything else. This is a book that I believe will stand against time, capturing a nearly unforgettable piece of history. I strongly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in Bryan Cranston or any of his acting works throughout time. Though, I strongly recommend this book to anyone with even the slightest interest in acting, regardless of where you are; this could change your life. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on April 2, 2018 by Harrison Clayton Craig
    • A Touching, Heartfelt Biography of a Fantastic Actor
An outstanding book. A life story told in parts that make the whole of a talented actor and a caring human being. Funny, touching, heartbreaking and thought provoking, this book soothes the soul. I listened to the audiobook, which was read by the author and didn’t want this book to end, I enjoyed it so much. All the interesting jobs he had that led to his calling are shared. He has a wonderful storytelling ability. I hope he writes another book and narrators more of them. I remember the pivotal episode of the X-Files he appeared in. He took the job needing the funds, not knowing what it held for his future. From his first big part on Loving, to Malcolm in the Middle, which had watched episodes of, he shares wonderful behind the scenes stories. After Malcolm ends, Vince Gilligan, who had worked with Cranston on the X-Files, has a new idea for a show called Breaking Bad. Cranston’s performance on the X-Files stayed with Gilligan and Cranston made the role of a lifetime his own. I hadn’t watched Breaking Bad, but I enjoyed the stories about the creative process. It’s on my watch list. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on August 6, 2023 by Admiralu
    • absolutely readable
an extremely fine creator of men. he is above most in his profession. just ask him.
Reviewed in the United States on September 1, 2023 by warren
    • compelling and enjoyable
It had everything I like. As I read it, I heard his voice in my head. One of the best autobiographies.
Reviewed in the United States on April 27, 2024 by Betty Boop
    • Bryan Cranston IS a Life in Parts.
I purchased "A Life in Parts" with a mixture of excitement and dread because one never knows how an author - let alone an ex-spouse - will portray certain aspects of his life. I came away with a sense of relief and confirmation that - yes, Bryan is still the Bryan I knew when our meals consisted of whatever he could bring home from his job as a waiter or the 1,000 ways of preparing the bags of zucchini his mother left on our doorstep. The book reads...like Bryan. Bryan's writing is unaffected by fame and fortune and is his own voice. He tells his story clearly, with exactly the right words for the situation and the precise amount of pages devoted to each "part" of his life. If his book seems to devote little to Breaking Bad or Malcom in the Middle, it's because those are just parts of the whole that is Bryan Cranston. The book is honest, witty, sensitive, funny, unapologetic, and heartbreaking. And that, too, is Bryan Cranston. When reading, be prepared to laugh and cry, for this is a story of a man who came from sad circumstances, made the best of what he had (incredible talent), and stayed true to his dream. The book is a fast read, but you will find yourself picking it back up and rereading parts to experience them again and again. Bryan Cranston is a man who continues to live a life in parts, and it is my privilege to have been one such part. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on October 11, 2016 by Michelle Busby, Author, Holmes & Watson Culinary Whodunits
    • Good and sort read
Very entertaining and thoughtful read about the highs and lows, past and present of Cranston’s life. 2 of my family members have since borrowed it and also enjoyed it.
Reviewed in the United States on April 23, 2024 by Someone
    • Breaking Bryan
Bryan Cranston's autobiography is intriguing if not entirely enjoyable. He has led a fascinating life full of spectacular opportunities, iconic projects & roles, and yet his depiction of his life (even once he made it as an actor) is full of angst, frustration, and difficulty. His telling of his early, rough years makes the initial tone understandable, but I miss the joy of his successes in both his personal and professional life. I'm glad I read the book and like having a better understanding of the man as it informs his superb acting work, but I'm not sure I'd recommend this to anyone else but a diehard Breaking Bad fanatic. That being said, the book is well-written and his stories are engagingly told. I look forward to his next acting performance because that is where he shines brightest! ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on September 21, 2019 by hamnerman

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