With Soulful Divas, David Nathan - a true lover of r&B music - has compiled interviews with many of his favorite singers of the past 40 years. Some of the subjects, like that of the humorously raunchy Millie Jackson and the troubled Nina Simone, make for compelling reading. Most suffer from his endless fawning however. Take, for instance, Diana Ross. By all other accounts, Miss Ross is a difficult person, yet Nathan makes her out to be practically a saint.

Nathan's frequent access to all of the top divas exposes the modern journalist's dilemma: if he fully captures his subjects in print, warts and all, he risks alienating them and being denied interview access to them in the future. Instead, Nathan fawns all over his subjects and gets repeat interviews with high-profile women who are often leery of the press (Aretha Franklin for one). Because of his "tactics", we are able to enjoy his many interviews in one setting (this book). Too bad most of his portraits don't penetrate the surface.

David Nathan KNOWS his R & B. For close to four decades, the book's author has been a contributor, in some way or another, to the production of over 500 albums of soul music. He has done countless interviews, provided liner notes for recordings, served as producer on several, and even done a little background singing. It is obvious that if anyone knows what a "diva" truly is, David Nathan is that man.

"The Soulful Divas" covers the recording careers of the ladies profiled with little snippets of their non-professional beginnings, as well as individual highs and lows. However, it's these little "peeks" into the artists' characters that make the book such a fascinating read.

Not meaning to reveal much of the text, there are many little known facts reported in each profile. Each of the women has experienced her share of failed romantic relationships, legal battles with recording companies, perceived public opinions, peaks and valleys in album sales, and personal tragedies.

Most tragic of all showcased within the pages of the expose is the late Phyllis Hyman, a diva in every sense of the word. Like Nathan, I am a fan of hers, also, and her untimely demise still brings a lump in my throat.

But, the chapter on Millie Jackson is a welcome find. Jackson is the only diva profiled that is not represented in my musical library, save for a duet album with Isaac Hayes. However, after reading about the singer's body of work, as well as her down-to-earth and honest demeanor, I think that this is about to change.

I am curious about a certain "expletive deleted" symphony that she composed.

Note for the author: The next time around, include Patti Austin in volume two.

This book is a must for music lovers. I have followed the careers of every Diva in this book, my only dissapointment is that wasnt longer and included more Diva's. I especially enjoyed the one on one with Aretha, Patti, Diana, Dionne, and Glady's. I have a new R-E-S-P-E-C-T for all the Diva's. Mr. Nathan gives great insight on what sacrifices that each performer has made to become a star. He shows that its not all its crack up to be. I hope that this books shoots straight to the top. I can guarantee that you will not be dissapointed with this book. Pick up a copy and give it to friends. These Divas story need to be told to the world.

This book is a great disappointment! Bego's sequel to The Queen of Soul happens to be nothing more than what he clips from past articles! If you value your money, don't buy this book. Because all you will read is his first book on her and just old articles about her.

After reading Ms. Frankin's lackluster autobiography, it was almost refreshing to read an unbiased account of the legendary life and career of this soul matriarch. This book is very detailed in tracking the career of Ms. Franklin and tells of the accolades as well as the lowpoints in her career. I found most comical the section in relation to Aretha's infamous fashion sense, but ultimately appauled by that tasteless photo of her in a one peice bathing suit with fishnet stockings showing her backside in concert. How disgusting was that!
I, too, hailed the Queen after her riveting performance of "Nessum Dorma" on the 1998 Grammys and I continue to follow her career in hopes that her legacy continues to be upheld with the upmost respect. I hope that in twenty years, the author can add another update of amazing accomplishments to this edition. Good read.

Now in an updated and expanded edition, Aretha Franklin: The Queen Of Soul is the compelling and inspiring biography of one of the most amazing, remarkable singers with a five-octave voice. The many challenges Aretha Franklin has faced in her life, from parental abandonment to the illness of her sister, are candidly recounted, along with her will to survive and prosper, which can clearly be heard in her soul-stirring music. Highly recommended reading for students of twentieth century American music history, as well as a "must" for all Aretha Franklin fans.

Where have I been! I was totally clueless that the Queen wrote a memoir. But believe me, this is no royal piece of literature. I did not get the impression that Aetha is being totally honest with us readers, and in viewing others comments, I see we are on the same page. I did not know she was having children at such a young age. And I am no idiot to believe that she "is unaware" of any controversy that resulted in the church after she virtually births two children almost back to back. I think ole C.L would have smacked her right down if he read that "Bravo daddy" comment- Some things you just keep to yourself. Unfortunately, she did just that in relation to her relationship with Ted White, which has always been alleged to be filled with action and confusion.
I guess Divas will always have their share of catty-tudes with other performers, but Aretha takes the cake. It's real cute near the end of the book when she names specific divas in her book. As if now, that she has christened these women divas, they have now entered Diva-Dom. Yeah right!
This book leaves you with a sour taste and does not give off the perception of Aretha being a nice person. I am so disappointed. I think this book alone will destroy any chances for future comebacks. I really did not enjoy this book.

I have been a life long fan of Miss Franklin's. I have listened to her promise a book that would set the record straight abought rumors, innacuracies and fables for along time. Was this it?

Aretha wants us to believe that her father was a paragon of virtue and a dedicated pastor though he lived with a woman to whom he was not married (Lola). He seemed to be no fine example of Christian morality perhaps that is why he was so cool with her two pregnancies. I personally did not need to know the names of her children's fathers but something, even a little something of what is was like to be a teen mother not once but twice before she was 17. I am well aqauinted with black church culture and I KNOW there was a lot of drama there especially in the era she became pregnant.

Aretha left out many relevant points of her life (and her father's) that would have made a more honest and readable tome. We really learn nothing about the lady's true feelings about nothing; other than her father.

Miss Franklin reveals herself as a petty, ego-rich diva; talented but vey shallow. If this is not the case then she should've written a more detailed and honest book.

The best parts of the book are her remembrances of all the food she ate throughout her life and career. These are vivid and full of lucious detail. In one part of the book, in a mere 4 paragraphs there were no less than four food references; they seem to be memory starters for her. She can recall with great verve and relish the food experiences she's had; from the Apollo Theater in New York to Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles in Los Angeles. I wish she'd been more forthcoming with her life experiences.

This book was a true waste of my hard earned money. I enjoyed Patti Labelle's memoirs much more. They were honest, balanced and did not always paint the author in the most flattering light. In other words she was real. C'mon Auntie Ree what's the real deal. Give me something I can feel.

I enjoyed the book, however, I found it to be rather short. My biggest criticism is that it had no index, no complete discography, no appearance itinerary and not enough pictures.

After all this time, I think that Aretha could have been more candid by naming names and not continue to play games with her usual avoidance technique. Who was Mr. Mystique? What were the real names of her first two children's fathers? Why continue the mystery? Tell us, did you or did you not have a sexual affair with Same Cooke? Why did your mother and father separate?

She didn't get into her marriages very deeply, just glossed over them (still hiding). The only "inacuracy" that she "cleared up" was that her mother was not a bum and did NOT abandon the family as has been reported for years. Plus, she didn't address the Gladys Knight problem. I thought she might, at least, speak on the Martha Reeves allegation that Aretha showed up at the Apollo to tell Martha to stop singing her (Aretha's) songs. Nothing. She left us hanging about what was "troubling Carolyn" (I know, but the world doesn't).

I did enjoy reading about her early days travelling with her dad and the gospel people she perform with and enjoyed. But, I think Aretha, the greatest female singer alive, should write a sequel to this book and give hard, cold facts about her interesting life.

Aretha Franklin, Motown Superstar, by Siliva Anne Sheafer was an unresearched book about what the media thought. There were facts about Aretha's adult life but very few about her childhood and teenage years. Even though the book makes for good media research, I personally did not like the book because it was boring. People do not want to hear about how "superstars" spend their Sundays. They want to hear about the good stuff. I would not recommend this book to readers that want to stay awake, but maybe to those who have insomnia! This book was very disappointing!