Life Is a Gift: The Zen of Bennett

In this beautiful and rich New York Times bestselling retrospective, the entertainment icon shares with his fans the life lessons he has learned throughout a career that spanned six decades. Illustrated with Bennett’s own hand-drawn artwork, Life Is a Gift is a work that will captivate, delight, and be cherished by fans and music lovers of all ages.

“Writing in the same style as he sings. . . Tony Bennett shares countless tales about showbiz, his famous friends, his family, and his artistic career. . . . [His] tips for happiness, success, and longevity are like music to the ears.” — Publishers Weekly

Legendary singer, artist, and performer Tony Bennett was one of the world's most beloved entertainers for more than six decades. From the 78 to the LP to the digital age, Tony did it all. Decade after decade, this artistic icon—who won twenty Grammys, sung for ten presidents, and performed for royalty—refused to compromise his vision or values. Even now, Bennett's popularity grows as new generations discover his timeless songs and incredible voice.

In this entertaining and thoughtful memoir, Bennett shares stories of friends and family and the essential lessons they taught him: of the value of hard work and of creating art that continues to inspire; of perseverance and a dedication to excellence; of the necessity of humility, love, respect, and, most important, gratitude. He pays tribute to all the remarkable talents he has had the honor to work with and to learn from, including Judy Garland, Fred Astaire, Louis Armstrong, Aretha Franklin, Barbra Streisand, Paul McCartney, Amy Winehouse, Lady Gaga, and others.

This is the Zen of Bennett, a collection of timeless wisdom on art, life, and love:

• A Philosophy of Gratitude: Learn the simple principles of humility, hard work, and love that guided an entertainment icon for over sixty years, from the Great Depression to the digital age.
• Stories from the Great American Songbook: Go behind the scenes with legends like Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, and Duke Ellington, and hear the stories behind the timeless music.
• Mentorship Across Generations: Discover the advice Bennett received from his heroes and the wisdom he shared with contemporary stars like Lady Gaga and Amy Winehouse.
• The Art of Excellence: Illustrated with his own hand-drawn artwork, this book is an intimate look at a life dedicated to quality, truth, and beauty.

Legendary singer, artist, and performer Tony Bennett has been one of the world's most beloved entertainers for more than six decades. From the 78 to the LP to the digital age, Tony has done it all, and is still at the top of his game. Decade after decade, this artistic icon—who has won seventeen Grammys, sung for ten presidents, and performed for royalty—has refused to compromise his vision or values. Bennett's popularity continues to grow as each new generation discovers his timeless songs and incredible voice.

In this entertaining and thoughtful memoir, Bennett shares stories of friends and family and the essential lessons they have taught him: of the value of hard work and of creating art that continues to inspire; of perseverance and a dedication to excellence; of the necessity of humility, love, respect, and, most important, gratitude. He pays tribute to all the remarkable talents he has had the honor to work with and to learn from, including Judy Garland, Fred Astaire, Louis Armstrong, Aretha Franklin, Barbra Streisand, Paul McCartney, Amy Winehouse, Lady Gaga, and others.

A magnificent testament to an extraordinary man and his art, and illustrated with Tony Bennett's own beautiful hand-drawn artwork, Life Is a Gift is a work that will captivate, delight, and be cherished by music lovers of all ages.

“Writing in the same style as he sings… Bennett shares countless tales about showbiz, his famous friends, his family, and his artistic career… he remains Zen-like in his delivery… Bennett’s tips for happiness, success, and longevity are like music to the ears.” - Publishers Weekly

“Bennett offers inspiring observations from a joyful life fully lived … [in] this generous, upbeat memoir.” - Booklist (starred review)

“In many ways, Bennett’s story reads like a classic American novel…Like the Zen principles he advocates, Bennett writes in simple, plain prose….revealing stories that define his path and unique perspective… readers can almost hear his distinctive cadence as he waxes nostalgic…celebrity and career anecdotes will likely appeal to fans.” - Lisa Ko, author of The Leavers

“Bennett’s career has had a peerless longevity and has likely provided him with wisdom and anecdotes for two or three books of this nature…there is…a great deal of wisdom in the [Zen] suggestions at the close of each chapter when they stem directly from Bennett’s own richly lived life.” - Kirkus Reviews

“A gentle read—maybe the equivalent of easy listening—filled with vignettes from the great crooner’s life and lots of stories on his showbiz pals—Sinatra, Judy Garland, Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, and, more recently, Amy Winehouse and Lady Gaga.” - New York Post