Life Is a Gift

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.

Tony Bennett (1926 – 2023) grew up in Astoria, Queens, during the Great Depression. After serving as an infantryman in World War II, he studied singing and signed with Columbia Records in 1950, releasing his first hit with the label in 1951. Over the course of his career, which spanned more than sixty years, he sold millions of albums that achieved gold and platinum status both in the United States and worldwide, and won twenty Grammy Awards.