Product Description

Have you wondered how Rupert, star of the CBS Television Series Survivor, became so loved and successful? It all started long, long ago…..

Rupert: Just Being Me is the true story of Rupert Boneham. You’ll be mesmerized by his life and how it so closely reflects his time "on the island." Rupert grew up in Central Indiana and always had a love for nature. From his time as a young child to his early years as an adult, Rupert has seen the ups and downs of life. Those experiences are what shaped Rupert’s character, making him the fan favorite on Survivor: All-Stars. After being voted off the show, Rupert garnered 38 million votes, making him the most popular player in the history of the show!

Rupert wasn’t done after leaving the island. Long before he was on TV, Rupert Boneham had made a commitment to help underprivileged teens in his community. His stardom helped him to further fund his not-for-profit group, Rupert’s Kids, where the mission is "to empower youth to discover their inner strengths, and to realize their own self worth and their value to society."

Rupert continues to have a presence on TV with guest appearances on The Early Show, Regis and Kelly, and The Damon Waynes Show. Rupert, along with writer Lester Thomas Shane will tell his story in a compelling way that make you long for more.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #887715 in Books
• Published on: 2007-02-05
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 224 pages

About the Author
Rupert Boneham was born near Detroit, Michigan and grew up in Kokomo, Indiana. Rupert has wanted to write a book about his life and experiences for a number of years, especially after seeing the impact he had on his fans during his two seasons on the CBS TV show Survivor. Rupert tells his story to accomplished writer Lester Thomas Shane who draws on his theatrical background to put Rupert’s story to paper.

Lester Thomas Shane is an accomplished writer of books, screenplays, TV shows, and theater. Having written for A&E TV’s Biography Series, Discovery TV, and AMC TV. Mr. Shane understands the delicate process of telling the story of a celebrity. Mr. Shane has also written columns for My Weekly Reader, and A&E Monthly Magazine. He has directed over 30 theatrical productions and has performed in numerous plays as an actor.

Mr. Shane spends his days teaching speech and theater classes in New York City and is a member of the Bernard Shaw Society and the Mystery Writers of America.

Customer Reviews

Despite the lack of details about "Survivor" it is a solid autobiography
Rupert Boneham is one of the few bonafide celebrities to have come from the "Survivor" television show. Rupert tells about his difficult family life growing up in Kokomo, Indiana, his difficulties as a young man struggling with alcohol, drugs, tricky female relationships and his own desire for an instant family. However, through it all that big heart of his shines through and the reader is rooting for him to find his way.

Despite his gruff and bearlike appearance, this book confirms that the attribute that we loved him for on Survivor was no act this man is a Teddy Bear with a heart as big as all outdoors.

Most enjoyable is Rupert's discussion of helping troubled teens. Even at his lowest, Rupert helped out kids - often his program was their last chance to stay out of jail. Rupert proudly details some of his successes and acknowledges that some kids need "a thousand strikes" before they get it figured out.

You know how people say that if they won a million dollars they'd help out this charity or do something to help make things better. Mostly that's wishful thinking. But, Rupert is a guy that followed through and he proudly talks about his Rupert's Kids program in the last half of the book. He also includes addresses, websites and e-mails for his organization. As an Indianapolis resident I can assure you that Rupert still is quite active in the community and still attracts a crowd around here. His image and name are used with a number of good programs around town, and that's one of the reasons we love him.

Unfortunately, due to contractual obligations with the TV show, Rupert is not allowed to discuss "Survivor" at all in his book. In fact the word "Survivor" is not even in the text, only in a legal disclaimer page inside the front cover. Too bad, but it is still a strong read.

The Life Story of America's Favorite SURVIVOR.
I'm a huge fan of the television show SURVIVOR. In fact, over the years I've only missed seeing one episode. There have been many contestants from the show that I've enjoyed watching play the game and have thought to myself, "I'd really like to know them better." One of these is Rupert Boneham. Rupert is one the most memorable contestants to play the game and is also one of the fan's all-time favorites. Like many people, I really related to Rupert and watching him on the show it seemed to me that he was just a regular guy. Therefore, I guess it's apt that his book is titled RUPERT: JUST BEING ME.

I'll be the first to admit that initially, there might not be a great deal of appeal for RUPERT: JUST BEING ME outside of the SURVIVOR fan base. It's been a few years since Rupert was last on the show and the instant celebrity he attained from it has died down. For instance, last spring when talking with people about the latest season of the show and making a comparison to some of the people to Rupert, I was asked, "Rupert, who's that?" However, even though his celebrity status might have dissolved, Rupert has a lot to offer people. The book is written in a very simple, straight-forward manner. Reading the book I often felt I was just listening to Rupert talking instead of reading something that someone else had written out for him.

I was shocked at how rough a childhood Rupert had. He had a very difficult time with very little family support. He went through some even more difficult times as an adult. Yet, he was able to overcome those trials and started an organization, Rupert's Kids, that is helping troubled kids around the country.

Rupert talks a lot about his life in RUPERT: JUST BEING ME. Having grown up outdoors and worked with animals, I especially like reading about how Rupert came to love nature and started collecting snakes. He also talks about his drug and alcohol problems, his failed relationships, and the different jobs he has worked and places he has lived. Despite these details, he skips the part of his life that most people would probably want to know the most about: his time on SURVIVOR and how that changed him. He devotes a chapter to it entitled "Fame" but the opening page only says, "Maybe, one day I'll be able to tell you about this part of my life...," and each page after that reads, "These pages left intentionally blank." I hope that Rupert will one day write another book and tell us about that.

Reading RUPERT: JUST BEING ME, I was once again reminded of how life truly is a journey and how precious it is. We all have stories to tell and if we are given an opportunity to tell those stories, we can touch other people.

I recommend RUPERT: JUST BEING ME for any fan of SURVIVOR or Rupert. I also highly recommend it for people who work with troubled youth or a young person who is living through difficult times right now. It might just be the encouragement you need.

The memoir of celebrity figure Rupert Boneham
Rupert: Just Being Me is the memoir of celebrity figure Rupert Boneham, founder of the Rupert's Kids organization to provide mentoring and educational programming to troubled youth, as told to author Lester Thomas Shane. Chapters tell of the shock of learning the woman he had lived with had legally and surreptitiously become his common-law wife - then divorced him and used the courts to drain him of money; the founding of the Rupert's Kids organization; his television debut; the difficulty of letting go of metaphorical demons and ghosts; and much more. A handful of color photographs and numerous black-and-white photographs illustrate this one-of-a-kind behind-the-scenes memoir of a truly charitable man.