What a Fool Believes

A Memoir

By: Michael McDonald, Paul Reiser

Narrated by: Michael McDonald, Paul Reiser

Length: 10 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

A sweeping and evocative memoir from the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, Grammy Award-winning, platinum selling singer-songwriter Michael McDonald, written with his friend, Emmy Award-nominated actor, comedian, and #1 New York Times bestselling author Paul Reiser.

Doobie Brothers. Steely Dan. Chart topping soloist. Across a half-century of American music, Michael McDonald’s unmistakably smooth baritone voice defined an era of rock and R&B with hit records like “What A Fool Believes,” “Takin’ It to the Streets,” “I Keep Forgettin’,” “Peg,” “It Keeps You Running,” “You Belong to Me,” and “Yah Mo B There.”

In his candid, freewheeling memoir, written with his friend, the Emmy Award-nominated actor and comedian Paul Reiser, Michael tells the story of his life and music. A high school dropout from Ferguson, Missouri, Michael chased his dreams in 1970’s California, a heady moment of rock opportunity and excess. As a rising session musician and backing vocalist, a series of encounters would send him on a wild ride around the world and to the heights of rock stardom—from joining Steely Dan and becoming a defining member of The Doobie Brothers to forging a path as a breakout solo R&B artist.

Interwoven with the unforgettable tales of the music, Michael tells a deeply affecting story of losing and finding himself as a man. He reckons with the unshakeable insecurities that drove him, the drug and alcohol addictions that plagued him, and the highs and lows of popularity. Along the way he relays the lessons he’s learned, and that if he’s learned anything at all it’s that there’s often little correlation between what you get and what you deserve.

Filled with unbelievable stories and a matchless cast of music greats including James Taylor, Ray Charles, Carly Simon, and Quincy Jones, What a Fool Believes is a moving and entertaining memoir that is sure to be a classic.

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2024 Michael McDonald and Paul Reiser (P)2024 HarperCollins Publishers

wonderfully told autobiography

Like many, I thought I had an idea about his story. It turns out that I was too young to really know and understand. Such an amazing career

McD fan for years

I have been a Michael McDonald fan since he joined the Doobs. Although I learned to play guitar along with The Captain & Me, my interest in the Doobies became supercharged when Mike’s voice and piano playing showed up on Living On The Fault Line. The rhythms and chord changes became so much more interesting to me. I’ve modeled my own piano playing on Mike’s playing. But as I’ve grown older, I have become a student of the LA recording scene and all the players that circulated there around the time Mike was there. So, I enjoyed hearing more stories from Mike’s prospective. He really opened himself up more than I ever would have imagined. The honesty and openness really surprised me in fact because I knew he was a pretty private guy after meeting him some 10 years ago. Anyway…great book, learned a lot and I appreciate his journey thru life, warts and all.

Minute By Minute…I couldn’t stop listening

What a musical talent. Down to earth, yet comes across as humble. Can you imagine not having Michael’s music with Steely Dan, the Doobie Brothers or his solo career? An awesome read.

Honest and True

Having experienced a similarly dysfunctional mother-father relationship in the context of being Catholic, I now understand better my reaction after hearing Mike’s experience. Loved hearing about Jeff Porcaro and the backstories of how the first solo album was made. This was a really interesting book that I listened to completely in less than 2 days.

A Profile in (Often Foolish) Courage

The song “What a Fool Believes” was my introduction to the iconic voice (and beard) of Michael McDonald and my gateway to the Doobie Brothers, a musical journey I took backwards, eventually all the way to the group’s founding. They have since become my favorite band; I regret the time I wasted before discovering them.

This book is well-written, informative, and pleasantly performed. Now that it is concluded, I am appreciative of the musical interludes, amazed at McDonald’s timing and luck, and personally a little proud that two hometown celebrities were mentioned—Irving Azoff and Bobby Short from Danville, Illinois. But my main takeaway—and it seems nothing short of a miracle—is how this gifted keyboardist and singer was able to produce all that great music (both writing and performing) while under the steady influence of drugs and alcohol. I also wondered how and when that distinctive voice developed. Was it more natural evolution or acquired technique? That question aside, McDonald’s honesty and his self-effacing nature gave me an entirely new perspective and an even deeper admiration for his numerous challenges and his many gifts. May he and his family enjoy peace…

A shoutout, too, to Paul Reiser for his encouragement and contributions.

I absolutely loved this book and its author!

Michael McDonald is a great musician, probably everyone knows that. What I did not know is that he was such an interesting and engaging person. He seriously might be the most likable narrator I've ever encountered in an audio book too. I don't know what else to say except that I highly recommend this book. It's like having a super interesting friend tell you their life story over two or three days.

It was worth the wait.

I enjoyed every bit of this audio book, and I love it when the author reads it themselves. I’ve had “What a Fool Believes” pre-ordered for many weeks, and it absolutely was worth waiting for.

Just as good as the music!!!

What a lovely read. I have just discovered Michael Mcdonald and instantly fell in love with his music. This book is a small window in to a life of this tremendous artist. Highly recommend it.

LOVED IT!

Delightful listen! Funny, self depreciating and ADORABLE man!! And he narrates the book! 👌. The last 1/2 hour is a conversation between Michael and Paul Reiser which is also great! Highly recommend!

An Amazing Read for Any Classic Rock Fan!

OMG! I loved this audiobook! Such a great read/listen! Michael McDonald has such an interesting and compelling story! Its funny, it's sad, it's inspiring, it's a little bit of everything. I promise you will not want to put this one down!