CDD's Review of "From Second Place to the Top of the Charts"

CDD's roving reporter Romy wrote this editorial review of the book "From Second Place to the Top of the Charts", published in 2004.

CLAY'S DAILY DOUBLE REVIEW -- From Second Place to the Top of the Charts
by Kathleen Tracy
Published by Mitchell Lane Publishers, 2004
Amazon Price - $12.95

For fans who feel they know all there is to know about Clay Aiken,
this book may seem to be superfluous and old news because it was
published in 2004. Unless these fans have read the book, there is
still much to learn about this young singer.
Ms Tracy had been writing about entertainment for twenty years and has
twenty books to her credit. Of these, several are biographies of
celebrities. With this knowledge and access to interviews, articles
and facts, she has written a comprehensive book about Clay Aiken up
until he reached the top of the charts
As is usual, she starts with his early life, writing dispassionately
about his father's abuse of his mother and rejection of his young son.
More family rejection occurs when Clay decides to discard his original
surname and take up his mother's maiden name. The bullying, which Clay
describes in his inspirational memoir, "Learning to Sing," is also
mentioned but not elaborated on.
Clay's choice of career, special education, is told with interesting
and amusing anecdotes of his attending college, working at various
places, the Y, schools, and finally meeting the Bubel family. His
relationship with Mike Bubel and his parents became an integral part
of his life and led Clay into the start of his musical career and later
into his philanthropy.
The author's writing style is clear, smooth and objective, but she
manages to inject interest into the American Idol events. Even though,
most people know the outcome, she manages to make it a tale of
intrigue and suspense. She has access to research material that fills
in a lot of details and information to the progress of Clay's story.
The narration is loaded with quotes and Ms Tracy, in a subtle and
understated way, weaves the source of the quote into the sentence.
The book with 16 pages of colorful illustrations ends with the Clay's
college graduation, the creation of the Bubel-Aiken Foundation and his
first tour with Kelly Clarkson. Interesting facts about Clay, his
discography, television appearances, and lists of American Idol 2
songs finish the book of 160 pages. This book could be a necessary
part of Clay Aiken memorabilia, and the perfect gift for a relative or
friend who is curious about the most famous second-place winner.