About the Book
TAGLINE: While vacationing in Paris 20 years ago, the lives of an American family collide with the fatal automobile crash of the world's most beloved Princess. INSPIRED BY A TRUE STORY.
Princess Diana was killed on August 31, 1997 in an automobile collision in Paris. Where were you when you heard the news? Everybody has an answer, but nobody has an answer quite like Robin and Jack Firestone, the wife-and-husband team who have co-authored this remarkable tome "CHASING DIANA: PERCEPTION VS. REALITY."
Diana fan or not, it matters not, as "this ain't your father's Diana book"... there's WIDE READERSHIP APPEAL in these pages, as "CHASING DIANA: PERCEPTION VS. REALITY" is, at its organic core, an intriguing murder mystery and an international conspiracy-laden crime story... all experienced by a dysfunctional American family who unwittingly get thrust into the entire horrific misadventure, which only serves to further complicate their familial debilitation. Can they emerge unscathed?
Simple happenstance and the capriciousness of life places them at the seminal historic moment of the shocking death of Princess Diana in this dramatic, though breezy and light thriller/drama. A bit off-the-wall at times, yet always laced with a serious dose of wry humor and pathos, this book has the quirky endearing feel of THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL but with the macabre darkness and ironic style of THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN. With an urbane sensibility coupled with a universally recognized subject matter, "CHASING DIANA: PERCEPTION VS. REALITY" is alluring to international audiences. And you'll want to devour the read in one sitting!
Also included in this SPECIAL EDITION volume is a very rare Afterword, as the reader experiences a behind-the-scenes look at the trial that shook Great Britain to its core. After ten years of trying in vain to bring the truth to the forefront, on December 3, 2007, the Firestones were finally called upon to give live testimony in London at the Royal Courts of Justice for the "Coroner's Inquests into the Deaths of Diana, Princess of Wales and Mr. Dodi al-Fayed." Here, they describe their ordeal for the first time ever in print.
And you'll also be treated to Mr. Firestone's personal journal entitled "Tunnel Vision," written down by him immediately after The Event of 8/31/97, which gives his personal insight to: the immediate witnessing of the car crash wreckage site in which lay Princess Diana, the initial French investigation, the police and the paparazzi and the motorcycle and the car activity in the Alma Tunnel that night. His words speak to the relentlessness and the restlessness of the news media that, even now, attempts to control our lives.
To sum it up: you've NEVER read a Diana book, or ANY book, quite like this one. It is the ultimate "you are there" experience, so buckle your seat belt and enjoy the ride... er, read... as we set the dials on the Wayback Machine for 1997.
Visit us at www.ChasingDiana.com and www.Facebook.com/ChasingDiana and www.IMDb.me/JackFirestone for more info. about the book and the authors.
About the Author :
Jack Firestone was raised in Long Island, New York, and was trained in Meisner Acting Technique at HB Studios in NYC, and by famed Los Angeles actor/teacher Jeff Corey in LA. Jack has appeared on the regional, and Off-Broadway stages, in dozens of plays, as well as numerous TV commercials, and has been a card-carrying SAG-AFTRA member since the late 1970's. He appeared in many Norman Lear sitcoms, including All In The Family and Good Times, to name a few. He had taken a hiatus from show business to work the business of shows, where, as a member of the sales staff of legendary television program distributor Firestone Programs -- owned by his late father, TV program sales pioneer Leonard Firestone -- Jack sold perennial hit shows into the TV syndication marketplace, including Chuck Barris' The Gong Show & The New Newlywed Game (in which he also worked as a Contestant Coordinator!), Allen Funt's The New Candid Camera (in which Jack acted as a recurring shill), and Garry Moore hosted To Tell The Truth (in which he was also, in one episode, one of the two imposter contestants.) Jack is happily married --- for over 30 years! --- to Robin, and they now reside near the booming Atlanta market, where he is reviving his acting career. To date, though, they have produced their best work of art yet: an only child -- a son -- who is newly-married, is an MD, and who is a father of boy and girl twins, Dax and Lennon. www.ChasingDiana.com www.Facebook.com/ChasingDiana (with over 17,000 Likes, come join our community!)
Review :
The Commoners Have Spoken: High Praise for CHASING DIANA:
Reminiscent of Oliver Stone's JFK - Justin Paprocki, "The Island Packet," book reviewer (Hilton Head Island, SC) "Chasing Diana is reminiscent of Oliver Stone's 'JFK'... Chasing Diana spins murderous paparazzi and crooked cops into its tale."
Gripping, Fast-Paced, I Didn't Want It To End! A Must Read! - Wendy Barker's Book Review (Seattle, WA) "...A page-turner from start to finish, the story is fast-paced, filled with intrigue and action. I loved the ending, which keeps readers on the tips of their toes!"
Happy to Recommend! - Molly Martin, Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI) "...Chasing Diana is a fast-paced thriller sure to grab reader interest from the outset and hold it fast... Characters are colorful, varied and nicely detailed. Settings are fully developed, dialogue is gritty and hard hitting, the storyline is compelling. Danger, intrigue and deceit abound on the pages of this spell-binding work... filled with excitement, wit and gripping situations."
This Would Make A Great Movie! Fabulous! - Jodi Dorn (Alberta, Canada) "This book is the whole package: smart, entertaining and respectful. Once I started reading, I missed lunch and a nap just to finish it! The passion and fabulous energy behind the words are palpable..."
Written Brilliantly! - Rhonda Swan (San Diego, CA) "...Chasing Diana is written brilliantly, as each event played out vividly in my mind. I read the story in two hours... I couldn't put it down."
Breathless! - Verified Amazon Purchase, 5 stars - James Napoleon (CT) "To read the Firestones' raw-edged inspired-by-the-truth story is like being shot out of a cannon. You will be breathless and bruised, reliving this tragedy of a generation so close and so personal, as the Firestones embark on a 1990s vacation, hijacked by volatile forces out of control. Keep an open mind and stay with the churn of events, though it will at times break your heart. The Goodrich family survives a media feeding frenzy and the bizarre designs of some very desperate players. A truly original take on an event that will haunt us all for decades."
Untold Truths and Scandal! - Verified Amazon Purchase, Kindle Edition, 5 stars - Fred M. Schecter (NJ) "...involving the curious death of Princess Di. Based on actual eye witnesses who seemed to be thwarted at every turn trying to tell the hard truth to the public and investigators."
This Is a Remarkable Story! - Verified Amazon Purchase, 5 stars - Amazon Vine(TM) Review - Wendy L. Hines "...add one part fantasy, one part truth, and one part thrilling action, and you'll have Chasing Diana. Told through the lead characters of Rhonda and James Goodrich, this is a remarkable story!"
Can't Wait to See the Movie! - Amazon Purchase, 5 stars - Susan Kuz - "I started reading this book just before bed and could not put it down until I was finished. I love the suspense..."
