---
product_id: 593063664
title: "What a Fool Believes: A Memoir"
price: "151 zł"
currency: PLN
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 13
url: https://www.desertcart.pl/products/593063664-what-a-fool-believes-a-memoir
store_origin: PL
region: Poland
---

# What a Fool Believes: A Memoir

**Price:** 151 zł
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- **What is this?** What a Fool Believes: A Memoir
- **How much does it cost?** 151 zł with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.pl](https://www.desertcart.pl/products/593063664-what-a-fool-believes-a-memoir)

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## Description

* INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * A sweeping and evocative music 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 classic 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 celebrity memoir 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 rock and roll biography that is sure to be a classic. This unforgettable music memoir goes behind the hits to tell the story of a singular voice in rock history: The Doobie Brothers and Steely Dan: Go inside the studio and on the road with two of the most influential bands of the decade, and learn the stories behind era-defining hits like "What A Fool Believes" and "Takin’ It to the Streets." Fame and Insecurity: A high school dropout from Ferguson, Missouri, grapples with the unshakeable insecurities, drug and alcohol addictions, and the dizzying highs and lows of fame. 70s Rock Scene: Step into the heady world of 1970s California, a moment of excess and opportunity, filled with a matchless cast of music greats including James Taylor, Ray Charles, and Quincy Jones. A Singer-Songwriter’s Journey: Follow the path from rising session musician and backing vocalist to a Rock & Roll Hall of Famer and breakout solo R&B artist who defined a generation.

Review: ∞ Super Fun Meets Brutally Honest - • I laughed out loud throughout ! Such a fun read about a singularly remarkable talent ! McDonald comes across the pages as one being brutally honest with himself and the reader, with all the humility and humbleness of a highly spiritual entity. And in addressing crises in McDonald's life, deadly serious as those episodes were, Paul Reiser found a way to bring out the humorous aspects of being in that state of darkness. • A purchase not to hesitate making !
Review: Excellent songwriter, excellent writer, excellent musican, excellent Dad. - Ok, so I've been a fan of MM since I first heard "Taking it to the streets..." when I was in college in the winter of 1975 and thought "That's the Doobies??? Where's Tom and Pat? ...That was almost 50 years ago. What DID hit me was that voice and that song...and I never looked back. I love his music and always have...he could sing a phone book and I'd call it a hit...so there's that... I was blown away by that voice (and still am).... That said, this book is a must-read for anyone who is a fan or an amateur musician like me, who always wondered "What's it like to climb to that level in the music business and how does it affect your "normal" life. His modesty, combined with a wicked mid-western dry wit and excellent story-telling makes this a MUST read....His story is heartwarming and something younger musicians can learn a lot from, i.e. He frequently describes his lucky breaks but the truth is, despite his self-professed shortcomings...as the saying goes, "Luck favors the prepared"....and he worked his ass off, whether he admits it or not. He is also painfully honest about the the challenges he's overcome and the losses he's dealt with which is extremely heartwarming and relatable. I am so glad I read this book, and glad he and Paul Reiser (an excellent author/actor/musician himself) put it together and published it. It's such a gift. Buy it. Read it. and you will not be sorry you did. Thanks Mike.

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| Best Sellers Rank | #41,044 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #31 in Rock Music (Books) #32 in Rock Band Biographies #162 in Actor & Entertainer Biographies |
| Customer Reviews | 4.6 out of 5 stars 1,204 Reviews |

## Images

![What a Fool Believes: A Memoir - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81RvKL6T+QL.jpg)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ∞ Super Fun Meets Brutally Honest
*by C***G on April 17, 2026*

• I laughed out loud throughout ! Such a fun read about a singularly remarkable talent ! McDonald comes across the pages as one being brutally honest with himself and the reader, with all the humility and humbleness of a highly spiritual entity. And in addressing crises in McDonald's life, deadly serious as those episodes were, Paul Reiser found a way to bring out the humorous aspects of being in that state of darkness. • A purchase not to hesitate making !

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent songwriter, excellent writer, excellent musican, excellent Dad.
*by S***G on May 24, 2024*

Ok, so I've been a fan of MM since I first heard "Taking it to the streets..." when I was in college in the winter of 1975 and thought "That's the Doobies??? Where's Tom and Pat? ...That was almost 50 years ago. What DID hit me was that voice and that song...and I never looked back. I love his music and always have...he could sing a phone book and I'd call it a hit...so there's that... I was blown away by that voice (and still am).... That said, this book is a must-read for anyone who is a fan or an amateur musician like me, who always wondered "What's it like to climb to that level in the music business and how does it affect your "normal" life. His modesty, combined with a wicked mid-western dry wit and excellent story-telling makes this a MUST read....His story is heartwarming and something younger musicians can learn a lot from, i.e. He frequently describes his lucky breaks but the truth is, despite his self-professed shortcomings...as the saying goes, "Luck favors the prepared"....and he worked his ass off, whether he admits it or not. He is also painfully honest about the the challenges he's overcome and the losses he's dealt with which is extremely heartwarming and relatable. I am so glad I read this book, and glad he and Paul Reiser (an excellent author/actor/musician himself) put it together and published it. It's such a gift. Buy it. Read it. and you will not be sorry you did. Thanks Mike.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Interesting Book From An Interesting Artist
*by S***Y on September 10, 2025*

Back in 1978 the very first rock concert that I attended was The Doobie Brothers on the “Living On The Fault Line” tour at Wings Stadium in Kalamazoo Michigan. The lineup featured a young Michael McDonald and the show was great. McDonald would eventually lead the band down a road towards a more soul / r&b sound and away from the band’s rock roots. Although they became even more popular it was not a direction that I personally liked and the McDonald era albums tend to be my least favorite from the band. I also never warmed much to his solo career even though it seemed like he was everywhere for a time. Even though a lot of his music was not in my wheelhouse, I found this to be a very interesting book. Growing up in Fergusion Missouri, McDonald took an interesting road to Los Angeles playing in various bands before coming under the radar of Walter Becker and Donald Fagen of Steely Dan with whom he played on several big albums. That connection eventually led him to the Doobie Brothers where he finally was able to make a living and eventually become a superstar. McDonald struggled in poverty for many years playing in bars and any pickup bands he could find. He meets the woman who would eventually become his wife early in his life, but they do not get together for good until he had been around the horn for a while. McDonald suffered from self-doubt and a lack of confidence even after he had made it big in the industry. I was also not aware of his struggles with drugs and alcohol which he eventually conquered, but was a major factor in his life for many years. Today, he and his Doobies band mates tour together and his solo work has become a big part of the Yacht Rock phenomenon, something no one saw coming. Overall, I enjoyed this book, even though I am not a huge fan of most of his music. McDonald has played with many people over the years and this is a good musical memoir. Recommended.

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*Product available on Desertcart Poland*
*Store origin: PL*
*Last updated: 2026-05-27*