Glen Campbell has been part of my life for all of my life. Both of my parents were huge fans so this book was like reading into my own family's history.

Kim Campbell went on a blind date and found the love of her life. Glen Campbell was just out of a tabloid cover relationship with Tanya Tucker and was known as a serious alcoholic.

While Kim spills the details on the stars and details of their relationship, I feel that the most important part of this book is the end. After Glen was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, he made a final tour to basically say his goodbye to his fans. Kim holds nothing back - she's honest to a fault. This is the story of the strength of love between two people.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review.

I remember listening to Glen Campbell as a teenager and I remember the crazy relationship with Tanya Tucker. I didn't know he was a fan of golf or other types of music. I also didn't know he had been married 3 times before Kim! I admire her staying through the drugs and drinking. I don't think I would have stayed with someone so abusive. I felt this book was done well and I really admire her courage through the final battle.

Gentle on My Mind is a candid tale about a wife's life and love with a bigger-than-life legend and their rollercoaster ride through triumphs and tragedies. I've always enjoyed Glen Campbell's superior music and singing, but felt sorry for his tortured soul. This memoir feels so open and honest, and doesn't have the icky feel of greedy writing of a posthumous celebrity bio.

A great story with a great title, that carries a touching, memorable, and spiritual feel.

I was blessed to receive a complimentary digital copy of this book via Netgalley.

From the publisher: "Kim Campbell was a fresh-faced twenty-two-year-old dancer at Radio City Music Hall when a friend introduced her to Glen Campbell, the chart-topping, Grammy-winning, Oscar-nominated entertainer. The two performers from small Southern towns quickly fell in love, a bond that produced a thirty-four-year marriage and three children."

I knew about Glen Campbell before coming to this book: he was a member of The Wrecking Crew, the studio musicians of the 1960's that seemed to work on every hit from The Monkees to Sinatra, that he had a summertime replacement show to The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour in the late 1960's, knew his hit songs and remember him from his late 1980's appearances on the revival of the Smothers show, had a couple of CDs of his music, heard he got busted for DUI, heard about his having Alzheimer's and his goodbye tour, and saw the documentary.

But that was all superficial stuff. I really didn't know much about him at all, it turns out. Campbell was from a large family who grew up dirt poor in the south. The one thing he did have was musical talent. He went through three marriages and five kids, plus a highly-publicized affair with country star Tanya Tucker by the time he met his fourth wife, Kim, in 1981. They got married, had three more kids, and had 34 years together before Glen died.  That could have been the story.

Except there was a whole lot more. Alcoholism, enabling, and mental abuse describes the first part of the Campbell's marriage, as well as a strong reliance on God. If you are not religious, you might not like the frequent references to Him and the Bible scriptures Kim shares to explain how she was feeling being married to this very successful yet broken man.

I was most interested in reading more about Glen Campbell's Alzheimer's, because my husband's family has a long line of it in his family and I will most likely face it with him some day as well. I wanted to hear Kim's story.  The struggles she had with Glen during his last decade are heart-breaking. And when she finally came to peace with the fact that she and her team couldn't care for Glen on a day-to-day basis, to have some of Glen's older children essentially accuse her of abuse is horrifying.

Because Kim didn't meat Glen until he was in his 40's, I'm curious to read another biography on Glen Campbell that concentrates on his early life and successful dominance of the country and pop charts.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with this (ARC) Advanced Readers Copy.

Read more of my reviews at https://www.bargain-sleuth.com

I read this book in one day. It sucked me in from beginning to end. Kim's description about the terrors of addiction are very real and vivid. My heart sank at times out of fear for her and Glen. Must read for anyone, highly recommend.

This was a wonderful though ultimately sad read. I’d seen the documentary a few years back that I found so profound, and this was the perfect follow-up to it. So very moving, it shares a lot more about Glen’s background I didn’t know. Their love story is also rather amazing by itself, with some major challenges, but Kim was in it for life. I do think this really shined a light on Alzheimer’s and got people thinking and talking about it. Not to be missed by real Glen Campbell fans, or those with an interest in Alzheimer’s. Advanced electronic review copy was provided by NetGalley, the author Kim Campbell, and publisher Thomas Nelson for my unbiased review.

As someone who grew up with her parents listening to his songs, I had no idea of his personal life, apart from the Alzheimer's disease at the end.
This was an interesting, but sometimes difficult read, and I applaud his wife for letting the story be told.
I had not expected so much religion in the book, but it did not detract from the story, and I could empathise about the Alzheimer's, as I cared for an older relative for many years in their own home before having to use a wonderful local care home. The internal struggle of wanting to help and keep that person safe, against your own mental and physical health is exhausting, and I am glad that the book details the huge efforts involved by everyone, for the love of that one person

A well written memoir with an inside look into the life of a caregiver to someone afflicted with a horrible disease after a life-long battle with inner demons.

Kim's Frank storytelling and remberances were interesting and made for a great reminder that even though he lived as larger than life, life was cruel at the end.

A story of love, tragedy, faith, love and memories of a truly talented man.

Kim Campbell lays it all on the line in her compelling, candid, and ultimately loving portrait of her husband of 34 years, Glen Campbell. Like any life's journey, sometimes especially with celebrity, the picture is not always rainbows and sunshine. Mrs. Campbell writes conversationally, I felt like we were having an honest conversation. It cant have been easy to share those 34 years with a man that had many personal demons. She made the decision to stay, and I thought she explained her commitment well.
If you are one that doesnt like to pull aside the curtain, this book might not be for you. If however, like me, you appreciate a picture of the whole man, Gentle On My Mind is an excellent, well written, emotional, sometimes difficult read. My only regret is that the chapters on Alzheimer's are short, but I guess in the scope of 34 years, that fits.
I think that Gentle On My Mind would be a good book discussion choice, lots to discuss and debate.
I received my copy through NetGalley under no obligation.

Gentle on My Mind by Kim Campbell is a highly readable memoir of the author’s life with the entertainer Glen Campbell. This is a story of fortitude for the four-time married singer who was 23 years older than his ballerina wife. They faced many challenges during their 34-year marriage including substance abuse, alcoholism, spousal abuse, and finally, Alzheimer’s disease.

A dancer at Radio City Music Hall when Kim was introduced by a friend to Campbell, she was quickly attracted to Glen although she had some misgivings. Kim had her first glimpse of his alcohol-fueled bad behavior at the end of their very first date. After a few missteps on Glen’s part, including rebounding to the singer Tanya Tucker for a brief interlude, Glen swept Kim off her dancing feet and away with him.

Kim peels away all the veneer from the relationship and exposes both the highs and the lows of their lives together. Her faith in God sustained her through the lows while other women would have left the marriage. Her story is a heart-breaking yet loving tribute to a very complicated, troubled man.

Her candid telling of Glen’s life both before she met him and through their enduring marriage is a testimony to her patience and strength. Her endurance through Glen’s decline into dementia is extraordinary as is the support of their family and friends during this nightmare experience.

Kim Campbell, the mother of three of Glen’s eight children, is the founder of Careliving.org, “a blog, lifestyle guide, and social movement designed to inspire, encourage and empower caregivers to care for themselves while caring for others.” For fans of Glen Campbell, this is a must read.

My review will be posted on Goodreads starting June 24, 2020.

I would like to thank Nelson Books, an imprint of Thomas Nelson, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in return for an objective review.

As a lifelong fan of Glen Campbell, I was happy to receive an ARC of Gentle On My Mind and read it in one day. His wife Kim shared an honest, brutal and beautiful story of their life and Glen’s struggles, first with alcohol then with Alzheimer’s. She included occurrences which would be difficult for his children, in my opinion, to read about their father. I watched the documentary I’ll Be Me in 2014 and this book was true to that story. This book is highly recommended not only to Glen fans but also to those who are caregivers to loved ones with Alzheimer’s.

I have mixed feelings about this book. Kim claims over and over that she wanted to preserve Glen's dignity so didn't tell people about his alcoholic rages and violent tendencies. And yet in this book, she lays bare all the ugliness she supposedly didn't want people to know because it would tarnish his image.

I understand why she told the story of his decline into Alzheimer's because he had acknowledged the condition - it wasn't a secret. Anyone who has dealt with a loved one who has dementia knows how heartbreaking and devastating it is both for the patient and for the caregiver. It's exhausting to deal with the mood swings and to see the gradual decline - - to virtually watch someone die in front of your eyes. My heart goes out to Kim for all she went through. I understand.

I just wish she had been more careful about the sordid details she shared about Glen's life before the Alzheimer's began. They can't help but color the way the public views him and that's sad.

Honest open real Kim Campbell shares her life with the iconic Glen Campbell.They endured many ups and downs& then the Alzheimer’s diagnoses.A book a story that will keep you turning the pages.Emotional moving real.# netgalley#gentleon my mind.

I've been torn about how to convey my mixed feelings regarding this book, but I feel honesty is the best policy. While this was a very well-written, informative and enjoyable book, I can't help but feel cynical about Kim's motives for writing it. Of course the answer (like always) is follow the money. Kim Campbell is not the first partner to write a book about her loved one after they passed away. We could of course look back to Priscilla Presley, Pattie Boyd-Harrison-Clapton, and Cynthia Lennon to name just a few who have done so before Kim. Glen Campbell (as we learn quite succinctly in this book) was a serious alcoholic and died from Alzheimer's, and he could get violent in both situations. Kim could be hoping to enlighten people on both diseases, or she needs/wants the money from this project and its companion documentary, "Glen Campbell: I'll Be Me" which depicts his final tour and descent into Alzheimer's. He had three prior wives and some children before he ever met Kim, and some of these people caused Kim legal challenges in Glen's final days. Out of respect for Glen's family, she merely identifies these people as "the adversaries" in the book.

The book itself was a delight to read, because it appears that Kim didn't hold anything back. Her writing style is free flowing and appealing and she's narrating the story of her life with Glen Campbell. She was set up on a blind date with Glen in 1981 when she was 23 and living in New York City. Although Kim hailed from North Carolina, she relocated to New York City to pursue her dancing aspirations. She had just been hired as a Rockette at Radio City Music Hall. Although Glen was 22 years older than Kim, they hit it off immediately. He walked into the hotel room that he was sharing with his visiting parents singing "Rhinestone Cowboy". He looked quite fit and handsome. The physical attraction was undeniable. Also, they both were very religious. It was starting to look like a fairytale match that first evening until Glen started drinking and made a smarmy comment about wanting to "jump her bones." That was Kim's first introduction to Glen's drinking problem. Glen had just come off of a torrid and destructive relationship with singer Tanya Tucker that was regularly splashed across the tabloids. Kim soon found out that Glen's family, band members and friends were so relieved that he was dating Kim instead of Tanya. I had an "aha" moment during one romantic situation detailed in the book. As a religious and chaste young lady, Kim was not going to let Glen "jump her bones" right away. However, she still packed some sexy lingerie when she went on a date with Glen and slipped into his bed after changing into said lingerie...but Glen was careful not to cross that line. It reminded me so much of the times Priscilla Presley would also go into bed with Elvis with a similar boundary in place.

As Kim states frankly in the book, she stayed because she decided to stay. They had a beautiful life together, minus the drinking. It took a lot of faith and commitment to the marriage to tolerate the drinking episodes, and figure out a way going forward to get Glen to abstain. They eventually had three children together, two boys and a girl. They all grew up to be musically inclined and members of Glen's band. The recounting of Glen's decline into Alzheimer's abyss was very enlightening and sobering. To Glen's suddenly wanting to get out of a car on the LA Freeway to take a pee in the middle of traffic, to wanting to punch somebody without reason, to breaking into a window to get back into your own house...refusing to shower...the overwhelming reality of a wife/caregiver's role was laid bare. Luckily they had the resources to put Glen in professional care when life became untenable for her to handle things at home.

To reiterate, this was a well-written, open and honest book about Kim's 34-year marriage to Glen Campbell, warts and all. I am definitely going to watch the documentary, which I see is available to stream on Amazon. I am that interested after reading this book to explore further. I am not sure that Glen would be happy about his dirty laundry being hung out in public to this degree, but I was more than happy to read it just the same.

A touching read. Written by his wife of over 30 years it documents their life together - how they met, the challenges they faced and finally Glen's slipping away into Alzheimer's.

I found the honesty Kim Campbell writes with so refreshing and respectful. She tells it like it is not for sympathy but to tell the story. Alzheimer's is an awful illness that robs everyone in the family of something and she has highlighted this plain and simply.

It did feel as if the ending was rushed though but given the circumstances of his death and all the legal issues she had to wade through, it is understandable she didn't want to spend too much time focusing on those parts.

Do yourself a favour and go and watch Ashley Campbell's "Remembering". With her explanation of the song and her mother's words in the book it'll bring tears to your eyes. A beautiful tribute.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me the chance to read this book.

The musical genius and talent of Glen Campbell is unparalleled. As one who grew up watching his rise to stardom, I was humbled by this biography written by the late Glen Campbell's wife of thirty plus years, Kim Campbell. Glen Campbell's story is one of triumph and tragedy. He rose from abject poverty in a hard scrabble upbringing in rural Arkansas to an be internationally loved superstar. He played the seedy bars and nightclubs, was a studio musician to some of the greatest, earned his place with unforgettable number one records, opened the door to stardom to little know country musicians, made several movies, and recorded unforgettable songs like: "Galveston", "By the Time I Get to Phoenix", Rhinestone Cowboy", and "Gentle On My Mind". Glen Campbell also ran a marathon race thru three marriages, five children, and drug and alcohol addiction. Luckily his marriage to Kim, his fourth wife and this book's author, was one that lasted until his death and produced children that inherited some of his musical talent. Thru hard work and the love and support of his family Glen Campbell overcame addiction and spent many years sharing his talent with the world. If you are a fan of Glen Campbell read this book. It will make you laugh and make you cry much like his music did.

Thanks to Netgalley for giving me the chance to receive an advanced copy. I have mixed feelings about this book, mostly written from his wife Kim's perspective. And I had to take that into consideration while reading it. I enjoyed reading about Glen's immense musical talent and his ability to play through alcoholism, and Alzheimer's disease.
What I did struggle with was his wife's constant ability to defend or as she learned many years later enable his crazy drinking binges, and constant physical and mental abuse. She said he told her to never speak about his drinking, and it seems that through many years she did keep to her word. The question I really have is, exactly who was she helping? It certainly wasn't Glen and her children must have suffered greatly.
There is also quite a lot of religious thoughts in this and I think obviously it must have been a tremendous help during the tough times.
I enjoyed the book and thought it was an honest journey that his wife took with Glen Campbell. It's a love story with many complications along the way. And wow, did Glen Campbell work hard to support his family until the late stages of his life! Amazing.

Glen Campbell has been my favourite artist ever since I watched the beautiful documentary in 2014 on his health during such a trying time. I viewed almost every episode of his Goodtime Hour show and relished the duets he performed with Stevie Wonder, Judy Collins, Donny Osmond, and the legendary Johnny Cash among countless others. Upon viewing this book for request, I leapt at the chance to learn more about such a brilliant artist who, despite being musically illiterate, played the bagpipes, set Alan Jackson up for fame, and became one of the most accomplished guitarists to date. The fact that he was the first to land a number one single across the pop, country, and rock charts simultaneously further reinforces Campbell as a musical genius.
Kim Campbell's account of her and Glen's life, detailing their ups and downs, did not disappoint. As I devoured this book within two short sittings, I played Campbell's albums, including his hits and even some long lost tunes. I was immediately transported back to the 1980's where Kim documented her experiences as a young and naive dancer and her memories of meeting and dating the famous musician. Campbell continually name dropped throughout her book, which had me gaping at times. For instance, she mentions James Taylor and Mary Tyler Moore within a page or two at the start of her account which had me hooked.
Additionally, her vibrant writing shone through the pages as she recounted her and Glen's hardships throughout the decades, and her inclusion of Scripture presented a beautiful prose. The last few chapters I found especially touching as Kim faithfully documented Glen's health diagnosis. She also bluntly described her experiences in marriage with an artist who battled many demons and who was swamped by fame. Overall, Kim wrote a tasteful account, although the beginning chapters were a bit more detailed than some might want. I feel as though I cannot succinctly say what this memoir has added to my appreciation of and respect towards Glen Campbell but I shall summarize it in a few lyrics: "When I walk along some railroad track and find/That you're movin' on the back roads by the rivers of my memory/And for hours you're just gentle on my mind."

Gentle on My Mind is about the life of Glen Campbell as written by his wife. I found the book very enlightening. His life story will tug at your heartstrings.

I got this as an ARC from NET GALLEY

Not enough stars to give. The true country boy from Arkansas who went on to rhinestone fame but had an even great impact in the last phase of his life when the lights were not as bright but Glen's impact was.

The story of him and Kim will bring you to tears, wonderful work