Spanning her sixty year career in show business, this biography gives an inside look at the phenomenon that is Dolly Parton. Born to a poor family, she struggled to gain a foothold in the Nashville music scene but as her fame soared, so did negative vibes from her fellow musicians. Some thought she'd strayed too far from her country roots, some thought she was turning out a poor imitation of the music popular in Nashville. I was glad they included some details about her charity work; she's given millions of dollars to literacy efforts and is generous with her time and public appearances. A fascinating look into a fascinating woman. Highly recommend.

Thank you, St. Martin's Press, for providing the copy of Ain’t Nobody’s Fool by Martha Ackmann. I adored this book! I loved learning more about Dolly’s life and what drove her. I also loved how much research the author did, but I wanted more firsthand quotes from Dolly’s friends, colleagues, and family. If you’re a fan, this is a great way to learn more about Dolly. If you’re not a fan, you will be after reading this book! 4 stars.

If you love Dolly Parton or even just admire her as a cultural icon. This book gives you a deeper look at the woman behind the big hair and sparkly rhinestones. Ackmann takes us from Dolly’s humble beginnings in the Smoky Mountains to her rise as a global superstar, showing how her early years shaped everything she’s done since.

I loved the parts about Dolly’s childhood. You really feel the warmth of her family, the struggles of growing up with very little, and how those roots gave her a sense of grit and compassion that she’s carried throughout her life. It’s clear that her strong connection to home has always been the foundation for both her music and her philanthropy.

The book does a great job of showing just how hard Dolly had to fight for her success. There’s no sugarcoating here, she faced stereotypes, rejections, and plenty of criticism. But Dolly’s determination to stay true to herself, to her voice, and to her style is what makes her story so inspiring.

Ackmann also spends time on Dolly’s incredible generosity, like her literacy programs and disaster relief efforts. Those sections really stood out to me because they show that Dolly’s impact goes far beyond her music career, she’s truly committed to lifting up others.

The writing itself is thoughtful and well-researched. At times, it can feel a bit formal or academic, which makes certain sections slower, but the detail helps paint a full picture of Dolly’s life and legacy.

Overall, Ain’t Nobody’s Fool is more than just a biography. It’s a story about resilience, authenticity, and never forgetting where you came from. You’ll close the book with an even deeper appreciation for Dolly Parton, not just as a superstar, but as a person who built a remarkable life on her own terms.

Special thanks to NetGalley & St. Martin Press for providing me with this ARC.

As someone who grew up listening to Dolly Parton, I was thrilled to receive this ARC. Over the years, I’ve come to realize that Dolly is so much more than a country singer. She’s a brilliant, savvy, and deeply intelligent woman whose creativity and vision seem to turn everything she touches into gold.

I knew some of her story already—her big family, growing up poor, her music, movies, Dollywood, the Imagination Library, and her private marriage to Carl (RIP). But Ackmann goes deeper. I got to see the choices, struggles, and values that made her who she is today.

This book made me admire her even more, and I think anyone could pick it up and understand why Dolly’s loved and respected all over the world.

Ain’t Nobody’s Fool by Martha Ackmann is a detailed look into Dolly Parton’s life from her childhood in poverty to her rise in the music business and her philanthropy.

My biggest take away is that Dolly Parton is incredible!!!! Parton came from poverty but also from a large and loving family. It was her uncle who drove her around for singing gigs when she was first starting out. She met her dear husband Carl Dean when she was 18 and they were together until his recent death. Carl Dean wanted no part of the limelight.

Parton’s father was illiterate and that is the impetuous for her reading philanthropy. While a little factual, the book tells a comprehensive story of the great Dolly Parton and is worth a read.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Ain't Nobody's Fool was a poignant and beautiful story of the life of Dolly Parton. I appreciated all the footnotes and little details that helped her story come to life. The way Martha Ackmann described Dolly's life, I felt like I was truly there.

Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Martha Ackmann for this ARC. All thoughts are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy!
I’ve really been into celebrity memoirs and biographies over the last few years, and was excited to see that there will be a new one about Dolly Parton being published soon. Unfortunately, this one didn’t quite hit for me. It’s very informative, and I can tell that a lot of research went into the writing of it. In a way, that is almost the downfall of the book. It reads more like a report written for a class than a published biography, and it reads rather cold. I’m the first to complain about purple prose in a nonfiction book of this nature, but this could’ve used at least a little bit to bring some warmth to it. Now granted, this is my personal preference when it comes to writing styles. I would recommend this for people who enjoy straightforward writing and deep dives into the lives of celebrity icons

Ain't Nobody's Fool: The Life and Times of Dolly Parton (Set to release December 30, 2025) that is a biography that tells about her childhood as one of 12 children in a family in a very poor area of the Smokeys Mountains, and continues detailing her life through the very beginning of her career and how different family members and also people she met along the way helped(along with Dolly being a very headstrong hardworking woman that knew what she wanted and went after it) shaped her success into what it is today.

The book details her introduction into singing, acting and several businesses ventures throughout the years. I have always been a fan and admired Dolly and enjoyed having a glimpse into her life and from the beginning and what formed her into the talented, generous and so very kindhearted person she has become.

Beside my love of her music, I love her philanthropy efforts a few of which assist to lower school dropout rates and also offering the Imagination Library which provides a book a month to children until the age of 5. It was said that she was inspired to start these charities because her father had to drop out of school and never learned to read.

Anyone who loves Dolly should read this book and get a deeper understanding of how she came from a poor upbringing in a family that survived many setbacks but remained strong in their love for one another and their faith and became a success while still remembering where she came from. This book reminded me again why I love and admire Dolly and her music, and I also learned some things I never knew before reading, and that made me love her even more.

This book is absolutely phenomenal! As a life time Dolly fan, I would reccomend this book to anyone who is even slightly interested in learning more about Dolly.
This biography follows Dolly's life from her early beginnings. While reading you truly feel like you are getting to know her on a personal level. There are so many stories of her life, her music, and how she came to be who she is today.
If you are someone who enjoys emotional, heartfelt (and heart tugging) stories of growth, life, and family this is an absolute must read!

As a big fan of Dolly, I was excited to dive deeper into her history. I have read and listened to Songteller, and also loved the podcast Dolly Parton’s America, but this book really went into the nuance and history of Dolly and her family in a way I don’t think others have. I learned a lot and really enjoyed gaining a better understanding of how Dolly was viewed at various times. Definitely recommend for fans of Dolly who want to learn even more about her!

I was able to read this title thanks is to NetGalley. Dolly Pardon is a national treasure and icon. This book went through her life and career. I enjoyed learning more about her. Dolly had a poor childhood in money, but so rich with love of family and community. After she became a mega star, she created Dollywood to help her community with jobs. I just love her.

Dolly is an icon and this book is proof of that. Starting with her beginnings in the Smoky mountains, then her career in country music and as a successful businesswomen and humanitarian, Dolly’s story is incredibly moving. As a fan of Dolly’s music, while I enjoyed reading about her country music career, I particularly enjoyed the stories of her childhood and her life outside of country music. Whether or not you are a fan of Dolly, Martha Ackmann’s storytelling will pull you in making this memoir a fantastic read.

Anything about Dolly is amazing to read, to hear, to watch. This was nothing different. Her whole outlook on life especially for women is something we should all take value in. Before her it was Marilyn Monroe. These are the female leaders we need.

Honestly who doesn’t love Dolly! This book was well written and provides some depth into Dolly’s life. Although I would say it could have done without all the footnotes you wouldn’t be disappointed with picking up this book for a quick read.

I just happen to stumble on this book while I was browsing on Netgalley, and I was interested. I mean, I knew a little about her and wanted to learn more. I am not a fan of her music, but that doesn’t matter.

Unlike other musicians memoirs, I have read, this was one was a very quick and easy read. It dove into her family, her childhood, her rise to fame, her marriage, her career in music and television, and her generous philanthropy. It did dive into a few of her hit songs, but not every song and every detail.

I want thank her for her $1 million dollar donation to research at Vanderbilt University which helped kickstart the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine and for her kindness in the Imagination Library which provides free books to children.

What an amazing woman she is who started from being poor to where she is now. What a great role model to everybody..

Dolly Parton is a gift to the world and this biography by Martha Ackmann is no exception. This is a breathtaking collection of the journey that has culminated in making Dolly who she is. From her youth in a small town in the mountains to the hardships she faced to ensure her success. She is an absolute gem and the world doesn't deserve her, but we are so grateful for her.

Set for release on December 30, 2025, this biography offers a quick yet engaging journey through the life of one of country music’s most iconic figures, Dolly Parton. The narrative begins with her humble upbringing in the Smoky Mountains, painting a vivid picture of the family, faith, and hard work that shaped her early years. From there, the book traces the many milestones of her remarkable career—her breakout success in Nashville, her transition into mainstream stardom, her ventures in film and business, and her unwavering commitment to philanthropy. It concludes with an epilogue that brings readers up to the present day, reminding us of Dolly’s lasting influence in music, culture, and beyond.

I found the book to be an enjoyable and accessible read, perfect for fans looking for a broad overview of Dolly’s life. While I often wished for more depth and behind-the-scenes detail—particularly in the chapters covering her songwriting and business ventures—the book succeeds as a celebratory highlight reel of her journey. It captures the warmth, determination, and resilience that have made Dolly Parton a legend.

For readers seeking an introduction to Dolly’s life and legacy, or for longtime admirers who simply want to revisit her many triumphs in one place, this book is a rewarding and uplifting read.

I am not sure how to rate this book.

Was it an informative biography? Yes. Would it be perfect for a school project? Also yes.

Did I peel through it at Mach 12 because it was not as exciting as my usual books? Sadly, also yes.

I think that reading this proves to me that I am more of a memoir fan than that of biographies.

Not bad, but felt dry. Would recommend for a school collection, as Dolly is a star and deserves to be read and written about by students!

Ain't Nobody's Fool was a great insight into the iconic legend, actress, singer, song writer, entrepreneur, fashionista, author Dolly Parton. To grow up from abject poverty to one of the richest people in the world (in money and heart) is so inspiring.. The biography was thorough and up to date, to include the passing of Dolly's husband in April of 2025. It centers a lot more on earlier years vs current times though. The book also is more than about Dolly, but also a history lesson into events of times and the mentality of those times for perspectives. Also it delves in to the history of some of her acquaintances. I learned quite a bit about her and enjoyed my time with this book. It was paced and arranged well. Martha Ackman definitely did her research and cited many many sources. I was a bit annoyed with the references and footnotes actually. As this is an uncorrected copy, I hope those footnotes gravitate towards the back of the book if they make it to the final print, instead of at the end of each chapter as they were in my copy.. If you want, check out my dedicated review on YouTube channel Tangible Reads, the memoir/biographies section.

As an exceptionally well-documented up-to-date work, the footnotes in this excellent Dolly Parton biography are as interesting as each chapter in the book. Author Martha Ackmann uses research skills to provide a well-constructed history of Dolly Parton's career. Ackmann shows Dolly's struggles when she was breaking into the country music industry, but she also shows Parton's struggles when she becomes too diversified with movies and television, and the theme park. Highly recommended as a study in success for business executives. Note: there is no index in the ARC.