American radio shock jock Howard Stern likes to call himself the "King of all Media." However, Irish-American dance man Michael Flatley has a right to begin using the moniker as well. To go along with his blockbuster dance shows and TV specials, not to mention the ongoing talk of a Flatley Hollywood movie, the Chicago-born hoofer can now add "author" to his resumé. "Lord of the Dance: My Story by Flatley" (co-written with Douglas Thompson) is hitting bookstores soon for those legions of fans who can't get enough of Flatley's life, loves and philosophy. The son of Irish immigrants, Flatley describes his youth as hardscrabble, during which he helped his dad dig ditches. Most of the footwork Flatley did while growing up was in the boxing ring, not on the dance floor. At the age of 11, against his will, he attended Irish dance classes and thus were born Flatley's famous feet of flames. What is perhaps most interesting about this book is Flatley's take on his rise to stardom. There's quite a bit of name-dropping, late-night club hopping and elbow rubbing with stars. All this, of course, is from Flatley's own point of view, so don't expect much controversy here. However, he does address the 2003 rape he was very publicly charged with (he was later exonerated). Say what you will about Flatley, but as this book shows, his life story is an inspiring, undeniable example of the Irish-American dream. (Touchstone / 320 pages / $24.95)
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