Book Description

This digital document, covering the life and work of Lucille (Desiree) Ball, is an entry from Contemporary Authors, a reference volume published by Thomson Gale. The length of the entry is 3815 words. The page length listed above is based on a typical 300-word page. Although the exact content of each entry from this volume can vary, typical entries include the following information:

• Place and date of birth and death (if deceased)
• Family members
• Education
• Professional associations and honors
• Employment
• Writings, including books and periodicals
• A description of the author's work
• References to further readings about the author

Reviews (3)

Lucy lives forever!
I have read many books on Lucille Ball. She is my idol and I love her with all my heart.This book is so good. It's very informative. It covers her life from her birth to her death in 1989, not 1986, as another reviewer putit. Someone said it didn't give much detail, which is not true at all. Theend moved me to tears. Not just water in my eyes tears; real tears runningdown my face. I sobbed like a little baby. It doesn't go into specifics ofLucy and Desi's deaths. It tells how they died, but it leaves it atthat,and in a way that's good.Lucy believed in privacy, as you can tellfrom her autobiography. This book is not an expose on the tabloid marraigeof Lucille and Desi. If all you're looking for is gossip, then this is notfor you. If you want an entertaining, informative outlook on the life ofLucille Ball, and I guess Desi Arnaz, then read this book. It's a real pageturner. You won't want to put it down.

Lucy Lacks Luster
Instead of "The Life of Lucille Ball" perhaps a better subtitle would be "Some Things about Lucille Ball".If you're looking for an in-depth bio on her, this is not it.However "Forever Lucy"would make a fine second book to read about Lucy, to fill in some cracksothers have left room for.

The book reads fast and does hold yourinterest.In most areas there is simply not enough detail.Perhaps thiswas intentional.But when we get to the part of Desi's death, we do expectmore than a small paragraph stating that "in recent years his healthhad deteriorated rapidly".

The many interviews given by Lucy &Desi over the years the authors use may make this an important resourcematerial for Lucy researchers/fans if those sources are not readilyavailable elsewhere.The authors do go into more detail than is usuallydone on the accusation in the '50s of Lucy's supposed communist activities.Also the business side of Lucy when she took over as head of Desilu aremore detailed than other books on her.

Read it?Yes.But make itsecond on your Lucy bio list.

Very, very informative
It started in her early yearsand took you straight through to her death in 1986. Around 200 to 250 pages.It explained a lot of things that I had been wondering about AFTER "I Love Lucy".It talked about her kids a lot too.It explained in deep detail about her kids' trials and tribulations while managing at the same time to link everything to Lucille Ball and continue talking about her life.A must buy for all Lucille Ball fans. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Required reading for all Lucille Ball fans.
A most beautiful book! This extremely well written book is required reading for all Lucille Ball fans. This is the first book in years that I could not put down. Brochu is a fan and has done his utmost to see that you are right there with him during the interviews. It was as if I were talking to Lucy.

Lucy was the most talented comedianne in history. Yet with all of the stardom, fame, and wealth, she was a loyal and down to earth individual. She showed no Hollywood arrogance which seems to be fashionable today. Other stories about her being tyrannical and difficult to work with are true only if you do not believe she was respectful of her profession. She was a consumate artist, a true believer in her craft, and would spend long, arduous hours perfecting a line, scene, or gag. This is why her comedy is transcendental - it touches everybody without being lude or vulgar - it was and is perfected. Brochu is a very lucky man to have been able to spend the last few weeks of Lucy's life with her. The book is lovingly written. You hear and feel Lucy's presence. And finally, you will learn Lucy's secret recipe for making the worst lemonade in human history. When I read how she fixed it, my cheeks instantly went into a pucker spasm.....................

This is the BEST Lucille Ball book!
I have read over 20 books that involve Lucille Ball ,but this is by far the best one! Jim Brochu,renowned playwright , lets Lucy's star shine as never before as he tells of her life and their love for each other. This is a great book written by a fan of Lucy himself. I was very touched and can not wait to get hold of one of Brochu's scripts.

Creepy.
There is some interesting stuff in this book (though one earlier reviewer suggestd the author fabricated some of it; I don't know if that's true or not). But the author's obsession with Lucy is more than a little creepy. Apparently fascinated by her for most of his life, he finally met her late in her life. For some reason she took a shine to him, to the point that he seemed to spend about every day for months visiting with her, playing backgammon and drinking her awful lemonade while she told him about her life. What exactly did she see in him? What did Gary Morton think about this guy hanging around his wife all the time? Who knows?

The book's main flaw is that the author injects himself far too much into the story; and he does not come across as a particularly witty or charming man, although Lucy inexplicably finds him funny and fun to be around. But at that time in her life, she had become something of a frail, sad, even somewhat vulgar woman -- not much like her famous characters.

Anyway, if it had been more about Lucy and less about the author and his self-importance at being part of her inner circle, it would have rated more stars.

Very touching, but not accurate at all
The first time I wrote a review for this book, I gave it 5 stars.However, this book is the least accurate of all the Lucy book I have read, and I have read a lot. While I was reading it, I noticed that some of the things Mr. Brochu said about Lucy directly contradicted with her autobiography. I didn't think much of it at the time, but then I went to Luie Arnaz's website. She distinctly said that this book was not accurate at all and to skip it.Then everything started to fall into place. This is as much of a cartoon of Lucy's life as anything. Yes, it's touching, but what good is touching if it's not true? Everytime I think about the fact that Mr. Brochu so plainly lied, it infuriates me to tears. If you want to know the REAL Lucy, skip this book. Go staright to her own touching, candid memoirs, "Love, Lucy."

A MUST for ALL Lucy fans!
Being an avid Lucy fan myself, I've read several Lucy-related books. Along with her autobiography, this book is by far the most intimate and personal book I've ever read about our favorite redhead. While reading it I felt as though I was right there with Lucy and Jim Brochu sipping the world's worst lemonade, chatting and telling jokes over Lucy's backgammon table. I have read it over and over, and it moves me every single time. I recommend this and her autobiography to all of my friends who are Lucy fans. If you are a Lucy fan, you will LOVE this book! ... Read more

Book Description

Detailing both their public and private lives-as well as their many and varied performances-Queens of Comedy examines the impact these women have had on the predominantly male-oriented world of comedy. Performers like Carol Burnett, Joan Rivers, and their more recent counterparts, comediennes Brett Butler and Roseanne, have helped to shift women's roles in comedy from object to subject. This book maps out this shift, providing an often brutally honest picture of women's lives in both the spotlight of comedy and this modern world.
Through candid personal interviews with Lucille Ball, Carol Burnett, and other visionary performers, Queens of Comedy explores how comediennes have redefined the roles of women in not only the entertainment business, but society as a whole. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Great intro to comediennes
I used this as a textbook for a film class I taught last year and the class loved it. The book contains solid biographical information and it's really fun to read. Plus, author Horowitz offers some very perceptive insights into women's comedy. My only criticism is that footnotes would have been really helpful because the students wanted to follow up on some of the sources -- but overall I highly recommend it. ... Read more