Book Description

The ultra-popular host of QVC shares her fascinating life story!

"I am who I am, and you like it or don't. I'm not changing. Since I made the decision to be myself, I've had more fun and better relationships than ever. No lightning bolt is going to strike this girl twice!"

Kathy Levine is the girl next door who answered an ad in 1986 and became a host for the then-infant cable-TV shopping network, QVC. A few years and over fifty million viewers later, Kathy, "the champion of the middle-aged, not-so-beautiful woman," is a national phenomenon.

In It's Better To Laugh..., Kathy reveals to her fans the most precious jewels of all -- her laughter, her tears, her hard-won triumphs, and what she's learned about life and being good to herself. She also tells all about life at QVC -- off and on camera, her romantic ups and downs, her special bond with her mother, and her ongoing struggles with her weight and hair!

Told with the warmth, honesty and humor that could only come from Kathy herself, It's Better To Laugh... brings us the nicest, funniest, most down to earth woman on television today -- sharing her intimate thoughts and experiences. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Very Interesting
I really enjoyed watching Kathy Levine on QVC. I was interested in what she had to say by reading some of the reviews. I purchased this book and couldn't put it down. She talks about behind the scenes of QVC and the Jeff & Judy Crowell saga. I never knew about those two. I think you will get a good kick out of this book. You can see Kathy on HSN now, but not as a host but a vendor with her own clothing line.

Diva Delight
You really have to be a fan of QVC, America's leading retail broadcasting network, to appreciate this book. And if you are, you will! Within these pages, The Diva of Diamonique reveals everything! Secrets, desires, hopes and regrets. It's all here. If you watch QVC, you don't want to miss this book.

How she can keep her hands off that impossibly handsome Dan Huges is simply beyond me! He makes my morning every single day! With his Morning Show, at 7 p.m. EST.

Kathy's book is a real joy to read! Although most of us will ever get the chance to meet Kathy in person, this book offers us a personal look into her life.

As a Proud Gay Man, I am not ashamed to admit that Kathy is a role-model for me. And my dream is to someday meet her. And maybe then she will introduce me to that hunk, Dan Hughes!!!

An Honest view of Life and how to laugh at it.
Kathy tells all from grade school to nose jobs, from failures to success. I've read this book three times and love every minute.

NICHE ... Finding It and then Knowing You've Found It
Kathy is truly one of those people anyone will feel comfortable talking to about anything. She is comfortable talking and being infront of the camera which is obvious to anyone that tunes into QVC. Kathy could sell mud on the air and we would be happy to buy it. The book is amazingly forthright most of the time but does gloss over some important events in her life. Too little is said about the change from hired employee to contract employee, this is a major move and how her co workers feel about her "Diva" status. All in all the book tells enough to be entertaining without being mean to a single soul. Well done.

A love letter to her fans
If you love Kathy Levine, you will love this book. If you have ever wondered about the behind the scenes goings on, how products (and vendors) are selected and what is involved in becoming and working as a host for QVC, then you will find this book on cassette very interesting. Even though it is an open, candid picture of our friend Kathy and a great behind the scenes look at the world of QVC, I was hoping for a little more. Where I guess I thought I might find some warm and touching tidbits and observations on life, what I received was a very lengthy love letter to her fans. It was a little disappointing, but I'm glad I gave it a listen. (twice) As a first effort, I'm sure Kathy was only scratching the surface and look forward to a sparkling and insightful second effort. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

self-serving but fascinating
This was a very strange book to read. Here is an writer, an eyewitness to some of the most interesting and dangerous moments in recent history. Yet he seems to have had little time to reflect on what he has experienced, so pressured has he been to get the film in and on air, to say someting quick and marketable. There is no doubt about this man's courage, his credentials as a journalist, or NBC's incompetent attempts to destroy him.(It makes one never to want to watch anything on NBC or buy anything from its owner GE) But for a man who has been through so much I fear that much of what he has to say has not been digested. He appears still very much wounded by his own sucessful lawsuit and the betrayal of an organization that he risked his life for. Yet as much as I want to admire the man, there is something dishonest about this book. I do not dispute the facts, but the book presentation sounds more like a public relations effort to recusitate his career- or a recapitulation of the notes he gathered for the trial. In every chapter there is the constant effort to prove to the reader how brave he and his friends are, how stupid and deceitful are his enemies. Everything is black and white, almost nothing new or interesting or thoughtful in between. I think in the years to come we may read something far better from Kent. Kent an interesting new kind of man-a product of the news business. I would say that anyone in the news media or even thinking about it -or anyone who draws his primary information about the world from the networks -should definitely read this book for its strengths as well as its weaknesses.(One will never watch TV news again with the same trust.) But as an insightful discussion of current events or autobiography, be forwarned.

If you hate sensationalized news, you will love this book!
I read this book expecting Arthur Kent to be arrogant but what I found was a dedicated journalist. Kent never wavered from his ethical standards. He took the giants at NBC to task for their disregard for him and others who believe that news should be reported with honesty and integrity--not for the corporate bottom line. His story is highly readable with the people he met in Afghanistan, Vietnam, Yugoslavia, and Tiananmen Square coming to life (and death) through Kent's compelling stories. When he files a lawsuit against the corporate giants, you too will be on his side. Kent deserved every cent he got. We should all put pressure on the media to give us worldwide news coverage presented by men and women who serve to provide us with the facts--not the sensation-packed news we see today. Marie Wilson (mwilson@kapla.com), Fountain Hills, Arizon

Warning - this book may induce thinking!
Arthur Kent takes you on his compelling journey as a foreign news correspondent. His story is told with candor and self-effacing humor. Going from the treetops of Afghanistan to that infamous rooftop in Dhahran, you will be consumed by the bloody chaos of the Tiananmen Square Massacre. Just when you think you can't be shocked anymore by scenes of war and destruction, political repression, natural disaster and apathy, the equally shocking truth of what goes on behind the scenes of broadcasting is exposed. This book makes you think, not just about what is happening in the world around us, but what or who determines how much we learn of it. Kent shows us the risks some journalists take everyday, in order to bring real news to us. We owe them more than just passively sitting in front of our T.V. sets accepting whatever the networks choose to feed us. It's nice to know that old cowboy movies aren't the only place where the guy wearing the white hat can still win the battle ... Read more

Amazon.com

Subtitled "Gilda Radner: A Sort of Love Story," this autobiographical play tries to recapture the non-sexual, but deeply felt relationship between Radner, one of Saturday Night Live's original Not Ready-for-Prime-Time players, and Alan Zweibel, who was a writer for the show. Alternately comic and heartbreaking, the play follows these two overgrown kids as they ride their bumper-car lives right up to Radner's death from ovarian cancer. Their loyalty and love glows through every scene. The book is illustrated with photos of Radner from Zweibel's personal albums. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

a new friend
A few months ago my composition teacher assigned me a 12-20 page paper about one, Gilda Radner. When she did this I had no idea who she was. Never heard of her, and couldn't pick her out of a crowd if you paid me.
I got this book (bunny bunny) from the library and loved it. It helped me greatly with me paper and presentation. It helped me to understand her, her relationship with Zweibel. I am now waiting for my zweibel.
I recemend this to anyone, it is entertaining and moving. I cried during half of it and laughed during the other half. It is grand!

Bunny Bunny!!
If you are a fan of Gilda Radner's, then Bunny Bunny is the best book ever! The way that Alan Zweibel wrote about Gilda is so inspirational that you'll be saying Bunny Bunny as well! We all remember and love Gilda Radner and this book definitely allows her legacy to live on!

You'll be saying Bunny Bunny too.
I've been a loyal, devoted fan of Radner's since I was about 8 years old - right before she died. I was overjoyed when this new view of her life from someone so close to her came out. Just reading the overwhelming reviews on the jacket - most from celebrities close to Radner and Zwiebel - is enough to move one to tears. The book is poignant, funny, touching, and moving. Fan or no, a valuable read just for the intense friendship between the two.

Hilarious and Touching
A wonderful book detailing the late Gilda Radner's relationship with her close friend Alan Zwiebel. This book had me alternately laughing and crying. A great tribute to a great woman.

Touching...Heartbreaking...A Wondrous Story of Friendship
Alan Zweibel's account of his friendship with the late Gilda Radner is astounding, and is described beautifully in this touching book. I was hooked from the very first page, and would lovingly recommend it to anyone.

Using such a marvelous display of friendship and affection, Zweibel reminisces about the very early stages of their friendship all the way until her untimely death in 1989. Illustrations also accompany the pages, and add even more character to an already fantastic story.

To those who remember Gilda, this book will serve as a gentle reminder of the struggle friends encounter when a friend battles disease. To those who do not, this book also gives insight into two very wonderful people whos friendship will never die- the talented Gilda, and her writer and best friend Alan Zweibel. ... Read more

Book Description

Rudy.You've seen him on TV.You've heard his catch phrases repeated at home, in the office, and even from total strangers sitting next to you on public transportation.You know Rudy is a popular television personality, a retired Navy SEAL, and a beloved curmudgeon.But who is Rudy Boesch?What are his real thoughts on the issues we face today?And, most important, what does a snake really taste like?

Now, for the first time, here are Rudy's words - unrehearsed, uncensored, and unabashed.Rudy speaks out on sudden fame, politics, the military, social issues, sex, and so much more.In THE BOOK OF RUDY, we can read his direct, often controversial thoughts on topics such as: Abortion Family Life Guns in America Survival Presidents John F. Kennedy, Bill Clinton, and George Bush Jr. World War II, The Vietnam War, and the Persian Gulf War

Sometimes abrasive, often hilariously funny, THE BOOK OF RUDY uncovers the heart, mind, and soul of a true American hero. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Rudy endures questions and answers on just about everything
I picked up "The Book of Rudy: The Wit and Wisdom of Rudy Boesch" and immediately cringed. Here is a man who achieved a certain notoriety for being the most authentic member of the original "Survivor" show. Yes, there was the beloved curmudgeon aspect to how he was presented, but I thought it was his authenticity, the fact that you took the man at face value because you just were not going to find anything else underneath, that made him appealing. Ask Rudy Boesch what he thinks and you will get what he thinks. Take it or leave it. But when I saw this book I thought it was going to be one of those collections of quotations and aphorisms, which would strip the man down to mere words.

However, I was surprised to discover this was ot the case. What we have here is Rudy Boesch answering questions about basically every controversial topic that interviewers Jeff and Deborah Herman could come up with, from abortion to gun control and from Vietnam to George Bush, Jr. Some of the answers are brief, to the point, and probably surprising to anyone expecting standard conservative rhetoric (e.g., Rudy thinks abortion should be up to the woman). Others are more involved, evidencing that the man does not spout off about everything at the drop of the hat. He only talks in detail about things he has thought about it depth.

There is obviously some sort of agreement regarding the publication of books that Rudy Boesch signed when he did "Survivor," because the show is never mentioned, just the idea that we have seen Rudy of TV. A chapter on "Survival" is conspicuously barren of anything regarding living on an island in the South China Sea for a month. However, Rudy is here to talk about bigger and better things than some television show. I would have liked to have read more about Rudy's live in the SEALS, but you know the man is not going to talk about that, right? This one is quite simple: if you enjoyed listening to Rudy's abrasive comments on "Survivor," you will find more of the same but with considerably more depth and heart than what we say edited for television.

That's the Rudy I knew....
As a staff member of NavSpecWarGroup back in '73, I ran across Rudy many times while he was at SEAL 2. He is EXACTLY like his book. A good guy and a good example for the young guys of today's SEAL Teams to follow. If young men today want an example to follow, they would be on the mark if they used him instead of a sports figure or movie actor.

Steve Waterman, author of JUST A SAILOR ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (22)

A must have for Lucy fans!
This book is an absolute must have for fans of Lucille Ball and her sitcoms. A lot of books have been written about her amazing life, but what about her remarkable career on televison for 5 decades? Finally, someone has decided to put on paper the one thing that made Lucy who she was: her work. Lucy thrived on work, and it shows in the outcome. Her work is what she is mostly remembered by, although some ignorant people choose to remember her by her personal life. This book chronicles all of Lucy's shows, from her first and most infamous show, I Love Lucy, in 1951, to her final show in 1986, Life With Lucy, plus all of her guest appearences on other TV, talk, game, and variety shows. The life Lucille Ball led was remarkable, but the legacy she left behind in her work is even more phenomenal. This book will let you look at that legacy and see what made Lucy the hilarious comideinne that she was.It also includes quotes form Lucy herself, her co-workers, her family and friends, and even some of her fans. This is a must for any one loves Lucille Ball and her work as much as I do!

A MUST for anyone who Loves Lucy.
If you love Lucy, like Lucy, or just admire Lucy. You must get this book. It tells all about her career on television. The great tidbits of information on all of the shows is incredible. Information that could only be told by people on the sets. It's amazing that the author Geoffrey Mark Fidelman could get all of this information from so many people behind the scenes. It is all put down in an easy to read format. You read each episode and follow along in your mind, remembering when you first saw the show. You can actually feel the development of the show, as well as the people involved, as you cruise from episode to episode. There is only three things left to say. GET THIS BOOK.

Exhaustive Reference
Detailed analyses of every episode of Lucille Ball's four sitcoms, plus an examination of every television appearance she ever made from 1947 through her death. Snippets of interviews give a fascinating glimpse into a lost era of television.

My only complaint is that author displays a creepy and disgustingly sexual interest in Miss Ball. She is lucious, voluptuous, gorgeous, stunning, beautiful, feminine, entrancing, enticing, etc., etc., etc. ad nauseam. Surely most of us think of "I Love Lucy" and "The Lucy Show" as comedies, not pornography, and we have no interest in being told the details of the author's obsession.

Whew...
What a worker she was. Great info. Nice, easy to read. Must have for Lucy fans.

Excellent Lucy book!
If you want a great Lucy reference book, this book is the greatest! The only problem I have is the author is a bit judgemental in his opinions. Other than that, the book is great! ... Read more

Reviews (31)

It's a Roll of the Dice with Lucy and Lee
Lee Tannen provides a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse into the private life of Lucille Ball. As he and Lucy spend many an afternoon playing backgammon, many interesting details of her life surface that have not shown up in any other biographies or memoirs of Ms. Ball. Nevertheless, there is something very uneven about Mr. Tannen's book. He never seems to get past the fact he is sitting with Lucille Ball, Queen of Comedy and Television Superstar. The friendship almost seems contrived at times, with him in complete awe of Lucy. Can a true friendship exist when one person cannot get past their childlike fascination with Lucy Ricardo? There is also the extremely annoying habit of comparing nearly every incident he and Ms. Ball experience to an episode of "I Love Lucy". It is mildly (and that word is used loosely) entertaining the first two times, but quickly grates on your nerves and warrants a bit of text skimming to avoid the irritating bits. True Lucy fans will no doubt devour this book as it does provide something not seen in many other Lucy-bio's, with the exception of Jim Brochu's 'Lucy in the Afternoon'. Read with caution, however, as the experience may leave you somewhat frustrated, with an overwhelming desire to learn how to play backgammon.

Charming memoir of beloved star
"I Loved Lucy" is the story of the friendship between Lucille Ball and Lee Tannen, a distant relative of Lucy's second husband. The book is packed with charming stories that will make you both laugh and cry. Lee was priveleged to be with Lucy at some of her highest moments, like receiving the Kennedy Center Honors, as well as some of her lowest, such as the debacle of "Life With Lucy", her failed last sitcom. Lee's love for Lucy, both the person and the image, are obvious in every page, but he does not gloss over Lucy's sometimes strong temperment. Also, interesting is Lee Tannen's depiction of his own relative, Gary Morton, Lucy's husband; Lucy's admiration and respect for the late Vivian Vance; her statements about Desi Arnaz and her children; and Lucy's obsession with backgammon. This is a wonderful book about a wonderful lady...any Lucy fan should read it!

I Loved It
This is a book about a distant relative of Gary Morton's relationship with Lucille Ball during the last ten years of her life. He spent a good amount of time with Lucy, and he shares with us their dinner dates, skiing in Colorado, going to the theatre and, of course, backgammon! I couldn't put the book down. The private life of Lucy after "I Love Lucy" is fascinating, no matter what she said or did - I wanna hear it all. The author tells the story always with love for Lucy and with a good sense of humor of his own. Lucy fans should treasure this.

The true Lucille Ball
This is such a wonderful, heartfelt, extraordinary book. I picked it up at 9:00 in the evening, expecting to read just a chapter or two. I couldn't set it down until I finished it at three in the morning, crying, of course, at the luminous quality of the work that I had just experienced.

Obessed Fan Stalks Fading Television Legend
I couldn't give this book low stars because I read it very quick. Meaning that there was something very fascinating about this read.

However I found this book extremely disturbing on many levels. First of all this author never ever found out what Lucy was really like or even who she really was. All he does is play games with her (at her request) and idolize her.

He compares everything that happens to her in real life to an "I Love Lucy" episode. Which was not only boring to read but very very disturbing.

He gets momentos from her (framed pictures) and sits around watching old "I Love Lucy" reruns while looking at the scripts while Lucy looks on. This is beyond creepy.

The whole thing reminded me of MISERY - except Lucy was the one in control. Sort of MISERY in reverse.

We never really get to know about Lee or his boyfriend. (Except they are rich) We only hear tabloid style mean jabs at Lucy's husband - very unfair because that is the ONLY way he got to know Lucy at all.

It's sad when the only thing good about this book is the letter written by Lucie Arnaz to the author. It is such a sincere and nice letter. Much better than this fawning strange book.

It was nice to see that Lucy had a soft sentimental as well as tough side. As Lucie Anaz put it she was "only human".

Fascinating but gross! ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Intent is what matters
This is not great literature, but it is a great accomplishment!

When i read this, i was angry, sympathetic, and resentful. Several years before Charlotte wrote her book, i had written a book about my experiences in 2 decades of state care without ever being adopted. I did not have the opportunity that the pageant brought to Charlotte in terms of national exposure and the deals that can result from that. I was angry because in reading the story in the context of my own life of abuse,neglect and bouncing around 5-600% more than Charlotte, her woes as a foster child seemed pretty lightweight to me. I was sympathetic because many of the observations she made were right on, only more amplified with greater instability or degree. And i was resentful that she had found some caring people such as the Scheps and the Wensley families. The Scheps sound like the kind of people i dreamed about and cried myself to sleep many a night until one day there were no more tears. All my grief was gone and i was numb.

But then i thought of the good Charlotte has done in using her exposure as a platform to heighten awareness of the issues of foster children. Writing a book such as Lost in the System is generally not a big profit taker, but anyone who walks away and gets something out of it in terms of understanding throwaway kids is one more ally in this forgotten corner of American society. It was painful for me to read some of the passages in this book , for it dredged long -forgotten feelings and this shows a shared quality of experience.

I have known persons such as Janet Henry and the enormous patience she must have. One must wonder how her life must be both gratifying and sad; gratified to help kids no one else will, and sad to bond with kids only to see them leave. The Wensleys impressed me a great deal for it must have been no small feat for them to show the humility needed to change their approach from strict Fundamentalist Protestantism to a more compassionate tone as evidenced by Charlotte's visits following their separation. I also understand fully the financial considerations the Wensleys faced, as while i was growing up foster parents had no reservations about making me feel unworthy of even food or clothes. Fortunately, Charlotte was spared this.

And when i read about the Scheps, i felt enormous gratitude to them for helping Charlotte realize her dream. I did not get that dream and i know the pain i have felt my whole life. Because the Scheps have more caring than the two of them can hold, they have truly changed Charlotte's life forever. I have seen many peers die, become drug addicts/dealers, prostitutes, absentee parents, prisoners and each time i saw it i saw some of me in them. In Charlotte i see the past i never had but by her sharing her story i got a glimpse into a life i wish i could have had and for a few hours i forgot. Knowing that there are people like the Scheps, the Wensleys, Janet Henry and Charlotte Lopez not forgetting to thank them reassures me there are still good people in the world.

Not the only one....
Ken Grant of Methuen Mass. wrote a book in 1993 called "The Wanderer",about his experiences as a state ward and handicapped child survivor of the cancer epidemic in Woburn,Mass. He wrote of how state officials blocked his access to state records at every turn. But where he was blackballed and harassed by the state and federal governments, Lopez succeeded in getting her message out.

A life overcome
This book shows how one woman overcame a tragic past to make good and become a role model for others of similar background. It is amazing she has been able to do this, as Ken Grant wrote a similar work called "The Wanderer" but was blackballed because of it. There are many questions that come out of a book such as this: - are kids denied spiritual or religious exposure while in state care? - what are the demographics of kids in state care? - Does the Us govt view abandoned kids as a business and so have a vested interest in assuring that a steady flow of abandoned kids perpetuates?

Great auto-biography
I actually bought this book because I liked the author,Charlotte Lopez (now Charlotte Ayanna). I was suprised and impressedat what a good job she did. It gave alot of insight on Foster Care, and ever since I've read it I have been interested in the whole system of it. It also better helped me to understand it all. She also gave alot of informative insight on the world of beauty pagents. The thing I also really liked about this book was that she neither presented the good or the bad side of the Foster care system, but she picked no sides at all. I remember that when I read the book, I felt frustration, and I was able to sympathize with what she was going through, being a teenager and trying to grow up in a strict inviroment. I think it's great that she took adavntage of her title of Miss Teen USA, and wrote a book to help people better understand what it's like growing up in a foster home. This is a very inspiring story of a strong and determined young women, and I would recemend it to anyone.

Former Beauty Queen Packs a Thought-Provoking Punch

This stunning book chronicles the coming of age of one of America's most beloved beauty queens. Charlotte Lopez won the Miss Teen USA title in 1993 after telling her moving story of growing up in several foster homes throughout her home state of Vermont, and how her life had adjusted without ever having any true parents she could call her own. Her frank and touching narrative transports us into her life of growing up with a mentally unbalanced mother, a talented sister, and several completely different foster parents. We encounter her stories of life, first loves, and winning the most prestigious teenage pageant the world in a $37 evening gown. A delightful and personal book, who's clever author never leaves us with a dull moment, and makes us question both the role of parenting and the placement of foster children in our country and society. Wonderfully witty, deeply moving, and always energetic, this book is an amazing read for anyone of any age who has wondered what life is without any true family unit, or has dreamed about becoming a beauty queen ... Read more

Book Description

When Milton Berle died in the Spring of 2002, THE NEW YORK TIMES declared that the legendary comic "may have had a more profound influence on our way of life than some presidents or Nobel Prize winners." This landmark memoir, as startling today as it was when it was first published, reveals the life and times of the man known affectionately to millions as Uncle Miltie. Told with unflinching candor, here is one of the most fabled and influential show business careers of all time: from performing as a child in Vaudeville and making silent movies with Charlie Chaplin and Mary Pickford, to nightclub performances for Al Capone, working on radio during World War II, performing in Broadway musicals, and, finally, superstardom on television. Perhaps even more fascinating is Berle's scandal-ridden private life: his star-crossed love affair with a 1930's movie queen and the child they had out of wedlock, his numerous affairs with women ranging from evangelist Aimee Semple McPherson to Marilyn Monroe, and his stormy relationship with beautiful showgirl Joyce Mathews, whom Berle married twice. It is Berle's unsparing account of his life and his determination to show the world his real face that led Frank Sinatra, at the time, to call this "the gutsiest book I've read in years."Told with equal amounts of comedy and pathos, and featuring colorful appearancesby all the major stars of his day, MILTON BERLE is simply one of the best show business memoirs ever written. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Warm and fuzzy
Although the publishers try to pump up this book as being extremely racy, I found Berle's descriptions of his sexual exploits hilarious. I'm not justifying having children out of wedlock, but the man was very funny.

But the story of Milton Berle's life is also touching and full of real affection for his family and friends. He either lived with or was in close contact with his mother (the original stage mother!) on a daily basis, and even made it into a record book for doing just that. His description of his mystical visits with her after her death was charming.

Eventually, Berle settled down with a down-to-earth woman, to whom he stayed married until his death. He was very proud of her. While he and many other entertainers were either 4F or doing entertainment duties during the war, she was a veteran.

This book is also insightful into the history of stand-up comedy. Theft of material was rampant, and Berle was famous for being one of the most thieving. He was proud of it, but justifies it by proving that lots of others did it, too, and that his material was also stolen.

This was a fun autobiography, and I recommend it. I also recommend A Dreadful Man, which is a biography of George Sanders based on letters from his last wife.

What a story!
Lemme tell ya, this book deserves 5 stars just for Uncle Miltie's graphic depiction of his steamy affair with evangelist Aimee Semple MacPherson ... not to mention a ton of other raunchy Hollywood gossip. Way to go, Milt! Let me know when you're available ... ... Read more

Book Description

More than ten years after her death, Donna Reed remains a cultural icon, loved and scorned. She personified the ideal homemaker on television. In the movies she was the archetypal sweetheart and wife. The only time she played a fallen woman, in From Here to Eternity, she won an Academy Award. Her work has lived on in saturation reruns of The Donna Reed Show and the holiday classic It's a Wonderful Life.

But who was Donna Reed? Perhaps no celebrity of her symbolic importance is so little known. Moving from the backroads of Iowa to the mansions of Bel Air, Jay Fultz goes in search of the woman behind the image.

In Search of Donna Reed reveals a woman whose intelligence and force of character often put her at odds with the roles she portrayed both on and off screen. Reed, always angered by the treatment of women in Hollywood, turned political activist in middle age, confronting for the first time the arrogance of power. She was, said writer Barbara Avedon, a feminist before there was a feminist vocabulary. But she eludes any label.

This first biography of Donna Reed also contains the first extended discussion of her television show. The personal richness that Reed brought to her television role has been filtered out in the caricature perpetuated by pop critics. In the media "Donna Reed" is Donna Stone distorted as a female-manquŽ who wears pearls and high heels around the house. But Donna Reed's long hold on viewers depends on irreducible qualities that have nothing to do with this fixed image, as Fultz suggests.

He follows her development from Iowa farm girl to apprentice in Hollywood to mature juggler of the demands of family and career to antiwar activist. Drawing on Reed's letters and on interviews, Fultz looks for what was real in a very private person without discarding what is romantic in any pursuit of a public one. He shows why the rich and principled life of Donna Reed matters in this more cynical time. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Perfection!!!
...

Ever since I saw the movie "It's a wonderful life" 9 years ago, I have been captivated by this truly amazing woman! Since then I have purchase many items about Donna Reed Mullenger, her biography (In seach of Donna Reed, which was truly a work of art, and I sure can relate to the feeling Mr.Fultz has for her!) also many movies staring this wonderful creature. I only wish I would have known her personnally...
Anyway, I sure would like to see more DVD movies available to the public, staring the beautiful Miss Reed.

Tribute to a Classy Lady
In this long-awaited biography of Hollywood's consummate lady, this 1998 volume reads like the proverbial breath of fresh air. Author Jay Fultz recreates an era and a family that at once reminds the reader that it is indeed those examples of grass roots beginnings that oftentimes begets greatness and achievement. In addition to relating the tale of Donna Reed's film and television career, Mr. Fultz also shows clearly the making of a devoted American citizen, spawned by a classic example of the American family, i.e., practitioners of hard work, faith, and patriotism. The book shows that Miss Reed infused her work in Hollywood with elegance, grace and charm, but never forgetting that she was a person of intellect and ideas and strong beliefs about the world around her. More hosannas should be aimed at the legendary lady that was Donna Reed, and Jay Fultz's biography makes a great beginning.

Searching for the woman behind my name
Reading "In Search of Donna Reed" literally took me back to Iowa. In 1996, I traveled there from my home in Pennsylvania to learn more about the woman's whose (adopted) name I shared. Growing up Donna Reed in the 1960s was no treat and the name caused me much embarrassment. But as I grew older and learned more about the woman, I felt better about it. I decided to go to Iowa much as I had decided to seek out my family's ancestral town in Germany. Though I was certainly not related to Donna Reed, I felt a kinship to her born out of the shared name. As a young reporter, I vowed I would one day try to interview her. Instead I waited too long and saw her name flash across my computer screen with the word "obit" behind it. A strange sensation, to say the least. I decided I needed to learn about her first-hand. In Iowa, I got the chance to meet and/or interview her widower, children, friends in Denison and co-stars. Certainly, the woman I got to know through their eyes is indeed reflected in Jay Fultz's writings. I regret that in life she did not get the acclaim she should have been accorded not just as an actress, but as an activist and businesswoman. "In Search of Donna Reed" is a solid read and a fine way to learn more about her essentially wonderful life.

Donna Reed American "Icon" - is the mystery really solved?
This book traces the history of Donna Reed, her family, and how it was that she came to Hollywood. It is interesting to find out how Miss Reed survied in her early days with MGM and her subsequent work with other major studios. Her participation in the films - "It's A Wonderful Life", "Green Dolphin Street", "Picture of Dorian Gray", and "From Here to Eternity" are discussed. Also addressed is the formation and eight season run of "The Donna Reed Show", and how she became involved in a peace movement orginization in the mid-sixties, known as 'Another Mother for Peace'. For me personally, it saddened me know how poorly women of the era were treated and viewed by the male dominated movie industry. To survive with most of ones ethics and character intake, took an enormous amount of inner strength and fortitude. I understand more thoroughly why Mom kept the business on the street side of the door. Donna Reed was also among the founding feminist in the Hollywood entertainment business............. ... Read more

Book Description

"Fascinating." (Hollywood Reporter)

"Good stuff." (New York Daily News)

The entertaining, complex, and surprising true story of the funniest-and most instantly recognizable-sidekick in TV history: Vivian Vance. ... Read more

Reviews (62)

Great Insights Into one of America's Great Shows
For those of us who grew up with "I Love Lucy", the comedic blend of the principal four characters of the show seemed perfect. After reading this book, one becomes aware that the interaction of the cast off the set was less than amicable. The book provides objective insights into the life of Vivian Vance and her desire to be a success in show business.

This is a real page-turner and provides the reader with a fresh look at a much-loved television show and its stars. It is possible to experience a multitude of emotions about Ms. Vance and her acting abilities and desire for success. How does one work so closely with a television "husband" she can barely tolerate off the set and be so convincing in her role? This book provides insights into Ms. Vance's professionalism and commitment to her art.

THE PRIDE OF CHERRYVALE.
Vivian Roberta Jones was born in Cherryvale, Kansas on July 26, 1909 which astrologically made her a Leo. Vance was destined to underplay another Leo by the name of Lucille Ball! In my opinion, Vivian was one of most underrated talents in show business. Her playing of Ethel Mertz on the legendary "I Love Lucy" show was so honest and her timing and delivery were impeccable. Vance seemed to BE Ethel (she wasn't). This thoroughly engaging and well-researched biography gives us personal glimpses of Vance's sometimes hectic and chaotic life along with her many stage roles and little-known marriages. I once read a biography on the unique silent star Louise Brooks -she was also a native of the tiny rural town of Cherryvale - she and Vivian's sister Venus were friends. The author of the book went to Brook's birthplace in order to collect data. Inquiring a local woman with an indifferent attitude about Brooks, she remarked brusquely: "You know, Vivian Vance was raised here too, and I always thought she was TEN times more talented than Louise ever was!" The co-authors obviously relished writing about their Emmy award-winning subject and we I LOVE LUCY fans around the world are delighted that our Viv is finally given the recognition and kudos she so richly deserves!

A Professional Actress, Second to None
Evidently Vivian Vance, a proficient theater and television actress, was not according to this biography happy with her Ethel Mertz character on the Lucy show.

Ball, believing nobody should be prettier than the "star" of the show used to put Vivian down, yet we all know that vibrating behind that sheepish Ethel Mertz character was Vivian Vance, a talented actress.

Vivian, in spite of the dullness of Ethel, was a splendid woman but resentment, jealousy and competition between her and Lucille Ball did not help but on the contrary constrained her possibilities.

Evidently that feud with Bill Frawley, (Fred Mertz on the show), and her resentment of playing a dull housewife opposite Ball was consuming most of her vigor, self-esteem and health. Nonetheless she is such a first-rate performer none of these negative emotions were noticed or evident while on camera.

The competition, and jealousy although not evident were there. Resentment for being treated a "Cinderella" was detrimental to her and it is clear her resentment and aversion of Bill Frawley (she was 42 while Bill was 64, evidently a mismatch for a TV couple) were having the best of her.

This book's title, on the other hand, is demeaning to Vivian. Ethel Mertz is more evident than the name Vance which I find rude to her and to those of us who value her talents.

Her mother, a narrow-minded religious woman, used to plague Viv with disappointing remarks, forcing her, later on, to have psychological therapy.

Did she ever forget Lucy, Frawley, and her mother? No, not totally. Holding a grouch, in my opinion, was a factor in keeping her from developing into the super star she always wanted to be.

VIVIAN VANCE....
When I ran across a softback edition of this book, I was floored. I had no idea a book had been written about Vivian Vance. Where had I been? I bought it thinking ,well, it'll be superficial at best. Boy, was I wrong. This is an excellent, in depth and very revealing life story of one of television's best loved ladies. Alvin Walker and Frank Castelluccio have written one of the best biographies on a legend I've ever read. And Vivian Vance is a legend, if an often overlooked one. From her humble showbiz beginnings, to a Broadway career, to her fateful reading with Lucille Ball for the part of Ethel Mertz---I could not put this book down. Vivian Vance came to life on those pages and I learned that there's a lot more to a "second banana" than just the character they play. Vance never escaped her role as Ethel, but she lived a full and complete life worthy of this book and was a more accomplished actress than given credit for. Her years of baffling mental problems, the estrangement with her mother, her extensive stage work, her often rocky relationship with Lucille Ball (not to overlook William Frawley) are all here as well as the huge amount of humanitarian work she did for mental health later in life. This is a highly recommended read for anyone who loved watching Ethel as well as Lucy. It reveals the fascinating woman behind the "mask" of Ethel Mertz, a landmark television icon and an American showbiz legend known as Vivian Vance.

The best second banana in the business
She chaffed when people called her Ethel in public places, sometimes even exploding in anger, especially if they asked where Fred was. ("He's dead, thank God," was her reply in later years after he died.) Her blessing was her curse. Vivian Vance was such a fine actress, she convinced TV's millions that she was Ethel Mertz. Only a small percentage of her audience ever saw her on stage or in remembered her few forays onto the big screen, so we might be forgiven for not realizing how talented she really was. With the recently released "Ball of Fire" Lucy fans might want to read about Ball's talented side-kick.

Vance had a successful acting career before that fateful evening when Desi Arnaz first saw her on stage in La Jolla, and would continue her stage career after her years as Lucy's sidekick (Vivian Bagley in The Lucy Show and Here's Lucy being but a prettier, more sophisticated version of Ethel). Most Lucy fans already know quite a bit about those years from the many books about Lucy, but this concise book fills in what happened before and after.

The authors do an excellent sleuthing job. They highlight Vance's religious upbringing and trace some of her later emotional problems to her conflict arising from desire to be on the stage and her mother's admonitions that it was the road to perdition. They cover her early experiences on the stage in New York and then in New Mexico as well as her few films. From this, they illustrate her versatility and trace the roots of some of her funniest moments on "I Love Lucy."

Only in the bibliography do we learn that they most of the extended quotes are from Vance's unpublished memoirs. Unwilling to reveal names or hurt anyone, she offered little cooperation to her assigned ghost writer and the project fell through. That's a pity, given the viewpoint she had in one of TV's greatest comedy series and what she reveals about herself in the excerpts. This was one courageous woman who had more than a little business savvy.

No matter though, her excellent work as one of the most famous second-bananas in show business speaks for itself. ... Read more

Book Description

Here's Johnny is like sitting with Ed and Johnny over lunch.

The last time I saw Johnny, about a year before he died, we had chicken, a couple of glasses of red wine, and then we just sat there and reminisced, going back and forth the way we did on the show. We talked about our kids, and our careers and the state of America, just two lucky guys who loved each other and the good luck of our careers.

Ed McMahon is the only person who was with Johnny Carson, even before The Tonight Show, when they both first appeared on Who Do You Trust. Now, with Johnny's blessing before he died, McMahon can finally share all the stories that only he knows. From the sofa at Johnny's right to backstage to their personal relationship - McMahon will provide a real view of the man who was so careful to only show one side of himself to the public. Brilliant in front of the camera, but shy in person, Carson seldom gave interviews. Only McMahon can tell the stories and provide the insights into the personality that made Johnny Carson more of a friend we invited into our home than a television star.

This entertaining tribute will feature over 200 pictures, many never before published, from both McMahon's and Carson's private archives.

Book Description

Whether the subject is a hilarious NewsHour near-disaster or a personal crisis, Jimmy Charles Lehrer's life makes terrific copy.His consuming passion for the great days of the intercity bus line; his youthful dreams, losses and embarrassments, his picaresque career as a reporter interviewing murderers, con men, Cardinals, and Elvis; his entry into public television; his observations on journalistic ethics, back-roads America, and the JFK assassination (to which Lehrer had an unusual front row seat); his foolproof method to stop smoking (have a heart attack); his lifelong hunger to possess "a bus of my own"–all percolate with the candor and wit that are Jim Lehrer's trademarks.This memoir will have readers thinking, chortling, even getting misty-eyed, and will be remembered long after the final page has been turned. ... Read more

Book Description

One of the preeminent journalists of the twentieth century, Alistair Cooke has enjoyed a truly extraordinary career in print, radio, and television.Born into a working-class family and christened Alfred, Cooke swiftly broke free of his modest origins and became the foremost commentator on American life and politics, first for the British press and eventually for the entire world.Alistair Cooke is both a fascinating record of one man's determination to reinvent himself and a lively and informative h=journey through the highways and byways of the twentieth century. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Lacks the master's touch
Alistair Cooke lived for nearly one hundred years and that's about how long it will take you to read this book .

On the plus side , author Nick Clarke has certainly been thorough . He does provide an insight into the subject's career , his personal life and his complex personality. Unfortunately ,however, the whole thing moves along at a snail's pace and at well over 500 pages you'll need the dedication of a Tibetan monk in order to stick with it.

In my opinion , it should have been trimmed back and sharpened up substantially with alot more pace being injected into the text during the editing process.

Cooke , a veteran journalist and prolific author himself , was a master at creating bright and colourful profiles of famous people , places and events. I only wish that he had written his own autobiography.

This publication IS definitely worth adding to your bookshelves if you are a fan of "Alistair the Great" . It does the job but it lacks the master's touch. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

One of the greatest 20th century entertainers
In 2003, Fred "Mister" Rogers departed this world after a lifetime of public service to all children.

In a day when many people from all points on the political spectrum had eagerly reduced 'compassion', 'equality' and 'pro-child' to catchy, but ultimately divisive and meaningless words, he continued to bring out the best in everybody.

He is one of the few people in this world deserving of all his awards/honors and then much more.

As evidence of his timeless appeal, I never tired of watching his namesake PBS children's show. Even when I was much older (and out of the intended demographic service range), I loved the truly nurturing environment regularly brough into my living room. Well before I realized my parents were not getting along (eventually divorcing), Mr. Rogers "told" me via daily broadcast that good families come in all structures, and the family format is subsequently less important than how the individual members treat eachother and themselves. When my parents finally did divorce in high school, I had been so helped by Roger's work, I immediately flashed back to his reassuring songs.

That the sets were decidedly showing their age in places by the late 1980's, and the cast themselves featured in some segments had died mattered much less than their overall mission of helping ALL kids navigate an often unforgiving world in uplifting and supportive tones.

The mostly male ensemble cast of the neighborhood (although this changed in latter seasons) was not problematic in the long-run for this feminist, because it suggested an alternate male sexuality that was built on empathy and peace as opposed to macho swaggering. It was okay for men of all ages to cry, hug and freely embrace a side of themselves that Western culture remains fixated on suppresing.

At a different developmental stage in the human life-span, kids were smart, and did not deserve the condescending behavior so many other adults (including those on 'educational/children's' programming) spew at us in the pursuit of ratings and the almighty American dollar.

Unlike PBS's other "flagship" children's program, Sesame Street (now famous for abandoning the original-audience at-risk urban kids to focus on the offspring of suburban yuppies), Mr. Rogers always remembered his audience, and never sold out or let us down.

Even when growing partisan political battles and budget cuts provided powerful incentive to follow suit, he made sure principles were more than abstract words. All children had an inalienable right to be treated with respect and dignity.

From tackling such edgy subjects as the RFK Assassination to hostages and war, Mr. Rogers always both captured and nurtured his audience's imagination. Talking things out wasn't necessarily high-tech or flashy, but it was unbelievably better when compared to letting personal feelings bottle up inside.

Adding to the quality, Rogers was scrupulous about not parading his religious affiliations (licensed minister in the Presbyterian Church) as the reason his advice should be taken.

For my generation with the unfortunate timing to grow up with the beginnings of a markedly aggressive televangelist craze, his conduct provided a welcome alternative to the less-than-admirable actions of other adults in our world. It was not enough to simply apply religious freedoms to one's self, they belong to every citizen.---including those of differing perspectives and no religious affiliation.

Thus, the most constructive educational pedagogy was one that did not continually promote any religion (or the formal absence) but far more civil neutrality.

As with so many other people, I never got to personally thank him for the gift, but I know I am using it whenever I think both critically and compassionately about the larger world around me. I also know I am not the only one who remembers him through this type of a tribute, and our collective efforts will produce the best kind of off-screen "neighborhood" possible.

The not-so-subtle discounting of this very same instructional idea by self-appointed educational guardians suggests both how far ahead of his time he was and effective Rogers truly remains.

RIP Mr. Rogers.

fantastic
i found this book remaindered for a very low price, but it is totally worth the full list price. a respectful, intelligent look at the great man Fred Rogers and his TV show that isn't even a TV show, really... varying points of views. the essayists only occasionally become too weirdly academic or navel-gazing. i like the production values on this hardcover, too -- it's fully cloth-covered with a full cloth, smythe-sewn binding, acid free paper, and neat endpapers. the back cover photo rules, too. 2003 May 3rd is the Mr Rogers memorial ceremony in downtown pittsburgh -- go! ... Read more

Book Description

Charles Kuralt should be remembered. He gave us stories of hope and of unheralded heroes. His more than 600 episodes of "On the Road," filed from every state in America, punctuated the daily barrage of riots, wars and demonstrations on the nightly news. "Two-minute cease-fires," Time magazine called them. We should remember Charles Kuralt for his rich, mahogany voice and slow talking that brought us the relaxed pace of "Sunday Morning." And for his seven best-selling books. So many stories. So many memories. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Excellent!
This is a well-written, intimate portrait of Kuralt presented in a way which itself reminds the reader of Charles Kuralt's own journalistic style. A beautiful edition including original photographs and a variety of personal and professional perspectives. Recommended for any fan of Charles Kuralt or for the reader who wants to learn how and why this charismatic individual transformed the nature of American journalism.

Friends remember famed CBS newsman
Charles Kuralt never really believed how good he was at his profession. That's hard to believe, but it's a sad truth and maybe at the heart of the man who traveled the country for over 30 years, chronicalling what he saw and felt in his "On the Road" series for CBS News.

By that time he graduated college, Kuralt had a work record that would be the envy of a college journalism graduate. As recounted in "Remembering Charles Kuralt," a collection of interviews and essays edited by Ralph Grizzle, the high school senior had worked for a radio station, helping to call the baseball games of the Charlotte Hornet. The summer he was 13, he had a once-a-week radio show. He had won an essay contest on democracy and delivered his speech in the House of Burgesses in Colonial Williamsburg.

Kuralt knew what he wanted to be a reporter early in his life, and he pursued it with a single-minded determination. But not only that, he did it on his work ethic and talent alone, and in a good-natured manner that came through in his television appearances. "I never heard Charles say anything unkind about anybody," jazz pianist and friend Loonis McGlohon said, "that's true, and in thinking about it, it's pretty unusual."

"Remembering Charles Kuralt" covers the whole of his life and career: his upbringing in eastern North Carolina, his growth as a writer and reporter, his career at CBSNews, and his life in retirement, his illness, decline and death. It's an affectionate look that reveals more about the man than Kuralt probably would have wanted. ... Read more

Book Description

Jerry Seinfeld is the master of observational humor. Pointing at the small absurdities of daily life, Seinfeld makes his audience laugh with recognition. For many years a stand-up comic, Seinfeld is now the star of his own phenomenally successful television show, Seinfeld. But the road hasn't always been easy; at his first stand-up performance, he froze. This first unauthorized biography follows his rise to stardom. Also included is a behind-the-scenes look at the making of Seinfeld. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A good overview of the life of "The King of Nothing!"
Being a devoted Seinfeld fan, I read all I can on the subject. This book was informative and objective. I would have liked further information about the "behind-the-scenes" of the show and less attention paid to trying to psycho-analyze this man. He's just a normal guy who has managed to turn us all on to how he comically views the world...and who happened to make a fortune from it!

Funny, yet lame
The first few pages of this book really got my interest. But by the time I got to the 10th page, I was falling asleep. I think you get the idea. ... Read more

Book Description

We all know Drew Carey from The Drew Carey Show and his award-winning stand-up career, but do we really know Drew Carey, the person? Bawdy and irreverent, Dirty Jokes and Beer shows the many sides to this misunderstood Hollywood star:

The Health Conscious Drew: They say that exercise and proper diet are the keys to a longer, healthier life. Oh well...Watch for my next book, "How I Died While Jogging."

Drew the Lover: I read the Forum letters in Penthouse thinking that I could learn from them. I remember thinking sometimes when I was having sex, "Let's see now. How did 'Surprised in Cincinnati' do it?"...If a Playboy Playmate said in her questionnaire that she liked a guy in tight pants, I would go out and buy some tight pants. If she said she liked well-endowed men with big muscles and hairy chests, I would cry.

And Drew's formula that took him from lonely teenager to successful megastar: Avoid cheap cologne and cheesy bikini underwear. Don't expect sex on the first date, and never pay more than twenty dollars for a lap dance.

Dirty Jokes and Beer features all this, plus a section that Drew calls kind of a Drew Carey in the Fourth Dimension [but] still close enough to the real Drew to scare me.

This audiobook contains adult language. ... Read more

Reviews (67)

A Very Very Funny Book!
When I first began to read this book I was very shocked at the jokes and the language that he used (picturing the Drew seen on televison) but then I realized that this is the way that most guys think. I never put this book down. He put an honest a hardworking effort into this book and it came out great. I just couldn't stop laughing. I had no clue that it would be like this and I loved it because it surprised me. I especially like the jokes that he put in front of every chapter and his stories that wrap up the book. In conclusion I would like to say that you must look at the title. If you don't like books containing foul language and dirty jokes well you might as well push the back button on your browser but ..... if you love dirty jokes and you wanna have a good laugh I recommend that you read Dirty Jokes and Beer : Stories of the Unrefined by Drew Carey.

In its own way, a masterpiece.
I just finished reading a translation of the Nina Berberova novel The Book of Happiness (published by New Directions). Normally, of course, I read only socially/morally uplifting and intellectually challenging books, but from time to time Mr. Hyde wants to come out of the closet and flash somebody. Sometimes I can hold off this attack with a bit of froth, like a mystery novel; at other times, only what I call (for want of a better title) Crud Books will do. I just picked up a great one: Drew Carey's Dirty Jokes and Beer: Stories of the Unrefined. Criteria for judging great crud books include vulgarity, filth, and humor almost any adult would be ashamed to admit they like. My favorite chapter includes 101 mostly hilarious jokes about genital elephantisis, to use a euphemism. Carey's prose is good enough. He also prefaces almost every chapter with a very funny dirty joke.

After a good amount of this kind of carrying-on, however, comes a very strange part indeed: the stories of the unrefined. It seems Carey wanted to write a book of short stories. The consensus from his friends and business associates who read these stories, however, was "dark," and Carey can't sell dark, only funny. So they get slipped in after Carey has given the customers what they expect - a real professional. The stories are dark indeed (and also funny), and if they are based, even remotely, on what actually happened to him (they sound like they do), I can understand why he tried to commit suicide twice.

The stories are mostly about down-and-outs and marginal characters in Cleveland (West Side equivalents of R. Crumb and Harvey Pekar), so that part was fairly interesting to me, since I grew up in Cleveland as a somewhat marginal figure. They weren't bad at all, as stories, if not up to Wings of the Dove. But Carey surprised me. They didn't have to be good at all.

Carey writes probably pretty close to the way he talks and he talks about things almost every adult male talks about. He didn't write it for prudes, male or female, liberal or conservative. It's up-front, funny (for those who can see the humor), and take-it-or-leave-it.

Just as good as the show
If you're a fan of The Drew Carey Show, then you will love this book. Consider it a kind of extension of the show, only better, because in print, he isn't limited by censors. By his own admission, the book covers ground that he couldn't even begin to touch on air. This book is highly recommended for anyone who wants to know what the show really should have been like.

Carey does it again!
This book is great! Drew Carey's views on life express what we all think. From front to back this book is the one for you! It comes with jokes, stories of Drew's life, about his show, his teenager-hood, and even some pictures of Drew when he was little. If you like comedey and don't mind bad language, buy this book!

Very limited appeal
This is a collection of dirty jokes, short fiction and autobiographical tidbits will please some readers and offend most others. Drew Carey, a stand-up comic and star of his own TV show, writes mostly about sex, drinking, gambling, football and television. Four-letter words dominate this book, giving the book a definite adolescent, male tone. Carey makes note that the more offensive his material, the more popular he became. He also includes a sample of the negative reviews and letters he has received. Overall, this book has a very limited appeal and I don't recommend it. ... Read more