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Rickles' Book: A Memoir
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Customer Reviews
Rating:  - It Moves Faster than a Speeding Bullet ... more powerful than a Loco Movie!
It is a joy to write this review, doing it requires no effort. It is easy to articulate my thoughts because of the laughter, warmth, and happiness, I experienced while reading this marvelous book about the life of a comic genius.
I grew up watching Mr. Rickles perform numerous times on Ed Sullivan, Johnny Carson, Steve Allen, and other popular shows. His comedy would make me laugh and cringe at the same time as I kept identifying with members of the audience who were the butt of his jokes. At the conclusion of his performance, he would always put everyone at ease by thanking the audience for their indulgence. He reminded us it was acceptable and cathartic to laugh at ourselves.
Live many icons of his era, he started at the bottom in nameless flophouses and ended up on the world's greatest stages. Some things that resonated with me about his life were the constant support of his endearing family and the sustenance of his Jewish faith. They sustained him through good, bad, and ugly times. In spite of his bravado; like most of us... he has insecurities, frailties, and imperfections.
Those who wish to emulate his success would be wise to remember he established his own identity, style, and character. Also, he has never stopped moving, talking, working, or trying to perfect his craft.
Some of the biggest names in show business were instrumental in supporting his successful career. Notable mentions are: Frank Sinatra, Milton Berle, Johnny Carson, Judy Garland, Clark Gable, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Junior. Just reading about them reminded me how much these amazingly talented people are missed... Mr. Rickles' book brought their memories back to life. From my perspective, it is a poignant and cogent reminder ... we are fortunate to still have this provocative and gifted man among us. If you can not catch his act ... read this book ... with these words of caution: be prepared to laugh, nonstop, until it hurts!
Rating:  - Not even close to what you wish it was
I have been a HUGE fan of Don Rickles for decades and was so excited to get this book since having seen him, watched him and known about him I knew his life would be amazing and the book just let's you know what an amazing life he has indeed led. Unfortunately, this book reads like seeing an apartment through the windows of a passing el train - nothing solid, no flow whatsoever and nothing to bring you in. The average chapter is like 3 pages and if you are thinking to yourself, that's not enough to really get into depth about anything, you are absolutely right - a perfect example is a time on stage he talks about where Sinatra doesn't even recognize him and he knew something was wrong - he doesn't get into it anymore, doesn't talk about anything more about it - just leaves you lacking and the whole book lacks with it - thoroughly disappointed in what could have been and should have been an AMAZING book - true and big fans will find some laughs but there is nothing here that frankly, the really big fans will not already have heard him talk about before many times over (ie. the Carson broken cigarette box/CPO Sharkey story) - save your money and wait for someone to write a biography, the auto biography seems to have been written by someone who wasn't interested in telling his life story and that is a true shame for anyone as interested as I was to read it.
Rating:  - Good read; sounds like him.
I didn't scream with laughter the way I do when he's talking, but I could hear his voice in the book. Too short I think, but it's not some detailed biography--it's a quick presentation, like his typical stories. I reckon if you hadn't heard him talk, it wouldn't read as funny as it does for me. But Mr. Rickles has class and heart and that comes through loud and clear; and that counts for a lot.
Rating: - A Nice Guy!
This is a sort of mini biography of Don Rickles. A collection of reminiscences arranged chronologically beginning with his childhood, the book is easy and fun to read. There are some laughs and some great anecdotes from the glory days of The Rat Pack. For example , the boys are in a steam room and Frank Sinatra tells Don "You're not getting enough publicity Don, the public needs to see more of you" So they grab a naked and struggling Rickles and carry him outside to the pool and leave him there in front of the shocked hotel guests.
We also get a nostalgic look back at what it was like for a young comic trying to make it in the 50's and 60's.
I saw Mr. Rickles at the MGM in Vegas in the late 90's. After the show was over , he came down from the stage and shook hands and talked a bit with people in the audience. I was one of the lucky ones who got to meet him. Really, a nice guy. If you can't see him in person, read this delightful little book and get to know one of the last of his era.
Rating: - Glad I Borrowed From Library
Just finished reading Rickles' Book. Although "entertaining" and funny, I was mostly disappointed. All chapters very short, doubled spaced, many blank pages. The 239 pages could have been condensed to thirty-nine, with pictures. Glad I did not purchase this book and borrowed from local library.
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