Product Description

Reporter: "What's it like to be Bob Hope?"
Hope: "I wouldn't have it any other way."

From Bob Hope's early career as an upstart among professionals like Jack Benny and Milton Berle in the rollicking world of traveling comedians, to his blazing success as a radio, television, and film star, this completely revised and updated version of William Faith's acclaimed biography takes a straightforward, appreciative, and very funny look at Hope's life and times on the occasion of his 100th birthday. Filled with anecdotes, photographs, and plenty of jokes, the book reveals the real Bob Hope from his boyhood in England and youth in Cleveland to his present status as a living legend--a full-blooded, authentic appraisal of the man and his humor, a comic institution who is also a brilliant businessman, manipulator of the media, and politically influential figure. And of course Hope is the man who brought laughter and cheer (and long-legged beauties) to GIs throughout the world. At a time when patriotic fervor has never been running higher it's worth recalling the singular tribute paid Hope by none other than John Steinbeck: "When the time for recognition of service to the nation in wartime comes to be considered, Bob Hope should be high on the list.... He gets laughter wherever he goes from men who need laughter." Happy 100th, Bob!

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #848084 in Books
• Published on: 2003-04
• Released on: 2003-04-29
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 560 pages

Review
"Perhaps the best book on Hope." -- John Lahr, The New Yorker

"The definitive biography of the most honored entertainer ever...A well written, researched and informative work." -- Dorchester Community News 04/02/04

About the Author
William Robert Faith worked as Bob Hope's public relations representative for fourteen years. A professor at the University of Southern California's School of Journalism, he lives in Burbank, California.

Customer Reviews

Best bio since Grant
This was the best bio I have read since Grant's two volume bio. The author gets into Mr. Hope, and I understand the man who brought so many laughs to us through the years. This was a book I couldn't down. Would wake up in the middle of the night and HAVE to start reading it. If you enjoyed Bob Hope you need to read this book.

Bob Kozlowski

disappointed
I have to say when I read this I was very disappointed in it. It was such a slow read and the author had trouble holding my attention. A very very dull read. Not really anything new that we didn't already know about Bob Hope from Bob Hope all these years. I expected more from the author. Don't waste your time or money I'm sorry to say.