Rickles' Book

April 2, 2007
Insult comic Rickles has written a feel-good memoir that's loaded with photos and sentiment. The only son of loving parents, today he's an 80-year-old grandfather who still performs nationwide. The most interesting bits—his climb to the top—are told only in broad strokes. The tone is friendly and conversational, however, as he describes, among other things, his style: "I found a distinct sense of sarcasm and humorous exaggeration." Rickles wanted to be a serious actor, but he started as a comic in strip clubs and worked his way up. His break came when Sinatra heard him—and he used Sinatra's influence to get him better gigs. Yet for a guy famous for calling others a "hockey puck," Rickles's story is Hollywood lite. There's no backstage drama, no sex, no gossip. When he name-drops celebrities, it's always in glowing terms. We learn of his short-lived TV shows, CPO Sharkey
and The Don Rickles Show
, and how voicing Mr. Potato Head in Toy Story
jump-started his later career. Those looking for a sardonic autobiography will be disappointed; Rickles accentuates the positive. If he has a bad word to say about anyone, he'll probably save it for his act.

May 1, 2007
If you want to read the tell-all story of comedian Rickles's life, this "isn't" the book to satisfy you. His autobiography is written in the same manner of his comedic styleshort, entertaining vignettes that end with a great punch line. Rickles covers life as he remembers it from his upbringing in Queens, NY, to his international fame as the voice of Mr. Potato Head. He takes you on an engrossing road trip through early failed salesmanship jobs, the development of his signature brand of sarcastic wit as a comedian in Miami, his becoming a fringe member of the Rat Pack, and stardom in Hollywood movies and numerous TV show appearances. Rickles tells tales involving best buddies Frank Sinatra, Johnny Carson, and Bob Newhart, among other well-known celebrities. He even manages to reveal his tender side when he writes about his beloved mother, his wife, and the father he admired as an unacknowledged herohaving finally gotten a taste of it, readers will wish for more of this rarely seen side. A short, snappy, quick read, this book is recommended for small to medium-sized public libraries or where demand warrants.Richard Dickey, Washington, DC

Copyright 2007 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.