Deconstructing Sammy

In a compelling audio presentation, narrator Peter Jay Fernandez recounts the life of Sammy Davis, Jr., in a direct and engaging manner. While making each character distinctive, Fernandez's style persuades the listener to become deeply involved in this heartbreaking story. With each chapter, it becomes more difficult to believe the extent to which one of the great entertainers of the twentieth century was surrounded by people, including his widow, Altovise, who bamboozled him in order to ride on his famous and wealthy coattails. Investigative journalist Matt Birkbeck recounts the tragic life of Davis and how, after his death, his legacy was revived by the noble work of one Albert "Sonny" Murray, a former federal prosecutor. The quality of the audio presentation equals the intensity of the story itself. M.R.E. (c) AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine

March 15, 2009
Investigative journalist Birkbeck's look at entertainer Sammy Davis Jr.'s flawed life primarily focuses on the tangled financial mess Davis left behind for his widow when he died in 1990. The pouring over of complicated legal matters is tough going regardless of the format, but while a reader might skip about looking for show business anecdotes, such skimming is less easy with audio. That said, the always excellent Peter Jay Fernandez, who reads James Patterson's Alex Cross thrillers, delivers a sympathetic performance. Tax attorneys may find this title fascinating but not general audiences. [Audio clip available through www.harperaudio.com.Ed.]Michael Adams, CUNY Graduate Ctr. Lib.

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