Rickles' Book: A Memoir

As most of the promotions have stated, the book is "written in Rickles' voice". But these are the same tales he's told on talk shows for numerous years. Nothing revealing, his stories are set up for punch lines and nothing else. Don't know what I expected, thought maybe he'd describe the seamier side of his early days in the joints. Lots of name dropping, (Sinatra Sinatra Sinatra) he's worked with them all, but nothing unexpected. An evening spent on youtube watching old appearances is more entertaining, Rickles Book is simply a static version of that.

There are certainly many funny stories here, but not as funny as I was expecting for a guy with over half a century of material. He fleshed out his life and talks about Sinatra a lot. I learned something about Frank that I didn't expect - I now like him even less than previously. The book is a rollercoaster of interesting/funny and grinding through the boring parts. Worth a read if youre a fan and the book is in sale.

The first time I saw Don Rickles was at the Boulevard nightclub on Queen Boulevard in Queens a hundred or so years ago. I was 15 and was there to celebrate a friend's sweet sixteen party. It was one of the first times I had ever been on a date and the evening was sweet. Then the entertainment started. A very young, balding bullet headed man came on stage and though he looked benign, in a minute he proceeded to rip into and destroy anyone and everyone in sight. The sweet sixteen girl was his main target and everyone in the place roared and no one more than the guest of honor herself. The man was hilarious. I don't recall how long his set was (a half hour? longer?)but I do remember it was so irreverent and hilarious that, when later, I saw him sitting at the bar, I got my courage up, walked up to him, shook his hand and asked if I could buy him a drink. He smiled and let me! My date and I sat with him and a warmer, kinder man you would not want to meet. Thus began my love affair with Don Rickles, a love affair that has not dwindled over the years. I have made special trips to Vegas just to see him and even ventured to the wastelands of Westbury to see him and Joan Rivers in concert. I have seen all of his movies, and even bought his LP...now I have bought his book and I loved it.Don, you are the best. May you go on forever...and if you do, you can be sure that I'll be there slipping the maitre 'd a few bucks to get a ringside seat. A great comedian, a great man and a great book. Thanks for all of it, Don.

As a Rickles fan it is hard to give Don less than 5 stars on anything but.... I am not saying he phoned it in but this does not do his career justice. It is more like a collection of very short stories put together as a book. Example - he served in WW2. His whole navy career is summed up in 2 pages and centers around the same joke.With so much he could have said it was disappointing that this is all he said

I wish that I had the opportunity to get insulted by Don Rickles. Loved him on the Mike Douglas show in the late 60's. Especially when he was arguing with Little Richard and Jacqueline Susann was sitting in between them.

I love this man! And I appreciate the quick, easy style of the book...just like his humor. I really felt like he was an older man towards the end of his career telling funny stories about the past. And I LOVED sitting at his feet listening to them. Don Rickels seems like a truly good man who happened to have a gift that he thankfully shared with the world. His love and devotion to his friends and family are refreshing and endearing. I wish I could have seen him live. I would have for sure sat in the front row and said, "Pick on me!" Just a great read.

I have never been a fan of Don Rickles. When he passed away recently, I listened to an old interview and thought that I would like to learn more about the man. So I ordered Rickles' Book: A Memoir, co-written with David Ritz, which I found a bit of a disappointment.Rickles' Book isn't a typical autobiography. Instead, this book consists of stories and anecdotes that are normally four pages or less. Rickles begins with his parents and his early childhood. Throughout, he will talk about various events in his life (growing up, serving in the Navy, his father's death, his wedding, etc.). But he doesn't spend much time with his personal life. The majority of the memoir covers his professional life and his entertainer friends, including Frank Sinatra and Bob Newhart. Some of the stories are informative. We learn that Don's mother, Etta, visited Frank Sinatra's mom, Dolly. Etta encouraged Dolly to get Frank to visit Don when he was performing. They quickly became good friends. He writes a lot about his best friend, Bob Newhart. Although they were total opposites, their friendship was based on “the same basic values: nutty humor and family love.”But I gave Rickles' Book three stars for the following reasons. First, it is a very short read. With lots of blank pages between stories, plus pictures, you can read it in one sitting. And second, I later discovered that the stories in Rickles' Book are lifted directly from his stage routines. If you are a fan, you won't find much new here.I would still like to learn more about Don Rickles the man, rather than the entertainer. I guess that I will just have to try a biography.

It was a really quick read and I did enjoy learning more about his life. When I watched the documentary on him I thought the book would have additional stories. It was basically the same. Great guy..interesting life.

Don Rickles is lauded in America;those that know of him here in the UK as a comedian, would love to see more of this wonderful loud mouth, king of insult comedians who performs without a net and is rightfully thought to be a legend.However this book has to be one of the sketchiest biographies I have read. I have the impression it was written in haste and the author protected the performer's material, thank God Don Rickles is still performing at 80.I am sure there is a fascinating story yet to be told, this book regardless of the praise on the back cover, has not scratched the surface.The print is large, the margins are wide and the chapters very short.Mr.Rickles no doubt could have told more about his career, his associations and his background; but all to soon the writer skips onwards,introduces a new perspective and quickly moves on again.

The book is written in the same way he delivered his performances.His humour is timeless.

A great read, unconventional like the man himself.

Item as described, A great comedian, very impressed, good value for the money. Ossie.

brilliant read from a great comic