Other works about Lenny Bruce have been authored by people who did not know him, who researched his life through second hand materials, and who focused on the incidental fact that Bruce was a substance abuser. This book is the only work about Bruce written by someone who knew and worked with him intimately, and who focuses on the creativity and motivation of Bruce's work.
William Karl Thomas's diversity of talents (photographer, cinematographer, filmmaker, journalist, book author, screenwriter, and musician) led him through the labyrinth of Hollywood's 1950's and 60's underworld to involvement with the then little known comics Frank Ray Perelli, Sally Marr, and Lenny Bruce. In telling Lenny's story Thomas tells his own, complete with tales of the weirder fringes of Hollywood during the "beatnik" and "hippy" eras, and anecdotes of celebrities such as Frank Sinatra, Steve Allen, Theo Bikel, and Shecky Greene, all of whom are portrayed with respect. Thomas's 10 year collaboration with Bruce led to some of Bruce's most famous routines (Religions Incorporated, Mein Campf Arises, Show Biz Heaven, and other's), and to the most memorable album covers (The Sick Humor of Lenny Bruce, Lenny Bruce is Out Again, and others) and film footage (Leather Jacket, and others) by which we now recognize Bruce as the social satirist who has made the greatest impact on our time.
