Little Billy's Letters: An Incorrigible Inner Child's Correspondence with the Famous, Infamous, and Just Plain Bewildered [Hardcover]

Bill Geerhart (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 9, 2010

Whether seeking advice from former drug czar William Bennett about a pot smoking teacher or asking Larry Flynt about a Hustler for kids, 'Little Billy' has written hundreds of letters to celebrities, criminals, politicians, and more. Presidents, Supreme Court justices, actors, corporate CEOs, serial killers, robot makers, and even the NesQuik Bunny have replied to his outlandish questions. In this irreverent collection, Little Billy - actually a man with a wicked sense of humour named Bill Geerhart - brings together his original letters, the responses they elicited, and a host of photos and miscellany on a variety of wild topics, including: Operation Drop-Out - considering quitting elementary school, Billy reaches out to serial killers and stars for advice; Billy's Law - from who is Janet Reno's favorite crime fighter to advice on the best defense when framed for murder from OJ 'Dream Team' attorney Robert Shapiro to the favourite McDonald's food of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas; The Making of the Class President - 'Endorsements' from Nancy Reagan, Dick Cheney, George H. W. Bush, Ken Starr, and Colin Powell; and, Choosing My Religion - representatives from the Catholic, Presbyterian, Mormon, Raelian, Satanic, Scientologist, Hare Krishna, and Unification Church (a.k.a. the Moonies) reveal what's 'cool' about their religion. Shamelessly funny, "Little Billy's Letters" is a wry antidote to our celebrity-obsessed culture.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“I’m mildly insulted that Little Billy didn’t write to me, but otherwise I love this clever book and so will you.” (Clifford Irving, author of The Hoax )

“Little Billy’s Letters brought sublime smiles and some howls. Bill Geerhart’s book reminds me of Don Novello’s Lazlo Toth pranks (Novello is the comic genius who created SNL’s Father Guido Sarducci) and Jeffrey Vallance’s 1981 prank book on exchanging neck ties with world leaders to promote peace. (David Cay Johnston, New York Times bestselling author and Pulitzer Prize winning journalist )

“Truly funny, fascinating book. Little Billy’s Letters is a delightful, literary Ali G. I couldn’t put it down. Seriously, there’s something with the glue in the binding. Other than that, I loved it!” (Josh Weinstein, Former Showrunner, “The Simpsons” )

“I generally resent humorous authors more clever than I am, but “Little Billy’s Letters” take the cake and he generously shares them. A masterpiece of mischief!” (Alan Abel, elder statesman of hoaxers and the man Esquire magazine called ‘the Best Prankster of All Time” )

“This book will both amuse and disturb you. Oh, wait, and also amurb you as well. It demonstrates an obsessive dedication to the prank art form that moves me to tears!!” (David Cross, Comedian and author of I Drink for a Reason )

“Little Billy’s Letters by Bill Geerhart is, in a word, amazing.” (Larry Gelbart, legendary comedy writer )

About the Author

Bill Geerhart grew up in Bethesda, MD, in the seventies and eighties and was obsessed with MAD magazine, television, movies, true crime, and crank calling talk radio stations. To the amazement of his high school guidance counselor, he was admitted to several reputable institutions of higher learning, and earned a Creative Writing degree from Emerson College. Geerhart is an expert in Cold War history; his groundbreaking work via his website www.conelrad.com and Bear Family Records have been featured in the New York Times, Newsweek, Vanity Fair, Entertainment Weekly, and on National Public Radio's Morning Edition, the BBC, and many other media outlets.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow (March 9, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061807281
• ISBN-13: 978-0061807282
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #257,091 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Bill Geerhart grew up in Bethesda, MD, in the seventies and eighties and was obsessed with MAD magazine, television, movies, true crime, and crank calling talk radio stations. To the amazement of his high school guidance counselor, he was admitted to several reputable institutions of higher learning, and earned a Creative Writing degree from Emerson College. Geerhart is an expert in Cold War history; his groundbreaking work via his website www.conelrad.com and Bear Family Records have been featured in the New York Times, Newsweek, Vanity Fair, Entertainment Weekly, and on National Public Radio's Morning Edition, the BBC, and many other media outlets.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Couldn't stop laughing.. touching at times, March 11, 2010

By 

Trenton Ray (Abilene, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Little Billy's Letters: An Incorrigible Inner Child's Correspondence with the Famous, Infamous, and Just Plain Bewildered (Hardcover)

Yes, you heard it right. A book about a faux prankster can indeed be touching. From the heartfelt advise of one of the Manson Family, to the hilarious letter about defending a treehouse written to Robert McNamara, this book has no dull moments. Sometimes the personalities in question ignored the letter altogether, which is even funnier. For example, cereal companies could care less that Billy's mom said that he can no longer enjoy Lucky Charms because they could give him cancer. The section of letters written to prominent televangelists about Tippy the dog being possessed by Satan made me laugh so hard I woke the baby up. Recommended for anybody who still has a devious little child in them!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Gift!, March 16, 2010

By 

Linda K (Beverly Hills, California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Little Billy's Letters: An Incorrigible Inner Child's Correspondence with the Famous, Infamous, and Just Plain Bewildered (Hardcover)

I purchased this gift for my father, not knowing what to get him for his birthday. He was reading it so seriously. I asked: isn't it funny? He said the letters that the serial killers wrote back were interesting and insightful. Then he kept laughing so I had to read it. Very clever and funny. We ended up talking the rest of the day about it as the celebrities in the book would jar a discussion. This book would make a great gift for any occasion, any generation. Just read it first before you wrap it!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hilarious! Most imaginative book I've heard of., August 1, 2010

By 

Giant's Pat - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Little Billy's Letters: An Incorrigible Inner Child's Correspondence with the Famous, Infamous, and Just Plain Bewildered (Hardcover)

I heard author Bill Geerhart on a radio show after the book's release in early 2010. After hearing Bill explain why & how he picked his subjects for "L'le Billy" to write to, I had to get the book. The letters were written by Bill from the mind of 10 year old "L'le Billy." Moreover, Bill wrote on old-school, lined-for-penmanship paper using his lefthand to fake poor handwriting skills of "L'le Billy." A letter to Larry Flynt includes, Is there a Hustler for Kids since my parents won't let me subscribe to Hustler until I'm 18? It was every bit as bright, witty, and surprising as described by Bill. The range of people he wrote to is incredible. The responses are equally enthralling and giving rise to a side of a personality you didn't know about or as in some cases wish you didn't know. Author Bill also adds his 2 cents about the selected subject-person. A GREAT BOOK for the infirmed, mid-teens, CEOs, grandparents, teachers, etc. - anyone who loves the innocence of youth plus the creativity of an author.