Lucy A to Z: An Encyclopedic Biography of Lucille Ball [Paperback]

Michael Karol (Author), Karol (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 2002

If you think you know everything about Lucille Ball, think again! Lucy A to Z, is a unique encyclopedic guide to the life and career of Lucy, the most beloved comedian of our time.

This second edition of Lucy A to Z is filled with newly discovered archival research and updated information, plus exclusive interviews; a new foreword by Lucy’s Number 1 Fan, Michael Stern; and details of the stage careers of the four “I Love Lucy” principals. A special treat: information on a “lost” Broadway play from 1963 in which one of the major characters was based on Lucille Ball: “Nobody Loves an Albatross.”

Since its initial publication in May 2001, Lucy A to Z has found acceptance in the hearts of Lucy fans everywhere, from the Lucy-Desi Museum in Jamestown, New York, to the “Loving Lucy” convention in Burbank, California, and all points in between.

The public has loved Lucille Ball for more than 50 years. This book is for those millions of fans.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"As we are producing the 'I Love Lucy' 50th Anniversary Special, [Lucy A to Z] has been a godsend." -- Lucie Arnaz, Letter to Author, 2001

"[Lucy A to Z is a] compound of insight, fact, and trivia." -- Stefan Kanfer, 2003, author of Ball of Fire

From the Publisher

If you think you know everything about Lucille Ball, think again! "Lucy A to Z" is a unique encyclopedic guide to the life and career of Lucy, the most beloved comedian of our time.

This second edition of "Lucy A to Z" is filled with newly discovered archival research and updated information going back nearly 80 years, plus exclusive interviews.

The public has loved Lucille Ball for more than 50 years. This book is for those millions of fans.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 398 pages
• Publisher: Writer's Showcase Press (June 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0595169775
• ISBN-13: 978-0595169771
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,162,797 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #73 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > People, A-Z > ( B ) > Ball, Lucille

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great New Lucille Ball Bio Is Here!, June 4, 2001

By 

Saul Fischer, writer, editor, Lucy fan - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lucy A to Z: An Encyclopedic Biography of Lucille Ball (Paperback)

Lucille Ball fans (and who out there isn't one?), rejoice! There's a new book out celebrating the life of the world's most popular comedienne, and in a format I've never seen before: Here's "Lucy A to Z." The year 2001 is the fiftieth anniversary of the premiere of "I Love Lucy," the world's most popular sitcom. But what more can be said about Lucille Ball's career? Actually, according to this book, quite a lot! The author has found a unique perspective, a format that differs from other Lucille Ball biographies that I've read, and one that encompasses both facts about Ball's life and the author's personal opinions. The one thing we Lucy fans have in common is a thirst for knowledge about Lucille Ball. The author has created an "encyclopedia" to satisfy that thirst. "Lucy A to Z" covers all aspects of Lucy's unique Hollywood career: she moved from model to showgirl to movie bit-player to supporting actress to Queen of the 'B' pictures, to radio star, television legend, studio head, and beloved American icon. Arranged alphabetically are entries covering the major aspects of Ball's life, her co-stars and her career. The "encyclopedia" format of "Lucy A to Z" makes it easy for you to speed to the topic(s) in which you're most interested. You may disagree with some of the author's opinions, but I always found them interesting. "Lucy A to Z" is a treasure of interesting facts, some minutiae, Lucy lists (of her TV Guide and other magazine covers, for example), a bit of biography here and there, even some haiku (Prepare yourself!). But ultimately "Lucy A to Z" celebrates Lucille Ball's real legacy: the gift of laughter. Highly recommended.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lucy A-Z Gets A 10+, August 14, 2001

By 

Irwin Tarlin (Stubenville, Ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lucy A to Z: An Encyclopedic Biography of Lucille Ball (Paperback)

This book was recommended to me by a friend and I couldn't put it down. I loved the format, the authors perspective and views were interesting and unique and you could tell he was a real Lucy fan (who isn't). Add this book to your cart and you won't be disappointed. You can read it again and again because of the unique way it is written. A must for Lucy fans. Enjoy!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very valuable but don't buy it first, June 25, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Lucy A to Z: An Encyclopedic Biography of Lucille Ball (Paperback)

I enjoyed this book and was very informed by it. I doubt you can find more detailed background data about Lucille Ball's work (from the beginning of her career to the end, from stage to the big and small screens) and her (lesser known) co-stars and co-workers anywhere else. The problem is, I'm a new fan to Lucy and I wanted to read about her life in a more conventional way (where she was born, raised, her influences, her marriage, children, etc). Those types of books got such mixed reviews from fans that I thought I'd start with this one, which had only positive reviews. There is some basic bio in this book, but it assumes you know that type of information about Lucy. So I would just say: make sure you don't start with this book if you're a new fan. It's like getting to know her backwards (everyone around her instead of the star herself). This is definitely a book for seasoned fans who want to know "more."