Customer Reviews

My Remarkable Journey

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have purchased many of Larry King's books over the years but this is the first one that I found interesting enough to have read cover-to-cover (in two days). For the first time, Larry (he says that everyone calls him Larry) lets the reader learn about the various personal aspects of his unbelievable (and, yes, true to the title, "remarkable life"). Who else in show business went to Jackie Robinson's first game as a Brooklyn Dodger, bumped into JFK's car in Palm Beach, Florida (two years before JFK became president and with JFK driving), got Jackie Gleason to volunteer to get Frank Sinatra to appear on Larry's Miami radio show when Larry was still starting out, went to high school with Sandy Koufax and starred in CNN's first prime-time show? Larry King fans and those who are interested in media and broadcasting personalities will find much to enjoy in this new chatty and breezy autobiography.

We learn from Larry's long journey that Larry married eight times (twice to the same woman). I have to tell you--someplace at the half-way point of this book--I lost track of how many children, adopted children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren Larry has. His life was and still is that hectic. Someplace near the end of the book, Larry talks about recently seeing an estate attorney and having a new will prepared. (Good Luck on that Larry!)

Larry lost his father at an early age and unfortunately, but understandably, he has spent most of his life dealing with that tragedy. He leveraged his unique brand of broadcasting and communication skills into a series of radio jobs that brought him to the attention of Ted Turner, then trying to jump-start CNN. Larry's loyalties to friends and general ineptness with money resulted in years of financial losses and an arrest. He even lost $2.8 million in the Madoff Ponzi scheme that just broke five months ago. Years of smoking three-packs-a-day eventually led to severe heart trouble and eventually bypass surgery.

Larry, now 75, details how he met his present (young) wife which led to two sons, now nine and ten (let alone the child that his wife had from her prior marriage). There are some particularly emotional passages that detail Larry's discovery of Larry King, Jr., a biological son that Larry didn't even meet until Larry King, Jr. was 33. Larry Jr. now plays a key role in a non-profit foundation that finances one heart operation a day for people who do not have health insurance. Wow!

Interestingly, while CNN prides itself on not showcasing partisans such as those whose shows are carried on MSNBC and FOX, Larry lets his guard down in many parts of his story revealing, unmistakably, that his political views lie on the liberal side of the spectrum. He has much admiration for Bill Clinton. However, Larry does take several, no-so-veiled potshots at President George Bush, #43 (example: "The problem was that (President Bush) has no curiosity. He doesn't wonder about things.") Larry does not seem comfortable doing it, apparently due to his friendship with the senior President George Bush, #41).

Most of us would not have had the stamina and talent to have led Larry's complicated life. It's a great story that is well captured in this book. I think that it would make a terrific movie starring a well made-up Leo DiCaprio.

I wasn't sure what to expect when I purchased this book on unabridged CD. The fact that Larry reads it himself makes it even more special. I especially enjoyed his childhood escapades in Brooklyn. If you're looking for a fun summer read, this is it.

This is a tremendously entertaining book. Reading it felt like I was sitting down with Larry for a few hours and having a wonderful conversation, leaping from one fascinating topic to another. In the prologue Larry explains how he would have liked to be a comedian if he hadn't gone into broadcasting and his sense of humor emerges strongly throughout the book. The man is seriously funny.

This is not a intimate, soul-searching autobiography. For example, Larry has famously been married eight times to seven women, but he barely mentions his previous marriages (although he lovingly describes his current wife Shawn in depth). While open about his faults - he has zero financial sense and suspects he suffers from ADHD - he makes no attempt to analyze or explain them. Some of the biggest insights actually come from his friends and family who also write short accounts of their take on Larry and his life (a device that I have to say is only partially successful).

Instead what you get are insights into how he does his job and many, many wonderful anecdotes and descriptions of the events that he has witnessed and the people whom he has met over his lengthy career. There's the time that he rear-ended JFK in his car (Kennedy let him off if Larry promised to vote for him for President), Warren Beatty helping his friend to propose, Boris Yeltsin's obsession with the OJ Simpson trial, Lenny Bruce dressing up in prison uniforms and asking policemen for directions. Larry has been friendly with every president since Nixon and there's a very interesting chapter when he discusses his impressions of each of them (for the record, he has the greatest admiration for George Bush and Bill Clinton).

Larry also talks about his interviewing style. He likes spontaneity and never plans his questions in advance (describing himself as the opposite of Barbara Walters in his approach). He interviewed Meatloaf once and having no idea who the man was: he opened with "Do you check yourself into hotels as Mr Loaf?" He writes: "I want to be surprised every night". His worst interview ever? A monosyllabic Robert Mitchum.

Born Larry Zieger, Larry's early life was marked by tragedy. His older brother had died at the age of four the year before Larry was born, and his father died when he was nine. His mother raised him and his younger brother in relative poverty in Brooklyn. His friends from that time are still his friends today. He started his career working in radio in Miami (there's a wonderful story about the time that a woman propositioned him when he was working the all-night shift). Success came quickly and he later moved to Washington DC. He didn't move to television until he joined CNN at the age of 52. It was a gamble career move: this was the early days of cable television, when ratings were low and interns hung out at the airport looking for famous people that they could invite onto the show. Essentially it was a mark of faith in Ted Turner - and one that most definitely paid off.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and found it hard to put it down. Larry's life has been extremely interesting and his writing style makes it very entertaining to read.

No need to write the same reviews as the others have said it all. I could not put this book down. I had not been in the mood to read during the last few months,although I use to devour many books. Larry's page turner book has renewed my love of the written word through humor, straight forward thoughts on life, sharing love for family and friends without holding back. Just take a chance and read this book. You won't regret experiencing his walk down memory lane and what he has learned.

- Larry King speaking on his latest book, My Remarkable Journey, on May 31 at the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta (MJCCA), covered a gambit of topics covering his life's journey. Co-hosted with his wife Shawn, this duo left the crowd wanting more.



King spoke about his life long dream to be a part of broadcasting, he studied, practiced, and dreamt of working in radio. Finally his break came in a radio station in Miami, he was to go on at eight in the morning on Monday. That previous weekend he did not sleep in anticipation of his debut program.



Monday came, the producer asked his name and he told him Larry Ziegler. The producer said the last name was too ethnic, what is his name? Nervous, King glanced at the newspaper on the producer's desk and saw a liquor store add King Wholesale and blurted out "Larry King". So was his the birth of a King.



King, nervous with a new name and new set up, was fidgeting with the buttons, could not get anything on the air, he froze. The producer kicked the door and yelled "communicate!!" So King told the audience he was on air for the first time, new name, and new equipment, so lesson one of his successes, you need to always be honest regardless of what is going on. That way the audience is with you and wants you to succeed.



A very candid talk, King spoke of the impact of his father dying when he was nine. He felt his father had abandoned him and placed the burden of being the head of the family. This has lead to a lifelong ordeal with mistrust. Even today, he expects to go home and find his wife gone.



His wife, many years his junior always brings the same attention when he walks into a room. So King's response is, "if she dies, she dies", bringing roar of laughter from the audience.



Part comedian, part entertainer, and part showman, King shared from his life's work and the candid stories in this latest book. As to how he prepares for his interviews, he does not, he prefers spontaneous reactions and is a self proclaimed time watcher, and he is early and realizes that time moves on regardless of what is going on.



So take the time and read the book.

It is safe to say that Larry King has led a complicated life with all his marriages, but he is having a blast. Larry manages to keep himself young by surrounding himself with a young wife, two young sons, and a myriad of other people. He manages to keep the questioning of his guests on his television show simple rather than set up a lengthy list of questions in advance. The part of the book in which he describes his heart attack, and subsequent fear of surgery will be recognizable to those who have had a similar experience. It required this harsh wake-up call to get him to quit smoking, but tossing his pack of cigarettes into the Potomac River settled it once and for all. Larry does have a liberal viewpoint, but there is nothing wrong with that. However, I did find it unfortunate that he doesn't believe in God or Heaven. Larry King has led a very interesting life, and I get the impression that he is enjoying his life now more than ever because he has two young sons to share it with. It is true that one does enjoy experiences more when you have someone else to share it with such as taking his sons to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. The book is easy reading, and if you enjoy Larry King I feel you are sure to enjoy this book.

This book was totally enjoyable at a time of stress in my life and I found the story of his life fascinating. At times, being a Larry King fan, I could just "hear" him talking as I read and it felt like it was really him.

This book reveals a side to Larry King that I have never before seen.
I enjoyed reading it immensely!
Maryanne Battistini

I liked this book!!! I've watch "Larry King Live" for years but now feel like I've gotten to know this guy. It's candid, funny, casual, etc. - I felt like he stopped by my home to visit me. I don't always agree with Larry but have such respect for the insights he shares about himself. He lets you know where and why he has stumbled in life - hangups are not hidden. At the same time, he has an affirming view of himself and his ongoing accomplishments wrapped in thankfulness and appreciation to those who helped him along the way. Sharon Sprunger, Las Vegas, NV

The old TV commercials from the 1950's and 1960's declared that Timex watches are the ones that: "take a licking, but keep on ticking."

The same can be said of this highly readable, can't put down, page turner about the Joe everyman in all of us as he observes, reports and lives in this world for 75 years.

Larry's gift as an interviewer is that he asks the questions most of us would want the answer to, before we ask them. As I have watched him over the years, I, like many viewers, have had the experience night after night of seeing him ask a question and thinking to myself, "Yeah! I'd like to know that too."

I don't quite know he's done, but he a brought that same quality into this book. As soon as I finish reading a chapter I find myself saying, "Yeah, that's what I wanted to know about Larry."

The fascinating thing about Larry is that he doesn't really know that he has this gift and is too busy living it to waste too much time analyzing or crowing about it.

I think the greatest gift of this book is that it demonstrates that it is possible to keep the wonder of a child alive all the way through your life.

I'm sure Larry would be very gratified if his journey inspired others to live as full a life. On the other hand since he's a doer rather than an introspective type, he'd probably say that was the furthest thing from his mind when he wrote it...he was just trying to tell his story.