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The Days of our Lives: The True Story of One Family's Dream and the Untold History of Days of our Lives [Hardcover]

Ken Corday
4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)

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Book Description

May 1, 2010

On a November day almost forty-five years ago, the first episode of Days of our Lives appeared on the NBC Network, NBC's first color soap opera broadcast. Eleven thousand episodes later, millions excitedly tune in every weekday to watch one of the 260 original one-hour episodes produced each year. What few know though is that the show started as the dream of one family, the Corday family, who still owns and runs the show to this day. These are the days of their lives.

The Days of our Lives is the first insider account of the history behind one of our most beloved soap operas. It is about the family who believed in it, conceived it, and sometimes seemed to live it along with millions of viewers, as they struggled to emerge from nowhere to create and produce one of the most successful and enduring television shows in history.

Ken Corday reveals the triumphs and tragedies behind the scenes over the years, a moving personal story of a family facing everything from death to mental illness, the ever-looming threat of cancellation, and the struggle to keep their dream alive. It is also the story of an extended family-actors, producers, and crew-who formed a bond of love that went beyond just creating a show to establishing a legacy.

You will discover for the first time the true  stories behind the show, a story of living a dream and raising a family while things all around you, even fate, seem to conspire against you-and succeeding against all odds.


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Editorial Reviews

Review

Corday's poetic The Days of our Lives is a fascinating inside look into one of the few producers who has rarely, if ever, interfered with the writing of his ultimate inheritance.

With this new book, Corday proves that perhaps he missed his true calling.

(TV Guide Canada 20100510)

"A really good book...a loving, surprisingly spiritual, sometimes shocking tribute to the Corday family business...revelatory."


(TV Guide 20100517)

A thoughtful, sophisticated memoir. (Fancast 20100517)

This is an illuminating and powerful must-read for anyone who has ever watched DAYS, or for that matter, anyone who has ever put a family business in front of their own aspirations. (We Love Soaps 20100525)

Corday's 'The Days of our Lives' truly offers an eye-opening look into the world behind 'Days' (Newman Times Herald 20100509)

If you're a fan of the show (or of any soap opera), The Days of Our Lives is a must-read book. Even casual viewers will get a kick out of some of the inside stories. Pop culture fans, too. There's a wealth of real TV history here. Not to mention that Ken Corday's had quite a life. Check it out. (Bill Crider's Pop Culture Magazine 20100605)

This memoir by the executive producer of the long-running soap opera has some fascinating tidbits. (New York Post 20100606)

While this book does recount some of the early history of Days and highlights the heroes, heroines, and villains who make the show must-see TV for some many fans, it's not only about the show. Everything is wrapped around the Corday family experience - warts and all. (RT Book Reviews 20100701)

The book is compelling not only because it gives a unique look at the behind-the-scenes working of a daytime drama producing five one-hour episodes 52 weeks a year but it also gives an intimate window into the Corday family where soap opera has run through its veins for decades. (Jim Halterman 20100610)

Sure to be popular with fans of the show, this light read might also be enjoyed by readers interested in soap operas and show business biographies. (Library Journal 20100521)

If you are a fan you will love this book, if you were a fan but stopped watching because of the changes made over the years, you need to read this book.
(Dollycas's Thoughts 20100622)

Corday has a great writing style and the story of his parents, Ted and Betty Corday, and how they created "Days" is a good read. (Herald-Dispatch 20100702)

I thoroughly enjoyed this autobiography by the executive producer of Days of our Lives. I think for all of us hardcore enough to be involved in this blog, whether you are a regular writer, commenter or reader, it makes sense to get this back story. I definitely learned a lot about the show, the actors and the Corday family. (DaysTalk 20100709)

Fans of Days of our Lives will devour this book. However, as somebody that never watched that particular soap opera, I was still fascinated by the story. The family struggles were heartbreaking and I love reading anything about the inner workings of television. (Connect With Your Teens 20100714)

Ken Corday's memoir will be a fascinating read for fans of the daytime soap, as well as for anyone interested in the early history of television. (Wichita Falls Times Record News/Las Vegas Review Journal's book blog 20100714)

The mix of family history, show history, and the happenings of the present-day ratings game and budget cuts is perfect. Even as a viewer of more than a decade, I learned quite a bit about Days of our Lives. I consider this a must read for fans of the genre and those interested in the history of television.
(My Book Views 20100806)

I found the book to be extremely interesting as it brought to life the many facets involved in producing a show of this nature and magnitude, keeping it alive for many, many years and how despite their own family's misfortunes, the Cordays were able to stay close-knit, loving and caring amongst themselves and the crew and cast of the longtime running show. (Book Pleasures 20100811)

"The Days of our Lives" is a must for any fan of the show, or those looking into insight of daytime television. (Midwest Book Review 20100801)

"The Days of Our Lives" is a very interesting and involving read. Ken Corday does a very good job of detailing his family history and I give him credit for relaying so many personal and, I suspect, very painful, moments of his life. Clearly, he still has great affection for his family, as well as the family business, and his loyalty and hard work have led to the success of the series over the past three decades, thus keeping his parents dream alive and countless long time fans very happy.

(PopCultureGuy 20101026)

Blending inside stories about the show with a personal, philosophical view of his hardworking parents, the reader gets to experience a true classic American success story.
(AOL News 20101115)

There is a sweetness to Ken's writing. He lovingly muses about both his real and professional family. If you want bitchiness, this book doesn't deliver. However, if what you want is to know the soap opera behind a seminal soap that has survived through the years, this delivers a highly readable, fan-friendly tale.

(Hollywood Reporter 20101111)

About the Author

Ken Corday is the Executive Producer of Days of our Lives, which was created by his parents in 1965. Ken received his Bachelor of Arts in Music from the University of California, Santa Cruz, before receiving a Master's Degree in Music from San Jose State University. He lives in Toluca Lake, California.

Product Details

  • Hardcover: 272 pages
  • Publisher: Sourcebooks; 1 edition (May 1, 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1402242220
  • ISBN-13: 978-1402242229
  • Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.9 x 9 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #274,857 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
(30)
4.5 out of 5 stars
For any fan or writer wanting to explore this form of writing will enjoy this book. Jaylee Garver  |  9 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 16 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars "An Excellent Book On A Classic Sudser" May 25, 2010
Format:Hardcover
When you mention the term soap opera three serials instantly come to mind: "As The World Turns" (the #1 soap for twenty years from 1958-1978), "General Hospital" (who can forget Luke and Laura), and this serial "Days of Our Lives", the most cherished daytime drama by fans and the subject of this book. Ken Corday has written a very informative essay on his family's legacy. He is the son of co-creator Ted Corday, who along with Irna Phiilips, and a man by the name of Alan Chase, created "Days of Our lives" back in 1965 for NBC, a network who didn't have any hit serials on its struggling daytime schedule. Ken discusses how his father created the series, only to discover weeks into the show's broadcast that he was dying. At this point Ted Corday got a hold of legendary serial writer William J. Bell, told him of his illness, and how he (Ted) wanted William to save the show from cancellation. It was under the writing regime of Bill Bell that "Days of Our Lives" received its greatest popularity as the serial hit #1 in the late fall of 1971. Eventually after Ted died his wife Betty took over as executive producer, then in 1979 Ken Corday was handed the executive reigns as his mother began getting sick also. In this book Ken talks about his reluctance to take over "Days", but knew in his heart he had to as the show belonged to his family. Corday discusses how hard it is to produce a soap opera, and most informative are his pages in which he discusess the problems that are plaguing serials today, with dwindling audiences and slashed budgets. If you want info on today's soap opera industry this is the book to purchase as anyone will tell you serials are dying and every producer, writer, and actor are doing their best to keep the genre alive. This book doesn't go into the story detail of "Days of Our Lives", but goes behind-the-scenes into this 45 year old daytime institution. If anyone can make "Days" and serials have a comeback it is Ken Corday, for soap opera is in his blood.
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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Sands Through The Hour Glass... July 20, 2010
Format:Hardcover
For die hard fans of TV soap operas especially Days of Our Lives will be transfixed by the behind the scenes tale by Ken Corday--one of the true icons on Daytime Television. I was drawn into the story from the start and found the entire book engrossing and very well written. This is a man with passion and talent. Someone we can all learn from and aspire to be like. Excellent book.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars loved Betty January 8, 2011
By Marilyn
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
What a great tribute! I started watching "Days" since Dec. 1965 when my last child was born and it has been like a never ending book that you can't put down. This book by Ken Corday kept me reading non stop to the end.
Thanks, Ken
Marilyn
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
2.0 out of 5 stars Can't recommend
I only read a portion of this as I some how erased it from my Kindle and didn't want to pay for it a second time.
Published 2 months ago by Dianne E Ripley
5.0 out of 5 stars interesting background on days from start to present
I have watched Days almost from the first day to present. It is a thrill to learn some background to the creators and characters that are so much a part of my whole family. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Patricia Everman
5.0 out of 5 stars best soap ever
I have beeen watching Days for over 30 years. When I worked or was away I taped it. This book was fantastic and anyone who watches Days should by it. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Norma A. Rello
2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing
Although I expected a bit of family history, I was expecting more "untold story" on Days itself. What was written about the show was not always new information, so definitely not... Read more
Published 16 months ago by BG
5.0 out of 5 stars Read for a Better Understanding of Soap Opera Production
This book was a real eye-opener for me about what is involved in the production of a soap opera. I learned a lot about the relationship between the production company that writes... Read more
Published on April 8, 2011 by Gmbenet
5.0 out of 5 stars Reads Like a soap opera
Ken Corday has written a real page turner in this glimpse behind the screen of NBCs hit daytime drama. Read more
Published on April 5, 2011 by Travis Taylor Medcalf
5.0 out of 5 stars Very Worthwhile Book
I purchased this book for my Mother as a birthday present. As a long time Days of Our Lives Fan, I was hoping she'd enjoy the book. Read more
Published on February 22, 2011 by JDGeibe
4.0 out of 5 stars Days of Our Lives: The True Story
I enjoyed the book. This gave the background history of a story that has become such a part of my family life. My mother and I enjoyed it very much!
Published on February 4, 2011 by catface36
5.0 out of 5 stars Days of All Our Lives
The Corday family is as much a part of the story of Days of Our Lives, as the Series
itself. In the Daytime drama world there is a closeness lacking in all other genre's. Read more
Published on January 12, 2011 by Jaylee Garver
4.0 out of 5 stars book
This is a great book and I can't believe how fast it got to my home I would so order more from here
Published on January 10, 2011 by teddyflies
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