Time Flies [Mass Market Paperback]

Bill Cosby (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 1988

WE'RE ALL GETTING OLDER,
AND BILL COSBY KEEPS GETTING BETTER

America's best-loved humorist, media personality and bestselling author now brings his unique warmth, wisdom and wit to a subject common to all: aging. From five to fifty and beyond, Bill Cosby takes us on a hilarious romp through the trials and tribulations of growing—and being—older. Funny, highly personal, and with just the right tugs on the heartstrings, Time Flies is Cosby at his best.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Cosby reached a wide audience with Fatherhood, a memoir of his experiences raising children. Now, at age 50, he here considers the inevitabilities of the aging process, writing with the same winning mixture of common sense and humor that marked the earlier book. He confronts the shibboleths of the geriatric industry in the United States, addressing them with wise witticisms in the mini crises of his own aginghis first gray hair, his first trifocals, etc. As psychiatrist Poussaint points out in his instructive introduction, Cosby "serves as our puckish and empathetic guide to humorous journeys through the fitful stages of life." The inimitable Cosby style of personalized, self-deprecating humor resonates for all. 1,750,000 first printing; major ad/promo.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Library Journal

In the same light vein as in Fatherhood , Cosby, TV star who has just turned 50, tackles the universal experience of aging. Once an athlete, Cosby describes his own sense of deterioration, both physical and mentalthe growing stiffness, encroaching flab and sag, the memory lapsesas well as the amazing youth of people in charge now. The book is hilarious and wise and tolerant ("The reason we must be tolerant with older people who have lost some of their hearing or vision or mind is simply that we will almost certainly have such loss if we enjoy the good fortune to live long enough to fall apart"). Rarely has the subject of growing older been explored so wittily. For public libraries. Literary Guild selection.. Priscilla E. Pratt, formerly with York Coll. Lib.,
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Bantam; 1St Edition edition (November 1, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553277243
• ISBN-13: 978-0553277241
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 0.5 x 6.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #809,126 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #63 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Entertainment > Humor > Essays

More About the Author

The legendary comedian, author, and activist Bill Cosby continues to be as prolific and relevant as ever, reaching every generation and every audience since he began his career in stand-up four decades ago. He is one of the most influential performers of the second half of the 20th century. He has had an unparalleled career in television; has sold more record albums than any other comedian; his blockbuster books have sold millions of copies; and his generous support of numerous charities, particularly in the field of education, have endowed many Americans with the gift of hope and learning. Through his groundbreaking appearances on television, particularly in two landmark series each of which defined an American decade, Bill Cosby has touched the lives of millions of Americans. In the 1960s, "I Spy" broke the racial barrier in television by featuring Cosby as the first-ever black lead of a weekly dramatic series. In the 1980s, Cosby returned to television with a show that Coretta Scott King described as "the most positive portrayal of black family life that has ever been broadcast." "The Cosby Show" enjoyed years of number-one ratings and nearly unanimous critical praise.

Cosby's success on television has been matched in other areas. In 1986 he broke Radio City Music Hall's 53-year-old attendance record for his concert appearance. Cosby's also a giant in the publishing world. Fatherhood (1986) became one of the fastest-selling hardcover book of all time, remaining for more than half of its fifty-four weeks on The New York Times Best Seller List as Number 1. It has sold 2.6 million hardcover copies and 1.5 million paperbacks. Time Flies had the largest single first printing in publishing history--1.75 million. Now, I Am What I Ate,and I'm Frightened. A crusader throughout his career for a better world, his great success in the world of entertainment is complemented by his involvement with a host of charity organizations, making substantial gifts in support of education, most notably to predominantly black colleges and to various social service and civil rights organizations. On the evolution of his own style of comedy, Bill Cosby states that he was drawn at an early age to the masters of jazz, learning to emulate in comedy their ability to take an idea and continually find new and innovative ways of expressing the same theme. The legacy of Bill Cosby's comedic genius is as sweet, meaningful and universal as any piece of music ever played.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Bill Cosby is an American Classic, July 12, 2000

By 

Steve Smith - See all my reviews

This review is from: Time Flies (Mass Market Paperback)

Bill Cosby is one of those comdians who everyone loves. And this book is a good example why. He takes the reader down the road that he was going through back in the late 80's. He was struggling with getting old, and as his body started to age with him. He shows how he can no longer run in high-school track, and how his hair was starting to grey. His humorus look at getting old isgood for anyone to read. Now, I am in my 20's, so some of his jokes flew over my head, but I'm sure that is 20 years I will understand all to well what he was going through. I still enjoed this book though, and I'm sure you will too.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good ol' Bill!, June 27, 1998

By 

Hugo Dart (Rio de Janeiro, RJ Brazil) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Time Flies (Mass Market Paperback)

Once again, Cosby delights his public with his funny and sensitive prose. In this great book, he manages to turn an otherwise somber subject (that of the approaching of one's final years) into something much less frightening and more understandable. Cosby's humourous writing is the responsible for the book's lightness. At the same time, Dr. Alvin F. Poussaint makes the introduction of Cosby's book, as usual, giving his medical point of view about the biological process which is behind one of humanity's biggest fears. Fortunately, there is "Time Flies" - a book that should be read by anyone who is growing old.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cosby at his best!, September 28, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Time Flies (Mass Market Paperback)

This is one of the funniest books that you will ever read, guaranteed. America's favorite comic genius brings us another load of laughs. If there is only one book you are going to buy this year, it should be this one. In a way which will make you laugh out loud, Cosby explores the subject of aging in a way only Cosby could manage.