Winch [Paperback]

Paul Winchell (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 408 pages
• Publisher: Authorhouse (March 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1414068972
• ISBN-13: 978-1414068978
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,046,881 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Frightengly Honest and Innovative. Not your typical AutoBio, November 30, 2004

By 

Jason "Simmons" (Florida, MO USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Winch (Hardcover)

I must admit that I was skeptical about this book (which was recommended to me by a friend). I usually don't care for autobiographies as they tend to consist of boring lipservice that caters to the author's way of thinking. I repeat, THIS IS NOT YOUR TYPICAL AUTOBIOGRAPHY! From beginning to end, Winchell takes you through an emotional, spiritual, psychological roller coaster. Going into this, I knew all about the famed ventriloquist, inventor, and voice over artist that Paul Winchell is, but I had no idea what hid beneath the surface. From emotional scar-inflicting family members and relationships gone raw, to high risk career choices, this book made my jaw drop on many occasions.

31 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is Not Ventriliquism for Dummies, October 2, 2004

By 

Gary Tallman "avid reader" (Tarzana, Ca USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Winch (Paperback)

Winch is a terrific book on a couple of different levels. It is chock full of great show business stories. It is also a great psychological tale of how Paul was so afraid of his disapproving mother and how he overcame other obstacles to become a very learned and entertaining man that he is today.Mr Winchell is brutally honest in his autobiography and as a result doesn't always come across as a great guy. His battles with his mother and his wifemake for some great reading. There is a simply beautiful anecdote about how he meets his idol Edgar Bergen. The last few pages of the book concern a spiritual reckoning for Paul that seems a bit out of place but it does bring closure for him. I really felt he ended the book too abruptly. I would have liked to have been brought up to current time. Maybe he has another book in the works. I applaud Mr Winchell for his efforts in telling his story. It is a valuable story to read about.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars candid with a capital C, March 22, 2008

By 

Jerry McDaniel - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Winch (Paperback)

I read this book and had read some of the on-line reviews here and other places prior to purchasing the book. I had somewhat of an idea what the book would be about. The only thing i will say is the book is candid and it tells the story of a man who i say had faults and flaws but i have seen several reviews balk at the idea that he shouldn't have been so honest or so tell-all and the idea that he shouldn't write a book about his personal demons and what he went through in his life is evading reality when the book is about his life. I give the book 4 out of 5 stars because as others have said, the book spends more time on the off-stage/behind the scenes home life of Winchell instead of offering many inside stories about his career as a top ventriloquist and as a cartoon voice actor. This kind of book, filled with one-sided recollections, was bound to create a stir from those who are in the book and the best a lot of us can do is just judge for ourselves on the things Paul wrote in this book instead of this trend i see of people jumping on the bandwagon for those offended by something Paul said. There are many sides to stories...Paul told how he felt, which it's his life story and who are we to say he's right or wrong? Again, all we have are participants who were mentioned in the book chastising Paul for his candidness or getting after him because they feel he shouldn't have wrote about the things he apparently felt were important to get off his chest. Those who are wanting to read a career life story of Paul Winchell, myself included, will just have to wait until someone comes along and writes a book about Paul which focuses on his stage life and voice work in cartoons. I'd be in line to buy such a book if it were to come into print. I grew up hearing his voice long before i knew of him...Tigger...Gargamel...Dick Dastardly...the "big 3" as i call them. I remember watching an episode of Dick Van Dyke on TV and Paul Winchell was a guest star. It was the first time i had seen him on TV. I was born in 1976 and so i'm more familiar with Paul's cartoon work. Anyway, after reading the book i do have a better picture of Paul, the man, but that in no way shape or form makes me not like his work anymore because of his temper or his paranoia. I still get a kick out of his voice work in animation and seeing his older TV clips on-line with his puppet's. This book doesn't sway my opinion on Paul Winchell, the entertainer. Here's hoping someone will come along and write a biography on Paul and get some feedback from his animation peers.