"Winking At Life" [Hardcover]

Wink Martindale (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 20, 2000

Mr.Game Show, Wink Martindale, tells about his secret for success in Hollywood's fast lane. He takes us on a journey from Jackson, Tennessee to Tinseltown and lets us peek behind curtains of game shows, radio programs, concerts, and exclusive interviews with Elvis. Winking At Life is no quick dismissal of trouble, but an intimate, informed, and insightful choice. A most interesting read.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"I was unable to put Wink's book down from the moment I began reading it. Totally engrossing. Wink's life as a boy growing up in a small Tennessee town reminded me of the movie "Breaking Away". He did. And how!" -- Wayne Newton

"One of the most interesting autobiographies I have read in a long time. Wink's career has been varied and fascinating. Truly an icon in the world of radio and game shows". -- Fred Wostbrock

"Wink's new book is a must for anybody who is currently caught up in the new game show mania sweeping the country. It gives you an inside appreciation of the genre from the inside out." -- Barry White

About the Author

From Wink Martindale's passion to be in radio; to Memphis and witnessing first-hand the birth of "Presleymania"; Wink's career-altering "Deck of Cards" million-selling gold record; through his hosting of 19 game shows, including "Tic-Tac-Dough", "Gambit", "High Rollers" and most recently "Debt"; with over 200 color and black and white pictures from Wink's archive of celebrity guests and personal friends...from Wayne Newton to Johnny Mathis. This is Wink - from Tenn. to California -and all the fun and disappointments in between.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Century Hill Books; 1st edition (February 20, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0967791413
• ISBN-13: 978-0967791418
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,702,604 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wink's Book A Must For Game Show Fans! (& Everyone Else!), February 14, 2001

By 

Art Kurtz "The GameShow Guy" (BROOKLYN, NEW YORK United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: "Winking At Life" (Hardcover)

Wink Martindale is one of TV's best Game Show hosts! From the popular 70's "Gambit" (which I liked so much I used "Gambit" as my CB 'handle' back then) to the most recent "Debt", Wink has kept us playing for so many years! Hopefully we will see more of Wink as host in the future! Meanwhile, this book is a great read as it lets you get to know one of America's favorite hosts a bit better. It also gives you a great insider's look at TV game shows! (Chock full of exclusive "behind the scenes" photos!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very entertaining and well written reflection from Wink, June 18, 2000

By 

S. R. Schauer "stevestevesteve" (San Jose, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: "Winking At Life" (Hardcover)

To many of us who are still in college, we may only know Wink Martindale from his gameshow "Tic Tac Dough". But there is a lot more to this very talented and gifted man.

Next to the 19 gameshows that he hosted, he had a very sucessfull career in radio, getting his very first start on his hometown's own radio station. He also went on to have a million selling single "Deck Of Cards". Then began his long and still current career as gameshow emcee.

He begins by telling of his childhood in Jackson, Tenessee. He mentions his love and fascination of radio, and his longing to one day be the one announcing the news and playing the music that was heard by everyone for miles around. He also tells of the major influence his brothers and sister had on him, as well as his parents. Also, he tells how he got his nickname of "Wink".

Without giving away too much, I can honestly say, that if you are a fan of Wink, that you will really like this book. Wink is a fantastic writer and keeps you glued to every page. When I first started reading his book, I looked at the clock a while later and didn't realize that an hour and a half had passed!

There are also A LOT of photos and a nice collection of color photos in the center of the book.

I give this book 5 stars, because of the many autobiographies that I have read lately, this one is not only informative, but also heartwarming and entertaining.

Highly Recommended

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 'Dough' yourself a favor, read this book!, November 30, 2001

By 

Doo Doo Brown (Scranton) - See all my reviews

This review is from: "Winking At Life" (Hardcover)

Wink is one of humanity's gems. A brilliant man, genius perhaps. Where would the world be without 'Gambit' I wonder? My only response to the question is a nervous shudder.