A Book (Library Binding)

by Desi Arnaz (Author) "I was born in Santiago de Cuba, on March 2, 1917..." (more)
Key Phrases: little rumba band, theater tour, first assistant director, New York, Los Angeles, United States (more...)

Product Details

• Library Binding
• Publisher: Buccaneer Books (April 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1568492545
• ISBN-13: 978-1568492544
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.7 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (39 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #459,005 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I love Desi too!, June 17, 1999

By A Customer

Wow! What a life Senor Arnaz led. We all love Lucy, but the man who created the most popular sitcom ever often gets overlooked. His book is thorough and eye-opening. If you love Lucy you need to read this book to hear the other side of the story. Although I did not always like how he chose to deal with life, I came away from this book with an enormous respect for the work he did. He was a great musician, producer/director, and businessman. I also believe he loved Lucy to his dying day.

40 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Candid, Honest and Full of Love for his Lucy, July 12, 1999

By	[e-mail] (Oakdale, CA U.S.A.) - See all my reviews

I had the rare and wonderful opportunity to spend the day with Desi Arnaz back in 1977 when he came to Detroit to promote his book, "A BOOK". He appeared on the local ABC afflliate WXYZ and I knew someone at the station and spent time with Mr. Arnaz, and then went to the book signing with him later in the afternoon at the local mall. I took two photos which I cherish, (wearing his Ricky Ricardo fedora). He was kind, gracious, and when I asked him if he would do a re-union show with Lucy he replied, "All she has to do is ask me." Thank you Desi for a wonderful day and your book which I have read numerous times, is the story of a young man from Cuba, who fought to get out of the communist stranglehold that was on his country, came to America, fought prejudice here, starting his own band, and meeting the girl of his dreams, and later becoming the "Brains" behind Desliu. "A Book" is an excellant read, and you will feel how much Desi Loved Lucy and life.

Robert A. Howe

31 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An honest account of Desi's rise to fame, September 14, 1999

By A Customer

After reading Lucille ball'a autobiography then another book called Desliu, based on Lucy and Desi's marriage, I read Desi's 'A Book" to get another perspective of a fascinating marriage and era in television. It is an honest account of Desi's rise to fame and his business accument and the principals he followed in his life. Not that much is covered on his marriage to Lucy or his relationship with his children but it is clear that he adored his children and Lucy, and built the Desilu empire for them, even to the detriement of his marriage and his children. But you cannot blame him in doing so as with his background and upbringing, it was his way of doing things. Even after he remarried,you get the feeling that he will always love Lucy. While Lucy in her book covered more of their relationship, Desi talks of the lessons he learned and praises those who helped him. He has a great style of writing that was really enjoyable to read. He holds back no punches when he describes his life and who he is. It is ashame he did not write a sequel to "A Book", covering his life after his divorce to Lucy, and how their relationship continued till he died in 1983. A great gentleman who you have to admire for his love of his family and his talent as an actor, muscian, producer, director and businesman, who lived a full life. Worth a read.