| | Like This Store? Don't forget a Gift Card For Your Favorite Person ! | |
|
|
| 
 enlarge | Author: Wil Haygood
Creator: Denzel Washington
Publisher: Billboard Books
Category: Book
List Price: $19.95
Buy New: $0.40
You Save: $19.55 (98%)
New (14) Used (18) Collectible (1) from $0.40
Rating:  23 reviews
Sales Rank: 985268
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 528
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.7
Dimensions (in): 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.3
ISBN: 0823083950
Dewey Decimal Number: 792.7028092
EAN: 9780823083954
ASIN: 0823083950
Publication Date: April 1, 2005
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: SHIPS TODAY!! BRAND NEW BOOK
|
| Customer Reviews:
 Black and Blue March 17, 2005
7 out of 9 found this review helpful
This impressive biography of SDJ does a stellar job of presenting a portrait not only of this showbiz legend, but of his times. Some Amazon reviewers have criticized a) the structure of the book, b) what they feel is a lack of Sammy focus, or c) a potential bias against Sinatra. To those detractors I say a) read the WHOLE book, because the structure is perfectly accessible and not "fragmented," b) Sammy is CLEARLY the centerpiece of this book; we get plenty of Sammy, and c) get a life. Sinatra is presented in all his complexity. There's the generous Frank; the singer-without-peer Frank; and the slightly unsavory, sometimes megalomaniacal Frank.
Wil Haygood is masterful in presenting a deep and complex portrait of a Sammy who is troubled, gregarious, enormously talented, and, ultimately, scarred by his childhood vaudeville days as well as his gargantuan inferiority complex. Haygood's admirable attempt at objectivity enables us to both disdain some of Sammy's behavior and feel great sympathy for the early life he was forced to live.
What greater compliment can I give than to say that Haygood takes us into Sammy's world with depth and clarity and raw beauty. Knowing Sammy's life, warts and all, only adds to my great respect for his amazing, mid-century achievements.
 A Truly Boring Story March 7, 2005
1 out of 6 found this review helpful
It is amazing that a writer could take such an interesting subject like Sammy Davis and make a truly remarkably boring book. There are no Sammy stories that you want to remember much less tell one of your friends about. His two autobiographies were filled with great stories that made you choke up or laugh out loud, this has none of that. It was full of psycho babble that got tedious after awhile. The author's hatred of President Nixon, obvious dislike for Sinatra and misinforming of the "Archie Bunker" episode were just a few examples of where this falls woefully short of good reporting and story telling. In addition, I listen to this on an unabridged CD version; the performer was the worse I've ever heard. His gulping sounds took away from a story that could hardly afford any distractions. Bottom line, this is the worse book, that I've finished, that I have ever listen too.
A biography of what? August 17, 2004
3 out of 9 found this review helpful
I disliked the way this book was organized. It did not read like a typical bio at all. The first two chapters were about the previous collaborative biographers of Sammy's and their writing and publishing nightmares of _Yes I Can_. I couldn't tell if this book was about Sammy or his previous biographers. The narrative is fragmented and repetitive. The story was too roundabout to capture my interest. I found it infuriating and I gave up half way through. Sorry I cannot give this bio a good recommendation.
 a pretty decent bio July 26, 2004
4 out of 5 found this review helpful
Sometimes when reading a bigraphy, the author makes the mistake of idolizing the subject too much and thus leaves thje reader with a rather distorted fazine in book form. This book startes off this way and I was tempted to put it down but then a third of the way into the author presents critical analysis of Mr. Davis and the storyline is much more engaging. I would have liked a few more photos other than from the Sammy Davis jr. or firnds of Sammy Davis Junior collection to go beyond a snapshot image of this subject. This books ends on a high note by the author when an excellent critique is made. A worthwhile read.
A Rock Solid Read June 7, 2004
5 out of 6 found this review helpful
Reading about Sammy Davis Jr is always a Must for me.the Man was not only a Multi-Talented Person but also a Soul Brother who had to deal with alot of Obstacles not that long ago.He held His own in the Rat Pack.He dealt with Racisim&Other forces working against Him&still made folks respect His hard Work as a Entertainer.the Author Wil Haygood explores so much&Brings many elements into the life of Sammy Davis Jr.very detailed book from start to finish.
|
|
|
 | |
