Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting, but a bit heavy on the dirt., 22 Aug 1999
By A Customer
This books recounts Bob Hope's life from England to recent history, and through all phases of his career. If you thought Mr. Hope was always a wonderful Mr. Nice Guy, then this book will dispell that myth. According to the author, although talented and hard working, Hope has always been self centered, an opportunist, and a womanizer. Did I believe all of this? Some, but I am not so sure it was a balanced story. I felt the author painted Hope's life from a pallette of dark colors. There seem be more emphasis here on the bad things about him rather than the good. The author references a number of resources, but very little directly from family members. Minor note - the author has a rich vobaculary - so keep a dictionary handy. There are also a lot of typographical errors. Interesting reading, but take it with a grain of salt.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Hope Bio Lays Egg!, 18 Jun 1999
By A Customer
I'm not a fan of Bob Hope but his omnipresence in rado, TV, and films has made him a part of the cultural landscape for all of my life. And I have warm memories of his TV specials, especially the ones from military bases around the world. Also, I am interested in early 20th century popular culture (early films, vaudeville, radio, early TV). I was disappointed in this book, mainly because the author's focus is narrow, and it's tone is gossipy. It lacked perspective and depth. While a professional historian might have produced a deadly dull book, author Quirk could have broadened his scope to include Hope's role in the history of radio and early TV. Ironically, for all of the stories of the ego-centered scene-stealing Bob Hope, we never get any understanding of how the image of this privately generous performer meshes with Bob the monster. Quirk seems to have repeated stories, interviewsm etc. without comment, analysis, or follow-up. I found myself flipping though the last few pages just to get through it.
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