Deconstructing The Rat Pack: Joey, The Mob and the Summit

great book, but showed up from amazon with damage. not enough to return it, but it should have been a lower price but its impossible to contact amazon

What this book gave to me was that Bishop more or less excelled as a stand up comic, a master of ceremonies and roaster on many of the comedy celebrations of other entertainers, a somewhat successful sitcom star on his own 4 yr sitcom, a movie actor who had numerous film credits, a many time substitute for Johnny Carson and a talk show host himself. To be even moderately successful in that many different venues speaks well for him. I know the phrase "jack of all trades, master of none" may apply here but as a stand up comic he was quite good and gave the impression of having a very quick wit even if some of his comebacks were embedded in his comedy brain from so many years as a performer. Known as the frown prince he had his own definite stage personality. Jack Benny was cheap, Milton Berle was cutting and frantic, Joey Bishop was glum in a humorous way. The author relates many of Bishop's frustrations and insecurities about his own abilities and achievements. Seems he resented other personalities like Regis Philbin and Dick Cavett who had more formal education than he did. It shouldn't have bothered him but the author infers it did and I agree with that. The author contributed a few more insights about The Rat Pack as well and Bishop may have written some of the comedy bits they did at The Sands that were made to look unplanned. He grew up as a tough kid in a tough neighborhood in South Philly so he was big on self preservation. He looked out for number one. Comic David Brenner grew up in that same neighborhood but he was not as negative as Bishop. In the game of chess the bishop can make more moves than some other pieces but not as many as the king. That summarizes the level of Joey B's career but the breadth of his involvement in film, sitcoms, talk shows and nightclubs showed his versatility despite his frown prince personna. Anyone interested in comedy or entertainment history should read this book. Ray Starman, author of The Sitcom Class Wars

Was not a book on the rat pack. This is a biography about Joey Bishop including his time with the rat pack. Would not have bought it if I knew that. Title is very deceiving (which to me is false advertising. Title should not be "the rat pack." It should be Joey Bishop' life. If u want to read joy's life, buy this book. If u want to read about the rat pack this is not the book to buy.

I enjoyed the book and recommend it though it’s much more a biography of Bishop than a look at The Rat Pack phenomenon. The authors are fair to Bishop, but he does not come off well by any means The book is well researched, with many key people interviewed. It’s a fine look at show business in that era.

I do not recommend this book. It is no where even close to the fun that front cover eludes to. Yes I judged the book by its cover. There are also many typos and incorrect facts. Madison Square Garden wasn’t built until the 1960s. So I doubt anyone played there in the 50s as this book states.