Meet the Mertzes: The Life Stories of I Love Lucy's Other Couple

I liked the fact the book arrived in a timely manner as well as in good condition. I am looking forward to learning more about the actor and actress that played neighbors to Ricky and Lucy in the I love Lucy show.

Excellent

I really enjoyed most of the book. Unfortunately,the Kindle edition had no pictures.There was more information on both actors than I expected. I have to admit I did get a bit bored about the sports stuff. That's the nature of writing a biography, it should be thorough and this one sure was. If there is anything you wanted to know about Vivian Vance and William Frawley, it's all in this book.The unpleasantness between the two actors was sad. Being that when I was a kid watching reruns of "I Love Lucy" show, Ricky, Lucy, Ethyl and Fred seemed like surrogate family to me. The animosity between Vivian and William Frawley was unfortunate. I really wanted to believe that they all got along like in the show. They really did have an amazing chemistry together.I mostly enjoyed the last part of the book because it told more of the last years of these wonderful actors and how they lived those years. It was nice to see that Vivian actually had a good marriage, a fulfilling career and had been active in helping others with mental problems. Also, I think William Frawley had a better life at the end even though he was still drinking. But, I felt happy that he had the "My Three Sons" show and the friendship with the boys on the show. Also,it was an interesting tidbit to read about beautiful Patricia Barry and William Frawley. They were great friends. She must have really charmed him. He wasn't too nice to women, it was said. All in all, knowing more about these people I came to adore in all the "I Love Lucy" episodes just gives me many more layers of interest and history when I do watch the reruns.

Always heard the story, but a thorough and fascinating read on two of the most memorable characters in tv’s early history.

It was very interesting to read about William and Vivian before they became the Mertzes on "I Love Lucy" They certainly did a lot of other things in the entertainment field but they really struggled to get to where they wanted to be. They both had interesting lives in the field of entertainment. They really pushed themselves hard. I remember seeing William in a few movies when he was quite young. Of course he looked old when he was young. I don't think I've seen Vivian in any movies, or perhaps I didn't know who she was. But when they became the Mertzes, they were absolutely wonderful. You would never know that they disliked each other so much, what a shame. I did read that they didn't care for each other, but you would never know it. I also remember that Vivian had to gain weight and dress matronly for the Lucy show. She was actually a very attractive woman. I really miss the Mertzes, Lucy, and Desi. I'm really happy to still be able to enjoy watching them on TV.I watch "I Love Lucy" all the time. When I watch it now, I think of this book "Meet the Mertzes"! I highly recommend this to any "I Love Lucy" fan.

Good actors

I am a big fan of the I love Lucy show as well as Here’s Lucy and The Lucy Show. I have read plenty about the show itself and about Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz but finally a book about Vivian Vance and William Frawley. This was really interesting reading. I had no trouble reading through it. I found it informative and quite interesting. I also learned some things I did not know about the actor and actress. I recommend this book for anybody who loves biographies and especially for those who have a fondness for the work that they have done.

They do the best they can with what they have to work with in the unauthorized biography format but much of it comes across as a strained attempt to connect widely disparate facts from many sources into a somewhat chronological, homogeneous read. Given what they had to work with it's a great effort, maybe admirable, it just doesn't translate into a great read. Still, I enjoyed the book very much and was glad I bought it. If you're a big fan of Bill and Vivian, or of the I Love Lucy show, I can recommend this book to you. I have a new found respect for those two as professionals and compassion for them as people.

I bought this book for the biography of William Crawley.Sadly it was the worst written part of the book.It kept on changing from one period to another.Since I had already read a biog of Ball there was nothing new here.Ibwas not particularly interested in Vance.Nor was much written about her that changed my opinion.

The story of Fred And Ethel Mertz played by Vivian Vance and William Frawley

Terrific biogs of Frawley and Vance and their battles off screen.

Sometimes I find it difficult to say who I liked more in the I Love Lucy show Lucille Ball or Vivian Vance. I really think Vivian Vance never received the credit she deserved. In the end I think Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, William Frawley and especially Vivian Vance we’re the absolute perfect ensemble. I have always wanted to know more about the remarkably talented Vivian Vance and finally I was able to read about her life. Thoroughly enjoyable book.