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Rat Pack Confidential: Frank, Dean, Sammy, Peter, Joey and the Last Great Show Biz Party
by
Shawn Levy
For the first time, the full story of what happened when Frank brought his best pals to party in a land called Vegas
January 1960. Las Vegas is at its smooth, cool peak. The Strip is a jet-age theme park, and the greatest singer in the history of American popular music summons a group of friends there to make a movie. One is an insouciant singer of Italian songs, ex-part...more
January 1960. Las Vegas is at its smooth, cool peak. The Strip is a jet-age theme park, and the greatest singer in the history of American popular music summons a group of friends there to make a movie. One is an insouciant singer of Italian songs, ex-part...more
Paperback, 368 pages
Published
September 17th 1999
by Main Street Books
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Have you ever seen a show on MTV called "Cribs"? It's basically a walking tour of various minor celebrities' homes (think Pauly Shore, not "A-list" types). Some of it is kind of sad... multimillion dollar McMansions decked out in the same shitty Sears wall-to-wall carpet I had in my first apartment. They should re-name that show "Money Can't Buy Taste". It all seems to highlight the fact that stars on this show have reached (near) the top of the entertainment fashio...more
If you want the dirt, the skinny, the lowdown on Sam, Frank, Dean, Joey and Peter, this book is full of it. In fact, it might indeed be full of it, because it reads like a tabloid. I'm not questioning whether or not Shawn Levy gives us the facts, as much as I'm wondering if the info he was given was indeed factual.
I'll be honest with you, the first three chapters in, I was ready to give up on "Confidential", because the proverbial crush Levy has on Sinatra made me want ...more
I'll be honest with you, the first three chapters in, I was ready to give up on "Confidential", because the proverbial crush Levy has on Sinatra made me want ...more
Godzilla
rated it
I enjoyed this potted history of the Rat Pack. I'm sure there are much more extensive biographies of all the characters, but this pulled them all together and runs a timeline well.
Being a James Ellroy reader, I enjoyed the way that the links between Sam Giancana and JFK were teased out and explained.
There are numerous strands to the book, which is unsurprising, given the revolutionary times it spans.
Whilst it may not be definitive, it certainly whets the appe...more
Being a James Ellroy reader, I enjoyed the way that the links between Sam Giancana and JFK were teased out and explained.
There are numerous strands to the book, which is unsurprising, given the revolutionary times it spans.
Whilst it may not be definitive, it certainly whets the appe...more
I really enjoyed this book. Levy has the perfect knack of evoking that Hollywood feel in his writing. As a biography, having all the guys together in the same book works well and surprisingly not confusing at all- much less intimidating than reading a small stack of individual biographies. So kick back for a while and enjoy a couple of hours with the kings of cool!
Shawn Levy's "Rat Pack Confidential: Frank, Dean, Sammy, Peter, Joey and the Last Great Show Biz Party" while being decent, has lifted freely from the following-
Peter Lawford: The Man Who Kept the Secrets by James Spada
Dino- Living High in The Dirty Business of Dreams by Nick Tosches
Yes I Can: The Story of Sammy Davis, Jr. by Sammy Davis Jr., Burt Boyar, Jane Boyar
His Way: An Unauthorized Biography Of Frank Sinatra by Kitty Kelley
...more
Peter Lawford: The Man Who Kept the Secrets by James Spada
Dino- Living High in The Dirty Business of Dreams by Nick Tosches
Yes I Can: The Story of Sammy Davis, Jr. by Sammy Davis Jr., Burt Boyar, Jane Boyar
His Way: An Unauthorized Biography Of Frank Sinatra by Kitty Kelley
...more
Trashy journalism at its best! A bygone era is effectively recreated as mini-biographies of all five of the principals are woven into the story (once you've met Lawford's mother, you'll understand why he turned into such a freak). Great bathroom reading.
A look at the infamous Rat Pack at it's height during the making of "Ocean's Eleven" in Vegas in the 1960's. The best part is the light, ring-a-ding tone the book takes while providing real insight to the men and that time
Jono Carney
added it
Poor. An awful writing style and no substance whatsoever. Offers nothing new. Could have been so much better.
Fun read about talented guys who set a bad example for a whole generation.
I am so excited about this book! My sister Mary loaned it to me and she raved about it. I love the Rat Pack so I am sure this will be a good read.
Boring
I have always had a fascination with those cool dudes in the vegas heat, wearing the suits and the shades, this book gave me a wonderful insight into the actuallity of that time and place!
A damn good read! If your interested in the coolest gang of men ever to rule Vegas (hell, they put vegas on the map), than you'll love this book.
Pretty cool, but I'd read "My life with Mr. S" before this one. Most of the same info, but told in not such a great way as the other book.
Carl Palermo
added it
Pretty interesting introspection to the personalities of these larger than life figures.
Inconsistent rhythm in the writing. Learned a lot of new SAT words though!
Interesting insight into the lives of the Rat Pack members.
Not much here for the Rat Pack aficionado to gnaw on.
I living in the wrong era....
Arwen
marked it as to-read
Ron Law
marked it as to-read
Stephen Saporito Sr
marked it as to-read
Irene Palfy
marked it as wishing-for
Beth
marked it as to-read
Shanarcy
marked it as to-read
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