Rickles' Book: A Memoir

The first time I saw Don Rickles was at the Boulevard nightclub on Queen Boulevard in Queens a hundred or so years ago. I was 15 and was there to celebrate a friend's sweet sixteen party. It was one of the first times I had ever been on a date and the evening was sweet. Then the entertainment started. A very young, balding bullet headed man came on stage and though he looked benign, in a minute he proceeded to rip into and destroy anyone and everyone in sight. The sweet sixteen girl was his main target and everyone in the place roared and no one more than the guest of honor herself. The man was hilarious. I don't recall how long his set was (a half hour? longer?)but I do remember it was so irreverent and hilarious that, when later, I saw him sitting at the bar, I got my courage up, walked up to him, shook his hand and asked if I could buy him a drink. He smiled and let me! My date and I sat with him and a warmer, kinder man you would not want to meet. Thus began my love affair with Don Rickles, a love affair that has not dwindled over the years. I have made special trips to Vegas just to see him and even ventured to the wastelands of Westbury to see him and Joan Rivers in concert. I have seen all of his movies, and even bought his LP...now I have bought his book and I loved it.Don, you are the best. May you go on forever...and if you do, you can be sure that I'll be there slipping the maitre 'd a few bucks to get a ringside seat. A great comedian, a great man and a great book. Thanks for all of it, Don.

I have loved Rickles from childhood and didnt know what i didnt about this amazing man. Great read and full of humor, love and a life well lived.

The only problem with this book is that I wanted more. A great book that reads like Don Rickles talks, fast and exciting with a few moments of sentimental restropect. It's a time machine to Vegas in the early days of the great nightclubs and it's performers. Of New York in the 40's and 50's. And great memories of some of the great ones; Gleason, Sinatra, Carson and others. Rickles memories of his family, particularly his mother reflect his great love of those he was close to. His friendships like the one with Bob Newhart and the memories he shares lend a hand to a sweet and funny reflection of a great life that we are lucky enough to have Don Rickles share with us. Thanks Bullet Head!

Love Rickles, He cracks me up whenever I See His Clips. His Reagan and Eastwood clips are still Legendary I miss him a lot.

I have never been a fan of Don Rickles. When he passed away recently, I listened to an old interview and thought that I would like to learn more about the man. So I ordered Rickles' Book: A Memoir, co-written with David Ritz, which I found a bit of a disappointment. Rickles' Book isn't a typical autobiography. Instead, this book consists of stories and anecdotes that are normally four pages or less. Rickles begins with his parents and his early childhood. Throughout, he will talk about various events in his life (growing up, serving in the Navy, his father's death, his wedding, etc.). But he doesn't spend much time with his personal life. The majority of the memoir covers his professional life and his entertainer friends, including Frank Sinatra and Bob Newhart. Some of the stories are informative. We learn that Don's mother, Etta, visited Frank Sinatra's mom, Dolly. Etta encouraged Dolly to get Frank to visit Don when he was performing. They quickly became good friends. He writes a lot about his best friend, Bob Newhart. Although they were total opposites, their friendship was based on “the same basic values: nutty humor and family love.” But I gave Rickles' Book three stars for the following reasons. First, it is a very short read. With lots of blank pages between stories, plus pictures, you can read it in one sitting. And second, I later discovered that the stories in Rickles' Book are lifted directly from his stage routines. If you are a fan, you won't find much new here. I would still like to learn more about Don Rickles the man, rather than the entertainer. I guess that I will just have to try a biography.

I love this man! And I appreciate the quick, easy style of the book...just like his humor. I really felt like he was an older man towards the end of his career telling funny stories about the past. And I LOVED sitting at his feet listening to them. Don Rickels seems like a truly good man who happened to have a gift that he thankfully shared with the world. His love and devotion to his friends and family are refreshing and endearing. I wish I could have seen him live. I would have for sure sat in the front row and said, "Pick on me!" Just a great read.

I purchased Rickles - A Memoir for my husband for Christmas. We both adore and miss Don Rickles, he was one of a kind and this book highlights some of his funniest moments - both on stage and personal life. With every turn of the page I could hear my husband laughing! We recommend this book to all of Rickles’ fans out there!

Grew up laughing

Easy to read with quick short funny stories. A brief glimpse into the life of Don Rickles.

This is a really good read, full of a lifetime of memories by Don Rickles. Also the hilarious encounter and ensuing incident involving himself and Frank Sinatra is documented here in its entirety...

The book was brilliant. Easy to read. Finished it in a few hours but so very very funny. A great insight into the good old days of Sinatra and crew. Rickles could ad lib like no one else.

Don Rickles ist ein Stück lebendige amerikanischer TV-Unterhaltungsgeschichte. Seine Biografie ist vergleichbar mit der Entwicklung des amerikanischen Fernsehens. Er erzählt von seinem Leben, der harten Lehrzeit als Schauspieler und wie er seine ersten Jobs als Comedian bekam. Die enge Freundschaft mit Frank Sinatra, bis zu dessen Tod, zieht sich als roter Faden durch das ganze Buch. So ist Rickles`Book auch mehr die Geschichte einer Freundschaft, nämlich der zu Frank Sinatra. Eindringlich erzählt Don Rickles auch von seiner Mutter, die sein grösster Fan und Förderer war. Vielleicht wurde deshalb auch aus Don Rickles "Mr. Warmth". So ist Rickles`Book schöne leichte Unterhaltung. Bleibende Eindrücke hinterlässt es aber nicht.

The book is entertaining and easy to read, so much so, that I finished it in one sitting and wished it were longer. You can't help but read the book in Don's voice as he re-tells old stories with greater detail and unearths other stories I had never heard yet. Don's humor, compassion, and love for life shine through every page of this book, and I loved it!