Bob Hope (1903–2003)

Really, a very funny and enlightening Cold War travelogue. The memoir is packed with one-liners that so have Hope`s voice that they probably fall flat with today`s readers. What is more interesting is the behind the scenes tales of makine road pictures with Bing Crosby and the logistics and travails and joys of his star-studded Christmastime USO tours of mostly remote U.S. installations. This includes Guam, the Antilles, Japan (Still reconstructing from WWII), Greenland, and Korea. How show more things have changed! Back then, he relates, the worry of the split Korea was the rural and agricultural South Korea. How would it make it without the industrial North? Among the 65 black-and-white picturs is one of Hope before a large crowd in Pyongyang. I have to do some post-Korean War research to find how that was possible!

The title refers to a jaunt to Moscow that is only two chapters of the book. Is is a very small subset of the content, but a fascinating look into trying comedy and cultural exchange in Kruschev`s Russia. show less

This covers Bob Hope's military service from 1938 through 1990. His service to the troops. Lots of history in here, as interpreted and seen by Bob Hope. He plays down what he did, yet you get a pretty good idea of his affection for the soldiers and his effect on their morale.Towards the end, in talking about Vietnam, it's uncanny in its resemblance to the war in Iraq. Of course, we knew it would be. This book is full of Hope's dry humor, and he names names as to the people who made him so show more popular, his writers. I think it is a valuable insight into history, giving glimpses of events from a different perspective. That of a man trying to help others and himself survive by providing a little laughter. show less

A book written by a comedian was one of the categories for the 2016 Reading Challenge. And I expected it to be funny, since it was written by one of my favorite funny guys. However, it is a history of the US and his experiences from 1938 - 1990. It did make me laugh, but it also made me cry. It's especially poignant since I've finished reading it on July 4th, the day we celebrate our country's birth. It underscores what I've believed since military 'advisers' were sent to Vietnam: hatred in show more it's many forms is the enemy to freedom. If you hate someone because of their beliefs, background, religion, color, etc. you are taking away your own freedom as well as theirs. From 1938 - 1990, Hope and his Gypsies visited people in the military engaged in wars, both declared and undeclared. He brought them a bit of home and the reminder that they were supported even if that particular military action was not. Each year he wanted his Christmas with the troops to be the last performance for the military because there was peace in the world. Peace still hasn't arrived; it's that Christmas present we're all hoping to receive. show less

Did you know Bob Hope was born in and lived in England until age four? I didnt. This book is filled with Hope's jokes told in chronological order. As I grew up I was aware of Hope's admiration of the military, I was unaware of his republican tendencies though. It felt a bit like an American history lesson in politics.