Bob Hope (1903–2003)

This is an interesting book, which documents events leading up to Hope's invitation for the wife of Khrushchev to visit Disneyland. Hope wanted to do a variety show in Russia bringing a crew to film the Russian performers and have some conversational exchange by the actors themselves. Hardly any of this materialized but the book shows how busy Hope was during these couple of years filming and touring US bases. Bob Hope, it seems, originated the idea of a modern day monologue as sort of an show more introduction to the subsequent performers during a show. The monologue was a set of humorous one-liners specially prepared for the local audience but bridging the topics to more general informational “news” which were usually Hollywood updates. Hope here talks about his esteem for the troops who had been left at the farthest reaches of the globe and how their response made his efforts worthwhile. At the essence of Hope’s work is being a stage performer. As such he needed to gather large crowds for his shows. The book goes over some of the elaborate planning, which was required and had almost derailed his Russian trip. Hope went to any length for his audience and for that reason he became beloved by all everywhere. Be it hot wars, Cold wars, the troops knew that US had not totally forgotten them if a Hope show was coming. He took great pride in never canceling a show unless travel weather prohibited the military transports from flying. Many names appear in the book which is interesting for those with a history or Hollywood inclination. Ambassador Lodge before he became the walking zombie during the evacuation of Saigon, Anita Ekberg starting her career, Bing Crosby coming close to film royalty and a good golf partner to Hope. Some pages were skip worthy but for the most part the book was a US history lesson by an Catholic entertainer who slept very little. The title comes from a charge for developing some film footage which Hope jokingly said would be paid for by Russian government. The book does not say if the film was ever developed and delivered. B/W photos but most not seen before. show less

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

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

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