Burt Boyar (1927–2018)

Sammy didn't win any literary prizes to my knowledge but this is a hell of a good read. His sheer force of personality really comes across well in this book. What a man! To say he had a tough life would be an understatement - the childhood on the road with his dad and uncle performing where they'd have them, his experiences of blatant racism through an American upbringing and into the armed forces, and into his breakthrough into Hollywood success - his suffering at the racial prejudices of show more others is a tragic constant. The bigoted forces of the Columbia studio bosses and the mob even interfered in his own private life to keep him apart from the actress Kim Novak, and his marriage to May Britt lead to his exclusion from the Democrats' inner circle of star-backers surrounding the success of JFK's election.

Obviously his days as one of the infamous Rat Pack are thoroughly recounted. Sammy pulls no punches when it comes to his own failing either - as he retells the excesses of his drink and drug addictions, and his physical self-destruction. He was an amazing performer though right through it all, and truly one of a kind. This book is a very entertaining and revealing read. show less

A well-written and fascinating account of Sammy's growing up in the last days of vaudeville, living with Jim Crow laws, serving in WWII, and breaking into the big time. Lots of introspection and fabulous memories with legendary names. The story ends with his marriage to May Britt and the birth of his first child. His love for them is palpable - but marred by the knowledge that they divorced later!

I read this last in the barbershop in New York in 1965 when it came out. There is much similarity between Sammy Davis Jr.'s story and Barrack Obama's, especially the theme of Obama's campaign being, "Yes,we can."