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August 9, 2010 issue of National Examiner, a celebrity tabloid newsmagazine, featuring articles on Celebrity Body Bloopers, Lucille Ball, Sarah Palin, Bin Laden's Son, Miley Cyrus, and much more. ... Read more

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Character drawing of Lucille Ball from the Musical Wildcat which also cast Keith Andes. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Unobjective To A Fault
I often wondered what it would be like if my best friend wrote a book about my dull and boring life.That fantasy never coming, I had to settle for imagining the same in this book about Ball.

I know, I know, but not everyone is in the Lucy Infantry, ready to storm the hill and take one for the team.A lot of us are just reading, or interested, about her and appreciate books that may present her in an open, and honest light.

This book doesn't do that.It's a Chamber of Commerce approach to Ball and her life.Ball lived a life that many people would envy or love to have lived.She went from being a big nobody growing up, to a marginal actress and 'B' movie star, neverhitting the big time she so dearly wanted.But, along came tv and her, and husband Desi Arnaz were in the right place at the right time.Their show, I Love Lucy became such a hit that it helped elevate their Desilu Productions into a major tv player for years.And, it made both of them very rich.And famous.

However, the author, at this point goes into PR department mode, glossing over the behind the scenes issues and other historical content which would have presented the topic in better perspective for us casual fans.A large part of the book, as well, deals with her children and their lives, something I didn''t bargain for.Written in the late 70's the author basically leaves Arnaz outside and concentrates on Ball, her children and her career at that time.

I get the feeling that this book was, more than likely, commissioned by Ball as an attempt to get her side of the story out there.Arnaz book, 'A Book" came out around the same time and makes it hard to downplay this books timing.Arnaz' book sold fairly well then, this book, did not.After reading it, it's easy to see why.Arnaz book actually tried to tell a story (although, as proven by information made public since, not all of the story).For that you have to give him credit.At the time Arnaz needed the money and needed some spice to sell his book.Ball, on the other hand, wasn't and didn't.

I'd pass on this book unless your a diehard Ball fan and want it to add to your collection. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Short and not so sweet
I was somewhat disappointed that this book relies on so many anonymous sources for its information.Many sequences read "Lucy said," then "Desi said," and then "but a friend of the family says" and relies on that as the truth.Having said that, it's a nice start/overview on the life of Lucille Ball, but it shouldn't be the only book about her that you read.

rating of Lucille Ball
This book was in great condition. I am completely satisfied with my purchase.

Lucy lives forever!
I have read many books on Lucille Ball. She is my idol and I love her with all my heart.This book is so good. It's very informative. It covers her life from her birth to her death in 1989, not 1986, as another reviewer putit. Someone said it didn't give much detail, which is not true at all. Theend moved me to tears. Not just water in my eyes tears; real tears runningdown my face. I sobbed like a little baby. It doesn't go into specifics ofLucy and Desi's deaths. It tells how they died, but it leaves it atthat,and in a way that's good.Lucy believed in privacy, as you can tellfrom her autobiography. This book is not an expose on the tabloid marraigeof Lucille and Desi. If all you're looking for is gossip, then this is notfor you. If you want an entertaining, informative outlook on the life ofLucille Ball, and I guess Desi Arnaz, then read this book. It's a real pageturner. You won't want to put it down.

Lucy Lacks Luster
Instead of "The Life of Lucille Ball" perhaps a better subtitle would be "Some Things about Lucille Ball".If you're looking for an in-depth bio on her, this is not it.However "Forever Lucy"would make a fine second book to read about Lucy, to fill in some cracksothers have left room for.

The book reads fast and does hold yourinterest.In most areas there is simply not enough detail.Perhaps thiswas intentional.But when we get to the part of Desi's death, we do expectmore than a small paragraph stating that "in recent years his healthhad deteriorated rapidly".

The many interviews given by Lucy &Desi over the years the authors use may make this an important resourcematerial for Lucy researchers/fans if those sources are not readilyavailable elsewhere.The authors do go into more detail than is usuallydone on the accusation in the '50s of Lucy's supposed communist activities.Also the business side of Lucy when she took over as head of Desilu aremore detailed than other books on her.

Read it?Yes.But make itsecond on your Lucy bio list.

Very, very informative
It started in her early yearsand took you straight through to her death in 1986. Around 200 to 250 pages.It explained a lot of things that I had been wondering about AFTER "I Love Lucy".It talked about her kids a lot too.It explained in deep detail about her kids' trials and tribulations while managing at the same time to link everything to Lucille Ball and continue talking about her life.A must buy for all Lucille Ball fans. ... Read more

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This concerns Lucille Ball's testimony at the 1953 House Select Committee on Un-American Activities hearings which reflected her registration to vote as a communist in 1936 due to the insistence of her grandfather. ... Read more

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Chapters: Humphrey Lyttelton, Walter Huston, James L. Holloway, Jr., Lucille Ball, Henry M. Jackson, Ian Hornak, Zero Mostel, Jack Oakie, Wally Kinnan, William F. Harrah, David Hare, Eric Munoz, Euell Gibbons, Elizabeth George Speare, Mick Cronin, Neil Bartlett, Walter Landor Dickens, Hildegard Behrens, Makoto Fujita, Harold J. Gibbons, Nobu Mccarthy, Duke Bainum, Vladek Sheybal, Warren Mitofsky, Richard Wolfson, Darrett B. Rutman, Grant Cooper, James Beatty, Lloyd Gough, Dave Wilson. Source: Wikipedia. Pages: 181. Not illustrated. Free updates online. Purchase includes a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Excerpt: Admiral James Lemuel Holloway, Jr. (June 20, 1898January 11, 1984) was a four-star admiral in the United States Navy who served as superintendent of the United States Naval Academy from 1947 to 1950; as chief of naval personnel from 1953 to 1957; and as commander in chief of all United States naval forces in the eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean from 1957 to 1959, in which capacity he commanded the 1958 American intervention in Lebanon. As founder of the Holloway Plan, he was responsible for creating the modern Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps. He was the father of four-star admiral and chief of naval operations James L. Holloway III. As of 2009, they are the only father and son to both serve as four-star admirals in the United States Navy while on active duty, as opposed to being promoted to that rank posthumously or at retirement. He was born in Fort Smith, Arkansas to future centenarian James Lemuel Holloway Sr. and the former Mary George Leaming. In 1904, his family moved to Dallas, Texas, where he was a varsity football tackle and a member of the debate team at Oak Cliff High School, from which he graduated in 1915. Unable to secure an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, his origin...More: http://booksllc.net/?id=19770552 ... Read more

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Chapters: George Pullman, George Abbott, Lucille Ball, Ralph "Bucky" Phillips, Jennifer Stuczynski, John Schofield, George Stoneman, Rexford Tugwell, William L. Carpenter, H. B. Halicki, Jehuu Caulcrick, Albion W. Tourgée, Tommy Leach, Grace Bedell, Howard Ehmke, Richard T. Ely, Lou Dimuro, Daniel A. Reed, Celestine Damiano, Samuel Hopkins Adams, Shane Conlan, Carlton Brandaga Curtis, Tom Jeffords, Don Reinhoudt, Harry Castlemon, Alonzo Cushing, Glenni William Scofield, Ellen A. Martin, Elmer Ellsworth Brown, Mike Dimuro, Lloyd Moore, Thomas Rodman Merritt, Joe Alexander, Daniel E. Button, Samuel S. Whallon, Marvin R. Dye, Lorin Blodget, Benjamin Goodrich, Janis Hansen, Abner Lewis, Murray Shelton, Les Dye, James H. Mcgraw, Julian Buesink. Source: Wikipedia. Pages: 162. Not illustrated. Free updates online. Purchase includes a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Excerpt: Lucille Désirée Ball (August 6, 1911 April 26, 1989) was an American comedienne, film, television, stage and radio actress, model, film and television executive, and star of the sitcoms I Love Lucy, The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour, The Lucy Show and Here's Lucy. One of the most popular and influential stars in America during her lifetime, with one of Hollywood's longest careers, especially on television, Ball was acting in the 1930s, becoming a B-movie star in the 1940s and a television star in the 1950s. She was still making films in the 1960s and 1970s. She was a radio actress during the 1940s, as well. Ball received thirteen Emmy Award nominations and four wins. She was the recipient of the Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award in 1979, the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Kennedy Center Honors in 1986 and the Governors Award from the Academy of Television Arts ... Read more

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Encyclopedia of Lucille Ball information, , 426pp, paperback ... Read more

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TV guide magazine with Legends cover stories. Plus George H. W. Bush, A History of Television, TV's creators and innovators, and much more. ... Read more

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A very rare collectible for the Disney Fan and the I Love Lucy Fan. ... Read more