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Hope  By  cover art

Hope

By: Richard Zoglin
Narrated by: Malcolm Hillgartner
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Publisher's summary

Born in 1903, and until his death in 2003, Bob Hope was the only entertainer to achieve top-rated success in every major mass-entertainment medium, from vaudeville to television and everything in between. He virtually invented modern stand-up comedy. His tours to entertain US troops and patriotic radio broadcasts, along with his all-American, brash-but-cowardly movie character, helped to ease the nation's jitters during the stressful days of World War II. He helped redefine the very notion of what it means to be a star: a savvy businessman, pioneer of the brand extension (churning out books, writing a newspaper column, hosting a golf tournament), and public-spirited entertainer whose Christmas military tours and tireless work for charity set the standard for public service in Hollywood. But he became a polarizing figure during the Vietnam War, and the audiobook sheds new light on his close relationship with President Richard Nixon during those embattled years.

Bob Hope is a household name. However, as Richard Zoglin shows in this revelatory biography, there is still much to be learned about this most public of figures, from his secret first marriage and his stint in reform school, to his indiscriminate womanizing and his ambivalent relationship with Bing Crosby and Johnny Carson. Hope could be cold, self-centered, tight with a buck, and perhaps the least introspective man in Hollywood. But he was also a dogged worker, gracious with fans, and generous with friends.

Hope is both a celebration of an entertainer whose vast contribution has never been properly appreciated, and a complex portrait of a gifted but flawed man, who, unlike many Hollywood stars, truly loved being famous, appreciated its responsibilities, and handled celebrity with extraordinary grace.

©2014 Richard Zoglin (P)2014 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved. Recorded by arrangement with Simon & Schuster, Inc.

What listeners say about Hope

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A thoroughly engaging biography

Would you listen to Hope again? Why?

Well, I might listen to it with another Hope enthusiast, because it's so well done. But a book is a book and I usually read a book once.

What did you like best about this story?

I appreciated the honesty of the reporting of Hope's astonishing life. Fabulous and Flawed, every aspect of Hope's contribution to show business is covered.

Have you listened to any of Malcolm Hillgartner’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have not, but I found his delivery superb, and his subtle delivery of Hope's quotes somewhat evocative of Hope himself.

Any additional comments?

This is an important book, about an important 20th Century personality. It is accessible and very well-written, and the performance on the Audible recording is brilliant.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Overall an excellent book

Highly recommend this book - it is real and down to earth. Very interesting and enjoyable - captures the readers attention throughout the narrative

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Now I know Bob better!

I remember watching the Bob Hope TV show and specials, his movies, and his tours to entertain the US troops. He seemed to never rest--he was all about entertaining people. I didn't know tons of details about the man who made himself into Bob Hope, so I turned to this biography. It did not disappoint. It is well written and the narrator was excellent. I highly recommend it.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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The story behind the famous figure

What did you love best about Hope?

His life was so interesting and varied--I learned a lot about him.

What did you like best about this story?

Learning that he did not write his own material and that he was different personally than his entertainment persona.

What does Malcolm Hillgartner bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Great performance, made the story come alive.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The time he spent entertaining the troops was amazing. While he could be fairly selfish, this was very selfless.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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Highly recommend

Interesting book. Audio quality was very good. Did not know much about Bob Hope's life and so found the book very informative.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Memories of Hope

My memories of Bob Hope - especially his Christmas Tours to Vietnam. And the land scandals in the canyons between Calabasas and Agoura Hills where I lived for nearly 40 years.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Thanks for the Memories !!

What a great read/listen!!
I still remember watching all his specials when I was a kid with my mom and dad. He was simply the best!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Unvarnished. The Man Shines Through.

Perhaps the most honest and balanced take on the life of an extraordinary entertainer. We’ll read and engaging.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Loving tribute to the architect of stand up

Loved it!
Wish I could have lived back in those golden years. Must have been a trip! Heaven is lot funnier with Hope!

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Great Narration, but long Story

The narration by Malcolm Hillgartner was the best this about this book. Hope's life is presented to us piece by piece, over and over again, I couldn't wait for it to be over. Sorry.

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