A Book (Expanded Edition)

The Outspoken Memoirs of the Man Who “Loved Lucy”—and Revolutionized Television (Exclusive New Material with Commentary by Lucie Arnaz)

De: Desi Arnaz, Lucie Arnaz, Kate Luckinbill - introduction

Narrado por: Gregory Santos

Now featuring exclusive new material including excerpts from Desi Arnaz’s unpublished second memoir and commentary by daughter Lucie Arnaz, here is the expanded edition of the New York Times bestselling memoir of Cuban American entertainment legend, TV pioneer, and I Love Lucy star Desi Arnaz.

This expanded edition of A Book features additions from Desi Arnaz’s uncompleted, never published second memoir, a new Afterword by Lucie Arnaz, Foreword by granddaughter Kate Luckinbill, and new photos throughout. Desi’s original work and the additions paint a comprehensive portrait of a man beloved and admired by family and people he worked with despite admitted personal failings, and to whom Lucy herself gave credit for the success of I Love Lucy and pioneering television production in its infancy. This full story of a life and legend now completes one of the most fascinating and revelatory Hollywood memoirs ever written.

In the author’s own words: “Welcome to A Book, in which I try to explain how a kid from Cuba found a way to make a living in the United States. It’s all here—the good, the bad, the beautiful, the ugly, the unbelievably lucky breaks, and the heartbreaking failures. . . . You will learn what Lucy and I had to do to convince people we could play husband and wife in I Love Lucy. Shortly afterward Lucie and Desi Jr. were born and our world was paradise. The irony of it all is how our undreamed-of success, fame, and fortune turned it into hell. It wasn’t easy to write about all of it, but as my son said, ‘There’s only one way to do it, Dad. Tell it like it was.’”

👏👏👏

Amazing narration and bonus section by Lucie Arnaz. 💯 worth it for any fan of I Love Lucy. However, Desi was so much more than "Ricky Ricardo". He was a survivor, an immigrant arriving in the United States under political asylum, became a US citizen, and was Instrumental in developing sitcom and series television as it still stands today.

Enjoyable!

I always have admired Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball. This is a very interesting and informative book. I have greatly enjoyed it!

fascinating

Great book!!!! Info about show biz and how to succeed in life in general...read it.

there’s no one like desi arnaz sr

Desi was both funny and factual, listening transported me in time throughout his life. I loved listening to his perspective of all the incredibly major things he happened into just by the family he was born into, chance, hard work, and personality. He and Lucy shaped the world and the world of tv and film it for the better. I’m so grateful for this book that memorializes the story and in particular his voice, because in the rhythm of his voice, so much is captured ~ love, loss, humor unique to him, and a spirit of anything is possible if only given a chance. I love listening to every word. It was a joy and a pleasure listening to A Book. The only part that I did not love is the way his daughter spoke the words at the end of the book. i’m sorry to say she sounded bitter and judgmental. i know the kids went through a lot, and maybe she’s just not comfortable being recorded, but I’m glad she at least ended with ‘thank you.’ Thank You, Desi, for all the laughs over the years. You were special and are missed.

Candid and so interesting

He was ahead of his time and his life story kept me hooked. I was sad to reach the end. Outstanding narration by Gregory Santos!