Dean and Me

A Love Story

By: Jerry Lewis, James Kaplan

Narrated by: Stephen Hoye

Length: 8 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's summary

They were the unlikeliest of pairs: a handsome crooner and a skinny monkey, an Italian from Steubenville, Ohio, and a Jew from Newark, N.J. Before they teamed up, Dean Martin seemed destined for a mediocre career as a nightclub singer, and Jerry Lewis was dressing up as Carmen Miranda and miming records on stage. But the moment they got together, something clicked, something miraculous, and audiences saw it at once.

Before long, they were as big as Elvis or the Beatles would be after them, creating hysteria wherever they went and grabbing an unprecedented hold over every entertainment outlet of the era: radio, television, movies, stage shows, and nightclubs. Martin and Lewis were a national craze, an American institution. The millions (and the women) flowed in, seemingly without end, and then, on July 24, 1956, 10 years from the day when the two men joined forces, it all ended.

After that traumatic day, the two wouldn't speak again for 20 years. And while both went on to forge triumphant individual careers, Martin as a movie and television star, recording artist, and nightclub luminary (and charter member of the Rat Pack); Lewis as the groundbreaking writer, producer, director, and star of a series of hugely successful movie comedies, their parting left a hole in the national psyche, as well as in each man's heart.

In a memoir by turns moving, tragic, and hilarious, Jerry Lewis recounts with crystal clarity every step of a 50-year friendship, from the springtime, 1945 afternoon when the two vibrant young performers destined to conquer the world together met on Broadway and 54th Street, to their tragic final encounter in the 1990s, when Lewis and his wife ran into Dean Martin, a broken and haunted old man.

©2005 Jerry Lewis (P)2005 Books on Tape

Critic reviews

"Fans will be surprised and entertained by Lewis' honesty and diminished ego and bitterness." (Publishers Weekly)

never knew that about them

So many interesting backstories in here that really changed my view of both of these men.

Inside story through Jerry's eyes

Wonderfully narrated story how Jerry Lewis underwent his relationship with Dean. Bragging and exaggerating still at times very honest I think.

Nostalgic brings back good memories

I really enjoyed listening to the book, it brought back fond memories of times gone by. Martin & Lewis were a great act, too bad we could only hear the point of view from Jerry. Only thing would have liked to heard more details when they finally were talking to each other again in the later years.
Still I give it a good thumbs up!!!

Enjoyable

This was a well written & very enjoyable book about 2 very talented men. The reader brought the characters to life.

Very Entertaining!!!

I listened to the unabridged verson. I found it to be
very entertaining. The narrator brings this book to life.
(Please be aware that this is a different narrator then
the abridged version)

Almost gave it five stars

Love, love, love the classic Martin and Lewis. I do enjoy a good biography and this is one. If you even like Dean and Jerry you will enjoy this book. It is filled with bitter moments, very funny behind the scenes stories and Jerry isn't afraid to share the dirty laundry either. I will likely listen to this again.

Heartfelt, entertaining...real.

Loved it. A true testimony of a brotherly love, affection and friendship. Also, a cool inside look into our history after WW2.

Entertaining and touching

This book made me feel like I was there. A big thumbs-up to the narrator who succesfully took on the characters without being over-dramatic. The story is honest and touching and very funny. I highly recommend.

Fascinating story and interplay

This was a joy to listen to and gave me a sense for the 1950's The narration is great and should not be missed. I had no idea you could make that kind of money in a week. Doing club dates. They where one hot act.

A true love story

It’s a great read and a lot more details than generally known. It’s nice to know Jerry wasn’t the total jerk everyone says. He really did love Dean and believed Dean cared for him and Jerry was loyal to him for sure. I think he gave a little more than he got but he seems okay with it.