Yes I Can

By: Sammy Davis Jr., Jane Boyar, Burt Boyar

Narrated by: Burt Boyar

Length: 20 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's Summary

Yes I Can is the self-portrait of one of the extraordinary men of our time, who became a figure of controversy because he dared to live his life not as a Negro but as a man. "I've got to be a star like another man has to breathe" writes Sammy Davis. "I've got to get so big, so powerful, so famous that the day will come when they'll look at me and see a man, and then somewhere along the way they'll notice he's a Negro."

Yes I Can “is:...one of the most candid, engrossing and important American autobiographies of our time,” wrote the N.Y. Herald Tribune Book Editor and Critic Maurice Dolbier. "One of the really great autobiographies ever written." Brother Judd, Audible.com.

©1965 Sammy Davis, Jr. and Jane and Burt Boyar (P)2012 Sammy Davis, Jr and Jane and Burt Boyar

Sammy Davis was the performer of all times. . .

What did you love best about Yes I Can?

While Sammy's life appeared glamorous, the book tells a very different story. It reveals the truth behind the broad, make-believe smile and the eyes that spoke louder than the voice.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Burt Boyar?

This book should have been narrated by a better voice. . .the one thing I did not like about the book.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

A Story Beautifully Told

Burt Boyar was emotional, REAL, loving and wonderful. I was moved to tears at times. I loved it. Would read again.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Great story boringly read

What did you like best about Yes I Can? What did you like least?

The whole background of Sammy's life and over comings, his rise above adversity is a great story of his tenacity and grace in the front line of prejudice. The reading by Burt Boyar spoils a great bio.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Yes I Can?

His army experience during WW2

What didn’t you like about Burt Boyar’s performance?

His boring monologue, basically there is no emphasis of any in all his reading, it's beige while Sammy's life was technicolour.

Could you see Yes I Can being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

A great movie, I'll leave others to decide on the actors.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

An amazing biography

This is one person I knew nothing about, and I'm glad that I listened. It is a well written and fun biography.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

An eye opener as to the racism in the USA and the effect on an amazing artiste.

I have been shocked by the racism practiced in the USA when it was not legislated. This coming from a white South African who lived during the apartheid era.
SDJnr was an amazing person who did his best not to be bitter and revengeful. An American Mandela.
Thank you for a wonderful book

Great book great performance

Sammy Davis, Jr. Was one of the greatest entertainers of all time and this book certainly did him Justice. The near raider really captured his essence and sounded much like him and his story is captivating

loved it☆☆☆☆☆☆

Great, it was nice it was read by his best friend....Sammy was one of the biggest icons of 5o's 60's 70's....ect..... he made life better for the African American community I never knew this about him until I read the book, he worked so incredibly hard to make people understand that we are all human, skin color means nothing// this will always be one of my favorite books of all time.

Sammy's take on things

Well, I can honestly say I was never a fan but I do appreciate the vast talent he was. I was keen to learn a little more about the man himself.

This story of his life so far, to 1965, was not a tell all. I think it is the version Sammy thought people should know. His version of why he didn't attend the JFK inauguration celebrations was not true, according to Kenndy's staff and Old Blue Eyes Frank Sinatra.

No doubt about it, SD was, whilst a great performer, a real bighead and some folks thought he was a real pain in the ass and he litters this tale with constant reminders to the reader/listener and others who were around him with what real big superstar he was. I like long biographies and autobiographies. This is not the tell all I hoped it would be and his friend, and co-author/narrator is often moved to tears it seems. He felt a deep affection for SD that is clear.

However, to me, through this book I see Sammy as a greedy and often charmless man and I never felt any empathy with him, which surprised me after listening to this. I learned that after this book was written he cheated on his wife Mai with several others and that was surprising considering the vow he made at the end of the book to always keep a smile on her face. He let her down and his children too. Thankfully, before he died they did make their peace I believe.

Never worked!

What disappointed you about Yes I Can?

Audio program never worked, so never heard story.

Would you ever listen to anything by the authors again?

If I could hear it the first time.

How could the performance have been better?

Work!

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

?

Any additional comments?

?

0 of 1 people found this review helpful

Loved it!

Fascinating story of Sammy 's life. I had so much trouble tearing myself away each night!!!

Yes I Can Sammy Davies Jr

Very moving, I just didn't want it to end. Inspirational. What an incredible man. He has now turned me on to his music. Thank you Sammy.