Burt Boyar (1927–2018)

Sammy didn't win any literary prizes to my knowledge but this is a hell of a good read. His sheer force of personality really comes across well in this book. What a man! To say he had a tough life would be an understatement - the childhood on the road with his dad and uncle performing where they'd have them, his experiences of blatant racism through an American upbringing and into the armed forces, and into his breakthrough into Hollywood success - his suffering at the racial prejudices of others is a tragic constant. The bigoted forces of the Columbia studio bosses and the mob even interfered in his own private life to keep him apart from the actress Kim Novak, and his marriage to May Britt lead to his exclusion from the Democrats' inner circle of star-backers surrounding the success of JFK's election.

Obviously his days as one of the infamous Rat Pack are thoroughly recounted. Sammy pulls no punches when it comes to his own failing either - as he retells the excesses of his drink and drug addictions, and his physical self-destruction. He was an amazing performer though right through it all, and truly one of a kind. This book is a very entertaining and revealing read.… (mer)