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View Full Version : A good Gleason Biography?


*ClassicPinUp*
12-08-2006, 03:09 AM
Does anyone know of a good Jackie Gleason Biography book? Art Carney's was well written..it was very detailed about his childhood-adult life, radio jobs, wounded war leg, depression, heavy drinking, new marriages, awards etc etc--but it was done tastefully. The author (Michael Seth Starr) kept his opinion out of it (well mostly) & filled the book with information *not just rumors* & stories from Art's friends/co workers & Art himself.
However, the few books about Jackie I've skimmed through seem to talk down about him.
Anyone have any suggestions?

T-Greg
12-08-2006, 11:23 AM
Starr's book was criticized for inaccuracies, but I think he made a good attempt. Carney's limp was from a wound he suffered storming the beaches of Normandy in WWII. As far as Gleason, Jim Bishop wote the first Gleason bio., "The Golden Ham" (1956). I found it better and more honest than the 2 later ones by Weatherby and Bacon. You can find "The Golden Ham" on amazon.com (both hardback and paperback).

*ClassicPinUp*
12-08-2006, 11:33 AM
Yeah, Art Carney was quoted in the book telling the story on how he got his limp.
Thanks for the suggestion :) I'll have to buy it.