NEW BOOK: DECONSTRUCTING THE RAT PACK - JOEY, THE MOB, AND THE SUMMIT

"Deconstructing the Rat Pack: Joey, the Mob, and the Summit"
By Richard A. Lertzman with Lon Davis
(Prestige Cinema Books - December 2, 2020)

In celebration of the Rat Pack's 60th anniversary comes an amazing, historical, and wild ride of a tome called "Deconstructing the Rat Pack: Joey, the Mob, and the Summit."

For 28 consecutive nights in February 1960, a dusty town called Las Vegas became the epicenter of the world. All eyes were on the party happening at the Sands Hotel and Casino, the new headquarters for the Chairman of the Board, Frank Sinatra. Dubbed by many as “The Rat Pack,” “The Clan” and “The Summit”—Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Joey Bishop, and Peter Lawford gave those lucky audiences an entertainment experience, the likes of which will never be seen again.

This explosive tell-all book brings the inside scoop of how the mob, the future president, and five popular performers took the world (Las Vegas and Hollywood with the film Ocean’s 11 ) by storm.

You will read exclusive interviews with the participants themselves, including assorted wise guys Moe Dalitz, Carl Cohen (a relative of the author’s), Mickey Cohen, and Max Diamond (a longtime employee of the author’s liquidation business)—and show business luminaries Jack Entratter, Nancy Sinatra, Tony Curtis, Jerry Lewis, Buddy Hackett, and many, many more.

And what makes this story of the Rat Pack so unique is that it is taken from the perspective of the group’s last surviving member, Joey Bishop, who sat for numerous interviews with the author.

The New York Post, Closer Magazine, and the London Daily Express are among those already singing the praises of “Deconstructing the Rat Pack” by calling it a “A Book That Busts The Rat Pack Myth and a “Must Have.”

And let’s not forget, December 12th would have been Mr. Sinatra’s 105th birthday—so, let’s all celebrate with a swinging, retro time with the Rack Pack...

NEW BOOK: SEEN FROM THE WINGS: LUISE RAINER: MY MOTHER, THE JOURNEY

I will be reviewing this book soon, but secure your copy now. It is an excellent look at the life of a child of Hollywood royality...

Seen from the Wings:
Luise Rainer. My Mother, The Journey
(Publication Date: June 3, 2019 by BookBaby)

There have been several autobiographies written by the children of illustrious film actresses―Christina and Joan Crawford, Maria Riva and Marlene Dietrich, Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds.

Each book lays bare the stark reality of being raised in Hollywood, where the glamour and drama of being raised by world-renowned parents is tempered by the pressure to succeed in life and love in the shadow of Hollywood perfection.

Now, add to that list the story of Francesca Knittel Bowyer, daughter of Luise Rainer ― the first woman to win back-to-back Oscars® (The Great Ziegfeld (1936) and The Good Earth (1937) - before the age of 30. Rainer died at the age of 104 in December of 2014, just two weeks short of her 105th birthday.

In Seen From The Wings: Luise Rainer. My Mother, My Journey, Knittel Bowyer describes her desperate need to become independent from a mother who was almost never pleased, especially when she felt upstaged, and chronicles her journey to find her life's purpose and to define herself as an individual.

Knittel Bowyer's is a life woven with adventure. She went from theater actress to editor at Harper’s Bazaar Magazine; recognizably as the first Devil Wears Prada girl, then from art dealer to executive at a highly prestigious advertising agency.

Meanwhile, she worked tirelessly as a devoted and sometimes single mother raising two daughters and while escaping abusive relationships and marriages.

In this poignant, true story of a daughter, wife and mother who escapes from the trappings of her golden upbringing in the villas of Europe and the mansions of Beverly Hills, Knittel Bowyer reveals how her imperious mother and gentle-hearted father affected her relationships, choices and happiness.

Seen From The Wings is not simply about her mother, who has always been the key factor in her life, but rather about her mother's influence on her life. Luise Rainer weaves her way through the story with threads of possessive love, jealousies and passionate opinions about her daughter's every move.

This is a story of the fine line between love and hate and of the importance of loyalty. It is a story about people whose lives and minds are so different, yet whose worlds and persuasions follow a parallel path. There are no mistakes, only learning experiences and a host of stories to tell.

All these life experiences resulted in Francesca Knittel Bowyer catapulting herself into a new and positive life path of faith, peace and self-acceptance...

You can purchase the book from Amazon HERE

NEW BOOK: SHOOTING THE BREEZE WITH BABY BOOMER STARS

A new excellent book from author Torchy Smith has been released. It really is a must-read for nostalgia fans...

SHOOTING THE BREEZE with BABY BOOMER STARS!

Torchy Smith’s new book covering celebrities from 1950s-1970s TV & Film

March 4, 2019 – Archway Publishing

With A Foreword by Geraldo Rivera

Gleaned from interviews on his radio show “Baby Boomers Talk Radio,” Torchy Smith shares stories and insights about baby boomer celebrities in his new book “Shooting the Breeze with Baby Boomer Stars! Surprising Celebrity Conversations for the Retro Generation.”

The book presents 50 first-hand accounts of baby boomer celebrities from beloved TV shows and films such as Jerry Mathers (Leave it to Beaver), Bill Mumy (Lost in Space), Cubby O’Brien (Mickey Mouse Club) Stephen Furst (Animal House), Butch Patrick (The Munsters), Cindy Williams (Laverne & Shirley) and Clint Howard (The Andy Griffith Show, Gentle Ben) The interviewees discuss their memories working on projects, behind the scenes secrets, and the lasting cultural impact of the baby boomer generation.

You will read trade secrets never before revealed as stars chat about being on set for Animal House, Star Trek, Leave it to Beaver, and more.

You will go back in time with Baby Boomer icons as they relive behind-the-scenes snafus and fights all while honoring the glory days of television.

Where are they now, and what are they doing? You're about to find out.

“Shooting the Breeze with Baby Boomer Stars” is an entertaining collection of first-person stories and histories for pop culture enthusiasts.

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About the author

Torchy Smith has interviewed well over 100 celebrities on his talk show “Baby Boomers Talk Radio.” May 4th, 1970 was Smith’s last day at Kent State, where he witnessed the shootings by the Ohio National Guard. He was a graphic design student and had worked doing advertising layouts for several employers. After gravitating to sales and building a successful career selling to large retailers, Smith began investing in real estate in the 80s.

At the same time, he also started a ribbon business, which he sold in 2006 and went into semi-retirement. Smith always had an interest in seeking a way to combine his nostalgia obsession with communications through the internet. As a self-starter, he learned and kept up with the computer age that was surging in the 90's. Smith was then able to combine those skills with his graphic design background. What resulted was his accomplishments in creating videos and communications with celebrities from the past. Smith has been on numerous radio programs, commenting on the pulse of where baby boomers now fit into today's world.

To learn more, please visit www.babyboomerstalkradio.com.

“Shooting the Breeze with Baby Boomer Stars: Surprising Celebrity Conversations for the Retro Generation” by Torchy Smith

ISBN: 9781480867840 (softcover); 9781480867857 (hardcover); 9781480867864 (eBook)

Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble