A Book (Expanded Edition)

The Outspoken Memoirs of the Man Who “Loved Lucy”—and Revolutionized Television (Exclusive New Material with Commentary by Lucie Arnaz)

By: Desi Arnaz, Lucie Arnaz, Kate Luckinbill - introduction

Narrated by: Gregory Santos

Now featuring exclusive new material including excerpts from Desi Arnaz’s unpublished second memoir and commentary by daughter Lucie Arnaz, here is the expanded edition of the New York Times bestselling memoir of Cuban American entertainment legend, TV pioneer, and I Love Lucy star Desi Arnaz.

This expanded edition of A Book features additions from Desi Arnaz’s uncompleted, never published second memoir, a new Afterword by Lucie Arnaz, Foreword by granddaughter Kate Luckinbill, and new photos throughout. Desi’s original work and the additions paint a comprehensive portrait of a man beloved and admired by family and people he worked with despite admitted personal failings, and to whom Lucy herself gave credit for the success of I Love Lucy and pioneering television production in its infancy. This full story of a life and legend now completes one of the most fascinating and revelatory Hollywood memoirs ever written.

In the author’s own words: “Welcome to A Book, in which I try to explain how a kid from Cuba found a way to make a living in the United States. It’s all here—the good, the bad, the beautiful, the ugly, the unbelievably lucky breaks, and the heartbreaking failures. . . . You will learn what Lucy and I had to do to convince people we could play husband and wife in I Love Lucy. Shortly afterward Lucie and Desi Jr. were born and our world was paradise. The irony of it all is how our undreamed-of success, fame, and fortune turned it into hell. It wasn’t easy to write about all of it, but as my son said, ‘There’s only one way to do it, Dad. Tell it like it was.’”

One of the best books I’ve ever read.

I read this book a few years ago or I should say the older version. I found it to be very entertaining, informative and super well written. I never once got bored with any of the details that he gave about camera angles and such.

This is a nice update to that book. With some very interesting information at the end of it talked about by his daughter Lucy Arnez.

Sorry to hear that he had planned on writing a second book, but unfortunately did not live long enough. I would’ve loved to have read it.

If you are a fan of I love Lucy, Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz this is a must read!

A Must Read Autobiography

I have read and reread this “BOOK” 3 times and enjoy it every time.

The honesty of Desi and his American success story is a classic read, making one appreciate someone who hit the heights of stardom through hard work.

The nuts and bolts of how I LOVE LUCY and the DESILU empire came to fruition is inspiring and makes you appreciate the Lucy-Desi teaming even more.

Thanks to Lucie Arnaz Luckinbill her parents memory lives on stronger than ever.

What a remarkable and fascinating life.

Prior to this book I had listened to the book "Love Lucy”, the long forgotten and never printed autobiography of Lucille Ball. I thought it only fair to hear Desi’s side of the story.

First a little warning for those of us listeners who are sensitive to language. There is a good amount of swearing in these chapters and it may jolt even those who just think of Desi as Ricky Ricardo.

The book is really an amazing time capsule of the entertainment business from nightclubs, to stage performances, to movies and finally to television.

It’s incredible to think that this one man, a poor Cuban refugee, had not only taught America to Congo but also invented the way we see television even today. He really did and there’s no dispute.

The narrator did such a great job of speaking as Desi did, that when he spoke like a typical American I had to check to see if he really was the only narrator. What more can I say in praise?

A BOOK

Absolutely fantastic and fascinating!!!! I read this book every year - around Desi’s birthday. Never planned it that way - it just happens and works out so. THIS expanded edition is much different though and better!!! It was wonderful reading Desi’s story again and listening to Gregory Santos narrate was great too! Much better reading than Juan Pablo De Pace’s narration.

The expanded edition really soars here! Lucie Arnaz found notes, transcripts and documents that were from Desi’s unpublished 2nd memoir. It’s a truly personal; intimate and private look into his mind and further expresses the way his creative and business mind went. He was a genius! The final section is SO prevalent and relevant to America and the state of the country today. It’s staggering, chilling and deeply emotional. How SPOT ON he was - 50 years ago. Prophetic indeed and I pray every single one of us heed his words.

Get this book! 100/100!!!!!! Learn his story. Learn it again. Open your mind. Turn off the news and phone and go read… A BOOK.

Where are the photos?

Excellent book. He was very smart. But I hate it when we don't get the photos in audio books that are in the print book, and we can easily open up a PDF or go to URL. The afterword Is a great idea, but you don't tell us who was his next wife.How did he meet her? I want to know about the relationships, and I absolutely hate all that Cuba history, that droned on and on and on. But the last sentence about his advice left for everyone is eerie and so timely for now, and that is excellent.