Rating: 
Summary: A Work of Genius
Review: "Genius" is a word too often bandied about, and when a moment finally comes to use it appropriately, the meaning of the word has been devalued.Make no mistake: Carl Reiner is a genius, though perhaps he rarely is hailed as such. He has done as much as any single person to shape the modern American entertainment industry; actually, he's done more. From the early days of television on YOUR SHOW OF SHOWS, on which his co-writers included (among others) star Sid Caesar, Mel Brooks, Larry Gelbart, brothers Neil and Danny Simon, Woody Allen, through single-handedly creating THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW, the sitcom recognized as the most seminal in television, Carl Reiner has shaped the medium every bit as much as the medium has shaped modern life. He's made other stops, too, too numerous to mention. Movies such as THE RUSSIANS ARE COMING, THE RUSSIANS ARE COMING, OH, GOD, WHERE'S POPPA, IT'S A MAD, MAD, MAD, MAD WORLD simply are the tip of that iceberg. And with partner Mel Brooks, he created the much-loved "2000 Year-Old Man." I had loved his first novel, ENTER LAUGHING, which my parents had deemed suitable for a child to read. As an adult, I enjoyed AN ANECDOTAL LIFE even more. Reiner reveals himself to be a man of humanity and kindness, devoted to his wife, children, family and dear friends. Of course, he's also howlingly funny. He cannot avoid dropping famous names, because he lived his life among them and, in many cases, was the most important force in creating that fame in others. (Just think of Mary Tyler Moore.) AN ANECDOTAL LIFE is an easy read, organized as a series of short vignettes. Nonetheless, with great style, in this format, Reiner manages to tell the story of his life, from his boyhood in the Bronx (New York) as the child of Eastern European immigrants, through his teen-age summers spent as part of the entertainment in New York's famed Catskill Mountains, right up to the work he's doing now. To some degree, obviously, he's also been lucky, simply being in the right places at the right times. Still, he's made the most of his opportunites. Up to now, his has been a life well-lived, and it couldn't have happened to a nicer guy! I look forward to reading about his future successes.
Rating:
Summary: This guy is funny... wonderful and funny!
Review: Carl Reiner writes funny... very funny... and wonderful. He not only writes very funny... and wonderful... but he is very funny, and he is very wonderful. A genuine American national treasure.
Rating: 
Summary: A Great Journey Down Memory Lane With A Comedy Genius
Review: Genius is easier to recognize than to define. Thankfully, Carl Reiner, one of our true comic geniuses, doesn't try to explain his gifts or the nature of humor in this pleasant memoir...he just tells a couple of dozen wonderful stories about his life, with his own unique brand of joy. If you've loved Reiner's work on movies, TV, records, you should find this to be an enjoyable read. Imagine you've somehow been given the opportunity to spend an evening one-on-one with him, while he recalls some of his memorable adventures. This is not a comprehensive, chronological autobiography; the anecdotes skip back and forth in time and place, much like our own memories. I've always had the feeling that Carl Reiner was a genuinely kind man, full of gratitude for the blessings of family and success; this warmhearted book helps to confirm that belief.
Rating: 
Summary: Surprisingly poor
Review: I bought this book after seeing an ad in the New Yorker in which Mel Brooks opined wittily that Mr. Reiner's memoir was "suprisingly good." Indeed, it looked good. The cover design is cleverly done, and amusing to behold. But the text! It is formless - which is fine - but it is also almost completely unfunny, whilst the author apparently thinks he is being funny nearly all the time. Much worse, however, it is a sad piece of career self-justification, listing all the shows and films and bits of work the author is proud of, chiding those who didn't give him the credit he felt he was due for projects that were less than wholly successful and never failing to give a syrupy compliment to another member of the hack showbusiness community. I think I chuckled once, but the groans of disappointment were constant. It is extraordinary that the editors at St. Martin's Press didn't take a firmer hand with Mr. Reiner's self-aggrandizing potboiler. The man may be 81, but even so such stuff is not up to the mark.
Rating:
Summary: I love Carl Reiner
Review: I had an advanced copy and went through it in two days. This book is very much worth it. My wife and I have been huge fans for years.
Rating:
Summary: Great Mind - Horrible Book
Review: I have long admired the talents of Carl Reiner and looked forward to reviewing this book. I give book reviews at many different venues - primarily for people in independent living complexes and try to select people they can relate to. I am almost through this book and have about ten minutes of material! What was he thinking? It is so convoluted - confusing - senseless - I just am amazed it was even published! He doesn't develop any topic enough to get to really know him. I am really sorry I wasted my money and time on this book. When I read the other reviews - I was amazed at how different they felt.
Rating:
Summary: Great Mind - Horrible Book
Review: I have long admired the talents of Carl Reiner and looked forward to reviewing this book. I give book reviews at many different venues - primarily for people in independent living complexes and try to select people they can relate to. I am almost through this book and have about ten minutes of material! What was he thinking? It is so convoluted - confusing - senseless - I just am amazed it was even published! He doesn't develop any topic enough to get to really know him. I am really sorry I wasted my money and time on this book. When I read the other reviews - I was amazed at how different they felt.
Rating: 
Summary: I love Carl Reiner, but . . .
Review: I have watched Carl Reiner since the early days of TV and appreciate his marvelous creativity and humor. This memoir touches on bits and pieces of his life; some humor and some missed humor. Using his mimicry and ability to extemporize he has become most successful and did not go through the usual number of failures that most have to get into show biz. It seems, while still in high school, he just got involved in acting and was seen by one of importance while auditioning and hired on the spot. From then on it was success after success.
I believe Carl Reiner to be a national treasure; his book is not quite that good.
Rating: 
Summary: A MASTER ARTIST WITH AN INTERESTING BOOK
Review: I have watched Carl Reiner since the early days of TV and appreciate his marvelous creativity and humor. This memoir touches on bits and pieces of his life; some humor and some missed humor. Using his mimicry and ability to extemporize he has become most successful and did not go through the usual number of failures that most have to get into show biz. It seems, while still in high school, he just got involved in acting and was seen by one of importance while auditioning and hired on the spot. From then on it was success after success.
I believe Carl Reiner to be a national treasure; his book is not quite that good.
Rating:
Summary: A Great American Icon
Review: I loved this book. When you think of all the credits that list this man's name, it's no wonder it's so funny. I could not put this book down. I laughed from the minute I started reading it to the second I finished it. If you like this book, you might also like John Orozco' Delano.
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