Rating: 
Summary: Weak
Review: This book is not very well written. It reads as a stream of consciousness list of memories in only the most perfunctory of order. The accuracy of some of the memories must be called into question as they don't accord with the more reliable biographies out there. Also, there's the important point that the author is not an impartial observer but someone who worshipped Sinatra and then was suddenly and unceremoniously ejected from the magical Sinatra circle. He would not be human if this did not impinge upon his attitude towards Sinatra and his rather unsympathetic portrait of Sinatra suggests that he has something of an axe to grind. All in all, a weak book in many respects and a poor buy compared to the other Sinatra books out there (most of which are available on Amazon).
Rating: 
Summary: with a grain of salt
Review: This isn't the work of a professional biographer, but rather the memories of an individual who was there. Those memories are vivid and fascinating but, alas, contribute to the widespread image of Frank as not a very nice person.For those able to filter the author's perspective, though, and account for his obvious biases and self aggrandizement, this book is an intimate glimpse into the lives of the famous and powerful in 50s and 60s show business. It's ultimately gossip, of course, but I found it hard to put down and recommend it to anyone interested in Frank, the Rat Pack, the Kennedys and the 60s.
Rating:
Summary: with a grain of salt
Review: This isn't the work of a professional biographer, but rather the memories of an individual who was there. Those memories are vivid and fascinating but, alas, contribute to the widespread image of Frank as not a very nice person. For those able to filter the author's perspective, though, and account for his obvious biases and self aggrandizement, this book is an intimate glimpse into the lives of the famous and powerful in 50s and 60s show business. It's ultimately gossip, of course, but I found it hard to put down and recommend it to anyone interested in Frank, the Rat Pack, the Kennedys and the 60s.
Rating:
Summary: Fine If You Like Trash
Review: When I first heard of this book, I was expecting a sentimental recounting of George Jacobs' time spent working for Mr. Sinatra during the Rat Pack era. What I didn't expect was a sleazy kiss and tell book that portrayed Mr. Sinatra as an insecure loser. Since most of the detailed stories involve people who are already dead, verification of events and subsequent lawsuits are unlikely. Furthermore, the book seems poorly written with a timeline that is unsteady. A chapter featuring the death of Marylin Monroe is followed by chapters where she is dating Sinatra. Similar timeline problems occur with the Kennedys and various members of the Rat Pack. The narrative language is often raw which seems unnecessary and unprofessional. This book is fine if you want to read trash. Frank Sinatra was not a perfect human being and there probably are elements of the book that are truthful, but you'll have to decide that for yourself. However, I believe that Mr. Sinatra was justified in the firing of someone who would later prove to be so disloyal.
Rating: 
Summary: I Almost Felt Sorry For Frank
Review: wildhoney70 from Virginia Beach, VA United States
Wow..... I just read this book and I was blown away by George Jacob's story. It was eye opening for me. I'm happy Mr. Jacobs got his story out but I'd be lying if I denied being more than a little disappointed in Sinatra the man. I know no one's perfect but..... I never expected him to be this way. On one hand he loved women, on the other, he used them and threw them away. He abided racism (Giancana, Joe Kennedy, etc), while at the same time , he fought against it. He was jealous (of Elvis and alot of others) and insecure yet arrogant and swaggering. A walking contradiction
I always had my own image of Sinatra and this isn't it. Thank you for setting the record straight, Mr. Jacobs. This is probably the most reliable account of Sinatra for the years of '53-'68. This book not only dishes on Sinatra. It has great stories about Ava Gardner, Grace Kelly, Marilyn Monroe, Marlene Dietrich, Greta Garbo and that god forsaken Kennedy family. I never realized just how AWFUL the Kennedys were. It's worth the read just for that stuff.
Rating: 
Summary: My Life with an Obsessed Man
Review: Yeah, on the one hand, it's sleazy. On the other, it's nevertheless interesting to look into the shiny life of Frank and the decadent world of entertainment.
George Jacobs was Sinatra's personal valet during Frank's most popular phase until he was fired for dancing with his wife one night (Mia Farrow, who the author had to babysit while Frank got up to more of his antics).
No doubt there's a little bitterness, but the tone of the book is not negative. Jacobs deserved better than to be written off with a lawyer's note, as was Frank's habit with getting rid of 'friends', but we can still get a dirty look inside the Chairman of the Board's lifestyle.
The focus is Frank, so we have to forgive George as he glosses over his marriages, his various kids here and there, and his supposed restraint in the face of temptation when he hung with Frank and his crew.
Sinatra comes off as an obsessed man, and while there is probably not much in the way of surprises here, we get some dirty details and some insight into Frank's 'way'. While Sinatra could be a great guy, he was also an obsessed man, a guy who just couldn't be alone, and a man who never got over Ava Gardner. Read with gusto about Frank's 'detailed' files on all the new starlets in Tinseltown, about Frank's anatomical gifts, about his appetite for Jack Daniel's and cigarettes, his gangster pals, and his raging temper. 'One-take Frank' was also an accomplished actor who refused to do more than one take, making one wonder what a Sinatra/Kubrick film would look like.
Jacobs seems to love Frank, but he has a lot to tell, and I guess that means exposing some ugliness about his former boss. Of course, since Frank is dead, he can't sue, making the appearance of this book quite convenient. Still, it's an inside, if sleazy angle. And it serves as another reminder that Hollywood is a sleazy and amoral place where some of the lowest forms of life creep.
Everything from the childlike glee that Frank got from setting off cherry bombs in his friends' shoes (this is a 50 year old man, mind you) to his use of his personal valet as a babysitter for wives and girlfriends while Frank got up to, er, other assignments, is all here.
Jacobs should either be condemend or applauded or both. Either way, we get to pick through the sleaze of the great American vocalist in all his pinky ring glory.
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