Rickles' Letters

by Don Rickles, David Ritz (Contributor)

Along with collected letters of Ralph Waldo Emerson, Thomas Jefferson and Wendell Willkie, Rickles' Letters illustrates the power of eloquent correspondence and offers universal wisdom for the ages. For RICKLES TO MRS. "Sorry you had problems at Ford's Theatre last night, but could you get me a couple of aisle tickets for the Saturday matinee?" RICKLES TO ARNOLD "Lose the cigar. It's hard enough to understand you without it." RICKLES TO CLINT "How many guys could do a movie about Iwo Jima from the Japanese point of view? I got nervous; I thought you were going to let them win!" RICKLES TO SANTA "Kiss my jingle bells." RICKLES TO PRESIDENT "Forget your hammers and nails and Habitat House and read my book." RICKLES TO QUEEN "Is it true your husband has a day job working at a sword factory?" RICKLES TO BENJAMIN "Cousin Herbie was doing great selling candles until you came up with the stupid idea of flying a kite." RICKLES TO MAYOR "What do I have to do to get a cab around here?"

Genres: Humor, Comedy, Biography, Nonfiction

224 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 11, 2008

About the author

Donald Jay "Don" Rickles was an American stand-up comedian and actor. A frequent guest on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, Rickles has acted in comedic and dramatic roles, but is best known as an insult comic. However, unlike many insult comics who only find short-lived success, Rickles has enjoyed a sustained career, thanks to a distinct sense of humor, a very sharp wit and impeccable timing.

It is well known that Rickles has nothing against the people that he insults during his routine, and that it's all just part of the act. Although sarcastically nicknamed "Mr. Warmth" due to his offensive and insensitive stage personality, in reality most know him to be actually quite genial and pleasant. It has been said that being insulted by Rickles is like "wearing a badge of honor".

Reviews

[ZaBeth Marsh · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you haven't read anything else from Don Rickles or you aren't familiar with his style of comedy this isn't the book to read first. You need to start with "Mr. Warmth: The Don Rickles Project" that was shown on HBO and produced with his son, Larry Richles. This fun, quick read won't make sense if you don't already understand Rickles and know his background story. If you do this book is a scream and another quick hit Mr. Warmth. He hasn't lost his touch. My favorite is his letter to Snoop Dogg.

[Paul Pessolano · Rating 3 out of 5]

Don Rickles, the old hockey puck himself, has sat down and put his acerbic wit into letters. The letters were never mailed, probably for fear of his life. The letters were "sent" to persons ranging from Hollywood, sports, TV, radio, and religious personalities.

To give you some idea of what you will be getting into I have copied his letter that he would have sent to "Dr. Phil". My apologies to Dr. Phil fans, but remember Rickles said it,

Dear Dr. Phil,

Watched the show the other day, and boy was I impressed. For a simple guy (and I mean that with all due respect) you sure know everything about everything.

I love the part where you take some poor dazed guy staring off into space and tell him you can make him normal. That's your genius, Doc. 'cause you and I both know he's never gonna get better.

How do you find all these sick people?

Sincerely,

Don Rickles

Expect this and more throughout the book. Remember that you are dealing with Rickles and his humor. If you enjoy it you will enjoy this book. I have to admit, for me, it was a refreshing change from the more serious books I have been reading.

[Kenneth Winfield Emerton · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book in a day, which is quite impressive for me. It was an extremely quick read, however, that doesn't mean it's great. I'll say that it is worth one read, but I wouldn't read it again. It's Rickle's humor, and you need to understand that. It's funny at some parts, hilarious at others, and just amusing at other parts. But if you ever need something to help kill time, it's a good choice.

[Andy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kind of a disappointment after his last book. This feels like a quickie, cash-in follow-up. It is a skimpy book for the price, but if there is anyone in the world I want to give my money to it's Don Rickles. If there was an audio book version read by Rickles it would probably be twice as good.

[lynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

i suppose i was looking for a laugh out loud book..this was not it.. it was cute..rickles writing letters to people..and funny..but not laugh out loud..it was a quick read otherwise i don't think i would have finished it...

[Timothy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very light reading. If you're expecting side splitting laughter here, you won't find it in this book. It seems to have been a quick cash grab after his successful biography. There are some funny letters here, but nothing hilarious.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

So much fun!! I loved the chapters Letters to Friends, To people I Don't Know But Need My Advice, To People Who Are Important but Don't Want to Know Me, To My friends in Heaven, etc..etc... If you enjoy his comedy and maybe are from his era....this is full of chuckles..

[Kirque · Rating 3 out of 5]

Few people know that Don is actually the paternal grandfather of Triumph the Insult Dog.

[Dennis · Rating 1 out of 5]

Can't believe this hockey puck wrote a book!

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dear Mr. Rickles,

Thanks for writing the book. Only wish I'd thought of it first, so I'd be in the money!

Sincerely,
Your envious fan ;)

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a fun book and fun book concept. I read it so fast I just couldn’t put it down. Please please make another book just like this.

[Adam Sharp · Rating 2 out of 5]

"Rickles' Book" was pure genius, and I loved every word of it... "Letters," on the other hand, was a little hit-or-miss, though nonetheless authored by a man I worship....

[Traci · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dear Mr. Rickles,
Thank you for writing this hilarious book! Stay classy you hockey puck!

[Jeff Ferry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I gave it a 4 because it is very funny, but I will warn you that it is very short. You could read the book in probably 30-60 minutes. This is for fans of Rickles only most likely.

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hilarious!! Thoroughly enjoyed this book :)

[Adam Gray · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very quick book to read. some what humorous.

[Rob Smith, Jr. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought I'd read this years ago. As I don't see it on my list, i dived into a copy I picked up this past week. Kinda wish i hadn't read it. This is a weakly humorous collection of fake "letters" to various people. It is nearly imperative to read each "letter" with Rickles voice in your head. that helps a lot.

I understand the idea Rickles could create funny letters that would be funny to read. In 'The Groucho Letters', a book of letters by Groucho Marx, this worked. The reason it worked was that these were real letters and were more involved and genuine.

A better approach would've been a collection of Rickles jokes, as Milton Berle, Henny Youngman and, even, Joe Miller had done. Thing is, Rickles' jokes work because Rickles perform them. If one was to read his improv monologues, AS I have, the humor escapes.

Bottom line: i don't recommend this book. 4 out of 10 points.

[Robin Bittick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading these letters. They reminded me of how much I enjoyed Don Rickels' performances. This book is an easy and enjoyable read for those of us who remember his unique style of humor. He was at heart a psychologist who intuitively understood the subjects, or targets, of his comedy. Yet, his fans understood he was a decent person at heart. He said he was not an insult comedian, but rather an actor putting on an attitude. I think he was right and this comment gave his audience a peek into who he was as a person.

[Roberto Rivelino · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's funny, though, not Don-Rickles-esque. I feel this way probably because Don Rickles memoir was top-notch. "Rickles' Letters" seems forced and not natural or ad-libbed, like all of other Don Rickles body of work.

[Vivian Adram · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the man. I love his jokes. I love his delivery. I love the way he writes, thinks, talks and is. He's just a legend and I would certainly read anything about him! So I'm biased.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Don Rickles-a very funny, genuine and loving person despite his act that would make you believe the contrary.

[Cornelis · Rating 1 out of 5]

The worst book I have read so far.

Entirely made for the market with exactly one lame joke on each page. The rest is rubbish, filled in.

[Mario Pimental · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Mr. Warmth. Rickle's Book was hilarious and filled with memories.

But this was just too short with only a handful of funny moments.

Love you Don, but the memoir was better.

[Jake Prest · Rating 5 out of 5]

Classic Rickles, from the hip and uncensored. Definitely read this after his autobiography.

[Connor Leeming · Rating 5 out of 5]

Page 171 makes this book worth every penny. RIP Don

[Chris Humphrey · Rating 1 out of 5]

old jokes. read 90 pages without a laugh, and I like Don.