EDDIE: The Life and Times of America's Preeminent Bad Boy

by Christopher J. Lynch

Eddie Haskel was the bad kid who never went away.
When child actor Ken Osmond stepped onto the set of Leave it to Beaver in 1957, he not only entered our living rooms, he homesteaded a permanent place in the American pop culture. The poster child for sneaky, rotten kids everywhere, he was the reference point for cautious mothers to warn their children about. And everyone in America knew an Eddie Haskell at some point in his or her lives.

The amazing phenomenon of Ken Osmond’s character is still going strong, over half a century after the show’s cancellation. Even today, the name Eddie Haskell remains firmly entrenched in the American lexicon. Political foes from both sides of the ideological spectrum love to accuse their opponents of, “acting like Eddie Haskell,” and when Kobi Bryant argues a referee’s call, tweets go out labeling him as an “Eddie Haskell.” Psychology Today Magazine has published articles about recognizing and treating “Eddie Haskell Syndrome” and Matt Groening created Bart Simpson as his own version of “the son of Eddie Haskell.”

Now it’s time to meet Ken Osmond, the man behind America’s preeminent bad boy. A man who, as co-star Jerry Mathers said, “Was the best actor on the program, because he was so diametrically opposed to the character he played.” A devoted husband, father and patriot, he’s a man who’s been forever shadowed by Eddie Haskell, but whose own life, was even more amazing than the character he portrayed.

225 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2014

About the author

Christopher Lynch is a Southern California native and a freelance writer living in Los Angeles. His debut novel, One Eyed Jack, a hard-boiled crime thriller about a professional blackmailer, is a 2013 Shamus Award finalist.
He is also an avid cyclist and a mountain climber with successful summits of Mount Whitney, Mount Shasta, Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa, Mount Kalapatar in Nepal, and has recently completed a trek to Mount Everest Base Camp.
He counts as one of his greatest accomplishments the successful training and leading of nine blind hikers to the summit of 10,000 foot Mount Baldy, the highest point in Los Angeles County and the third highest peak in Southern California. A documentary film is being made of the adventure and you can view a trailer at: http://www.baldyfortheblind.com
He’s a member of Sisters in Crime Los Angeles chapter, as well as Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. You can see more of Christopher J. Lynch’s writing at his website: http://www.christopherjlynch.com/

Reviews

[Jill Amadio · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a greeat read! Ken Osmond tells his life story in as compelling and riveting a way as any top-notch drama. His roller-coater ride from famous television child actor to Los Angeles police officer and being the inspiration for "The New Leave It To Beaver" show reads like a movie script. The in-depth remembrences vivdly chronicle America during the Depression and describe his parents' desperate flight West to escape poverty. The writers capture the era in fascinating detail and in reader-friendly style. The book never flags, bringing to life the many decades of a TV star who lived with his on-camera role as a pest, schemer, con artist, and troublemaker. In reality, Ken's true charater is revealed as a man who personofies the best of America, its compassion, and generosity. The final chapter offers insight into Ken's own character as a fierce patriot and gentleman of principle. The book is one of the best and most honest celebrity biographies that Osmond and his co-writer, Christopher J. Lynch coud have gifted his fans with, both pro and con.

[D.C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

So word to the wise...This book is a bit of a conversations starter. So read in public at your own risk. People will ask you questions like, "Huh. So big Eddie Haskell fan? Okkaaayy...?" Or "Tell me. Tell me. Drugs? Sex addiction? Closet case? What was his dark secret?" But the question you will get asked the most is, "Hey, is that any good?" And the answer is, "Yep." I read it in one sitting. Ken Osmond and his co-author do a wonderful job of hooking you right off with one of the most dramatic events of his life, and then allow the rest of his life to unfold. And it is the kind of story we do not tell enough in non-fiction. The stories of good and kind people who work hard. As a reader I was reminded that sometimes the best stories are the small stories. Like the story of Ken Osmond who came from a loving family, and worked hard as a LAPD officer for 18 years. And who just happened to have a unique first job i.e. television actor. This book should be read by young people who don't have the right people whispering in their ear that just because you are talented or lucky, that doesn't mean that you're so special that you no longer have to be a good person.
I don't want to talk too much about the content of the book because I think you should read it it. But I will provide the following "spoilers." No drugs. Happily Married Family man. Darkest secret? He was nothing much like Eddie Haskell. He just played him on tv.

[D.J. Adamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always liked the character of Eddie Haskell on the Leave It To Beaver Show. However, when I picked up this biography written by Christopher Lynch, I think I was more curious about Lynch’s ability to write the book, especially after his very popular One-Eyed Jack series. I was not disappointed with the writing or the story. Lynch’s ability to end each chapter leaving the reader wanting more is exceptionally well done. There is no kiss-an-tell or Leave It To Beaver “set drama” and none is needed. The voice of Ken Osmond who played Eddie comes through clearly and compliments his life story. The book is interesting and more than a pleasure to read.

To read an interview with Christopher Lynch on writing this book or to read other reviews, go to
http://www.djadamson.com/le-coeur-de-...

[Annette · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's vacation week so after reading a five star book, I decided to whiz through my 99 cent special.

Ken Osmond with Christopher Lynch tells his tale of growing up Eddie. There are some interesting antedotes in here: The Osmond family lived next door briefly to Laura and Almanzo Wilder.
Ken had lunch with Spencer Tracy, got invited to share some whiskey with Buddy Ebsen and shared the stage with a very young Debbie Reynolds.

Ken talks about how wonderful the set of Leave it to Beaver was, and how he made lifelong friends with the gang from Mayfield. He also got the chance to play a grown up Eddie with his own two sons playing the fictional Haskell spawn in the Beaver reboot.

Fun, easy read for Eddie fans.

[John Yingling · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very worthwhile and enjoyable book. Ken Osmond is nothing like his Eddie Haskell character in Leave it to Beaver. I knew some things about him, but had no idea of his extensive acting career. I knew about his time as a Los Angeles police officer, but didn't know how close he came to dying at the hands of a criminal. I knew nothing about his family life, and was very pleasantly surprised to discover that he has been married to the same woman for many years, and that he has two sons who have made wonderful careers for themselves. He does spend time talking about Leave It to Beaver, and has warm, happy feelings about his time on the show, the people he worked with, and the sequels. He is a true family man and a kind, generous person overall. I had a very pleasant time reading this book.

[Mary Langer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not sure who will enjoy this book more: baby boomers who watched Leave it to Beaver, policemen (the opening shows Ken Osmond getting shot as an LAPD officer), those who were born in Glendale or grew up in the San Fernando Valley and its environs, or those who like memoir. I enjoyed it for many of these reasons. There are chapters that are hilarious as you learn what happened to Ken Osmond after he left acting, and those that are extremely sad as he deals with depression. Osmond has lived a fascinating life and overcome many obstacles. This reader loved going back in time to learn what became of Eddie Haskell, especially since I've met and recognized his character in real life. Christopher J. Lynch has done a wonderful job of co-authoring this book which has a Foreword by Jerry Mathers. This is escape reading that makes you think and remember.

[Lorna Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

We watched "Leave it to Beaver" as kids. I had the privilege of hearing Hugh Beaumont preach as a teenager. My brother knows Ken Osmond and several of the others mentioned in this book. I bought the paperback for my brother for his birthday, and he stayed up until 2:00 in the morning reading it! (He has severe dyslexia and NEVER reads!) The story is interesting--especially since we lived through the era it describes. Unfortunately, I can't give it five stars because, as an editor, I found the editing (or lack of same) extremely distracting. Nevertheless, for baby boomers, the account will be of interest.

[Anna Kay]

I just can't finish this. I can't bring myself to start it back up again, ever since he started writing, "heh heh heh" after anything he writes that he thinks is funny (you know, the Eddie Haskell laugh). Just, urgh.