A Book (Expanded Edition): The Outspoken Memoirs of the Man Who “Loved Lucy”—and Revolutionized Television

by Desi Arnaz

Now featuring exclusive new material including excerpts from Desi Arnaz’s unpublished second memoir and commentary by daughter Lucie Arnaz, here is the expanded edition of the New York Times bestselling memoir of Cuban American entertainment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 “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.’”

388 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 24, 2026

About the author

Desi Arnaz was a Cuban-American musician, actor and television producer. He gained international renown for leading a Latino music band, the Desi Arnaz Orchestra. But arguably, he is best known for his role as Ricky Ricardo on the classic American TV series I Love Lucy, starring opposite his real-life wife, Lucille Ball.

Reviews

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

❤️This book is the completed version of Desi Arnaz’s second memoir. He never finished it before he died so his kids made sure it finally got to us. Lucie Arnaz and Desi Arnaz Jr. narrate a small portion as well as the forward by Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz’s granddaughter, Kate Luckinbill. The rest is narrated by Gregory Santos. Gregory brings a Cuban accent right into room as he tells Desi Arnaz’s story, as if Desi is sitting with us in real time. What an experience!

❤️I grew up watching I Love Lucy and had heard bits and pieces of TV trivia about the show. This memoir talks about a little boy from Cuba that came to the United States and changed what television was at the time, as well as set the stage for what it was to become. Desi Arnaz’s family held important jobs and his father was politically influential in Cuba. His father was the mayor of Santiago de Cuba and part of the Cuban House of Representatives.

❤️Here in the United States, Desi made a name for himself and had a strong influence on how Hollywood would grow. For example, he began filming in front of a live audience which had never been done before. In addition to that, Lucille Ball was the first actress to be pregnant on television. The producers said it couldn’t be done but Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz broke the barriers.

❤️I loved hearing the behind the scenes account straight from Desi. This memoir was straight forward, funny, sad and very impressive.

Thank you Hachette Audio for this ALC.

[Stacie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am an I Love Lucy fanatic so I was so excited when this book became available on Kindle! I enjoyed it but kind of zoned out when he started talking about the intricacies of filming, the type of camera they used, etc. Still happy I got to read this book on its 50th anniversary!

[Judith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read "A Book" upon publication. Mr. Arnaz did not update it and I do not know if he planned to do so. His daughter Lucie and other family members have completed the task. As he lived some years after the book went to press I am looking forward to the update.