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The Book of Joe: About a Dog and His Man
In the tradition of Anna Quindlen’s Good Dog. Stay. , the iconic star of the Dr. Phibes films shares the heartwarming tale of his mischievous mutt.
Actor Vincent Price won acclaim for his performances as a menacing villain in dozens of macabre horror films, such as House of Wax . Less well known, though, is Price’s lifelong love of animals, especially his fourteen-year-old mutt, Joe. From his wife’s passion for poodles to film set encounters with all types of creatures, including goats, apes, and camels, Price’s life was full of furry, four-legged friends. But it was Joe who truly captured his heart. Intelligent, courageous, and devoted to his owner, Joe was a special dog with a personality all his own.
In this touching and light-hearted memoir, with a new introduction by Bill Hader and a preface by Vincent Price’s daughter, Victoria, Joe gets involved in all sorts of At one point, the actor has to defend his canine companion in court! Despite some bad habits, like stealing guests’ shoes, pursuing lustful trysts with neighboring dogs, or belly flopping into the garden fishpond—crushing more than a few fish—Price loves his Joselito , whose unconditional loyalty more than makes up for his minor indiscretions. And when Price’s elderly cousin who comes to stay with him is stricken with cancer, Joe never leaves her side. Price’s tender and witty recollections of his time spent with Joe will bring joy to any animal lover’s heart.
The Vincent Price Family Legacy will donate a portion of the proceeds from this book to the Fund for Animals.
Actor Vincent Price won acclaim for his performances as a menacing villain in dozens of macabre horror films, such as House of Wax . Less well known, though, is Price’s lifelong love of animals, especially his fourteen-year-old mutt, Joe. From his wife’s passion for poodles to film set encounters with all types of creatures, including goats, apes, and camels, Price’s life was full of furry, four-legged friends. But it was Joe who truly captured his heart. Intelligent, courageous, and devoted to his owner, Joe was a special dog with a personality all his own.
In this touching and light-hearted memoir, with a new introduction by Bill Hader and a preface by Vincent Price’s daughter, Victoria, Joe gets involved in all sorts of At one point, the actor has to defend his canine companion in court! Despite some bad habits, like stealing guests’ shoes, pursuing lustful trysts with neighboring dogs, or belly flopping into the garden fishpond—crushing more than a few fish—Price loves his Joselito , whose unconditional loyalty more than makes up for his minor indiscretions. And when Price’s elderly cousin who comes to stay with him is stricken with cancer, Joe never leaves her side. Price’s tender and witty recollections of his time spent with Joe will bring joy to any animal lover’s heart.
The Vincent Price Family Legacy will donate a portion of the proceeds from this book to the Fund for Animals.
158 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1961
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648 people want to read
About the author
Vincent Price
41 books101 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Please see: Vincent Price
Vincent Leonard Price Jr. was an American actor best known for his performances in horror films, although his career spanned other genres, including film noir, drama, mystery, thriller, and comedy. He appeared on stage, television, and radio, and in more than 100 films. He has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, one for motion pictures, and one for television.
He was an art collector, and arts consultant, with a degree in art history, and he lectured and wrote books on the subject. The Vincent Price Art Museum at East Los Angeles College is named in his honor. He was also a noted gourmet cook.
Please see: Vincent Price
Vincent Leonard Price Jr. was an American actor best known for his performances in horror films, although his career spanned other genres, including film noir, drama, mystery, thriller, and comedy. He appeared on stage, television, and radio, and in more than 100 films. He has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, one for motion pictures, and one for television.
He was an art collector, and arts consultant, with a degree in art history, and he lectured and wrote books on the subject. The Vincent Price Art Museum at East Los Angeles College is named in his honor. He was also a noted gourmet cook.
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May 29, 2023
Vincent Price
Vincent Price is probably best known for his roles in campy horror movies like House of Wax, The Fly, The Tingler, The Fall of the House of Usher, The Abominable Dr. Phibes, and many more. Price was also a well known London stage actor, Broadway thespian, and star of a wide variety of mainstream films.
Vincent Price in 'The Fly"
Vincent Price in "The Tingler"
Vincent Price in "The Abominable Dr. Phibes"
In his private life Price was a great animal lover, and this book is about his dog Joe, perhaps the favorite of his many pets. In 1948 Price bought Joe - a short-legged, multi-colored, sweet-faced mutt - from a pet store for the bargain price of $3.50. 🙀
Those were different times, and Joe was allowed to roam freely through his California neighborhood, sometimes staying away for days at a time. At one point Joe fathered a litter of pups at the home of actor Barry Sullivan and started spending most of his daylight hours there. Sullivan and his wife, thinking Joe was homeless, "adopted" him and named him Brownie. This led to an awkward incident when the Sullivans went to the Price home for dinner and saw their dog Brownie there! Everyone had a laugh and things turned out fine.
Barry Sullivan
When Price injured his eye Joe demonstrated the instincts of a therapy dog. He lay on Price's bed or hovered at his feet day and night. Though Price inadvertently (and repeatedly) kicked Joe, stepped on his tail, trod on his paws, tripped over him, bumped into him, etc., nothing would deter the loyal pet's vigil. Joe demonstrated similar concern when Cousin Georgia, a cancer-stricken family friend, stayed with the Prices during her last months. Except for eating and walkies, Joe stayed right by her side until the end.
Price's wife Mary preferred pedigreed dogs to mutts and hoped to get a white puppy from a breeding pair of standard poodles. Instead Mary got a gray pup she named Prudence. Prudence was a lovable gal who - disdaining the cold stone floors of the Price home - would settle her fanny firmly on Joe's prostrate body. After Prudence was bred, nine additional canines entered the Price household (though no white ones).
Mary was fond of alliteration and "Prudence Price's" babies were dubbed Paderewski, Pinto, Pansy, Patience, Penelope, Picayune, Percival, Pablo, and Pasquale - and to keep with the theme Joe was nicknamed PJoe. Following their mommy's example, the "P" youngsters took to sitting on Joe (ha ha ha). In time, seven of the pups were adopted out and the Prices became a three-dog-family, along with six birds and seven goldfish. 🐠
Price also tells stories about other animals he owned, met, or worked with. As a child, for example, Vincent inherited his sister's Boston bull terrier, Happy, when she got married. Having a flair for drama, young Vincent staged theatrical productions and - using household items like fur ear muffs, a lampshade, and cheap earrings - dressed Harry up as historical characters, including Cleopatra and Mary, Queen of Scots.
Later, while working in London, Price adopted a Siamese cat mix he named Albert the Good (for Price's role as Prince Albert in "Victoria Regina"). Later, back in the U.S., Albert roamed the roofs of New York, making friends far and wide. When Price adopted a bulldog named Johnny, Albert (seemingly) decided the apartment wasn't big enough for both of them and disappeared. Price eventually got an anonymous note affirming that Albert now had a good home...but would be returned if Johnny got the boot. Price decided to keep the dog.
Price has additional humorous stories about befriending a goat (who got an Eskimo Pie out of the deal), and working with a horse, a cigarette-smoking chimp (he preferred menthols), a camel (who had a crush on the movie star), and bad oysters :)
One story, about Price buying his son two Easter chicks that grew up to be shoulder-riding Bantam roosters, is hilarious. I especially relate to this story because - after my grade-school son brought home two Easter chicks from school - our family had a (reluctant) years long relationship with pet chickens and roosters.🐔
Price has more stories about Joe, whom he dearly loved...and who loved him in return. Joe's finest moment may well have occurred after an indigent alcoholic odd-job man, recklessly riding a bike, collided with the dog. Knowing Price was a famous actor the old fellow sued for $13,000 - claiming Joe attacked him. Poor Joe endured the following trial with great dignity, even providing a few laughs for the judge and jury. And he won!
Price intersperses his many entertaining animal stories with tidbits about his personal life, professional roles, and interest in collecting art. Price is an excellent writer with a wonderful command of the language and a consistently droll delivery. To add to the fun, the prose is interspersed with humorous cartoon drawings of scenes from the stories.
I enjoyed the book from the first page to the last - including the preface by Price's daughter Victoria and the introduction by actor Bill Hader. I'd highly recommend "The Book of Joe" to dog lovers and anyone else who likes a good story.
Bill Hader
Thanks to Netgalley, the author's estate, and the publisher for a copy of this book.
You can follow my reviews https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot....
May 23, 2016
I remember being a young child and my grandmother loving to watch Vincent Price on The Hollywood Squares when I would spend summers with her. Of course, I know him best as the creepy voice on Michael Jackson's Thriller single. However, hearing that voice as a teen was enough to interest me into catching some of his horror movies, for which he is very well known and of which many are classics. I always considered him a classy, although sometimes terrifying individual, so imagine how thrilled I was to see this book (a reissue with a forward by one of his children) where he shared his love of dogs and other furry creatures.
"The Book of Joe" primarily tells of how Price's life was touched by animals, specifically his beloved Joe. Price explains that growing up and all through adulthood, pets were an important part of his life and his caring and adoration comes through in his stories. Joe was 100% mutt but Price felt that made him all the more dog, if that makes sense. And Joe definitely was independent, stubborn and more than anything, lovable. Joe came into Price's life before his second wife Mary, and the transition for her was not always a smooth one. The stories weaved between the cover of this book make for some very interesting tales. I especially love how Joe used to often run the canyon in California where the family lived and one day, they invited their neighbors, who had only lived in the area for 6 months, to dinner. During it, Joe strolled in and the neighbors exclaimed "Brownie, what are you doing here?" Apparently they believed they had taken in the homeless dog and unbeknownst to Price and his wife, Joe had a liter of pups down the block.
If you love dogs and even if like me, you have ever been fascinated with Price and that wonderful, creepy voice of his, then pick up this book and give it a chance. Although there are some autobiographical elements, Price stays true to the novel being a tale about the love of his life, Joe. So if you are looking for something about Price himself, then look elsewhere. But if you want a great take on a relationship between a dog and his man, then this is the book for you.
FAVORITE QUOTE: "Anyone who won't admit that he speaks to his animal fried in special terms of endearment is a liar and a coward. This is the voice of love that needs and gets no answer, and therefore it needs no explanation."
I received this book from Open Road Media and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
"The Book of Joe" primarily tells of how Price's life was touched by animals, specifically his beloved Joe. Price explains that growing up and all through adulthood, pets were an important part of his life and his caring and adoration comes through in his stories. Joe was 100% mutt but Price felt that made him all the more dog, if that makes sense. And Joe definitely was independent, stubborn and more than anything, lovable. Joe came into Price's life before his second wife Mary, and the transition for her was not always a smooth one. The stories weaved between the cover of this book make for some very interesting tales. I especially love how Joe used to often run the canyon in California where the family lived and one day, they invited their neighbors, who had only lived in the area for 6 months, to dinner. During it, Joe strolled in and the neighbors exclaimed "Brownie, what are you doing here?" Apparently they believed they had taken in the homeless dog and unbeknownst to Price and his wife, Joe had a liter of pups down the block.
If you love dogs and even if like me, you have ever been fascinated with Price and that wonderful, creepy voice of his, then pick up this book and give it a chance. Although there are some autobiographical elements, Price stays true to the novel being a tale about the love of his life, Joe. So if you are looking for something about Price himself, then look elsewhere. But if you want a great take on a relationship between a dog and his man, then this is the book for you.
FAVORITE QUOTE: "Anyone who won't admit that he speaks to his animal fried in special terms of endearment is a liar and a coward. This is the voice of love that needs and gets no answer, and therefore it needs no explanation."
I received this book from Open Road Media and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 3, 2009
If you are ever lucky enough to find this out of print and rare book, you will be delighted by the WONDERFUL stories it contains. Told as elegantly and masterfully as only Vincent Price could tell. I could hear his distinct voice within every written word. A real rare gem for Vincent Price fans or Dog lovers in general.
This book tells not only the story of Joe but of other Price pets. Including apes, camels and roosters, just to name a few. The book is somewhat auto-biographical in nature as it relates to his love of animals. Sometimes sad but often hilarious, I laughed more often than I cried. I always enjoy a happy ending and so Mr. Price deliveres as the climax and ending becomes triumphant yet poignant.
This book helped me remember that the world lost not only a great Actor when Mr. Price died, but a loving husband, father, gourmet cook, art critic, and one of a dog's best friends.
This book tells not only the story of Joe but of other Price pets. Including apes, camels and roosters, just to name a few. The book is somewhat auto-biographical in nature as it relates to his love of animals. Sometimes sad but often hilarious, I laughed more often than I cried. I always enjoy a happy ending and so Mr. Price deliveres as the climax and ending becomes triumphant yet poignant.
This book helped me remember that the world lost not only a great Actor when Mr. Price died, but a loving husband, father, gourmet cook, art critic, and one of a dog's best friends.
October 26, 2012
A cute, thoughtful story about the relationship between Vincent Price and his dog Joe--both of whom are wonderfully endearing.
January 12, 2018
Our 16 year old schnauzer passed away on New Year's eve. I had this book on my TBR for a little while and thought that this would be a good time to read an unapologetic homage to a really good dog. The fact that one of my three favorite actors (with Peter Cushing and Basil Rathbone rounding out the trinity for me) wrote this book was just the icing on the cake.
Let me start out by saying that, if it was even possible, this book elevated my already stratospheric opinion of Price as a witty, polished, gentle, self-deprecating, and uncommonly classy gentlemen of a style that probably doesn't exist any more. And he dearly loved dogs, and Joe in particular. To be fair, he also owned many cats over the years and was equally devoted if perhaps less doting--but cats aren't usually up for that nonsense anyway. They are too cool.
Syrupy sweet at times, but this must be forgiven because after all, don't we all gush about our dogs at times? Even more than our children, I imagine. Price starts with his first dog and ends with Joe, mercifully while Joe is still in his prime, and along the way we learn of every pet from the teenager to the seasoned veteran actor all told with that classic style and droll humor. Add to this the fact that proceeds benefit humane societies and this was a perfect book for me at this time and I imagine all dog lovers would agree. There are also humorous stories of other animals, including horses, fish, chimps, and a particularly funny series of stories about 2 bantam roosters that he owned while living in Beverly Hills. I also came to realize that as much as I like Price, his neighbors may not have agreed....
Let me start out by saying that, if it was even possible, this book elevated my already stratospheric opinion of Price as a witty, polished, gentle, self-deprecating, and uncommonly classy gentlemen of a style that probably doesn't exist any more. And he dearly loved dogs, and Joe in particular. To be fair, he also owned many cats over the years and was equally devoted if perhaps less doting--but cats aren't usually up for that nonsense anyway. They are too cool.
Syrupy sweet at times, but this must be forgiven because after all, don't we all gush about our dogs at times? Even more than our children, I imagine. Price starts with his first dog and ends with Joe, mercifully while Joe is still in his prime, and along the way we learn of every pet from the teenager to the seasoned veteran actor all told with that classic style and droll humor. Add to this the fact that proceeds benefit humane societies and this was a perfect book for me at this time and I imagine all dog lovers would agree. There are also humorous stories of other animals, including horses, fish, chimps, and a particularly funny series of stories about 2 bantam roosters that he owned while living in Beverly Hills. I also came to realize that as much as I like Price, his neighbors may not have agreed....
May 29, 2017
Mr. Vincent Price is my favourite motion picture actor and I'm a big dog lover so when I saw this this book had finally been put back into print I simply couldn't resist!
Mr. Price, always the epitome of what it is to be a gentleman, talks so lovingly about his pet pooch Joe, even the most hardened of hearts will find this book impossible not to love. If you're reading this book in the hopes of reading a memoir by the king of horror, look elsewhere, instead what we have here is an absolutely charming, beautifully written and heartfelt love story between a man and his dog (or mutt as Mr. Price likes to say). Throughout the book there are some really quite lovely drawings of Mr. Price and Joe, they really added to the charm of the book, without them the book would still be great but with them the book becomes something more so big props to Leo Herschfield.
It's a very special little book that showcases the bond that humans can have with their pets, I just loved it and would recommend to all who love Mr. Price and all who love animals. 5 stars!
Mr. Price, always the epitome of what it is to be a gentleman, talks so lovingly about his pet pooch Joe, even the most hardened of hearts will find this book impossible not to love. If you're reading this book in the hopes of reading a memoir by the king of horror, look elsewhere, instead what we have here is an absolutely charming, beautifully written and heartfelt love story between a man and his dog (or mutt as Mr. Price likes to say). Throughout the book there are some really quite lovely drawings of Mr. Price and Joe, they really added to the charm of the book, without them the book would still be great but with them the book becomes something more so big props to Leo Herschfield.
It's a very special little book that showcases the bond that humans can have with their pets, I just loved it and would recommend to all who love Mr. Price and all who love animals. 5 stars!
August 3, 2017
Thoroughly enjoyable book on the author's love of most animals (horses possibly excluded) and his current dog, particularly.
I especially loved the tale of Joe's trial. He had been involved in a fracas involving a local character on a bicycle who was being chased and barked at by the neighborhood hounds. Most had dropped out by the time they got to Price's house and Joe came bounding out of the house. Some time after the fracas the character brought a nuisance suit against Price and Joe. Price was asked to testify on Joe's behalf. Joe won the jury over with his winsome ways.
Glad this short book was republished on Kindle. There is a note that a portion of the proceeds were to go to the Fund for Animals founded by one of Price's dear friends, Cleveland Amory.
Other animals loved by Price included turtles, goats, camels, chicks that grew into Bantam rooster, etc.
I especially loved the tale of Joe's trial. He had been involved in a fracas involving a local character on a bicycle who was being chased and barked at by the neighborhood hounds. Most had dropped out by the time they got to Price's house and Joe came bounding out of the house. Some time after the fracas the character brought a nuisance suit against Price and Joe. Price was asked to testify on Joe's behalf. Joe won the jury over with his winsome ways.
Glad this short book was republished on Kindle. There is a note that a portion of the proceeds were to go to the Fund for Animals founded by one of Price's dear friends, Cleveland Amory.
Other animals loved by Price included turtles, goats, camels, chicks that grew into Bantam rooster, etc.
February 14, 2014
Enjoyable. Witty. Well-written. Interesting to get the glimpses of life in the 30s, 40s, 50s when Price recounts traveling in steerage to England with a cat, a less built-up Los Angeles when his dog could roam freely. The bit where he has to spend days in a courtroom with his dog when a local ne'er do well sues him for damages after colliding with the dog Joe is very funny and even suspenseful. I enjoyed this book very much. Also great sketch illustrations.
April 23, 2014
I read this when I was 12. I found it in the library on the books that were being sold for 10 cents. That was the best dime I ever spent!
Vincent Price's love for his furry companion is wrapped in every word in the book, and years later, decades even, the warmth of this tale of Joe is still with me.
I think anyone who has a love for animals ought to read The Book of Joe.
Vincent Price's love for his furry companion is wrapped in every word in the book, and years later, decades even, the warmth of this tale of Joe is still with me.
I think anyone who has a love for animals ought to read The Book of Joe.
May 18, 2016
I enjoyed reading the Book of Joe and I guess after growing up watching Vincent Price in so many horror movies that I was just surprised at how nice and caring he was. This is of course all about his dog Joe and some of the other animals that went in and out of his life over the years. Joe was his constant companion and also his teacher, teaching him love and devotion and sometimes how to just take it easy and take life as it comes. Keep in mind the time of when this was written. I was amazed at how he just let Joe and his other dogs run all over the neighborhood unsupervised, unneutered and unspayed. And at how many litters of puppies were purposely and unpurposely bred. They dodge cars, sometimes unsuccessfully (animal lovers beware, there are some hard to take scenes about this) and how they stayed gone for days at a time just visiting people in the surrounding neighborhoods. Again you have to remember when this was written all those things were common. Hopefully now most people know better. I just took it for what it was, a sweet book dedicated to a mans best friend who happened to be a dog.
I received this as an ARC through Netgalley for an honest review.
I received this as an ARC through Netgalley for an honest review.
May 10, 2016
I truly enjoyed reading "The Book of Joe." A long-time fan of Vincent Price, it was fun to get a peek into his personal life, along with the love he had for all his dogs, but also for one in particular - Joe. The book is a quick read, and also includes a chapter about animals Price worked with in his movies. The only thing that might unnerve some staunch animal lovers is how Joe was allowed to run loose all day long, and also father numerous litters, even though he was a 'mutt.' But the book was original written in 1961 when people thought differently about such things. A portion of the proceeds from the sales will be donated to the "Fund for Animals" - so support an animal group and enjoy a fun book!
February 25, 2017
I got ~33% in and had to stop. It was bothering me too much to keep reading about all these dogs living in canyons of Los Angeles and frolicking freely through them. I don't think it's cute to say how the neighbor dog rolled in oil in multiple driveways and then rolled in dirt and then showed up at your place repeatedly. Or to talk about your unaltered dog being in love and needing to roam. I can't judge retroactively. I know attitudes were different. I am just having a hard time finding the entertainment value.
August 1, 2017
Vincet Price was an awesome writer. Joe was amazing.
December 18, 2022
THE BOOK OF JOE: ABOUT A DOG AND HIS MAN became a "last-minute" read for me. I'd purchased this book as a Christmas gift ... and then found that I was very curious to read it! Consequently, I had to be very careful in how I handled this gift so that it wouldn't appear "used," especially since it was a paperback edition. It is a shame that the recipient won't ever know how much care went into preserving the book's outer integrity!
In addition to Art, Literature and Stage and Screen, actor Vincent Price was also a lover of animals. The Reader learns that he had quite a menagerie through the years, but a mongrel who he named Joe (and who was around 14-years of age when Price wrote this book) was special to him. So, the bulk of the short book details his experiences with Joe, and his observations of how Joe's distinctive personality won his heart.
When this was written (in the early 1960's), it was a very different world for pet owners. Where I lived, a neighbor's dog by the name of Blinn wandered the community ... and always found her way to our breezeway door at dinnertime to collect scraps from our meal. No one thought this was an intrusion. Indeed, I always looked forward to Blinn's arrival as I was growing up.
Similarly, Joe wanders the Hollywood hills and even sires a litter of dogs with Barry Sullivan's dog, one of Price's neighbors. Today's Readers might immediately marvel at the seeming lack of concern in allowing one's dog to roam on the property of other people, but that seemed to be standard in the United States at the time.
THE BOOK OF JOE: ABOUT A DOG AND HIS MAN is a series of anecdotes. Price, of course, figures prominently in the bulk of these stories. And they don't all center on Joe. There are instances that range from Price's other pets to animals encountered during film shooting. Of those, the Joe stories are the better ones ... although the incident with the lovelorn camel is extremely memorable. Price does save the best for last, though, with a two-chapter telling of Joe's court appearance with Price appearing as a character witness!
The key message appears to be that animals have distinct personalities that open a variety of possibilities for the pet owner who doesn't demand "complete authoritarian control" over them. Exploring and enjoying a pet's quirks ... as one would do with a close friend ... can help to keep both parties happy and sane.
I wasn't as entertained as I'd hoped when I started reading. It was a pleasant excursion for the most part, though. And, for fans of Vincent Price, it likely shows a side of the actor that they hadn't known before.
In addition to Art, Literature and Stage and Screen, actor Vincent Price was also a lover of animals. The Reader learns that he had quite a menagerie through the years, but a mongrel who he named Joe (and who was around 14-years of age when Price wrote this book) was special to him. So, the bulk of the short book details his experiences with Joe, and his observations of how Joe's distinctive personality won his heart.
When this was written (in the early 1960's), it was a very different world for pet owners. Where I lived, a neighbor's dog by the name of Blinn wandered the community ... and always found her way to our breezeway door at dinnertime to collect scraps from our meal. No one thought this was an intrusion. Indeed, I always looked forward to Blinn's arrival as I was growing up.
Similarly, Joe wanders the Hollywood hills and even sires a litter of dogs with Barry Sullivan's dog, one of Price's neighbors. Today's Readers might immediately marvel at the seeming lack of concern in allowing one's dog to roam on the property of other people, but that seemed to be standard in the United States at the time.
THE BOOK OF JOE: ABOUT A DOG AND HIS MAN is a series of anecdotes. Price, of course, figures prominently in the bulk of these stories. And they don't all center on Joe. There are instances that range from Price's other pets to animals encountered during film shooting. Of those, the Joe stories are the better ones ... although the incident with the lovelorn camel is extremely memorable. Price does save the best for last, though, with a two-chapter telling of Joe's court appearance with Price appearing as a character witness!
The key message appears to be that animals have distinct personalities that open a variety of possibilities for the pet owner who doesn't demand "complete authoritarian control" over them. Exploring and enjoying a pet's quirks ... as one would do with a close friend ... can help to keep both parties happy and sane.
I wasn't as entertained as I'd hoped when I started reading. It was a pleasant excursion for the most part, though. And, for fans of Vincent Price, it likely shows a side of the actor that they hadn't known before.
January 10, 2021
I needed something light this week and a short book by one of my favorite actors seemed like just the ticket.
I've always found Price to be a sweet, charming man and this book reaffirms those feelings. His love and devotion to Joe joyously leaps off the page. Price mentions other pets, but it is clear Joe was The One. I wish the book had more photos but was happy with the drawings illustrating some of Joe's adventures.
The reader should keep in mind the book was originally published in 1961. To today's mind, pets running free and not being neutered seems bizarre but that's how it was.
I've always found Price to be a sweet, charming man and this book reaffirms those feelings. His love and devotion to Joe joyously leaps off the page. Price mentions other pets, but it is clear Joe was The One. I wish the book had more photos but was happy with the drawings illustrating some of Joe's adventures.
The reader should keep in mind the book was originally published in 1961. To today's mind, pets running free and not being neutered seems bizarre but that's how it was.
October 2, 2025
Book by Vincent Price about his awesome dog and other animals. Introduction by Bill Hader. 10/10. Tender and genuine.
June 17, 2019
Who doesn't love a man who loves animals? Vincent Price is an actor known for his sinister roles in horror movies, but he was an artist through and through. Not only did he write this loving tribute to his mutt Joe, he wrote an art appreciation book and a cookbook with his wife.
I relate strongly to Price's appreciation of Joe's stubbornness and how he attributes it to how intelligent he is. The stories included here are not limited to Joe or to Price's pets. He also discusses animals he encountered on the sets of his films including an amorous camel. But the bulk is about Joe, his favorite. "Joe in love is hi-fi and stereophonic." The writing is intelligent, sometimes funny and sometimes heartbreaking. It is a great way to pass some time.
I relate strongly to Price's appreciation of Joe's stubbornness and how he attributes it to how intelligent he is. The stories included here are not limited to Joe or to Price's pets. He also discusses animals he encountered on the sets of his films including an amorous camel. But the bulk is about Joe, his favorite. "Joe in love is hi-fi and stereophonic." The writing is intelligent, sometimes funny and sometimes heartbreaking. It is a great way to pass some time.
April 17, 2016
I liked reading stories about animals and that's why this one caught my eye ... it was written by actor Vincent Price (1911 - 1993) about his then 14-year-old dog, Joe, and was originally published in 1961 (it's been recently updated with an intro by actor Bill Hader and a preface by Price's daughter, Victoria).
Price was an animal lover and tells about all the animals he'd had in his life including Albert, a Siamese cat he adopted while living in London; his son's two LOUD roosters; Prudence, his second wife's poodle; and more. The focus of the book is Joe, a mutt he adopted from a pet store over the Christmas holidays.
He got Joe during a down period in his life. He had stated that when women are down, they "buy new hats and perfume". When men are down, they "get a haircut, blow themselves to a shampoo, face and scalp massage, and manicure". Some people get drunk. Others go off on a trip. Art and animals always cheered him up. His first marriage had just broken up; his wife, son and their family dog had moved out; it was Christmas; and his other dog had gotten hit by a car and died. Joe became a very special dog to him.
There are illustrations throughout the book by Leo Hershfield.
Price at one point had to go to court to defend Joe was he was sued for $13,000 (about $220,000 in today's dollars) by a plastered plasterer who charged that Joe ran out in front of his bike, causing him to fall and get hurt (Price won).
Given that it was written more than 50 years ago, the writing style is different ... it's more formal and alliterative, yet funny at times. For example, Price said that he was a quick eater and describes himself as a "fast finisher of food". He described himself one time as "blurred by beer". He used words such as "nomenclature" and "umbrage".
Having a dog and cat in the 1950s and 1960s was different than it is today. Price had a doggy door which Joe would go in and out of. It wouldn't be unusual for Joe to disappear for up to four days when he was in search of female dogs in heat. And it doesn't sound like anyone neutered their dogs. When we meet Joe, he is fourteen-years-old and unneutered. The Prices had friends who lived nearby and Joe impregnated their dog not once but twice, producing 16 pups in total ... no one seemed bothered about it.
The Vincent Price Family Legacy will donate a portion of the proceeds from this book to the Fund for Animals.
Blog review post: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2016/04...
Price was an animal lover and tells about all the animals he'd had in his life including Albert, a Siamese cat he adopted while living in London; his son's two LOUD roosters; Prudence, his second wife's poodle; and more. The focus of the book is Joe, a mutt he adopted from a pet store over the Christmas holidays.
He got Joe during a down period in his life. He had stated that when women are down, they "buy new hats and perfume". When men are down, they "get a haircut, blow themselves to a shampoo, face and scalp massage, and manicure". Some people get drunk. Others go off on a trip. Art and animals always cheered him up. His first marriage had just broken up; his wife, son and their family dog had moved out; it was Christmas; and his other dog had gotten hit by a car and died. Joe became a very special dog to him.
There are illustrations throughout the book by Leo Hershfield.
Price at one point had to go to court to defend Joe was he was sued for $13,000 (about $220,000 in today's dollars) by a plastered plasterer who charged that Joe ran out in front of his bike, causing him to fall and get hurt (Price won).
Given that it was written more than 50 years ago, the writing style is different ... it's more formal and alliterative, yet funny at times. For example, Price said that he was a quick eater and describes himself as a "fast finisher of food". He described himself one time as "blurred by beer". He used words such as "nomenclature" and "umbrage".
Having a dog and cat in the 1950s and 1960s was different than it is today. Price had a doggy door which Joe would go in and out of. It wouldn't be unusual for Joe to disappear for up to four days when he was in search of female dogs in heat. And it doesn't sound like anyone neutered their dogs. When we meet Joe, he is fourteen-years-old and unneutered. The Prices had friends who lived nearby and Joe impregnated their dog not once but twice, producing 16 pups in total ... no one seemed bothered about it.
The Vincent Price Family Legacy will donate a portion of the proceeds from this book to the Fund for Animals.
Blog review post: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2016/04...
August 6, 2016
As a dog lover I was happy to win this book in a GoodReads Giveaway. I had always enjoyed Vincent Price as an actor and wanted to see what he wrote about being his dog's man.
I knew nothing about Mr. Price's personal life before reading this little book. Throughout the book he tells stories about his life and the animals involved in it, before and during Joe. He talks of mistakes, sadness, loneliness and many things we all experience in life. While telling the story of the special dog Joe, he also tells the reader much about himself and his thoughts on life.
I had never read any writing from Mr. Price before and I found from the beginning of the book it was his voice reading it to me in my head. I had never had such a phenomenon happen to me before, even reading autobiographies, so it was a strange little plus!
I highly recommend this book and suggest it would make a nice gift for any dog lovers (or Vincent Price fans) that you know, while also helping out the Fund for Animals. Thanks Open Road Integrated Media for the giveaway.
I knew nothing about Mr. Price's personal life before reading this little book. Throughout the book he tells stories about his life and the animals involved in it, before and during Joe. He talks of mistakes, sadness, loneliness and many things we all experience in life. While telling the story of the special dog Joe, he also tells the reader much about himself and his thoughts on life.
I had never read any writing from Mr. Price before and I found from the beginning of the book it was his voice reading it to me in my head. I had never had such a phenomenon happen to me before, even reading autobiographies, so it was a strange little plus!
I highly recommend this book and suggest it would make a nice gift for any dog lovers (or Vincent Price fans) that you know, while also helping out the Fund for Animals. Thanks Open Road Integrated Media for the giveaway.
June 26, 2016
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This book is a new edition of the 1961 originally published by price. This edition includes a forward by Price's daughter Victoria and also an introduction by actor Bill Hader. This book contains several stories told by Price about his various dogs over the years. Joe was obviously throne with the most impact but he tells stories of his other dogs Puffue, Willi and Kiki. Through these stories and some about other animal stories from movie sets, Price shows his love for animals and just how much they positively impacted his life Price writes exactly how I pictured he would. Intelligently , witty and I can just hear him saying the words in his creepy sinister voice that we all love. This would be a great gift book for any favs of Price and for those who have made life long connections to their pets. It's a must read!
July 28, 2016
Vincent Price has always been one of my heroes of the screen, not just for his fine portrayals over the decades, but because he was actually a truly good man. He was dedicated to his craft and kind to his fans, even when they did not deserve such consideration. In "The Book of Joe," I saw another facet of Price, that of animal lover, particularly dogs, and especially a dog named Joe, who came to Price when he needed him most, as dogs often do to all of us. It was interesting reading about Price's life and career as seen through the prism of the animals he has known. A wonderful book for Price's fans, students of the silver screen, and those of us who generally find dogs more likable than people.
October 30, 2018
I tried this out because it was short and about dogs. And I had misread it, thinking it was narrated by Vincent Price. Since it was still written by him, I proceeded.
I had no idea that Price's writing was so luxurious. It was a joy to listen to most of the time. I think the narrator of the audiobook, however, paused too often and too long in her course of reading. Those dramatics were not necessary. I liked listening to Price's thoughts on dogs and their relationship to people. I think when the topic moved off of Joe, it became slightly less interesting. But on the whole, it was an enjoyable, short read.
I had no idea that Price's writing was so luxurious. It was a joy to listen to most of the time. I think the narrator of the audiobook, however, paused too often and too long in her course of reading. Those dramatics were not necessary. I liked listening to Price's thoughts on dogs and their relationship to people. I think when the topic moved off of Joe, it became slightly less interesting. But on the whole, it was an enjoyable, short read.
November 6, 2018
The delightful Vincent Price
Who knew the master of horror had such a tender heart for animals? This book contains many funny stories about Mr. Prince's working as an actor with various creatures. Humble and self deprecating, Mr. Price tells us about Joe, man's best friend. I am so happy that this book was released to read in my Kindle, and that a portion of my money goes to animal welfare.
Who knew the master of horror had such a tender heart for animals? This book contains many funny stories about Mr. Prince's working as an actor with various creatures. Humble and self deprecating, Mr. Price tells us about Joe, man's best friend. I am so happy that this book was released to read in my Kindle, and that a portion of my money goes to animal welfare.
July 31, 2016
Interesting story of a man and his dog
Very interesting story. Heart felt and sweet that tells of a man and his love of his dog, Joe. If you enjoy books that are biographies you will enjoy this book.
Very interesting story. Heart felt and sweet that tells of a man and his love of his dog, Joe. If you enjoy books that are biographies you will enjoy this book.
May 2, 2016
Loved it! Quick, delightful, awesome little book. And, like others that have reviewed, I can hear Vincent Price's voice in my head as I read, Lol.
July 11, 2016
A lovely and fun book. Vincent Price writes with a wry turn of phrase and a big heart, which made this a joy to read.
July 6, 2024
I know how the camel feels. ❤️😆
I wasn’t sure how enthralling a book about an actor’s pets could be, but of course, Vincent Price kept it completely compelling.
I also must say, of all the CASUAL research I’d done about the man, I never once came across information about his pets and interesting interactions with animals. When I found this book, I was excited to read it, but at the front of my mind, I couldn’t help consider any terrible reason I’d never heard of Joe til now (it’s Vincent Price - my mind couldn’t go much further than him not liking the dog or something). Thank goodness there was nothing terrible within, but all heartwarming and enthralling stories.
I wasn’t sure how enthralling a book about an actor’s pets could be, but of course, Vincent Price kept it completely compelling.
I also must say, of all the CASUAL research I’d done about the man, I never once came across information about his pets and interesting interactions with animals. When I found this book, I was excited to read it, but at the front of my mind, I couldn’t help consider any terrible reason I’d never heard of Joe til now (it’s Vincent Price - my mind couldn’t go much further than him not liking the dog or something). Thank goodness there was nothing terrible within, but all heartwarming and enthralling stories.
May 15, 2025
My 9th book of the year was The Book Of Joe, a collection of recollections by horror icon Vincent Price about his lovable mutt Joe and the other animals in his life.
Sure, anyone can write about how cool their dog is, but do those guys wax poetic like Vincent Price? Not a chance. It’s EXACTLY how you would think a dog biography written by Vincent Price would sound, but I was surprised at how well his voice came through the written work. Wylie can attest that pretty much every snippet I read to her came with a fairly shitty impersonation as well, but it’s hard not to!
Special thanks to Murray for being the photo backdrop.
Sure, anyone can write about how cool their dog is, but do those guys wax poetic like Vincent Price? Not a chance. It’s EXACTLY how you would think a dog biography written by Vincent Price would sound, but I was surprised at how well his voice came through the written work. Wylie can attest that pretty much every snippet I read to her came with a fairly shitty impersonation as well, but it’s hard not to!
Special thanks to Murray for being the photo backdrop.
April 14, 2024
More like The Book of Vincent… and… thank GOSH Times Change…!!!
Not necessarily I Want My Hours Back but I miiiiiight still be in shock
My Full Review →
Not necessarily I Want My Hours Back but I miiiiiight still be in shock
My Full Review →
February 25, 2025
This one was a meaningful gift from a friend. I think if it weren't such a meaningful gift or such a short book I would have just set it aside and read something else. It was sweet and had cute illustrations but there wasn't much plot and hardly any point. I also had to keep reminding myself of when the book was written because some of the views (about women, etc.) are pretty dated.
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