George Burns

by Martin Gottfried

Examines the person behind the persona of George Burns through his friendships with such contemporaries as Jack Benny, Groucho Marx, and Milton Berle, as well as his relationship with wife Gracie Allen. 50,000 first printing.

Genres: Biography, Humor

336 pages, Hardcover

First published January 20, 1996

About the author

Martin Gottfried,was a New York drama critic for over forty years and the author of five biographies and two books of theater criticism.

Gottfried graduated from Columbia College in New York City in 1959,and attended Columbia Law School for three semesters, next spending one year with U.S. Army Military Intelligence.Gottfried began his writing career as the classical music critic for The Village Voice, doubling as an off-Broadway reviewer for Women's Wear Daily, a position that made him the youngest member of the New York Drama Critics Circle in the organization's history.

Winner of the George Jean Nathan Award for Dramatic Criticism and recipient of two Rockefeller Foundation Fellowships, Martin Gottfried was the chief dramatic critic for the New York Post and Saturday Review. He is the author of A Theater Divided, Jed Harris: The Curse of Genius, All His Jazz: The Life and Death of Bob Fosse, Balancing Act: The Authorized Biography of Angela Lansbury and Nobody’s Fool: The Lives of Danny Kaye.

Reviews

[Douglas · Rating 3 out of 5]

An uneven book. Lots of showbiz anecdotes and stories. Got me searching YouTube for some old dance numbers and routines.
The author confused me by calling George and other characters randomly by their stage name, or their nickname or given name with no apparent pattern.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so much more than I expected. I wanted to laugh and smile, and this book offered the opportunity to do that; however, George's story (real name of Nathan, Natty) is really a story of loving show business and Gracie, who was show business. The book traces his beginnings in NYC trying to sing and dance. He didn't get far. Instead of going to school, he was trying to make some money for the family and to work in show business, with which he fell in love In time, he teamed up with Gracie and he made a friend, Jack Benny. The world opened up to him for everyone was in love with Gracie. After her untimely death, George was devastated. What now? In time, he managed to reinvent himself one more time and this time it was all about George. George stayed in show business for over 90 years! He was a hard worker and a genius in putting together routines and staging. Fun to read!

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

One reviewer said this book was "gushing in its praise." Another said it was a "hatchet job," accusing George of unfounded offenses. Interesting how two people can read the same book and have opposite responses. I'd have to say the book leaned toward the former and seemed to give a pretty well-rounded portrait of a pretty amazing guy.

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Biography of George Burns that is so-so. It doesn't seem to be particularly well researched. It seems like it was hurried into publication in time for Burns' 100th birthday in 1996.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book about George Burns. Talks about his childhood as well. Loved this book am a great fan of George Burns.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like George Burns. I used to watch his show in reruns on late night TV. I have also read one of his memoirs. I realize now that book was more of a comedy routine meant for laughs. This book seemed to give a more balanced and less rosy picture. Nothing that bad, but this book told about the bad times and George's faults, too. I enjoyed the book, but felt the book fell apart at the end. Instead of winding up the story, the end just seemed to be needless anecdotes about George's decline in his last years. Still an interesting read.

[Gene · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful bio of George, who was only recognized as a giant of American comedy in his late years. This is a bio full of love and respect which doesn't gloss over where George had feet of clay. Mostly, George was the great uncle you wish you had. Lots in here about his marriage to Gracie and his long and deep friendship with Jack Benny. This is wonderful, memorable stuff. One should also read George's Gracie, A Love Story.

[Judy Tate · Rating 3 out of 5]

OK, I love George Burns and Gracie Allen, but this book seems to be about George & Gracie & Jack Benny & Mary Livingstone (Jack's wife). It skims the years of Burns' life and gives a desperate, despairing look at George's final days. I can see no good reason for exposing this great entertainer to the public indignity of drooling and dementia.

[Alex Robinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pleasant enough biography. Sometimes a bit gushing in its love for Burns but it does a pretty good job of covering his life.

[Logan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting look at George Burns, often unflattering but probably accurate.

[John Massarini · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great stuff!