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Love, Lucy
THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
The one and only autobiography by the iconic Lucille Ball, hailed by TV Guide as the "#1 Greatest TV Star of All Time."
Love, Lucy is the valentine Lucille Ball left for her fans--a warm, wise, and witty memoir written by Lucy herself. The legendary star of the classic sitcom I Love Lucy was at the pinnacle of her success when she sat down to record the story of her life. No comedienne had made America laugh so hard, no television actress had made the leap from radio and B movies to become one of the world's best-loved performers. This is her story--in her own words.
The story of the ingenue from Jamestown, New York, determined to go to Broadway, destined to make a big splash, bound to marry her Valentino, Desi Arnaz. In her own inimitable style, she tells of their life together--both storybook and turbulent; intimate memories of their children and friends; wonderful backstage anecdotes; the empire they founded; the dissolution of their marriage. And, with a heartfelt happy ending, her enduring marriage to Gary Morton.
Here is the lost manuscript that her fans and loved ones will treasure. Here is the laughter. Here is the life. Here's Lucy...
The one and only autobiography by the iconic Lucille Ball, hailed by TV Guide as the "#1 Greatest TV Star of All Time."
Love, Lucy is the valentine Lucille Ball left for her fans--a warm, wise, and witty memoir written by Lucy herself. The legendary star of the classic sitcom I Love Lucy was at the pinnacle of her success when she sat down to record the story of her life. No comedienne had made America laugh so hard, no television actress had made the leap from radio and B movies to become one of the world's best-loved performers. This is her story--in her own words.
The story of the ingenue from Jamestown, New York, determined to go to Broadway, destined to make a big splash, bound to marry her Valentino, Desi Arnaz. In her own inimitable style, she tells of their life together--both storybook and turbulent; intimate memories of their children and friends; wonderful backstage anecdotes; the empire they founded; the dissolution of their marriage. And, with a heartfelt happy ending, her enduring marriage to Gary Morton.
Here is the lost manuscript that her fans and loved ones will treasure. Here is the laughter. Here is the life. Here's Lucy...
235 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1996
678 people are currently reading
11829 people want to read
About the author
Lucille Ball
9 books120 followersBest known American actress Lucille Désirée Ball starred of the popular situation comedy I Love Lucy from 1951 to 1957.
Lucille Désirée Ball on film, television, stage and radio worked as model and film executive of The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour, The Lucy Show, and Here's Lucy. Lucille Ball during her lifetime of longest career of Hollywood. From the 1930s, she worked on movie and television for more than three decades to the 1970s.
Ball in 1929 landed work as a model and, using the stage name "Diane Belmont," later began her performing career on Broadway. She in many small movie roles in the 1930s played under contract for Radio-Keith-Orpheum pictures. People labeled her as the "queen of the Bs," referring to her many roles in B-films. Ball met and eloped with Cuban bandleader Desi Arnaz in 1940.
In 1951, Ball pivotally created the television series. On 17 July 1951, Ball gave birth to Lucie Desiree Arnaz, her first child. The show featured with Desi Arnaz, then her husband, as Ricky Ricardo and Vivian Vance and William Frawley as Ethel and Fred Mertz, the able landlords. A year and a half later circa January 1953, Ball gave birth to Desiderio Alberto Arnaz IV as Desi Arnaz Jr., their second child. Ball and Arnaz divorced on 4 May 1960. The show ended in 1960.
She married Gary Morton, her second husband, standup, and business partner circa 1961 and for 28 years. Ball went in more successful television series; from 1962, The Lucy Show ran on Columbia Broadcasting System to 1968. From 1968, Here's Lucy lasted to 1974.
Ball received thirteen nominations of Emmy and four wins. She received the golden globe award of Cecil B. DeMille in 1979.
From the Kennedy center honors, she received the lifetime achievement award in 1986. She last attempted a television series, a show, called Life with Lucy in 1986. American Broadcasting Corporation cancelled the show, which proved a critical and commercial flop, less than two months into its run.
From the academy of television arts and sciences, she received the governors award in 1989. Ball died of a dissecting aortic aneurysm at 77 years of age.
Lucille Désirée Ball on film, television, stage and radio worked as model and film executive of The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour, The Lucy Show, and Here's Lucy. Lucille Ball during her lifetime of longest career of Hollywood. From the 1930s, she worked on movie and television for more than three decades to the 1970s.
Ball in 1929 landed work as a model and, using the stage name "Diane Belmont," later began her performing career on Broadway. She in many small movie roles in the 1930s played under contract for Radio-Keith-Orpheum pictures. People labeled her as the "queen of the Bs," referring to her many roles in B-films. Ball met and eloped with Cuban bandleader Desi Arnaz in 1940.
In 1951, Ball pivotally created the television series. On 17 July 1951, Ball gave birth to Lucie Desiree Arnaz, her first child. The show featured with Desi Arnaz, then her husband, as Ricky Ricardo and Vivian Vance and William Frawley as Ethel and Fred Mertz, the able landlords. A year and a half later circa January 1953, Ball gave birth to Desiderio Alberto Arnaz IV as Desi Arnaz Jr., their second child. Ball and Arnaz divorced on 4 May 1960. The show ended in 1960.
She married Gary Morton, her second husband, standup, and business partner circa 1961 and for 28 years. Ball went in more successful television series; from 1962, The Lucy Show ran on Columbia Broadcasting System to 1968. From 1968, Here's Lucy lasted to 1974.
Ball received thirteen nominations of Emmy and four wins. She received the golden globe award of Cecil B. DeMille in 1979.
From the Kennedy center honors, she received the lifetime achievement award in 1986. She last attempted a television series, a show, called Life with Lucy in 1986. American Broadcasting Corporation cancelled the show, which proved a critical and commercial flop, less than two months into its run.
From the academy of television arts and sciences, she received the governors award in 1989. Ball died of a dissecting aortic aneurysm at 77 years of age.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,093 reviews
February 11, 2021
A short and sweet book! I grew up watching, "I Love Lucy" re-runs with my Grandparents and subsequently, "The Lucy Show" and "Here's Lucy." All the recent talk about a Lucille Ball movie had me wondering more about this iconic comedienne.
This is an interesting type of memoir because a manuscript and recordings was found tucked away in a drawer only after Lucille's passing. I listened to the audio version and it is read by Lucie Arnaz her daughter and boy does she sound like her Mom! She explains in her foreword that no one knew about these recordings. They were perhaps done as a type of therapy of thoughts all up until 1964. She's not sure if her Mother put them away in order to use later and add more information or just simply forgot about them all together.
These recordings were great because we hear from Lucille herself about her childhood, and career (I didn't realize she had a pretty extensive stint in movies before her show) and two marriages. I realized as I listened that she was pretty forward thinking for her time. It's an upbeat and positive book that will have you loving Lucy even more than before!
This is an interesting type of memoir because a manuscript and recordings was found tucked away in a drawer only after Lucille's passing. I listened to the audio version and it is read by Lucie Arnaz her daughter and boy does she sound like her Mom! She explains in her foreword that no one knew about these recordings. They were perhaps done as a type of therapy of thoughts all up until 1964. She's not sure if her Mother put them away in order to use later and add more information or just simply forgot about them all together.
These recordings were great because we hear from Lucille herself about her childhood, and career (I didn't realize she had a pretty extensive stint in movies before her show) and two marriages. I realized as I listened that she was pretty forward thinking for her time. It's an upbeat and positive book that will have you loving Lucy even more than before!
January 27, 2024
I still remember watching the hilarious movie Rat Race as a kid. In the movie, there was a bus full of I Love Lucy fans, cosplaying as their idol. Back then, I had no idea what was going on as I’d never even heard of the show. But I’ve since learned more about it, like how many people consider it one of the best sitcoms of all time. And, having watched more than a handful of episodes since then, I can easily see the appeal. I bought this book to see what the legend herself had to say about her life and success.
It’s interesting to note that this memoir was actually written by a ghost writer in the 1960s, with a lot of involvement from Lucille Ball herself. But it was forgotten about before it was ever published until it was discovered again many years later, after Lucille’s death.
“People with happy childhoods never overdo; they don't strive or exert themselves. They're moderate, pleasant, well liked, and good citizens. Society needs them. But the tremendous drive and dedication necessary to succeed in any field - not only show business - often seems to be rooted in a disturbed childhood.”
And as we quickly learn in her autobiography, Lucille Ball was not the exception to that rule.
When we get to the rocky start of Lucille Ball’s career in Hollywood, she offers plenty of advice for those who’d like to follow in her footsteps. The most important thing she recommends is that you should always try to be nice, smart and happy. What I think she means by that last one is that you shouldn’t let your professional success define your personal happiness. She shows us that talent will rise to the top if you work hard and continue to believe in yourself. But you need to be aware that there are no overnight successes. Before your big break, you might be sweating it out in the salt mines for 5, 10, 15, … years as she puts it.
She describes her experiences in many movies while success still eluded her. Then she met a man called Desi Arnaz. They fell in love, got married and their careers got intertwined as they both eventually found the success they had been looking for. Though they did have their fair share of ups and downs over the years.
Overall, quite a short and quick read, but undeniably interesting and entertaining. Lucille Ball also shows a lot of psychological and professional insight, the kind of wisdom that comes with years of experience. And she doesn’t mind sharing some of the lessons she learned in life.
It’s interesting to note that this memoir was actually written by a ghost writer in the 1960s, with a lot of involvement from Lucille Ball herself. But it was forgotten about before it was ever published until it was discovered again many years later, after Lucille’s death.
“People with happy childhoods never overdo; they don't strive or exert themselves. They're moderate, pleasant, well liked, and good citizens. Society needs them. But the tremendous drive and dedication necessary to succeed in any field - not only show business - often seems to be rooted in a disturbed childhood.”
And as we quickly learn in her autobiography, Lucille Ball was not the exception to that rule.
When we get to the rocky start of Lucille Ball’s career in Hollywood, she offers plenty of advice for those who’d like to follow in her footsteps. The most important thing she recommends is that you should always try to be nice, smart and happy. What I think she means by that last one is that you shouldn’t let your professional success define your personal happiness. She shows us that talent will rise to the top if you work hard and continue to believe in yourself. But you need to be aware that there are no overnight successes. Before your big break, you might be sweating it out in the salt mines for 5, 10, 15, … years as she puts it.
She describes her experiences in many movies while success still eluded her. Then she met a man called Desi Arnaz. They fell in love, got married and their careers got intertwined as they both eventually found the success they had been looking for. Though they did have their fair share of ups and downs over the years.
Overall, quite a short and quick read, but undeniably interesting and entertaining. Lucille Ball also shows a lot of psychological and professional insight, the kind of wisdom that comes with years of experience. And she doesn’t mind sharing some of the lessons she learned in life.
July 31, 2020
The manuscript for this book was discovered after the death of Lucille Ball (1911 – 1989). Along with the manuscript were accompanying tapes.
Lucille writes / speaks of her youth, family and career. Of her father who died when she was four, of the time spent with her puritanical Swedish step-grandparents and then later with her maternal grandparents. It is not long-winded. Did you know of her fear of birds? Yet she adored her pets—dogs, cats, chickens and hens. It covers her life up to the year 1964, which is to say the divorce of her first husband and subsequent marriage to her second. I wasn’t aware of her large number of film successes.
The book captures the real woman many of us know from the I love Lucy shows of the 1950s. It captures both her and Desi, her first husband beside her in the show and in real life. It captures their love...as well as disagreements. The humor is never mean, always kind. Their dream was to act together, side by side, and this they did finally achieve. In the process we learn of who they are and why their marriage did not come to last.
It is not a sad book; it is happy. It is straightforward and clear. There is no complaining. Like Lucy herself, it is upbeat. A short piece that speaks of what she did with her life and how she thought and reasoned. I like the book’s matter of fact, and yet positive tone.
Lucie Arnaz, Lucille Ball’s daughter, reads the audiobook. This is fun because she sounds just like her mom. Being part of the family, she knows of whom she speaks and so remarkably well captures each one’s personality. The text and the narration just seem to fit. The beginning is read a bit too fast, but afterwards she slows down. Four stars to the narration.
Lucille writes / speaks of her youth, family and career. Of her father who died when she was four, of the time spent with her puritanical Swedish step-grandparents and then later with her maternal grandparents. It is not long-winded. Did you know of her fear of birds? Yet she adored her pets—dogs, cats, chickens and hens. It covers her life up to the year 1964, which is to say the divorce of her first husband and subsequent marriage to her second. I wasn’t aware of her large number of film successes.
The book captures the real woman many of us know from the I love Lucy shows of the 1950s. It captures both her and Desi, her first husband beside her in the show and in real life. It captures their love...as well as disagreements. The humor is never mean, always kind. Their dream was to act together, side by side, and this they did finally achieve. In the process we learn of who they are and why their marriage did not come to last.
It is not a sad book; it is happy. It is straightforward and clear. There is no complaining. Like Lucy herself, it is upbeat. A short piece that speaks of what she did with her life and how she thought and reasoned. I like the book’s matter of fact, and yet positive tone.
Lucie Arnaz, Lucille Ball’s daughter, reads the audiobook. This is fun because she sounds just like her mom. Being part of the family, she knows of whom she speaks and so remarkably well captures each one’s personality. The text and the narration just seem to fit. The beginning is read a bit too fast, but afterwards she slows down. Four stars to the narration.
September 3, 2021
4 stars
I have such great memories of staying up late with my sister in our bunkbeds watching I Love Lucy on Nick at Nite, so when Audible had Lucille Ball’s autobiography as one of their sales, I picked it up.
I enjoyed reading her story so much! This book was published after Lucy passed, and was a manuscript her children found when going through her things. She lived such an interesting life and one of my favorite things about listening to this one was that her daughter (Lucie Arnaz) narrated the book.
“I believe that we're as happy in life as we make up our minds to be.”
I have such great memories of staying up late with my sister in our bunkbeds watching I Love Lucy on Nick at Nite, so when Audible had Lucille Ball’s autobiography as one of their sales, I picked it up.
I enjoyed reading her story so much! This book was published after Lucy passed, and was a manuscript her children found when going through her things. She lived such an interesting life and one of my favorite things about listening to this one was that her daughter (Lucie Arnaz) narrated the book.
Audio book source: Audible
Story Rating: 4 stars
Narrators: Lucie Arnaz
Narration Rating: 4.5 stars
Genre: Nonfiction/Memoir
Length: 6h 46m
July 9, 2025
I am writing this book from muscle memory. I am trying to remember how much I loved this book in my childhood, writing from my current middle age perspective.
I remember receiving it for the holidays in 1996 when it was was first published. As a kid who loved vintage Hollywood, Lucille Ball was one of three Golden era actresses I adored aside Bette Davis and Katharine Hepburn. Whoever bought me this book was such a treasure- I wanted it more than anything because I was hungry for anything that had to do with camp, and classic TV.
It goes without saying that I loved watching "I Love Lucy' with my family on Nick at Nite reruns and on Saturday afternoon TV. As a young kid, I was riveted at not only how Ms. Ball was so impeccable as a comedian, but also someone who truly inhabited her roles with gusto. I truly believe Lucy Ricardo should be the greatest and most iconic character ever to have been created. I don't think a lot would argue with me here.
I also watched her films "Stage Door" (starring Ginger Rogers and Katharine Hepburn) "Mame" (it was good then, now, pretty awful) and I knew there was more to the rubbery personality who seemed to have it all: a legendary marriage to Desi Arnaz that turned into an enduring friendship and partnership that changed the history of television; and a career that enabled her to outlast her peers of the Golden Era.
When I read this memoir that had been found by Ball's daughter, Lucie Arnaz- it was a true valentine of love she left behind. Ms. Ball wrote from her childhood up to the height of her success in the 1960s. She seemed to be reflective of how she treated others, how grateful she was to have built and maintained friendships and partnerships with colleagues, family, and seemed to always be surprised at what a success she became- truly humbled and never taking anything for granted. It's a candid, wistful Lucille Ball that is vulnerable as she is still very funny. A true gift for the world.
I remember receiving it for the holidays in 1996 when it was was first published. As a kid who loved vintage Hollywood, Lucille Ball was one of three Golden era actresses I adored aside Bette Davis and Katharine Hepburn. Whoever bought me this book was such a treasure- I wanted it more than anything because I was hungry for anything that had to do with camp, and classic TV.
It goes without saying that I loved watching "I Love Lucy' with my family on Nick at Nite reruns and on Saturday afternoon TV. As a young kid, I was riveted at not only how Ms. Ball was so impeccable as a comedian, but also someone who truly inhabited her roles with gusto. I truly believe Lucy Ricardo should be the greatest and most iconic character ever to have been created. I don't think a lot would argue with me here.
I also watched her films "Stage Door" (starring Ginger Rogers and Katharine Hepburn) "Mame" (it was good then, now, pretty awful) and I knew there was more to the rubbery personality who seemed to have it all: a legendary marriage to Desi Arnaz that turned into an enduring friendship and partnership that changed the history of television; and a career that enabled her to outlast her peers of the Golden Era.
When I read this memoir that had been found by Ball's daughter, Lucie Arnaz- it was a true valentine of love she left behind. Ms. Ball wrote from her childhood up to the height of her success in the 1960s. She seemed to be reflective of how she treated others, how grateful she was to have built and maintained friendships and partnerships with colleagues, family, and seemed to always be surprised at what a success she became- truly humbled and never taking anything for granted. It's a candid, wistful Lucille Ball that is vulnerable as she is still very funny. A true gift for the world.
August 17, 2025
As with, most recently, Paul Newman and Alan Rickman, Lucille Ball's foray into memoir was discovered after death. It emerged from a few old file boxes held by a former attorney - this project she'd mounted in the 1960s with the help of one Betty Hoffman at the suggestion of Lucy's close friend, Dr. Norman Vincent Peale. Interviews were taped and transcribed in what appears to have been a difficult process for Ms. Ball, coming as she had from a puritan background similar to that of her contemporary, Katharine Hepburn. Like Hepburn, there is a characteristic reticence here to journey behind closed doors. In trade of deep emotional revelation we have, as we did with Ms. Hepburn, a turn to the pragmatic rendering of a hard life lived bravely and that Yankee march forward, stalwartly forward, into tomorrow.
Young Lucille Ball, as a talent, was quite the anomaly for the business end of the entertainment community. What to do with her? She was attractive enough to be a model and obtained some initial work in Ziegfeld-like productions that asked for an ethereal moment of femininity...and very little more. The rogue ability she had to overcome self-consciousness revealed a comic bent that set audiences on their heels. But vaudeville, where such gifts might be most profitably employed, had slipped into the past, and as much as she wanted to remain in the East, on Broadway, the plays simply didn't have the roles to launch her in their capacity.
Hollywood, with the end-stage remnants of its studio system, offered opportunities at least to be seen, to be engaged, to be paid. Still, her anomaly status remained, and it took a number of cultivated relationships and cultivated circumstances to open up a path. I found very much of a suffragette's struggle here, though she does not frame it in that way. She had to break beyond those restrictions the culture had erected around women, and where women should be seen, and what they should be seen doing. You simply cannot dispute the fact that Lucille Ball introduced more authenticity into the equation of the female of the species, and not only raised the height of that glass ceiling but also elbowed apart those narrow walls that kept certain stultifying ideas of femininity intact. She was, should anyone need to be reminded, the first female studio head in Hollywood history.
This is a good book, and fittingly presented. Respectful, remarkably direct, and honest to its very bones. Worth a read to those whose interests run in this direction.
Young Lucille Ball, as a talent, was quite the anomaly for the business end of the entertainment community. What to do with her? She was attractive enough to be a model and obtained some initial work in Ziegfeld-like productions that asked for an ethereal moment of femininity...and very little more. The rogue ability she had to overcome self-consciousness revealed a comic bent that set audiences on their heels. But vaudeville, where such gifts might be most profitably employed, had slipped into the past, and as much as she wanted to remain in the East, on Broadway, the plays simply didn't have the roles to launch her in their capacity.
Hollywood, with the end-stage remnants of its studio system, offered opportunities at least to be seen, to be engaged, to be paid. Still, her anomaly status remained, and it took a number of cultivated relationships and cultivated circumstances to open up a path. I found very much of a suffragette's struggle here, though she does not frame it in that way. She had to break beyond those restrictions the culture had erected around women, and where women should be seen, and what they should be seen doing. You simply cannot dispute the fact that Lucille Ball introduced more authenticity into the equation of the female of the species, and not only raised the height of that glass ceiling but also elbowed apart those narrow walls that kept certain stultifying ideas of femininity intact. She was, should anyone need to be reminded, the first female studio head in Hollywood history.
This is a good book, and fittingly presented. Respectful, remarkably direct, and honest to its very bones. Worth a read to those whose interests run in this direction.
August 13, 2011
If you're picking up this book it's because you have a love for Lucy strong enough to get you interested in her life and how she got to where she got. At least, that's certainly why I picked it up. Even only being eighteen, I realize what a wonderful woman Lucy was and will forever be. I grew up watching her show with my Ma and to now be sitting down, years later, reading her book is incredible. I cracked up at certain parts, I got sad during others, but I was always interested in what she had to say next. What's truly great about it all is that there is no bias like you may get from reading a book written by a child or close friend. There is only honesty. The wonderful beauty of honesty. I already loved Lucy, but getting a peak into her life from this book just made me adore her even more. I absolutely and utterly love Lucy.
December 31, 2010
I grew up on reruns of “I Love Lucy.” She is one of my all-time favorite entertainers. I think she is the best comedian ever. She did not have to be crude to be funny. I still occasionally watch old episodes of the I Love Lucy show. I remember crying in 1989 when I heard that she died.
This autobiography covers her life up until about 1964. Her children found the manuscript in a dusty box some years after her death, and it was published in 1997. Once I could get past the opening sentence that was simply, “I’m a Leo,” I really enjoyed this book. Lucy had a very difficult childhood and overcame a lot of obstacles, including being shy which often led to her being fired when she was attempting to get into acting.
I enjoyed the look at the early movie-making industry.
I liked this passage: “In the summertime, Grandfather wouldn’t let us go swimming in Lake Chautauqua without taking along a cake of soap for shampooing our hair and washing all over. So we really felt like celebrating when hot water and a tub finally arrived. It was a new luxury to soak and scrub in privacy.”
Lucy relates her unique life and gives a delightful perspective of a bygone era.
This autobiography covers her life up until about 1964. Her children found the manuscript in a dusty box some years after her death, and it was published in 1997. Once I could get past the opening sentence that was simply, “I’m a Leo,” I really enjoyed this book. Lucy had a very difficult childhood and overcame a lot of obstacles, including being shy which often led to her being fired when she was attempting to get into acting.
I enjoyed the look at the early movie-making industry.
I liked this passage: “In the summertime, Grandfather wouldn’t let us go swimming in Lake Chautauqua without taking along a cake of soap for shampooing our hair and washing all over. So we really felt like celebrating when hot water and a tub finally arrived. It was a new luxury to soak and scrub in privacy.”
Lucy relates her unique life and gives a delightful perspective of a bygone era.
January 22, 2022
Love, Lucy
by Lucille Ball
I learned a great deal about Lucy's and Desi's childhood and family. Lucy recorded this and had someone type it up for her after she and Desi both remarried. Unsure how long after but it sounded like it was a little bit after. She put it away and apparently forgot about it because about a month before she died she was going to have someone start on one for her. Fortunately she had interviewed her family and friends previously because many wouldn't be alive after she died. Desi had a book out and had died a some years before year.
There is so much in this book. Brings back memories when she talks about different characters. I remember watching Red Skeleton every week! After I finished this, I searched for documentary shows and the daughter and author of this book, said she ended up with her grandmother who was Lucy's mom. The same woman who left Lucy for months, years at a time and was a poor mother. Yet Lucy left her daughter with h this same person for long periods. The documentary shows told much of the same but filled in blanks.
Good book.
by Lucille Ball
I learned a great deal about Lucy's and Desi's childhood and family. Lucy recorded this and had someone type it up for her after she and Desi both remarried. Unsure how long after but it sounded like it was a little bit after. She put it away and apparently forgot about it because about a month before she died she was going to have someone start on one for her. Fortunately she had interviewed her family and friends previously because many wouldn't be alive after she died. Desi had a book out and had died a some years before year.
There is so much in this book. Brings back memories when she talks about different characters. I remember watching Red Skeleton every week! After I finished this, I searched for documentary shows and the daughter and author of this book, said she ended up with her grandmother who was Lucy's mom. The same woman who left Lucy for months, years at a time and was a poor mother. Yet Lucy left her daughter with h this same person for long periods. The documentary shows told much of the same but filled in blanks.
Good book.
February 13, 2020
5 Stars for Love, Lucy (audiobook) by Lucille Ball read by Lucie Arnaz. This is such an amazing story. The lost autobiography of Lucille Ball. She dictated this book a long time ago and then shelved the project. Her daughter decades later found the manuscript and tapes while managing her mom’s estate. She finally had her mother’s side to so many stories. The audiobook is extra special because Lucille Ball’s daughter reads the book and wrote the forward to the book explaining how the book came to be.
March 17, 2025
Down to earth, hard working, fun, fun loving and likeable, Lucille Ball tells a straightforward story about a complicated life. She did movies, radio, pioneering path breaking television and became an executive, starting in Hollywood in 1933.
Her book is well written, but I didn't find clever intriguing writing the way I did in Mel Brooks memoir or Trevor Noah's. I did however discover that I like and admire this actress for her character, grit, good humor, ethics and more.
The story of her childhood includes some real hardship.
Her book is well written, but I didn't find clever intriguing writing the way I did in Mel Brooks memoir or Trevor Noah's. I did however discover that I like and admire this actress for her character, grit, good humor, ethics and more.
The story of her childhood includes some real hardship.
December 21, 2021
It was so much fun reading about Lucy. She was such a fascinating woman and so much about her life was groundbreaking from being the first woman studio president to basically inventing the modern sitcom. She was fierce and brave and so intelligent.
A truly remarkable icon forever immortalized in the history of Hollywood and she rightfully deserves her place in that history.
A truly remarkable icon forever immortalized in the history of Hollywood and she rightfully deserves her place in that history.
January 2, 2018
Another celebrity autobiography read, another okay book.
Love Lucy by Lucille Ball. Interestingly the daughter(Lucia Arnaz) found the rough edition of this book in her belongings, while sorting out all her positions.
Interesting, sometimes funny, sometimes very honest, we all think a celebrity life is all good, but sometimes they are fighting and working hard for stardom, and Lucy spent many years fighting to get better roles, Hollywood did not know what to do with her at first.
Stardom came with the success of Love Lucy throughout the 50's. Stardom came at a price as Lucy was married to a driven character in Desi Arnaz which made an ever battle in their marriage, but a talented person in business and running his music career, running their work on television and the shows, and spending time doing the things he loved like golf.
Love Lucy was not a laugh a minute book just an honest life in Hollywood, a very honest story of their private life, but the books stops with her second marriage and a new life ahead.
Actually stopped very abruptly, no real comical stories on c0-stars, but again an okay book.
Love Lucy by Lucille Ball. Interestingly the daughter(Lucia Arnaz) found the rough edition of this book in her belongings, while sorting out all her positions.
Interesting, sometimes funny, sometimes very honest, we all think a celebrity life is all good, but sometimes they are fighting and working hard for stardom, and Lucy spent many years fighting to get better roles, Hollywood did not know what to do with her at first.
Stardom came with the success of Love Lucy throughout the 50's. Stardom came at a price as Lucy was married to a driven character in Desi Arnaz which made an ever battle in their marriage, but a talented person in business and running his music career, running their work on television and the shows, and spending time doing the things he loved like golf.
Love Lucy was not a laugh a minute book just an honest life in Hollywood, a very honest story of their private life, but the books stops with her second marriage and a new life ahead.
Actually stopped very abruptly, no real comical stories on c0-stars, but again an okay book.
December 10, 2016
When Lucille Ball passed away in 1989, she was only weeks away from starting work on an autobiography with a co-writer. It was thought that she'd died without the opportunity to present her own version of her eventful life. However, some years later, her children discovered an unpublished manuscript in amongst documents kept by her lawyer. It turns out that she had written her autobiography with the help of another writer, but had shelved it in the early 60s because she didn't want to hurt her ex-husband Desi Arnaz. This book is that story.
It covers Lucy's life from birth until about 1962 when she remarried. In spite of Lucy's original fears, I think the scenes detailing the difficulties she and Desi had are handled sensitively, with no intended malice. They clearly loved each other in spite of their difficulties. It's a warm and sometimes funny tale that gives an insider's look into her early family life, modelling days in New York, the years of being a contract player in Hollywood, her rollercoaster romance with Desi Arnaz, her long battle to have children and the incredible success of the original 'I Love Lucy' series from the 50s.
It's easy to forget what a groundbreaking show 'I Love Lucy' was. Desi pioneered the three-camera technique still used for TV shows today, and they were the first sit-com to use a live studio audience. Apparently some of the canned laughter used in later sit-coms came from the actual audience laughter from the Lucy shows. Their Desilu company also produced many other hit shows, including the original Star Trek series (though the book finishes before it gets up to that bit).
It's a shame it cuts off abruptly in the early 60s and doesn't go through to the end of her life. It's hard to know why she never picked it up again and continued the story. But it's a great insight into those golden years.
I've sometimes read autobiographies that have shattered my illusions about a well-known person. Lucy doesn't sugarcoat her own faults, but I came away feeling even more admiration for one of my all-time favourite entertainers. Here's just one anecdote that reinforces that. Lucy had an African-American personal assistant called Harriet who worked with her for about 23 years (Maybe longer - she was still working for her when the story ended). When Lucy was starring in a Broadway show in the 60s, the apartment block where she was staying didn't allow African Americans to travel in the front elevator. So she got them to change the rules. That sums up her attitude to those around her. She was a loyal and generous person.
This book would probably be most appreciated by fans, but has a lot of depth. It also includes a moving forward by Lucy's daughter Lucie Arnaz. I have all of the box sets of the 'I Love Lucy' DVDs. Must be time to do some binge-watching.
It covers Lucy's life from birth until about 1962 when she remarried. In spite of Lucy's original fears, I think the scenes detailing the difficulties she and Desi had are handled sensitively, with no intended malice. They clearly loved each other in spite of their difficulties. It's a warm and sometimes funny tale that gives an insider's look into her early family life, modelling days in New York, the years of being a contract player in Hollywood, her rollercoaster romance with Desi Arnaz, her long battle to have children and the incredible success of the original 'I Love Lucy' series from the 50s.
It's easy to forget what a groundbreaking show 'I Love Lucy' was. Desi pioneered the three-camera technique still used for TV shows today, and they were the first sit-com to use a live studio audience. Apparently some of the canned laughter used in later sit-coms came from the actual audience laughter from the Lucy shows. Their Desilu company also produced many other hit shows, including the original Star Trek series (though the book finishes before it gets up to that bit).
It's a shame it cuts off abruptly in the early 60s and doesn't go through to the end of her life. It's hard to know why she never picked it up again and continued the story. But it's a great insight into those golden years.
I've sometimes read autobiographies that have shattered my illusions about a well-known person. Lucy doesn't sugarcoat her own faults, but I came away feeling even more admiration for one of my all-time favourite entertainers. Here's just one anecdote that reinforces that. Lucy had an African-American personal assistant called Harriet who worked with her for about 23 years (Maybe longer - she was still working for her when the story ended). When Lucy was starring in a Broadway show in the 60s, the apartment block where she was staying didn't allow African Americans to travel in the front elevator. So she got them to change the rules. That sums up her attitude to those around her. She was a loyal and generous person.
This book would probably be most appreciated by fans, but has a lot of depth. It also includes a moving forward by Lucy's daughter Lucie Arnaz. I have all of the box sets of the 'I Love Lucy' DVDs. Must be time to do some binge-watching.
August 25, 2025
I grew up watching I Love Lucy reruns and loved the show. Lucille Ball's manuscript was found after
her death and her daughter Lucie Arnaz narrated the story. When she spoke in Desi's voice, it was as though I could hear him saying the lines. I realty wish I could have heard it read by Lucille Ball herself! It was a short read and very interesting as well as entertaining. If you are a Lucy fan this is a must! But do yourself a favour and listen to the audio book. It's a very upbeat book, not sad at all. The book got a 4 star rating from me.
her death and her daughter Lucie Arnaz narrated the story. When she spoke in Desi's voice, it was as though I could hear him saying the lines. I realty wish I could have heard it read by Lucille Ball herself! It was a short read and very interesting as well as entertaining. If you are a Lucy fan this is a must! But do yourself a favour and listen to the audio book. It's a very upbeat book, not sad at all. The book got a 4 star rating from me.
October 7, 2020
I grew up a huge fan of I Love Lucy, so this was right up my alley. Ball wrote (dictated) this book during the 60s, then for whatever reason decided not to publish it and put it away. It was found by her kids in the 90s and released then. It's a not a very deep look at her life story, but to hear it all in her voice is very interesting.
We get stories about the beginning of the TV show and Desilu, and that's the biggest reason I wanted to read the book. But the best parts of the book were her younger years - her movie career, and by extension what Hollywood was like in the 30s; also her family's rocky time in Jamestown NY. I won't spoil it, but the story of an accident that happened when she was 16 in nearby Celeron was haunting.
I listened to the audio version of this, and it was read a couple of years ago by Lucille's daughter, Lucie Arnaz. It's like hearing Ball tell it herself, and is also pretty neat considering a lot of the book is about her children.
We get stories about the beginning of the TV show and Desilu, and that's the biggest reason I wanted to read the book. But the best parts of the book were her younger years - her movie career, and by extension what Hollywood was like in the 30s; also her family's rocky time in Jamestown NY. I won't spoil it, but the story of an accident that happened when she was 16 in nearby Celeron was haunting.
I listened to the audio version of this, and it was read a couple of years ago by Lucille's daughter, Lucie Arnaz. It's like hearing Ball tell it herself, and is also pretty neat considering a lot of the book is about her children.
October 17, 2008
I already admired Lucille Ball before I read this book. After learing about her early years I grew to greatly respect her too. She was an amazing woman.
July 6, 2010
Ok, I'll be honest with myself for a moment. Is this really a 5-star book? No. But, I don't care. Everything Lucy is 5-stars.
The most moving part of the book for me is when Lucy begins to lament about her divorce from Desi. I knew that they divorced and this was not news to me. But their divorce from Lucy's own point of view? In a word, devastating. Haha
The most moving part of the book for me is when Lucy begins to lament about her divorce from Desi. I knew that they divorced and this was not news to me. But their divorce from Lucy's own point of view? In a word, devastating. Haha
August 5, 2023
I really enjoyed this, it feels like Lucille Ball is just having a little chat with you. It comes across very honest, while still feeling respectful to the various parties involved. The way the more serious topics are discussed really pull at your heart. I highly recommend this one.
February 18, 2011
Thank goodness this little treasure was found and released for all to read! This was such a delightful and interesting read and I was terribly disappointed when I encountered the last page.
Just as her daughter remarked in the introduction of the book, Lucy's stories are truly written as if she's right there telling them. You can tell that the material on her tapes was very thoughtfully and thoroughly preserved in the translation to print. It covers her life up to 1964 (it's truly a shame that she didn't give her story more credit and continue it beyond that point, as it would have been wonderful to read more). There are so many things I didn't know about this remarkable woman and it was a great joy to get the chance to learn about her life and her thoughts in such a charming fashion. I highly recommend this book!
Just as her daughter remarked in the introduction of the book, Lucy's stories are truly written as if she's right there telling them. You can tell that the material on her tapes was very thoughtfully and thoroughly preserved in the translation to print. It covers her life up to 1964 (it's truly a shame that she didn't give her story more credit and continue it beyond that point, as it would have been wonderful to read more). There are so many things I didn't know about this remarkable woman and it was a great joy to get the chance to learn about her life and her thoughts in such a charming fashion. I highly recommend this book!
December 25, 2015
I've read other biographies of Lucille Ball and Desiz Arnez,but this one by Miss Ball herself was interesting because after growing up watching her on tv,I know her voice pretty well,so it was if I could her her speaking and even imagine her facial expressions. The book like her tv shows and movies was very intertaining.
May 22, 2023
***Listened to the Audiobook***
March 20, 2018
Wonderful!
February 18, 2019
I really enjoyed this autobiography of Lucille Ball. I used to love watching The Lucy Show so it was kind of like visiting with old friends. I listened to the version narrated by her daughter, Lucy Arnez. Great narration too.
July 30, 2024
Lucie Arnaz read this audiobook, and she was really able to make the voices of her parents come alive. The book was enjoyable, but it was a bit of a letdown after Barbra Streisand's memoir. I especially loved the stories of scrappy Lucille's persistence and determination to make it in showbiz.
November 27, 2022
What a life!
Lucille Ball writes as classy as she looks, as her words flow with excitement to tell her story. This is a memoir that was hard to put down when I needed to step away. I found myself looking forward to the next chapter as I progressed in this book. She really was the star in her life as much as she was in the entertainment business. I found it inspiring how she followed her heart and the strength it must have taken to do so. While her life was not an easy one, she overcame her struggles with a great attitude and self confidence.
I would read this memoir again, as it flowed very nicely.
Well done, Lucy.
Lucille Ball writes as classy as she looks, as her words flow with excitement to tell her story. This is a memoir that was hard to put down when I needed to step away. I found myself looking forward to the next chapter as I progressed in this book. She really was the star in her life as much as she was in the entertainment business. I found it inspiring how she followed her heart and the strength it must have taken to do so. While her life was not an easy one, she overcame her struggles with a great attitude and self confidence.
I would read this memoir again, as it flowed very nicely.
Well done, Lucy.
February 25, 2011
...because I never missed an I Love Lucy episode, well, rerun anyway.
I truly enjoyed reading this book. It was unfortunate that Lucille Ball stopped writting in 1964, 54 years into her fabulous life. Even more unfortunate is that this autobiography might never have made it to print if it weren't for her two children, Lucie and Desi Jr., who found it by accident after Lucy passed away in 1989.
Lucy was a pioneer in her time. She didn't succumb to the infamous casting couch, illicit drugs and alcohol, and seem to always keep her wits about her. Brought up on a mid-western foundation that kept her grounded for pretty much all of her earlier career. (Not too sure about anything after 1964.)
Her autobiography talked about her trying to make it in show business, trying to find "her" and what her talent(s) were, the introduction to Desi Arnaz, her decade of trying to have children and not being successful. Later her success as an actress, the launging of I Love Lucy and Desilu Productions, her marriage to Desi Arnaz and later the divorce - 20+ years later, and finally her 2nd and last husband, Gary Morton.
Now I'll need to follow this up with the years from 1964 to 1989.
I truly enjoyed reading this book. It was unfortunate that Lucille Ball stopped writting in 1964, 54 years into her fabulous life. Even more unfortunate is that this autobiography might never have made it to print if it weren't for her two children, Lucie and Desi Jr., who found it by accident after Lucy passed away in 1989.
Lucy was a pioneer in her time. She didn't succumb to the infamous casting couch, illicit drugs and alcohol, and seem to always keep her wits about her. Brought up on a mid-western foundation that kept her grounded for pretty much all of her earlier career. (Not too sure about anything after 1964.)
Her autobiography talked about her trying to make it in show business, trying to find "her" and what her talent(s) were, the introduction to Desi Arnaz, her decade of trying to have children and not being successful. Later her success as an actress, the launging of I Love Lucy and Desilu Productions, her marriage to Desi Arnaz and later the divorce - 20+ years later, and finally her 2nd and last husband, Gary Morton.
Now I'll need to follow this up with the years from 1964 to 1989.
September 11, 2011
title:love lucy
author:lucille ball
pages:256
on december 14th 2010 i received this book on my birthday from my grandmother, oh how i was thrilled to get this book in my hands i started to read it ammedently,this book is about lucille ball and growing up as a little girl in jamestown new york she talks about her exsperence of losing a father,grandmother,aunt as a child and how she hoped to find somebody to understand her,how she started modeling for a living and on her way to stardom,how she met desi aranz and her romantic but hard marrige to desi aranz,how "i love lucy" came to play and how she longed for children,i love this book because i feel sad, happy, mad, and excited all at the same time as i turned each page i could hear her voice as if she was telling the story to me it's like i could hear the emotion she put into each word. i recomend this book to anybody who really wants to know what lucille went through in her life from the simple life to loseing everything you owned when the depression started and how she went to riches once she became "known" in hollywood. "my only to die moments i life is when i lost myself respect"-lucille ball.
author:lucille ball
pages:256
on december 14th 2010 i received this book on my birthday from my grandmother, oh how i was thrilled to get this book in my hands i started to read it ammedently,this book is about lucille ball and growing up as a little girl in jamestown new york she talks about her exsperence of losing a father,grandmother,aunt as a child and how she hoped to find somebody to understand her,how she started modeling for a living and on her way to stardom,how she met desi aranz and her romantic but hard marrige to desi aranz,how "i love lucy" came to play and how she longed for children,i love this book because i feel sad, happy, mad, and excited all at the same time as i turned each page i could hear her voice as if she was telling the story to me it's like i could hear the emotion she put into each word. i recomend this book to anybody who really wants to know what lucille went through in her life from the simple life to loseing everything you owned when the depression started and how she went to riches once she became "known" in hollywood. "my only to die moments i life is when i lost myself respect"-lucille ball.
April 29, 2010
I Love Lucy!
This book covers Lucille Ball's life up till 1964 or so. She describes her childhood, her career and the divorce from Desi Arnaz. This book was conceived after her death when found among her estate was a manuscript. It was dated 1966. Lucille Ball died in 1989. The manuscript was based on tape recordings that Lucille Ball had made in anticipation of a memoir that she decided not to finish. Lucille Ball probably shelved the project because she didn't want to hurt Desi so soon after their divorce. She was afraid it would be all about the "D" words (the drinking, the dames and the divorce)."
There are many books out there about Lucy; but this book is in her words. I am a huge fan of Lucy and this book helps to explain the break up of her marriage to Desi. The marriage was literally falling apart during the last years of I Love Lucy and finally broke down entirely the last season of their comedy hour.
Lucille Ball was a class act and this book tells in her own words her growing up in Jamestown, New York and her passion for her family.
This book covers Lucille Ball's life up till 1964 or so. She describes her childhood, her career and the divorce from Desi Arnaz. This book was conceived after her death when found among her estate was a manuscript. It was dated 1966. Lucille Ball died in 1989. The manuscript was based on tape recordings that Lucille Ball had made in anticipation of a memoir that she decided not to finish. Lucille Ball probably shelved the project because she didn't want to hurt Desi so soon after their divorce. She was afraid it would be all about the "D" words (the drinking, the dames and the divorce)."
There are many books out there about Lucy; but this book is in her words. I am a huge fan of Lucy and this book helps to explain the break up of her marriage to Desi. The marriage was literally falling apart during the last years of I Love Lucy and finally broke down entirely the last season of their comedy hour.
Lucille Ball was a class act and this book tells in her own words her growing up in Jamestown, New York and her passion for her family.
March 2, 2011
It was really good to hear Lucille Ball's story in her own words. This autobiography tended not to talk about most of the harder times in her life, other than with a gloss over. She avoided talking much about the problems she had with Desi, although she did acknowledge that there were lots of problems. She seemed to try not to paint Desi or anyone else badly, which is admirable, but can lead to a less interesting book. I found the book interesting and her voice pleasant, although I would have loved to know more about how she got through some of the harder times. It was also interesting to hear about her time as a movie actress, since I never really associated her with film, although I knew that's where she got her start. I might even go and check out a few of the movies she talks about.
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