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Priceless Memories
In front of the camera, he has been invited into the homes of millions of Americans as host of The Price Is Right, Truth or Consequences, Miss USA, Miss Universe, The Rose Parade, and many other programs and specials. Now Bob Barker shares stories of favorite contestants, episodes, celebrity encounters, and behind-the-scenes happenings.
Beyond his public persona, he will open up about his personal life. From being raised on a Native American reservation by a single mother through the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl, to training as a pilot in the Navy during World War II, through his romance with the love of his life and high school sweetheart, Dorothy Jo, and his success at retirement.
His support of animal rights has always been a central part of his life. Bob delves into stories of how he has taken on Hollywood and the government in his crusade, including his anti-fur stand-off with beauty pageants, his involvement in uncovering animal abuse in movies and television, and the legislation he helped to pass. He also shares personal stories of rescuing animals, from dogs to elephants.
For the innumerable fans who have welcomed Bob into their homes over the last fifty years, this book will be like catching up with a dear and familiar friend who continues to lead a full and endlessly interesting life.
Beyond his public persona, he will open up about his personal life. From being raised on a Native American reservation by a single mother through the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl, to training as a pilot in the Navy during World War II, through his romance with the love of his life and high school sweetheart, Dorothy Jo, and his success at retirement.
His support of animal rights has always been a central part of his life. Bob delves into stories of how he has taken on Hollywood and the government in his crusade, including his anti-fur stand-off with beauty pageants, his involvement in uncovering animal abuse in movies and television, and the legislation he helped to pass. He also shares personal stories of rescuing animals, from dogs to elephants.
For the innumerable fans who have welcomed Bob into their homes over the last fifty years, this book will be like catching up with a dear and familiar friend who continues to lead a full and endlessly interesting life.
245 pages, Hardcover
First published April 5, 2009
61 people are currently reading
663 people want to read
About the author
Bob Barker
3 books1 followerBob Barker was an American television game show host. He hosted CBS's The Price Is Right, the longest-running game show in North American television history. He was an advocate for animal rights and of animal rights activism.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 145 reviews
July 2, 2012
So when I randomly saw this in our apartment (I think B bought it a while back?) I was sort of excited. I heard scandalous rumours of Bob hooking up with Barkers Beauties, although obviously this was all alleged. Pretty excited to read the dirt. I love a good celeb tell all.
I cannot express the level of boredom that came with reading this book. Bob Barker never did even one scandalous thing in his life ever. No affairs (good for him!) no like craziness, no drinking, no drugs, I don’t even think he has like j-walked across a street. He was very much in love with his wife who sounds kind of awesome but unfortunately died young from cancer. He also loved laying in the sun. And was a pilot in the navy but never had to go to war. That’s literally the entire book. Seriously.
Nothing ever happened. I was so bored. I was like reading about paint drying or like the flavor vanilla, but not even the good vanilla bean kind.
It was sooooooooooooooooo boring. Although, Bob Barker seems like a very nice man, reading the most boring book ever was lame.
I cannot express the level of boredom that came with reading this book. Bob Barker never did even one scandalous thing in his life ever. No affairs (good for him!) no like craziness, no drinking, no drugs, I don’t even think he has like j-walked across a street. He was very much in love with his wife who sounds kind of awesome but unfortunately died young from cancer. He also loved laying in the sun. And was a pilot in the navy but never had to go to war. That’s literally the entire book. Seriously.
Nothing ever happened. I was so bored. I was like reading about paint drying or like the flavor vanilla, but not even the good vanilla bean kind.
It was sooooooooooooooooo boring. Although, Bob Barker seems like a very nice man, reading the most boring book ever was lame.
December 21, 2023
I have been a fan of Bob Barker my whole life. So…at age 61 that makes me a Bob Barker “fangranny”. This story could have gone on for hours and hours more. I listened to this in the audiobook format and Bob narrated it himself and it couldn’t have been done any other way. This book is perfect. If you are like me and grew up with Bob Barker then “come on down” and read this amazing book of his life and please “help control the pet population and have your pets spayed and neutered”!!!
February 5, 2010
I gave it a Three because I grew up watching Bob on Truth or Consequences. I even had a childish crush on him. So as he walked down memory lane it brought back a lot of memories for me.
I would be remiss if I didn't remind you to "Remember spay or neuteral you pets."
I would be remiss if I didn't remind you to "Remember spay or neuteral you pets."
Read
February 16, 2015My friend mailed the CD-Audio version of this book while he was stationed in grad school in upstate New York but I didn't listen to it until I was driving back down to school in Florida over the summer with my mom. Read by the charming Bob Barker, the seemingly endless audiobook offers everything you could possibly ever want to know about him plus a whole lot more. I think the first CD covers the Price is Right, so if you're only interested in that don't listen any further, because then he goes into the minutia of his time in the airforce, meeting his wife, other jobs he had (mostly early television PR jobs which don't exist anymore), other gameshows he was on, the popularity of "the price is wrong, bitch!," his popularity with Samoan women, and a whole CD on animal rights causes. I can't remember a lot of it right now, some five months later, but at the time it was warm and relaxing, and Bob's positive, distinctly old Californian outlook on life will make you feel good. I can't imagine reading this in book form, though. GET THE AUDIOBOOK!
May 8, 2009
Those trips down memory lane autobiographies are an easy sell and Bob Barker's book, "Priceless Memories" hits the mark.
My complaint about this book is that Bob Barker wants to show you the best face possible. He's been successful through luck and pluck, but the underside rarely appears. One quick look on wikipedia will deal with items of controversy and health, but neither is mentioned in the book. Why?
I'm glad that Bob Barker has been so instrumental in the care of animals and has dedicated time and money to those efforts. Celebrity status has done far worse, especially to a younger crowd, but Barker seems to have a particular affinity to helping the cause of animal protection. I give him credit. I wish, however, that this book had been better on personal balance.
My complaint about this book is that Bob Barker wants to show you the best face possible. He's been successful through luck and pluck, but the underside rarely appears. One quick look on wikipedia will deal with items of controversy and health, but neither is mentioned in the book. Why?
I'm glad that Bob Barker has been so instrumental in the care of animals and has dedicated time and money to those efforts. Celebrity status has done far worse, especially to a younger crowd, but Barker seems to have a particular affinity to helping the cause of animal protection. I give him credit. I wish, however, that this book had been better on personal balance.
February 16, 2015
I always thought I was a Bob Barker fan. When I saw that this existed, I immediately requested it from the library and it skipped its place in line over several other books. Turns out, maybe I'm more of a Price is Right fan, cause that's what it turned out I wanted. I wanted more of the crazy fan stories, how the show changed over 35 years, etc. What I got, was kind of boring and really just not anything that I cared about. I love pets as much as the next person, but do I really want to read a chapter about someone else's? Not so much. It wasn't a bad book, just not at all what I was hoping for and expecting. I had to force myself to finish it.
August 31, 2015
The tone of the book seemed phony. It felt like reading Bob Barker's sales pitch for himself. Everything in his life was perfect, he was great at his job, fabulous with his work in animal rights, and on and on. I was hoping for more of a 'true' life story, not this glossed-over version.
August 29, 2024
As someone who grew up watching the Price is Right, I loved this glimpse into Bob Barker's life. It felt like my grandparents telling me stories from their childhood.
February 6, 2021
I absolutely LOVED this book. Especially because I listened to the audio version read by Bob Barker himself (available on Hoopla from my local library)! I imagined sitting and listening to Bob telling me stories of his life! And his stories are a fantastic example of how little we know the people we think we know.
Bob Barker Price is Right star.
But he's also Bob Barker WWII naval aviator (negative Ghostrider the pattern is full).
And Karate Bob: who while sparring with Chuck Norris once got 4 cracked ribs!
If you love Bob, come on down and listen to or read this fantastic collection of memories.
Bob Barker Price is Right star.
But he's also Bob Barker WWII naval aviator (negative Ghostrider the pattern is full).
And Karate Bob: who while sparring with Chuck Norris once got 4 cracked ribs!
If you love Bob, come on down and listen to or read this fantastic collection of memories.
January 26, 2010
I read this book in one evening, so is a really quick read. Bob talks about his start in radio and his years of hosting of Truth or Consequences and The Price is Right. I laughed out loud at many of his funny recollections. Bob was very much in love with his wife and admired his Mother, whom he helped care for in her later years.
He never spoke negatively about a singel person or thing throughout the book nor used inapproate language. I was impressed with his writing for an 84 year old first-time publisher. I think he is a very classy gentleman, and am glad I read his book.
He never spoke negatively about a singel person or thing throughout the book nor used inapproate language. I was impressed with his writing for an 84 year old first-time publisher. I think he is a very classy gentleman, and am glad I read his book.
February 29, 2024
This was a pleasant, quick read about Bob Barker's life. I especially enjoyed the chapters that went into detail about his experiences working on game shows, and his tireless work in the field of animal rights is inspiring. The sections on his childhood and personal life are a little dry, however, and there was no mention of the controversy surrounding him and several former models from The Price is Right.
October 1, 2017
Bob Barker was a really nice person. His story is made me smile a couple of times.
December 16, 2017
The price is wrong, bitch.
December 24, 2023
I grew up watching The Price is Right and this book was so awesome. Bob Barker not only gave us TPIR memories but memories of his own life.
August 18, 2024
Bob Barker was a kind and passionate man. He is a national treasure, and his legacy lives on! ❤️
June 6, 2025
It felt like a grandpa sharing fun memories with you. :)
July 31, 2025
Listened on audio book, very nostalgic to hear Bob talk about his life. Pretty interesting listen to the life of a TV legend. I would imagine the audio book is the better medium for this one.
December 24, 2023
I really enjoyed it especially since it was read by Bob Barker.
February 20, 2024
2.5 if I could. Rounding up because of Bob Barker’s nostalgic value, but this book was tough to get through. Eventually I stopped pausing it when I needed to put my headphones down or leave the room for a bit….
January 31, 2024
Just ok, Not something I would recommend. I realize this was published in 2011 but it did not have a natural flow. Each chapter was a stand alone and the book had many repetitive thoughts. Parts were interesting while others were a chore to finish. Everything seemed easy, no struggled explored.
May 19, 2024
Visit JetBlackDragonfly (The Man Who Read Too Much) at www.edenthompson.ca/blog
If you grew up with The Price Is Right, or especially if you are interested in the early days of television, this is an interesting autobiography by host Bob Barker.
Raised by a single mother during the Depression, he became a Navy fighter pilot in WWII. Back home he started doing radio commercials and spinning discs, and was asked to do an audience participation show demonstrating home appliances for Southern California Water and Power, six days a week on location. He was a natural. This lead to national shows like Truth or Consequences (hosting for 18 years) and then The Price Is Right, the ultimate product placement show. Hosting TPRI for 35 years, he introduced things he believed in, like only giving away American made cars, and ending each show with the tag "Help control the pet population, have your pet spayed or neutered." which host Drew Carey carries on in his honour. A vegetarian for many years, he fought for animal rights throughout his career.
Winning many awards (including 18 Emmys and being inducted into the Television Hall of Fame) the studio where TPIR continues to be taped was renamed The Bob Barker Studio. He retired in 2007 celebrating 50 years in television.
For fans of early radio and television, he has great stories of seat-of-your-pants broadcasting, rolling with whatever an unscripted audience will say. If you are a fan who grew up watching TPIR in your Grandma's living room, rolling on her round ottoman even though you were told not to, this is an entertaining trip with someone you grew up with.
Enjoyable.
If you grew up with The Price Is Right, or especially if you are interested in the early days of television, this is an interesting autobiography by host Bob Barker.
Raised by a single mother during the Depression, he became a Navy fighter pilot in WWII. Back home he started doing radio commercials and spinning discs, and was asked to do an audience participation show demonstrating home appliances for Southern California Water and Power, six days a week on location. He was a natural. This lead to national shows like Truth or Consequences (hosting for 18 years) and then The Price Is Right, the ultimate product placement show. Hosting TPRI for 35 years, he introduced things he believed in, like only giving away American made cars, and ending each show with the tag "Help control the pet population, have your pet spayed or neutered." which host Drew Carey carries on in his honour. A vegetarian for many years, he fought for animal rights throughout his career.
Winning many awards (including 18 Emmys and being inducted into the Television Hall of Fame) the studio where TPIR continues to be taped was renamed The Bob Barker Studio. He retired in 2007 celebrating 50 years in television.
For fans of early radio and television, he has great stories of seat-of-your-pants broadcasting, rolling with whatever an unscripted audience will say. If you are a fan who grew up watching TPIR in your Grandma's living room, rolling on her round ottoman even though you were told not to, this is an entertaining trip with someone you grew up with.
Enjoyable.
December 13, 2020
What is there to say about Bob Barker. He is an icon, to say the least, and many of us grew up watching him on TV wishing that we were one of the contestants who got to play The Price is Right with Bob right next to us how to play a game or telling us that we won a car.
In this book, Bob walks us through his childhood, how his parents met, how he met his wife, his time in the military to the start of his first big game show called truth or consequences his time on the price is right, and his love of animals as well as what he has done for so many animals. To so much more. There are many things that I learned in this book but I never knew before. For instance, his wife gave him the nickname Barker to him being a vegetarian as well as everything he has done for animals that thing that worked in Hollywood. Did you know that Bob got into an altercation with people who were in charge of making sure that the women that were in the miss universe and miss USA pageants did not wear real fur during the pageants. He also was the voice behind the price is right giving out only America and built cars no matter the circumstances he stuck to his guns. Barker was the voice For all animals no matter what they were or where they lived. His love for his wife was known throughout this whole book. There were times in the book where it got a little boring but overall I'm really enjoyed reading his book and I suggest people who decide to read this book to have an open mind during it and read the whole book.
In this book, Bob walks us through his childhood, how his parents met, how he met his wife, his time in the military to the start of his first big game show called truth or consequences his time on the price is right, and his love of animals as well as what he has done for so many animals. To so much more. There are many things that I learned in this book but I never knew before. For instance, his wife gave him the nickname Barker to him being a vegetarian as well as everything he has done for animals that thing that worked in Hollywood. Did you know that Bob got into an altercation with people who were in charge of making sure that the women that were in the miss universe and miss USA pageants did not wear real fur during the pageants. He also was the voice behind the price is right giving out only America and built cars no matter the circumstances he stuck to his guns. Barker was the voice For all animals no matter what they were or where they lived. His love for his wife was known throughout this whole book. There were times in the book where it got a little boring but overall I'm really enjoyed reading his book and I suggest people who decide to read this book to have an open mind during it and read the whole book.
May 14, 2015
Turns out Bob Barker is an American success story.
He grew up poor in Texas and Missouri and South Dakota, and his father died when Bob was just six. He mother raised him by herself until she remarried when he was 13. He was a Navy pilot during WWII and married his high school sweetheart after receiving his wings. After the War, he and his wife moved to Hollywood, and through hard work and pluck (and a few lucky breaks), he got work in radio, then television, finally becoming the star we know today.
Barker maintains that his talent is making other people funny, which may translate to being able to pick the funny people out of the crowd.
He loves animals (He’s been a vegetarian for years and is famously anti-fur and vivisection), and he loves his late wife, who died young. He’s never remarried, although he’s had the same lady friend for over 24 years.
This book has no plot to speak of. As the title suggests, it’s mostly just a series of recollections, none of them especially juicy.
Barker makes himself out to be a plain man, a good guy, which I guess you get to do if you write a book about yourself. In this telling, Barker makes himself out to be a gentle, quietly funny man.
This book was an easy read—no big words, no complicated sentences—but it wasn’t poorly written. There was nothing challenging about it, but it did fine to help pass the time.
He grew up poor in Texas and Missouri and South Dakota, and his father died when Bob was just six. He mother raised him by herself until she remarried when he was 13. He was a Navy pilot during WWII and married his high school sweetheart after receiving his wings. After the War, he and his wife moved to Hollywood, and through hard work and pluck (and a few lucky breaks), he got work in radio, then television, finally becoming the star we know today.
Barker maintains that his talent is making other people funny, which may translate to being able to pick the funny people out of the crowd.
He loves animals (He’s been a vegetarian for years and is famously anti-fur and vivisection), and he loves his late wife, who died young. He’s never remarried, although he’s had the same lady friend for over 24 years.
This book has no plot to speak of. As the title suggests, it’s mostly just a series of recollections, none of them especially juicy.
Barker makes himself out to be a plain man, a good guy, which I guess you get to do if you write a book about yourself. In this telling, Barker makes himself out to be a gentle, quietly funny man.
This book was an easy read—no big words, no complicated sentences—but it wasn’t poorly written. There was nothing challenging about it, but it did fine to help pass the time.
May 26, 2012
Priceless Memories is an extremely fascinating look at the life of Bob Barker, who was one of my all time favorite game show hosts before his retirement. The Price is Right is not the same with Drew Carry hosting.
Barker describes his life from childhood to his retirement in 2007. His descriptions are interesting and detailed. I learned many new things about Barker. For example, I had no idea he grew up on an Indian reservation in South Dakota.
I thoroughly enjoyed the chapters he wrote about his hosting Truth or Consequences and The Price is Right. Reading about his experiences as the host of Price gave me new insights into the show and why it's so popular. I always wanted to attend a taping of the show, but only when Barker was hosting. I could care less about attending a taping now that Drew Carry has changed the show and made it not as fun anymore.
If you have grown up watching Bob Barker on TV or listened to him on the radio in the 40's, this is a must read.
Barker describes his life from childhood to his retirement in 2007. His descriptions are interesting and detailed. I learned many new things about Barker. For example, I had no idea he grew up on an Indian reservation in South Dakota.
I thoroughly enjoyed the chapters he wrote about his hosting Truth or Consequences and The Price is Right. Reading about his experiences as the host of Price gave me new insights into the show and why it's so popular. I always wanted to attend a taping of the show, but only when Barker was hosting. I could care less about attending a taping now that Drew Carry has changed the show and made it not as fun anymore.
If you have grown up watching Bob Barker on TV or listened to him on the radio in the 40's, this is a must read.
August 23, 2014
Any sick day as a kid was spent with Bob watching The Price is Right. I loved Bob! He had this warm, inviting, yet strong personality, but you loved him. He was funny & smart & he cared about animals.
I liked the book a lot....but wanted a little more.
Bob came from humble beginnings to rise to fame & become an icon. No one will ever touch his level as host of The Price is Right...sorry, but they are rather big shoes to fill.
Interesting story. Glad he choose to keep the lawsuits out of the book. Although I don't think he was innocent in the scandal, there was no need to bring it up. He stayed classy.
I liked the book a lot....but wanted a little more.
Bob came from humble beginnings to rise to fame & become an icon. No one will ever touch his level as host of The Price is Right...sorry, but they are rather big shoes to fill.
Interesting story. Glad he choose to keep the lawsuits out of the book. Although I don't think he was innocent in the scandal, there was no need to bring it up. He stayed classy.
June 12, 2023
An enjoyable memoir by Bob Barker, the man who helps him write it does a good adequate job.
From growing up in South Dakota, to being in the military in WW2, to eventually becoming a television tv host, Bob had a pretty varied life. Including surviving a terrorist attack while hosting Miss USA in Puerto Rico.
He’s obviously very dedicated to animal rights and I feel an undue portion of the book is dedicated to that.
Amazing that even as I write this he’s still alive, maybe that vegetarian diet ain’t so bad.
From growing up in South Dakota, to being in the military in WW2, to eventually becoming a television tv host, Bob had a pretty varied life. Including surviving a terrorist attack while hosting Miss USA in Puerto Rico.
He’s obviously very dedicated to animal rights and I feel an undue portion of the book is dedicated to that.
Amazing that even as I write this he’s still alive, maybe that vegetarian diet ain’t so bad.
May 1, 2009
As an avid fan of "The Price is Right" I had to at least pick this book up. It was interesting looking through the pictures and reading about how Bob got his start, but to be honest I never finished the book. I know where he's at now in life, so it wasn't like I missed any major surprises. It was a good "flip-through." I would probably give this book 2 1/2 stars (if Good Reads would let us give half ratings!)
May 16, 2012
I grew up a devoted fan of TPIR. I am still so happy that I was able to attend a taping of the show prior to Bob's retirement. Even though I did not get called to "Come on Down", it was a long time dream fulfillment to be there in person. In reading this memoir, I now know that TPIR was only one small piece of a long and busy career in the entertainment industry. You'll always be a priceless memory to me, Bob Barker!
October 29, 2016
I grew up watching the Price is Right because it's one of my mom's favorite shows. It is tied to my childhood. I loved learning about how the show got started and what it looked like in the early years. There are great contestant stories. And I love how passionate he is about animals. But the whole book felt very shallow. I didn't feel like I really understood his pain and loss. It was just surface stuff.
April 10, 2020
I grew up watching Price is Right with Bob Barker and always thought fondly of him. I thought this memoir would focus on his 35 years hosting that show, but alas it was largely his reminiscing about people I've never heard of and his military career. I did enjoy reading about his animal advocacy.
Many anecdotes in this book are certainly "of an age." People had their ears pierced?! Oh, my stars! Still, a nice read if you're curious about the man.
Many anecdotes in this book are certainly "of an age." People had their ears pierced?! Oh, my stars! Still, a nice read if you're curious about the man.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 145 reviews