Mine Enemy Grows Older

by Alexander King

The uproarious bestseller -- a scandalous, wonderful, fantastic safari through the zany world of writers, artists, actors and lovers.

Genres: Memoir, Biography, Nonfiction, Autobiography

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1958

About the author

Alexander King (1899–1965), born Alexander Koenig in Vienna, was a bestselling humorist, memoirist and media personality of the early television era, based in the United States.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexand...

Reviews

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

It has been years since I first read this book. Either I was in college or at least in my 20s. I loved it then, but I'm sure it meant more to me this time. I'm years older and I know more about the people and places mentioned. Everyone has a story. King's was one of the most fascinating. And, you come away with life lessons.

[Diane · Rating 1 out of 5]

This ersatz memoir is poorly written and there's nothing good about it. I cannot recommend this book to anyone, except perhaps someone interested in early 20th century slang. Then again, probably not even then. Save yourself. Take a deep breath and take your hand off the book. Make another choice. You'll be better off for it.

[Larry Sampson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I remember watching The Jack Paar Show with my mother when I was very young. I remember Alexander King as a frequent guest on the show. My mother always enjoyed listening to Alexander King tell his humorous life stories. She read all his books. I can still remember the book covers vividly in her collection. I found a paperback edition of Mine Enemy Grows Older on Amazon from a used book store and purchased it. I was very disappointed with the book. It was written in the late 1950's so I should have expected it to be dated. But the misogny and the homophobia from the time period was very diffcult to read today. It was kind of like having my Mom back visiting with me and discussing his most recent appearance on Jack Paar but one where we should have looked at his words closer for the ugliness that lies beneath them.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read for the second time in 2007 -- the first time probably was 45 years before that (difficult to explain for someone who's only 39 years old, I know).

This is a VERY funny autobiography / memoir by an all-round funny guy -- illustrator, editor, author, frequent talk-show guest (Jack Parr, I think, but also perhaps Steve Allen or early Johnny Carson). Deals with drug addiction at length. Great story about waking up "dead" from a cocaine overdose.

See also his later book, "May This House Be Safe From Tigers."

[Anthony Faber · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amusing memoir copyrighted in 1958. The author was a part of the arts/literary community in NY, so there's some name dropping. It's a bit dated and gets a little maudlin at times, but he's a funny guy. To give you an idea of the tone, it starts out with the diaclaimer "All the characters in this book are real people with the possible exception of the author".

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such an interesting man. I remember Alexander King was a frequent guest on the Jack Paar era Tonight Show. He was wise and clever, and his books reveal his feet of clay, while still holding your respect for the man.

[Roxanne Bland · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful glimpse into American life in the early to mid-twentieth century through the eyes of one who lived it to the hilt. At times poignant, at other times hilarious, King tells it all, calling it as he sees it. Delightful.

[Arlene Geis · Rating 1 out of 5]

I seldom do not finish a book but over half way through I finally gave up.

[Lisa · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ugh. Really? "Limp-wristed pansy"? I know this was written in a bygone era, but I have no use for homophobes.