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Overview
Along with collected letters of Ralph Waldo Emerson, Thomas Jefferson and Wendell Willkie, Rickles' Letters illustrates the power of eloquent correspondence and offers universal wisdom for the ages. For example:
RICKLES TO MRS. LINCOLN: "Sorry you had problems at Ford's Theatre last night, but could you get me a couple of aisle tickets for the Saturday matinee?"
RICKLES TO ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER: "Lose the cigar. It's hard enough to understand you without it."
RICKLES TO CLINT EASTWOOD: "How many guys could do a movie about Iwo Jima from the Japanese point of view? I got nervous; I thought you were going to let them win!"
RICKLES TO SANTA CLAUS: "Kiss my jingle bells."
RICKLES TO PRESIDENT CARTER: "Forget your hammers and nails and Habitat House and read my book."
RICKLES TO QUEEN ELIZABETH: "Is it true your husband has a day job working at a sword factory?"
RICKLES TO BENJAMIN FRANKLIN: "Cousin Herbie was doing great selling candles until you came up with the stupid idea of flying a kite."
RICKLES TO MAYOR BLOOMBERG: "What do I have to do to get a cab around here?"
Synopsis
From comedy legend Don Rickles, the hilariouis collected letters of Mr. Warmth.
Publishers Weekly
Legendary comedian Rickles is at his funniest when he's insulting people in front of an audience, and-as illustrated by his memoir Rickles' Book-at his most sentimental when reminiscing over old friends. This volume has a little of both, but not enough of either; a collection of open letters to fellow celebrities and other notable figures, it only hints at Rickles' uproarious comedic gifts. Most missives are strictly one-note: a letter to the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, where Rickles once studied, requests a statue in his honor; Fidel Castro gets joshed about his retirement; Jesus gets congratulations for starting a new religion, but chastised for Easter. Those waiting for the gloves to come off will be disappointed in his gentle treatment of longtime friends like Bob Newhart, Steve and Eydie Gorme and Frank Sinatra. Perhaps most puzzling is his temerity with those who could use the full Rickles barrage, like Osama Bin Laden: "You're becoming a real pain in my ass, way up there in the mountains. Just let me find you a nice condo in downtown Tel Aviv already." Longtime fans and comedy completists will want this in their collection, but they'll find it doesn't live up to Rickles' considerable talents.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Editorials
From Barnes & Noble
Don Rickles is the most beloved insult comic of all time. Now an octogenarian and still adamantly opposed to retirement, the bad boy stand-up from Jackson Heights, Queens, continues to delight audiences with his acid commentary about celebrities' foibles and vanity. Throughout his long career, the man Johnny Carson nicknamed "Mr. Warmth" has maintained a prolific correspondence, regaling his friends with not only his satiric barbs but also his insights about comedy and entertainment. This collection of misanthropic missive will entertain baby boomers and several generations beyond.Publishers Weekly
Legendary comedian Rickles is at his funniest when he's insulting people in front of an audience, and-as illustrated by his memoir Rickles' Book-at his most sentimental when reminiscing over old friends. This volume has a little of both, but not enough of either; a collection of open letters to fellow celebrities and other notable figures, it only hints at Rickles' uproarious comedic gifts. Most missives are strictly one-note: a letter to the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, where Rickles once studied, requests a statue in his honor; Fidel Castro gets joshed about his retirement; Jesus gets congratulations for starting a new religion, but chastised for Easter. Those waiting for the gloves to come off will be disappointed in his gentle treatment of longtime friends like Bob Newhart, Steve and Eydie Gorme and Frank Sinatra. Perhaps most puzzling is his temerity with those who could use the full Rickles barrage, like Osama Bin Laden: "You're becoming a real pain in my ass, way up there in the mountains. Just let me find you a nice condo in downtown Tel Aviv already." Longtime fans and comedy completists will want this in their collection, but they'll find it doesn't live up to Rickles' considerable talents.Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.