Andy and Don

The Making of a Friendship and a Classic American TV Show

By: Daniel de Visé

Narrated by: George Newbern

A lively and revealing biography of Andy Griffith and Don Knotts, celebrating the powerful real-life friendship behind one of America's most iconic television programs.

Andy Griffith and Don Knotts met on Broadway in the 1950s. When Andy went to Hollywood to film a TV pilot about a small-town sheriff, Don called to ask if the sheriff could use a deputy. The comedic synergy between Sheriff Andy Taylor and Deputy Barney Fife ignited The Andy Griffith Show, elevating a folksy sitcom into a timeless study of human friendship, as potent off the screen as on. Andy and Don - fellow Southerners born into poverty and raised among scofflaws, bullies, and drunks - captured the hearts of Americans across the country as they rocked lazily on the front porch, meditating about the simple pleasure of a bottle of pop.

But behind this sleepy, small-town charm, de Visé's exclusive reporting reveals explosions of violent temper, bouts of crippling neurosis, and all-too-human struggles with the temptations of fame. Andy and Don chronicles unspoken rivalries, passionate affairs, unrequited loves, and friendships lost and regained. Although Andy and Don ended their Mayberry partnership in 1965, they remained best friends for the next half century, with Andy visiting Don at his deathbed.

Written by Don Knotts' brother-in-law and featuring extensive unpublished interviews with those closest to both men, Andy and Don is the definitive literary work on the legacy of The Andy Griffith Show and a provocative and an entertaining listen about two of America's most enduring stars.

©2015 Daniel de Vise (P)2015 Simon & Schuster

The Making of a Friendship is an understatement

This book was so good and makes you see Don Knotts and Andy Griffith in such a different light. If you liked the Andy Griffith show and all the characters, you have to read this book.

Loved it!

If you are an honest fan of these 2 like I am, I can’t see how you would not love this book. Written well and fair to both of them, I enjoyed listening to this book as much as I love visiting them on the show. True friendship at its best. Really loved it.

Comic Duo

A great duo..this was a great book. This almost got me to watch more of the color episodes

The truth

I really appreciate the author being forthright and reporting a balanced view of the good and bad. I don’t love Andy and Don any less because of this.

Love and Respect

Would you listen to Andy and Don again? Why?

Would I listen to Andy and Don again, not sure. It is a great book but it maybe to painful.

What did you like best about this story?

The best thing about the book was that it told it like it was. It gave history that I did not know. These two great artists really understood and loved each other. It helped explain why I loved the series and them so much and the movies and appearances they made together and seperately .

Which scene was your favorite?

The entire book was my favorite scene. If I did have to pick one, it would be the times when Andy and Don worked together.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

When the book came to Don's passing, there was tears in my eyes and the same at the end of the book when Andy passed. Yes, both of you will be in heaven, together, happy, and making others laugh and smile.

Any additional comments?

I decided to purchase and read the book because of the cover. I and my family have loved the "Andy Griffith Show with Don Knotts" since it first came out. I own all of the episodes so I can see them when I want. These men where far from perfect in real life, but think of all of the enjoyment they both have given over the years, and will continue to give, to common people like me in the future. My kids, who don't really like "old TV series", will sit and watch and laugh at these show. Andy, Barney, Opie, and Aunt Bee have certainly brought a lot of enjoyment over the years to a great number of people.

This book told it the way it was, the good, the bad, and the love. I liked the way the author went back and forth between the two. I found a great number of similarities between Andy and Don. Show business can be real tough. The book went through all of this for the both of them. I will never look at the series that same way again.

Great show great book

Lots of great information. Many things I did not know. Very well written. Very interesting.

Loved it!

I was having a tough time in my life. I listen to this book and it lifted me up.

Not the story I expected.

Having grown up watching the show, I was curious about the behind the scenes stories. I'm glad I listened to it, but it showed the dark side of their relationship, as well as the good.

Lovely Story of a Great Friendship

No nasty stories here. Andy Griffith had a bit of a temper and was a control freak, but that's about it. These two guys were great friends and George Newbern's narration adds to the coziness.

Very enjoyable

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this book. I saw am intimate side to both men that was, to ne. unexpected. If you are an AGS fsn, this book is for you.