Dean and Me

A Love Story

By: Jerry Lewis, James Kaplan

Narrated by: Stephen Hoye

They were the unlikeliest of pairs: a handsome crooner and a skinny monkey, an Italian from Steubenville, Ohio, and a Jew from Newark, N.J. Before they teamed up, Dean Martin seemed destined for a mediocre career as a nightclub singer, and Jerry Lewis was dressing up as Carmen Miranda and miming records on stage. But the moment they got together, something clicked, something miraculous, and audiences saw it at once.

Before long, they were as big as Elvis or the Beatles would be after them, creating hysteria wherever they went and grabbing an unprecedented hold over every entertainment outlet of the era: radio, television, movies, stage shows, and nightclubs. Martin and Lewis were a national craze, an American institution. The millions (and the women) flowed in, seemingly without end, and then, on July 24, 1956, 10 years from the day when the two men joined forces, it all ended.

After that traumatic day, the two wouldn't speak again for 20 years. And while both went on to forge triumphant individual careers, Martin as a movie and television star, recording artist, and nightclub luminary (and charter member of the Rat Pack); Lewis as the groundbreaking writer, producer, director, and star of a series of hugely successful movie comedies, their parting left a hole in the national psyche, as well as in each man's heart.

In a memoir by turns moving, tragic, and hilarious, Jerry Lewis recounts with crystal clarity every step of a 50-year friendship, from the springtime, 1945 afternoon when the two vibrant young performers destined to conquer the world together met on Broadway and 54th Street, to their tragic final encounter in the 1990s, when Lewis and his wife ran into Dean Martin, a broken and haunted old man.

©2005 Jerry Lewis (P)2005 Books on Tape

Critic reviews

"Fans will be surprised and entertained by Lewis' honesty and diminished ego and bitterness." (Publishers Weekly)

A different sort of love story

This really is a love story. Jerry Lewis speaks reverently and with great affection for his long time partner and good friend Dean Martin. From their humble beginnings to the height of their popularity in the 1950's to the tragic break ten years after they teamed up, Lewis hits all the highs and lows with vivid portraits, humerous anecdotes and most importantly a touching and loving portrait of the complex man that was Dean Martin. While Lewis is not at all modest (he seems to take credit for most of their successes), he still cops to his own demons and the effect they had on the partnership.It is so emotional at times this listener found herself in tears listening to the loss and pain the break brought both stars. Peppered with portraits of famous stars, mobsters and studio bossess, and narrated with an uncanny similarity to Lewis' voice,This audiobook is among my favorites, and it is a timely and lovely tribute to the great Dino.

before you purchase!!!

Please..get the unabridged version, if only for the narrator, Stephen Hoye-he is magnificent and brings the characters to life, especially Jerry. Now that I've purchased and listened,curiosity led me back to the narrator sample of the abridged vesion. Suffice to say, I made the correct choice.

Oh boy! What a relief!

The story of this book is beyond spectacular, if you are a fan of dean Martin and Jerry Lewis. The performance is perfect. The New Yorker accent is flawless. The dean Martin and Jerry Lewis impersonations are spectacular.

An incredible journey as seen from the point of view of the masterful Jerry Lewis. This is worth every penny invested in this book.

All-Time Greats!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would definitely recommend this book for its honesty, humor and touching moments.

What did you like best about this story?

It's not only a backstage look at one of the all-time greatest partnerships, but also a loving tribute to a great friend.

Have you listened to any of Stephen Hoye’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

First time listen. Great job!

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

It made me laugh and sad at times.

Any additional comments?

Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis will always be remembered because of their talent, style, charm and humor of the likes which we will never see again.

Bygone days

My Dad was a huge fan of their team. As a kid, I recall the long telethons on Labor Day weekend that were part of the traditions of my childhood. I enjoyed the story and the narration. Thanks to Martin and Lewis for the laughs!

WOW ! WOW ! WOW !

Took Me Back To The Good Ole Days. Jerry Lewis Gave Us A Beautiful Tribute To An Amazing Man In Dean Martin. For Those Of Us Who Knew These Days, We Got A Brilliantly Told Behind The Scene Story Of These Two Entertainment Masters. I Loved Them Before, I Love Them Even More Now. Narration Was Off The Charts FANTASTIC!

Wonderful!

What an interesting and wonderfully done memoir. Some audiobooks, I find myself drifting away, but not this one. This one had my undivided attention throughout the whole book. Well worth listening to.

A must read!

If you love biographies you will love this. Great personal info and a true love story between Dean and Jerry. Great book!

If you love rollercoasters....

What made the experience of listening to Dean and Me the most enjoyable?

The narration was some of the best work I have ever listened to.

What does Stephen Hoye bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I thought as though I was right there in the room as the conversations were happening. A fly on the wall - so to speak.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes it was.

Interesting Premise

What did you love best about Dean and Me?

It was interesting to get to know what went on behind the curtain.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I didn't realize that Dean Martin was such a dark person.

What does Stephen Hoye bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Actually, I would have enjoyed listening to the book more had Jerry Lewis been the narrator.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

I believe a film was already made. Perhaps not from this book, but similar. It was a made for TV move, if I recall correctly.