Rat Pack Confidential

Frank, Dean, Sammy, Peter, Joey and the Last Great Show Biz Party

By: Shawn Levy

Narrated by: Mike Chamberlain

January 1960. Las Vegas is at its smooth, cool peak. The Strip is a jet-age theme park, and the greatest singer in the history of American popular music summons a group of friends there to make a movie. One is an insouciant singer of Italian songs, ex-partner to the most popular film comedian of the day. One is a short, black, Jewish, one-eyed, singing, dancing wonder. One is an upper-crust British pretty boy turned degenerate B-movie star actor, brother-in-law to an ascendant politician. And one is a stiff-shouldered comic with the quintessential Borscht Belt emcee's knack for needling one-liners. The architectonically sleek marquee of the Sands Hotel announces their presence simply by listing their names: Frank Sinatra. Dean Martin. Sammy Davis, Jr. Peter Lawford. Joey Bishop. They call themselves The Clan. But to an awed world, they are known as The Rat Pack.

They had it all. Fame. Gorgeous women. A fabulous playground of a city and all the money in the world. The backing of fearsome crime lords and the blessing of the President of the United States. But the dark side - over the thin line between pleasure and debauchery, between swinging self-confidence and brutal arrogance - took its toll. In four years, their great ride was over, and showbiz was never the same.

©1998 Shawn Levy (P)2019 Tantor

Interesting

I hadn’t read about the Rat Pack before, only heard bits and pieces about them over time. It was interesting to hear the inter workings, drama, politics and boldness of the group. There are a lot of philosophical lessons one could draw from this and it’s always amazing how the passage of time creates idols due to faded memories of the not so attractive details. Still love their music.

Love the Rat Pack!!

so very interesting about the back story. it does not disappoint. great story to listen to why doing hand work or art.

Somewhat Surprising

Overall this book provided great insight into a time when a lot of things came together but didn't last for a long. I learned a number of things that I kind of wish I didn't know, but it also gave me a further connection to the time and a group of people for whom I still have some affection.

Remember the word “Confidential”

If you are not in the mood to read more dirt than you wanted to know about your favorite stars, than any book that has the word “confidential“ in the title is not for you. This was a well written account - if not overtly negative towards all of those involved – and properly salacious for the title. If you were a diehard Frank, Dean, Sammy and especially Peter fan, and you want to stay that way, don’t read this book. There are zero warm fuzzies in this book, and while I don’t necessarily think so, if someone found out down the road that the author had an ax to grind with any of the four, it would be hard for the author to dispute that based on his writing. A star marked off because it is truly so depressing.

Amazingly done.

If the story is accurate, as I assume that it is, this is a great book. Amazing facts about ALL the players in the Rat Pack and all that surrounded it. Great narrative as well. Highly recommend.

Could hardly put it down…

I really enjoyed listening to this book. I learned so much about the Rat Pack I didn’t know before. The highs, the lows, the scandal…it’s all there. The book gives you just enough background on the fellas to make it interesting, and to give you insight on how they became successful. If you are a fan of the Rat Pack and the era when they were popular, I certainly recommend this book.

It's a peak behind the curtain

I loved it. Although I had read the book 3 times around 2007 -09. I was very excited to see it finally in audio format. The narrator is very good and I loved the way it brings them all together and separates them again in the end . Listen to it only if you want to see the wizard behind the curtain.

Really enjoyed it!

I’m a Dean Martin fan and there isn’t much out there about him.
Very interesting and entertaining.

Entertaining eye opening read

Thoroughly enjoyed! Moved quickly ! The reader actually sounds like Walter Winchler which is the only draw back to me!

Let’s Travel Back to Vegas in 1960

If you’re interested in those 5 guys who ruled The Strip in 1960, give this a listen. Well researched, stylishly written and compellingly narrated, this book is a peek into a magical moment in time which has long since passed.