Disarmingly Honest

I enjoyed this book, and as expected, I laughed out loud multiple times. I can't imagine "reading" this book when you have the opportunity to listen to Billy Crystal read it to you. Having his voice truly made all the difference and brought the laughs.
The insights into the sports figures were especially interesting and getting a peek behind the scenes of movies like When Harry Met Sally and City Slickers was a treat.
Going back and forth between Crystal reading the book and reading it live in front of an audience was a really nice touch, I especially loved that.
Because Crystal is reading it to you, it feels intimate. So occasionally he drops facts, or lines, that are surprising, like how rich he is, or how much he dislikes someone, things that were really, very honest. I loved it. I love being surprised, and I love being surprised that I'm surprised.
I recommend this book.

83 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Growing up with Billy Crystal

I hesitated at first because I really don't need a comedian, even an excellent one like Crystal, to tell me what aging feels like. This is much, much beyond that. Truly laugh out loud funny and surprisingly poignant, the decades of Billy's life are full of colorful (and often famous) characters that will fascinate you if you're acquainted with them or not. Yes, there are the old guy jokes, and they're funny, but it's when he's playing straight man to what is happening to him and around him when this book really zings. This is a book that you should NOT read on paper (or screen), but listen to performed by a master joker. Great fun.

62 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Falling out of love with Crystal

What disappointed you about Still Foolin' 'Em?

Chapters one and two are awesome standup. I laughed so hard I accidently woke my husband sleeping next to me, then pulled off my headphones so he could listen too. After a minute or two he was laughing with me--it was great! However, as the chapters went on it became less funny and turned ranty, you know, like grandpa does.

By chapter 14 he was literally bellyaching about what he doesn't like e.g. "fat" people, airport searches, politics bla, bla, bla. I couldn't believe it and, for me, comedy that puts down people or is just angry (for the sake of it) it's funny. Some parts of the book were amazing. One part about a boxer (I wont say more) was incredible. However, for the most part--he sound old and just not as funny anymore.

Also, he kept saying tits over, and over, and over. Even time I cringed. I know he's from an older generation (I just turned 30 and was reading it for fun) but tits? Tits! Tits! Tits! He sounded like he was 13 or something and it was endless. I just thought he'd be a little more polished. He curses throughout the whole thing which I don't mind but his obsession with tits did bother me, in a creepy way.

What didn’t you like about Billy Crystal’s performance?

Like others have said, he reads this book like he just can't wait to be done with it. I think he could have slowed down a little. Some parts of the book are recorded live and those are really exciting! No matter what anyone says, in these live parts where he is on stage preforming he's a total natural!

Any additional comments?

If you are a huge Crystal fan then you will probably enjoy this. If you are in your 60s and want to go back to the generation and culture of the 60s then you will most likely enjoy this book. He really did capture the "spirit" of the 60s and 70s in a way I have never heard before. Happy readings!!

38 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Who'd have known?

I thought all good comedians were the product of dysfunctional families. This is a very moving (if the last chapter doesn't get the waterworks going, see a professional) and enjoyable account of a family man and entertainer that thoroughly disabused me of that notion. Mr. Crystal's loving musings about his family--whether blood relatives or lifelong friends--nearly made a convert out of this sworn single person. Now there's the kind of success anyone would envy! The narration went by so fast that I had to be on the edge of my seat not to miss a single detail, but I doubt any other reader could have done the impressions or the tender memories justice.

26 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

great audio book, couldn't put it down

I very much enjoyed this book. Billy Crystal reads the book, and it is like an 8 hour performance from him. In fact, several chapters were recorded live as performances. Billy Crystal goes through his life and his loves with his unique perspective with warmth, wit and love. You'll laugh, you'll cry . . .oy vey, what else do you want?

21 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Warning: Don't listen to it in public.

Unless you're use to people looking at you like your crazy be careful because you WILL laugh out loud. Billy Crystal has been a constant favorite of my family since Soap and continues to be with my kids. His life has been full of ups and downs just like everyone else only he doesn't run to the bottles & drugs like so many others. He has been blessed with talent, a wonderful family, and the chance to become friends with people he admired as a child and you're so happy for him. This book is light hearted, funny, and overall amazing. A MUST GET.

20 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Pure Crystal

Any additional comments?

Fans of Billy Crystal could not ask for more -- everything you love about Billy Crystal is here. The sensitive, sometimes cranky, occasionally outrageous, intelligent, thoughtful and always very funny comedian-actor-director shares his life with us as you'd expect him to -- honestly, lovingly and with sharp wit. Happy I bought the audiobook version since the stand-up chapters recorded before a live audience added so much to the experience.

20 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Uplifting, Funny, Heartfelt

Would you consider the audio edition of Still Foolin' 'Em to be better than the print version?

The audio is DEFINITELY better than hard copy would have been for this book, with Billy Crystal reading.... it was like an 8 hour AMAZING show.

What about Billy Crystal’s performance did you like?

He was genuine, funny, transparent. I'm not sure if I sniffled and got choked up any less than I laughed out loud. Very moving story, wonderful writing, incredible performance. Highly recommend.

13 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Smart words from a funny guy

I listened to this book because, like Billy, I grew up in Long Beach in the fifties and sixties. He is three years older than me and was in my late brother's class at Long Beach High School. I remember playing softball with Billy at the East School playground. He was short back then too. I was hoping he would make a reference to the temple across the street from East School on Neptune Boulevard. A long softball drive would make it across the boulevard and hit Temple Emanuel. "Hit Emanuel" was one of our war cries. In softball terms it was the equivalent of a tape measure homer by Mickey. The book was memorable because I could personally identify with many of the references Billy made to his hometown. Beyond that, I learned many new things about Billy and the trip that brought him to where he is today. A funny and talented guy, he made me laugh, cry and remember. The live portions of the narration before an audience were like listening to new material in comedy record albums. Overall, a great listen.

11 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

For the Billy Crystal fan in all of us

This is a fun diversion from the history / lecture series' I normally listen to. A warm uplifting book fill with Billy's memories.

The BEST part of this book are Mr. Crystal's stories of the great Micky Mantle and Muhammad Ali. A human face is painted on these sports legends that very few have seen. The chapter on the filming of his HBO movie 61 was probably the best chapter in the book. As a youngster, my father took me to Yankee Stadium to watch these very same legends play. Tears swelled up inside.

The book also has its slow chapters. One can sense that Mr. Crystal has a preoccupation with death. He deals alot with dying which detracts from the otherwise brisk flow of the book.

This book is highly recommended,

BTW, you look marvelous

11 personnes ont trouvé cela utile