This is one of the best autobiographies you will ever read. I first read it when it was published in 1976. It is now out of print and available only in e-book format. An old battered copy of the book, in poor condtion, fetches about $224 on e-bay, if there is one available. A copy in good condition goes for $400 or more, and a signed copy goes for thousands of dollars. Even a battered paperback will set you back $80, again, if you can find one. The e-book runs for $15 or so and is readily available, both new or used.
But here's the thing, this book must be read. To really appreciate the depth of his story you must hear it in your head as he would speak it. In 2010 I reviewed this book from my memory of reading it in 1976. I didn't do it justice. I seem to have concentrated on only his years in America and merely eluded to his wealthy and privileged past.
The book is titled "A Book" simply because so many people asked him when he was going to write a book, it seemed only natural to title it in that way.
Desi Araz, born Desiderio Alberto Arnaz y de Acha III, was a man who, years later, arriving in Ventura, California found himself walking down streets bearing his family name. Even Ventura Blvd. was named for his family, who at one time owned a good chunk of Southern California by virtue of a land grant given to his family by Queen Isabella of Spain.
His paternal side was composed of Politicians, Police Chiefs etc. His maternal side were the Bacardi's, the ones who made the rum. His love of his grandparents, and their stories, is endearing. His description of growing up in Cuba, pre- Batista, is fascinating and educational. Unlike Lucille Ball's 3 books, which focused briefly on her childhood, meeting Desi and then "I Love Lucy", Desi's book is a history of a family and a way of life which simply doesn't exist anymore.
His stories of growing up in Santiago will lend you a new understanding of how Cuba went from Spanish ownership to an American protectorate, and finally into the puppet government of Batista, which is when his family lost all their power. He left Cuba 20 years before Castro ever came into view, arriving
Beginning with his life in Santiago, Cuba in 1917 where Mr. Arnaz was born, this book reaches back to the 1860's and introduces you to the roots of the life of privlege he led as a young man when he was heir to the Barcardi fortune. When Batista came to power all that changed. In the 1930's he went to Miami where he was spotted by Xavier Cugat. He became a singer in Mr. Cugats' band and carved out a small reputation for himself at the same time.
From there, he was the first to introduce the country to the "Conga" craze. This was the age of Xavier Cugat and Carmen Miranda with her fruited headpieces. After serving time in the Army, drafted as a foreign national in 1943, where he shortened his name to Desi Arnaz, he went on to Hollywood and some minor roles before being cast with Lucille Ball in some "B" movies. From there it's all, as they say, history.
Mr. Arnaz takes us through the years of "I Love Lucy", giving us a "cooks tour" of not only the show but the thought process which was behind it. This was the show that introduced us to the use of 3 camera angles, a process still in use today. He also chronicles the changes in his relationship with Lucy that finally led to their breakup in 1960. And he takes the full blame for that.
Though they both remarried, they remained close freinds the rest of their lives. There was just too much passion for their own marraige to endure. An honestly written, straight from the heart autobiography, in which he often paints himself in a bad light, this is one of those books that you really don't want to pass up.
If you want to read it you will mostly have to do an inter library loan. It is worth the small fee, and the wait. All well written books are.
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