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 Vise'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 death bed.
Written by Don Knotts's brother-in-law and featuring extensive unpublished interviews with those closest to both men, Andy and Don is the definitive literary work on the legacy of The Andy Griffith Show and a provocative and an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 read about two of America's most enduring stars. @goodreads
MY REVIEW:
5 STARS
Well I just cried at the ending of this book.....
I used to watch The Andy Griffith Show as a kid all the way up into my adult years. I even saw an episode last week, which is kind of funny that I read the book right after :)
This book was written by Don Knott's brother-in-law and I think he did a really great job. There are so many things you find out about people that you never even knew. I would love to read a memoir or journal of each person I have ever known and know now, it doesn't matter if your famous, I just love to read about people.
Andy and Don met on broadway in the 1950's. But The Andy Griffith Show didn't debut until October of 1960 and has never been off the air!! But let me back track a little.
The book starts with Don's life as a child and then moves on to Andy's. He tells their life from childhood all the way up until their deaths. Now you know not EVERYTHING is in the book, but so many important things about their lives are in the book.
I was very saddened to read about Don's life as a child. I don't want to give out too many spoilers, but I will say that he grew up poor because his father fell ill before he was born and his mother did everything she could to take care of all of them including Don's brothers. There were things that Don's father did to him that just breaks my heart. Not to mention things in life that got to Don, but there were many good things to go along with the bad. There was a lot of bad behavior on both Don and Andy's part, but who doesn't have that, right?
Then it moves to Andy's childhood, his wasn't as bad as Don's but they were not well off either. The story moves back and forth in between their lives through growing up and what they made of their careers.
I really enjoyed the things I read about Andy and Barney.. the whole gang. I loved that show and still do, when you get down and out with the corrupt world, just find an episode of The Andy Griffith Show. My favorite episode was The Haunted House and Aunt Bee's Pickles :) But The Haunted House was hilarious and I love anything with a spooky vibe so that won number one for me.
When it came to the parts about their deaths, I cried and cried. Especially the in depth look into the days leading up to Don's death, I thought I was going to fall off my couch.. it was so sad. And then when I get over that, here comes Andy's death and I start all over again.
Needless to say, anyone that loved the show should read this book. I'm going to be buying this one when it comes out.
They will always keep me laughing and in some shows crying, but I digress :)
*I would like to thank NETGALLEY AND SIMON & SCHUSTER for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.*
GOODREADS LINK:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1413288676
AMAZON LINK TO THE BOOK:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1476747733?keywords=andy%20and%20don&qid=1444664031&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1
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