Rating: 
Summary: An entertaining riff on post-war pop culture.
Review: Shawn Levy has done it again! As he did with "King of Comedy", in "Rat Pack Confidential" Levy illuminates popular culture with thorough research and trenchant analysis written in a jazzy style befitting his subject.He reminded me of an incident which took place in Atlantic City in the 1980's. Sinatra and Martin sat down at a blackjack table and demanded to be dealt from the deck, not from the shoe. If the dealer declined, they would have had her fired, if she agreed, as she did, the New Jersey Gaming Commission would have her fired for violating their rules, as they, in fact, did. These two aging rat packers decided to force a young woman into a Hobson's choice on nothing more than a whim. This incident, along with many others Levy describes in his book, serve as proof of Lord Acton's immortal phrase, "Power Corrupts". Even for saloon singers.
Rating:
Summary: A sobering look back...
Review: Shawn Levy has managed to capture the good with the bad in Rat Pack Confidential. More than just entertainers, these guys epitomized Ike/Kennedy Era America - all well groomed and presentable on the outside, with a seething inside full of alcohol, debauchery and underworld ties. Levy's writing style is breezy, trying to capture the superficiality of the time, which it does, but the book seems to end abruptly leaving more questions than answers. Great read for fans of the topic.
Rating:
Summary: A great deal of information, all mixed up
Review: The book was extremely interesting. I love to learn about things from the rat pack days. This book had a lot of information but he jumped back and forth in years and it did get a little confusing. He should have tried to keep it in chronological order. If anyone loves Frank and thinks he is a sweetheart, this book is not for you. It shows his mean side and his demanding nature , along with all the stress he put on those around him. His music and his legend will live forever, this book tells you what he did to do that. A good buy.
Rating: 
Summary: A Great Book to Swing By
Review: The Rat Pack Confidential truly takes the reader into the wild world of Las Vegas and Hollywood. After seeing the movie on Home Box Office; I had to read the book to see if it was all true. The book is not just about the wild times. It tells the story of how five men from five different worlds to become vital forces into the entertainment field. Plus, you get a true inside of how JFK lost control of his private life and a true in Frank Sinatra.
Rating: 
Summary: perhaps the Ratpack just weren't as fascinating as they woul
Review: The start of this book was not promising - the brief introductions to the members of the Ratpack - Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Peter Lawford and Joey Bishop - with writing that felt contrived: trying a bit too hard to be edgy and hip. But as the book progresses it improves (or perhaps this reader just got used to it).In telling the story of a group of entertainers, it inevitably ends up focusing on the most successful - in this case Frank. We learn a lot about his connections to the mob, and the Kennedys, but relatively little about his personal and family life. The other characters are mainly painted in regards to their relations to Frank, and therefore they come across as bit players supporting a single star - perhaps they were. I learned a lot id dint' previously know - such as Sinatra's relationship with the Kennedys. But ultimately I felt this book was a bit shallow - perhaps the Ratpack just weren't as fascinating as they would have liked to think they were.
Rating:
Summary: Repetition of other sources of information
Review: There were some interesting things in this book, however, most of what I read about the Rat Pack and their lives, is just a combination of several other books out there. These guys were a legend in and of themselves, mostly Dean, Frank & Sammy, so whatever is written about them (be it fact or fiction) is still fascinating.
Rating:
Summary: A tell all about the Rat Pack told in a outstanding way
Review: This book is a must read for anyone a fan of this historic group of outstanding proformers. The thing I liked the most about this book was that it was not a sugar coated tale, the autor does a wonderful job at showing everyone involved from all sides. Each part of the story was like one wonderful course after another of a great meal with great friends that you never want to end. It is a great look at the forgotten era of chrome, slicked hair, and a sharp suit. And it re-proves the point that it is'nt what you know, it's who you know and what they can do for you....But just be sure not to get to dependent on these folks who can make or break you, because nobody wants to end up like Peter Lawford.....Anyway, I suggest you buy this book. I found it great company, and I am sure I will be re-reading it soon.
Rating:
Summary: Vegas baby, Vegas!
Review: This book is absolutely fantastic. It is a gritty-no-holds-barred, all inclusive story of the Rat-Pack. It includes the glamour with the grime, just as it was in real life. The prose and style are perfect. It is like you can almost hear Frank, taste Dean's drink, and smell Sammy smoking. After reading this book, I felt like I KNEW Frank, Deano, Sammy, Pete, and Joey. Although I loved Vegas before I read the book, I feel even more attached to that city of sin now. Also, when I relax listening to my Ratpack CD's, it's like I'm listening to old friends.
Rating:
Summary: Vegas baby, Vegas!
Review: This book is absolutely fantastic. It is a gritty-no-holds-barred, all inclusive story of the Rat-Pack. It includes the glamour with the grime, just as it was in real life. The prose and style are perfect. It is like you can almost hear Frank, taste Dean's drink, and smell Sammy smoking. After reading this book, I felt like I KNEW Frank, Deano, Sammy, Pete, and Joey. Although I loved Vegas before I read the book, I feel even more attached to that city of sin now. Also, when I relax listening to my Ratpack CD's, it's like I'm listening to old friends.
Rating:
Summary: it's a ring,a ding winner
Review: this book is absolutely the best on understanding the inner psycological workings of frank sinatra's sinister gangster mind and how he gave drugs to dean martin, sammy davis, and peter lawford in order to get them to perform. A primer in show biz mind control.
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