Rating: 
Summary: Probably the best Rat Pack book on the market
Review: This book is an easy read. I finished it in 2 days. It does jump around a bit time-wise, but does a great job of capturing the flavor of these men and the era. Lots of other Hollywood stars are mentioned as they are relevant to the Pack. The one star reviews are way too harsh on this book. It's funny, entertaining, and rather informative. It goes right up to each member's death. Well written & well worth the nominal price.
Rating: 
Summary: Hip, fun, easy to read
Review: This book is written in a style as hip and cool as the Rat-Pack its self. No dry facts and dates hear, more insight on how things went down, and who... Mix some gin and have a good read. Highly recommened.
Rating:
Summary: Good read
Review: This book was an excellent and interesting read and provided an insightful picture into this period of American culture. The author correctly emphasizes that the Rat Pack's brief ascendency came at the end of an era for vaudeville-influenced performers but coexisted with rock 'n roll. The author's casual, sometimes flippant writing style seemed to be an attempt to be "hip" or "nineties" or something; I found this distracting and annoying at times, but overall the book reads very well.
Rating:
Summary: It pulls it all together....with some REVELATIONS!
Review: This was a book I almost didn't buy...and I am GLAD I did. I STRONGLY recommend it for anyone interested in the Rat Pack -- the male-bonded mega-and-not-so-mega entertainers Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr, Peter Lawford and Joey Bishop -- who epitomized Eisenhower/Kennedy era adult "cool" and were atop the show biz heap. If you've read other books on these folks and their era this pulls them all together (with a writing style that is fun, although at times a bit forced and annoying).If you're a younger person and just want to learn about it, or in show biz and want to learn more, this is the perfect starting point. The reason: it's not just about entertainers but the sometimes insidious links between the entertainment, political, and organized crime worlds. A LOT has been written elsewhere about how Frank Sinatra used Peter Lawford for access to the Kennedys, and how he dropped him mercilessly when he was angered and was of no further use. The book also underlines the public images ("cool," talented, pretending to be drunk at times as part of an act that audiences lapped up) and the behind-the-scenes near-sleaziness of excess drink, sex and egotistical acting out. You also get to know the era's colorful cast of characters, including Marilyn Monroe. These segments are gripping enough, but major revelations include: 1)Their reign didn't really last more than four full years. 2)Being in or being forced out of the Rat Pack could make or break a career (Davis and Lawford found this out). 3)While Sinatra and others tried being "cool" and individualistic, they seemingly role played (Sinatra was influenced by Humphrey Bogart; some others by the Bogart-influenced Sinatra) but ONE member TRULY did it HIS WAY...and that was Dean Martin. He stayed himself, not allowing himself to be ordered around by either Sinatra or Mafia-tied figures. In the end, you walk away realizing the underrated Martin was the era's true "cool" hero --and Lawford and Monroe its true victims. A WONDERFUL READ!
Rating:
Summary: A Right Rippin' Read!!
Review: Whatever you do don't let the recent HBO special put you off the subject - Rat Pack Confidential takes the rise and fall of Frank, Sammy, Dean et. al. and puts it in the context of 20th Century America right up to the 50's and 60's. Marilyn, Ava, The Mob, The White House, Vegas, Civil Rights... Not only that but it takes you into the ins and out of stories that were up until now only legend... That Frank introduced Marilyn and Jack, that Frank acted as the go between for The Mafia's "help" to JFK during the 1960 presidential campaign, the Mob and Vegas... Thankfully though it also vividly illustrates the individual histories of the players involved and the interdynamics of one of entertainment's most adored cliques. My only (small) criticism would be Shawn Levy's major adoration syndrome when it comes to Ol' Blue Eyes that sometimes it means he papers over his more obvious character flaws... All in all though a ripping read for a biography.
Rating:
Summary: Terrible Title...Great Book
Review: Whoever titled this book ought to be shot. It sounds so inane. Nevertheless, the content is pretty darned good. A fascinating look at the Rise and long fall of Rat Pack, Levy constructs a fascinating, if not particularly deep book. The stories may be familar to many, but for someone who is not initmately familar with the Summit crew, it is a great intro. I've been a Frank guy for a long time, but now I know a bit more about the other packers. Levy is honest and straight forward. The stories about the Kennedys, the mob, the women, and oh yeah, the music are all here. The book is written in a style not unlike the boys--kind of all over the place, but it gets it right when the spotlight is on. It treats the subjects, all, with some degree with sympathy--with Peter and Sammy emerging with a great deal of sadness. A worthwhile and at times absorbing read. Levy is much less confident when he talks about the music--and is better when he deals with the stories. I enjoyed the last few chapters which deal with his analysis of the end. A well thought out thesis and about the last great American party. Well worth the 15 bucks.
Rating:
Summary: Entertaining look at a lifestyle
Review: Wonderfully entertaining read about the Rat Pack. This book had more information about the lifestyle of the times than I thought it would. It was a fast read and highly enjoyable. What I did not expect, that was a pleasure, was the slight biographies of each entertainer that gave me a little background into each of them. And how they came to be the Rat Pack and how it became disbanded and then how each came to pass. It was excellent and I would recommend it highly.
Rating:
Summary: Entertaining look at a lifestyle
Review: Wonderfully entertaining read about the Rat Pack. This book had more information about the lifestyle of the times than I thought it would. It was a fast read and highly enjoyable. What I did not expect, that was a pleasure, was the slight biographies of each entertainer that gave me a little background into each of them. And how they came to be the Rat Pack and how it became disbanded and then how each came to pass. It was excellent and I would recommend it highly.
Rating: 
Summary: sophmoric and poorly laid out
Review: Yes, there was a Rat Pack, and yes, we all know how they got their name. If you're looking for the most basic information, and don't care that the author may or may not have taken an English class, this book is for you. Otherwise go somewhere else.
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