The Andy Griffith Story : An Illustrated Biography

Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable, but missing the involvement of Andy himself
Review: Given that Andy Griffith is a private person with seemingly little interest in talking about himself or his career, this book met my expectations. The author did what he could to gather information about Andy in spite of Andy's apparent unwillingness to participate in the creation of this biography. His absence is a handicap, certainly, as I'm sure he could lend some depth to the anecdotes and old interviews. I was pleased to see that the author made an effort to avoid making this book another Mayberry-themed puff piece, though, and was glad to be reading about Andy Griffith instead of Andy Taylor.

The reader should also be aware that The Andy Griffith Story was published prior to the end of Matlock, and before several other key events in Andy Griffith's life. Illustrations are rather disappointing hand-drawings because, I presume, photo rights could not be obtained. Though I did enjoy this book, I am still hoping for an authorized - or, at least, more authoritative - biography to complete the portrait of Andy.

Rating:
Summary: A nice biography of Andy Griffith's life!
Review: I just finished reading the biography on Andy Griffith and as a fan of this man I was pleased to learn about how he got started in show biz and all the movies he was involved in post Andy Griffith Show. I was surprised to hear about his temper but pleased to hear he is a thoughtful and caring man. If you want a biography that covers Mr. Griffith's whole career I would recommend you buy this book.

Rating:
Summary: A Well-Researched Biography of Andy Griffith's Entire Career
Review: The book is very "easy" to read. There are few surprises, except for a brief paragraph or two concerning Andy's temper. Most of the information contained in this book could be gleaned from the "A & E Biography" - on Andy Griffith's life. The other information is mainly a rehash from "TV Guide" and other periodicals. For someone just wanting "highlights" it is not a bad book. A personal interview with Andy would have been an added plus. After all, the man is still alive and "might" have added some depth. Since the author, Collins (Mt. Airy), and Andy Griffith (Manteo) both live in NC, an interview would not have been out of the question because of logistics. Perhaps the author could not secure an interview.

Rating:
Summary: Stuff About Andy I Never Knew ....
Review: The test of any good bio is learning something new about the subject. Information about Andy Griffith isn't easy to come by, but in this instance, the author has succeeded in collecting quotes, facts, and events from private sources and turning it into a readable narrative that illuminates the subject while respecting the privacy of the man. I bought two copies: one for my mom as a gift, and one for me. If you have ANY interest in the life and career of Andy, you'll want to add your own copy to your library too.