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Summary: Dummy Days ... Soon to be an Icon of the Art
Review: Mr. Kelly has poured his heart and soul into this book with research and facts. The photos are a trip down memory lane, with all the views you remember from days past. You will not be disappointed in the "Good Ol' Days" feeling you have as you read and enjoy this walk through Vent History. Baby Boomers .... take note of this book.. it will be a favorite read !!
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Summary: Fascinating
Review: Okay, I admit it: I grew up watching Paul Winchell on TV. And my best friend carved his own dummy, and practiced ventriloquism, while I acted as "audience". So, dummies and ventriliquists formed my warped view of life, later leading to Monte Python and Firesign Theater. What makes ventriliquists fascinating is their combination of surrealism, fantasy and real-life issues, projected into their own, small theater. By "suspending disbelief", these performed create real persons and real stories. If you love imagination and those who create imaginary worlds, you'll enjoy this book.
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Summary: Fascinating
Review: Okay, I admit it: I grew up watching Paul Winchell on TV. And my best friend carved his own dummy, and practiced ventriloquism, while I acted as "audience". So, dummies and ventriliquists formed my warped view of life, later leading to Monte Python and Firesign Theater. What makes ventriliquists fascinating is their combination of surrealism, fantasy and real-life issues, projected into their own, small theater. By "suspending disbelief", these performed create real persons and real stories. If you love imagination and those who create imaginary worlds, you'll enjoy this book.
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Summary: Happy Memories, Rare Talents
Review: They were fascinating, funny and friendly, and they hypnotized a generation of children from the 1930's through the 1960's -- they were the ventriloquists of early TV and radio. Bergen and McCarthy were the most widely known, but Paul Winchell, Jimmy Nelson, Shari Lewis and countless others made their marks as unique artists who still live in the memories of many of the now middle-aged. Author Kelly Asbury was one of those "glued to the set" kids, and he shares photographs, interviews and reminiscences that bring those old days rushing back. This book is a terrific window on the past that may also breathe new life into the timeless art form of talking for two... Highly recommended.
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Summary: Absolutely fantastic!
Review: This beautifully written book by Kelly Asbury is a delight to read and the rare photographs are priceless. Once you pick up "Dummy Days" you can not put it down. As you read about the fascinating lives of Edgar Bergen, Paul Winchell, Jimmy Nelson, Shari Lewis, and Senor Wences you will be transported back into time. Author Kelly Asbury recounts their lives in such a way, you feel you know each of these very talented and loved ventriloquists personally. For those too young to remember early TV it is a wonderful way to read about these legends of the art. For those who remember, it is a joyous walk down memory lane.
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Summary: Baby-Boomers Rejoice!!!
Review: This book is one of the most sincere, nostalgic and enjoyable reads to come along in quite awhile. Author Kelly Asbury's text is absorbing and thoroughly engrossing from cover to cover. Anyone could pick up this book and never want to put it down. What a treasure!
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Summary: A must for every Ventriloquists library
Review: This is a superb book for everyone. Very informative and excellent pictures. Ventriloquists, like myself, should consider this book a must for their shelves. Non Vents will also love this book! The history in this book is very educational. Kelly Asbury did an excellent job. I give this book the thumbs up!
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Summary: You Can Read This Book Without Moving Your Lips
Review: What a thoroughly enjoyable read. More than just a fun trip to a more innocent time but a visit with five notable entertainment geniuses. Hey, and there are pictures too! A collection of photos that capture these remarkable artists doing what they loved as they brought laughter to adults and kids of an entire generation. This is not just a rehash of previous works on the subject. There is fresh detail delivered in a very readable style that is hard to put down 'til it's finished. Thanks and congratulations to Kelly Asbury!
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Summary: Another NPR winner
Review: When I listened to NPR one morning to hear Morning Edition's Bob Edward's feature on Dummy Days, I got intrigued and ordered the book. I had no special interest in the subject until I started reading. It is fabulous and far more interesting than the interview. Kelly Asbury makes these vents come alive--I guess that's his Hollywood training as an animator coming through. I loved this book and so will everyone who reads it.
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Summary: What A Trip!
Review: Whether you're a practicing ventriloquist, a baby-boomer who grew up watching ventriloquists on TV, a ventriloquism aficionado, TV buff, or just a little curious about the art of venting, there is no better book for you than "Dummy Days" by Kelly Asbury.For those of us that fit 2 or more of those catagories, Asbury's work represents something that we've always wanted in one package, but could never find. "Dummy Days" is a history book, a biograpy, (of several people),
a picture book, (complete with MOVING pictures, no less), all in one. And...it's just plain entertaining! With broad appeal, you'll find it to be a hard read...hard to put down and hard to not smile every few seconds, that is. You could call it a "feel-good" book. Plenty of research went into this labor of love by a true vent aficionado who has been embraced by the vent community as family. Do yourself a favor and check this book out. You'll even be impressed by the quality of the paper stock. The photos alone are worth the purchase price! "Dummy Days" is a trip down memory lane everyone should take.
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