Rating: 
Summary: Great Subject, Terrible Execution
Review: A book about the character of Mame in its many incarnations is a wonderful idea, but this slapdash, amateurish effort does not do it justice. It merely skims the surface of the subject. The writing is awkward, repetitious and meandering, and the much-needed hand of an editor is conspicuously missing. Typographical or grammatical errors appear every few pages. The structure of the book is quite lazy; instead of folding in information about the Mame character and her creator, Patrick Dennis, throughout, Jordan places some superficial musings at the end of the book. In fact, the book's emphasis is so much on the play and the musical that you hardly get any idea what the two Mame books (and particularly the second one) are like and how, specifically, they differ from the play and musical. What events happen in the books? How does Mame evolve from one book to the other? You won't find out the answers to these questions here, but you'll read quote after quote from others who read the first book and found it hilarious. The appendices at the back are barely adequate. How about a listing of the recordings of the musical -- and perhaps even reviews of these recordings? Or how about a complete list of the stars who portrayed Mame on Broadway and on tour and when exactly they did so? All that said, Jordan does offer a few interesting tidbits of information, particularly in the Roz Russell section (the strongest in the book). The Lucille Ball section also holds some interest. Unfortunately, these small strengths do not keep Jordan's book from being a major disappointment.
Rating: 
Summary: A real treat for anyone who loves Auntie Mame.
Review: At last, a book that tells the history of my favorite fictional character Auntie Mame! This book, BUT DARLING, I'M YOUR AUNTIE MAME! is a treat for anyone who loves Mame... or Roz Russell, Angela Lansbury, Lucille Ball, Judy Garland, Eve Arden, Greer Garson or Susan Hayword. The author has included so much Mame minutia within his pages -- he "opens doors I never dreamed existed." This is definitely a book for anyone interested in the behind-the-scenes making of an icon of modern literature, theatre and film. I recommnd Richard Tyler Jordan's book. It would also make a great PBS documentary or A&E Biography.
Rating:
Summary: Mame is a banquet, and no poor suckers starve w/this book!
Review: BUT DARLING, I'M YOUR AUNTIE MAME! brings together all the details of the world's favorite and most famous Aunt, Mame Dennis. From Patrick Dennis' best-selling novel to its incarnations of play to movie of the play to a musical of the play to the debacle of a movie of the musical, Richard Tyler Jordan gives you much to feast on at Auntie Mame's banquet. Jordan --heard recently on the syndicated talk show STRICTLY BOOKS hosted by Dan Vojir on the TALKAMERICA Radio Networks-- is clear, concise and detailed as well as entertaining on his subject and engages the reader to eat heartily into the amazing history of the world's favorite madcap Aunt. Rarely do I sit with a book and read it directly through... well, actually, I did have to sleep, as I picked the book up at 11:00 pm and found myself not able to pry myself away. When the clock chimed 3:00 am, I had to climb into bed, not starving, but still hungering to feast from Richard Tyler Jordan's chronicle. Upon waking, I devoured the rest of the novel and was reminded once more why I --and millions of others-- have fallen in love with this incredible woman. From when my mom --who in her youth bore a striking resemblence to Rosalind Russell-- first gave me the book to read in my teens to recently sharing the movie --again-- with family and friends, Auntie Mame has been an endearing and treasured member of my family. Richard Tyler Jordan illuminates this luminescent creature further and fills our appetites at this smorgasboard of Mame Dennis Burnside's history and it is highly recommended to anyone who has been captured by the charm, grace and whackiness of this truly elegant and lovely lady. Pick up a copy and keep yourself from starving from a deficiency of Mame in your literary diet... and in her immortal words, "Live!" Michael Ward aka MiklBear@aol.com
Rating: 
Summary: We're lucky to have someone take the time to write this...
Review: Great book. Though misses info about primary actors who did not respond to Mr. Jordan (e.g. Roger Smith/the adult Patrick in Auntie Mame/movie). Begs lots of questions about the author of it all--Patrick Dennis. May be the next book?
Rating:
Summary: Warm, heartfelt, and delightful-like the woman it chronicles
Review: I have read a few unnecessarily harsh words about Jordan's book recently, so I sat down with published version of "But Darling, I'm Your Auntie Mame." Upon re-reading the book--I stick by the opinion I had on reading the original manuscript: "'But Darling, I'm Your Auntie Mame' is a cover-to-cover delight. Not only a comprehensive history of a beloved character, but an insightful, often surprising, always entertaining story of the towering talents that have made Mame - in her many incarnations - this century's favorite daffy aunt. "Jordan's obvious love of his subject matter rewards readers interested in serious research, behind-the-scenes trivia, eyewitness reports, celebrity anecdote, and lucid commentary. The result is a one-of-a-kind portrait of a one-of-a-kind woman, the dozens of talented women who have played her, and the hundreds of creative people to be found at the heart of our dear Auntie Mame." Jeff Kurtti, author, The Great Movie Musical Trivia Book Since the World Began: Walt Disney World-The First 25 Years The Art of The Little Mermaid The Art of Mulan
Rating: 
Summary: Mame fan finds it disappointing
Review: I looked forward to reading this book, having discovered the novel Auntie Mame as a child and then finding Around the World with A,M. years later.
As a few other reviewers have remarked, there is a disconnect in the book between the novel and the movies/plays, There is a small effort to explain the differences among performers but it is perfunctory.
I found this book rather shallow and superficial. There is little substance or depth to it. It would have been nice to read some analysis of how so many actresses could portray the same role in the musical play and whether that enhances the play's value or detracts from it,
It is occasionally enjoyable and certainly a quick read but the style is that of a
gushing fan with very little discrimination and a very elementary view of the
phenomenon of Auntie Mame. The book is almost too tactful and respectful sometimes, e.g., not naming individuals who behaved badly or summarizing Uncle Mame, the biography of Tanner but leaving out major facts.
Rating:
Summary: An all you can eat banquet
Review: I remember with awe struck delight, the first time I ever saw Rosalind Russell as Auntie Mame. How I wanted an Aunt like that. Reading Richard Tyler Jordan's book added to the banquet that has become Auntie Mame. As if there weren't enough catty one-liners in the movie, Richard Tyler Jordan adds the behind the scenes ones as well. If you love Roz, Angela, Bea and/or Lucy, you want to read this book. Even if you just love the character of Mame, you will not be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: Great REVISED edition more photos/gossip (Cher/Barbra/Bette)
Review: I'm so thankful that Kensington has republished this wonderful, long out-of-print treasure and went several steps beyond by having the author UPDATE the book. We now have a fuller picture of the recent battles to bring AUNTIE MAME to the big and small screen with Richard Jordan detailing all the initial interest, demands for script changes, and collapse of various projects when scripts were written (and REWRITTEN) for actresses like Angela Lansbury, Goldie Hawn, Whoopi Goldberg, Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler and Cher. Jordan not only read many of the scripts--which range from misguided (Goldie Hawn's script would have been set in the 60s and present day) to the glorious. BUT DARLING... is filled with great B&W photos and whether you're a fan of the Rosalind Russell AUNTIE MAME or even the Lucille Ball musical MAME (did you know Madeline Kahn was fired from that film by Lucy?), there's plenty of gossip and deep affection for the creators (not only Patrick Dennis but Jerome Lawrence, Robert E. Lee and Jerry Herman). A fascinating, enlightening tale of the evolution of this eternal gay icon who told us to "Live! Live! Live! Life is a banquette and most poor suckers are starving to death!" The perfect gift for movie and theatre buffs.
Rating:
Summary: FABULOUS - THOROUGHLY ENJOYABLE!!!!
Review: I've been a lover of Richard Jordan's writings in the past, and again he has not dissappointed me. Mame is wonderful, delightful and a virtual banquet of surprises. Loved it!
Rating:
Summary: The Definitive, Must-Have Volume for Mamephiles!
Review: If an American masterpiece is to have its definitive historian, thank goodness "Auntie Mame" has Richard Tyler Jordan. His meticulous research, combined with his unabashed affection for one of the most delightful characters in 20th century American letters and theater, make "But Darling, I'm Your Auntie Mame!" a fine addition to any culture maven's library.
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