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birdy1luv's review against another edition
4.0
Great read. Really enjoyed hearing about Cosby's development as a stand up comic. Clearly recent events have shown that he has his share of demons that weren't captured in this biography. But well written and engaging.
mkbby's review against another edition
4.0
I won this book on Goodreads!!
I don't normally read Biographies, so this was something new for me. I think any time an author can make you feel angry, funny, sad, overwhelmed and joyful in one book that is a testament to his/her talent.
When I started reading this book I just wanted to "get to the good stuff", but when I finished this book I realized that from the first chapter to the very last page, it was all "the good stuff". I learned things about Bill Cosby that I would have never imagined. I cried for his family in their struggle and rejoiced in their triumph. I would definitely recommend this book to all of my friends.
I don't normally read Biographies, so this was something new for me. I think any time an author can make you feel angry, funny, sad, overwhelmed and joyful in one book that is a testament to his/her talent.
When I started reading this book I just wanted to "get to the good stuff", but when I finished this book I realized that from the first chapter to the very last page, it was all "the good stuff". I learned things about Bill Cosby that I would have never imagined. I cried for his family in their struggle and rejoiced in their triumph. I would definitely recommend this book to all of my friends.
bleonard's review against another edition
2.0
I think I would have been much kinder to this book if I had read it before the recent events in Cosby's life. There's information here that I didn't know -- how he came to be an African American art collector, his philanthropic efforts, the tragic moments surrounding the death of his son -- but for the most part, it comes off as sycophantic, mostly boring, and cowardly. Whitaker says that Cosby came on late in the research process, and didn't give him much of his time -- so I wonder what kind of book this would have been if he hadn't been deferential to his subject.
perri's review
4.0
There is a truism about comedians being more complicated and dark than their humor seems to show, and Bill Cosby is no exception. This book closely follows Cosby's rise from a working class poor background to media star darling. It was distracting to read this book during the media storm involving rape allegations by several women but my intention was not to let it affect my review. The book which is well researched and important describing the cultural/racial inroads made by Cosby is worth reading just on that basis.
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