Publishers Weekly
This stunning memoir by the former Price Is Right host moves from his childhood on a Native American reservation through his service in the air force during WWII to his long career in show business. Barker reads his story with an earnest and professional tone; his familiar voice is warm and welcoming. Offering hilarious tales of his favorite contestants and most memorable moments, the Price Is Right anecdotes are, in fact, priceless. With the stellar material and a polished delivery, this audio book will win Barker more fans. A Hachette/Center Street hardcover (Reviews, Feb. 2). (Apr.)
Library Journal
In his first audiobook, the veteran TV game-show host (Truth or Consequences, The Price Is Right) relives some of his life's greatest moments, often shying from specifics regarding the more colorful and questionable parts of his personal and professional history. With his broadcasting background, Barker does well as a narrator, but it's more his reflective, sincere tone that will endear him to listeners. As in his shows, Barker's good-natured personality comes through here, giving this audio added zest perhaps lacking in print format. For fans of biographies, game shows, and reality TV as well as for those interested in behind-the-scenes elements of TV programming. [Audio clip available through www.hachettebookgroup.com; for Barker's "legion of fans," read the review of the Center St. hc, "this…is a schmooze-fest," Xpress Reviews, LJ 3/20/09.—Ed.]—Lance Eaton, Peabody, MA
Kirkus Reviews
For TV mainstay Barker, it's all been fun and games. A more-than-familiar face after some five decades on national television, including an astounding 35-year stint hosting The Price Is Right, the author delivers an unfailingly pleasant and breezy memoir . . . which is a problem. The supremely affable Barker's account of his 85 years is mild to the point of nullity. The only dark notes are the premature death of his father and the loss of his beloved wife to lung cancer after 36 years of marriage. The author doesn't mention the controversy and lawsuits (which included claims of sexual harassment) attending the firings of several glamorous on-set models for the show, nor his romantic relationship with one such model, Dian Parkinson, which also ended in legal action. Barker instead waxes nostalgic about his childhood on a South Dakota reservation (he is one-eighth Sioux), his training as a naval aviator in the last days of World War II (peace was declared before he saw combat) and his epic tenure as host of the longest-running game show in TV history. Stubbornly upbeat, he gives no indication that circumstances were ever less than hunky-dory for his neighbors on the reservation, paints his military service as a lark-filled romp and rhapsodizes endlessly about the fun and high spirits of his game-show days. Barker drops the names of many celebrity acquaintances-bizarrely, he studied karate with Chuck Norris-but his observations are limited to bromides like this characterization of fellow tanning enthusiast Julio Iglesias: "He was a really good guy. He was a lot of fun." Even on the subject of animal-rights activism, a cause the author has tirelessly promoted for decades, he musters onlygeneralities about the issue, along with a few cute stories concerning personal successes with rescued critters. Hard-core fans will undoubtedly enjoy their hero's happy reminiscences, but nothing here will entice less starry-eyed readers.
From the Publisher
"Bob's writing is just like his hosting—smooth and professional. I'm sure his many fans will be thoroughly entertained and delighted by these recollections of his life and his long and very successful career. I can only imagine what more he might have accomplished if only he could sing."—Alex Trebek, host, 'Jeopardy!'
"The readers of this book will be happy to find, as I was, that Bob Barker did more than host The Price Is Right for thirty-five years. A lot more, as it turns out. What a career! God bless you, Bob Barker. And I'll try not to wreck the car."—Drew Carey, host of 'The Price Is Right'
"From hanging pianos to flying elephants, Bob Barker's love of people and animals and his remarkable ability to play the game furnishes a book full of prizes for the reader. Priceless Memories provides a fascinating insight into his career during the heydey of television and his tenacious determination to alleviate the suffering of animals. The book is a conversation with Bob Barker, full of humorous anecdotes about himself and the millions of contestants, friends, fans, family, celebrities and animals who have made his life a compelling story."—Pat Derby, founder of the Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS)
founder of the Performing Animal Welfare Society ( Pat Derby
"From hanging pianos to flying elephants, Bob Barker's love of people and animals and his remarkable ability to play the game furnishes a book full of prizes for the reader. Priceless Memories provides a fascinating insight into his career during the heydey of television and his tenacious determination to alleviate the suffering of animals. The book is a conversation with Bob Barker, full of humorous anecdotes about himself and the millions of contestants, friends, fans, family, celebrities and animals who have made his life a compelling story."
host of 'The Price Is Right' Drew Carey
"The readers of this book will be happy to find, as I was, that Bob Barker did more than host The Price Is Right for thirty-five years. A lot more, as it turns out. What a career! God bless you, Bob Barker. And I'll try not to wreck the car."
Alex Trebek
"Bob's writing is just like his hosting--smooth and professional. I'm sure his many fans will be thoroughly entertained and delighted by these recollections of his life and his long and very successful career. I can only imagine what more he might have accomplished if only he could sing."
