Priceless Memories

by Bob Barker, Digby Diehl (With)

Overview

In front of the camera, he has been invited into the homes of millions of Americans as host of The Price Is Right, Truth or Consequences, Miss USA, Miss Universe, The Rose Parade, and many other programs and specials. Now Bob Barker shares stories of favorite contestants, episodes, celebrity encounters, and behind-the-scenes happenings.
Beyond his public persona, he will open up about his personal life. From being raised on a Native American reservation by a single mother through the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl, to training as a pilot in the Navy during World War II, through his romance with the love of his life and high school sweetheart, Dorothy Jo, and his success at retirement.
His support of animal rights has always been a central part of his life. Bob delves into stories of how he has taken on Hollywood and the government in his crusade, including his anti-fur stand-off with beauty pageants, his involvement in uncovering animal abuse in movies and television, and the legislation he helped to pass. He also shares personal stories of rescuing animals, from dogs to elephants.
For the innumerable fans who have welcomed Bob into their homes over the last fifty years, this book will be like catching up with a dear and familiar friend who continues to lead a full and endlessly interesting life.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781599952352
Publisher:	Center Street
Publication date:	04/06/2009
Sold by:	Hachette Digital, Inc.
Format:	eBook
Sales rank:	73,271
File size:	12 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Bob Barker is best known as the epitome of game show hosts, having recently retired after 50 years on television, and 35 years of hosting The Price Is Right—the longest running game show in TV history. Born in Darrington, WA on December 12, 1923, he currently resides in Los Angeles, California.

Digby Diehl has collaborated on dozens of books, including bestsellers Angel On My Shoulder with Natalie Cole and The Million Dollar Mermaid with Esther Williams. He lives in Pasadena, California.

Editorial Reviews

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.)

Publishers Weekly

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

Library Journal

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.

Kirkus Reviews

"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)

From the Publisher

"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."

founder of the Performing Animal Welfare Society ( Pat Derby

"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."

host of 'The Price Is Right' Drew Carey

"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