We once went to a Bill Cosby live concert, and we spent those two hours smiling, chuckling and occasionally just plain belly laughing. As I read through the chapters of Cosby: His Life and Times, I felt the same emotions. The early part of his life was not easy. His father was a drunk, and his mother worked long and hard to raise her children. He watched his father beat his mother and felt helpless. The family was poor and the food scarce. Yet Bill kept his sense of humor and used it to get out of jams more than once. The reader can't help but cheer for the young boy who was determined to succeed, even after failing tenth grade twice and dropping out of high school.
The author talks about Cosby's years at Temple University and his eventual success. He became a man to look up to, no matter your race. Whitaker goes on to talk about his great success in show business and some of the personal tragedies in his life. He does not hide Cosby's womanizing or the weaker parts of his personality, but it is also evident that the author feels Cosby is a pioneer as far as black advancement is concerned.
I enjoyed the book and the insight it gave me into the life of one of my favorite comedians.
- Beverly
Publisher - Simon & Schuster
Date of Publication - September 16, 2014