Have tux, will travel: Bob Hope's own story

by Bob Hope, Pete Martin (primary_contributor), Carl Rose (illustrator)

At last! The facts on how a regular, ordinary baby grew up to look like this!

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Humor, Autobiography, Memoir

332 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1954

About the author

Bob Hope, KBE, KCSG (born Leslie Townes Hope) was a British-born American comedian and actor who appeared in vaudeville, on Broadway, and in radio, television and movies. He was also noted for his work with the US Armed Forces and his numerous USO tours entertaining American military personnel.

Throughout his career, he was honored for his humanitarian work. In 1996, the U.S. Congress honored Bob Hope by declaring him the "first and only honorary veteran of the U.S. armed forces."

Reviews

[Fergus, Weaver of Autistic Webs · Rating 5 out of 5]

On his deathbed, Bob Hope's long time wife asked him, "do you want to be buried or cremated?"

Hope, then 100, just quipped:

"Surprise me!"

My rating for this autobiography is from my now-in-my-second-childhood septuagenarian self. I read it in 1962, and my Aspie-kid's self didn't get two-thirds of the jokes.

What else can you expect from an extra-dumb, extra-virgin 8th-grader? Hope made a career outta sly Freudian slips.

But now I do get em. And trust me, Hope's a Winner! And Hope was indeed a Winner for the homesick 'n brow-beaten boys in 'Nam.

And he always brought cheer - and loud, prolonged cheers when he closed each welcome show with one last quip (and promise) to the boys in uniform:

"Where there's Life - there's HOPE!"

He'd been in a similar kinda war zone most of his long and strictly civilian life, and NOTHING surprised him.

Trust me.
***

I remember in particular watching one very dated Hope and Crosby flick the same year I read it, with my bro, where they travelled to the Caribbean and unlearned everything they thought they knew about Haitian Voodoo: and, natch, ZOMBIES.

Yikes. I was grossed out.

But we laughed, my brother and I.

But guess what? The two of us had already seen the zombies around us!

They were the little men in grey flannel suits in our neighbourhood who led dry meaningless lives. Half-dead, they no longer laughed. We wanted to get out.

And get out I for one did - into frustrated-teen aspie angst - while my bro maintained his self-composure until he was footloose 'n free from the old 'hood.
***

But angst led me at seventeen to intellectual transcendence. Wrong road again. For that was no rollicking laugh fest - and it led to bitter despair.

It was a long road from which Faith set me Free.

For where there's life, there's HOPE.

How soon I forgot that back then in my teens, until now.

But, at 73 I now remember...

And I smile.

And if Hope perseveres in the world, there's always a good chance it will HEAL us all!

By bringing back simple love and respect to this lonely planet.

[Lynn Coullard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Basically this was exactly what you would expect Bob Hope’s autobiography to be! It’s a fun read, it’s interesting how many people he mentions from his long career. He really remembers people and sees their importance in his story. Plus there was so much of his goofy style.

[Mike Kowis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I grew up watching Bob Hope on TV and always enjoyed his quick wit and humor. Until I read this autobiography, I had no idea that Bob started his remarkable career in the entertainment business during the 1920's. At that time, he performed song and dance routines in vaudeville and Broadway productions. In the late 1920s, he switched to comedy and stuck with it for the next 70 years!

This book captures the highlights of his personal life starting with his modest childhood growing up in Cleveland, Ohio and ending when the book was published in 1954. Surprisingly, the book only covered the first half of Mr. Hope's lifetime as he later died in 2003 at the age of 100. At the time of his passing, he had been married to his second wife (Delores Hope) for 69 years. He left behind 4 (adopted) children and at least one grandchild (Miranda Hope).

This biography also includes many details of his career until 1954, which included:
1920s – started performing in vaudeville and Broadway,
1930s – started appearing on Radio,
1930s – started appearing in Holywood movies, and
1950s – started appearing on TV (eventually, he went on to host the Academy Awards 19 times!).

One thing I do recall about Bob was that he often entertained U.S. troups while they were deployed overseas. In fact, he eventually performed in 57 USO tours for American soldiers stationed all over the world.

The only downside I found with this book was that it was written 7 decades ago and some of the words used in the book are no longer used in today's vocabulary (e.g., back in the day, "boff" meant a hearty laugh). Similarly, I was not familiar with many of the celebs and politicians that he mentioned in the book b/c they lived and died well before my time. So keep these minor distractions in mind if you decide to read this book.

Bottom line is that this book is definitely worth reading if you are a fan of Bob Hope!

[Westley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mid century memoires of a legendary entertainer.

[Stephy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm old enough to have seen Bob Hope live with my parents as a child. Naturally as I got into high school, I saw all his movies on television, and loved the "Road to …" series best.

I knew Hope traveled extensively for the USO.
I never realized how important that was until I was close friends with a Vietnam Vet in the late 1960s. PTSD had no name then, but he had it. One night Hope was being interviewed on television, my friend was elated. He said
"When Bob Hope came to Vietnam, the Lieutenant I worked for made sure I got to leave early, so I could get a good seat. He was so great, I felt like I was awake. It was the only time I was there that wasn't a nightmare." Through four wars, and for thousands of military men and women, Bob Hope took sunshine into the hearts of soldiers. He did the same thing for the rest of us.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very entertaining book on one of America's most loved entertainers. I had forgotten that Bob Hope was born in England as Leslie Hope and moved when he was very young to Cleveland, Ohio. His descriptions of his early days getting into vaudeville, trying song and dance, comedy, acting, etc. reads like a who's who of early entertainment in America from stage to radio to movies and television. It also describes his many visits to US military installations with other famous performers to entertain our troops, even in war zones and remote locations. Good clean fun read about a one-of-a-kind human being!

[Mary Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

This really needed to be edited better. So many errors took away from the enjoyment of reading about Bob Hope. It was also very hard to get into the story as it jumped all over. It was following his train of thought and so we would be in Cleveland and then jump to another place and then meet people and follow that for a while and then end up somewhere else. I would have to leave it and come back later. As I got closer to the end I was pushing to finish and I was grateful that I only borrowed from the library.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bob Hope...so much more than a. Comedian

Great story about a man who dedicated & jeopardized his life entertaining soldiers. I believe he was rewarded for his sacrifices but no more than he deserved. The book starts a little slow. Don’t give up. You’ll enjoy the stories that follow the first chapter or two...might even bring a tear to your eyes as it did mine....more than once.

[Sandy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book because I love biographies and I like Bob Hope. I can't say this was a favorite book for me. It was written for the early part of his career and I have to say my favorite part for me was the very end where he talked about his family. He did an incredible amount of charity work for the war effort.

[Joseph Bloyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good ole Bob Hope

Good memories come from this book. Bob was a great entertainer and has many tales to tell. Bob also tells many jokes that are tame for our time, but were great back in the day. Fans of Hope will enjoy this book. Just read it and enjoy this great entertainer.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book in 1966 and thought it was funny, read it again in 2003 and appreciated it.

[Adelina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great stories. Bob Hope shares his different stories from traveling around the world. This is not a biography, but rather a compilation of some of Bob's different experiences. What a fun guy!

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many many stories about Bob Hope's youth and career. Very entertaining! What a life! What a marvelous entertainer!

[Ronald · Rating 5 out of 5]

read during summer 1974

[Brenda Whitney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book very much.

[Nick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent