A Book by Desi Arnaz has finally been republished after 50 years by the good folks at Running Press. This wonderful Expanded Edition of The New York Times Bestseller includes a new foreward by Desi’s granddaughter Kate Luckinbill and an afterward by his daughter Lucie Arnaz. A Book is packed with photos and filled with inside stories only Desi could tell in his witty, personable way. It is a must read for fans of the man as well as of I Love Lucy and serves as a great companion to Todd S. Purdum’s 2025 biography Desi Arnaz: The Man Who Invented Television.
Buy A Book (Expanded Edition)A Book by Desi Arnaz is an entertaining memoir delivered in an approachable, fun manner. Desi invites you in and shares his version of his life and the stories he finds most interesting and amusing. In his own words and unique phrasing, Desi takes us through his life and adventures up to 1960 when he left the helm of the studio and empire he created to seek a quieter, less-stressful life. From his reckless days growing up in Cuba to his formative years playing with Xavier Cugat (who would later be portrayed as a rival of sorts) and his playboy ways as the young leader of a highly sought-after Latin band to marrying Lucille Ball, Desi recounts it all. He pulls no punches while telling us of his dealings with Hollywood and studio brass as he moves through the movie and music industries on his way to building his own empire that he would build and share with Lucy, the love of his life, after the wild success of their inventive television show.
Desi’s warmth and humor make the reader feel as though they are sitting on the porch having a drink with grandpa as he regales you with stories of days gone by. One can truly hear his unique voice as he reminisces about his dashing young days and the stress of success as well as being the sole Latino running his own studio. We sit with Desi as he recounts the well-known events of his life, his courtship with Lucy, as well as those tales not often told, like the time the airplane pilot got lost en route to Los Angeles and Desi had to help the tower operator guide them to the airport safely.
The Expanded Edition not only delivers a loving, new foreward and afterward but includes some never-before-published writings that along with Lucie’s help provide further insight into some of her father’s thoughts and ideas. We get to glimpse what Desi had in mind for a planned but never written second memoir potentially titled Another Book. That proposed follow-up would have focused on his later years after 1960 when he left Lucy and Desilu; longing years filled with boating, fishing, race horses, booze, attempts at new TV shows, anniversary specials, and passion-project movies. Although the entire time he maintained an important, low key, consultant type role behind the scenes in keeping Lucy’s new shows afloat and funny, the way he had always done during those salad days of I Love Lucy.
Also included in the extra material is a short recap of the Cuban upheavals, Desi titled “Avalance.” Here Desi recounts the happenings of the Cuban government from 1933-59 and how the mass of Cubans found their way to the Florida coast. Of particular delight is how Lucie chooses to close out A Book with Desi’s thoughts on the beauty and importance of democracy over all other forms of “BS” governments.
A Book by Desi Arnaz is a great way to keep the man and his accomplishments alive, in his own salty, comic words. I am extremely grateful this overlooked classic has been republished after 50 years. Now I can retire my well-worn, vintage, mass-market paperback copy that has been in the family since it was first released. Although, nothing beats that wonderful old book scent.
