More interesting than the usual run of celebrity tell-alls, but ultimately somewhat depressing. I don't know a ton about Sinatra; I respect his singing more than I like it, but he's fascinating as an iconic showbiz figure.
Like many children of my generation (I was born in 1964), I watched early Warner Brothers cartoons which caricatured famous Hollywood people without having a clue who they were until much later. But the Frank Sinatra chicken in Swooner Crooner made an impression on me. As a teen I laughed at Joe Piscopo's impression of Frank singing "Under My Thumb" (his only funny skit, as I recall). Many years later, I took care of a lady with Alzheimer's whose happiest moments were spent listening to Tommy Dorsey records, and so I heard many early Sinatra classics over and over again. I read The Way You Wear Your Hat when it came to the library (don't remember much about it) because of the wonderful title and cover. The shadow of Sinatra is still everywhere in American culture; from the Ocean's 11 and Manchurian Candidate remakes to the resurgence of 50s cool (granted, that's old already, but I'm sure there are better examples), his presence is inescapable. So a book by his valet is a natural draw.
The opening is killer: "Summer 1968. The only man in America who was less interested than me in sleeping with Mia Farrow was her husband and my boss, Frank Sinatra." Dancing with Mia at a club (& subsequent rumors of an affair) led to Sinatra cutting off Jacobs overnight, as Jacobs had seen him to do so many other people. Then we go to the standard chronological narrative; a brief overview of Jacobs' life, his employment with Swifty Lazar, and then the day that Sinatra wooed him away in 1953. Until the blow-up in 1968, Jacobs accompanied Sinatra around the world, cooked his favorite food, baby-sat his lovers, ran his errands, put up with awful practical jokes, cleaned up after his tantrums, and befriended his family.
"No man is a hero to his valet," and yet Jacobs effectively communicates how much he loved "Mr. S." Frank Sinatra comes across as a guy with many good qualities (generous, thoughtful, humble, basically unbigoted) spoiled by success. Jacobs bore with his temper, insecurity, crude sense of humor, and occasional cruelty for the sake of the "vulnerable, real" person he saw underneath, and of course for the amazing perks and prestige that went with being right-hand man to the Chairman of the Board. Getting fired was a crushing blow for Jacobs, and it's easy to believe that it was a terrible mistake for the increasingly lonely and isolated Sinatra to get rid of someone who saw him for who he was and yet loved him.
Article comments
1 - william hemmings
I have just finished reading the very enjoyable
MrS I knew nothing about Frank Sinatra and was not really a fan but Wow what a tale and very enlightening. It was a cracking read and I would like to congratulate George Jacobs & William Stadiem for their worthy efforts
2 - Mr Operator
just finished it, thought it was great. Little depressing at the end, that's true.
But overal entertaining, especially stuff about Marilyn, JFK, Bogart, Holliday
3 - Monty A.
Yes it was a fascinating book, whether you're a Sinatra fan or not. And the above review is very well written.
4 - Roy Sannella
George. If your still alive and kicking please contact me. I lost your address, Hope all is well in Palm Springs. I miss you, Pat Rizzo, Elyssa Guardino and the gang at Pasta Mia's. I have written two books "My Nine Lives" which you are in it and "A Home for Heroes"
Roy Sannella
[Personal contact info deleted]
5 - Ken Novick
You've written a great book, George. I've been trying to reach you since we last spoke over a year ago. All my contact info is the same, please call me, I lost your phone number. Spoke to Big George Reynolds about two weeks ago and we'd love to hear from you. George completed his script and is in negotiations. Looking forward to hearing from you.
Ken