Bob Hope

Draws on exclusive reporting to honor Bob Hope's top-rated successes while discussing such topics as his secret first marriage, stint in reform school and ambivalent relationships with fellow stars.

Winner of the 2021 Golden Scroll Awards for Memoir of the Year and Christian Market Book of the Year awarded by the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association FIRST PLACE WINNER IN THE MEMOIR CATEGORY OF THE 2022 SELAH AWARDS For five decades, comedian, actor, singer, dancer, and entertainer Bob Hope (1903–2003) traveled the world performing before American and Allied troops and putting on morale-boosting USO shows. Dear Bob . . . : Bob Hope’s Wartime Correspondence with the G.I.s of World War II tells the story of Hope’s remarkable service to the fighting men and women of World War II, collecting personal letters, postcards, packages, and more sent back and forth among Hope and the troops and their loved ones back home. Soldiers, nurses, wives, and parents shared their innermost thoughts, swapped jokes, and commiserated with the “G.I.s’ best friend” about war, sacrifice, lonely days, and worrisome, silent nights. The Entertainer of the Century performed for millions of soldiers in person, in films, and over the radio. He visited them in the hospitals and became not just a pal but their link to home. This unforgettable collection of letters and images, many of which remained in Hope’s personal files throughout his life and now reside at the Library of Congress, capture a personal side of both writer and recipient in a very special and often-emotional way. This volume heralds the voices of those servicemen and women whom Hope entertained and who, it is clear, delighted and inspired him.

Bob Hope tells his life story in the form of his best jokes and comic anecdotes, organized by the stages of his life.

(Applause Books). Lawrence J. Quirk delves into every personal and professional aspect of Bob Hope's long, complex and dramatic life; rising by sheer dint of will to great wealth and fame. Why did Hope become so identified with sponsoring the Vietnam War? What's the real scoop on his relationship with Bing Crosby? How far astray did Hope's frankly oversexed nature lead him from the marriage he successfully maintained with Dolores for over sixty years? Quirk writes about Hope based on long experience. He knew and interviewed Bob Hope while serving as an army seargeant during the Korean war and later as entertainment editor, and interviewer of top stars for over forty years. Quirk approaches his subject with original observations born of years of studying this most celebrated, yet in some ways most mysterious of entertainment giants.

THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES! He's an American legend whose wisecracks entertained us for more than sixty years. Now you can enjoy all the glamour and fun of Bob Hope's fabulous life in this intimate, wonderfully detailed biography. Discover how an English immigrant named Leslie Downs Hope became the great Bob Hope, the funniest man in Hollywood, a comedian who won our hearts … and those of thousands of American troops. Don't miss: •HIS GET-TO-THE-TOP-ANY-WAY-YOU-CAN ATTITUDE … The truth about con games in Cleveland and the bluff that got him star billing in Vaudeville •ROBERTA … Not a lady but a Broadway musical, Hope's part in this hit promised a crack at Hollywood … until a misstep nearly cost him everything •ON THE ROAD … Shrewd or lucky? The facts behind teaming up with Bing Crosby on the hilarious Road to Singapore, his long movie career, and his fabulous wealth •THE MYSTERY SURROUNDING HIS MARRIAGE … Although he fell head over heels for the socialite who became his wife, secrets remain about another woman, a child, and a marriage certificate •DAMES, WAR, AND U.S.O … Patriotism or fame? What led Hope into three wars as he brought the boys risque jokes and sexy pin-ups … and earned a place in history? •GOLF AND POLITICAL GAMES … The behind-the-scenes story of his influence on America's presidents, his clout, and his golf—the game he loved enough to put his money where his tee was …

I always knew Howard Hughes was Bob Hope in makeup. I knew who Bob Hope was since the ’70s. I began gathering facts and proofs to prove beyond reasonable doubt that I knew what I was talking about! I wrote this book because I was tired of telling my theory to just one or two people at a time. Howard Hughes was Bob Hope in makeup, and he told you so in his TV skits, in his movies, and in his books. The life of Bob Hope was a cover story bought and paid for by the United States government—an alleged life. Howard Rupert Hughes Jr. was “Sonny” billionaire industrialist, oilman, movie producer, screenwriter, director, photographer, and inventor of satellites, lasers, ships, planes, jets, and rockets. Hope himself stated that he had a group of writers, and he was the one with two (2) heads. And most of all, he was a character actor in his own movies from his own studios. I have in my possession a magazine ad with Hope lying in bed, and the header above his picture read: “Two of the most famous names in America sleep together.” My theory is, Howard Hughes disappeared, went underground, and reappeared in makeup as Bob Hope in an “alleged life,” wearing a mask. Howard Hughes was talking behind his Bob Hope face. Here’s a quote from Hope: “I do my best impersonations right in front of the people, and they don’t get it. They don’t listen.” Hope stated “my names” would go down in history. Another quote from Hope stated, “My sixty years with NBC proves Lincoln was wrong. You can fool all the people all the time.” He did!

"I Never Left Home is about ... Bob Hope's journey among our armed forces, during which he has traveled more than 80,000 miles and played before more than half the entire army. It is composed of about three-fourths straight Hope humor and one-fourth extremely moving tribute to our soldiers. It is a personal adventure story and a Hope's eye view of the war ..." --