"A Hard Act to Follow" by Henry Bushkin Book Review

Remember when I posted this giveaway and top 10 list?  This giveaway is over, but you can still buy the book.  I finally got the book finished, and I am so sorry it took me so long!


A Hard Act to Follow by Henry Bushkin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Let me begin by saying something--this book is long, but well worth the read if you are a fan of old TV and even classic movies.  I only knew a little bit about Johnny Carson when I started this book.  I remember growing up, and his "Tonight Show" was on.  I was too young, and it was on too late.  Therefore, I never watched it.  My mother felt it was inappropriate for me, and I did not quesiton it.

As I read through the book, I can completely appreciate why I did not watch the show growing up.  The book is full of profanity--you have been warned.  Johnny Carson did not mince words, and he had some favorites he used over and over.  You will find they appear prominently in the book.

I was unaware of Henry Bushkin, Carson's attorney for a good share of the comedian's career.  Let me say that this lawyer has an amazing memory (and I'm sure he took good notes).  I was impressed with the attention to detail, and I honestly never found myself bored.  There are definitely some funny stories, but there are the heart-wrenching ones as well.  I shared a lot of the book with my mom--she was a big Carson fan back in the day.

This biography is a massive undertaking, but I felt it was worth it.  This is not a book you can read in a day and maybe not even in a week!

I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.  I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.


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"A Hard Act to Follow" by Henry Bushkin Book Blast (Ends 12/26) WW

A Hard Act to Follow by Henry Bushkin

"A Hard Act to Follow," is a non-fiction literary account of Henry Bushkin's tenure as Johnny Carson's lawyer, business partner, and friend.  The book gives genuine insight into the 'Carson behind Johnny' with candid personal vignettes about the two, during the rollicking years when Johnny was the undisputed king of television.  This is an engaging, eye-opening, anecdote-packed story about a young lawyer and his client, one of the biggest celebrities in the country.  This funny, unfiltered account gives readers a look at the Johnny Carson that none but a select few really knew.






“A Hard Act to Follow” by Henry Bushkin provides a stirring account into Johnny Carson’s world—as told by Carson’s closest confidant.
The New Yorker article by Kenneth Tynan from 1978, included the following question and answer:
Tynan: When you’re at home, whom do you entertain?
Carson: My lawyer, Henry Bushkin, who’s probably my best friend.

Carson360 Facebook * Website * Carson360 Twitter

Praise for the Book

"I loved the book." ~Wayne Newton

"Henry was Johnny's closest friend for many years which becomes clear through many of the wonderful chapters of the book." ~Bob Trapenberg

"The book is full of tough love, humor, cultural history, sadness, humor, love, loss, well I guess I am saying it is full of life." ~Rupert Garcia


" Henry's portrayal of Johnny was spot on. I highly recommend this book which is the closest the reader will ever get to know the real Carson." ~ Ed Weinberger, former Tonight Show writer and Producer for Carson Productions

"A beautifully easy read that pulls you in to an effortless journey through Johnny Carson’s effortful life. The glamour  the fellow celebrities behind the curtain, the loyalties, and the betrayals. It certainly provides new insight on decisions and the lives that are behind the scenes." ~Kathy Davis, Kathy Takes on Books

""I have read this book and it is FAB! If you love reading about celebrities, this is awesome. It is also a great memoir as well. I am a huge memoir fan so this one was a real treat and one of the best I have read in this genre in a long time" ~Mary,  Bookhounds Blog

"Bushkin's easy, unpretentious style allows the reader to be a fly on the wall as this inside story plays out in the rarified air on which Johnny thrived. "A HARD ACT TO FOLLOW" is a must read whether you grew up on Johnny or never heard of him. And then there are the supporting characters -- from the Rat Pack to Johnny's Ice Queen mother ranging around the pages disturbing the peace. I read it straight through in 90 minutes and was left wanting more."  ~Sandy Ignon, Screenwriter (RANSOM).

"The tales are epic in nature and stretch from the first page to the last. “A Hard Act to Follow” is an honest appraisal of Carson and shows his dark side. In this, Bushkin strikes the right blend of salacious detail with an appropriate dose of discretion. Sure, you’ll learn more detail about Carson’s marriages-- in a tasteful way.  Bushkin will leave you wanting more. Great books will do that." ~Barry Mordis, Senior VP at Merryl-Lynch

"No one would describe Johnny as easy going-there was an edge to him that Bushkin always managed to soften. He continues to do that in this book. There was that challenging side of Johnny which is also captured in the book. Henry was Johnny's closest friend for many years which becomes clear through many of the wonderful chapters of the book. All in all a great book to read." ~Bob Trapenberg, Johnny's former Tennis Pro.

Purchase: http://johnnycarsonbook.com/

Author Henry Bushkin

Henry Bushkin is an experienced lawyer who practices in both California and New York. He currently lives in Los Angeles where his children also reside.

Twitter * Website 

Blog Tour Now Through January 11th

Tour Schedule

Watch out for my review coming up of this fantastic book on December 28--if all goes well.  But for now, be sure to enter the giveaway!



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Ends 12/26/12
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