{"product_id":"cosby-ronald-l-smith-9781573921268","title":"Cosby: The Life of a Comedy Legend","description":"Comedian, actor, and writer Bill Cosby is one of the most successful and respected entertainers in America. Yet the Cosby we know today came from a much different place and time than the ideal featured in his 1980s hit series \"The Cosby Show,\" where the main character was a loveable, responsible doctor and family man.Cosby: The Life of a Comedy Legend by Ronald L. Smith, a recognized writer on comedy and comedians, tracks the humble upbringing of the Cos in the Philadelphia projects; explores the inspiration he drew from his family, his teachers, the strong female figures in his life, and the books he read; discusses the hardships he experienced while working several jobs to help support his sisters and brothers after his father deserted the family; and reveals his lean years as a budding comic, his early successes, and the big break that brought him to television.As the only biography of Bill Cosby for the adult market, this book explores his feelings and thoughts in great detail, while masterfully documenting Cosby's trailblazing work as a pioneering black performer who was one of the first to co-star in a drama series, \"I Spy.\" Also discussed is Cosby's dedication to education and his efforts on behalf of children.Included are exclusive interviews with family, friends, Cosby's college coach, his first manager, technical advisors from \"The Cosby Show\" and other big stars. Smith also includes a complete and up-to-date checklist of Cosby's writings, records, films, and television credits.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Ronald L. Smith\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 1573921262\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781573921268\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Prometheus Books\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 03\/01\/1997\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 258\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Hardcover\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 1.22lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 9.40h x 6.30w x 1.12d\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eReview Citation(s): \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eBooklist\u003c\/i\u003e 02\/01\/1997 pg. 919\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eSchool Library Journal\u003c\/i\u003e 11\/01\/1997 pg. 150","brand":"Ronald L. Smith","offers":[{"title":"Hardcover","offer_id":47520553074943,"sku":"9781573921268","price":30.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_86151fee-b4f8-43b7-a2d8-8e430949b15a.jpg?v=1762885764","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/cosby-ronald-l-smith-9781573921268","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}