From dust jacket notes: "...For more than forty years, Jack Benny spread joy and laughter through his radio and television shows, steadfastly keeping to his carefully honed image of the skinflint. Millions 'knew' that he owned an antique Maxwell, driven by Rochester; that he kept his wealth in an underground vault; that his neighbors, Ronald and Benita Coleman, abhorred him; that Mary Livingstone, Dennis Day, Phil Harris and Don Wilson were his 'gang.' But what was Benny like in real life?...Here is the delightful story of Mary and Jack's first meeting (set up by the Marx Brothers), his friendship with George Burns, the hilarious outcome of his crush on Greer Garson, his idiosyncracies, and, yes, the three men Jack didn't like. But, above all, this is the story of the Benny broadcasting phenomenon: his relationships with the people he worked with...the Fred Allen feud...the wonderful characters who studded his show - like Mel Blanc (the French violin teacher), Sheldon Leonard, Mr. Kitzle and Benny Rubin...Jack's reluctance to use 'blue' material...his most expensive radio gag...his willingness to try anything different...why he left NBC for CBS...the change from radio to television. Enriched with scores of warmly remembered jokes and skits, a complete filmography, and 137 rare photographs, this book is destined to take its place as one of the enduring showbiz biographies."