WE WELCOME THOSE WITH A GENUINE INTEREST IN BING CROSBY. YOU WILL BE ASKED THREE QUESTIONS WHEN YOU REGISTER. DEPENDING ON YOUR ANSWERS, WE WILL EITHER APPROVE OR NOT APPROVE YOUR MEMBERSHIP. This requirement arises from misuse of the forum by a few.
KEEP AN EYE ON:-
Jon Oye keeps adding images to his site Contemplations on Classic Movies and Music
David Lobosco has continual additions to his site The Bing Crosby News Archive
Tony Mead adds photos and other interesting material Bing's Photos
NOTE: If you are having trouble logging in, please contact David Lobosco at davidlobosco@yahoo.com.
Offline
Just to get the conversation started, what are your favorite Bing books out there?
Awhile back I did a video of my favorites, I'll see if I can dig it up...
Offline
David, My favorites are "Call me Lucky", Kathryn's 3 books, Giddins 2 books, Ken Barnes book and I know I would love Malcolm's " Day by Day" book, maybe one day I will be able to get it.
Offline
I have a real soft spot for Charles Thompson's 1976, "Bing - The Authorised Biography", which I first read aged twelve years on a beautiful summer's narrow boat cruise in Shropshire. I do appreciate so much research has been uncovered since Bing's death but the book has such a breezy, cozy and intimate warmth to it, with the now seemingly untraceable author having spoken at length to not only Bing - but also to many of Crosby's associates, still around at the time.
Malcolm's "Day By Day" book is just so invaluable. I never cease to be amazed and staggered at the enormity of his vast and beautifully readable achievement. Talk about the ultimate reference book on Bing. it's attention to detail is always a fan's delight to dip into. If it wasn't so heavy, I'd take it with me, each time I go away.
It's also been such an honour and privilege to have the acquaintance of this hugely knowledgeable, friendly, cheery, warm and twinkling self effacing gentleman. And to have landed a couple of years ago, my own (now author signed) copy, without having to have sold my house. Honestly, gang - copies are now becoming like hen's teeth!
Last edited by Ian Kerstein (13/10/2024 11:59 pm)
Offline
I don't have Malcolm's book, which is invaluable of course, due to the fact that it has become impossible to find an affordable copy anywhere no matter how hard one may try. Fortunately, its content is available on the ICC website and has been extremely helpful for my articles and occasional research on Bing. A few years ago I recorded this video in which I speak at length about my favorite books on Bing and show the copies I have. In case you're interested, here it is:
Best,
AGF
Offline
A few more I would like to mention are Nathaniel's book, The Crosby( golf book) and the one Bing's niece wrote, Elko. Sorry I forgot exact titles. I have to get my books out but you know which ones I mean. Lol! Anton, I will watch your video later.
Offline
Also, speaking of the family member's literary efforts, a nod towards Kathryn's perhaps less known "Bing and Other Things" from the middle nineteen-sixties. Although my late brother for some reason found the title eccentrically hilarious, I found the book very well written, quirky, curious but fairly revelatory. Although at the same time, I found it still managed to preserve the intrigue of their marriage.
Last edited by Ian Kerstein (11/3/2025 5:26 am)
Offline
Ian Kerstein wrote:
Also, speaking of the family member's literary efforts, a nod towards Kathryn's perhaps less known "Bing and Other Things" from the middle nineteen-sixties. Although my late brother for some reason found the title eccentrically hilarious, I found the book very well written, quirky, curious but fairly revelatory. Although at the same time, I found it still managed to preserve the intrigue of their marriage.
Well said Ian!! I feel that Bing and Other Things is the best book from the three that Kathryn wrote. In it's 180-page the octavo-size memoir published by Meredith Press in 1967 is the only book covering Kathryn’s childhood, her showbussines debut, while giving an intimate portrait of Bing and their vivid life together. The book is built in a spinal structure where focuses on a specific chapter of her life. She also employes rare literary devices. The chapter "Becoming Nurse, The Hard Way" is by far the best chapter that Kathryn ever wrote, the letter device she uses there, results in a literary masterpiece.The dialogues she included in some of the chapters were very humorous very inteligent. She was very talented author and that was her best ever project, the book was more well-written than the more carefully crafted memoirs of the later decades, Bing and Other Things got a spontaneous style, a direct narration aproach that was creating the illusion of intimacy.
Offline
At one time I did a lot of reading, especially when I had a pool back in Brooklyn. I would float in a tube and read and then do pool excersizes. Anyway, I read all three of Kathryn's books that way and I read them 2 or 3 times each. I told Kathryn this, she thought it was funny and amazing. Anyway, that was a long time ago but I remember the books as being a good read not only did we get intimate and personal sides of Kathryn and Bing but very humorous ones. When I read books more than once that means I enjoyed them. I had them autographed by Kathryn. I love the photo of Bing on the cover of "My Life with Bing". Very handsome picture of Bing. Ian and Pantelis, love reading your take on things, you both have a way with words, both of you very gifted.
Last edited by Blonde56 (11/3/2025 5:01 pm)
Offline
Thank you, Carmela and Pantelis for your continued over kindnesses in your continued praise and agreements with me. I already struggled, today with moving my freshly swollen head through the door frame of my house, as I attempted to leave for my visit to the opticians and my bi-annual eye test.
I had no idea Kathryn's three books were also published in waterproof editions.
Last edited by Ian Kerstein (15/3/2025 5:43 pm)
Offline
Ian, You are a funny chap! So now you know I like to read in the pool (I guess books were waterproof editions!) and I take a shower with James Cagney. Don't know if I can show my face at next meeting, better I stay embarrassed in the dark. I look better in person anyway. Good luck with your eye test Ian! Wonder what is causing you eye trouble Hef? Lol!
Offline
Oh that's easy, Carmela. Reading far too many Bing books.
What's the general view on Charles Thompson's 1976 biography originally entitled "Bing - The Authorised Biography" and then the next year after Bing's demise, slightly updated and republished as "The Complete Crosby"?
Last edited by Ian Kerstein (16/3/2025 2:20 am)
Offline
My favourite is Gary Giddins' second volume because its coverage of Bing's wartime life was revealing and fascinating. He acknowledged the access he had to material which was unavailable when he wrote his first Bing book. What a difference that made