First published 2014
Mark Whitaker presents the first comprehensive biography of comedian Bill Cosby, drawing from extensive interviews with Cosby himself and over sixty friends and associates. The book traces Cosby's journey from a Philadelphia housing project where he lived with an alcoholic father and overworked mother, through his high school dropout years, Navy service, and college admission. Whitaker details how Cosby broke into stand-up comedy and achieved success with bestselling albums and his role on I Spy. The biography covers the creation and impact of The Cosby Show on its 30th anniversary, along with his children's television work. Whitaker also examines Cosby's personal struggles, including a public affair scandal, the tragic murder of his son, and his fifty-year marriage to Camille Cosby. The book analyzes Cosby's controversial positions on race and his cultural influence on American society. Readers gain insight into both Cosby's professional achievements and private challenges through this detailed portrait.
Genres: biography, 20th-century, african-american, non-fiction, comedy, 21st-century
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: biography, memoir
Setting: Philadelphia
Period: 20th Century, 21st Century
544 pages · Hardcover · Simon & Schuster