by Shawn Levy
First published 2014
Shawn Levy chronicles the meteoric journey of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Peter Lawford, and Joey Bishop as they conquered entertainment in the 1950s and 60s. The author traces their legendary Vegas residency where they filmed movies by day and performed at night during their famous Summit meetings. Levy explores how these entertainers moved between Palm Springs mansions, Hollywood back lots, and White House dinners, building connections with both the Kennedy family and organized crime figures like Sam Giancana. The book examines their world of private jets, illegal gambling, and exclusive parties that defined an era of American celebrity. Levy captures the atmosphere of silk suits, cocktails, and neon lights that surrounded these performers as they redefined what it meant to be cool. This biography reveals how the Rat Pack represented both the peak and the end of classic showbiz culture. Readers discover the personal dynamics, professional rivalries, and cultural impact of these men who epitomized mid-century American swagger.
Genres: biography, history, 20th-century, american, crime
Vibes: emotional, fast-paced, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, found-family, rise-and-fall
Setting: Hollywood, Palm Springs, Vegas, White House
Period: 1950s, 1960s
379 pages · Kindle Edition · Fourth Estate
Content warnings: alcohol-abuse, drug-use