At Random: The Reminiscences of Bennett Cerf is a treasure trove of information about authors, playwrights and composers during the early to mid-20th century.
High Point: The entire book is a very personal look at someone with significant impact on the American publishing industry.
Low Point: Haven’t found one.
Author: Bennett Cerf
Publication Date: 1977
Genre: Biography
Project Gutenberg: Not available
LibriVox: Not available
Movie/TV Adaptation: None
At Random: The Reminiscences of Bennett Cerf is a treasure trove of information about authors, playwrights and composers during the early to mid-20th century. If you want to know about people like F. Scott Fitzgerald, George Gershwin, Dr. Seuss, James Michener, Ayn Rand, Eugene O’Neill and Truman Capote—just to name a few—then you will want this autobiography by the person who helped established one of the major publishing firms in America: Random House.
As you read this book, though, you will want to consider that it was completed after his death by his widow and a favorite editor. Cerf had started the book, but was unable to complete it. Using Cerf’s notes and an oral history he had provided to Columbia University, they finished the book as they believed Cerf would have.
Bennett Cerf knew his authors well, and didn’t mind sharing his impressions. Generally, this is not a work that dishes dirt. Cerf was a genuine friend to most of his clients, and he speaks of them with warmth and, occasionally, concern.
Cerf himself loved his social contacts, the dinner parties, and the elaborate vacations his success afforded. He was a bit of a gadabout, sometimes pretentious, and makes no apologies for it. In fact, his writing reflects a joy of one who is quite comfortable with his approach to life.
He shares a number of stories about the backrooms of the publishing industry, and describes its evolution during the first half of the last century. He closes first by talking about the people in whom he entrusted Random House following his retirement, and then discusses a bit about his personal philosophies.
If you’ve seen Cerf on the old game show What’s My Line, or read his any of his books, you know he was corny (he loved puns) and old-school. This book cuts through much of that, providing insights into someone who had a significant impact on the American publishing industry.
Quotes
| “I don’t like getting old, but growing old happens to everybody, and you’ve got to be philosophical about it. I don’t fear death. I don’t believe in organized religion; I believe in being good. If there is a God, He’ll approve of your being a decent fellow. You don’t have to go through the formalities, which to me have always been artificial.” |
| “I can’t say this too often – that a little humor can make life worth living. That has always been my credo. Somebody once asked me, ‘What would you like your epitaph to be?’ I’ve always said that I’d like it to be: ‘He left people a little happier than they were when he came into the room.’” |
