Mr. S: My Life with Frank Sinatra

A very interesting book. I never put it down. Gives much inside information, that someone close to Frank would only know. Also, gives great tidbits about other stars. Some pretty shocking!! Great if you are a Sinatra fan or just love the older stars like myself: Marilyn, the Kennedy's, etc. I'm a big Marilyn fan and found it very interesting to learn that George (the author) verified that himself, Jeanne Carmen and Marilyn DID indeed live in the apartments on Doheny Drive! Interesting if you're an MM fan! Didn't really like every thing he had to say, but very interesting just the same.

Arrived timely and in great condition

Most "tell-alls" should be called "tell-halfs", since the author invariably shares only his or her half of the story, minimizing his or her own culpability; and the book's subject is either dead, or would never deign to suffer the indignity of responding. But as long as a reader comes in with the understanding that only the author's side of the story will be told, the read might be worth the trouble -- especially to learn the juicy, previously-untold stuff. Unfortunately, there is not much about Sinatra that hasn't been previously told, so there was very little even his personal valet could add. At times, Jacobs seems to be struggling mightily to find new things to reveal. We are asked to accept -- on faith, of course -- that the great Mister S possessed not only drop-dead good looks, unparalleled charisma, and the best non-operatic male voice of his generation, but also a reproductive organ so formidable that he required specially-made underclothing, presumably to discourage marauding female fans, or perhaps to avoid frightening small children. Such stories strain the limits of probability *and* credibility. We are also told that Sinatra rivaled JFK (who snorted cocaine regularly) in seducing virtually anybody wearing a dress, including Princess Grace, and Marilyn Monroe -- whose personal hygiene habits were appalling. Are these things true? There is no way to know; and now that all of the principals, including Jacobs himself, are gone -- except Mia Farrow, who has some significant credibility issues of her own -- there is no way to find out. So in essence, if you enjoy "tell-halfs", and are a bit of a voyeur (and a bit gullible), you will find this memoir entertaining. If you are a bit of skeptic like myself, probably not so much.

George did a wonderful job.

This book is alive with perspicacious insights and penetrating disclosures. Well-written, it shows who the man really is and what he really stands for. Not a single moment of surplusage or irrelevancy. Fun and irreverant, an absolutely delightful read that is indispensable if you're interested in the real Sinatra. Reads like a novel; a very good and compelling novel. Highly recommended. Phillip Rohlin

I really enjoyed this book. It is nice to get this perspective from the author,it was as close to being a fly on the wall. Really enjoyed the real truth about frank falling out with the Kennedys. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in details and the every day goings on of a superstar the caliber of sinatra. It humanizes him completely , good bad & the ugly, its all there.

I've read several different books about the legendary Frank Sinatra. Right before this one, I read the by Tony O called "Sinatra and Me: In the Wee Small Hours", which was a classy, yet intimate look at Old Blue Eyes. I call "Mr. S" a big gossip column because it's written like one. Not to say the details in the book aren't true, but they are doled out in salacious terms with that breathy gossip rag style. Lots of slang and innuendo. George Jacobs was indeed Sinatra's valet for many years and no lies were detected. I just felt a little dirty after I read the last page.

I was in Show Biz. It is interesting to me to learn all about the people I like. Didn't realize all the fragile parts of Frank. Also interesting were his comments about the girls he had. Only spoke of those with very bad points, or very good points ... nothing in between. Lots of inside stories in this book. Learning much about Frank, the man.He had quite a ride!

Good book

Those of us who listened to Ol' Blue Eyes for decades and heard countless rumours about his career and life will not be disappointed in the revelations of his close friend and butler, George Jacobs. Sinatra is revealed as a many who put loyalty and friendship above all other human attributes. He remembered those who had helped him in the past and never forgot or forgave his enemies. He was wild about John F. Kennedy but let himself be used by the Kennedy clan and then dropped like a hot potato when Frank's connection to mob bosses was revealed. He never got over his love for Ava Gardner and spent most of his life looking for her replacement but never finding another woman like her. Frank stood by Marilyn Monroe in her darkest final hours and tried to help. He got used to having things his way and his temper tantrums were legendary. As the years rolled by, he could never come to terms with the drug scene or rock music. He could not understand why the public no longer cared for the old standards he had been singing for years. At the end, he had alienated many of his closest friend and was very much alone.

Great Book as described.

great book , the real Frank Sinatra is revealed

The more I read about Mr. Jacob's life serving Frank Sinatra and the way he was treated in the end was quite awful, and yet in his final meeting with Sinatra George said he would have still returned if FS had apologised and asked him back. Too small a man to apologise for his inequitable behaviour, or lack of it.