Peter Falk (1) (1927–2011)

I picked this book up a couple weeks ago - I couldn't resist it. Started reading this in bits and pieces all out of order. Then I stepped back and read it page by page. It is a quick read.

Peter Falk likes to read short stories so he gives us snapshots of his life in short stories. He points out that the book is not an autobiography. He isn't sure what it is. I'd call it a memoir.

Falk passed away in 2011 at age 83, but the book was published in 2006 and Falk clearly still had all his wits about him, as well as pretty detailed memories. Unfortunately he would soon after be hit with dementia and a rapid mental decline with Alzheimer's disease. Falk tells his stories in a purposely entertaining way. This was a very interesting read.

Why did I pick it up? One might think because of Columbo, Falk's trademark character. The true reason is because I adored him in one of my favorite films "Wings of Desire" in the late 1980's, as well as a sequel a few years later and when I saw this book had a chapter on the film it stayed glued to my hand. The behind the scenes detail and notes Falk wrote made me smile. I laughed out loud several times while reading this, something I can assure you I rarely do when reading a book.

Recommended for any Falk/Columbo fan. Quite a few pictures are included to illustrate his stories, including some of Falk's own drawings. This is a little treasure.
Edit | More… (meer)