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The sheriff of Hazzard County is finally gonna spill the beans about those darn Duke boys!

In actor James Best's autobiography, he writes, "You can share with me the Golden Age of Hollywood, when movies had unequaled World Class. Now solidly in my eighties, I'm one of the few living actors who can hope to tell of the past glory and glamour of Hollywood as the industry really was way back when.

"This was the Hollywood where I lived, loved, and worked during the time when she was the ruling queen. This was the time of a wonderful movie industry, where genuine actors and actresses created truly entertaining musicals, comedies, dramas, and action for an eager movie-going public.

"Even in those glorious golden days of Hollywood, my attempt to be a big winner was never all sunglasses and autographs. I tell how I survived in a sometimes cruel town where a lifelong dream can be fulfilled or broken in a heartbeat. I didn't escape without my share of scars.

"I've written this book for those who might enjoy reading about the experiences of a very lucky ragtag orphan from Kentucky. I thank God for the opportunities given me. I was blessed to be adopted and to be given both a desire to work hard and, just as important, a love of fishing. I've been in a few scraps along the way, but I've done my level best to become a successful actor and to grow as a person.

"If you're curious about the good, the bad, and the beautiful of Hollywood, including The Dukes of Hazzard and many other adventures, it's all in this book. I simply tell my story as I've lived it. I hope you enjoy it."

324 pages and illustrated.

James Best appeared in many films, including Winchester '73 (1950), Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man (1951), The Caine Mutiny (1954), and Forbidden Planet (1956).

His extensive American television appearances include Wagon Train (three times), The Adventures of Kit Carson (twice as Henry Jordan), the Western anthology series Frontier (twice), Sheriff of Cochise, Pony Express, Rescue 8, Behind Closed Doors, The Texan, The Rebel, Bonanza, Gunsmoke, Have Gun-Will Travel, Trackdown, The Barbara Stanwyck Show, Tombstone Territory, Whispering Smith, Stagecoach West, The Twilight Zone episodes entitled "The Grave," "The Last Rites of Jeff Myrtlebank," and "Jess-Belle," Wanted: Dead or Alive, Overland Trail, Bat Masterson, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, The Man and the Challenge, Combat!, The Mod Squad, I Spy, The Fugitive episode entitled "Terror At High Point", and In the Heat of the Night.

Publisher ‏ : ‎ BearManor Media (July 29, 2009)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 324 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1629330353
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1629330358
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.33 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.75 x 9 inches
Reviewer: ricardo_guerrero
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Loved it!
Review: BearManor Media turns out another truly excellent title - the bio of James Best aka Rosco P. "kee kee kee" Coltrane!I grew up watching "Dukes of Hazzard", but it wasn't until much later that I saw some of James Best's non-"Dukes" work and realized what a truly fine actor he is. His autobio really shows us how much other quality stuff he did before and after "Dukes", and his talents as a Hollywood camera technique teacher (whose students included Gary Busey, Teri Garr, and even Quentin Tarantino!), a writer, director, and an artist. The book has many great photos and also tells of making his way to New York from rural Indiana to start his career in the theater, and then coming to Hollywood around 1950. As "Dukes" didn't start until 1978 or 79, he already had worked in the biz for about 30 years before that! I wish he'd included a bit more on some of his non-Dukes roles, like "Twilight Zone" (in which he starred in three episodes). He also tells of his sometimes difficult family life - orphaned and adopted at a very young age because his biological family was too poor to keep him; three marriages, children, and grandchildren; and much later in life finally meeting siblings and other family that he never knew, shortly before they passed away.He also tells of the dark side of Hollywood, and his eventual departure from it - how lucrative it can be if a person can stand it - and that it is now run by agents and young execs who are just out to keep their own jobs and make big bucks for the studios and networks. Nonetheless, Mr. Best has had a wonderful life and the frank yet very warm tone of his bio hooked me immediately and I read it very fast because it was so good. The sole problem with the book is probably the photographs. There are many of them - over 150 (as the cover boasts!) but the print quality isn't good.Nonetheless, this is a great read for anyone who knows of James Best but might not be familiar with his BEST work.

Reviewer: Kindle Customer
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Sheriff Rosco tells it like it is
Review: Best in Hollywood, what a remarkable story, from growing up in Kentucky to becoming the beloved bumbling sheriff of a mid season replacement show that lasted 7 years with a hell of a lot of laughs..Jules Guys he was born, James Best he became trained by the Duke (John Wayne) in acting, he is guy who has done and seen it all in Hollywood.As is always life throws best few curb balls which he talks about and remedies in his own unique wayWell written this book truly is one of the best autobiographies I have read in a while.If ou ever wondered how a person gets it done in the old Hollywood and the new Hollywood then read this bookIf you love the Dukes of Hazzard and Gator then James thrills more in this book for you, don't take my word read it and see for yourself.Daniel Vandenberg

Reviewer: BENJAMIN
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Great read!
Review: Couldn't put this book down! Mr. "Jimmie Best" shares some extremely interesting viewpoints about Hollywood (past, present, and future) and his behind the scenes interactions with the producers and writers on 'The Dukes of Hazzard'. Mr. Best was a man of many talents, and this book spotlights his various gifts as a writer, director, father, husband, actor, businessman, teacher, fisherman, and friend to many prolific people. His journey in life is finished now, but his memory lives on in this book.

Reviewer: WTS
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Far more than just Rosco...
Review: Grew up watching the bumbling Rosco every Friday night on the Dukes of Hazard. I had no idea that James Best had such a deep Hollywood background. He was always self aware and while in his own words not always humble he found the balance later in life between swagger from respect and cockiness. The book is well written and articulated.Much more interesting read than I expected it to be.

Reviewer: Robin Kill
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Enjoyable to read about James Best!!! Recommend.
Review: I purchased this book for my mother who had met James Best years ago and had become a fan of his. She loved the book and said that James Best is just a very "down home kind of guy", and very personable. It was a very interesting and enjoyable book to read especially her being a James Best fan. She found it fun and entertaining and loved learning more about him. She DOES recommend this book!!!!

Reviewer: Christian Man
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: What a Great Read!!
Review: This book was very enjoyable and full of info about Hollywood's glory days. James Best was great as Rosco in the Dukes but he was in so many other tv shows and movies that it is a shame that more people do not realize this about him. What a talent that he was.

Reviewer: MS. SCARLETT
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: JAMES BEST'S AUTOBIOGRAPHY IS EXCELLENT
Review: I have always enjoyed James Best's acting, and I enjoyed his autobiography as well. I highly recommend it.

Reviewer: Marc Siciliano
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Rosco Does it again!!!
Review: James Best tells his amazing story. He let's you see the golden age of Hollywood through his words. Also a very interesting look behind the scene's of the Dukes of Hazzard and it's two reunion movies. The friendship between him and Burt Renyolds is a great story to be told in this book to. One of the best reads I have had and enjoyed in a long time!!!

Reviewer: Jennifer
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Great condition! Exactly as described and seen in pictures!

Reviewer: Mike
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: I am so happy to have read the career of James Best. He's come from a poor background and worked his socks off to reach stardom without the dope and alcohol many use to get there. He's proven that you don't need the drugs to succeed and there is plenty room for wholesome movies and tv shows. Well worth a read.

Reviewer: Philippe ANTOMARCHI
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Fine and interesting book

Reviewer: Marta
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: I have bought this book after having watched almost the entire series of Hazzard for the first time (I'm born in 1989). I admired immediately the acting of J. Best, who with Boss make me everytime laugh.My brother asks me why I have recorded every episode, he thought was for Bo or Luke....nothing is more false...eheheh it was for Rosco and BossI'm still not at the end (the part about Hazzard I have yet to read it) but I can already say that is a very good and pleasant book. You can realized that is not only Rosco P. Coltrane.I love the lot of pictures inside and I discovered that he was a charming playboy ;)it is also easy to understand for me; I'm not mother tongue, I'm Swiss 🙂

Reviewer: lindsay devereux
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: A fine nice read by a fine nice guy. I am 68 and have enjoyed James Best entertaining me for all those yearsIn the Movies and on TV?Fine autobiography to bring back these great memories of James and his fellow entertainers.