Eddie: The Life and Times of America's Preeminent Bad Boy

Leave it to Beaver remains one of the best shows ever broadcast on TV. Without a doubt, Ken Osmond, AKA Eddie Haskell, the iconic character played on this show, was a major contributing factor in its success. Osmond's role has to be one of the funniest of any that I've ever seen on a TV series.When this book was released, I knew just by looking at the cover that I had to have it immediately. As a matter of fact, I was so enthralled with the book, that my wife and I just started watching the entire Leave it to Beaver series on Netflix. Eddie Haskell makes his first appearance in episode six.The producers of the show never intended for the Eddie Haskell character to be on more than just one episode. Obviously, once they saw the amazing acting abilities of Osmond, they decided that he would become a regular. I laugh out loud every time I see him in an episode. For those too young to have watched this series the first time around, do so now, as the material is timeless.As for the book, Christopher J. Lynch does a fantastic job at telling the story of Ken Osmond's life. I knew that he had become an LA police officer, but I didn't know that he had to grow a mustache so that people wouldn't recognize him.This is a book that will be hard for you to put down. It's enjoyable from the get go, and provides a real feeling of how Ken Osmond dealt with being an out of work child star and than finding a completely different career in law enforcement. This book provides the reader with a fantastic overview of Ken Osmond's life. It's filled with all sorts of emotion, ranging from happiness to depression and fear, all aspects of life that Ken Osmond encountered. There's also a forward by Jerry Mathers, AKA the Beaver which makes the book even more delightful.I enjoyed the Kindle version of this book so much that I just ordered a paperback version as a surprise to my sister. We used to watch the show together and Eddie Haskell was her favorite character. This is a simply wonderful book about a really nice guy who has a whole lot to say about his life and adventures. A 5 star read for sure.

I was always a fan of the character Eddie Haskell. I also became a fan of the actor, Ken Osmond when l learned a few years back that he became an LAPD Officer and was shot in the line of duty.I was sorry to hear that he passed away recently and this spurred me on to read his book.My admiration of Ken Osmond has soared even higher after reading his book. I loved reading every inch of it. I enjoyed the many anecdotes of growing up in Hollywood and the entertainment industry, and particularly, stories relating to Leave It To Beaver. His career as a Police Officer and injury in the line of duty speaks for itself.Perhaps most importantly, Mr. Osmond comes across as a nice guy and humble human being. You won't find sleazy or tawdry stories hear. Nor will there be tough guy bravodo talk, although if anyone is entitled, it would be him.He told his story with class, dignity and humor. I was grateful to have learned more about his life. In real life, Ken Osmond was no Eddie Haskell, but a dedicated cop, father and husband.I highly recommend his book. I guarantee you will thereafter always see Eddie Haskell in a different light.

Wow, I enjoyed this book. "Leave it to Beaver" was at the height of it's popularity when I entered my teenage years. This book brought back a flood of memories as Ken Osmond wrote about particular episodes of the great series. Even now, years after "Leave it to Beaver" ended it's TV run, the name "Eddie Haskell' remains in the American vernacular. Just the other day, a thoroughbred horse, named "Eddie Haskell" won a race at Del Mar Racetrack. The personal stories from Mr. Osmond regarding his years as an LAPD officer, his near-death experience at the hands of a cop shooter, his success in business endeavors after the series ended, and the untrue "porno" rumors he spent years fighting are all interesting for anyone who remembers good 'ol Eddie telling Mrs. Cleaver how nice she looked when she greeted him at the Cleaver front door.

You would think and hope that a main cast member would offer more reflections on other cast members. But Osmond provides only scant mention of other actors in small snippets. I grew up with this show and have the box set that I’ve watched countless times. I was anticipating some poignant anecdotes about Hugh Beaumont or Barbra Billingsley but was greatly disappointed. His life outside the show is interesting enough but there would be no book without the major impetus of the LITB years ! And the inclusion of Eddy’s laugh with ‘heh, heh, heh’ was amusing the first time but not after 15 or more ! One would think he was the whole show but he had a limited acting range and consequently few if any offers after the show closed.

I was a fan of LEAVE IT TO BEAVER, growing up. I can remember racing home every day at lunch to watch an episode. So when I heard that Ken Osmond would be attending last weekend's comic convention in Hamilton (about 40 minutes from where I live), I knew I wanted to meet him and get his autograph for the collection.I always like to check and see if a personality I am going to meet has a biography out, and in this case Ken Osmond did, so I picked it up and read it prior to meeting him on Saturday.Quite the life, besides acting, Ken has been a helicopter pilot, worked in the aeronautical field and served as an LA police officer, where he was shot twice (!) in the line of duty. The first time, he was shot three times at point blank range, but his vest and belt buckle saved him.In addition, Ken has been mistaken for John Holmes (the porn star), who Ken unsuccessfully tried to sue for using his name, and been mistaken for Alice Cooper (as Alice was once quoted saying "he was an Eddie Haskell growing up”, which was mistaken as "I was Eddie Haskell growing up").What I loved reading about was the family atmosphere on the set of LEAVE IT TO BEAVER, and later, THE NEW LEAVE IT TO BEAVER. Apparently there were no divas, everyone got along and they are all still close today. It is always refreshing to hear that.A fun read and he’s definitely had an interesting life. And like Jerry Mathers says in the foreword: Ken is a great actor, because, in real life, he is nothing like Eddie. After meeting Ken, I can say, “that Eddie is a real swell guy”.This is a highly recommended read for fans of the Beav, and/or that rascal, Eddie. Heh, heh heh.

Not sure if Christopher Lynch is as illiterate as Ken Osmond but someone is responsible for letting the multitude of spelling and grammatical errors make it into print. Apart from those inexcusable weaknesses, this was as thoroughly empty and bland an autobiography as was ever written.

Very informative and funny. Answered all my questions about every character. Ken Osmond lived a very interesting life. The end

If you like watching Leave it to Beaver, buy this book.