After 50 years in television, recently retired game show host Barker (The Price Is Right
) recalls peak moments of his long career in this engaging memoir. Born in 1923 of Native American heritage (he is one-eighth Sioux), Barker grew up in South Dakota. When WWII interrupted his college education, he became a naval fighter pilot, but the war ended before he got a seagoing squadron assignment: “When the enemy heard that I was headed for the Pacific, they surrendered.” In the postwar years, as he made a smooth transition from radio to television, audience participation shows became his specialty, and fame followed after an invitation from Ralph Edwards to host Truth or Consequences
. Giving away millions, Barker stayed with The Price Is Right
for 6,500 shows: “The first time I interviewed an attractive young lady and I realized that her tongue was pierced, I knew that time had passed me by.” He also writes at length about how his concern for animal rights created professional career problems, notably in hosting beauty pageants where furs were worn. The team of Barker and Diehl doesn't measure up to Diehl's memorable high-dive collaboration with Esther Williams (The Million Dollar Mermaid
). However, there are plenty of backstage anecdotes, so Barker's fans are certain to grab this from bookstore shelves. Two 16-page color photo inserts. (Apr. 6)
