The Boys: A Memoir of Hollywood and Family

The Boys is a very good read. It is well written and intuitive. Even though we didn't see as much of Clint over the years, his input in this book is interesting. The empathy, innocence, wholesomeness, and compassion one sees on screen from these two comes through loud and clear in this book.

A detailed account of the Howard family during the timeline from the meeting of Rance and Jean Howard to their death. The story is told by brothers Clint and Ron from their own perspective. Both the personal and career life of this family was amazing to read. The coaching of a father to his three year old son from his first acting job was a powerful beginning that grabbed my attention right off. The love, devotion, integrity and talent shared between the two parents and two sons were heartwarming. This was a fascinating read. The pictures at the end showing Ron and Clint’s professional life were priceless. My only disappointment; since this was a family story and a very detailed one at that, I was sorry to see there was nothing at all about either brother’s own family. That subject ended after description of Ron’s wedding. Nothing was said at all about Clint’s family. Perhaps it would take another book, but it seemed wrong to excuse this important part of both brother’s lives from the time period this story covers.

The story moves, somewhat long, but interesting insights into making of tv series and movie directing. Leaves many pleasant afterthoughts..

The Boys follows the careers of Ron and Clint Howard, when they were two of the biggest child stars in Hollywood (Ron for Andy Griffith, of course, and Clint for Gentle Ben), and through Ron's role as Richie Cunningham in Happy Days and his directorial debut for Grand Theft Auto. This memoir had a difficult task, in that the lives of Ron and Clint are not that dramatic or sensational. They had terrific parents who were actors themselves (albeit less successful and somewhat frustrated), and whose midwestern sensibility and values guided them through the challenges of being very young and successful child actors. Clint does struggle with substance abuse, but for the most part there are not huge meltdowns or scandals. Yet the book manages to be compelling, for a number of reasons. The love of family is an obvious one. The brothers also spend a lot of time talking about the craft and business of being an actor, which is perhaps the most interesting and enlightening part of the book. For example, in Chapter 1, "The Accidental Actor", Ron describes how his father fashioned a fake boom microphone out of a bucket and a string, in order to get Ron acclimated to being around a real boom mic and not get thrown during an audition. The instruction: "Don't look at the bucket." But the best part (or design decision) of the memoir is that the brothers take turns writing different sections of the book. They have different voices and sensibilities, and different writing styles. So there's an energy to the book as they talk to each other and react to each other across the pages, and they both write with an honesty and humility that is refreshing and appealing. Of course, Ron has the more interesting career, given his roles in Andy Griffith, American Graffiti, and Happy Days, and his later career as a director. And he writes well. But Clint is the better writer. He has a strong voice and style that is straightforward and non-fussy and non-breezy, but still funny and interesting. Together, the dueling narratives push the story along and keep it always entertaining, while grounding their stories in the values that their parents fostered.

I liked it. It’s inspiring and heartfelt. A great behind the scenes look of Hollywood life. I didn’t realize Clint Howard had been in so many movies.

No, this is not the Amazon Prime series about corrupt superheroes. This is the biography of Ron Howard and Clint Howard, two boys who have been in the Hollywood scene since they got out of diapers. If you're my age, you should already know who these people are from the reruns on daytime TV you watched when you were sick from school. Ron Howard is the cute little red-haired boy from The Andy Griffith Show, then Happy Days, then became a director of good movies, like Splash, Cocoon, Willow, The Grinch, then great movies like Apollo 13, Cinderella Man, and A Beautiful Mind. It was from my wife's book club, and I picked it up intending to read just a sample, just to get a taste for what she's reading. But damn, I just fell in love with their voices, the kindness of their parents, their family strength. This is not the kind of story you hear about from Hollywood. You hear about the Judy Garlands, the Debbie Reynoldses, the Faye Dunaways. How nice to finally read something positive and wholesome. About a family that loves each other and works together and loves acting. Not worrying about who was on cocaine and who was gay and who was having an affair. Not even megalomaniacalism or crazy parents. Ron and Clint are good workers. They're diligent, they love the craft, they know what they're worth, and they're not afraid to state so. They're always boosting and supporting each other, putting each other in roles. It's like one lifts someone on a pedestal, then use their station to a higher pedestal, like Chained Together. It ends when Ron leaves Happy Days to become a director and Clint resolves his place in Hollywood as an actor. Which is kind of disappointing--I wanted more. I wanted to hear about Splash and Willow and A Beautiful Mind and raising Bryce and what it's like to be a second generation in Hollywood, raising a third. And from Clint I wanted to hear about Ice Cream Man and voice acting and being a bad movie player akin to Bruce Campbell. He must have tons of stories from working on productions that range from ten to zero stars. It's not the typical story of a star, like Leonardo DiCaprio or Scarlett Johansson. It may not appeal to everyone if you're not into the Hollywood scene. Me, I listen to old radio broadcasts like Screen Director's Playhouse and The Red Skelton Show so I know a little about the people they're talking about. The Howards are like an old stove or refrigerator that keeps working and working and working and never breaks. The Howards are here to show us how far you can go when you have stability and love and support. I have a new role model.

I really appreciate the way this book was written - using both Ron and Clint's perspective on their life growing up. I have always loved Ron Howard's acting and it was fascinating getting a glimpse into the realities of child actors and those who continue on into their teens and beyond. I loved the refreshing honesty from both Ron and Clint. Their skill in telling their story shines through the pages of the book.

Really enjoyed this book on the Howard family. Interesting read. Recommend.

This book was a surprisingly pleasant experience to read. Enjoyed very page. The Howard brothers have done their parents proud by their brotherly love.

I’ve never read a book that covers the birth of family Tv and the challenges in Hollywood so well. A fascinating family who you grow to really admire as the book progresses

This biographical account of the Howard brother's life with their parents in Hollywood, and their work in TV and film, is engaging and intimate. Those of us who grew up watching the Howard brothers and already loved them, have learned to love them even more, as we see their genuinely loving and respectful relationship with each other, and with their nurturing parents. Both Ron and Clint are excellent story tellers and have left me wanting to read another one of their co-authored books. Please write another one! I highly recommend this book.