In this intimate, lyrical memoir about her iconic father, Anne Serling reveals the fun-loving dad and family man behind the imposing figure the public saw hosting The Twilight Zone each week. After his unexpected, early death, Anne, just 20, was left stunned. But through talking to his friends, poring over old correspondence, and recording her childhood memories, Anne not only found solace, but … solace, but gained a deeper understanding of this remarkable man. Now she shares her discoveries, along with personal photos, revealing letters, and scenes of his childhood, war years, and their family’s time together. A tribute to Rod Serling’s legacy as a visionary, storyteller, and humanist, As I Knew Him is also a moving testament to the love between fathers and daughters.
“A haunting and beautifully written memoir about the creator of The Twilight Zone.” –Robert Redford
“Beautifully written. . .I laughed and I cried. I plan to read it again once I catch my breath.” –Carol Burnett
“A tender, thoughtful and very personal portrait of American genius Rod Serling.” –Alice Hoffman
“Richly told. . .a haunting memoir about grief, creativity, and a father-daughter bond as memorable and magical as any Twilight Zone episode.” –Caroline Leavitt
“Filled with anecdotes and self-reflection. . .Serling still casts an outsized shadow.” —Variety
“Lush memories of a remarkable father and adept analysis of his work.” —Kirkus Reviews
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Fans of “Twilight Zone” should not miss this beautifully written memoir, written by the devoted daughter of Rod Serling. Don’t expect an expose full of scandal. This is a loving remembrance that carries the emotional impact of grief and longing. The photos and memorabilia in the book are worth the price of admission alone.
A daughter’s perspective. The “place in time” quality makes for an interesting read- some history and lots of other interesting characters related to the 1960’s TV era make an appearance.
Fair warning-I rate everything 5 stars if I thought it was worth reading.
I grew up watching The Twilight Zone, and this book was very interesting as was Rod Serlings’ life. It was interesting to learn how he came up with many of his episodes that related to his life, and time spent in the war. He was a forward thinking man, very intuitive and he brought many issues to the forefront through his fiction that he could not have done otherwise. I highly recommend this book. I am watching his movie Patterns now, something I never had heard of. His daughter wrote the book and you will understand her deep love and admiration for him.
This was a very good book written by the daughter of Rod Serling. What an amazing man her father was….
Enjoyed the show 60 years ago and was delighted to learn about the man. So glad he was the type of person I would be proud to call a friend.
This excellent book is not just well written. It humanizes a man that I have admired since I was small. I was 13 when Rod Serling died. My knowledge of him was primarily from watching episodes of the Twilght Zone and Night Gallery. But of course, he was so much more than that. I am thankful for the intimate memories of her father that Anne Serling shared with the world. What a wonderful book!
Thought it was wonderful. What a nice person he was. Gave America a great vision of the 50’s.. forever grateful
A deeply moving book, Rod Serling, was a much loved child, husband, Dad, and friend.
You will go again through the end if WWII, Nixon, race and class divide, censorship, antiwar, and the assassination of JFK.
Feel the love Rod had for his parents through his letters while in the war. Meeting his wife at college, getting a literature degree and writing scripts for radio and then tv.
Jodi and Anne, his daughters, are shown growing up amid a house full of pets, extended family and friends. Anne writes beautifully of their summers in New York on a lake every year…barbeques, lost pets, swimming, relaxing by a fire outside watching the stars and you feel like you are there.
The proficient writer of powerful scripts about
religion, prejudice, death, and morals. Rod was referred to as the “angry young man.”
His years writing Twilight Zone, Night Gallery, earlier works for Hallmark, live plays in the early years of tv and his work in movies like Planet of the Apes….his work most notable in the shocking end of the movie with the Statue of Liberty in the sand.
As much as he wrote, he spent time with family and friends and considered kindness to be very important.He adored his wife and daughters and their time together, his jokes, his sense of play and laughter. But he was a heavy smoker and that plus old war injuries plagued him.
Anne includes personal pictures, moments, memories and the grief. The grief is raw and consuming for a twenty year old as her father dies young at age fifty.
There is so much to admire in Rod Serling. There are so many time periods covered as the world entered into tv, watergate, racism, porches, picnics and even pet rats with outfits!
And his grave with the words, “He left friends”.
Spend time getting to know the man, the son, the friend that stuck by you, the goofy voices to entertain his girls. Thank you Anne…..he will be missed by many for his courage and convictions and as a great Dad.
I grew up watching Rod Serling and The Twilight Zone. It was such a pleasure to get to “know” him as a real life human.
I loved reading about Rod Serling.
If you want to know more about Rod Serling and the Twilight Zone , this is.by his daughter. Straight stuff and not aggrandizing. Her dad as he was with familyThere are many quotes by Serling and info about The Twilight Zone.
I was a big fan of the Twilight Zone. This biography of Rod Serling kept me interested throughout the book. Any fan of the Twilight Zone will love this biography.
Enjoyed this biography of Rod Serling. Loved his tv program & watched it faithfully each week. Even watched reruns of it with my own kiddoes after I married & started a family!
I really enjoyed learning about the real Rod Serling and I almost envied the relationship between he and his daughter.
Boring. Very little about Rod, mostly about the daughter. Who cares?
Interesting background about a fascinating man.
Excellent biography of Mr Serling. Loved hearing it from his daughter’s point of view. He would be proud!
She shared about a great man….it is always inspiring to read about unusual, honest and principled people..and in this case, an original and brave man….
I hope this is a good book.. ‘Tis a good subject. But, I’ve ordered faster than I can read, so when I get to this title in my stack of “to reads”, I will let you know.