SHEMP! by Burt Kearns is a deep dive int Shemp Howard’s life based off the little information we have of him, film records, and disproving details given in other accounts of his life. You can tell the author is passionate about the subject. I’ve loved the stooges since I was a kid and really enjoyed this book. I learned more details about Shemp’s career that I never knew as. I always focused on the stooges versus other aspects of their lives. At times, however, I was pulled out of the narrative when the author was disproving things said about Shemp, especially things said by Moe. Overall, a great dive into Shemp’s career.

Thank you to the publishers and to NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

This was an interesting story and gave me an interesting perspective of the Stooges. I grew up watching these movies and shows and have loved watching them again when I can find one.

A bit too long on the theatrical history, and not enough personal stories. While I did enjoy parts of the book, others I breezed through for the reasons I mentioned. This is a great book for fans of the Three Stooges or old movie buffs. A lot of work and research went into writing this.

This is kind of hard one to review. Yes you do learn a lot about Shemp early vaudeville days and two reelers. Lets of detail here that I didn't know. Was extremely funny talent man.
As far as when he hooks up with the stooges I felt there was not a lot of information that has already been said. The author seems to not believe a lot of stuff written in the Mo Howard biography or at least took issues with his book.