This memoir starts with an audition in 1973 with the author, who was sweating like the Hudson River. The show Happy Days and a character named the Fonz started that day - a role Winkler made famous. His career as an actor “where pretending made you successful, the only thing he ever wanted to do, kept him from knowing himself. This book is about the author finding out who he really is, a process that took fifty years. 

Henry Winkler narrates the audiobook, reading with passion and emotion. His origin story about his German Jewish parents provides insights into how hardship shaped him and contributed to his insecurities. That backdrop is important as he discusses his career and marriage. Winkler seems to be a kind and caring person. He writes extensively about deep and long-term friendships. I loved knowing that about him! 

What I liked most about this book was Winkler’s honesty and vulnerability. I started with the audiobook but realized I wasn’t taking in the details so I quickly added the hardcover book, to read in tandem. Henry reads most of the book (ad-libbing because of dyslexia) and his wife reads some of her own point of view sections. I liked this combination - both reading in tandem and the two of them as narrators. 

The book is delightful, engaging, and at times, emotional. Its funny! It’s a perfect celebrity memoir - with enough details to be interesting and enough vulnerability to be relatable. I recommend this to anyone who appreciates acting and to anyone willing to deal with their story to improve their adult relationships. Winkler excels at both.