Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 5,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Start your free trial
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
Bedtime Biography: Yes I Can summary
Sammy Davis
The Story of Sammy Davis Jr.
Listen to the first key idea
Key idea 1 of 7
4.8 (22 ratings)
36 mins
7 key ideas
Audio & text
What is Bedtime Biography: Yes I Can about?
Narrated by Jeannette Robinson
Music by Federico Coderoni
Yes I Can (1965) is the bestselling autobiography of Sammy Davis Jr, viewed as one of the best autobiographies of all time. Written halfway through his life, it tells the story of how Davis battled racism, poverty and discrimination to become a star. Starting with his difficult childhood, it traces his life from his vaudeville days to his time as one of the most famous men in America.
About the Author
Sammy Davis Jr (1925-1990) was a singer, actor, dancer, comedian, and much, much more. He first rose to fame in the 1950s as part of a vaudeville trio with his father. He later became a household name, starring on Broadway, in Las Vegas, in his own TV show, and in hit movies such as Ocean’s 11. He wrote two autobiographies, Yes I Can, and Why Me?
Burt and Jane Boyor were a husband and wife team who wrote together. They were married from 1954 until Jane’s death in 1997. Burt died in 2018.
Table of Contents
Key idea 1 of 7
Introduction
Bedtime Biographies are best when listened to. Check out the audio version to get the full experience!
Sammy Davis, Jr. performed with some of the most legendary entertainers of all time. Frank Sinatra. Dean Martin. Bing Crosby. Nat King Cole.
Yet nearly everyone who ever attended a Sammy Davis, Jr. show agreed: pound for pound, there was nobody more talented. Sammy Davis combined all the skills of an entertainer into one electrifying package: dancing, singing, comedy, impressions, playing music. In an era of showbusiness legends, he was universally regarded as the most versatile and crowd-pleasing performer around.
This is especially remarkable when you consider that Sammy Davis was a Black entertainer at a time when Black Americans faced inconceivable discrimination. In most clubs he played at the start of his career, he had to enter through the back door – only white people were allowed through the front. Yet over the course of his lifetime, Sammy Davis fought to change such racist policies.
By the end of his career, he set the terms, refusing to perform in segregated venues. Clubs had to change their rules if they wanted to profit off his talent. He’d go on to become one of America’s first Black performers to star in Hollywood movies, Broadway musicals, and TV shows. Through his remarkable resolve, he helped integrate American entertainment. But the progress he achieved came at a steep personal cost, and he would struggle with demons throughout his professional life.
What drove Sammy Davis to keep going? To keep refining his craft and performing at the highest level imaginable? Pull up a chair and fight for a seat near the front, because we’re delving into the life of Sammy Davis, Jr., one of the greatest entertainers ever to grace the stage.
Want to see all full key ideas from Bedtime Biography: Yes I Can?
Key ideas in Bedtime Biography: Yes I Can
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
Who should read Bedtime Biography: Yes I Can
- Fans of Sammy Davis Jr
- Anyone who wants to learn more about racism in 20th-century America
- Fans of vaudeville and Broadway
Categories with Bedtime Biography: Yes I Can
Books like Bedtime Biography: Yes I Can
What our members say
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
Start growing with Blinkist now
25 Million
Downloads on all platforms
4.7 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
91%
Of Blinkist members create a better reading habit*
*Based on survey data from Blinkist customers