A Warm and Insightful Memoir, December 18, 2007
By Larry Gevirtz (Bronx NY)


Jon Provost's memories of life as Lassie's youngest master (co-authored by his wife, Laurie Jacobson) makes for a wonderful, humorous, and insightful read. This is the story of a gifted young star, guided by a mother who was not quite the typical stage mother, who tasted fame and adulation as a child, shunned the limelight as an adolescent, and came to terms with his past as an adult. The fact that he survived and persevered rather than crashed makes this an uplifting tale--but it doesn't avoid the seamier moments of show biz life. The scenes of a teenaged Jon shedding his apple-pie purity during the hippie era are especially fascinating, and his encounter with a sinister Sal Mineo is harrowing. The first-person comments by a variety of associates, from fellow child stars to starry-eyed fans, adds a great deal of perspective to the story. The photos are small but plentiful, and the knowledgeable tone of the writing makes this a book that's hard to put down. The reader comes away with a full understanding of the glories and privations of the child star experience, and an appreciation of Jon Provost as one who rose triumphantly above the turmoil. Highly recommended!

Tami Reffett
City: LaPorte
State: IN
Comments: Jon and Laurie: I just finished your book Timmy's in the Well, and I wanted to thank you for writing it. For the thousands of us who grew up with Lassie on Sunday evenings, it was a real joy to read! Thanks to Classic Media, I HAVE many of those Lassie episodes referred to on DVD, including the Christmas ones. And although I was too young to be part of the "hippie" movement (yet my high school students keep insisting I MUST have been at Woodstock, I wasn't; I was in 5th grade at Catholic School wishing I was there!), I do remember reading about Sal Mineo (the good and the bad) and many other's discussed in the book....even here in the Midwest! Thanks for the book, and Happy Holidays!