After the book "Wired", I was glad Judith wrote this book. John Belushi was more than just a wild man, and Judith showed a intimate portrait of a comical genius, who was as human as the rest of us. I was glad Judith was able to show a side of John that isnt portrayed in the media. That of a caring, giving, sensitive human being, who regualar everyday people could relate too. Though I never had the pleasure of meeting John, his well chronicled life, really made me examine my own. I'd like to thank Jacklin for sharing a side of John that few of us knew, and would have never known without her courage to write this book. Thanks.

In reading "Samaurai Widow," I was moved to tears on more than one occasion. This book is as intimate as one can get; exposing the difficulty of losing someone who was more than just someone Mrs. Belushi loved, but a part of her life..the other half of her being.
However in the midst of such a tragic time, this book also gives inspiration and recognizes the need and ability to love and be loved again. Although John Belushi is gone, he will never ever be forgotten.
All I can say is thank you. Thank you so much, Mrs. Belushi for letting us know who the real John Belushi is and allowing us to embrace the intimateness of the life you two shared together.

We love you, John

I picked this book up for a dollar at a used book store. Judy Belushi's intimate portrait of the grief she felt when she lost John helped me get through my own loss of a love. You feel her anger, pain, frustration and love as she comes to grips with losing the person she loved the most in life. A wondeful book about survival that will show you why JB was not just a funny man, but a treasure to so many who knew him.

I read 'Wired' at a time when I could relate to the fast lifestyle that John Belushi led and it helped me through it. On the flipside, however, Woodward seems to portray Belushi in a negative light when in fact he was one of the most talented comedians ever with a huge heart, only his obsession with drugs were his downward spiral. If you're interested in the life of Belushi, especially the dark side, definitely read this book. But if you want the whole story you're going to have to read 'Samurai Widow' by Judith Jacklin Belushi so that you may see his good side as well and see why so many people loved this man.

John Belushi was a funny man but his story was not very funny. Bob Woodward does an incredible job of dredging up Belushi's life from a scared high school kid trying out for a play in Chicago to his coughing fit right before he died. It seems Woodward only focuses on the negatives in the book, but John Belushi's life was too short to have too many ultimite highs. SNL was a huge hit, so was Animal House, and so were the Blues Brothers. Belushi barely made 5 million dollars in his life and he spent that quickly on cocaine. He loved life so much, he never wanted to sleep. Woodward details all of it, in gut-wrenching detail. At times, Belushi's behavior gets redundant and Woodward's journalistic style gets a tad boring, but it is a good, quick read. If you can find the book and you were ever mesmerized by one of Belushi's characters, this book is a great read.

I was a John Belushi fan from the first episode of "Saturday Night Live" and I think his performance in ANIMAL HOUSE puts him in the same league with the great film comedians of all time. I still vividly remember hearing about his death in March 1982 and still wonder what might have been if he was still around.
And I've read WIRED several times.

It's a horrible tragedy what happened to him, but hopefully some people can take something away from this book--see the warning and avoid the same the fate. I think the book is well-written and well-researched (I particularly liked how Woodward strictly reported the facts: someone saw Belushi in the company of a Playboy bunny and Woodward leaves it only at that--when other writers would've piled on leering speculations). If there is ever a reprint, I think there should be a new chapter by Woodward reflecting on his experience or at least the article (in ROLLING STONE?) that covered the controversy and fallout of the book's initial printing.

Nothing can change what a great talent John Belushi was. The sad details of his final days haven't diminished his accomplishments--but they did make for a scary, compelling book about the underside of Hollywood and man overwhelmed by his appetites.
(And stay way away from the obscene film version!)