
Dino: Living High in the Dirty Business of Dreams by Nick Tosches
This is a hardcover first edition biography of the legendary entertainer Dean Martin, authored by acclaimed music journalist Nick Tosches. The book features its original dust jacket, which displays a distinctive design incorporating a collage of black-and-white portraits of Martin with a single centered color photograph inset. The title 'DINO' is printed in white at the top, while the subtitle 'Living High in the Dirty Business of Dreams' appears in yellow; the author’s name, 'NICK TOSCHES', is prominently displayed in white at the bottom. Regarding physical condition, the dust jacket shows visible wear, including chipping and shelf-wear along the top and bottom edges (head and tail) and minor scuffing on the reflective black laminate surface. No significant tears or spine fading are immediately apparent from this angle, though the corners show signs of bumping and slight loss of material. The book appears to be a standard octavo size, likely published around 1992, and represents a high-quality example of contemporary celebrity biography craftsmanship, known for its gritty, literary prose. The construction involves a bound hardback covered by a protective paper wrap.
AI-Generated Appraisal Disclaimer
Estimated Value
$40 - $75
Basic Information
Category
Books & Manuscripts
Appraised On
February 25, 2026
Estimated Value
$40 - $75
Item Description
This is a hardcover first edition biography of the legendary entertainer Dean Martin, authored by acclaimed music journalist Nick Tosches. The book features its original dust jacket, which displays a distinctive design incorporating a collage of black-and-white portraits of Martin with a single centered color photograph inset. The title 'DINO' is printed in white at the top, while the subtitle 'Living High in the Dirty Business of Dreams' appears in yellow; the author’s name, 'NICK TOSCHES', is prominently displayed in white at the bottom. Regarding physical condition, the dust jacket shows visible wear, including chipping and shelf-wear along the top and bottom edges (head and tail) and minor scuffing on the reflective black laminate surface. No significant tears or spine fading are immediately apparent from this angle, though the corners show signs of bumping and slight loss of material. The book appears to be a standard octavo size, likely published around 1992, and represents a high-quality example of contemporary celebrity biography craftsmanship, known for its gritty, literary prose. The construction involves a bound hardback covered by a protective paper wrap.
Related Tags
Get Your Items Appraised
Instant estimates of your treasures with AI-powered instant appraisals