Average customer rating:
- Excellent, until a too sudden, too sugarcoated ending!
- Sisters
- Too Fluffy too perfect !!!
- Should have been a short story - not a novel
- Disappointing
|
Sisters
Danielle Steel
Manufacturer: Delacorte Press
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Binding: Hardcover
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I Heard That Song Before: A Novel
ASIN: 0385340222
Release Date: 2007-02-13 |
Book Description
Four sisters, a Manhattan brownstone, and a tumultuous year of loss and courage are at the heart of Danielle Steel’s new novel about a remarkable family, a stunning tragedy—and what happens when four very different young women come together under one very lively roof.
Candy–it’s the only name she needs—is blazing her way through Paris, New York, and Tokyo as fashion’s latest international supermodel. . . .
Her sister Tammy has a job producing the most successful hit show on TV, and a home she loves in L.A.’s Hollywood Hills. . . . In New York, oldest sister Sabrina is an ambitious young lawyer, while Annie is an American artist in Florence, living for her art. . . . On one Fourth of July weekend, as they do every year, the four sisters come home to Connecticut for their family’s annual gathering. But before the holiday is over, tragedy strikes and their world is utterly changed.
Suddenly, four sisters who have been fervently pursuing success and their own lives—on opposite sides of the world—reunite to share one New York brownstone, to support each other and their father, and to pick up the pieces while one sister struggles to heal her shattered body and soul. Thus begins an unscripted chapter of their lives, as a bustling house is soon filled with eccentric dogs, laughter, tears, friends, men . . . and the kind of honesty and unconditional love only sisters can provide. But as the four women settle in, they are forced to confront the direction of their respective lives. As the year passes and another July Fourth approaches, a season of grief and change gives way to new beginnings—as a family comes together to share its blessings and a future filled with surprises and, ultimately, hope.
With unerring insight and compassion, Danielle Steel tells a compelling story of four sisters who love and laugh, struggle and triumph . . . and are irrevocably woven into the fabric of each other’s lives. Brilliantly blending humor and heartbreak, she delivers a powerful message about the fragility–and the wonder—of life.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent, until a too sudden, too sugarcoated ending!.......2007-09-14
In Danielle Steel's latest novel "Sisters", the story starts out with the usual trademark fairytale quality.
Four sisters with highly successful and interesting careers, are scattered around the world; New York, Los Angeles, Paris and Florence. Hardly your average bunch of ordinary lives.
But that's the beginning. The surface. The setting. Until tragedy strikes and man's vulnerability cuts through whatever glamourous lifestyles the sisters may seemingly enjoy.
Life is turned upside down. Reality is as unexpected, harsh and as far from a fairytale as can be. The best part of the book describes the developments straight forward, honest and with much warmth and insight.
That a happy ending awaits, is Danielle Steel's trademark. However, the way tragedy all too quickly literary turns into happiness is a bit too easy to give the story balance. The pieces of the puzzle fall into place so fast and conveniently for all the family members that the situation is hard to fathom even for the most soft-hearted.
Tragedies ARE overcome but usually it takes time and hardship to build up a new future.
This book could actually have been longer. A more natural development of the situation and not the lightening quick wrapping up of loose ends during the last fifty pages or so, would have given the story more credibility.
Happy solutions are nice, but the turning of events in "Sisters" is simply too sweet and sudden even for a fairytale.
Sisters.......2007-09-06
I really enjoyed this book and couldn't put it down. Being one of three sisters I could definatly understand the sisters.
Too Fluffy too perfect !!!.......2007-08-28
Although I did enjoy this book, I found the characters too perfect. The relationships between the sisters seemed too false. All the sisters were beautiful, with great jobs, and would do anything for each other, and they hardly ever had a fight, blah, blah,blah. Most sisters do not get to live like the girls in this fluffy type fairytale.
Should have been a short story - not a novel.......2007-08-20
I have not read DS in many years and now I remember why. This book repeated the same ideas and even the same phrases so often it was annoying. She could have written this book in just a few pages and not missed anything important. I anticipated the predictable story ie. tragedy, depression, find a man fall in love, live happily every after. The rape story seemed thrown in and was all wrapped up too quickly to add anything interesting to the story.
Disappointing.......2007-08-18
The plot was good and could have been written in a much better style. The details were repeated over and over so many times. It looked like it was written in a great hurry.
Book Description
"George," he said, "I don't know if you'd be interested, but there's a chap who's come in with a tape of a group he runs. They haven't got a recording contract, and I wonder if you'd like to see him and listen to what he's got?""Certainly," I said, "I'm willing to listen to anything. Ask him to come and see me." "O.K., I will. His name's Brian Epstein...."All You Need Is Ears is the story of George Martin, the man who spotted the Beatles' talent, who recorded and produced them from the start, and who brought their musical ideas to life. In this witty and charming autobiography, he describes exactly what it was like to work in the studio with the Beatles--from the first audition (and his decision to scrap Pete Best on drums) to the wild experimentation of Sgt. Pepper (complete with sound effects, animal noises and full orchestras in evening dress at the direct request of Paul McCartney).This is a singular look at the most important musical group of all time, and how they made the music that changed the world: No other book can provide George Martin's inside look at their creative process, at the play of genius and practical improvisation that gave them their sound; it is an indispensable read for Beatle lovers and anyone interested in the music world.
Customer Reviews:
Posted Bio.......2007-04-04
Just to point out --
The biography posted is for George Martin, the sci-fi writer,
who isn't the same person (as far as I know!) as the Beatles'
producer. FYI.
A good book that should have been great.......2007-03-05
George Martin was the 5th Beatle. He gave them their first break after they had been turned down by all the labels. Without the break he gave them, Martin muses that the Beatles may have just given it up and gone their separate ways. Apparently George Martin was the only one around that was willing to take a chance on these scruffs from Liverpool that would chane the world.
It seems that Paul was the one Beatle that could have made it on his own, but if not as on of The Beatles, then as what? Could he have been a backup for Tony Sheridan, or a bass player for Little Richard? Thankfully, we will never know. Would the other Beatles have likely gotten working class jobs, and/or just self-destructed? As always, the whole was greater than the sum of its parts.
It is hard to imagine a world without the Beatles, but that just underscores the importance of George Martin in giving them their lucky break. George Martin played all positions with the Beatles, except for vocalist. He produced, directed, arranged, and even played piano and harpsichord on many records. He brought that classical influence of strings and horns into the Beatles music, starting with Yesterday. Any die-hard fan will want to read this book, however, beware: it is diluted a bit with stories about other recording artists that have little relation to the reason why I bought the book in the first place, i.e., The Beatles. Nevertheless, it does have a few anecdotes that have not been seen elsewhere, so yes, it is worth buying and reading. You can always skip the parts that you don't care about.
George Martin is very informative on the evolution of multitrack recording technology, so that should be of interest to anybody that wonders how they got all those "layer cakes" out of the primitive equipment of the day.
I enjoyed the book immensely, but I think George Martin could have done better given his intimate knowledge of one of the greatest cultural phenomena of all time. Sometimes he seems a little aloof in the book, as if he hardly cares, but it is probably just old-school English understatement at its best, or maybe a futile attempt to downplay that he is probably their biggest fan, if not one of their oldest.
On a side note, it is too bad that George Martin was never rewarded financially (at least up to 1979 when this book was published) on a level that would have been commensurate with the important role he played in not only discovering, but also developing the greatest band of all time. As always, the Beatles come off as cheap, uncharitable and self-indulgent on this score. As the book explains, Martin was offered some royalties under the table, (as a kickback from an unscrupulous publisher) but he never compromised his ethics. Eventually I'm sure he made a nice living through his long association with the Fab 4, but not what one might expect, according to the book, at least up to 1979. A lot has happened in the financial world of The Beatles since this book was written, including the huge Vegas production of Love, in which Martin played an integral role along with his son, Giles. It's nice to see a music producer that is more driven by quality and innovation than the lowest common demoniators. I wish we had more like him.
My rating says 3 stars, but that was a mistake. I really gave it a 4.
Beatles.......2007-01-18
A must read for anyone involved in the making of music as it pertains to production and recording. It however exhibits George Martins conservative nature and is someone bias from his perspective. A much superior book is Here,There, and Everywhere by Geoff Emerick. It is the same subject matter but much more detailed and objective.
Okay but not all that I wanted.......2007-01-05
I wish there were more technical specifics in the descriptions of various sessions. Sir George gets you into Abbey Road studio #2 and lets you know about his experiences with various artists.
George Martin REVEALED!.......2006-09-03
This is a truly amazing book. I had just finished reading "Here, There and Everywhere" by Geoff Emerick (the Beatles recording engineer) and decided I wanted to know more about George Martin, their producer. It was a great decision because the introspect gained from reading both of these books together tells a big picture that I before could only guess at.
George's personality really comes out in this book and it makes it far easier to understand what went on during the Beatles many many recording sessions. It has been said that the producer is a major contributer to the outcome of any project and this book definately confirms and educates about that process.
It is an easy read and the edition that I purchased has fairly decent sized type and makes it easy on the eyes. It is a paperback and tucks easily into your daybag or briefcase for those times when you can read a few minutes - but if you are like I am - you may devour the whole thing in one seating!
The early life of George Martin is also detailed in this book with it's different perspective of growing up in Britain. I had no idea that George Martin was in pop music groups as he was growing up and that came as a terrific surprise. I might have known, though.
The classical side of George Martin comes out strong also. This came into very significant play as he produced the Beatles.
Great book. Don't hesitate to buy this!
Book Description
Who says a vamp can't have it all?
Darcy Newhart thought it was a stroke of genius – the first–ever reality TV show where mortals vie with vampires for the title of The Sexiest Man on Earth. As the show's director, Darcy's career would be on track again. And she can finally have a life apart from the vampire harem. Okay, so she's still technically dead, but two out of three's not bad. Now she just has to make sure that a mortal doesn't win. If only she wasn't so distracted by a super–sexy and live contestant named Austin...
But Darcy doesn't know the worst of it. Austin Erickson is actually a vampire slayer! And he's got his eye on the show's leggy blond director. Only problem is, he's never wanted any woman – living or dead – as badly. But if he wins her heart, will he lose his soul? And if it means an eternity of hot, passionate loving with Darcy, does that really matter anyway?
Customer Reviews:
Loved it!.......2007-09-12
I'm not sure why people didn't like this one as much as the others in the Love at Stake series. It was my favorite out of the three so far, and I am looking forward to the fourth book. I really like Kerrelyn's style. I thought Austin was very lovable and intersting in Vamps and the City.
Also I didn't think I would like a book centered around a reality show, but I actually really liked the way the author did it, funny and romanitc.
Nope!.......2007-05-09
This second book the Love at Stake series almost put me off of the series completly. I could not relate to the herione and her constant whining of becoming a vampire when the alternative was to die was just too much..as well as her anxiety toward Connor the vamp who changed her. She made you want to throw things at her for most of the book. Oh just buck up and shut up already!! Lucikly the next installment "Be Still My Vampire Heart" recaptures the magic of the first book "How to marry millionare vampire". I say skip this book...some small things happen with Roman and Shanna from the first book, but nothing you can't grasp in the next book.
Wonderfully Funny.......2007-03-29
Vamps and the City, by Kerrelyn Sparks, is the sequel to How To Marry a Millionaire Vampire. Both are wonderfully funny with an original take on vampire lore.
Vamps and the City begins with CIA agent, Austin Erickson on a cleverly-punned "Stake-Out" of the DVN (Digital Vampire Network) Studio. His job is to locate and destroy vampires. Easy enough, until he meets Darcy Newhart. He's not sure if she's a vampire or just a victim, working for them. But when he finds himself falling for her, he may have to choose between his job and the girl.
Darcy is fairly new to the life of a vampire. And doesn't really like it. She prefers chocolate-flavored synthetic blood, and is trying to get a job at DVN despite, blatant the male chauvinism that still plagues the vampire community.
With witty dialog and unique characters, this is a very fun new romance-filled vampire series. I would describe it as a less-sarcastic version of MJ Davidson's Undead series. This is more drama and comedy than an action-packed adventure.
Boring.......2007-01-19
I really liked her first book and I was looking forward to her second. The second book was just boring. I'm hoping her third book is better. I never did finish the second book, it was just blah...
Hopefully her third book will be better.
Vamps and the City.......2006-12-11
Although some people might enjoy the benefits of being a vampire (can you say live forever and superhuman strength?), Darcy Newhart did not. Four years ago, she lost her job, her family, and her freedom (not to mention her life) when she was turned without her consent. Yet things are looking up. Now that Roman Draganesti, the Master of the harem to which she belonged (how medieval is that?!), was engaged to a mortal woman, she has the chance to change her life (okay, afterlife). Contacting the Digital Vampire Network (DVN for short), she pitches a new show and is hired to direct the first Vampire reality show: The Sexiest Man on Earth. Using five of the female vampires from Roman's harem as judges and a combination of vampire and human (talk about ratings boosts!) contestants, she sets out to create a hit as well as a new life for herself. Yet what happens when she can't resist one of the mortal contestants? Will she risk her new job and life for him?
Austin Erickson (AKA Adam on The Sexiest Man on Earth) is actually an undercover CIA operative working to gather information about vampires. With his off-the-chart psychic abilities, he's able to infiltrate the enemy's lair (so what if it's a luxurious penthouse?), gather information (including photos of the gorgeous Darcy), and prepare to rid the world of a few evil vamps. Yet once he really gets to know Darcy, he realizes he may just be falling in love with her. Can he compete with the vampire contestants long enough for him and Darcy to decide just what to do about their relationship...and his vampire slaying job?
How did I ever miss this series? Kerrelyn Sparks has created a wacky, witty, wonderful world in Vamps and the City. The characters are fresh and most definitely unique and the story is so much more that what you'd expect. On one level there is the romance that builds between Darcy and Austin. Both know that nothing can come of it yet neither can resist the pull between them. They each get into quite a few escapades while trying to deny their feelings and jumping each other's bones. On top of that, there is the growth of the harem vampires who learn to value their self worth. Their outlooks on life, sex and masters will leave you laughing out loud and have you cheering for them. Finally, the shift in prejudices between both the vamps and the humans is skillfully woven into this lighthearted reality spoof. I can easily recommend Vamps in the City as one book that you won't want to put down. Not only that, it will leave you eagerly anticipating the next story in the series.
Georgia
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed
Average customer rating:
- If you liked Raymond
- An Entertaining Read for ELR Fans
- Everyone loves Phil....not!
- This book is great
- good story, annoying voice
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You're Lucky You're Funny: How Life Becomes a Sitcom
Phil Rosenthal
Manufacturer: Viking Adult
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Similar Items:
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I Killed: True Stories of the Road from America's Top Comics
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Everybody Loves Raymond: Our Family Album
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Hello, Lied the Agent: And Other Bullshit You Hear as a Hollywood TV Writer
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I Shouldn't Even Be Doing This!: And Other Things That Strike Me as Funny
ASIN: 0670037990
Release Date: 2006-10-19 |
Book Description
The creator and executive producer of Everybody Loves Raymond dissects the art of comedy and the making of a sitcom classic
In television, where programs can premiere and disappear in the same week, Everybody Loves Raymond reigned as America's best-loved show for nine years with more than seventeen million viewers. As the number-one sitcom, it received more than seventy Emmy nominations, including two wins for best comedy. With You're Lucky You're Funny, Phil Rosenthal takes us onstage and inside the writer's room.
Rosenthal's meteoric ascent was preceded by odd jobs, including a stint as a museum security guard, running a deli, and writing for a slew of forgettable shows—including one starring Robert Mitchum as a curmudgeonly homeless man taken in by two orphans. But when he met comedian Ray Romano, they discovered a shared lifetime of family dysfunction—and endless material for a sitcom.
Not only a chronicle of one man's rise to the peak of his profession, Rosenthal's book is also an unprecedented look at the making of a hit series: how shows are written and character developed, how comedy is refined, how network executives are outsmarted, and most important, how egos are massaged. You're Lucky You're Funny is an inspiration to anyone involved in the creative process and a must read for the show's millions of devoted fans. BACKCOVER:
Advanced Praise:
“In the Prologue, Mr. Rosenthal says `No one listens to me. Maybe the reader will...' You should! He is the real deal, both as a human being and as an artist of comedy.”
—Henry Winkler
"I read YOU'RE LUCKY YOU'RE FUNNY and loved it! If you had the Everybody Loves Raymond bug during its 9 year run, this is the love letter you've been waiting for. If you've missed the bug, read it at the risk of being bitten and smitten."
—Norman Lear
Customer Reviews:
If you liked Raymond.......2007-08-25
It is a must have book. Even if not, there are a lot of good stories on showbiz, and his life as well. Good read.
An Entertaining Read for ELR Fans.......2007-06-12
I think this book would appeal to fans of "Everybody Loves Raymond". For some parts it talks about the struggles of Phil Rosenthal's early days as an aspiring actor cum writer. His experiences before he found success are recorded with humor and insight. However the most entertaining parts were when he recounted how some of my favorite episodes came about. It is like a keepsake for an ELR fan.
Everyone loves Phil....not!.......2007-05-06
Haven't read a book in years I am ashamed to say. However, a portion of this book was in the Reader's Digest recently and was fascinating, if you are a devotee of "Everyone Loves Raymond," Thought I would get it and it would collect dust, like the other books I purchase. Nope, I read it in 3 nites. Not sure why this book didn't soar, or at least I never heard about it. Phil Rosenthal permeates every episode of the Raymond series....you can see that clearly here.
This book is great.......2007-03-12
......one of the funniest books I have ever read. If you are a fan of
ELR, this is a must-read. Good job, Phil!!!!
good story, annoying voice.......2007-02-19
I thought a humor book would have an edge as a book on CD, but the cadence of the author's voice is off-putting. It's like listening to Jackie Mason Lite. Good stories about the behind-the-scenes life of a comedy writer if you can get past the voice of Phil Rosenthal.
Book Description
The bestselling author who made mincemeat of political correctness in Thank You for Smoking, conspiracy theories in Little Green Men, and Presidential indiscretions No Way to Treat a First Lady now takes on the hottest topic in the entire world–Arab-American relations–in a blistering comic novel sure to offend the few it doesn’t delight.
Appalled by the punishment of her rebellious friend Nazrah, youngest and most petulant wife of Prince Bawad of Wasabia, Florence Farfarletti decides to draw a line in the sand. As Deputy to the deputy assistant secretary for Near East Affairs, Florence invents a far-reaching, wide-ranging plan for female emancipation in that part of the world.
The U.S. government, of course, tells her to forget it. Publicly, that is. Privately, she’s enlisted in a top-secret mission to impose equal rights for the sexes on the small emirate of Matar (pronounced “Mutter”), the “Switzerland of the Persian Gulf.” Her crack team: a CIA killer, a snappy PR man, and a brilliant but frustrated gay bureaucrat. Her weapon: TV shows.
The lineup on TV Matar includes A Thousand and One Mornings, a daytime talk show that features self-defense tips to be used against boyfriends during Ramadan; an addictive soap opera featuring strangely familiar members of the Matar royal family; and a sitcom about an inept but ruthless squad of religious police, pitched as “Friends from Hell.”
The result: the first deadly car bombs in the country since 1936, a fatwa against the station’s entire staff, a struggle for control of the kingdom, and, of course, interference from the French. And that’s only the beginning.
A merciless dismantling of both American ineptitude and Arabic intolerance, Florence of Arabia is Christopher Buckley’s funniest and most serious novel yet, a biting satire of how U.S. good intentions can cause the Shiite to hit the fan.
Customer Reviews:
Outstanding pointed (and poignant) satire.......2007-04-25
I knew that _Florence of Arabia_ wasn't going to pull punches from the opening paragraphs, describing -- with only minor changes to the emblem -- the actual location and appearance of the Saudi Arabian diplomatic residence on Chain Bridge Road in McLean. I know because I drove by that residence scores of times in the eight years that I lived in the DC area. And while the satire gets broad at time, I wonder if it could ever exceed the ludicrous reality of Middle East society and politics, both internal and international.
More importantly, _Florence of Arabia_ makes you care about the characters and care about the reality as well -- again, rare traits for a satire, which usually struggles just to keep you amused and often fails when it becomes didactic or polemic.
This is an excellent work, in all sense of that phrase. And speaking of phrases, I continue to be haunted by this one: "One way or the other...we're all working for investment bankers." Read the book. ..bruce..
Funny! Scary!.......2007-04-05
The premise of this exceptional book is silly - send an American woman to a moderate Middle Eastern country to start up an Oprah-like gab-fest for the veiled ladies of the Middle East, rile them up by showing them what they are lacking, and let them lead the revolt to free the Middle East of tyranny, mullahs, and Sharia. This is funny stuff and it actually makes sense. But there are men - American government official? - working behind the scenes, pulling the strings, stirring the pot. What begins as a funny romp of cultural clashes ends as a searing yet plausible expose of who really runs the world. For anyone interested in what is going on in the world today, and anyone that likes a good conspiracy - this is a must read.
Junk food that is junk.......2006-11-29
I love good ice cream. My waist line demonstrates that. And I love reading comic and satirical and politically incorrect literature. My bookshelves attest to that. Ever buy a half gallon of cheap ice cream? It has a delightful picture on the box, carefully sculpted and glistening pleasure, but when you open it up, the flavor and texture are corn starch and wax. And the next time you open it, there's some weird congealed stuff in the corner that looks like, well, like things we cannot mention here. So although the box is labeled ice cream, and the picture promises fun and frivolity, and it was in the freezer next to real ice cream, the actual product is something far removed from what ice cream should be.
This book is like that. It feels like a comic novel, with comic characters, funny names, and snappy dialog. It has many paragraphs that are clearly supposed to be funny. I can imagine someone, somewhere laughing aloud at this; maybe the author and his friends. Yet never was I thoroughly engaged, and only on a couple of occasions did I even chuckle. That is not to say there is not some clever writing in here. There is. It's just that the wit is surrounded by mountains of tedium, and the occasional flashes almost startle with their rarity. This book was apparently written at breakneck speed, and it shows. The super-hero team, who become passionate lovers, outsmart, outshoot, outwit and outrun hordes of enemies, Muslim, French and American. Until the big discovery at the end. Yawnnnnnn..... I was just glad to close the book.
Buckley Persuades Like No One Else.......2006-07-11
I sought this book because Buckley is my favorite author. I began with "Thank You For Smoking" and then read all of his works. Until this tome, only "Little Green Men" matched the superb wit and wordplay of TYFS.
This may be Buckley's best work yet. While I read it for the laughs, this novel is both informative and persuasive on the political circumstances of the middle east. Moreso than any editorial or talking head, this book demonstrates both the madness of the sheiks and playboy princes of the middle east, not to mention the mullahs, but also the futility of western intervention.
In the final analysis, this book may stand alongside Gulliver's Travels in the annals of great satire.
Brilliant, and I can't wait for Buckley's next work.
Middle East Hijinks.......2006-05-26
In a country where the man at the helm is an ex drug fiend alcoholic, we're spreading liberty to people who want nothing more than to blow us up, and medicare is closing its doors to the elderly... you just need to escape.
Mr. Buckley one ups standard escapism - he keeps the horror of real life and saturates it in witty comedy, dialogue and situations.
You're still escaping from the terrible times we exist in... but he makes plenty of worthy references to keep us anchored.
This book is a quick, sinfully sweet read. Pick up a newspaper, read the Middle East news, and then pick up Florence.
It's a roadside bomb of pure genius!
Average customer rating:
|
Federico Fellini
Manufacturer: Rizzoli International Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 0847818780
Release Date: 1995-07-15 |
Book Description
This is the first detailed appraisal of Federico Fellini's universe. Collected here, in addition to a biography and filmography, is a wealth of previously unpublished material allowing a detailed and often personal view of the master of cinema.
Published for the first time in these pages are the texts for four films Fellini never made, complete with sketches and notes; and the director's correspondence with other filmmakers, artists, and famous writers. Fellini's descriptions of his dreams, accompanied by splendid drawings, allow a glimpse of the subconscious world that contributed so much to the creation of his films. His comic strips of unmade films provide an intriguing account of his activity in the last years of his life. The filmography is illustrated with posters, sketches, and stills from all of Fellini's masterpieces - including his best-loved La Strada, 8 1/2, The Clowns, La Dolce Vita, Roma, Amarcord, and La Voce Della Luna.
Average customer rating:
- Enjoy several hundred pages of swimming around in Werner Herzog's supple mind...
- splendid
- The Enigma of Werner Herzog
- Good look into Herzog's noggin
- HEART WARMING AND TOTALLY ESSENTIAL
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Herzog on Herzog
Werner Herzog
Manufacturer: Faber & Faber
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Binding: Paperback
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Similar Items:
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Werner Herzog Collection
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Werner Herzog (Arte Edition)
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Lynch on Lynch, Revised Edition
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Werner Herzog and Klaus Kinski: A Film Legacy
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The Wild Blue Yonder
ASIN: 0571207081 |
Book Description
An invaluable set of career-length interviews with the German genius hailed by François Truffaut as “the most important film director alive”
Most of what we’ve heard about Werner Herzog is untrue. The sheer number of false rumors and downright lies disseminated about the man and his films is truly astonishing. Yet Herzog’s body of work is one of the most important in postwar European cinema.
His international breakthrough came in 1973 with Aguirre, The Wrath of God, in which Klaus Kinski played a crazed Conquistador. For The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser, Herzog cast in the lead a man who had spent most of his life institutionalized, and two years later he hypnotized his entire cast to make Heart of Glass. He rushed to an explosive volcanic Caribbean island to film La Soufrière, paid homage to F. W. Murnau in a terrifying remake of Nosferatu, and in 1982 dragged a boat over a mountain in the Amazon jungle for Fitzcarraldo. More recently, Herzog has made extraordinary “documentary” films such as Little Dieter Needs to Fly. His place in cinema history is assured, and Paul Cronin’s volume of dialogues provides a forum for Herzog’s fascinating views on the things, ideas, and people that have preoccupied him for so many years.
Customer Reviews:
Enjoy several hundred pages of swimming around in Werner Herzog's supple mind..........2006-12-20
Author Paul Cronin was only too hasty to warn us well in advance that we were going to find Herzog's occasional mental departures and extemporizing to be a slight annoyance (I'm paraphrasing, so please don't be upset, Mr. Cronin). But I hardly agreed. I found WH's jumps and false starts, etc., to be some of the most gratifying and precious content of this book. It was like having a fireside chat with Herzog--a private one-on-one session over several cups of coffee or whiskey--learning about what makes one of the better-known idea-men on the planet tick. What fires his Teutonic cauldron. I can only be too thankful that Werner was happy to finally engage in a project as noble as this one, as you'll read in the opening pages of this work that it almost *didn't* happen.
Myths.
I'm beginning to learn that most of what we consider to be true in this life is comprised mostly of myths and heapful conjecture, and that people prefer to accept third-hand information from others in respect of a particular person, instead of merely talking to them themselves. Take the storied rivalry between famed brat-actor Klaus Kinski and Mr. Herzog. So much has been written and said about these two. So much excavating around in the rubbish pit has been done in respect of these two famous/infamous personalities, that's it's truly hard to know just *what* to believe anymore. Inside these pages, Herzog sets the record straight.
That's one of the reasons why I grooved along with this book so much.
Then there were the didactic filmmaking elements. The nitty-gritties. The real deal. There were the aspects of the process of making a film, and those oh-so-distillable quotables...you know, the ones filmmakers like to post all around their production offices in big bold black and red lettering that masquerade as Western-versions of Communist-era sloganeering, yes? Herzog had many of them, and like most things with an ideological bent I was truly inspired (and will continue to remain so). Don't you just love ideology? You begin to understand the wild-eyed genius of the man, the strength of his convictions, and what someone will do--a director in this particular instance--to fulfill his noble dream. He'll literally "eat his boots." Herzog in fact did so as a promise to one of his documentary-making colleagues, I kid you not! Herzog really lived up to his word, and ate his shoes after boiling them until nice and tender. He even cut it up into little pieces, and washed it down with a good beer. (Maybe it was a Pilsner?).
Is this a common trait nowadays?
I'm not too sure how to answer that, friends, for any answer I may give would surely smack of cliche and triteness.
But the economics of the matter...and with the insane standards of living in certain Western cities, I'm not surprised that the formerly lofty bastions of principle-land are even for sale. I mean, we can't all be monks and hermits, and sustain ourselves merely on rations of peanut butter sandwiches, or beans, or mac 'n cheese, or soon-to-be-fulfilled promises. Humans need more, or at least they think they do. Herzog is a shining example that what I've just written is a bunch of bunk. And thank goodness for that.
Blow through the read, and you'll suddenly find yourself being uplifted by this man and his ostensible message. You'll quickly realize that this isn't a puff piece, and I believe that if Herzog had to revert to his salad-day lifestyle, where he'd pull such insane stints as walking clear along the easternmost frontier of the former West Germany to prove his point about German national unity during the Cold War, you somehow start to fall for the man. There's an earnestness to his lines that doesn't reek of that similar puff action you get from those who've achieved much less and with much more lucrative resouces.
This is now the fifth "Directors on Themselves" book I've read, and I'm so grateful for having stumbled across this series one fine day on a walkabout in a bookshop. Not a day goes by now without me reverting back to a thought or two about something I'd read in these books. I suppose that's the best we can hope for when it comes to books, anyways...to remember just one fine thing about them. To be inspired by something your eyes might have come across and to bring it out and use it to your advantage when you least expected it to be there. Though thanks to the complex inner-workings of your mind, that's just how certain things work. They clobber you when you need them. Perhaps one day we will truly appreciate the mind muscle, and how it fires off.
Herzog emphasizes in his work the triple notions of iron commitment, ironclad word, and rock-solid honour.
He stands by all of these, and has witnessed more than his fair share of calamity on his various film sets in standing behind them. Being "iron" in all three of the above-mentioned disciplines doesn't always result in a rosy outlook and a happy ending. Sometimes keeping your word means the spilling of blood for the various members of both cast and crew, and there were more than a few injuries and the occasional casulalty or two on a Herzog set, I'm not kidding here either. I'm not going to deny that perhaps this also has something to do with Herzog's Bavarian heritage. Indeed, it's in the blood and something must be mentioned about the robustness of the gene code. I mention this statement without any preconceived ideas, and dear readers, please take it for what it is. It's a fact. Germans are disciplinarians.
But Herzog is clear on one thing: if you aren't willing to go to war to make your films, you're not willing to be a filmmaker. Making films is all about blood, guts, and gore. Heaps of sweat and lots of heartache, and perhaps in the process you manage to keep control of some of the work you've assembled, and manage to maintain the rights to it as well. Herzog's been clever about his choices since starting out on this journey, however. He's established himself such that he never relinquished control to the baddies, and never said "namaste" to the more corporatized film elements. For that I'm grateful. He serves as a stellar and shining example, and I recommend this book as required--or at least on the supplemental list--of reading material for a given film school. Think about it...think about the masses of super-enthused filmmakers who would emerge as a result. Think about the quality of the films they'd shoot as well...
Talking points all.
Doubtless, folks, this is a five-star read. You're going to learn a lot from it, as I did and do.
Hand on the heart,
ADM from Prague
splendid.......2006-08-24
herzog manages to spend his entire life getting into adventures. and the stories he relates make you wonder how much is exaggeration, or even made up. either way, it is a fascinating read. this book will appeal to those not necessarily attracted to his films in particular, and for those who are keen on his work i would say this was essential. as a prolific filmmaker and adventure-getter-into, his life is inspiring in that it makes me want to get off my arse and do something challenging and life affirming. or maybe i'll just lie in bed and read the book one more time!
The Enigma of Werner Herzog.......2006-06-23
One of the unfortunate things for fans of Werner Herzog's cinema is the rather feeble and pathetic array of literature there is out there. Timothy Corrigan's essential Herzog book "The Films of Werner Herzog: Beyond Mirage and History" has been out of print for some years and besides, only covers Herzog's career up to 1985. If you don't have access to academic journals and university libraries the alternative is to pay through the nose. A definitive study of the great man's films is required. Cronin's book kind of fills that gap as it does at least deal with most of Herzog's important works. The interest of this book comes from the fact that it a book of interviews and Herzog's views are both illuminating and interesting. I could almost here his hypnotic German accent as I read it. However, a lot of old ground is trodden over and if any reader is looking for new and exciting tales of the raving Klaus Kinski, they will be disappointed. Many of the anecdotes and comments Herzog comes out with are repeated in My Best Fiend (1999) and on a number of commentary tracks for his DVD's. Far more interesting are his comments on less known films such as "Ballad of the Little Soldier" (1984), "Echoes From a Sombre Empire" (1990) and "The Dark Glow of the Mountains" (1984). So many myths have sprung up around Herzog and his work, that perhaps now, mostly due to documentation and the media they feel somewhat stilted and stale. Herzog is at his best when expounding his own theories on the effects of cinema, and in his rants against academia. But its clear the man has a philosophy and goal which he is trying to achieve through the medium of cinema, not simply a director making money and then moving on to the next thing. Cronin's questions are in the main insightful, but at times he comes across in the same way as Herzog himself did in one of his best films "The Ecstasy of the Woodcarver Steiner" (1974) as an excitable and breathless fan. Overall, an interesting and thought provoking read and probably one of the best in this ongoing range by Faber and Faber, the other I recommend is the David Lynch one. But this book does sit rather strangely with Herzog and it wasn't something I ever expected him to do.
Good look into Herzog's noggin.......2005-09-14
A bit like pulling teeth, this book starts with Herzog writing he is a somewhat unwilling participant in the process. A few parts her I have read recounted other places, but there is more than enough on the making of individual fiilms. A good, concise book.
HEART WARMING AND TOTALLY ESSENTIAL.......2005-09-11
This amazing book is a must read for anyone who enjoy's The great man's films, as well as anyone who...you know what, I'm moved to say that this book is essential reading for all humans. Herzog inspires on each page, whether it be by his own personal experience or by the bombastic words that he barks onto the page.
I actually read this book for the first time (I've been through it 5 or 6 times now) right after my father abandoned my family to live with his new wife in cancun. I guess I was going through a rough time, maybe I needed a more stable father figure or something. Well, my therapist, the great Dr. Tucker, advised that I try Herzog to fill that void, and the mans films completely changed my life. This book is a treasure trove of information and inspiration for fans of Herzog himself or the film medium in general. True story: I work with autistic children on the middle school level, and this one boy Justin started looking through this book when I set it down from reading it on a break. He found the book so engaging that I let him take it home to finish (loaning things out to these kids is always a bad idea, but I figured I'd give it a shot)...long story short, little Justin came back to class the next day, and overnight his speech improved so dramatically that my aide called it a miracle. Anyway, if you're thinking about buying this book you will not be sorry of you do, because if you don't read this as soon as possible you are going to be really sorry. I hope this helped, and HAPPY READING!!!!
Average customer rating:
- The movies were different
- John Ford: From Maine to the Movies to Cinematic Glory!
- Biography that's a page turner!`
- Print the Legend: The Life and Times of John Ford
- Comprehensive almost to a fault...
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Print the Legend: The Life and Times of John Ford
Scott Eyman
Manufacturer: The Johns Hopkins University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 0801865603 |
Amazon.com
Borrowing his title from dialogue in John Ford's classic Western, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance ("When the legend becomes fact, print the legend"), Scott Eyman heeds this advice in his splendid study of Ford, finding a convincing balance between the gruff image Ford cultivated and the sensitive artist that Ford truly was. The result is a to-date definitive biography, occasionally prone to indelicate critical assessment while benefiting greatly from Eyman's full access to the Ford family archives. Arguably the greatest American filmmaker of the 20th century, Ford protected himself with a façade of belligerence yet engendered more loyalty among his crew and stock players (notably John Wayne and Ward Bond) than any other director. Eyman illuminates the Ford legend while focusing on fact--on a complex genius who would berate even the most vulnerable actor and then "apologize without apologizing," a binge drinker who never let alcohol interfere with his closely-guarded artistry, and a stalwart Navy captain whose service in World War II became his primary source of pride.
Print the Legend essentially confirms Ford's brief affair with Katharine Hepburn, but Eyman emphasizes Ford's deep, abiding affection for his wife, Mary, who valiantly tolerated his absolute devotion to filmmaking. While hundreds of interviews yield a comprehensive account of Ford's working methods (which the director was loathe to discuss), Eyman expertly navigates around Ford's own penchant for autobiographical embellishment. What emerges is likely to remain the most thorough portrait of a cinematic master who recognized his own greatness without parading it, and whose human flaws were ultimately forgivable by those--and they were many--who loved him. Readers should look elsewhere for more astute studies of Ford's films, but Eyman has captured Ford the man with lasting authority. -- Jeff Shannon
Book Description
Brilliant, stubborn, witty, rebellious, irascible, and contradictory, John Ford remains an enduring symbol of Hollywood's Golden Age and one of its most respected directors. Through a career that spanned decades and 140 films -- among them such American masterpieces as The Searchers, The Grapes of Wrath, Stagecoach, and The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance -- John Ford left a cinematic legacy that few filmmakers will ever equal. Yet Ford himself was famously reticent about his personal life, often fabricating details and events. In this definitive look at the life and career of one of America's greatest directors, Scott Eyman offers a remarkable portrait of the man behind the legend that reveals how a saloon keeper's son from Maine helped to shape Hollywood's idea of America.
Customer Reviews:
The movies were different.......2006-05-14
Many books were written about Jonh Ford.
All of them tell the story and the profile of the man.
But John Ford was more than that.
His life is the beginning, but the book doesn?t take it as a experience or example for his films.
The exploration is a long trip in this book.
The readers are going to find the artist who control
everything around and his mind to think faster than others.
He made no more than one take, sometimes to have completely control about the film, not suffering the torture of the film process and the editing.
It?s a strange story about the man who won four Academy Awards?
for Best Directing but he never won an Oscar for one of his western films.
The book explores how he created the images and how he felt involved in those stories so different from cowboys, horses and
shots: 'The grapes of Wrath', 'How green was my valley', 'The informer' and 'The quiet man'.
His camera was different in all these ones.
But finally you can see the horizon, the actor,
the music and the ending.
It is a film directed by John Ford.
Thanks to him, the movies were different in style.
He had the conception of an artist.
John Ford: From Maine to the Movies to Cinematic Glory!.......2005-05-16
Scott Eyman has written an outstanding book on John Ford! Ford
was the second generation son of an Irish bartender from Portland Maine who followed his brother Frank to Hollywood.
In over 130 films from such silent classics as Iron Horse to
his four Oscars for best director: The Informer; How Green Was My
Valley; the Grapes of Wrath and The Quiet Man Ford chronicles
the life of ordinary people living in extraordinary circumstances.
Ford made Westerns better than anyone as witness his classic
cavalry trilogy: Fort Apache, She Wore a Yellow Ribbon; Rio Grande and the peerless The Searchers.
John Ford was a bristling porcupine guy who could dish out insults, reduce strong actors to tears and cover his sensitive,
melancholic, brooding intellectual Irish soul with a veneer of
toughness and macho maleness.
Ford was a complex man isolated and in conflict with famly who made great films for over 50 years in the Hollywood jungle.
He was an admiral who loved the military serving with distinction in World War II.
You may not like Ford after reading this fine book but you will be in awe of one of Hollywood's giants.
Eyman gives a sketch of each of Ford's top films and charts the choppy waters of his long marriage to wife Mary and the difficult relationship he had with his daugher and son.
John Ford will always ride tall in the saddle of Film History
as we travel with him to Monument Valley, meet such Ford stars
as John Wayne, Henry Fonda, Maureen O'Hara and the other excellent actors in the Ford acting troupe.
Anyone claiming to be knowledgable about film who does not know about John Ford (1894-1973 should read this fine biograhy.
Readers may also wish to peruse Joseph McBride's lengthy biograpy of Ford "In Search of John Ford." Both books are well
done.
Biography that's a page turner!`.......2004-11-16
Having read a fair number of biographies in my time, in subjects from Science to American and military history, this book is as fine a work as I've seen. It is quite probably the best work of its kind on John Ford and pulls few punches when presenting the dark side of this complex man's character.
Genius often goes hand-in-hand with madness, and the odd juxtapositions of cruelty and sensitivity, visciousness and generosity within in the same man leaves it difficult for the reader to like him, much less understand the deep love so many of his peers and actors had for him.
The vast limits of his brilliance as a film maker are far clearer to me now and the more so since reading other works on the man's work and times ("Tis Herself" by Maureen O'Hara and "John Ford, the Man and his Films" by Tag Gallagher, to name two).
I am a recent "student" of film after years in other pursuits, and I have always considered Ford's pictures to be the best of the best, among which are "The Grapes of Wrath", "The Quiet Man" and "The Searchers".
It is apparently popular for current budding directors to attempt to attempt to emulate the work of the current crops of popular directors (generally those of the preceding five years or so) without paying sufficient attention to the classics; perhaps even trying to ride their stylistic coattails to success.
I believe that in order to be successful in any discipline, it is imperative to study closely the great works of past generations, just as most successful musicians should have a background in classical music.
I can recommend this work unreservedly both to the casual film fan (it's a damned good read!) and to the serious film student.
Print the Legend: The Life and Times of John Ford.......2003-06-27
I've read other books on this great Hollywood director, and while I can't comment on their relative accuracy, I can say that Eyman's book is the most readable I've found. He writes with a wonderfully fluid style, finds exactly the right balance between enough detail and too much, and mixes in some penetrating observations about the films and their style. He really captures that curious paradox of how artistic genius and personality disturbance can coexist within the same mind.
Comprehensive almost to a fault..........2002-08-22
Unless you are old like me and remember many John Ford movies from their original 50's release dates, or you have a semi-professional interest in film directing, this book offers more than one needs to know about a complex, often unlikeable, sometimes generous, routinely selfish genius. It isn't just a bio of John Ford, respected director with a 40-year career...it also functions as a partial history of movie-making itself, since Ford began before 1920, when films were silent, and ended up in the mid-60's, when wide screens, technicolor, blatant sex and violence and changes in how movies were financed stranded him in a very different professional atmosphere. To a person with a more casual interest in Ford and his films, like me, the book had many surprises. Ford was cruel on the set to many actors whom he befriended away from the cameras, John Wayne and Hank Fonda included. Ford was a binge drinker, and kept his sprees separate from his duties until the mid-1950's, rather late in his progressive alcoholism. Ford was capable of great kindness, generosity and loyalty, but also held grudges for decades. He was not only personally brave in World War II while filming the real battle of Midway, he was tuned in enough to have joined the Navy and prepared for documenting the war on film a full year before Pearl Harbor. He also showed courage in standing up to the Communist witch-hunts in the early 50's. He was sometimes a liberal Democrat, sometimes a conservative Republican. His final decade was full of illness and idleness and loneliness and undoubtedly some bitterness. If you are a lover of "American" movies, John Ford's story will be essential for you. I'm glad I read it, but I don't think I'll ever need to read it a second time, or keep the book in my personal collection.
Book Description
Meet Tasha—single and still searching. A producer for Britain’s most popular morning show working under a nightmare boss, Tash is well-versed in the trials and tribulations of twenty-first century dating. She and her three best friends certainly haven’t lived the fairy tale they thought they would: there’s Andy, who’s hooked on passion, but too much of a tomboy to have moved much beyond the beer-drinking contest stage; Mel, stuck in a steady but loveless relationship; and Emma, endlessly waiting for her other half to propose. Their love lives are only complicated by the sort of men who seem to drift in and out: Andrew—suave, good-looking and head over heels in love . . . with himself; Simon, who is allergic to commitment but has a bad-boy nature that’s impossible to resist; and Adam—perfectly attractive, but too sweet to be sexy.
The bestselling first novel that launched Jane Green, one of the brightest stars in contemporary women’s fiction, Straight Talking sets the record straight regarding the real world of dating, and follows the adventures of Tash and her friends as they search for fulfillment and the right kind of love. Funny, flirty, and ultimately tender, Straight Talking gets at the heart of modern romance.
Download Description
Meet Tasha -- single and still searching. A producer for Britain's most popular morning show working under a nightmare boss, Tash is well-versed in the trials and tribulations of twenty-first century dating. She and her three best friends certainly haven't lived the fairy tale they thought they would: there's Andy, who's hooked on passion, but too much of a tomboy to have moved much beyond the beer-drinking contest stage; Mel, stuck in a steady but loveless relationship; and Emma, endlessly waiting for her other half to propose.
Their love lives are only complicated by the sort of men who seem to drift in and out: Andrew -- suave, good-looking and head over heels in love... with himself; Simon, who is allergic to commitment but has a bad-boy nature that's impossible to resist; and Adam -- perfectly attractive, but too sweet to be sexy.
The bestselling first novel that launched Jane Green, one of the brightest stars in contemporary women's fiction, Straight Talking sets the record straight regarding the real world of dating, and follows the adventures of Tash and her friends as they search for fulfillment and the right kind of love. Funny, flirty, and ultimately tender, Straight Talking gets at the heart of modern romance.
Customer Reviews:
Not Her Best Novel.......2007-09-28
Straight Talking wasn't the first novel of Greens that I started on. I read Jemima J and Bookends first. I think that might have affected how I reacted to this novel. It isn't the same style. It's not as light and "chick-lit" as her other novels. The main character actually had me routing for her to lose. I don't think this is Green's best novel but that being said it is still a well-written novel. Jane Green is still an excellent author.
Great book!.......2007-09-09
I just finished reading this book, and I have to tell you that I loved it!!
It wasn't Jane Green's best book that I have read, but I really enjoyed it!
For every woman in her 20s and 30s that has looked for love or wondered, if it'll ever happen to her, this book is for you..
It is VERY honest, direct, holds nothing back, real to our time..
It made me laugh really hard but it made me cry as well..you will love Tasha and most likely identify with her.
I couldn't put this book down!!
Self-indulgent twaddle.......2007-04-05
I totally agree with the reviews by Sebastian and Berthap. I have read other, much earlier Jane Green novels before and quite enjoyed them for what they are (enjoyable "chick lit" about love and friendship etc). This one was dreadful though. I had expected it to change perspectives between the different characters but it is all told from the point of view of one very unlikeable vain, superficial character. She is the type of woman I would want to shake (or avoid like the plague) if I met her in real life. I also thought the writing was very lazy, ie, repetitive, contradictory, full of cliches etc etc. I think that after this and Jemima J (which I didn't mind but certainly didn't like as much as other Jane Green books)I will be staying well clear of this writer.
My recommendation for potential buyers - don't buy this book, check out writers Sheila O'Flanagan or Elizabeth Noble instead.
really enjoyed.......2007-03-10
it's a great book and for me the best of jane green. the story was awesome she really suits in some ways so i really like btw this book this my all time second fave book
favorite jane green so far.......2006-12-23
I have read multiple chick lit genre novels and Jane Green remains to be my favorite author. I have read Mr. Maybe and Bookends but this has been my favorite of the three. It was constantly interesting and I grew attached to the character's plight, eager to read this nonstop. It may be more for the younger audience but as a 20 year old it was just right for me!
Average customer rating:
- Mediocre Bio on Fascinating Subject
- This book on Mel Brooks' life falls short of being authoritative, still, author Parish has made a noble effort
- The King is Crowned
- I always knew he was a genius.
- Seriously Good Reading
|
It's Good to Be the King: The Seriously Funny Life of Mel Brooks
James Robert Parish
Manufacturer: Wiley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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Book Description
This book traces the extraordinary life and career of Mel Brooks, who has ridden a wave of show business success perhaps unsurpassed by anyone of his generation. Offering many insights into the wacky world of Brooks and his many collaborators, as well as an intimate look into his successful marriage to the brilliant and beautiful actress Anne Bancroft, It's Good to Be the King might just be the most delightful, engaging, and entertaining biography you'll ever read.
Customer Reviews:
Mediocre Bio on Fascinating Subject.......2007-07-10
While Parish appears to have done some research (a lengthy bibliography is included), he apparently did little more than read books/articles/reviews and listen to DVD commentaries. The result is an OK clip job that could have been much more---for example, why no interviews with Brooks' living colleagues? And hardly any mention is made of Brooks' three children from his first marriage, although several pages are devoted to his son from his marriage to Anne Bancroft.
The writing is workmanlike at best and at times much less than that (e.g., Sid Caesar is referred to as "powerfully built" on multiple occasions in the space of several pages). And some of the facts are wrong---for instance, Parish writes that the stage version of "The Producers" tried out in Detroit prior to Broadway---the tryout was in Chicago.
Brooks, a major creative force in American humor, deserves better.
This book on Mel Brooks' life falls short of being authoritative, still, author Parish has made a noble effort.......2007-06-25
He is properly appreciative of Brooks' most wonderful work, but not indifferent to his creative slumps (also known as the eighties). I agree with most of his assertions, but wish he'd credited them more specifically.
Especially since, having no original interviews with his subject, he relies on previously published works. To such an extent I couldn't help but feel a collection of interviews with the hardly press-shy humorist might have served just as well or better for his fans.
The King is Crowned.......2007-06-04
Admittedly, Mel Brooks is an acquired taste, because so much of his humor is of the "hit or miss" variety. (Confessed: I'm a Brooks fan - but he can occasionally "miss" even me.) Parish has turned out another one of his excellent books with this biography of funmeister Brooks. Mel's path to fame is an interesting one, and Parish tracks it well. He's one of the rare Hollywood writers - and more experienced ones, too - who doesn't delve into sensationalism in his books. Parish writes "biography" and relates stories, all in an informative, easy to read manner. This is an enoyable read from beginning to end. I was particularly intrigued with the "love story" aspect to Mel's life: namely, the romance and marriage of Brooks and Bancroft. Over the years, aside from their marriage being mentioned in the press, very little has been written about it. Parish does an encellent job of detailing it. Brooks didn't participate in the writing the book, but he should be very pleased with how it turned out. Parish does a superb job with this book on Mel's life. A most enjoyable book about one of the funniest men in the latter half of the twentieth-century.
I always knew he was a genius........2007-05-13
This book proves that nutty people are simply covering up their underlying genius. Mel can succeed in any endeavor he tries because beneath it all, he has a brilliant mind. A very enjoyable, fast-paced read.
Seriously Good Reading.......2007-03-27
The life of Mel Brooks reads like a history of comedy of the last 60 years - from his humble beginnings in Brooklyn, through summers at the Jewish resorts in the Catskills Borscht Belt, through recordings, T.V. theater and movies Mel Brooks did it all and worked with many of the comedy greats of the past half century (sometimes for better or worse). Brooks worked with Sid Ceaser, Jerry Lewis, Carl Reiner and countless others and married one of the great Hollywood actresses. This is a colorful look at his many triumphs and low points in between. And just when many would have written him off - he has roared back with the huge success of the musical Producers on Broadway. As with all his books, Mr. Parish has done extensive research and wonderfully describes the life of Mel Brooks.
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