No comments about Complete Speaker: An Introduction to Public Speaking.

5 comments about Celluloid Mavericks: A History of American Independent Film Making.

1. This book blew me away. I love the way it covers the whole spectrum of indie film, not just "art" but "exploitation" as well. The story of how these films came to be against great odds makes for great reading. I learned something knew on every page. Highly recommended for fans of non-Hollywood films.



2. This was a very good read, masterfully told and researched. This is the only book that tells the COMPLETE history of indie movies. Highly recommended.



3. This is the best book ever written on independent film. I wish I could give it move than 5 stars, because Celluloid Mavericks is a pure pleasure to read: witty, informative and always extremely entertaining. No other book comes close to its breadth and detail, especially in regards to the previously uncharted territory between 1896 and 1960. This is my all-time favorite film book, well deserving of its many raves reviews.



4. from the New York Press 3-29-2000 - copyright Matt Zoller Seitz

   Merritt's book covers a century's worth of off-center cinema, including 1890s nickelodeons, 1940s chitlin-circuit black films, Sam Fuller's genre-busting work in the 50s and 60s, blaxploitation and hardcore porn in the 70s and the Sundance wave of the 80s and 90s. The central idea of free spirits bucking the system unifies waht might have been a too-broad historical text, and Merritt's tart wit enlivens the fact-packed narrative. His prose isn't merely amusing; it's lovingly polished, a real pleasure to read. He's honest enough to admit that most 70s blaxploitation films were garbabe, "rarely as much fun as their posters or soundtracks." He coins a wonderful new phrase to describe the hillbilly flicks that flooded rural drive-ins around the same time: "Whitezploitation." He describes Tom Laughlin's "Billy Jack" as a movie about pacifists who "come to worship a man of violence," and declares, "the real hoot is seeing the messiah take off his boots and kick the grins off rednecks."

   This isn't one of those fuzzy, ruminative books where the author writes whatever strikes his fancy and crams it into a bulging thematic suitcase after the fact. The preface carefully defines "independent" to mean any movie "financed and produced completely autonomous of all studios," and "semi-indie" as a movie that received studio funding at some point. The definitions cast certain well-known American films in a fresh light. I didn't know, for example, that the Oscar-winning "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" didn't get a dime's worth of funding from any studio.

   Chapter to chapter and page for page, "Celluloid Mavericks" is an indespensable book, as entertaining as it is informed.




5. This was a great read. Very well-written. It covered more than any other film book. I especially liked the exploitation stuff and how it mixed with art films: the yin and yang of indie cinema.

5 comments about The Life of P. T. Barnum, Written by Himself.

1. Barnum is one of my "great american heroes." This is his life in his own words, written at the peak of his fame and success, and before bad things began to make him bitter. He is cocky, bemused, hilarious and thoroughly full of beans: he knows it and revels in it. If you ever have an interest in self promotion or promotion of any kind, read this book. Learn from the greatest master of marketing of all time.



2. Phineas Taylor Barnum (July 5, 1810 - April 7, 1891), American showman who is best remembered for his entertaining hoaxes and for founding the circus that eventually became Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus.
   
   In Brooklyn, New York in 1871, he established "P.T. Barnum's Grand Traveling Museum, Menagerie, Caravan, and Circus", a traveling amalgamation of circus, menagerie and museum of "freaks", which by 1872 was billing itself as "The Greatest Show on Earth".
   
   There's a sucker born every minute" is a phrase often credited to P.T. Barnum. However, when Barnum's biographer tried to track down when Barnum had uttered this phrase, all of Barnum's friends and acquaintances told him it was out of character. Barnum's credo was more along the lines of "there's a customer born every minute" -- he wanted to find ways to draw new customers in all the time because competition was fierce and people bored easily
   
   Barnum wrote several books, including The Humbugs of the World (1865), Struggles and Triumphs (1869), and his Autobiography (first in 1854, and later editions including 1869).
   
   Barnum is a treat to read and is never boring! I highly recommend his books.



3. P.T. Barnum was a creative force in the worlds of advertising, museums, entertainment and finally, the circus. He was also a politician who held two high offices. He supported the northern view of the Civil War, he was anti-slavery, he constantly fought to bring the rich and powerful and regular folk together under one roof. He believed in the American Dream and that those that came to America had the curiosity to find out what was on the other side of the ocean for themselves. It was this same curiosity that led them inside museums and under the big top. He coined many phrases and terms used freely today. P.T. Barnum created worlds similar to worlds written by authors Frank L. Baum (the Oz books) and Mark Twain. Perhaps P.T. Barnum is not the best person to tell that story, but the book is a classic American tale of an American legend. Too bad it was packaged with mocking commentary on the cover and introduction which was completely inappropriate for display on one's bookshelf. It is difficult to tell why the publishers would sell the book when they have such obvious disdain for it. Everyone will always remember Barnum and not even buyers of the book will recall the names of the authors, but still, this is certainly not the way an autobiography should be published. Imagine buying a book of famous portraits only to find that the publishers have drawn mustaches on each one. As a collector, this is a waste, wait for another edition.



4. Even though this is the only edition of Barnum's autobiography in print it's advisable to skip this edition as the introducer is one of a proliferating number of reductive political hacks scheming at the cultural studies fringes who have weaseled into positions of "advisers" "editors" "introducers" and similar jobs extraneous to writing proper at publishing houses. Among them Caleb Crane who has used his homosexuality to secure positions at The Modern Library & NYT Book Review, S.T. Joshi leftist historical fabricator extraordinaire, and the current specimen a dogmatic Marxist who has authored a scurrilous tome purporting that Edgar Allen Poe secretly reduced the slave figures of pre civil war America, among other delusions. In doing this he follows his predecessor Rufus W. Griswold only the offences change, overdrinking was the politically incorrect gaffe in Griswolds time. What a poverty stricken outsider would gain by such activities is not explained, not even considering it's blasé materialistic crudity as interpretation. So unless you plan on ripping out the conceited Stalinist introduction avoid this book.



5. One of the most ambiguous figures in American history is P.T. Barnum. He was a legendary showman, curator, writer, entrepreneur--but he was also known for his humbugs. Many of his great successes were based on scamming and frauding the American public.

   He was a master of marketing and advertising. His ability to manipulate the media was a precursor for much of American life in the last 150 years. Barnum had a genius for drawing in the crowd and creating scandals. He was often the one who exposed his own frauds.

   This autobiography provides a fascinating glimpse into the man behind the legend and myth. Barnum begins with childhood and works his way through his life up to that point. This one is the original autobiography written in 1855. Many of his great triumphs like General Tom Thumb and the Jenny Lind tour had already taken place.

   It should be remembered that Barnum is telling his own tale so it would be wise to maintain a cynical stance when reading this tale. I often found myself nodding with agreement at what I was reading and then pausing to consider that Barnum may have been hoodwinking the reader.

   Overall, this is a compelling read in spite potential exaggerations. Barnum, for better or worse, is one of the most famous of all American showman. He set the stage for much of the entertainment world since his time. I found myself disdainful of some of his excesses but I came away with an overall appreciation for this man.

   The American landscape is richer for having him. He has provided us with one of our greatest myths.

1 comments about The Compact Bedford Introduction to Drama.

1. I had to buy this book as part of a college course curriculum.
   
   It basically is filled with a bunch of plays written in various time periods around the world. It is arranged chronologically so there is a good amount of background information in the book on the different time periods.
   
   In each 'chapter' or section of the book there is a brief introduction about the time period in which the plays were written. Then, for each play there is a short section before and after the play which gives prelude and summary which can help you further understand some of the more complicated plays. There are reviews by famous authors and playwrights as well following each play.
   
   The reason I give this book only 3 stars is because there were many segments of the book which were very difficult to read and follow. I found myself many times going back over a particular section and reading it four and five times to make sense of it (mostly in the summaries and reviews - the plays were in original format and I had already read most of them at some point in my grammar school years). Now, I am a very intelligent person so if I find a section of reading difficult, the average reader will find it extremely difficult. Plus, I am not a major fan of literary arts which I'm sure contributes highly to this.

1 comments about From Mime to Sign.

1. I'm glad to see this book come back in print. I will use it in teaching beginning sign language.

5 comments about A Star Is Found: Our Adventures Casting Some of Hollywood's Biggest Movies.

1. Janet Hirshenson and Jane Jenkins, two of Hollywood's biggest casting directors (their credits are listed on the cover of the book, there's no need for me to list them here), discuss the inner workings of casting a major Hollywood film.
   
   A Star Is Found is a (somewhat) candid description of the daily life of a major Hollywood casting director, recounting casting stories from several major films, citing extensively from A Beautiful Mind, Harry Potter, and The Princess Bride.
   
   What makes the book such an interesting page-turner is the quick, almost gossipy writing style. Once you start reading, it's hard to put it down. Finding out surprising facts about how a certain person was chosen for a role is always exciting, especially for anyone with a real interest in filmmaking or the film industry in general.
   
   There is a little bit of information and tips to smaller actors in how to behave in an audition, callback, screen test, and beyond, but mostly this book is dedicated to describing the casting adventures that have already occurred. The first few chapters mention the break down of actor categories: Wannabes, Unknowns, Working Actors, etc. The rest of the book is about casting the Stars, and how Unknowns became Stars. This has the effect of at first saying that everyone has a shot, and then saying, as long as you know someone or have been seen somewhere else.
   
   Janet and Jane discuss their rules of auditioning, involving always treating every actor fairlt, which is refreshing to hear from such a big casting team. Anyone who is at all interested in working in film should check out this book. It offers definite insight into how you can help a casting director do their job, and end up getting yourself a job (as an actor) because of it.



2. Interesting insight of what really goes on behind the scenes, hiring actors, getting movies made, and how it all goes down, by 2 women who were right in the middle of it and responsible for much of the success of many actors. Who knew!



3. The authors took turns "talking" and giving juicy tidbits about actors and hiring them. But this is not a tell-all. This is a heartfelt book about life making movies. I couldn't put it down. It made me appreciate movies more and the people who make them. It made me see how hard everybody works to bring about the finished product to theaters. The authors really want to help people succeed in auditions and provided good advice for show biz veterans as well as introducing the process to people like me, who have nothing to do with Hollywood. This book was a sprinkle of stardust. Anyone, read it. I loved it.



4. A view from the other side. There have been a lot of books on how hard it is for an actor to find that magic break that gets him into a movie or on stage. In this book, two veteran casting directors present their side of the story. It's not a how-to book, exactly, but reading between the lines you can see what turns them off and how they build a huge list of potential candidates from a want-to-be that's now waiting tables up to the superstars. For the beginner, even getting in front of Janet and Jane is a major accomplishment.
   
   Part of the value in this book is that it explains just what it is that a casting director does. They are inbetween the actors and the film's management. They exist to take off some of the burdon from the director/producer, but they also provide an expertise of their own based on years of experience in finding actors.
   
   The list of movies on which the authors have worked is long. The inside stories of how actors get picked is fascinating. It's quite an interesting read, even for an outsider like myself.



5. A Star is Found: Our Adventures Casting Some of Hollywood's Biggest Movies is a rarity among the flood of acting and Hollywood guides on the market: a survey which examines how actors are chosen and careers made, coming from two of the top casting directors in the business. You can't get much more authoritative than this: the two review their craft, reflect on stars they helped build, and offer specific tips actors can use to catch attention and interest. Any collection strong in acting guides, drama or Hollywood insights will welcome this expose.
   
   Diane C. Donovan
   California Bookwatch

5 comments about The Andy Griffith Show Book 40th Anniversary Edition.

1. When I opened the Andy Griffith Show Book 40th Anniversary Edition, I saw that it contains everything about TAGS that I had been looking for, plus more! It is such a great find, that I wrapped it up and sent it to my sister for her birthday (65 years old)! Now I plan to order another copy
   --not to give away, but to add to my collection. I recommend this book to anyone who is seeking the ideal hometown (Mayberry) and who longs for neighbors like the Taylors.



2. Ken Beck and Jim Clark no doubt eat, drink, and breath the Andy Griffith Show as they must have watched every episode several times with pen and paper in hand to create this book filled with almost every bit of trivia you'd want to know about the show, not to mention their many other books on TAGS. This book is not about the actors, writers, behind-the-scenes activities, or the philosophy of the show, it is a book on the characters, places, and happenings in Mayberry. The episodes of the television show is the only source for this book.
   
   Some reviewers do not think a book recapping the events of the television show is valuable, but it is for trivia buffs and for fan fiction writers. Fans who like to write Mayberry-related stories can find all sorts of helpful tidbits in this book. There is even an episode guide in the back with brief synopses. It is very useful for those who have not seen all the episodes or cannot remember certain details about the characters, places, etc. I have referred to this book several times in writing just one fan fiction story. It is very well-organized and usually offers that little detail I'm looking for. I was very surprised how much information is offered in this book.
   
   Every character is profiled (almost all with photos) from the main ones to those who were only on a short time or intermittently like Ellie Walker, the Darlings, Clara Edwards Johnson, Emmett Clark, Sam Jones, and that adorable Warren Ferguson (with a nice photo I have not seen before). For trivia buffs, there are chapters on "Cops and Robbers," "Codes and Cases," "Mayberry Media" (local newspapers, radio stations, tv stations, tv programs enjoyed by Mayberry residents), "Music of Mayberry," "Contradictions," and more. There is also a helpful map of Mayberry with all the important spots like Myer's Lake, the Duck Pond, the Darling's cabin, and Ernest T. Bass' cave, a town directory and yellow pages for both Mayberry and Mt. Pilot. It also has a quiz. There are scores of b&w photos throughout the book. My only complaint is that the episode guide is not divided up into seasons. Recommended for anyone interested in the characters of TAGS.



3. this is book is wonderful! it is by far the best andy griffith book that is out there.



4. Wonderful, just what I anticipated. Thank you for distributing this excellent review of the show, and list of all episodes.



5. This is the second book I have read about The Andy Griffith Show. (The first one was Barney Fife and Other Characters I Have Known, written by Don Knotts with Robert Metz)
   This book has very descriptive information about all the favorite characters from the show, based on what is known about them from the episodes of the show. There is NO information about the actors that played these roles, JUST the characters. These facts are put together in an easy-to-read style that will make for pleasant browsing or looking up trivia facts. There are also many nice photos in the book, some in color (fortieth anniversary edition) and there are quizzes, lists, and an episode guide with very brief summaries of the shows.
   It is a really nice book and can be enjoyed by fans of the show in any age group, from youth to grownup.
   And even though there is no actual show production stories or actor interviews in this book, it does do a good job of profiling the characters and showing their individual personalities in the context of the world they exist in, that of their beloved Mayberry.

5 comments about Wonder Bread & Ecstasy: The Life and Death of Joey Stefano.

1. With the explosion of porn distribution on the net and the constant rise and fall of "stars" being basically anyone paid to be naked for an orgasm in front of a camera at any time in their lives, the story of Joey Stefano is a cautionary tale that many ought heed. This entertainingly written and fairly well researched biography is a brief but revealing text. Perhaps Stefano's life could not carry a longer book, either. In any event, the reader will join him on a fast down escalator into self-destruction that shows the reality of low self-esteem, emotional insecurity, and short life span (in the marketplace or, like Stefano, literally) that often marks the human fabric of this industry. Well worth the investment of time and money, not least because a number of the people in the book, like Chi Chi LaRue, continue as active presences in the business of the meat market.



2. The only thing that I got out of this book what that Joey Stefano broke the glass celing in the porn world for being a bottom. It is his life story but it is just the same: A troubled kid with a drug, sex, and alcohol problem. I would have like to have read a store where he turned his life around and made an impact. I dont recommend this book.



3. What I got out of this was a portrait of a beautiful, self-involved, rather self-indulgent young man who gave in to his weaknesses and lack of motivation or ability to do anything aside from relying on his looks and sexual prowess. As such stories usually go, this mindset led Stefano down a road of self-destruction and eventually death. It's certainly a fascinating portrait of a time and place very specific in Gay pop culture and adult-film history; this is a must-read for any porn aficianado for the very colorful events and characters that pop up in Joey Stefano's story. The author does a good job of outllining the events of his life and contextualizing them in the gay-porn scene of the late '80s to early '90s when gay video really came of age.
   
   However, i must again disagree with those who characterize this story as a "tragedy". A tragedy implies that the participants had no choice or fought valiantly against the forces which eventually overwhelmed them. Joey Stefano made his own choices and was clearly not willing to own up to them---yes he was gorgeous and had great sexual mystique but he was all too willing to squander his gifts in a morass of drugs and self-degradation which he enthusiastically participated in. Clearly he was too willing to buy into the myth that you are only worth as much as your beauty allows (a too-prevalent attitude in the gay world) and his unfortunate lack of self-awareness was his ultimate undoing.
   
   Compare and contrast him with the story of his mentor, Chi Chi LaRue---a large, homely man who became one the most successful business people in the porn world. LaRue had enough character and self-awareness to realize that looks would not get him along in the world---hard work, character, and a willingness to confront harsh realities are all necessary qualities for anyone but especially to those not gifted with dazzling good looks. LaRue becomes the de facto hero of "Wonder Bread and Ecstasy", especially considering that although Stefano barely gave him the time of day during their friendship/collaboration LaRue stood by him through anything and everything. That Stefano perished at an early age, burnt out and used, and LaRue emerged successful and thriving to this day, says much about the vagaries of vanity, empty self-gratification and excessive worship of beauty in the gay mainstream media.



4. The first time I saw Joey Stefano in film I was overwhelmed by his beauty, his body, his sexual appetite, and his vulnerability. I think that vulnerability; that good boy/bad boy persona that was able to reach out beyond the screen is what made him into the "star" he became. Those who saw him fantasized being with him, and in the process, perhaps to protect him from all those things that could and would hurt him. His meteoric rise to fame, and his tragic demise are recounted in this sad tale about a man who became a legend in his own time.
   One thinks of stars who's greatness was cut short...Kurt Cobain, Judy Garland, Carole Lombard, among others...and then there too was Joey Stefano.



5. I'll cut some slack for this being Isherwoods first book but alas ther is nothing to see here. His Norma Jean approach to Nick Iaconna life is cliche' at best. To Isherwoods credit he does include morsels of what was going on in gay culture at the time of the early nineties which are genuinely intresting observations. Isherwoods took the E! true hollywood story approach to this bio and quite frankly been there done that.There are no new insights or revelations about the porn industry or gay culture.

No comments about Fun with Hand Shadows (Dover Game and Puzzle Activity Books).

3 comments about La Danse.

1. La Danse
   The reproduction of his fantastic photos is even better than I had hoped for and the CDs are a great bonus!



2. A beautiful book with the impressionistic photography of David Hamilton. The main dance of the book is ballet, a rather nawor focus these days. Featured are mostly young, female dancers, but there are also shots of Nureyev and a few other male dancers. Finally, it differs from other David Hamilton books by featuring mostly fully-clothed dancers.



3. Do you enjoy ballet photography? Are you a fan of David Hamilton? Do you enjoy classical music? Are you a fan of Rudolf Nureyev? If you are a fan of one or all of them, you'll want to own this fine collectible publication. I recently purchased a copy and find it to be of top quality in terms of professionalism in photography.
   The original La Danse, which, I believe was published in 1974? Contained many of the same photographs which grace the pages of this up-to-date version. There's the splendid full page photographs of charming young girls in ballet, and the rare photographs of Rudolf Nureyev.
   But in the updated version, there is more, much much more. The book contains 4 Classical Ballet music cds, plus photographs from two other David Hamilton classics, Laura and Bilitis. So in many ways, this up-to-date version is much better than the original version.
   If you want to own a book of David Hamilton's at a more affordable price, La Danse will be it.