1 comments about Little Women: Vocal Selections.

1. I love this book. It has every song in the show except for "Weekly Volcano Press" and Jo's reprise at the end "Sometimes When You Dream." The arrangements are on the hard side, and are in pretty odd key signatures, but it gives the feel of the show. I absolutely adore it--lots of songs for a great price. If you know how to play the piano well, (so that you can tackle the arrangements) this book will give hours of enjoyment!

1 comments about Picnic: A Summer Romance.

1. this play is just amazing. its a beautifully written simple love story. But the characters are extremely captivating. I reccomend reading this or seeing it if you can. Its great. Dont be fooled by how simple it is though. its deceptively so

No comments about The Fosse Style.

5 comments about Freaks: We Who Are Not As Others.

1. My sister, ever since I lent her "Geek Love," is really into books set in carnivals, circuses, or with sideshow characters. This book, my first foray into nonfiction, was definitely something different.
   
   I was surprised to see upon shipping that it is actually more like a textbook than a paperback novel. It is larger in order to show more details in the photos, and like other reviewers mentioned, some of the photos are extremely graphic. This book is not appropriate for children. Also, the narrative is somewhat lacking. The writing is fine, especially because it humanizes sideshow folk, but the photos often don't match up to what is being said on that page, and sometimes photos don't have back story within the text.
   
   That said, my sister loved it. She liked getting the real story about these real people, and how they interacted with others and amongst themselves. It was a great birthday present, and I'm glad I chose it for her!



2. this book is an ok read. not enough pictures of the characters he refers to. pictures are of random freaks. x-rated if you are thinking of this for a child. makes you wonder if you dare to have children!



3. Originally released in 1976, 'Freaks: We Who Are Not As Others' is a bit dated in that many of the people mentioned have since passed on. When first released, the book was quickly pulled for reasons I can only guess at, foremost it probably being too graphic for the times. Its large size and many pictures more than make up for its slimness (only 120 pages).
   
   Author Daniel Mannix gives us and inside and personal look at the old-fashioned "Ten-In-One" show: the Freak Show. Mannix worked in the carnival business and personally knew many of the people he speaks about, such as Pricilla The Monkey Girl and Emmett The Alligator Man (who were happily married). Before "political correctness" and phrases like "Differently Abled" came along, the Ten-In-One was often a haven and a home for those born with birth defects.
   
   Midgets, dwarves, giants, obese folk, "the human skeleton", bearded women, co-joined twins, those born without arms or legs, pinheads, hermaphrodites, skin conditions, the double-jointed, and deformities - all were welcomed at the Ten-In-One and many made a great deal of money at it. This isn't a book making fun of these oddities, its book that celebrates their differences, their lives, and their ability to love.
   
   Mannix's prose is informative and conversational, the stories are true (though he admits a few have questionable roots), and the many pictures are captivating, graphic, and ... well, freakish. I found the book so absorbing that I read it through in one sitting. There's a lot of history addressed, from the court jesters of historic kings to an intimate look at the most famous Siamese twins Chang and Eng, to the reasons why its an insult to call a dwarf a midget or a midget a dwarf. Mannix keeps the book thoughtful and respectful while giving insight into the origin and history of the Freak Show.
   
   Whether curious or simply researching, this is one of the best books ever written about the old-fashioned sideshows. If your interested in the subject, then don't miss out on this informative and graphic story of a group of amazing people living in the amazing world of the carnival. Enjoy!



4. The pictures are extremely graphic. Very interesting book though, but felt guilt for getting entertainment from their oddities.



5. This book is the end all best collection of sideshow anomalies that includes both people with congenital deformities and just those with special talents. The book provides graphic pictures, detailed explanation of defects (and talents) and personal stories about famed "freaks" that are blessed (or suffer) from their uniqueness. There are more pictures then anything else and it can be quite vivid for certain ages. The book includes midgets, giants, conjoined twins, parasitic twins, bearded women, dog faced boys, rare skin condition, lobster limbs, missing limbs, fossilized bodies, those with half bodies, hermaphrodites, and many other curiosities.
   The book is very easy to follow, the infomation is thorough, and it contains rare photography that I have not seen in any other book or website (such as freque.com). I am not going to be crude, but I respect people's differences and like to see what the lure was of these people in their heyday, so this book was incredibly engrossing. This definately may not be for everyone, but it is a great book on a unique subject.

5 comments about Long After Midnight at the Niño Bien: A Yanquis Missteps in Argentina.

1. 
   
   Books and blogs by women about their tango experiences/epiphanies in Buenos Aires proliferate yearly. (OK, so I'm one of those women.)
   
   It's refreshing to read a story about a foreigner in Buenos Aires written by a man. Sure, we've had the cheap and disgusting Kiss and Tango by Marina Palmer, and the interesting pre-crisis Bad Times in Buenos Aires by Miranda France, among many others, but now we have something entirely different: Brian Winter's Long After Midnight at the Nino Bien; a Yanqui's Missteps in Argentina.
   
   Not a memoir, but rather a well-written attempt to make 21st century readers understand the why-and-wherefores of the Buenos Aires of today. It's not an excuse for the author to delve into his emotional past, or to write about sexual encounters, nor does he do any reflection--the main aspect of a memoir. It's an impressionistic travelogue with fantasy characters--think Wizard of Oz or Star Wars set in South America with lots of illuminating and witty historical citations.
   
   Young Mr. Winter (a recent college grad who floats to Argentina hoping to find a job) also writes about his experience as a tango dancer wannabe. He relates preposterous scenes with fictitious milongueros, but I believe these scenes, while accurately conveying feelings and emotions if not truths, are not from his experience but from research and imagination. He is a fantastic researcher, as well as a hell of a writer. And he's funny, too!
   
   He wanted to write an essay about Buenos Aires, and how then could he leave out tango, even if he knew nothing and cared less about it? His Mafia round table of wise old milongueros allow for exposition and stories about Argentina's history, the influence of the gauchos, the corruption of the politicians, the legacy of Peron and Evita. Miller quotes tangos and the gaucho poem, Martin Fierro. He quotes and relates and integrates, all with humor and a great turn of phrase, and it makes for enjoyable reading, and a history lesson too.
   
   But I do know about the milongas, the milongueros, and certainly, about Nino Bien, the "decaying bar" of the title. His stories of cartoon characters like El Nene, El Dandi, El Chino 1 & 2, and El Tigre entertain and maybe enlighten. Certainly it's not the habit of real milongueros, or anyone else in a milonga, to drink frozen strawberry daiquiris at La Ideal or Nino Bien, let alone wear white terrycloth suits with orange shirts and pink scarves and lead ganchos and barridas. While he has the tango facts and details mostly all wrong, he nevertheless zeros in on the mood, effect and the result. The milonga is an easy target for satire.
   
   Yes, there are countless factual errors in the tango telling, and lots of mistakes in Castellano and Buenos Aires geography, but from my fact checking on the internet, Miller's tales of political corruption, battles, presidents, and gauchos all seem to ring true. I especially enjoyed the story of the depressed tango lyricist Discepolo and his mis-alignment with the government, and his artistic crashes with the tango god himself, Carlos Gardel.
   
   So let's not read this book as a personal memoir, or as history, but rather as a fable of life and times in Buenos Aires from 2000-2004 from a foreigner's perspective. Despite its flaws in accuracy, there's much to be learned here, as well as several laughs and a couple of hours of entertaining reading.



2. LONG AFTER MIDNIGHT AT THE NINO BIEN: A YANQUI'S MISSTEPS IN ARGENTINA tells of an American who decides on a whim to move to Argentina and learn to tango - his quest to shine in the tango hall with a group of elderly men who move like Enrique Iglesias and his quest to understand the tango leads to a deeper cultural appreciation of Argentina as a whole: an appreciation which comes to life in a book highly recommended for a range of collections: those surveying international dance in general, tango in particular, or Latin American or Argentinean culture as a whole.
   
   Diane C. Donovan
   California Bookwatch



3. This book makes Argentina come alive with real people and lively dialogue. I've read a lot about Argentina's social, political and economic crises, but the country never really came together for me until I read this book. Argentina, like the tango, is a sad thought you can dance to. Of course, it's a foreigner's perspective, but a fresh one from a young man who jumped into the whirl of Argentine life without preconceptions and writes about it with a refreshing honesty and lack of pretense.



4. As a Latina who was married to an Argentinean for many years and spent some time in Argentina in both the capital, Buenos Aires, and city of Mendoza in the wine country, I looked forward to reading this book. On the plus side, some of it is wryly humorous, and the author's chronicle of the history of the tango in Argentina is somewhat interesting. The author also captures some of the flavor of Argentina and gives a very decent account of its unstable political history.
   
   Some of the characters described in the book, old tango instructors with whom the author hung out during his stay in Argentina, are colorful, and the author gives the reader a taste of the passion that the tango arouses and of its place in the culture of Argentina. I also felt that these very same characters that the author professed were his friends were probably secretly laughing at the author, a lumbering Texan who wanted to learn about the tango, and would say just about anything to him just for effect, whether or not it was true.
   
   Moreover, some of the author's conclusions are those that only a Yanqui would devise, as I did not feel that they derived from a real understanding of Argentina or its people, given his limited scope of reference. Also, a few of the translations in the book were off the mark, which I found to be annoying. I also found the quality of the writing to be rather pedestrian, overall. Still, there is a modicum of enjoyment to be gotten from this book by those interested in other cultures or in the tango.



5. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It's much better better written than "Kiss and Tango" (Winter was a journalist for Reuters,) the other tango memoir that I've read which I also enjoyed. He spends lots of time drinking with old milongueros at the milongas, discussing with them his struggle to get the hang of tango, and at the same time records how the Argentine economy went down in flames while he was there (2000 to 2004.) I found it very affecting, and did not want it to end. Peter Silverman

5 comments about The Art of The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

1. Hunchback of Notre Dame is one of my favorite Disney classics. This book is a must-have for Disney fans and those who loved the film. The pages have rarely seen actual artwork and production stills(pictures of scenes form the movie) and stunning artwork of medeavile Paris. From page to page there are artwork of the characters from the film and details on who animated them and you'll see concept art of the characters, backgrounds and actual storyboards. Some pages fold-out to reveal storyboards from certain scenes.
   
   If you loved the Hunchback of Notre Dame or is a Disney fan, then I would recommend this book to you. You would definitly read this book again and again. The artwork is so stunningly gorgeous that you just can't look at it without your jaw dropping.



2. This book can be compared to others such as "The Art of The Lion King" or "Prince of Egypt: New Vision in Animation," which are both great to own. Even if you're not a fan of the movie, this book still overflows with beautiful artwork: concept sketches, background paintings (which are my personal favorite), production stills, and many other treats. It also talks a bit about the making of the film, including the animation department's trip to Paris.
   Of course, this book is a must-have for Disney fans, but for those interested in animation in general, this is definetely worth getting.



3. im actually 14 but still lol x
   This film is yes for kids but has a whole different story under the main one , its about what makes a monster and what makes a man. That yes one may look like a man but inside hes the monster where as quasi is a true man inside.



4. The focus of this book was certainly ART, as it provides stunning pictures of Mideval Paris from historical archive that Disney artists meticulously researched before finalizing the background scenery. We also get a glimpse of the profiling of the psychology of each character, and their interaction that drives the story. However, at this price, I wish that they had CD-ROM version that catered to the sophisticated fans of animation art who are very interested in all of the gory technical details.



5. Like Rebello's previous "Art of" books (Lion King and Pocahontas), this one is a joy to look at, but it's missing one thing. I wish it had more about the characters' voices. Often the actor or actress who voices a character influences the visual development of that character. The animator may model the character after the actor, or he or she may take one particular gesture from the actor and incorporate it into the character (like Belle - she kept brushing that lock of hair away from her face because her voice, Paige O'Hara, did the same thing). So including some information about the voices behind the characters would provide even more insight for those of us clamoring to know about how an animated film is made. But even with this one flaw, the book is gorgeous, especially the production stills of the interior of Notre Dame. And the concept art is great - sometimes it's wildly different from what actually shows up on screen, so you get a look at the evolution process. Oh - don't skip the index. The illustrations of how animators let off steam are hysterical! My favorite - "Quasi and Harriet". So, if you're a fan of Disney animation, get this!

2 comments about Psychology of Dance.

1. this book has helped me so much on my journey to becoming a dancer.
   any thing i need is right there in the book,it recently taught me how to avoid slumps,keep focused,it is an amazing book,my dance bible!



2. If you are a dancer or a dance-related professional, just read it no matter what. In such a compact book, you couldn't want any more. A dance department in a college would open a new course named "Psychology of Dance" if they knew that this book existed. I am going to translate it into a foreign language.

5 comments about Tiopa Ki Lakota.

1. Tiopa Ki Lakota stands out within this genre for the quality of the writing and character development. I don't know how accurate the portrayal of the Lakota Indians is, but it's very interesting. This is one of very few lesbian-themed novels I have passed on to my partner to read (she's not into the typical lesbian romance books) - and she is really enjoying it, too (and she's a very picky reader).
   
   I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants more than just a formula romance novel.



2. I loved this book. No qualms at all about 5 stars. A book can be pretty much perfect for what it is, but if it doesn't touch me in some deeper way, I usually avoid the 5-star rating. But this elegant and detailed piece of art deserves every star.
   
   I first read it years ago online, and I find that a lot of what I loved back then suffers a touch in comparison to the quality I've been exposed to now. But this book was not hurt by the passage of the years at all, and in it's published version is likely stronger and richer than what I read in the past.
   
   At its heart, this book is an extremely touching romance. The characters are sympathetic, and real. But to bolster the strengths this author employs in characterization and flawless motivations, the tale is an absolute masterpiece of interwoven pieces of Lakota society held up in comparison to "white" society back in the late 1700s, and even our modern society. There is a depth of understanding that is provided so that even when practices of the people as presented seem odd or unnecessary to us, they make complete sense in the context of their formation and application in society back then. Through this the beauty and peace that result from the communal Lakota life as presented in this book is highlighted and celebrated, with acceptance of everything as it is, including the "two-souled" Anpo--a warrior in a woman's body--given special status and honor in her society. I have no way to vouch for the accuracy of each description, but the author's skillful use of language, including the fascinating scattering of the text with Lakota words (and the helpful pronunciation guide and glossary included in the back), vivid descriptions, keen eye for the emotion and reactions, events and consequences really bring this world to life.
   
   And as I said, at the heart of it all you get Kathleen and Anpo and the gentle balance they bring to one another, and the positive power and influence their happy union has on their family and friends. This book actually spans a couple of decades, though most of the action is concentrated in a 4 or 5 year span. The author skillfully moves time along, while not neglecting the important moments. I love interesting information and detail; I love it when the characters I like so much are given interesting lives and things to do. I really enjoy the richness that supporting characters can lend to the proceedings. I can't praise this book enough. It just got to me, and was an uplifting and inspirational read.



3. This was an awesome story that held me from cover to cover. I wanted more. An in depth story involving the daily life of the Lakota as well as the love story of two people destined to be together. Jordan Redhawk outdid herself again.



4. I first read this book online, yes, online: http://www.djordanredhawk.net/tiopa/lakota1.htm
   
   I am glad to see it available in print. I was certainly not looking for lesbian fiction; but as I started to read it I was mesmerized. This is not a gratuitous sex book. Readers will experience Native culture and the fascinating world of the two-spirits. It is a shame that our predominant White culture has had such a negative influence on contemporary Natives once having a tradition of two-spirit or berdache society, that being 'gay' and 'native' no longer receives the respect it once did. Read this book. Gay or straight, you will love it. I did.



5. I just love this book and highly recommend it. The way the author develops the relationship and draws the characters page after page is just amazing. It is one of those books which you have to read in one session (set a weekend aside for this) and where you hope to see a sequel, because you don't want the story to end. It is not just another easy to read romance or a good Uber book, but a brilliant and interesting read, which gives insight about a special and interesting culture.
   
   I would love to to be able to give it more than just five stars.

4 comments about Changing Direction: A Practical Approach to Directing Actors in Film and Theatre.

1. I haven't gotten a copy of the book yet, and won't until I return to the US in February 2007.
   
   I did, however, study directing actors with Lenore Dekoven, and Lenore was such a lucid, wise teacher than I wholeheartedly recommend the book sight-unseen.
   
   Lenore's approach to directing actors may seem counter-intuitive or even rigid at first, but it's actually very flexible. Keep in mind it's an approach to constructing a framework from which to work, and once you've broken down a script and start actually directing it, you'll ultimately still have to rely on your own eyes and brain to determine whether you are communicating effectively with your actor(s).



2. I have been a filmmaker for over ten years, directing my own films as well as working as an assistant director on numerous indie productions during that period, and I have to say that anyone who is remotely interested in directing and filmmmaking must read this book.
   Both from my own experience, and from my close observation of directors I have assisted in the past, there is no doubt that directing actors is the most challenging aspect in the panoply of arduous tasks that await the film director. Some shy away from it, hiding behind the monitor, some stumble through it hoping to arrive at a performance through trial and error, but very, very few actually know how to constructively and efficiently collaborate with actors to create truthful and compelling performances. I think it's because, unlike the creative process of writing a script or generating shot-lists and storyboards, actors are mutable, unpredictable - in a word, human - and somewhat like jazz improvisation, you can't completely plan the performances in a film. Instead, you are forced to observe them develop organically in real time and respond immediately. That's difficult, and the problem is most directors (even seasoned veterans) just don't know how to talk to actors - they don't speak a language that is useful to them. This is where DeKoven's book is immensely valuable and, in my experince, unique.
   It provides a real step-by-step approach to learning a new language, which enables the director to give the actor a point of departure for a performance, and allows them to quickly communicate adjustments as that performance evolves. Although the process it describes is very complex, the writin is clear and the approach is very accessible. From the director's preparatory work (what DeKoven calls the throughline), to the on-set collaboration with all creative partners (not just actors), there is no part of a director's craft that will not be enhanced by exposure to this method. This book has filled a gap that I had hitherto been unable to fill in my library of fundamental texts for any filmmaker (you know the rest: Story, Impro etc.), and is a must-have for any filmmaker's toolbox.



3. Lenore DeKoven's book on directing should be required reading for all directors. She preaches a straight forward and artistically rewarding process. Her book gives us all access to this process in a clear, concise way. As a director, you can really use her process as a shorthand to get the results you want from your actors, designers, your entire team. Stop reading this review and start reading the book! You won't regret it!



4. Lenore DeKoven, doyenne of Columbia University's graduate film department has here, in "Changing Directions," documented the pragmatic approach to film direction that she has passed onto generations of film students. This year's Best Director, Ang Lee, figures prominently amongst her many successful disciples and he has provided a rather inspiring introduction to both the book and to the challenges of film directing.
   
   Suffice it to say, this work is essential reading and reference for the dedicated filmmaker and it belongs on the shelf alongside other nuts-and-bolts film books like Robert McKee's "Story" and Mascelli's "The Five C's of Cinematography."
   
   Written in no-nonsense prose, DeKoven teaches a directorial process that begins by articulating a "through-line" - a concise statement that captures a director's interpretation of the script. These critical 'one-or-two-sentences' serve as a reference point against which all the subsequent production decisions can be made, from design to casting. She then takes you onto the set and details how the director translates the "through-line" into language that will help the actors build their performances. DeKoven's best text is saved for a thorough and practical discussion of this relationship between actor and director.
   
   The best, most useful, least mysterious book on directing I have ever read.

5 comments about Batman Animated.

1. What a visially stunning book. Bruce Timm's artwork is sensationally brought to the reader through Chip Kidds fantastic use of photo design. This book thoroughly examines the behind the scene design concepts of Bruce Timm and Paul Dino and company with insightful reading on how they got to create one of TV's best animated series. A valuable piece of work collecting wonderfully laid out illustrations. Highly recommended for the curious and pure fans of the Batman character.



2. A very good buy, i was waiting to have this book in my hands for a long time and i finally have it, it's just excellent for those who love the batman animated series and animation. It has a lot of tips and information "behind the scenes" of the series.
   very recomendated, the only bad thing is that it was the only book this kind, i'm still waiting for something similar but of justice league and batman beyond.



3. "Batman: The Animated Series" was one of the most revolutionary and influential cartoons ever created. This book, written by B:TAS writer/producer Paul Dini, is an essential look into the creation and phenomenon of the series. While a little slim on actual reading, what is there gives you that most coveted "behind-the-scenes" info on what it took to make "Batman". (For another perspective on the show's creation, check out the "Modern Masters: Bruce Timm" interview book.)
   
   The real meat of the book lies in its visuals: photos, line art, animation cels, background keys, licensed toys, etc. The layout of these materials seems a bit haphazard (for being done by the "design-god" Chip Kidd), with captions sometimes hard to correlate with their images and numerous fold-out pages (which I really don't care for). However, the sheer number and quality of images is amazing, and some of the full-page renderings of production key art is breath-taking. I question some of the image choices in the character-design section, particularly the villians. But, again, there's a lot of ground to cover here and the quality and quantity of pictures is overwhelming.
   
   The book was published before Batman Beyond and Justice League, so the ending comments might seem a little off. Still as a retrospective on the "B:TAS", you can't ask for much more. This would have been a 5 star review, if only there'd been a little more reading and a bit less visual confusion.
   
   Bottom line: Love "Batman: The Animated Series"? Buy this book.



4. Who best to write a book about this justifiably award-winning animated series than one of the series writer/producers--Paul Dini (who wrote one of my favorite episodes--"Heart of Ice")? And with graphic designer Chip Kidd involved, you have a book that looks great on the coffee table. The best word I can use to describe this book is "thorough." It contains superlative art in full color, storyboards, character designs, in-house memos, licensed products, an episode guide from the animated series, plus great information on why the series was created, why the censors said no to certain aspects, as well as facts about the movies based on the series (SUBZERO, MASK OF THE PHANTASM). My only complaint is that the book isn't longer. But that's not the authors' fault. They put together such a great book, you'll want as much insight into the creation of this series as you can get (like a good DVD provides). And these guys deliver! This is a great "backstage" look for fans of the series.



5. I really was blown away by how meticulously put-together this book was. Besides the animation being great, this documentive source included everything from the episode guide title cards, merchandise (including ice cream and bubblegum cards), storyboards, character concepts, and a hell of a lot more! It also includes a great photo of Bruce Timm's drawing desk- complete with all the references he uses such as G.I. Joes & knick knacks. Color photos are adorned throughout, but besides that, there are also great stories of what the animation department went through with the head leaders of Warner Bros. There is even a charicature drawing that includes everything that the animators were restricted to draw (a nude, smoking Catwoman, a boozin' Joker, Batman strangling his foe, etc- it's really a treat!)
   Even if you've had the misfortunate of not being familiar with this cartoon series, owning this book will make you realize how much effort is needed to create something this vast, and how much more we need to practice to ever reach this level!