5 comments about Being Martha: The Inside Story of Martha Stewart and Her Amazing Life.

1. I could not put this book down as the story-telling style is engaging and it introduces me to a woman who is so amazingly strong minded and driven. This book humanizes Martha Stewart as a person who has gone through heartbreaks, disappointments, letdowns and lots more just like the rest of us, yet her positive attitude and loyalty towards her beliefs remain unwavering. I enjoy this book tremendously as I can get to read a lot of "behind the scenes" stories.



2. First I must state I am not particularly a fan of Ms. Stewart. On the other hand, I really have absolutely nothing against her. I don't know her, and in all likelihood never will. I do know that she has received some pretty bad press and a lot of hack writers have made a bit of money taking cheap shots at her. That being said, I rather enjoyed this work. I see absolutely nothing wrong in a friend writing about a friend and saying nice things about the friend they are writing about. The author's style is a little too gushy for my taste i.e. "to die for" is not the way people I know describe cookies. On the other hand, the author's world is different than mine, and that is okay. I dare say the author never uses phrases such as "damn, this is good stuff" when describing cookies. I do admit to finding Ms. Stewart a fascinating individual, and while, as I said, I am not a particular fan, I do admire what she has accomplished. The author gives us yet another view of this woman's life, and that is always refreshing. Like her or not, she certainly has made an impact on our society. It is people such as her we should all know about. This is a fast read and you certainly will not be the worse for wear by reading it and might even enjoy it. Overall, recommend.



3. As some other reviewers have previously stated, this book was written by an old friend of Martha Stewart's which may be cause for wondering if things are not a bit tweaked. The author has this "goody two shoes" style of writing that can be annoying at times.
   
   However, the book reads very fast and is entertaining, though it may be a bit biased.
   
   The story of Martha's life makes for interesting reading any way you slice it (no pun intended!!). She has worked hard, so hard in fact that it is almost impossible to believe that any one individual could possess such stamina, energy and focus. I am always inspired by people who start with modest beginnings and build an empire.
   
   I also read the book Just Desserts by Jerry Openheimer, which is an unauthorized biography and paints an entirely different picture of Martha.
   
   Read this one with a grain of salt! (again, no pun intended!!)



4. I was so impressed to finally read writings about Martha that were neither sappy and artificial nor spiteful and mean spirited. Allen is a true friend to Martha the kind that sees her how she really is faults and all and obviously still respects her. I love that he doesn't immortalize her as some sort of goddess but yet you can sense that he has a great deal of respect and admiration for her. I have always been a huge fan of Martha especially after she was, in my opinion, held up a bit unfairly as an example of how the government was cracking down on big business. This book takes a true and accurate look at the women, wife, mother, friend and incredible business women that Martha is. She has a temper like most of us, she is moody just like most of us, she likes nice things just like most of us. The difference is that her every move is scrutinized in most cases negatively and out of context. Yet she handles it all with grace and dignity as best she can and strives more recently to open herself up and let us her fans in. I highly recommend this book to her fans as well as those who through negative press have decided they do not like her. Give it a chance it might change your mind. Thank you Allen for an excellent view into the true Martha. Thank you Martha for Being Martha.



5. I really enjoyed the book. It certainly gave me a new perspective on Martha. I mean I never paid much attention to Martha and her story. I just heard what other people had to say about her occasionally. It is unfortunate that people tend to be swayed by what they here on the gossip mill. What a great thing Mr. Allen did for Martha! I am really glad he wrote the book and I am really glad I read it. Martha certainly deserves respect and admiration.

5 comments about It's Good to Be the King: The Seriously Funny Life of Mel Brooks.

1. Mel Brooks has had an incredible career in television, films, and theater. James Robert Parish's book puts it all in perspective. Believe it or not, there have been many setbacks and failures in the life and career of a man most of us think of as hugely successful. Parish, who has written many fine Hollywood biographies, does an excellent job of telling the story of Brooks' life, extensively covering the personal and professional. It's an interesting, entertaining book that also includes a nifty section detailing Brooks' entertainment credits. I particularly enjoyed the behind-the-scenes information about the making of Young Frankenstein as well as the gossip concerning his improbable marriage with Anne Bancroft.



2. The life of Mel Brooks has been a scattered affair with Sid Caesar highs and Robin Hood lows. In between has been a rogues gallery of memorable screen characters from Max Bialystock (Zero Mostel) in The Producers to Madeline Kahn's unforgettable Lili von Shtupp in Blazing Saddles with many others along the way including the best film work Dom DeLuise has ever done. This book delves into them all, including Brooks himself, perhaps his best character of all.
   It's a page turner and includes an illuminating look at one of Hollywood's strangest marriages, that of Brooks to the incredible Anne Bancroft. (Whe he told his mother he was marrying an Italian Catholic divorcee, he couldn't hear her reply as her head was in the oven.) Brooks comes across as an egomaniacal funnyman who's always wanted to make people laugh on his own terms. There was a time when his name was movie gold and it's still golden if a bit tarnished by his stage musical of his biggest success The Producers, a low point in tastelessness even for Mel.



3. 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.



4. 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.



5. 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.

5 comments about The Eccentric Billionaire: John D. MacArthur--Empire Builder, Reluctant Philanthropist, Relentless Adversary.

1. When Nancy Kriplen puts pen to paper, something magic happens.
   In this case I refer to her new book "THE ECCENTRIC BILLIONAIR".
   This long overdue, well researched biography is the quintessential rags to riches story of one of this country's wealthiest, yet little known self made men. Kriplen paints with her well toned writing skills a never before seen picture of the good, bad and the ugly side of John Donald MacArthur.
   This book is a must read and a true treasure and will remain so for many years to come...
   Bob Sanford
   Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.



2. How many times following a performance on PBS have you seen, "Produced through the generosity of The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation"? I never knew who they were or how he became a billionaire.
   
   Now I do, thanks to Nancy Kriplen and her well-written book! Follow MacArthur from Chicago to Palm Beach. Get to know this man, who was extremely frugal throughout his life, and whose legacy now enriches us all.



3. Nancy Kriplen, already proven to be an excellent biographer (buy her book on Dwight Davis - it's beautifully written), has done it again with her excellent book on John D. MacArthur. She has obviously done an incredible amount of research, yet she has the rare talent to be able to extract from her interviews and secondary research a summary of the best and most interesting information, giving us, as a result, a book of rich details.
   As a result, she both entertains and educates us about a fascinating, yet very unlikable -- and eccentric! - subject.



4. "Love this book. And the author's writing style matched MacArthur's quirkiness. I really think this is a winner."
   
   V. S. McKay
   Indianapolis IN



5. Couldn't put it down! Very interesting look at the insurance business. Excellent detail and research.

5 comments about The Intimate Sex Lives of Famous People.

1. "The Intimate Sex Lives of Famous People", by Wallace, Wallace, Wallechinsky & Wallace. Delacorte Press, NY 1981. ISBN: 0-440-04152-X, HC 618/592 pages, with Index 22 pgs., & B/W photos. 9 1/2" x 6 1/4".
   
   Three Wallaces and a Wallechinsky collaborated on an expose of sex lives of over 200 persons, all customarily known somebody's from divers walks of life, many briefly or long relegated to the grave including generals, presidents, movie stars, writers, actors, industrialists, musicians, scientists, world leaders, sport figures and sex symbols.
   
   The book is divided into 17 specious chapters for rhetorical overstatement reasons at best, each sexual biography possesses an accompanying picture of the lover or loveress. Authors indicate they scrutinized over 1500 biographies but also memoirs by their lovers, friends and enemies. They justified this reference work by noting this expositiion filled a gaping omission on "sexual behavior of well-known and distingished men and women in world history".
   
   Presumably their research dug deeper than that encountered with present-day tabloids. Despite its explicit nature, the authors' material is largely confined to adults now deceased, unlike the goings-on of Hollywood's present genre of teens and teeny-boobies with their pregnancies, partners, public & pubic display of sexuality & drug adventures and misadventures displayed on weekly newsstands courtesy of paparazzi. So, with what's going on now, two decades later, the book is not a shocker and is thusly for those with a void in/or possessing a nugatory sexuality.



2. Normally I'd just pass something like this by, but I saw it was done by the same folks who had done the People's Almanac series (Irving Wallace and David Wallachinsky). I grew up reading those massive compendiums of assorted information (including my earliest sex education in a book) and figured that if anyone could cover this topic tastefully, it would be the Wallaces/etc.
   
   This is over 500 pages of information on the sex practices of everyone from royalty to actors and actresses, poets and playwrights, the rich and famous and the famous-after-they-died-as-paupers. Ever wondered what Casanova was really like? Or if Babe Ruth was as much a slugger in the sheets as on the baseball field? How about Cleopatra herself? Well-researched, and well-written without being lurid, this is a frank but mature appraisal of the relationships and flings of the famous. While there are a lot of unfaithful folks, as well as some early free love advocates, there are also those who managed successful monogamy. Only the most prudish people could take offense at this excellent approach to S-E-X and the famous.



3. Quick. Name the famous baseball player who once rented an entire brothel for one evening. Or, how about the French novelist who, on his wedding night, coupled with his new bride nine times? And then there's the billionaire who had his employees recruit scores of young women to satisfy his "appetite."

   Interesting stuff, to say the least.

   Published over two decades ago, THE INTIMATE SEX LIVES OF FAMOUS PEOPLE still provides chuckles, giggles, and even a raised eyebrow or two as the reader becomes privy to the bedroom antics of dozens and dozens of "celebrities" (most of them historical figures). Written by the Wallace family (novelist Irving, wife Sylvia, daughter Amy and son David) this is a well-researched and sometimes overwhelming volume that presents the material as matter-of-fact and only gets risque when the subjects--through actual letters or conversations--are allowed to "speak for themselves."

   The "famous people" are a veritable "Who's Who" from all walks of life and epochs of history. Henry VIII. Leo Tolstoi. Gary Cooper. Warren G. Harding. Joan Crawford. Douglas MacArthur. Elvis Presley. Page after page, person after person, the intimate tidbits of those we revere--or despise--are revealed.

   THE INTIMATE SEX LIVES OF FAMOUS PEOPLE reminds me of a bag of Lay's Potato Chips. No one can read just one account; he or she will be busily turning the pages, looking for more scandal on the part of more people. I only wish this book was more contemporary. Think what a juicy chapter Bill Clinton's sex life would have been!
   --D. Mikels




4. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by this book. From the title, one might think it is some sort of sleazy tabloid in book form. But far from it! It's a real treasure trove of interesting information that is not readily available anywhere else.

   There's nothing sensationalistic about it; rather, the book helps make a large number of well-known names from movies to arts to politics, as well as historical figures from the less-recent past, seem more human and like the rest of us.

   Each subject is given approximately two to five pages of coverage. Of course I don't have the knowledge to speak about the book's accuracy, but it gives every appearance of being very well researched. Yet despite its almost scholarly approach, it's quite readable and interesting. Highly recommended!

   (I have the hard cover version.)




5. I found the book a fascinating look into the extremely private parts of famous people's lives. The book is chocked full of mini biographies of famous people. Writers, artists and movie stars. All of them have a private life that most have tried to hide from the public.

   This book must have taken forever to research the facts. The book was written by almost all the same people that wrote the Peoples Almanac and The Book of Lists.

   I actually wore out three copies of this book. It's one of those books that you pick up again and again.

   For anyone looking into the "true history", this book is a must have. Through the years, I have gone through three paper backs and now have a hard back copy of this book. A real "keeper".

5 comments about Purgatory: A Prison Diary Volume 2 (A Prison Diary).

1. I read this trilogy out of order and Purgatory was the last one I read. The first I read was the finale Heaven which is where this edition leads up to. I must admit I have formed a totally different opinion of Archer than I had after reading Heaven. I actually felt sorry for him after Heaven but after reading the initial and more to the point this Volume II edition my opinion has drastically changed That empathy disappeared after the first diary series Hell, and has transformed into disgust with Purgatory as this edition highlights what a selfish and uncaring about his fellow man type of individual Lord Archer really is.
   
   His pathetic refusal to drink tap water (where does he think bottled water comes from anyway) and eat the every day food that every other prisoner does continues on from the first novel. He disgustingly avoids doing this in his new prison by purchasing with his money from the outside world additional water, chocolate and other food as well as phone cards, additional pillows, blankets, towels and other luxuries from the prison black market. He never once mentions remorse for these actions even though obviously his supplier Dale isn't going to the local Tesco Supermarket and purchasing these items. Obviously other prisoners are either swapping these items for drugs or being severely beaten and threatened for them and having to do without just so Archer can be more comfortable and not have to lower himself to do things like drink tap water. Even though he always has visitors he has no problem with purchasing phone cards the same way even though the victims' phone cards he is using may have no other way to communicate with their loved ones. When he is caught by the prison officials he tries to evoke the feeling of pity for him from his readers for these repulsive actions, it is just disgraceful!
   
   If he'd at least acknowledged the detrimental outcomes for others as a result of his selfish behaviour I would have at least given him some credence but he never mentions this once in his diaries. He is however quick to criticise any prison official who doesn't provide him with special treatment such as the guard who told him he could be put on report for going into the enhanced wing that every other prisoner has to wait three months or so on good behaviour to visit, let alone live there which he shortly there after is granted. I find it hard to fathom how he constantly complains about the papers saying he is given special treatment when that is exactly what happens and he uses the media as an excuse for everything such as demanding his own cell, as his cell mates will talk to the papers if he has to share. He never once criticises himself or his actions for being in prison, always maintaining he is a victim and his sentence will be overruled in the near future which history has proven never happened.
   
   Other unique aspects of this edition to the others are that Archer befriends a Columbian prisoner to get the prisoner's brother smuggle out an emerald from his homeland and sell it to Archer so he can save ten to twenty thousand pounds. He also wanted a painting from a Columbian artist at a much cheaper price as his prison buddy's relatives knew the Columbian family selling it and could convince them (which obviously would have involved threatening them) but thankfully this turned out to be all talk. Either Archer is extremely naive and stupid from living such a privileged and sheltered life, or an extremely selfish individual prepared to live of the misery of others to further himself and live more comfortably. Obviously Britain doesn't have the law that criminals can't profit from their crimes that Australia and other countries do. Although this does result in an interesting look for readers into prison life for the wealthy. It is just a shame Archer is allowed to make money from these books. Surely he could donate proceeds to a childrens' hospital or victims of crime groups or something but I guess as he proved by actions in this book, he has no conscience.



2. I have to disagree with some of the other reviews. I find this book very easy to read, not boring at all. I could not put it down.
   
   I'm no big fan of Jeffrey Archer, but this Second Book does go into more of the dark side of British Jails and Prisons. The drugs, the violence.... the way the inmates stick together, swapping Mar's bars for Phone Cards.. Very good.



3. archer has written a book that gives us a clear insite into the workings of a c-cat prison its easy reading with interesting characters full of dark humour a bit showy when he states that he can do 2000 miles or kms on a rowing machine(they are really hard and tiring) in 10 minutes though read them from the start as you won't have experiences hell and you know that would be cheating



4. Prison is boring, unpleasant. This book is boring, but not unpleasant. That is the lesson learned from reading this book. Archer spends so much of his time objecting to and fighting his conviction to really analyze prison life other than to make a few facile observations on the unintended consequences of some laws and prison practices.
   
   Archer has a few admiring reviews. From the Independent on Sunday: "The finest thing that he's ever written." From The Washington Post: "A tale that is not only important but true." These read more like sarcasm than praise. Just read them again, and scratch your head.
   
   Archer has written some readable fiction. I've read and enjoyed many of his novels and short stories. He can write well enough. Regardless of your perspective on whether or not he should be in jail, or deserved to be convicted, my conclusion is that Archer should stick to fiction.



5. While passing through the airport in London two years ago I had a six hour layover and decided to look around the bookstore where I found a book called "Prisoner FF8282" by some author named Jeffrey Archer.
   
   Since I speak english (American) and am not English I did not know who this Sir Archer is or was. I, however, purchased the book, and, proceeded up to the BA business lounge where I proceeded to begin, reading this book. I, did, finish, the first book "Prisoner FF8282" before I arrived on my nonstop, flight to New York. Sir Archer is a great, author, who, knows, how, to write, a, diary, of, the, workings, and, goings, on, inside, prison. I took pause, upon, arriving home to, re-read, the book and enjoyed it, even, more, the, second, time.
   
   Now, out comes the second Prison Diary from Archer. Again,,, I loved the second installment. In it he details his stay at the second prison called Wayland that sounds pleasant but is far from it. Several House of Lords Sirs visited Sir Archer and were shocked to find that the food was bad, the bedding dirty, and two inmates have to share each cell.
   
   Mr. Archer ended up involved in several fights where he had to defend himself from advances from other inmates. In one horrible incident Mr. Archer had to use a snooker ball (pool ball for we American's)) in a white sock to keep a mentally retarded (his wording, not mine) inmate from entering his cell and having his way. Keep in mind that Mr. Archer is 73 years old and had every right to protect his and what is his.
   
   Jeffrey Archer is to be applauded for his writing skills and dedication to sit each day and document the cummings and goings inside the three prisons.
   
   Each book in the series has received five plus stars from the New York Prison Diary Book Reading Club that I volunteer for.
   
   Should you ever find yourself convicted and on the way to prison the ten books in this series are must read to know the in's and out's of prison routine and unroutine and how to get through your sentance without being violated or made to do things that you generally wouldn't do, even if paid.
   
   I highly recommend this book to all Amazon customers that read books. This book and the other nine in the series are gripping.
   
   I would recommend that you purchase each of the ten in the series... all are well worth reading.

5 comments about The Rise And Fall Of The Dillinger Gang.

1. If you just want the facts about the Dillinger Gang then this is the book for you. The books flows smoothly and is easy to read, individual chapters are allocated to each gang member which details their family life, upbringing and their drift into a life of crime. Many of them lost one or both parents very early in life, maybe this pushed them over the edge to crime l do not know, but low paying, mundane jobs were not an option for the Dillinger gang.
   
   Van Meter, Nelson and Pierpont were vicious, nasty creatures who seemed born for the prison yard, although evidence is presented that Pierpont was never the same after he was beaned on the head by a baseball bat, it is claimed he suffered from periods of insanity. Makely seems to have been a enough nice fellow he just enjoyed robberies along with the money and lifestyle it bought. Makely reflecting in the book said that a life dedicated to honesty would lead to the poverty he saw in his father's lifestyle which to him was a waste of a life!
   
   Many bizarre moments of the criminals lives are in the book, a milk bottle is thrown at the Dillinger gang while exiting from one of their robberies and Van Meter escaping from the police by jumping on an untended wagon pulled by horses and whipping the horses into a gallop as he and the wagon tore down the street to a successful escape! Nelson, sitting in a hotel room enjoying the rantings and ravings of Van Meter (no love lost between these two) who was distraught at the look of his face after plastic surgery.
   
   Overall a good introduction to the Dillinger gang with a lot of details on the type of tension filled lives they lead.



2. Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (8/06)
   
   "The Rise and Fall of the Dillinger Gang" is really interesting. Author, Jeffrey S. King, extensively researched the background of the Dillinger gang. He offers pictures, references, quotes from people and letters and the personal history of each person in the gang.
   
   Dillinger himself was either seen as "Public Enemy Number One" or he was viewed as a modern day Robin Hood. The later comparison was actually really sad because while he wasn't robbing from the poor, he was responsible for the beatings and or deaths of several people, including many law enforcement officers. This gang robbed stores, theaters, banks, and raided police stations to help some of the members escape including Dillinger himself.
   
   Dillinger's criminal career started early. He was locked up from 1924 to 1933. He got out and continued his crime sprees. Some of his family members felt that he continued his life of crime because his first prison sentence was unfairly too long. His numerous attempts at escaping prison continued to add to his sentence. His family should have looked at why he was locked up in the first place. He was truly a career criminal and did not seem to want any other life.
   
   From his prison release in May of 1933 to when he was gunned down on July 22, 1934, Dillinger's gang was responsible for killing about 16 people and robbing 20 banks. Eleven of these people were law enforcement officers.
   
   Other members in the gang's lives are also reviewed in this book. This includes: George "Baby Face" Nelson (Lester Gillis), Harry Eugene "Eddie" Green, Homer Van Meter, Harry Pierpont, Charley Makley, Russell Lee Clark, John Hamilton, and Thomas Carroll. You will learn everything about their upbringings, their relationships, and their demises.
   
   Included in some of the photos are pictures of several of gang members after they were killed. This includes Dillinger's photo. It is unsettling to see these pictures, but what I feel was more unsettling are the smiling faces of several of the people posing in the background photos around the bodies. Because of his notoriety, Dillinger had 15,000 people view his body at the morgue.
   
   I highly recommend this book to history or biography buffs. In addition to learning about the career criminal lives of these men, you get a really good feel for what society was like at the time. You also learn about how the FBI got start and J. Edgar Hoover's role at the time.



3. This is not a book of rehashed material, as one recent reviewer complained. Little of the biographical material on John Dillinger is new--after all, millions of words were written in his own time, and the biographies continue to flow in--but there is a goldmine of new information on all the major members of the two Dillinger Gangs. As Bill Helmer comments on the back cover, "Dillinger didn't do it alone," and King's goal in this book was to cover the criminal backgrounds of John's accomplices, something no one has done before. And he succeeds remarkably well. The previously undocumented criminal careers of Harry Pierpont, Charles Makley, John Hamilton, Russell Clark, Tommy Carroll, Homer Van Meter, and Eddie Green are covered in great detail, and it makes for fascinating reading. Most of these men committed far more crimes, and over a wider geographic area, than the celebrated gang members, Dillinger and "Baby Face" Nelson. Pierpont, Carroll, or Makley alone would each be deserving case studies themselves for book length biographies. This book is destined to become a true crime classic at least for its in-depth study of the gang members. That much said, there are flaws, which cause me to dock a star: [1] Some obsolete legends from previous Dillinger biographers--notably Toland and Nash--are accepted uncritically; [2] Nelson's three-fingered getaway driver on the Grand Haven bank robbery is not likely to have been William "Three-Fingered Jack" White, whom King definitely identifies him to be. FBI files on the Grand Haven job mention White as a possible suspect but tend to rule him out and no certain identification was ever made; [3] King obviously missed the recent expanded paperback edition of the Girardin-Helmer work "Dillinger: The Untold Story". Otherwise he would know that the fake guns used in the Pierpont-Makley death house break were carved from soapstone, not soap as previously reported. But these are minor quibbles and no historical work of any kind has ever been without errors. This book is a good read and there are plenty of leads here for future researchers to pursue.



4. Several books have been written about John Dillinger and his cohorts along with the recently published book entitled The Vendetta by Alston Purvis. Each of the books cover the same cast of characters and incidents such as the shootout at the Little Bohemia lodge in northern Wisconsin. Jeffery King's book does provide a great deal of information on the gang's members, but not anything different than what can already be found in numerous other books on this subject. King states that the Purvis family was "deeply upset" that Hoover ignored Melvin's death. However, in Alston Purvis's book "The Vendetta", in a telegram to Hoover after Melvin's death, his wife stated, "We are honored that you ignored Melvin's death. Your jealously hurt him very much..." I did find numerous spelling errors, the same word repeated in a sentence, word omissions, and incorrect words placed in sentences especially, but certainly not limited to, the chapter on Little Bohemia. In summary, while I found the book to be interesting, it doesn't have any information to speak of that can't be found in numerous other similar volumes. It also is in serious need of a proofreader.



5. Finally a crime book that dives deep into the background of every member associated with the Dillinger gang, definitely the best book written by author Jeff King. The Rise And Fall Of The Dillinger Gang brilliantly uncovers new facts and sets the record straight! I give this book 5-stars because it is a top-notch book with unsurpassed detail! A must read! Thank you. Review by 7ony Stewart - author of Dillinger, The Hidden Truth (...).

5 comments about One Fine Stooge: Larry Fine's Frizzy Life In Pictures.

1. I just finished reading One Fine Stooge and found it to be very interesting. It truly covers the Stooges' entire career with a focus on the Stooge in the middle, Larry Fine. His story is often melancholy, but he seems to have enjoyed his life and success. The book is poorly laid out with sidebars regularly interrupting the flow of the book and often retelling content found in the body of the work, but it covers a lot of ground and seems to be a good history. I found it worth my time and would recommend it to anyone with a particular interest in classic Hollywood comedy and history.



2. It's about time a book was written on Larry Fine. Without a doubt the "glue" of the Three Stooges, and possibly my favorite stooge, he finally gets his story in print. I enjoyed the book and was surprised at facts that I didn't know about the Three Stooges, and I know a lot.
   
   I highly recommend this book.



3. This book does an absolutely marvelous job at delving into the life of Larry Fine, finally going beyond old urban myths, stereotypes, and the general perception that he was just the Stooge in the middle, some guy who got lucky but who wasn't as accomplished or funny as his partners. His character truly comes to life in this book, starting in his childhood days in Philadelphia, going to his early days in vaudeville with his future wife Mabel and her sister Loretta, to his 25 years of making shorts at Columbia, to the unexpected revival and mass popularity the Stooges received in the late Fifties and through the Sixties (when unfortunately they had to seriously tone down their trademark violent antics to please the parents of the children they were being almost exclusively marketed to), and finally to Larry's final years in the Motion Picture Country Home and Hospital, after he'd had a stroke. Though some sections of the book do read like a standard bio of the Stooges, only with the emphasis on Larry, the majority of the book goes so much deeper. There are so many stories that have never been written about before or which most people don't know about, such as Larry's deep love of his wife Mabel, a woman whom he continued to adore and stick by even through her alcoholism in her later years, his love of his children Phyllis and Johnny, the story of how he met a little blind boy backstage after a show in the Sixties and got really choked up by the encounter, his relationship with his hairdresser and her husband in his final years, how he found out Shemp had passed away, his relationships with the other Stooges, and even the point of view that Ted Healy, the Stooges' founder and original straightman, might not have been murdered at all but died from other causes and only coincidentally happened to die shortly after receiving a brutal beating. There are also lots of great pictures and mementos, some of them very personal and touching, such as Larry's handwritten letters to young fans, get-well cards young fans sent to him, pictures of him with his children, and the hand-written calendar he made for his daughter Phyllis to let her know when he'd be coming home from the road. There are so many sweet things about this lattermost memento, really showing what a nice sweet guy Larry was, and what a devoted family man. It's really touching to read about how in real life the Stooges were quite the opposite of their screen characters.
   
   The only shortcoming I can find with the book is that it does seem to be a bit skewered towards the Stooges in the DeRita era. That chapter is by far longer than either of the chapters on Larry's life as a Stooge when he was working with Curly and Shemp. It might have been their most financially successful and popular period, but how many fans today seriously consider that their best and most memorable work? To put it mildly, I'm not exactly a big fan of the watered-down non-violent child-friendly latter-day Stooges, though I am of course happy that Larry and Moe lived long enough to finally start making serious money and to get the respect they deserved. And while the cover photo is really beautiful, looking as though it were taken yesterday instead of decades ago, I'm not happy that DeRita is the third Stooge on it. I'd bet almost anything that the infamous Comedy III is behind that one. It should have been Curly or Shemp, and everyone else knows that! Still, in spite of how the book does lean a bit more heavily towards the Stooges' latter-day career instead of their classic glory days, and the illogical choice of the third Stooge on the cover, it's a great book, with a lot of great information about a truly underrated comedian and a truly great man.



4. I enjoyed reading 'One Fine Stooge', although upon completion of the book, I had mixed feelings about the content. On one hand, I learned a couple of things that I hadn't known before, and that's always a good thing. On the other hand, the book focused too heavily on the 'post Shemp' days, which for me, marked a drastic decline in the funniness of the act. Joe Besser and Joe DeRita were clearly inferior stooges and I felt my interest waning reading about them (the cover portrait featuring DeRita should have been a dead give-away). I would have liked for the author to focus more on the Curly and Shemp days. The book however is about Larry Fine, and I did enjoy reading about his life and career. The photos are a treat and greatly added to my enjoyment of this book.



5. Steve Cox never fails to amaze me. Just when I think he's done his best, he comes out with a new book that's even better!
   
   I went into this book knowing nothing about the fine Larry Fine or any of the other Stooges. I bought the book because I like everything this author has ever written.
   
   What an amazing history these lovable goofs have!! This book is like a jewelry box, filled with rare gems.
   
   The photos are truly one of a kind. How Steve Cox unearths these old (and RARE) photographs is nothing short of a miracle. He should've been a private investigator (as suggested by Fred Gwynne, a/k/a Herman Munster, and noted in the author's Munsters book).
   
   I think the cover photo is truly something to behold. You can't fully appreciate the crystal clarity until you hold the actual book in your hands. Internet pictures do nothing for this striking photograph. It's so perfect, you'd think the Stooges posed for it last month, using today's top-notch digital photography.
   
   It's very sad to see how the lives of many of these "Fine" individuals turned out. My heart just broke to hear about the despicable man who took advantage of poor frail Larry Fine in his later years. It makes you wish they were all still alive today, to receive the love and adoration of their millions of fans.
   
   If you love the Stooges, you NEED to purchase this book, immediately. You'll kick yourself if you don't (and spend a small fortune on eBay trying to acquire it later).
   
   And even if you're a casual Stooge viewer (or you know nothing about this zany crew), you'll still be touched by this lovingly "Fine" tribute to Larry and the guys.
   
   Bravo Steve Cox!!
   
   "One of us is crazy, and it ain't YOU!"
   - Larry (CRASH GOES THE HASH, 1944)

1 comments about American Empress: The Life and Times of Marjorie Merriweather Post.

1. Superb biography which open the window (and the door) into Marjorie Merriweather Post's fascinating life - - and shows that "money cannot buy everything" ....

5 comments about Kiss and Tell.

1. Strictly a lightweight book, but interesting if you're a Shannon Tweed fan. Too much time on her pre-teen years and not enough on her film sex goddess years. But her rise to Playboy Mansion hostess is interesting and then her story kind of fizzles out after she meets Gene Simmons. But the middle hundred pages are fun.



2. This woman's confidence and intelligence are admirable. She has incredible insight into maintaining a healthy, long term relationship based on love not obligation only. An honest and interesting read. a great book!



3. First, why would'nt Gene Simmons be in the book? He has been the focal point of her life for at least half of it. For those who like pictures, this book will please you. I like an autobiography that gives more details & the individuals deepest held beiefs. There simply was not enough of that here. But, this autobiography does give some clear insights into the Canadian born playmates upbringing in Newfoundland, her later career in B movies, the Playboy experience, & her life with Kiss star Gene Simmons.
   
   On the positive side her meeting the latter at the Playboy mansion clearly changed her life for the better. She stopped abusing drugs & alcohol for him. He basically is a good guy who deserves credit for saving her life. But, if you want to see the deeper interaction & dynamics of their relationship with each other & their two kids, you should watch their show "Family Jewels."



4. This was a gift for my son who has followed KISS from it's early days when he was a boy. I'm sure he loved all the juicy info in the book.



5. i like how she described everything, and it gives some really good info on her and gene

5 comments about I'm Still Hungry.

1. First, I admire Carnie Wilson. She is talented, gutsy and outspoken, as well as intelligent and poignant, not to mention very humorous. She prides herself on telling it like it is, which I really appreciate. She's been through a very public ordeal with her weight (and is still going through it, and probably will for as long as she remains in the public eye). I find Wilson's weight struggles to be fascinating, and some of that is because she is almost brutally honest about her failures (as well as her triumphs), not to mention her extremely complicated, extremely deep dependence for, and love/hate relationship with food. I can certainly relate to much of what she has gone through.
   But, the fact is, "I'm Still Hungry" is, at heart, a very shallow book. I have to ask myself why, since Wilson, herself, is anything but shallow. I can only conclude that Wilson, having undergone the very drastic, life-altering surgery of gastric bypass, must now feel that it is simply Not possible to allow herself to view this operation as anything but wonderful. Oh, sure, she Does talk about several of the downsides of the surgery, but she always gets back to how *great* it was to have it, and have *fabulous* it is to now be so much thinner (despite some conflicts). I believe her - but not completely. Her giddy tone cannot hide something even more trenchant: the deep and abiding love of food she (still) harbors. Weight-loss surgery has *not* taken this love away, nor, one feels, an even more troubling desire to binge on the very goodies she is not really permitted to have anymore, save for the tiniest of amounts. The book's title says it all: Carnie Wilson is *still* hungry and, lest you believe the form this hunger takes is mainly symbolic (for new life experiences and so forth), the book opens with a striking dream Wilson had, in which she is running through fields and streams of...food. I've had similar dreams, myself (prior to going on major bingeing sprees). Not only that, but Wilson dedicates her book to the "old fashioned buttermilk donut". She's tongue-in-cheek about it, which, for me, only serves to undermine her seemingly flippant, jokey dedication. The fact is, Wilson is strongly attached to food, always has been and, I think, always will be. Therefore, I take great interest in her struggles and the road she is on. She chose gastric bypass because she truly felt she had no other choice. I honor that, of course, (and the courage it took) but I also think that for a person who loves food as much as Wilson does, it might end up being a decision that comes back to haunt her. Perhaps WLS was the Only decision that she *could* make, if she wanted to survive (Wilson's first book, "Gut Feelings" definitely paints this portrait). "Gut Feelings" is, in many ways, a much more serious, in-depth book than this one is. Yet, Wilson is much further along on her gastric bypass journey at the time that this book came out. She knows, in fact, that she really Is still hungry (very hungry), and frankly, all the glee and glamour (and dishy photographs of Wilson) in this book Cannot disguise a sense of something very much like desperation coming through. A woman who is desperate to control and reign in her driving appetite for food. A woman desperate to believe that she really Really has made the absolutely Right decision by going for the surgery (and, perhaps she Has, but the right decision does not always mean that things, in fact, will always turn out just right - or even close to it). Yes, she lost the weight, but now she must eat really tiny portions - much more so, than if she had been able to lose weight by being not bingeing on food. Of course, without this operation, she probably would not have lost 150 pounds. Or got to pose for Playboy (I'm certainly ambivalent about this particular "triumph", but I can well understand a formerly fat girl's desire to "show them all" that she can be beautiful and desirable...and *thin*). I'm sure she honestly believes that the surgery has been completely worth the pain and setbacks. I really hope, for her sake, that it will continue to be so. She is now, at the time of this review, struggling to stop gaining more weight, and trying to lose the weight she has already gained. Clearly, gastric bypass does Not take away cravings - not for life, anyway. I came away from this book with a hollow feeling inside. It's almost like the after-effects of a food binge. There is crazy/giddy energy, and then: a real let-down. Carnie Wilson truly got to have the thin body she always wanted (it must have often been hell to always be the "fat sister" next to slender, fashionably-attired Wendy, whom she loves dearly, it must be noted). Carnie Wilson got to pose for a famous men's magazine. Moreover, Carnie Wilson knows what it is like to lose half a person, in terms of weight. But now, Wilson has to struggle with regain (something whcih almost All morbidly obese people experience after weight loss) and she also has to force herself to eat like a mouse. For life. This, for a woman who could and did eat with gusto. She is *still hungry* and I think she always will be, even if she manages, somehow, to get back down to her lowest weight, after the surgery. Gastric bypass is, after all, at the end of it, just another diet. And we know that diets more often fail than not. I think her story, far from being the bon-bon of glee this book tries to present, is, instead, a very sad one in many ways. I think Carnie Wilson is a strong, strong woman and I admire her for that. However, I wish that someday, medical science will have alot more to offer fat people than the miseries, compromises and limitations of gastric bypass surgery.



2. Great book. Carnie Wilson's experiences, obstacles, bariatric suggestions and emotional ups and downs are presented. It gives a realistic view about what to expect, how to feel and the journey after weight loss surgery. Highly reccommended!



3. I recommend this book to anyone interested in WLS surgery, or knows someone who is having it. Carnie gives great information on what to expect after surgery, how she coped with issues the doctors don't talk about and kept me uplifted and excited about having my surgery. It was a quick easy read and I plan on having my husband read it so he will understand how and why I am choosing to do WLS.



4. As with her first book, I was dissappointed. There is little quality in this book when it comes to GBP. While there is information in there about some struggles and what it was like for her, the "meat" of the book was about her posing in playboy, and being in love. The crude language remained, although it was not as bad as her first book, "Gut Feelings." I was going to sell these on eBay, but I think I will just give them away!



5. I really enjoyed reading about Carnie's experience because I have also had WLS. She offers great ideas, although I caution you that one should always talk to his/her own Dr. and not just taking her advice. Anyway, my complaint with her book is that she is sooooo inlove and sooooo happy all the time. It seems as if this was a panacea. Yes, I am happy and I have had great results from WLS, but it isn't all peaches and cream. In fact, there are many days that I don't even want to face the world. She seems to glamorize the surgery too much and she talks about her wonderful, fantastic, amazing husband too much! Enough already- we get it you're happy!