4 comments about When I Knew Al: The Untold Story of Al Pacino.

1. A must read for both actors and non-actors!!! Pretty helpful for aspiring actors as well!



2. An engaging,tremendously written account of the lives of two actors. Ed DeLeo's journey through the acting world was full of mishaps and never reached the success level that he'd hoped for but it is fascinating nonetheless. Al Pacino should feel lucky to have known such a seasoned person as Ed DeLeo.



3. "As David Sheldon and Joan McCall point out in "When I Knew Al," Ed De Leo entered Al Pacino's life when Al was at an early crossroads bordering on success or failure. I studied acting with Ed. He took great pleasure in his student's successes in the industry, more so than his own. He was a natural born teacher. VEE GENTILE, former student of Ed De Leo and actor ("Two Bits," "Gettysburg").



4. This book gives a rare insider look at the life of Al Pacino. The journey this books takes you on shows how the choices people make influence their careers. If you want to see how two people starting off in the same spot can go in completely different directions while still remaining friends, this book is for you!
   
   John Livesay
   Author The 7 Most Powerful Selling Secrets

4 comments about Branson.

1. This book is for all the people out there who regard Sir Richard Brandson as a clever "can do" businessman... All based on facts, this book is as close as you will get to the real man, unless you start working for his empire...



2. I read this book back to back with "Losing My Virginity" which is Branson's autobiography - wow, to say they differ somewhat would be a slight understatement - The timelines match, and the 'events' match, but reading the reason Branson cites for a particular event or business move then reading Bower's interpretation is like comparing "The Bible" to an "Asterix and Obelix" comic book!
   In fact Bower's book makes Branson seem like such a criminal that one can't help feel he almost has a personal vendetta against him... it's just that bad!

   Definitely worth reading however, at least for the contrast. The truth, I'm sure, is somewhere in the middle of the two...




3. This is the second book on Richard Branson that I've read. The first one was 'Losing My Virginity'. The former paints a rosy picture while this paints an overtly dark picture about the subject.

   Both books have to be read in order to ascertain the facts from the chaff. Entertaining read, all in all.




4. This is one of the most shocking books I have ever read. Shocking not only in its content, but also in absoutely trashing my formerly favorable opinion of Branson-not just once, but over and over, practically beating my mind to a pulp.

   I picked up this book on a recent trip to London. I'd always had a favorable impression of Richard Branson, so I decided to buy one of his biographies. I noticed several different ones for sale. I chose this one for two reasons. The other biographies were AUTHORIZED and VETTED by Branson. This one claims to be objective, but unauthorized, and explains why this is so, very thoroughly. The book is written by an investigative historian and journalist, and is METICULOULY researched, with pages of sources sited. The book has been gone through with a fine-toothed comb by the publisher's lawyers, who have already vetted the book. Every single thing reported in this book can be completely and thoroughly substantiated.

   So what does this shocking book say? Branson's high school teacher predicted he'd either end up very rich, or in jail. He very nearly did end up in jail in his early career. He basically takes advantage of everyone, hiding behind his supposedly altruistic motives, while his real motives are to rip off everyone he can, having built an empire equivalent to a house of cards. Before I read this book, I would have liked to meet him. Now I feel he's absolute poison, and he completely revolts me. He apparently jumps into bed with every possible girl, but doesn't even have the decency to pay their cab fair home. After enticing star-struck girls into bed, he apparently tells his friends that he wakes up in the morning and says, "Who the f*** is this in my bed?" (direct quote from the book). Just as former empires around the world were built on the back of slave labor, so he treats his employees. He gives the public image of "fun" while absolutely breaking his poor employees' backs-and he has gotten a lot worse with his employees' treatment as the years went on. Furthermore, his is an empire built on sand, that could continually collapse at any moment. He knows little about running business, and doesn't like detail. Most of his businesses lose money, but he has a couple that bring in the cash to keep the others afloat, with a team of accountants who continually shuffle the money around. Surprisingly, this book does admit that he has some strengths. These include hiring good people around him to take care of all the details and run his businesses (since he can't, and isn't interested). But in the end, because he doesn't pay these people well or treat them well, they leave him, and he can only attract mediocre talent-one cause of the Virgin brand not being of good quality. His real strengths are in deal-making and self-promotion. His balloon trips are all "stunts" to attract publicity to himself and the Virgin brand, in a way that is far less expensive than advertising would be (he basically doesn't advertise, and considers it a big waste of money). He keeps expenses down, skims off the cash, and keeps it offshore to avoid British taxes. And he lies, lies, lies, all the time. According to this book, he's a poison pirate. I was reminded continually while reading this book of the old quotation, "It's easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to get into heaven." I have nothing at all against rich people, but in the case of Richard Branson, this quote seems very appropriate.

   This book is not a quick read. I could only absorb about 20 pages at a time. If you are interested in Richard Branson, you should definitely read this book.

5 comments about Reflexions.

1. Mr. Olney was one of the truly great writers about food and wine, and his other works will be classics long after this one is deservedly forgotten. It has great value as a character study, but I ended up feeling pity and a sense of relief that it was over, and promptly began to re-read his other works to remind myself of his remarkable achievements. For timeless writing, read almost anything else he ever wrote instead, and forget this mean-spirited and roughly written assemblage



2. the best cook America has produced. the one that Alice Waters, Pepin and Child all bowed to.
   before REFLEXIONS, his autobiography, he was the editor-in-chief of the wonderful Time-Life Good Cook series,
   27 volumes.



3. I have no idea how to rank this book. Five stars for poignancy, immediacy, honesty, biographical interest, etc. One star for editorial polish, journalistic fairness, figura, etc. I believe this book must be taken as-is, understood for what it is: the loosely assembled notes that were the basis for Richard Olney's autobiography, a project cut short by his death. I hesitated for a long time before reading this, afraid that its much-castigated coarseness and gossipy indiscretions would taint my fond appreciation for Richard Olney the Food-Saint of Sollies. Having just now finished it, I am grateful that his family published it, and that they did so without editorial interference. The writing varies between raw and well-done, the structure of the book is clear but without nuance, the narrative of his life is interrupted by many, many pages of menus and accounts of three-star meals, but what stands forward of all the note-taking and transcriptions of journal entries and family letters is this: Richard Olney was a great pallate and a warm, if cantankerous, man. I never met him, but I feel that behind the elegance of his cookbook prose and the bitchiness of many of his personal relationships was a generous, loving man, often lonely, who was passionate about sharing food and wine with his many adoring friends. I am a hardened reader, jaded even, and not prone to weeping, but the sudden end of this book is like an arrow in the heart. It's ME I mourn for. I have to respectfully but emphatically disagree with the majority of reviews below. Their focus on Olney's petulence and "difficulty" is, I believe, a narrow, unfair, and unkind reading of a manuscript not intended for public consumption. One has to accept or reject the whole man. I accept. I can only dream of living so fully and generously, my petty heart be damned.



4. I must object to one reader-reviewer's description of Richard Olney's brother James as "a capable but generally unremarkable academic." Autobiography as a field of literary criticism did not exist before James Olney's landmark book, Metaphors of Self. As a writer, teacher, and organizer of dozens of conferences and institutes on autobiography, he has been the most dominant presence and most pervasive influence on others in the field he created, even those who disagree with him.
   And his brother Richard's book, while gossipy, is eloquent and charming.



5. Egads, here by his own hand we see for ourselves what a nasty, petty, vindictive man Mr. Olney was. On and on and on we read of "friendships" with people he can't stand yet who stay in his life year after year after year. Why, we wonder? Mr. Olney reveals himself to be a loner, probably not very happy in the world, who lived off a family allowance or inheritance (we're never quite sure) until the early 1970s when his reputation for someone who knows food and wine launches him into cookbook writing (generally successfully, though not a real superstar like, say, Julia Child and M.F.K. Fisher, both of whom he detests). What we're left with here is a self-portrait of a man who didn't fit in, who was elitist and petty and mean-spirited, and the one pleasure of this book is that he's so nasty we can't look away until the end, like watching a car accident. The early part of the book works well as a portrait of a young homosexual painter with a trust fund "struggling" as he eeeks out a Bohemian life before finding and moving into a house in the countryside. Again and again we are told of people trying to seduce him and yet he never takes anyone up on this. What, are we to believe he never had sex after his first black lover and he part ways? This functions well as a look into the catty inner circle of the food world, but in the end, all I felt was pity for Mr. Olney, a man who never fit in and who seemed to take pleasure only in the superficial. Perhaps, I'm wrong, but that's the way it reads in this book, which by the way starts out like a book and then becomes mostly a collection of diary entries and letter excerpts. Glad I read it. You may find it interesting as I did. But I did not like Mr. Olney at all reading between the lines, and I suspect that's why he has so much antipathy toward seemingly everyone, because they didn't like him either. I doubt this book will be around for long. Stock up and sell high in the future.

3 comments about John F. Kennedy, Jr.: A Life in Pictures (Kennedy Family).

1. This book contains wonderful pictures from John's early days to his last ones. If you are interested in the Kennedy family, this book is definitely a must have. Unfortunately the quality of the text doesn't equal the picture's ones. There is only few information delivered with this book and very often you would wish for more.



2. Focused and experienced editors Yann-Brice Dherbier and Pierre-Henri Verlhac have created the third volume of photographic tributes to the Kennedy Family, the closest this country ever came to royalty - in the most positive sense possible. Having successfully enshrined JFK and Jacqueline Kennedy for the still mourning public in their previous volumes, this sizeable portfolio likewise confines editorial comments to a few pages then lavishes the viewer with photographs, not all professionally created, but justifiably saved for posterity.
   
   The life of John-John was never easy - from our first memories of his birth as a White House baby, to the indelible impression left by his captured farewell salute during his father's funeral march, to his struggle for privacy in the clangor of paparazzi, to his schooling, creative adventure with George Magazine, to his throne as the world's most eligible bachelor and his subsequent marriage to Carolyn Bessette and tragedy of their deaths in a plane crash - and the ideal young man was beset with undercurrents of sadness. Yet he remains a heroic figure in the minds of the people who adored him from his birth to his untimely death.
   
   The book is rich in memories as captured by both professional and non-professional photographers and is one of those volumes that remind the reader of a saner, kinder time. It is worthy of everyone's library. Grady Harp, December 05



3. For those of us lucky enough to remember President Kennedy and his family, this retrospective about his son John, couldn't come at a better time. With all the rage of war in Iraq it's nice to think about a time when life was more at ease. This book helps.
   
   John Kennedy was not a hero or a saint. He was a son of a president who tried to make a life on his own against tremendous odds. Yes, he had things going in his favor, but he also had talent, courage and died far too young. Study the photos of this man. We are not a country of kings, queens or princes. But we did have John Kennedy for a few, brief years, and I think we were all the better for it.

5 comments about Andre de Dienes: Marilyn.

1. Fantastic photos!
   Very subjective story of the relationship of Andre and MM. It is hard to tell if he embellished some of the facts of his books.
   I found it an enjoyable coffee book that is well worth it for the photos.
   A must have for MM fans!



2. Andre de Dienes has taken some of the most precious photographs of Marilyn Monroe that there are. If you know that, or are a big Marilyn Monroe fan, know this: they are not all here, not even close. However, it's one of the nicer books for the collector. I am disappointed because they've altered some photos, ie, placed the image of her head in the sky, etc., where I would have preferred to see the original photo instead. I am hoping for a more complete, color photo book of his work at some point, but this is definitely worth getting.



3. I picked this book up today and was intrigued by the direct casual photos of photos that I was not used to of Marilyn Monroe. Most photos that we see of Marilyn are glamorized by Hollywood. This book tells a beautiful memoir between Marilyn and Andre. The photos in this book are high quality and even in include about 5-6 color prints in the middle of the book. Highly recommended.



4. Even for non-Marilynphiles, this is a magic photographic trip of her metamorphosis from Norma Jeane to Marilyn - would have liked to have more of the pictures in 8 x 10 format, and information regarding the obviously enhanced ones with clouds, stars, etc. (why were they done, how were they done, when were they done)
   
   If you have a Marilyn Monroe library, this is a must. If you don't, it's a marvelous Sunday afternoon read and view.



5. This book is simply fantastic. Andre de Dienes captured Marilyn Monroe's beauty when she was still Norma Jeane, and nobody ever captured her in her truer state.
   These photographs (which of course are accompanied by a text of Andre de Dienes' memoirs--or is it the other way around?)-- they are absolutely the most stunning, beautiful images ever taken of the most photogenic GODDESS that the world-at-large has ever known.
   One of the most incredible ones is frustratingly not blown up to regular size, but merely shown from his proof sheets (pages 130 and 206 feature the image(s) I am referring to). The cover shot has long been my favorite Marilyn photo, and I now see that a few others that particuarly intoxicated me for many years are all here! Andre de Dienes was simply the best photographer Marilyn ever had; a photographic genius.
   But he was a lot more than that; a friend, a lover (who, like many of those who fell in love with Marilyn first-hand, never stopped loving her).
   The stories are riveting; incredible at times, even.
   And the aforementioned photographs are simply breathtaking.
   I particuarly love all the shots from Tobey Beach; she's never so radiant with her beauty so lush, warm and comforting. Pages 27 and 43 feature the Norma Jeane I TOO prefer to the more common image(s) of Marilyn Monroe, the "glamorous" Hollywood take on her beauty, which rings less natural in comparison to these wonderful shots. The photo on page 119 is one to die for, her tenderness so entrancing (and that's from the " The End of Everything" session!)
   The bubble bath photos from '52 are also unbelievable.
   The photos perfectly accompany the story, which add to them tremendously; seeing Marilyn eating a sundae -- as simple as that -- is an image that is heartwarming and beautiful in context, an absolute joy.
   
   Thi is neither just a memoir (albeit however fascinating it IS); nor a mere photobook (although when referring to Marilyn Monroe's beauty AND a genius photographer like de Dienes, "mere" doesn't fit either!).
   It's SOMETHING ELSE!
   
   I am very glad that Steve Crist put this together; he did indeed stumble upon treasure.
   And Mr. de Dienes' widow, without whom this could not, would not exist?
   Ms. Shirley T. Ellis de Dienes' acknowledgements in the back of the book were enough to bring me to tears.
   
   This book is an absolute must for any Marilyn Monroe fan.

4 comments about Elvis Presley Passed Here: Even More Locations of America's Pop Culture Landmarks.

1. A third great book in this series, (James Dean Died Here; Marilyn Monroe Dyed Here), by author Chris Epting. All three are must haves for anyone interested in American pop and historical icons. With a location and brief summary, each place is easily found. Plus Chris has gone to great strides as to the accuracy of the factual information given. I personally know Chris by way of email and snail mail, and I can tell you he is a great person with a great personality, and that those qualities shine through in his work as well.



2. Another outstanding book from Chris Epting. A must for every glove compartment or carry-on flight bag--this is your instant guide to "where it happened". As always with Mr. Epting's previous books--it is well researched, with addresses and directions, photographs, and great descriptions of the actual sites where history was made. This is that perfect gift for any age--and an absolute must for any traveler. When is the Travel Channel going to make Mr. Epting's books into a series? PS: besides his trilogy pop culture books he has written the world's best sports book: Roadside Baseball--take this one with you too as you travel this summmer. Like with all his books--you won't be able to put it down (includes a great forward from Joe Buck). When was the last time an author was so much fun to read but you were educated at the same time?



3. Elvis Passed Here is the third in this series of books written by Chris Epting, and as I expected, exceeds my expectations. As with the previous books (James Dean Died Here & Marilyn Monroe Dyed Here), Chris guides us to the locations of other pop culture landmarks. What I particularly like about these books is the broad range of categories he chooses to cover. In addition to the categories one would expect (movies, music, art, etc.), Chris has also included chapters dedicated to such bizarre subjects as infamous celebrity events, historical tragic events, and crime.
   
   I was fascinated to learn about pop culture locations in and around the city where I live. Locations that I didn't even know existed, or that I have probably seen countless times and not taken notice of.
   
   This book, and those before it, have also added a new dimension to vacations and trips for me. Whenever I plan a trip, I now consult these books to see what pop culture locations exist where I'm going. For example, on our recent trip to New York City, I was able to eat at the first pizzeria in North America, visit the club where Jimi Hendrix was discovered, sit at the table where the famous scene from "When Harry Met Sally" was filmed, and find the location where the photo on the cover of Led Zeppelin's Physical Graffiti album was taken.
   
   I would definitely recommend this book to those who want to add a fun and exciting new element to their travels!



4. Epting has done it again. He continues to take us on the road to "live" the events that happened in America's history. We toured with James Dean and then Marilyn Monroe. The third book in his trilogy is as exciting as his predecessors and a must have if you are an Epting "junkie." If for nothing else get this book to complete the set; after all who has only two volumes of "Lord of the Rings"? It's time to grab your camera and get out on the road. Come on; tell me who wouldn't want to fly a kite in the same place as Ben?

2 comments about Dr. Pharte--the E is silent: Confessions of a Hopeless Prankster.

1. I'm stayed up until 2:00am reading this book, because I couldn't put it down. Each anecdote was funnier than the one before. You catch yourself laughing about the author's hilarious antics throughout the entire day. I can't believe how funny his life is. It should be a lesson to all of us on how not to take life so seriously. This guy sure knows how to enjoy it!!!! I can't wait until Leno gets wind of Dr. Pharte! I would have given the book 10 stars if Amazon would have let me!



2. I almost fell out of my bed laughing so hard! That's why I had to write a review. The book was recommended by a friend who insisted I read it for a fast, great, upbeat read. I got the book in an independant bookstore in Aspen. What a character Dr. Pharte is! Pass it along!

4 comments about The Richest Girl in the World: The Extravagant Life and Fast Times of Doris Duke.

1. 
   This bio does what the title says it will. It tells us about the extravagance and the fast times of Doris Duke. On the plus side, there is a lot of material here and it reads better than a tabloid, but the many quotes from people with axes to grind hamper its credibility.
   
   According to this book, DD believed most people, esp. potential husbands were after her fortune, and from this book, one would have to agree with her.
   
   DD had to have another side that is not presented at all. She did manage to keep and grow her wealth at a time when her peers were losing theirs. In this book, the lawyers and financial advisors work off stage. For instance, the book would have you believe that DD's lawyers miraculously appeared minutes before her second marriage to secure a pre-nup to save her fortune.
   
   DD not only increased her fortune, she won almost every legal battle, even when the facts were stacked against her. To do this she had to have a stable dialog with professionals and devote time, that the author would have you believe she spent partying, to managing the estate.
   
   DD, one of Hawaii's most intriguing citizens, needs a more serious and comprehensive treatment.



2. Doris Duke enjoyed being a recluse and keeping out of the spotlight. Reading this book by Ms. Mansfield, it appears Duke did a good job at maintaining her privacy. Most of the information appears to be drawn from old newspaper articles, magazines, and other public documents. There is very little first hand information except for the occassional quip by Zsa-Zsa Gabor (!) -- a rival for one of Doris' many paramours. As mentioned in a previous reader's review, this book goes off on many tangents regarding folks other than Duke -- as if the author was required to produce a specified number of pages. I found myself skipping over many pages at a time. Perhaps biographies are supposed to reveal deep, dark secrets, but clinical descriptions of Doris' lovers' genitalia seem a bit excessive. Skip this book and watch the made-for-tv movie with Miss Bacall.



3. It was a poorly written, disorganized book. Not worth the paper it was written on or the money spent on it.



4. I read the book because I had seen the miniseries on TV and was interested in more information. It included a lot of facts and was interesting from an historical perspective. However, I didn't think it was particularly well written from a literary perspective. It was also hard to follow because it jumped around. It included a lot of information that was interesting, but not directly related to the subject. Sometimes it seemed like it went off on tangents. Overall I would rate it average, it was informative, but not very enjoyable to read.

5 comments about The Road to Success is Paved with Failure : How Hundreds of Famous People Triumphed Over Inauspicious Beginnings, Crushing Rejection, Humiliating Defeats and Other Speed Bumps Along Life's Highway.

1. This book is a great pick-me-up when one feels as if the goals set are just out of reach. The icons we all know and recognize are included - failures and success on each page. Who knew Frank Sinatra was expelled from high school for rowdy behavior?!
   
   This is a great gift book, and I would recommend it for people starting any new adventure: college, a new job, or for the fun of the read.



2. I have several dozen books on various aspects of success and failure and this book is the most mediocre of them all. Each page has about 100 words at best and there is no detail to any of the stories of the effort and perseverance required to actually succeed. So some slightly famous someone you have heard about had a bad day once. Big deal, there is no lesson to that. The real lesson is in reading about the depth and breadth it really takes to succeed - real commitment, not just a simple piece of good or bad luck.
   
   If you have a friend who just doesn't like to read at all, this would be a suitable gift. I'm not saying that to be a book snob...we have all been in "their" houses, where the heck are the books? If you have a friend or relative who is trying to achieve something great in his or her life, but they are just not the type to read, then this book would be an acceptable choice. My younger brother - whom - I admire a great deal, is trying to succeed at a very difficult career path and I will be getting this book for him for his Christmas present. However, if you want anything more than the most superficial read, choose a different book.



3. How interesting and disappointing that the majority of "failures" described in this entertaining little book, are simply detailing an honest day's work. I personally don't think that gainful employment is a "failure" no matter what one's hopes and aspirations in life may be. We should all be so lucky.



4. This is a GREAT book. When I read about the humble beginnings of high achievers, I get motivated to be great too! For example Walt Disney's first cartoon film failed miserably and he even went bankrupt! The point of this book is keep trying, don't stop. `Cause the road to success IS paved with failure!

   Zev Saftlas, Author of Motivation That Works: How to Get Motivated and Stay Motivated




5. How can the average rating of 21 people be near 5?

   This book is a silly collection of trashy one-liners; each one-liner takes up an entire page. Dumb rumors nobody cares about like "Marilyn Monroe worked in a take-out restaurant before becoming famous".

   I was expecting a series of STORIES or REPORTS that would actually teach me something.

   Save your money and do not buy this disappointing collection of tabloid cut-and-paste.

No comments about Michael Bloomberg - Billionaire Mayor (Biography).