No comments about The Wizards: Millionaire Magicians of the American Dream.

No comments about Elizabeth Taylor: The Last Star.

1 comments about Ross Perot: The Man Behind the Myth.

1. Col. James Bo Gritz was. Why he didn't get
   on the bandwagon of Bo, or vise-versa is
   one of the biggest mysteries in third party
   history, since they both worked covertly and
   together on bringing home our P.O.W.s and
   M.I.A.s during tht years 1985-87! This was
   originally Clint Eastwood's project, when he
   contributed $30,000 for the rights to get the
   story he wanted to do a movie on. But after-
   wards, Perot, who got his own people out of
   Iran, in '83, got Bo into and out of SE Asia
   twice in the middle '80's after Perot accused
   Bush of flubbing on Reagan's original number
   one campaign promise of 1980. But when the
   bright lights got on Perot in '92, he wilted
   after Bush the Elder (father of 90 I.Q. idiot
   presently @ 1600 Penn. Avg.) threatened to
   wreck Perot's daughter's wedding. Perot, how-
   ever did a good job with his economic graphs,
   et, al. This book details some of Perot's
   stronger points, though it doesn't endorse
   him. Better than a lot of other books the
   Establishment put out to smear him, however.

No comments about JFK: Reckless Youth Part 2 of 2.

No comments about JFK: Reckless Youth Part 1 of 2.

3 comments about Trouble Brewin': A True Story of Sex, Murder, Love and Betrayal.

1. An interesting story, but obviously very one sided. The author comes across
   as perhaps less than honest about some details of her life, & you can't help feeling that her loyalty to & strident support of Paula Yates was in the end unhelpful.It rather left me feeling like I needed a boiling hot shower! Don't waste your money.



2. The first thing I look for in any book is a great storytelling style; one that makes me want to turn the pages and leaves me happy that I bought the book. Belinda Brewin's story of her life is certainly that kind of reading. Intriguing, I read this book in two days, I couldnt put it down. There is a lot about Paula Yates and their friendship, Belinda has exposed the inaccuracies that were reported by the media of what happened at and leading up to the funeral of Michael Hutchence, Paula and Michael's relationship, the drug bust, the pain and suffering caused by Gerry Agar's actions. There is far more to this book than Paula Yates friendship, Belinda's own life has been a rollercoaster ride ... her unknowing participation in a drug scandal whilst she was 7 months pregnant and the time spent in prison, her travels, working as a stripper whilst living in USA, the murder of her boss and his family and not knowing their bodies were buried on her property. This truly is an amazing read! This wasnt a book I was searching for but I am very happy I came across it. Buy it!!



3. Not a book to take on holiday. Very dreary, poorly written and outrageously self-serving. The reader is left with the unmistakable impression of vagueness and omission by the author.

4 comments about Outrageous Fortune: The Rise and Ruin of Conrad and Lady Black.

1. Conrad Black has written extensively in reply to his critics and eagerly awaits his day in court to reply to those have so grievously attacked him. He has sued Bower for libel and I would wait for the completion of that action before I leapt to the conclusion that Bower has told the truth in whole or in part.
   
   With regard to the shareholders of Hollinger, he increased their net wealth by about 2.3 billion dollars. If he would do that for me I certainly wouldn't begrudge him a party once in a while.



2. Conrad Black was originally a fairly decent man who lived fairly modestly by billionaire standards. Then, he was seduced by one Barbara Amiel who persuaded him to divorce his first wife and marry her in the bargain. Once married, the new Lady Black went about raising the couple's living standards to absurdly lavish heights.
   
   All this luxurious excess cost a ton of money. So, Black set about looting the publicly held company in which he held the controlling votes. He installed a compliant board of directors, slashed expenses and either fired or sued anyone who objected.
   
   However, all this corruption eventually attracted the attention of both investigative reporters and law enforcement. For all of Lord Black's power, he was ultimately unable to prevent his demise. He has been ousted from the ownership of his company and is on the verge of standing on criminal trial in his native Canada.
   
   This is an excellent book about how greed and avarice often leads to one's own demise.



3. Now that the levee has broken, you would have to go a long way to garner sympathy for a couple with the hubris of Conrad Black and Barbara Amiel, but in his splendidly vituperative "Outrageous Fortune", Tom Bower almost pulls it off. This is a real piece of work (though, as Bower might say, if the shoe fits...) and no effort has been made to present any sort of balance whatsoever: Even the title is snide: Not "Conrad and Barbara Black", nor "Lord and Lady Black", but "Conrad and *Lady* Black" - a snipe at her overweening delight at ennoblement, and perhaps a cute reference to Black's habit of referring to his wife (from well before his peerage) as "the Little Lady".
   
   Make no mistake, this is a rip-snorter of a read: I've been devouring pages, missing stops on the tube, walking into lamp-posts and zoning out of conference calls on its account: it is the Barbarians at the Gate of the new Millennium - tempered only by the fact that its characters seem transparently unleavened by the financial expertise, corporate understanding, commercial cunning, capitalist audacity and iron balls of the KKR crowd: these protagonists, as Bower paints them, are as self-absorbed, self-aggrandising and self-enriching as the best of them, whilst still being deluded and dim-witted schmucks.
   
   Which is rather suspect in itself. If you accept that view then it is truly remarkable that the Blacks lasted as long as they did at the top of the pile. Bower does not dispute that Conrad Black attracted - and retained for decades - some high-quality help: Lord Carrington proposed his ennoblement and Baroness Thatcher seconded it (despite Bower's assertion that she found Black "ordinary"); Henry Kissinger sat on Hollinger's board even until the endgame played out (as did Richard Perle and KKR founder Henry Kravis' wife). So either Conrad Black was an extraordinary con-artist, or Bower is not giving credit where it is due.
   
   Nor is much credence given to Conrad Black's intellect or Amiel's journalistic prowess: Bower would have you believe that Black simply has a large vocabulary, a photographic memory and a penchant for gormlessly reciting details of naval battles at dinner parties, and suddenly took a couple of months to dash off a rangy biography of Roosevelt, which did nothing but illustrate his own shoddy scholarship. Now I haven't read this book (and nor, at 1245 pages, am I planning to), but the critical reaction to it on this site - which I have a healthy respect for - has been almost unanimously positive. Again, you get the sense that credit might not have been given where due.
   
   Finally, the book is studded with of startling exchanges which are set out as direct quotations - in situations where it is difficult to believe that the remarks could have possibly been recorded nor word-for-word remembered: Amiel's off-the-cuff remarks during dinner parties and to household staff and Black's asides to his co-directors during meetings and on the telephone over a twenty five year period are faithfully reproduced as if from a stenographer's notebook. I can't help thinking Bower is talking a biographer's licence here - that's a polite way of saying he made these quotes up - perhaps on the basis of a vaguer recollection like "then Conrad said something rude" or some such thing.
   
   Tom Bower has certainly done some homework and tracks the financial shenanigans skilfully, and I doubt there will be much sympathy out there amongst the schadenfreude for the misfortune of an unpleasant couple who are in the process of getting what has been coming to them, but all the same this relentlessly brutal entry can't help but remind us that this celebrated president's biogrpaher isn't the one writing this part of the last century's history.
   
   Olly Buxton



4. Apparently only a miracle will stop Lord Black from missing his billionaire lifestyle from a prison cell. Tom Bower's account is gripping. The subjects of his attention, Lord and Lady Black, certainly are much more interesting that the average pair accused of siphoning millions from unsuspecting shareholders. Bower credibly builds the portrait of two people that feel that the law should not apply to the ostensibly rich. Notably, the intellectual pretenses of Lady Black are effectively drowned in the repeated demonstration that, as she said, her extravagance knew no bounds.
   
   Bower's examination of the various facets of Lord Black is solid. The multiple quotes from his subject denying at all times any wrongdoing, always in elegant terms, confirm the picture of a man that considered himself a mix of intellectual giant and paragon of rapacious capitalism at its best (or worst). Apparently those that were silly enough to entrust their money to him fully deserved the systematic pillage that Lord Black and his associates applied to the companies under their management. The record of how Lord Black used people with solid reputations to get seals of approval for his shenanigans should send shudders down the spines of those that think that seating at a Board of Directors is a good opportunity to get some money and a good lunch while, at most, giving a glimpse at the reports and requests from the company's management before signing their endorsement.
   
   The timing of Bower's work is superb considering that Lord Black will face trial soon. After finishing it, the reader is ready to follow the saga to what will most probably be a fitting conclusion.

5 comments about Oprah Winfrey Speaks: Insights from the World's Most Influential Voice.

1. I believe that books of thsi nature are to show and elucidate hwo certain kinds of peopel think and act. I think that the consumer shoudl remember that most of these books are gleaned and compiled from interviews, articles and TV quotes not the person directly. Which means that things can be taken out of context or contrary events can be exampled to a person's time static comment.
   All the same, this book is pretty good for insight in Oprah and her thoughts on some issues as well as maturely seeing how her opinion has grown/matured over the years.
   A good subject makes a good book but this isn't the indepth exploration of Oprah that one may hope. Perhaps in some ways she can't truly be seen in any other context as she has a show where she talks about herself and her experiences. Only a book absolutely written by her could ever truly reveal her. Someone truly interested in her thoughts will have to wait for that day.



2. When I think of Oprah, I think of "awareness." Her presence on earth is to bring us all to the awareness of our potential. If you want to know more about her life, Janet Lowe will take you on a journey through Oprah's life. Within a few hours you will see Oprah in a whole new light.
   
   What I find most fascinating about Oprah is her love of reading and quotes. Those are things I can relate to well. Now it seems, I have been collecting "Oprah quotes!" Throughout this book you will find Oprah's wisdom presented in an organized fashion in sections so they relate well to the topic.
   
   Oprah speaks from a background of adversity. The events of her life have changed her, yet she has decided to take charge of her destiny and become a positive influence. Her background is almost shocking when you think of who she has become. The contrast is sharp and it is very apparent that she drew on an inner strength.
   
   The book begins with details of Oprah's roots in Mississippi and her educational background. There is a discussion of "Harpo" and how she deals with her fame and fortune. Her generosity is impressive and her efforts for children's rights are commendable.
   
   There are some things in life money can never replace. I was saddened by some aspects of her life and see how her own sorrow, abuse and lack of a loving relationship with her own parents early in life influenced her. Some of the best things in life are free. Money helps, but I don't think it heals the longing we all have for love.
   
   Oprah's love of reading has encouraged others to delve into knowledge and better themselves. She also enjoys writing in a "gratitude" journal. Janet Lowe brings out the positive and negative aspects of Oprah's life. With more than 22 million American viewers hanging on her every word, she continues to have the instinctive knack of feeding their desire to find meaning in life.
   
   Oprah started me reviewing because after seeing Gary Zukav on her show, I wanted to know more about the books she was talking about and knew others would also want to know more. I thought maybe I could help others see what was in his books.
   
   Oprah sent me on a journey to delve into the minds of our time. A journey of discovery I have just started on! For that I thank her.
   
   ~The Rebecca Review



3. Hello, My name is Sabuyen and I am from Hokkaido, Japan. ...Itruly enjoy this book becase Oprah Winfrey represent all strongintelligent woman in America. In this book you shall read all herinsight and charm. Perhaps I am more awareness becase of a childhoodin Japan, where it is vey different to be a woman.

   This is the firstlong book I have read in English. It took me a vey long time to read,but please belive, it was worth every minute. I am delight to alsodiscover that there is a "cassete" version of this bookavalable on www.amazon.com. I shall listen as I ride the bus orexercise.

   When you read this book you shall feel power and energyfrom Oprah. She think positive, despite a difficult background, andshe has work hard for what she have. Here Oprah does share her wisdomand intelligence. It is very plain to see.

   Oprah, if you are readthis, please know that you are my hero and roll model, and for everyother woman in America. You have give so much to all.

   If anyone wishto read more about me, please read my profile. Love, Sabuyen.




4. The boorish broad from Baltimore strikes again! What makes this book so insidious is the way that the heroine peppers her pseudo-intellectual do-goodisms with an underlying capitalist mentality. Given her background, she should know better. Shame on you girl!



5. This book really gets to the heart of what Oprah is all about. The book is filled with quotes taken from Oprah's childhood and throughout her entertainment career. The quotes are inspiring because they allow you to figure out ways to relate them to your own life. Janet Lowe's biography about Oprah is a very likeable book because it presents such topics as fame, fear, fortune, and family. To hear Oprah talk about her perfections and imperfections and how she is coping with them makes you feel like saying, 'If Oprah can do it, I sure can'. There is extensive research as her endnotes suggest. The book is an easy read and a good choice for people who are looking for a little more motivation in their everyday lives. The only thing that this book does lack is finding new, unique information about the talk show host/movie star/producer. Other than that, it is a winner! If you've ever watched her show on TV and heard Oprah say something that caught your attention, but ten minutes later couldn't remember it, then this book has it for sure. I recommend this book, especially for women. (Makes a great gift too!).

5 comments about House of Hilton: From Conrad to Paris: A Drama of Wealth, Power, and Privilege.

1. This book is about Paris Hilton's grandparents, parents, and aunts. It includes the grandparent's ex-wives and husbands as well.If you want to know the history of the Hiltons then you should definately by this book. It mentions Paris in the book, but it definately isn't just about her. This is a good book.



2. The house of hilton does give justice on depicting the characters of Paris' Grandmother and great uncle (Nick Hilton - the one that married Liz Taylor) however it does not shed a lot of light on Paris Hilton and her Parents' life. We see that she gets her "I need to be the center of attention and in the spotlight at all times" demeanor from maternal grandma Big Kathy. All in all, I thought the book was a really easy read. I'm just curious as to how Paris would fill in her occupation on her tax forms. Is there an option for 24/7/365 days party animal socialite. I am fascinated by how she made a marketing brand for herself. The going rates to have Paris make an appearance at your party approx $200K..As to how she got to be so marketable? -- being a victim of a popular sex video that was fuzzy and was a popular download? I'm not sure I'd be proud of that.



3. When I first picked up HOUSE OF HILTON to read, I thought it was going to be a juicy tell-all about Paris Hilton and her family, especially her parents and the famous lineage back to her great-grandfather who started the whole Hilton Hotel chain. Though some of that is in the book, there is a lot missing and the stories aren't as interesting as I thought they might be.
   
   The book is divided into two major parts. The first section looks at Paris' family on her maternal side while the second section of the book examines the lives of Paris' great-grandfather Conrad and her great-uncle Nick Hilton. The work is bookend by some stories about Paris and a few anecdotes about her sister Nicky. It then follows the life of Paris' mother Kathy Richards and her grandmother "Big" Kathy Dugan Avanzino Richards Catain Fenton. The second half of the book examines how Conrad Hilton built his hotel empire and his very eccentric lifestyle, including his contrary religious devotion and playboy lifestyle. The last part of the book takes an in-depth look at Conrad's son, Nick who lived a lifestyle that parallels Paris'.
   
   I can understand why the book looks at the Paris Hilton's maternal heritage because by examining the lives of her mother and maternal grandmother one can see where Paris learned her sense of entitlement and her gold-digging ways. I realize that much of this information about Paris Hilton's maternal legacy has never been collected together, but I found much of it to be repetitive and not all that interesting. The second half of the book held my attention better. However, as with the first part of the book there is a great deal lacking. The last fourth of the book is all about Nick Conrad, Paris Hilton's great-uncle. Nick was a flagrant playboy and gained fame much the same way that Paris has, simply by using his wealth to become famous. Nick Hilton lived a very wild and interesting life and it makes for a good read and also serves as an example of the heritage that Paris has been given. However, Nick was Paris' great-uncle. The book hardly mentions Paris grandfather Barron, her other great uncle, or even her father. I don't know if it's because their lives were so much more mundane than the other members of the family or what. However, I would have really enjoyed reading something about them because they are more closely related to Paris than Nick was.
   
   The book includes some pictures that help put faces to many of the people the book talks about including several of family member (such as Big Kathy) that most people have never heard of or seen before.
   
   Overall, HOUSE OF HILTON is an okay read. It is filled with facts and tidbits about the Hilton family. It starts off quite slow, but picks up in the second half. Yet, it's not as juicy as I was led to believe. Recommended for people who have a major or invested interest in the Hilton family or anyone who enjoys reading about families of the rich and famous.



4. House of Hilton
   By Jerry Oppenheimer
   
   Do you want to know why Paris is the way she is? Then this
   book may be perfect for you because it explain the Hilton history.
   However to be honest, House of Hilton was not my favorite book. I got
   this book because I wanted to learn more about Paris and since the
   cover said from Conrad to Paris, I thought there would be quite a bit
   of information about her in it. I was disappointed they spent so much
   time on other people in the family. This was an unauthorized biography which talked about all of the Hiltons and it spent more time talking about the rest of the family.
   
   Paris is one of my favorite stars and I wanted to learn more about
   her. This book showed that most of her family is wild and it is in her
   blood. Conrad Hilton was the businessman who made the Hiltons what
   they are today - rich hotel people. Her grandmother was a stage mother
   and her grandfather an alcoholic. Her Uncle Nick made Paris look calm
   since he had affairs, used drugs, and got drunk and got into fights.
   Most of the Hiltons married more than once. The book talked about
   other people but it was hard to follow who was who at times.
   
   I did learn Paris went from school to school and was allowed to run
   wild a lot. She got into trouble when she was young and she barely
   got a degree. However she is a good business person and managed to
   make money modeling and singing but she got famous from her sex tape.
   
   Jerry Oppenheimer has written a few biographies about a few famous
   people some authorized, some weren't. In this book Jerry Oppenheimer
   spoke to many people who knew the Hiltons and used a lot of periodical
   resources to research this book.
   
   This book explained a lot about the family but I had wanted to read
   more about Paris and her sister. This book really went into everyone
   else in the family more then them. I did not care about some of the
   extended family and was disappointed because of this.



5. This book is totally mis-named. It gives very little inside about the 'House of Hilton' as the public and hotel professionals would see it. It seems as if the author was indeed influenced by the powers-that-are, and it appears strongly that he changed course on more than one occasion for reasons known/unknown.
   
   As the published product comes across, the author picks mostly on Paris Hilton's grandmother (Big Kathy), which is no longer amongst the living, and then on Conrad's oldest son, Nick, which is also amongst the dead. Other than that Nick would be the great-uncle of the current media 'bore', there is no connection whatsoever between these two (2) main characters of the book.
   
   That Conrad Hilton liked the girls has never been a secret at all. He made his pursuits with humor, charm and much class. That he is made out as a cheapscate, which he was not at all, must have come from the line of 'Big Kathy'; but then again, good, old Connie is dead as well...
   
   Erich E.

5 comments about Your Body's Calling Me: The Life and Times of "Robert" R. Kelly - Music, Love, Sex and Money (An Unauthorized Biography).

1. This book is garbage. I don't understand how this book could ever recieve 4 and 5 stars. This book deserves no higher than a 2 (at best, and that's being generous). The author basically took everything he could find printed about R. Kelly in the media and the tabloids (mtv, Vibe magazine, the Chicago Sun Times, etc), threw it together and called it a biography. I guess that explains why it was unauthorized. Not only that, but much of his information was either inaccurate or due to lack of editing, there was a problem with typos and misspellings (ex. his name is Robert S. Kelly, not Robert L. Kelly; his manager's name was Barry Hankerson, not Hankerton, etc). The only reason why I haven't thrown the book in the garbage where it belongs is because there are some nice pictures of R. Kelly from early in his career that I'd never seen before. As a loyal R. Kelly fan, I am disappointed to see that so many people are so obsessed with trying to tear down a successful man, his career, his image, and everything he has worked so hard for. And even worse is they want to profit from it in the process. At this point I wouldn't be surprised if that loser Jim derowhat'shisface decided to write a book (another unauthorized biography, perhaps) about R. Kelly and the trial since he's directly involved. Anyway, if you're looking for a legitimate biography about R. Kelly, you won't find it here. Keep your money. If you want the tabloid version with all the media hype, this would be right up your alley. I see this book appealing more to haters than to fans. Personally, I'll wait for R. Kelly to write his own autobiography and tell his side and the real story of his life.



2. I wanted more, this book is just a series of interviews; first and second hand interviews collected and documented in one book. If you're trying to catch up on R. Kelly's career, then maybe you might enjoy it. But if you're someone who has already experienced The R. in real time, it may seem a bit redundant. I wanted to read first hand information from R. Kelly himself, not accounts from others who may or may not have been in his camp. I wondered about the abuse that Robert experienced in his life, the books description lead me to believe this book would cover that. It didn't.



3. This book is amazing and incredible and mostly a good fantastic read dealing w/ the life and times, good and bad situations, trials and tribulations between himself Mr. R. Kelly (whose real name is Robert L. Kelly based off the book). He is a Chicago (or Chi-Town) native which ppl subscribe 'cuz he has the talents and abilities 2 be a successful superstar 2 a great inspiring Genius in the making of a variety of music genres i.e. R&B, gospel, jazz, pop, rock, hip-hop, rap---you name it.
   
   Truly 2 me R. Kelly's the man and greatly the baddest producer, singer, musician, writer, songwriter, hardest workin' man and artist in the music biz since Marvin Gaye, Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder did they thing. I truly cited the R. as the post-Marvin Gaye of our time like others like Barry White, Ray Charles, Frank Sinatra, Miles Davis, Aretha Franklin, just to name a few.
   
   No matter whether he did right or wrong, he still 'gon remain the same like 2Pac, the world's best-selling rapper of all-time This is such good research in this bk. and I haven't even put it down yet. Read it in 2 consecutive days. Received it by mail yesterday and was impressed. It tells all the details which u heard and haven't heard...YET.
   
   R. Kelly (named the Pied Piper of R&B), is truly my hero, my role model, on my top list, a great bigger influence, and truly my all-time favorite artist. I recommend books like Divided Soul: The Life of Marvin Gaye and Brother Ray all by David Ritz, Smokey, Inside my Life among other bks. by the same author, Miles Davis' memoir, Mase's (aka Pastor Betha of S.A.N.E. Church in Atlanta) memoir Revelations, Man in the Mirror by Patrick Morley (my favorite author), Emerging Church and Emerging Worship all by Dan Kimball, Moonwalk by Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones' memoir Q, Al Green's memoir, How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie, Mercy Mercy Me: The Art, Loves and Demons of Marvin Gaye by Mike E. Dyson, most books by Napoleon Hill, Stephen Covey, Brian Tracy, among others. it's a still a Long List.
   
   Deeply a must if u're interested.



4. I ordered the book Your body's calling me: The life and times of "Robert" R.Kelly- Music, Love, Sex and Money. It was a very good book and I read it in one day. Even though it is an unauthorized biography of the artist, I do know that some of it is true from the quotes from other articles. Great book!!!



5. I refused to watch the R. Kelly tape because I figured it would probably make me look differently at this man. I'm not supposed to judge him on his personality. I'm supposed to judge his music. But doing the dumb, I read this book. I was relieved to find out that Aaliyah wasn't treated the same way as these other girls, but I still stick by my point--you cannot RAPE the willing, so R. Kelly being accused of rape is ridiculous to me. On the other hand, damn...this dude really has some issues. I didn't know his fetish was this heavy. Whew. But again, he didn't come to superstardom to make us love his personality. He came to make us love his music. And I still do (love his music). The author of this book has a strange way of repeating things like he forgot he already said them, but otherwise, it was a quick, informational read and I learned a lot from the book. I found out some information I didn't know already: like the situation with his brother, the Aaliyah turmoil, and I guess I was the only person in the world who didn't know he was married.