1 comments about Lord Berners: The Last Eccentric (Pimlico).

1. Mark Amory's new biography, "Lord Berners: The Last Eccentric," traces the hedonistic and self-indulgent life of Gerald Tyrwhitt and his odd assortment of friends, who included some of the most supremely talented people of upper-class England, but which also comprised a collection of noted homosexuals, freeloaders, parasites, neurotics, and ambitious social climbers with whom he associated throughout his life. They are all here in Amory's biography - Gertrude Stein, the Sitwells, Picasso, Dali, Frederich Ashton, Siegfried Sassoon - and they all helping Gerald avoid boredom. Gerald Tyrwhitt became Lord Berners in 1918 and also became immensely rich. He sets up his estate at Farington, near Oxford, and for the next thirty years he hosts the beautiful and the rich, regaling them all with his eccentricity, practical jokes, and dark, sometimes cruel, humor. Robert Heber Percy, a man almost thirty years younger than Berners, becomes his companion, lives with Berners until the latter's death, and inherits almost everything from him, including the estate and over 214,000 pounds sterling. Of course, biographist Amory goes into the wild happenings at Farington: Berners' dying his pigeons different colors; Berners' inviting birds and his favorite horse into the dayroom for tea; Berners' inviting noted homosexuals like Cecil Beaton, Noel Coward, and Andre Gide for weekends; and Berners's designing a useless "folly" tower, one hundred feet high, partly to annoy the neighbors. During World War II, when Lord Berners became morbidly depressed (old age had closed in on him, his friends were leaving, his world was transformed beyond recognition) he confessed in a letter that for thirty years "I have given myself up to self-indulgence and hedonism." Lord Berners, however, was also a rather talented composer, an author of six novellas and stylish memoirs, and an artist of note. Stravinsky called him the most interesting composer in England, and he maintained close relationships with such creative artists as William Walton, Constance Lambert, Diaghilev, the Sitwells, and Frederich Ashton. Amory is particularly strong in describing Berners' musical career which included a number of ballets, including "The Triumph of Neptune," some light miniatures, and the film score to "Nickolas Nickleby." (His music is well documented on an excellent CD with the Royal Liverpool Orchestra, conducted by Barry Wordsworth.) Amory also examines Lord Berners' literary output. Berners' wrote a series of novellas throughout his life, but the ones he wrote during the 1940's when he was undergoing a nervous breakdown are the most fascinating. The story "Percy Wallingford" metaphorically describes this breakdown. He also includes in his stories characters that are based on his friends, sometimes mischievously, at other times cruelly. Lord Berners was apparently never a pleasant man - what would he have done for friends had he not inherited a fortune? - but his brutal teasing of such men as William Walton is unconscionable. So it is all there in Mark Amory's book, a biography that tells us about the eccentricities of Lord Berners, but never really involves us in his life or reveals who he really was. I thought the style of the writing to be mediocre, the analysis to be interesting but far from profound, and the details to be far from complete. For example, there is little discussion of Berners as a painter, despite his success in showing at galleries and selling his art for astronomical prices. It is, however, a thoroughly adequate portrayal of Berners' life until something better comes along. Since I had read almost all of Berners' fiction and memoirs, and since I am an enthusiast of 20th century British music of which Berners' is a small part, this biography served me well for putting pieces of Berners' life together and providing a chronological outline from which to work.

5 comments about The Trumps: Three Generations That Built an Empire.

1. This is one of the best biographies I have ever read. It led me to appreciate and admire Donald Trump and his family.
   
   Gwenda Blair spins a fascinating account of Trump's grandfather's exploits in the Gold Rush days, then details Trump's dad's rise to mogul status in New York real estate. Trump then builds on that heritage with grand achievements of his own.
   
   It's a remarkable story because the progeny of so many prominent families fail to match, and sometimes even disgrace, their forebears (Paris Hilton, for example). Donald could easily have chosen the life of a spoiled playboy, but that wasn't about to happen when you are a Trump. You see that in Trump's kids. As I recall the oldest ones, like his dad, graduated from the Wharton School of Business. You don't get into that school because your daddy is Donald Trump. You have to have the scholastic credentials.
   
   A lasting image is Fred Trump's Sunday visits to construction sites, with his boy Donald in tow, picking up discarded nails as they walk the project. Then there was Donald's dutiful attendance at a military academy. It was tough going at first, but he had a family obligation to fulfill. He later became a BMOC. Some sons have the spirit knocked out of them by Type A dads, but Fred Trump managed to instill even more drive and ambition in his son.
   
   The book recounts several of Trump's battles to get his projects off the ground. He faced obstacles that would have made quitters out of less persistent entrepreneurs. But The Donald kept plugging away. It wasn't just in pursuit of riches, but to realize his vision.
   
   The author openly lauds The Donald as one of the most positive people on the planet. Yes, Donald was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, but we can all learn from his story. You have to hang in there, roll with the punches, and keep fighting.
   
   A biographer has a responsibility to paint a complete picture. Blair doesn't shrink from that. She details, but doesn't dwell on, Trump's womanizing and other scandalous exploits. Overall, the book is an inspiring tribute to the Trumps.



2. At first glance, you might say that "The Trumps" is another well-written biography of the highly successful Trump patriachs. And while
   some of the content is fair and accurate, it is quite obvious that for the most part, the book was written by a third-rate novelist with a
   first-rate agenda. The negative tone she sets of the Trumps, sometimes blaring, others not; and particularly of Donald, is proof that she
   can only envy the great success each has had. She takes every oppurtunity to spin that, without government subsidies, none of these
   would have ever achieved greatness. The book was indeed, an interesting read, but if you can't stand the envious musings of a not-so well
   known author who lives to bash those who have accomplished anything, steer clear. I was able to handle it because I enjoy controversy.
   Throughout the tome, the writer provides misrepresentations of various documented facts, including even mistitling well-known
   executives! Clearly, a segment of the American public does not like "The Donald"; typically because they are phonies who hate all
   successful people. However, unlike this book, Trump's three titles were all #1 bestsellers. There's a reason -- they're better written and
   more exciting! It's time that people like the author of this book realize that Donald Trump is nothing more than a savvy businessman
   playing to the interests of his special niche; the ultra wealthy, just as this book plays to its author's class -- those repulsed by anyone who
   could achieve success independently.



3. The first generation you will read about was never allowed to reach its conclusion, due to an unfortunate early death. The second and third generations of this grandfather, father, and son trio are much longer. The second generation too has recently come to a close after a very long and successful life, in excess of 93 years, and the verdict on the third is still evolving. There is no question where the business acumen was at its greatest, the talent rested with Mr. Fred Trump, the second of the three men, and his story is the one of substance. The grandfather never had a chance to play out what likely would have been a very successful life, but during the time he was a businessman he was creative, bold, and gutsy as any pioneer.

   Donald Trump is certainly the most well known, for marketing himself is a large part of whom he is and what he does. He is a man who can only speak in superlatives about anything he is involved in, even if some grand and prominent project bears his name and little else. The name on a building has very little to do with who owns it, who paid for it, or who made it happen. Donald Trump's primary business is Donald Trump. His flair for promotion and obsession with how he is perceived has become his career. There is no question he has had his successful projects, but the question of would they ever have happened without his father is a legitimate one. And he probably would have had much more success and a much larger fortune had he stuck to the business he knew, developing real estate. He got sidetracked with buying an airline, paying absurd prices for casinos that still are far from trophy properties, and while he may have benefited, the holders of stock and various bond issues have not.

   Fred Trump is the man you would have given your money to and slept soundly at night. He was an astute man of business, he was self-made, and he spent no time promoting who he was. In this manner he was like many other long time major developers in the NYC area that developed massive amounts of real estate and fortunes to match without having any interest in the world knowing what they were worth.

   Forbes Magazine often documents the calls they receive from Donald Trump complaining about where he is listed on their richest people list. This is not something his father or grandfather ever would have contemplated, nor would they brag to anyone listening how they increased their net worth by failing to honor financial commitments. In the end his charismatic style allowed him to get financial institutions so grossly over invested in his view of the world that he could never be allowed to go bankrupt, as the lenders could not afford it.

   His predecessors in the family rate much higher on substance, and the newest Mr. Trump rates highly on style. But for all of the perceived satisfaction he would have the public believes he enjoys, in the end the author portrays a man that craves publicity to the detriment of his personal life. Squiring around beautiful women makes for nice pictures, but he and it and getting a bit old.




4. At first glance, you might say that "The Trumps" is another well-written biography of the highly successful Trump patriachs. And while some of the content is fair and accurate, it is quite obvious that for the most part, the book was written by a third-rate novelist with a first-rate agenda. The negative tone she sets of the Trumps, sometimes blaring, others not; and particularly of Donald, is proof that she can only envy the great success each has had. She takes every oppurtunity to spin that, without government subsidies, none of these would have ever achieved greatness. The book was indeed, an interesting read, but if you can't stand the envious musings of a not-so well known author who lives to bash those who have accomplished anything, steer clear. I was able to handle it because I enjoy controversy. Throughout the tome, the writer provides misrepresentations of various documented facts, including even mistitling well-known executives! Clearly, a segment of the American public does not like "The Donald"; typically because they are phonies who hate all successful people. However, unlike this book, Trump's three titles were all #1 bestsellers. There's a reason -- they're better written and more exciting! It's time that people like the author of this book realize that Donald Trump is nothing more than a savvy businessman playing to the interests of his special niche; the ultra wealthy, just as this book plays to its author's class -- those repulsed by anyone who could achieve success independently.



5. Did you ever wonder how Donald Trump could have been so knowledgable and astute at so young an age. How did he do it? Who taught him? Family that's who. Unbelievably true. Ms Blair's research spans three generations. Friedrich who eventually earned a fortune in Alaska; his son Fred Jr. who made millions from U.S. government housing programs and his grandson, "the Donald" real estate developer and promoter. The book gives us an up close view of Donald Trump's ego, his wives and their role, his survival after near-bankruptcy, his eagerness for publicity and his "midas" touch. The man can close a deal. Well written and fascinating. Once upon a time there was the Rothchilds and the Rockefellers. This era it seems belongs to the Trump Dynasty.

5 comments about Camilla: Her True Story.

1. A woman who broke up the marrige of Princess Diana along with her husband Prince Charles.Who admitted to never loving Diana on a TV special.Charles & Camilla consorted to make Diana appear as Diana would say Looney.Diana dies a suspicious death in paris almost one year to the date of her divorce from charles.Diana sealed her fate when she went on Al Fayed's yacht.The establishment as Diana called the royals said she was a liability to the crown.Diana was & would never be free to live the life she allways wanted.The royals seen to that Diana came up removed by death.So Camilla the Horseface & Charles the Pig got married.Never in a million years would i buy anything from these two people.Give this book a -20 forever?????



2. In response to some who run to the defense of Diana, and regard any other view as gossipy, there are other sides to a story, and the fact was that there were many, many more than three in this marriage, Diana bringing into it an enormous amount of "lovers", starting early in her marriage with her own infidelities, and after reading about every book there is on this triangle, and Diana herself, it is nice to see some authors presenting Charles and Camilla's side to the story in a decent, mature way. Diana used the media to trash this woman for years, not considering what her actions would to do others, while the entire time she was dabbling in numerous adulterous affairs, so in all fairness, it is nice to read a study into the other side of the story, written with compassion to the other players in this scenario, compassion that Diana and her journalists never gave them, while covering her own indiscretions, which were to numerous to imagine. Diana was a master of using the media to put out the story that she wanted a naieve public to believe, and sadly there are too many followers of hers that still will not believe that there is another story to be told, and am glad to see authors that are willing to give us the other side to this story, and if they tend to put Camilla in a good light, perhaps the woman merits some of that, goodness knows she has been trashed enough by Diana and the journalists that she had eating out of her hand!!! Good for Ms. Graham.



3. They met when they were young; now some thirty years later, they are still together, and still very much in love. How long will it take for their love to be fully accepted by the public? This is a great love story, yet Prince Charles and Camilla still deal with slurs and scorn every day. Haven't they earned our respect? In my opinion, they have. How many people do you know who are still so much in love after thirty years? They deserve the fondest and best wishes from everyone. Even Diana, if she were still here, would have agreed, by now.



4. She will justify anything coming from Camilla and Charles, gossiping like Lady Campbell and attribute every single fault to Diana. Where is your moral? Camilla was pestering this couple for all these years, insincere in wanting their best. Why she didn't get a life ? Leave the poor couple to live peacefully? She really stole another woman's husband. I imagine how much Camilla is paying to this wretched author to write this sordid book. Diana should have sent or hire someone to eliminate this bothering woman in the first place. This will put her in her right place. But Diana was decent in just getting out of this sham marriage instead of persisting it despite all the privileges of royal life. She was being far more honest in wanting to terminate it than many women who will stay in this sordid marriage just for the food.



5. This is just an update of an earler Caroline Graham book, The King's Mistress. I dont beleive that the author was being very objective in her treatment of the subject matter. The late princess Diana is not portrayed in a good light, whilst Camilla is seen as just a woman in love. She comes across as so very caring, kind, giving and loving, its a wonder her own ex-husband didn't hold on to her. Overall though, the book is well written and does give some insight into the woman who may or may not be queen.

5 comments about Off the Record: A Reporter Unveils the Celebrity Worlds of Hollywood, Hip-hop, and Sports.

1. The ediors were right when they said the book was superficial but that doesn't me it's not enjoyable. I couldn't put it down.



2. Allison is an excellent writer! I like the way she shared information on the top stars. The information was mostly positive and she kept the audience interest. We all don't have to read negative information about stars to enjoy a great book. In fact, I was more fascinated about the author's early career. Allison wrote about the sentimental side of each star.



3. Enjoyed this book a great deal. It was very well written, and I learned some interesting things about interesting people. Allison you did a great job! E. Gossett



4. Written by Allison Samuels, Newsweek magazine's longtime entertainment reporter, OFF THE RECORD is a compilation of personality profiles of African-American celebrities, including musicians, athletes, actors and other icons. Recommended to anyone interested in pop culture, this book reads like a magazine. Most chapters are relatively short articles that focus on two or three similar personalities, though some chapters are much longer and are dedicated to the exploration of one major cultural icon.
   
   A fearless writer, unafraid to take a jab or two at the mighty and the dangerously sensitive, Samuels uses her 13 years of experience covering the entertainment industry to reveal the surprisingly contradictory personality traits of her subjects. Here you will read about
   
   ∑ How the late rapper Tupac Shakur was transformed from an ambitious, sweet, well-read, former ballet dancer to frightening thug, once he was recruited by record executive, Marion "Suge" Knight;
   
   ∑ How NBA all-star Kobe Bryant immaturely alienated himself from his Lakers teammates and in the process destroyed his own reputation and his relationship with Shaquille O'Neal by foolishly believing he did not need the guidance and advice of NBA veterans;
   
   ∑ How actress Halle Berry offended Whoopi Goldberg when she tearfully accepted her Oscar win for best actress without acknowledging the African-American women who had won before her, including Hattie McDaniel and Goldberg; and
   
   ∑ How Mike Tyson is extraordinarily generous, perhaps because as the author notes it is his way of coping "in a world that had not given him very much in the way of kindness or sympathy."
   
   Plus there are other fascinating profiles of Angela Bassett, Denzel Washington, Dr. Dre, Snopp Dogg, Eddie Murphy, Bill Cosby, Ray Lewis, Allen Iverson, Tyra Banks, Lil' Kim, Suge Knight, Coretta Scott King and Malcolm Shabazz.
   
   - Regina McMenamin



5. some interesting tidbits here&there,nothing earth shattering but a good read to have on your book table or something to share some of the qoutes with folks here&there. it's entertaining&is a good read.this Book represents some of the biggest Names of Black Entertainment in various aspects.

No comments about Life and Adventures of the Celebrated Bandit Joaquin Murrieta: His Exploits in the State of California (Recovering the Us Hispanic Literary Heritage).

2 comments about Secrets of a Jeweler.

1. 
   The gems within Secrets of a Jeweler have less to do with diamonds and other fine stones with which author Izzy Heller has plied his trade for 25 years in the Nation's Capital - but more the crystallization of his multi-faceted, precious tales about his early prosperous life in South Africa as owner of a grain milling company and his wife Zelda's talents as a renowned antique dealer, the family's struggles against apartheid, and their painful decision to leave behind their homeland, assets, and aging parents to re-establish themselves a continent away. "Perhaps if we had really known the trauma of the emigrant," he writes, "we would have stayed at home."
   
   But they didn't. Instead, the Hellers - in mid-life - put down new roots in Washington. They went back to school, made new friends, became the nucleus for relatives near and far, and opened a prestigious jewelry and antique silver shop - reemerging as confidantes to the power elite and attracting clients who relished in Victorian, Edwardian, and Georgian treasures as well as handsome Art Deco to contemporary pieces. Offered to the public were Paul Revere teapots to Picasso silver plates, a 40-carat yellow diamond ring, Russian objects by Fabergé, Arts and Crafts cutlery, and other rare, collectible items.
   
   Was it all glitter? Heller, who built a reputation for honesty and know-how, tells what it's like to run a business, spot (or miss) a repro piece masquerading as the real thing, and guard against thieves clever enough to snatch a $60,000 ring from a display case while the store is open!
   
   Shining through are the personal tales about the characters that Izzy came to trust and admire in his dealings - artisans to bankers to diamond merchants in New York City to celebrities such as Lena Horne. Then there are the encounters with folks such as "Harry the Plunderer," the "Boys from Beirut," and "Dan the Ladies Man."
   
   Secrets of a Jeweler is a behind- the-scenes glimpse of a glamorous industry that is equally insightful about human nature. Written with heart and soul, it's both a fascinating and funny story - loss, pathos, recovery - beauty and chicanery. It's all here and it's the real thing.
   
   Don't let this sparkly, endearing book remain a secret to you and your circle. Highly recommended!



2. I'm happy to say that author Izzy Heller and his remarkable wife, Zelda, are close friends of mine. So I had heard one or two of Izzy's delicious tales even before I read "Secrets of a Jeweler." Of course, the written word can be chewed, then re-chewed, then chewed again, to get every ounce of flavor from its pages. That's why Izzy's collection of anecdotes is such a treat. Drawing from the suburbs of the Nation's Capital, the homes of the rich and famous, Izzy has assembled a series of yarns -- almost too entertaining to be true. For nearly a quarter of a century, he was jeweler to the powerful, the wannabe-powerful, and a few charlatans drawn to the powerful. The result: An interesting, informative, and sometimes poignant picture of what makes the bejeweled class tick -- their work and pleasure, their foibles and indiscretions, and most of all, their personalities as reflected by their baubles and gems.
   
   Sprinkled with news clips, photos, and other illustrative material, "Secrets of a Jeweler" is part gossip, part history, and part autobiography. Yet it's also a primer on the diamond trade and a discourse on business ethics -- all from the perspective of a successful retailer who understood that the customer is king. You'll read about con men and petty thieves, followed in a page or two by accounts of corporate moguls, celebrities, politicians, even royalty. And interwoven throughout is the saga of Izzy's wonderful family and their migration from South Africa to America.
   
   If you missed the terrific Apartheid-era novel, "Deadly Truth," co-authored by Izzy and Zelda Heller, now's your chance to enjoy Izzy's second effort -- an easy and engaging read about the life and good times of an extraordinary gentleman.

5 comments about Luther: The Life and Longing of Luther Vandross.

1. I enjoyed Luther Vandross' biography by Craig Seymour immensly. I think that because Luther was so private, Craig drew out the essence of the man as much as possible. I learned so much about Mr. Vandross from the biography that I felt like we could have been personal friends. The author makes the man come off of the pages and into your life. You can feel Luther's pain, his joy, his mysterious loves, as well as the heart beat of his music from the book. I have read the book at least five times within the past year.
   
   The other reason the book is so good is because this is the only complete biography of Luther Vandross that I know of. Thank you Craig Seymour in being persistant in persuing Luther to write the book. Thank you for bringing us "Luther."
   
   Mr. Seymour is their a sequel?



2. A book about Luther has been long overdue, but to be honest a lot of people would be reading it purely to find out who he did and did not sleep with. That is one reason why I like this book, it makes it clear that Luther was super private, and although we may all have ideas about his love life we can never conclusively say.
   
   The book tells a lot about his work as a backing vocalist as well as his triumphs and failures. I would have liked a little about his friendships for example with Oprah, Patti LaBelle etc. I would have liked to know more about Luther away from music and how he lived, but I guess that is why private life is called just that.
   
   Overall this book does give you a picture of Luther, but I just don't think it is as glossy and HQ as Luther truly deserves. Credit where credit is due however, the author does do a good job with the story, it was never going to be an easy book to right. I think fans would appreciate it a lot, but if you are expecting juicy tabloid fodder then find some other book to read.



3. I as with many other fans lost more than a singer when Luther passed away last year. Luther's songs touched the very core of me during the days I was trapped in a loveless marriage; he seemed to know very intimately what I was experiencing and seemed to express those very words so meticulously in his verses. It wasn't until I read this book that I could even begin to know why. His own tragic and lonely search for love ironically proved to be a blessing to the world in providing the many cherished loved songs that will play on forever.
   If you are a true Luther fan this is a MUST read. You will begin to understand and find the parallels of his works with his personal life and his haunting weight struggles. A true professional, Luther never delivered less than perfection in his music and it was through his pain that his fans were able to look beyond love. I am looking forward to a followup to this book. : )



4. I ordered this book because I loved Luther Vandross deeply and I miss him and I'm still in shock over his passing. I received this book and read it cover to cover in two days. I was somewhat disappointed in this book in that it depicted Luther as being a moody spoiled brat--so to speak who wanted things his way or no way, and if you didn't do thngs his way he would lash out. While I didn't know Luther personally I don't believe that he was that way. This book quoted a lot of things that BET's "Journeys in Black" broadcasted. I was very disappointed by this book and I found it a total waste of time to read. If you want to know about Luther refer to Bet's "Journeys in Black" on DVD.



5. I must say that I found this peek inside the life of Luther Vandross very informative. I appreciated the fact that I was allowed to read his perspective on the things that drove and influenced him emotionally and musically as well as why they did so.
   All too often in publications we only get the writer's perspective and it is often biased. There are even some occassions in this book when the author offers his views on certain subjects, he tends to highlight the facts or situations that seem to support those views even when other options are available.
   Overall I think the book did what it was supposed to. As with most Luther-authorized media, it told us what we needed to know, and were "entitled?" to as fans of his music. He suffered losses and celebrated successes, worked hard, believed in himself, paid his dues and shared it all with us through that music.
   Enough said.

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