Directors Books

Finally--a biography on one of the most unjustly neglected contract directors of Hollywood's Golden Age, William Van Dyke (1889-1943).

Van Dyke (who's career began as an assistant director on D.W. Griffith's 1916 masterpiece of poetic-overkill, Intolerance) earned the nickname "One-Shot Woody" because of his reputation for churning out entertaining, financially successful films on schedule and under budget. Indeed, a great irony of his start with Griffith is that the high priest of studio extravagance, Erich von Stroheim, was also a Griffith assistant at the same time--too bad Van Dyke didn't assist him later in the 20's on Greed!

Though primarily remembered for such highly entertaining films as The Thin Man (he directed the first three in the series), Rose Marie, Manhattan Melodrama and It's a Wonderful World in the 1930's, Van Dyke initially gained the attention of MGM Studios with his unique ability to take over another director's muddled project and turn this sow's ear into a silk purse. Van Dyke was given his initial such opportunity in the last days of the silents in 1928--with the reigns of Robert Flaherty's follow-up to Nanook of the North--White Shadows of the South Seas. Not only did he salvage a successful movie, he created a silent masterpiece which stands next to F.W. Murnau's Sunrise for the sheer beauty of its images and timeless handling of its subject matter, which concerns white mercenaries' shameless exploitation of nature and a peaceful island society (Maybe George W. Bush should see this film before he goes blundering into the Alaskan wildlife preserve in the name of oil).

This is Van Dyke's working journal--a priceless, day to day insight into a time of creative filmaking that has forever vanished and our motion picture heritage is all the much richer for it.

Covering the full range of modern American filmmakers from established auteurs to first-time directors, this is an amazingly well researched and informed book that sets out to paint a picture of US cinema in all its varied forms. Of particular interest is the information on directors normally excluded from mainstream film encyclopedias - indie directors, pop video makers, first-timers, art-house filmmakers etc. - making for a book which gets to the parts other books just can't reach.

Set out as an alphabetical encyclopedia, each entry includes a complete filmography, contextual and biographical information on each filmmaker, and a specially commissioned critical article which discusses themes, styles and issues central to their work. The range of writers, from film journalists to PhD students to lecturers, makes for an unusually varied and lively authorial tone, though the best entries are the ones which move beyond the constraints of straight film criticism into proper articles. The critical article and full filmography make for a really complete account of the development of each director's career.

An indispensable reference tome whether you're a film writer or just your average movie goer, this book really delivers an informed and interesting read. The publishers say there will be subsequent volumes on British, European and World directors. If they're all as well done as this, I'll be buying every one.

This is an excellent work for people interested in the major
movie productions. The book is written from the perspective
of a consortia of movie directors associated with various films.
i.e. The Graduate, Cool Hand Luke, Blazing Saddles and a host of
other important films

The Graduate is described as a groundbreaking film. The character
of Dustin Hoffman is portrayed as the classic "clean cut kid of
the 60s". The work is helpful in providing needed perspective
from the professional directors who authored these types of films. This presentation would be helpful for students studying
the art of film production in college or graduate school.
Students seeking to produce their own film would find this
work helpful.

This book explores life in the modern British Royal Navy through the eyes of their youngest weapons director to see combat in the 1982 Falklands War. Richard Gough was just 23 years old when the war took place seeing combat onboard the Type 21 frigate, HMS Ardent. Six years later as a Chief Petty Officer he helped protect British shipping in the Iran and Iraq tanker war that disrupted the Gulf region for nearly ten years. His final work with the Royal Navy was to direct the acceptance firings of the British fleets latest missile system, Vertical Launch SeaWolf, onboard the Type 23 frigate HMS Norfolk.

The great thing about this book is it is written by an everyday sailor that started ship board life scrubbing decks but quickly rose to a senior Chief Petty Officer and very experienced weapons expert. Until this book life in the Royal Navy was only explored from senior officer�s views and it is refreshing to read about life for the everyday guy who serves his country. The interesting thing about the writer is that he explains in a very understandable format the technology behind ships weapons as well as providing history pointers to his subject matter. I enjoyed this book and the excellent photographs that help illustrate the story, I fully recommend it to other Amazon readers.

Fisher Howe has written a terrific introduction and orientation to nonprofit board membership. I was given it when I joined a board, and am now using it for new members of the boards I run. Great overview of the responsibilities and roles of board members.

well done photobook, great candid pictures and unique commentary, if you dig Herzog, get it, you wont be dissapointed, and yes it is in English

I found the book to be very well organized and utilized real life situations. It moves religion from pure theology into more day-to day living and practicing faith.It inspires you to live your faith . The author has other books in this field that are of the same quality.

They met on a plane and the attraction was overwhelming. Lorraine Barbette and Momar Diallo - two people who were not looking for personal involvement at that time. Lorraine had only recently broken her engagement to her fiance, and Momar was recently widowed. However, the attraction grows stronger and the two are quickly drawn in a more intense relationship.

Nevertheless, it is not only love that awaits the couple. Lorraine and Momar are of two different cultures. There are some things that they do not understand about each other and obstacles they must overcome, as well as dangers they are faced with, but as with true love, Lorraine and Momar survive the test of time. "Whispers in the Sand" is not only a romantic adventure between two individuals. "Whispers in the Sand" is a cultural awareness. It is an action-packed adventure. It keeps the reader inspired.

If you are looking for something different in the traditional romance, then read "Whispers in the Sand."

How Yungjohann got to So. America is a mystery. But he worked on a coffee plantation from 1896-1906 and had set his eyes on cutting rubber to make some money. Going up the Amazon in a steam boat he finally arrived at the mouth of the Xapuri and hooks up with seven men to cut rubber on contract. A month longer up the river, in a canoe, with a guide, finds the group on the banks of the Rio Acre trying to hack out a piece of jungle to make a home. They cut rubber trees, bleeding them, as a fever begans to decimate their ranks. In two months Yungjohann is alone having buried all his compadres. He struggles on, fighting animals and disease--He would find 18 foot boas sleepng on his chest when he awoke in the morning, which screemed like cats when he moved...But did he make money? No. his supplies cost him more than he made. He went out again for eight months, with new men, who also died. For ten years he perseverd in the wilds of the Amazon. The men he met, what he learned in the jungle and camps makes for reading found in no other book. This is the man's diary. IT'S TOO SHORT!

This book is an alternative to the telephone-sized industry directories we've all bought. It's small and concise, and seems to have mostly the "players" in it. Minimal ads, and a nice quality book. My only complaint is that it doens't come out often enough! I'd recommend it for both those looking to get into the industry and those working in it already. I find it a handy , quick reference.