Celebrities Books

Full disclosure: I know Timothy.

That said, though, I was honestly astonished at the difference between this series and the photographer's previous essays -- especially in the color. There's a blushy or even feverish tone running through every picture, and it's definitely not just the printing. People here really look the way they do at the shows -- flushed, pumped-up, and raring to rock, or shop, or put clothes on or off, or whatever.

Form aside, the content should make this book essential for anyone in or interested in the high-end garment trade. There are a few especially fashion-literate actors and other ante-camera celebrities here, but the emphasis is on people like, say, Kim Hastreiter or Stan Herman, who are immensely powerful in the industry but not often photographed, and then not usually very well. With all of these people together you get a vivid cross-section of what's really going on under the tents. Five stars.

Mr. Greenfield-Sanders has done it again. After such an insightful 'look' into the world of adult film with XXX, I was so pleased to see he was able to do the same with the fashion industry. The portraits are beautiful and the essays certainly add to the experience.

a great photographer, maybe not so known as he is worth to be; a good man, committed to culture and environment defense, friend to many of the most important characters of the last century culture and art, presents to us a lot of intense black & white portraits. A sharp introduction of Gore Vidal, a unique witness of our times, completes the high quality of this book
Vincenzo Cottinelli

Karl Bissinger may not be a name well known to many, but after reading this beautiful portfolio with its fine introduction by Gore Vidal, this photographer's name will forever be linked to nostalgia.

Bissinger chose the post WW II years of the 1940s and 1950s to capture the personages that fell into the public spotlight during that time. The 'models' or subjects range from movie stars to writers, to poets, to fashion people, to the political giants of this country and European countries. Captured in their homes, offices, studios, and environs, Bissinger composed each portrait with the essence of the sitter in mind: Marlon Brando exudes his legendary sex appeal, Katherine Hepburn her elusiveness, Truman Capote his penchant for the bizarre and so on.

The portraits carry with them not only the preservation of the subject at hand, but of the atmosphere of those halcyon days when he war was over and we could rebuild the dreamworld so proposed by these memorable people. This is a beautiful volume of fine photographs that captures the flavor of the mid-twentieth century to a fare-thee-well. Grady Harp, July 05

This was a fun book to go through, but did not necessarily have many new jokes that I hadn't found in other books like the Frair's encyclopedia of jokes.

Arranged by category. Keep one in the bathroom for light reading, or use it to find the perfect anecdote to lighten up that after-dinner talk.

This is a fun little book that MTV put out. If you like the see the REAL person behind the celebrity this might be a good place to start.

Being a fan of photo booths, it is interesting to see people in the public eye, that we at least think we know, acting like everyone else when faced with an opportunity to ham it up on a strip of 4 photo booth pictures. Celebrities who visit MTV's shows are invited into the MTV Photo Booth, and it is interesting to see who can relax and be themselves, or who has to keep up their public face, even when told to cut loose. Looking at the faces of the celebrities here, you can see who seems uncomfortable, who cuts loose, and who stays in character. You will be surprised with who seems the most relaxed, including Celine Dion and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Lenny Kravitz stays cool, while Adam Sandler looks downright uncomfortable. I am out of the demographic of many of the celebrities on display, but I can say I knew who at least 90% of them were. This book is a lot of fun to look at again and again, and analyze, and enjoy.

I love this book. Hey, I am a teen-ager, and loved it. It is really descriptive, so uh--reader discretion advised, but otherwise...great, great, and marvelous, darling!

The young women in this book are all very troubled. They all have slept with some of the most important men in Hollywood. Most of the stories are quite interesting and it makes for a quick and good read.

These priceless tapes have Orson Welles god-like voice telling and retelling several literary classics. I play them over and over again, and hope that they will be transferred to CD.

Mr. Welles has impeccable taste in literiture and an absolutely perfect delivery and diction. I am mesmerized by every breath he takes. Heck, I would pay for Welles reading a lundry list, or the instructions to shaving cream.

Orson Welles uses his sonorous, mellifluous, matchlessly expressive voice and his legendary gift for characterization to delineate these oft-told tales in a way that will make you hear them as if for the first time. And if you are indeed hearing any of them for the first time, it will make you want to run to the library to read them and to savor them as they were meant to be experienced.

For most of us, just the name "paparazzi" brings forth thoughts of stalkers, intruders, low lifes who seek to profit from photographs of the famous, particularly in private moments. According to author Peter Howe, that's not too far off. He speaks to paparazzi as follows: You will be "despised by your subjects, your peers, and the public, the ultimate consumers of your work. You will run afoul of security guards and publicists, lawyers and the police. You will be punched, spat upon, and have any number of objects thrown at you. And you will earn a great deal of money."

Mr Howe also asks why if everyone hates their work, are paparazzi the highest paid photo journalists in the world? He posits a simple answer - because we are a celebrity obsessed society and crave every news tidbit and photo of celebrities. Further, he notes that while we condemn paparazzi we stand in line to buy copies of People Magazine or The National Enquirer (think of the magazine copies sold containing beach photos of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie).

Whether we can't wait for a glimpse of the latest intimate photo or detest paparazzi so much that we wouldn't add a penny to their wallets, Mr. Howe has created an interesting study of their work. He's a former picture editor for the New York Times Magazine and director of photography for Life. In 173 folio size pages Mr. Howe treats his subject objectively and with amazing thoroughness.

We learn of the paparazzi's early days (it was much easier in the 1950s when young Italians first discovered they could brings in some extra lira by selling photos of vacationing celebs to newspapers and magazines.) Money has always been the paparazzi's prime interest - they pursue those whose photos will fetch the highest price, and they'll do anything to accomplish this. Perhaps the most far-out example of their no-holds-barred attiude is photographer Phil Ramey who hired a submarine to get shots of Princess Diana on a Caribbean island.

Most paparazzi are male and, frankly, not a particularly likable lot as they don't seem to care what anyone thinks of them and are extremely driven. We're reminded that paparazzo Ron Galella wore a football helmet to try to catch snaps of Marlon Brando after an early encounter with the actor put Galella in the hospital minus five teeth. For the paparazzi life isn't all hiding in bushes as Ben Affleck led one on a 120 mph chase.

The other side of the coin is that A-List celebrities need to have their photos in print or they'll soon be C-Listers. Perhaps Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick have the best idea of all - they allow the paparazzi limited access which significantly diminishes intrusiveness.

Whatever the case, it seems that paparazzi are here to stay (not at all discouraged by the 15 packets of ketchup Brad Pitt frosted a cheeseburger with before tossing it at a photographer). In addition to interviews with many of the featured photographers "Paparazzi" holds over 200 photos, from Frank Sinatra to Charlize Theron.

Peter Howe has done a terrific job at explaining who the paparazzi are, what compels them (think $$$) and why we're compelled to look at their work (think celebrity driven culture). His commentary is insightful and his interviews with the paparazzi are lively and revealing. Howe, an experienced photo editor, has chosen a wonderful collection of pictures. My own favorite: a National Enquirer shot of a bleary eyed Harrison Ford during a bar binge with partying fans.

If you love celebrities and you want to have brief articles about their lives, you should have this book. A great book full of amazing pictures.

A beautiful 145 page volume with every page filled with full color pictures. You'll enjoy this walk down memory lane. From Woody Allen, John Belushi and David Copperfield, to Shania Twain, Robin Williams and Oprah Winfrey. Unbeatable pictures. Main topics include: "See How They've Grown," "A Star is Born," "The State of Our Unions," and "Mortal Shocks." You'll love this book !

What an outstanding piece of artwork! The text and the photographs blend beautifully to give the reader a wonderful behind the doors look at some of Washington's most captivating homes and their residents. This book is a must for a holiday gift for those who love architecture, Washington, Washington people, decorating, history, or those who just love a good book! Congratulations Jan Cigliano and Walter Smalling!

Lavishly illustrated, this coffee table sized book is nicely structured by architectural eras from Federalist to Modern. Twenty-six homes are featured, mostly of private residents with a few museum-types.

My only complaints were a lack of exterior pictures. Since the book was organized by architectural eras, it left something to be desired that some of them just had interior shots. Also the captioning was a bit bizarre--pointing out objects of interest that were not in the picture and sometimes the wrong caps with the wrong picture.

Overall though, the book is a treat. I particularly liked some of the modern interior design done in older homes. The photography is magnificent. An excellent wish book!
-sweetmolly-Amazon.com Reviewer

you have to admit, ricky's camera has captured specific moments in time when new york was for the most part, very raw and exciting. from snaps on the sneak tip on Ave A. to flicks of method man hangin in the east vil, powell has produced another instant classic for all hip hop fans and other pop culture enthusiasts to enjoy.

Ricky Powell brings New York, both old and new, to life. On every page, faces and places come together reminding you of an era. "Public Access" is exactly what it says: access to Ricky's personal New York City. Enjoy the party.