Television Reviews

Castaway, Second Edition

Published in Paperback by Fortitude Press, Inc. (2002-12)

Authors: Blayne Cooper and Ryan Daly

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Reality TV satire

Helpful Votes: 2 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2005-03-27

Take the connived "reality" of Survivor to the traschan and instead allow your imagination, not to mention your funnybone, enjoy the utterly hilarious antics of these "Castaways". A truer group of fruitloops, nuts and flakes couldn't be found. This book is a delightful satire that makes Gilligan's Island look childish and Richard Hatch look like a wuss.

Arch paranoid survivalist Ryan is bound and determined with the help of her trusty sidekick "Tiffany the knife" to win enough moola to outfit her backwoods retreat with the finest security a government-suspecting person could buy. Her only threat comes in the very delectable shape of Shannon,the former assistant to the network's president of programming and now network mole. Seems Shannon has hot-wired Ryan's brain to lust mode. Throw in a bitchy producer, a Latin haridresser queen, macho builder, veterinarian, buff boy, professor, minister, farm girl, fashion model and several other stereotypes, you have the makings for one tearfully funny nightmare contest.

No stereotype is left unskewered and every hyberbole is used to its fullest. This is one heckuva romp through the worst case scenario of a show gone awry. Absolutely a re-read favorite of mine and great pick-me-up on a rainy day.

Wickedly Funny!

Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2007-01-01

I thought this book was crazy! It was a psychotic version of Survivor with a touch of hot Monkey sex! Catsaway is a fun book that anyone who has ever watched reality TV will be sure to enjoy. I love Survivor and I loved this book for making fun of it! This book points out where we have come as far as TV expectations...which is pretty sad at times. This book is for entertainment purposes only and that is exactly what Blayne Cooper and Ryan Daly deliver. Castaway is wickedly funny and you will love the characters. The only question is will the girl get her girl and walk away with the million dollar prize? You'll have to read the book to find out! Castaway is a book that will take you away from your crazy life if only for a little while. Please read this book for what it is...a comedy and don't take it seriously. You won't be disappointed! Castaway will stay in my collection to read when I need a good laugh at life!

extreme hilarity

Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2003-12-03

I've only seen bits of episodes of survivor but this was still incredibly funny. The characters are all caricatures, but still somehow real (too real!) I think the authors manage to insult every stereotype (earth momma, michigan militia, corp exec. etc. etc.) but keep you reading. Oddly enough, most of this romp could be believable, given what goes on T.V. and that just makes it all funnier. Touch of romance and tenderness and hot monkey sex adds, well, maybe not balance, but perhaps variety.Read it and prepare to laugh!

Hilarious!

Helpful Votes: 5 out of 6 total.
Review Date: 2003-09-05

Castaway is one of the funniest things I've read in a long time! An absolute enthralling cast of characters who had me just about literally rolling around on the floor laughing. If only the real Survivor could be this way I might be tempted to watch it again. Two thumbs up!

Hysterical parody of the Survivor series

Helpful Votes: 6 out of 7 total.
Review Date: 2003-09-08

Very funny and very clever parody of the Survivor tv series. Reality TV never had characters as wild as these! Smart, sexy and loads of fun. This one kept me laughing from start to finish.

Charles Ives: A Life With Music

Published in Paperback by W. W. Norton & Company (1998-01)

Author: Jan Swafford

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Ives, the Bucky Fuller of American music!

Helpful Votes: 10 out of 12 total.
Review Date: 2002-03-17

Charlie Ives was a visionary, an idealist, and apparently a manic-depressive. Swafford tells his story in a compulsively readable fashion, and wins you over to the side of the irascible composer. Ives never made any money from his music, in fact he subsidized it with the fortune he made in the insurance industry. But he was generous in supporting the work of other sympathetic composers as well, including Henry Cowell. Ives was rare in that he was a genius not only in music, but in business. Ives made a fortune in developing the modern, mass-market life insurance industry. He wrote a tremendously influential pamphlet in 1910, "The Amount to Carry," which pioneered estate planning. Ives was an idealist and an altruist even as he became wealthy -- he convinced himself that insurance was socially progressive, and motivated his sales staff with his lofty vision of cooperation. Later in life, he developed this into a plan for a People's World Union!

Ives' great successes all came together, early in life, following his marriage. He composed on the side as he built his company, burning the candle at both ends. Swafford speculates that Ives was literally manic during those heroic years of the Teens, and that he subsequently crashed, enduring more depression than mania for the rest of his life. Interestingly, the Great War was such a blow to his idealism, he reacted physically, compounding his collapse. Ives retired very young, but rather than turn to composing, he found that he was unable. The rest of his life was devoted to trying to find an audience for the works of his glory years. I found the book most interesting here, in situating Ives in relation to the more well-known Modernists of his time -- Schoenberg, Stravinsky, Varese and the others. The irony is that while Ives' music came about independently, it was "popularized," only through association with the European revolutionaries, and so he was widely perceived as an imitator. The world was only ready for Charlie's music after the ground had been broken! The story of Cowell, Slonimsky, Carter, Gilman and Bernstein, who championed Ives over many years until he was finally recognized, is fascinating.

This is supremely enjoyable reading. Jan Swafford clearly loves Ives, and I found his account irresistable.

A Great American Composer Brought to Life

Helpful Votes: 13 out of 13 total.
Review Date: 2003-05-12

Charles Ives (1874-1954)was the first, and still probably the greatest, composer of a distinctly American art ("classical") music. His relationship to American music seems to me roughly parallel to Walt Whitman's relationship to American poetry and to Charles Peirce's relationship to American philosophy. Like Peirce, Ives was little-known during his lifetime. Furthermore, while many people may be aware of Peirce and of Ives, a much smaller number have much acquaintance with their works.

Ives was born in Danbury, Connecticut and remained throughout his life attached to his vision of the post-Civil War small-town New England of his childhood. His father, George Ives, was a bandmaster and the greatest influence on Ives's life. Ives was a musical prodigy who began composing at an early age, quickly picking up experimental styles. He showed great proficiency at the piano and organ. (Through young manhood, we worked Sundays as a church organist.) He studied music at Yale where his teacher was Horatio Parker, a then famous American who was trained in the music of German Romanticism. As a college student, Ives wrote music played for the inaugaration of President William McKinley.

After graduation from Yale, Ives became a millionare in the insurance industry where he pioneered many marketing techniques. He also became increasingly Progessive and politically active and actually proposed a constitutional amendment which would increase the power of the democracy in government decision-making. At the age of 32, he married Harmony Twitchell who, after his father, was the greatest influence on his life.

Ives wrote music in the midst of an extraordinarily busy life. Most people think of Ives as a trailblazer and iconoclast. He was indeed, but may of his earlier works, such as the Second and the Third Symphonies are easily accessible and have a feel of America about them similar to the feelings Aaron Copland evoked some three decades later.

Jan Swafford's biography movingly and eloquently describes the life of Charles Ives. This is a reflective, thoughtful discussion of Ives, his America, his music, and its reception. In addition to a thorough treatment of Ives' life and works, Swafford has three chapters which he titles "Entra'acets" which consist of broad-based reflections on Ives's music and its significance. Swafford's entire book is full of ideas which are intriguing in themselves. Of Ives's work, Swafford gives his most extended treatment to the Fourth Symphony (he sees Ives as essentially a symphonist) and to the Concord piano Sonata. But many works are discussed in detail which will be accessible to the non-musician. The book has copious and highly substantive footnotes and an extensive bibliography.

Ives's Americanness, humor, romanticism, modernism, optimism, and generosity ( Ives gave large amounts of money to his family and to musicians and music publications. He also paid for the publication of several of his important works when commercial publishers showed no interest in them.) come through well. Swafford sees Ives as the last American transcendentalist in the tradition of Emerson. At the conclusion of his book, Swafford writes of Ives (p. 434)

" [I]n his music and his life he embodied a genuine pluralism, a wholeness beneath diversity, that in itself is a beacon for democracy and its art. Aesthetically he is an alternative to Modernism, an exploratory road without the darkness and despair of the twentieth century. In spirit he handed us a baton and calls on us to carry it further. He suggests a way out of despair, but leaves it to us to find the route for ourselves. If we are alone with ourselves today, Ives speaks incomparably to that condition."

This book made me want to learn more about and to hear the music of Charles Ives. In its own right, it is a joy and an inspiration to read.

A high-water mark in musical biographies.

Helpful Votes: 21 out of 22 total.
Review Date: 2001-07-16

Quite recently, I had the privilege of reading a copy of this book that was the personal copy of a musician who had been involved, in a rather unique way, in the centennial observation of Charlie Ives's birthday back in 1974. For reasons of geography, then musical interest, he "got to know" Charlie quite well, even if only 20 years after Charlie's death. I immediately ordered my own copy, while continuing to read the heavily-annotated copy of my musician friend. (It was rather vicarious pleasure, "looking over the shoulder" of this musician, to see what it was about the music, life and times of Charlie that fascinated him.)

In his early years, Ives was a one-man dynamo. Learning much of his music theory and practice from his father George Ives, who had been a very young (perhaps the youngest) Civil War band leader, and then from Horatio Parker at Yale University, he had more than a "thorough grounding" in the basics. However, unlike most American composers, particularly those of his and the following generation, he did not go to Europe for a post-grad internship with any known European composer, but simply set out on his own after matriculating from Yale. He went to New York City, employed as an insurance clerk for one full-time job, wrote music constantly for another full-time job, and had yet another career, had he wanted it, as organist and choir director for the Central Presbyterian Church in New York. During this period - leading up to his marriage in 1908 - he literally burned the candle at both ends. (Swafford goes on, later in the book, to posit why Charlie had this incredible burst of energy for the first 15 or 20 years of his adult life, but it's best that his reasons for this - and for Ives's shortened composing career - be left to you, the potential reader.)

Most anyone who knows anything about Ives knows that he became comfortably wealthy in the insurance industry, that during his active composing days little of his music was played by anyone, and that he was - literally and figuratively - burned out by the time he was only 40. For the remaining half of his life, much of it was spent editing, publishing and promoting his music and the music of others, including many friends, using the proceeds from his insurance success to underwrite projects for many composers who would have gone unnoted had it not been for him. Musical success - unlike business success - came too late in life for him to truly enjoy at least its artistic, if not financial, rewards. He was in his last years when Leonard Bernstein premiered his Second Symphony, and never lived to hear his masterpiece - his Fourth Symphony - premiered by Leopold Stokowski in 1965. Despite this, he was far from an unhappy man in his later years; philosophically resigned yet optimistic that his day might yet come would be the more accurate description.

Swafford's writing is simply wonderful. It tells the story of a true American iconoclast; an "original." The narrative flows beautifully without omitting anything of significance in Ives's life or about his music. (The book contains nearly 80 pages of endnotes, in which the musical marginalia are explained in exhaustive, but emminently readable, detail, to preserve the flow of the main narrative.) In parts, it is incredibly moving. I particularly enjoyed the extended "mating dance" of his courting of Harmony Twichell, who was to become his life-long helpmate (and who did live long enough to attend the Stokowski premiere of his masterpiece, as the guest of honor). Ives, ever the Victorian man if something else as a composer, would always refer to her, to third parties, as "Mrs. Ives." Yet their fifty years together could be a model for today's dysfunctional families. A beautiful chapter; one of the best in the book.

There's a curiously cryptic endnote that suggests a "what might have been." It is a fact that very little of Ives's music saw public performance before the early 30's, when Nicholas Slonimsky championed Ives and other "moderns." Yet another two decades were to pass until Bernstein premiered the Second Symphony. Yet, in 1910, while shopping in a music store in preparation for his final return to Vienna, where he would die in less than a year's time, Gustav Mahler purchased a fair copy - one of only two or three in existence - of Ives's Third Symphony. Swafford doesn't make that big a deal about this, but I do. I've always thought that Ives and Mahler, aside from being near-contemporaries, had more in common than they did in opposition. It is just conjecture - but truly fascinating conjecture - to think what might have happened had Mahler premiered Ives's Third Symphony at a time in the life of Ives when it really might have made a difference.

Just what was Ives, as a composer? Bernstein did him no favors by calling him "a primitive; a Grandma Moses of music" while at the same time championing his music. Back in those days, there were no labels like "atonalist," "serialist," "avant-gardist," "post-modernist," what-have-you, that we tend to use today to compartmentalize a composer. To me, Ives was, well... an iconoclast, an "original," and, if a label must be applied, our first "pre-post-modern." He was never imitated, at least not successfully, not only because he didn't have his own students as did other composers, but because by the time his music enjoyed sufficient - if not plentiful - performances, composers' agendas were different.

Fortunately audiences think differently, and do enjoy Charlie's music. And you will enjoy this book.

Bob Zeidler

Accessible tale of a musical maverick with a business head

Helpful Votes: 4 out of 6 total.
Review Date: 1998-07-09

Well written and accessible, the book describes the life of America's preeminent composer in the European tradition. A man who successfully forged a truly personal musical vocabulary on strong and deep American musical rootstock. Yet his only commercial success came through his equally great (though far less consequential) business talents. A continuing cautionary parable about the creative arts in the United States. I wish there were more score excerpts included.

Great combination of erudition and accessibility

Helpful Votes: 7 out of 8 total.
Review Date: 1996-11-15

Not being a music professional, I was pleasantly surprised to find this book not only made Ives come to life but explained the music in a way that neither addressed the lowest common denominator nor spoke exclusively to the ivory tower crowd. The love letters between Ives and his wife Harmony (yes, that really is her name) are incredibly moving for an insurance exec. Saw a good review in Newsweek; agree with its assessment: "one of the best biographies in recent years."

Chefs A' Field

Published in Spiral-bound by KCTS Television (2003-05-01)

Authors: Cory Schreiber, Patrick O'Connell, Traci Des Jardins, Frank Stitt III, Tom Douglas, Nora Pouillon, Peter Hoffman, Anne Quatrano, Stan Frankenthaler, Johnathan Sundstrom, Odessa Piper, and Rick Moonen

List price: $15.95

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Average review score:

AVID COOKBOOK READER

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2003-12-11

I am an avid cookbook reader and no book in my memory can match this book for content. It quickly has become the most used book on my shelf - for cooking and for reading. I sought out the book after watching the PBS series of the same name. It is a truly OUTSTANDING program that does so much more than teach you how to cook! The book and the TV series feature the biggest names in the culinary world - but the real heroes of the book/TV series are the farmers. The recipes are exquisite - but surprisingly simple. Even the novice chef could tackle these recipes with ease (although be warned - your friends may not believe you could create Patrick O'Connel's Flaming Apple Tart or the Garlic Custard of a famed NYC chef). This book is part travel, part cooking, part gardening, and part environmental action. The content is perfect for gift-giving or just for a special treat for yourself --- worth threes times the measly $15.95 I paid for it!

Great Book

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2003-09-02

This book is the best cookbook I've seen in 2003. I have about 100 cookbooks and this rates up there with Tom Douglas' Seattle Kitchen. It only has about 50 recipes, but makes up for it in editorial content. It offers great tips on supporting local farmers, shopping, food & the environment, etc.

Delicious!

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2003-09-16

What a delightful companion to the splendid PBS television series of the same name. The TV show introduces us to passsionate farmers and world-class chefs who share their thoughts on fine food. It's one of the few intelligent programs on television and also a feast for the eyes. The stunning, elegantly composed hi-definition images of food, farmers and fields excite the senses. At the end of each episode I want to race to the kitchen and cook! With this handsome volume, we now have the resource to create the fabulous meals America's best chefs share during the show. But this isn't just a cookbook. Its lavishly illustrated pages feature important commentary on organic farming and sustainable agriculture. It's nice to know that there are still a few people in our fast-food world who know the meaning of the words "fine dining." With this book, now you can too.

Chefs Afield cookbook & TV series spectaular

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2003-09-01

As an avid fan of this PBS televison series I was skeptical that they could pull it off in book form...but they did! This book has fabulous recipes that are easy to make and delicious! Better yet, its editorial content on where our food comes from and advice on shopping with an environmental mind is extremely helpful and interesting. The chefs featured in this book are some of the best in the U.S. - they are "real" chefs running "real" restaurants, not like those found on The Food Network or in that never ending stream of glossy cookbooks. This book is worth twice the price.

Great Philosphies, Decent Dishes

Helpful Votes: 2 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2004-11-19

The Chefs A'Field series has been important in helping to explain the importance of fresh, local, organically grown, peak of the season produce. It doesn't shy away from discussing sustainable ranching and fishing either. The recipes and dishes are important not necessarily because of their flavor pairings or because they push the envelope, but because they use product at the moment of its perfection. Simple technique is applied to insanely good ingredients.

The idea is awesome in its purpose, design, and goal, but I think it falls somewhat short in execution. I think that's true both for the show and the book. Some of the dishes just aren't that great. Certainly not groundbreaking. The chefs are good, but not outstanding. There are, however, a few stand-out highlights. Anne Quatrano and Rick Moonen are a couple of my favorites, but overall, I'd love to see other chefs that have adopted this important philosophy. It seems Keller and Waters would have fit this bill perfectly, though maybe they're too big for the series.

In all it is a nice cookbook with an important message, but as a collection of recipes, there is a mountain of better choices out there including the entire library of Chez Panisse books which all embrace the culinary values from the Chefs A'Field series.

Chet Atkins: Me and My Guitars (Russ Cochran Books)

Published in Paperback by Hal Leonard (2003-05-01)

Authors: Russ Cochran and Chet Atkins

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The best book on Chet so far.

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-04-05

I can't stop looking at the lovely pics. of all Chet's 60 guitars. And the stories in his own words. The best book in the world.

Chet Atkins

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-01-07

This is a ghost written autobiography of Chet and his various guitars. It has outstanding photography and provides insight into the character of the man.

BEAUTIFUL GUITAR PICTURES & STORIES

Helpful Votes: 16 out of 16 total.
Review Date: 2003-07-02

At first I just meant to thumb through a few pages but Chet's easy-going and enjoyable writing style sucked me in. The next thing it was 2 am and I'd finished most of the book. Although I suffered the next day at work I didn't mind it a bit.

If you like vintage guitars or Chet Atkins' playing I can't recommend this book strongly enough. It is full of beautiful color pictures and behind-the-scenes descriptions of the development of some very interesting and historic instruments. Chet's stories of the people he played with, the guitars he played and the music he made are wonderful and totally engrossing. Buy this book today!!

A Chet Atkins Treasure!

Helpful Votes: 4 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2006-03-16

As I Chet fan, I am always wanting more photos, information etc. on Chets's life, guitars, equipment and technique. This book is fantastic!! The book quality is superb and the photos are exquisite! I am very well pleased to have this book in my Chet collection.

Beautifully Illustrated With Engaging Narrative

Helpful Votes: 7 out of 7 total.
Review Date: 2004-01-08

Chet relates the story of his life and describes the guitars he owned and helped design in an easy-going, yet informative, manner in this book, which is lavishly illustrated with photographs of his guitars. As a country music enthusiast, I found Chet's story to be very interesting -- he had much more contact with some of the early artists (such as Karl Davis and Bill Carlisle) than I'd realised. Chet's narrative is characterised by his modesty and generosity to others: for example, he relates how Mother Maybelle Carter and her family fought some elements of the Nashville establishment to ensure he was permitted to play in Music City; and he is very complimentary of other guitarists (e.g. to Australia's Tommy Emmanuel).
I have no hesitation in recommending this book to any country-music enthusiast or country guitarist, though the book also has a much wider appeal.

The Chevalier de Saint-Georges: Virtuoso of the Sword and the Bow

Published in Hardcover by Pendragon Pr (2006-06-30)

Author: Gabriel Banat

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Average review score:

Banat and Saint-Georges

Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2007-06-17

I am in total agreement with those who have praised this book. It is a model for all scholars and merits a major book award. Avoid any other publication that presents itself as accurate.

An in-depth study of a singularly remarkable musician, politician, and fighter

Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2006-08-09

The Chevalier de Saint-Georges: Virtuoso of the Sword and the Bow is the biography of Chevalier de Saint-Georges (1745-1799), the illegitimate son of a French planter and a young African slave. Educated in France, his skill in fencing and amazing talent as a violin virtuoso earned him a distinguished place in French high society and the court of Versailles; yet he was not content to simply bask in court life, choosing to support the abolitionist movement, take part in the Haitian slave revolt, and join the French Revolution in the hope of ending slavery. Considered the first classical composer of African descent, his music is best understood in the context of his vivid life. Black-and-white photographs, illustrations, and sample scores, and reproductions of primary source documents round out this in-depth study of a singularly remarkable musician, politician, and fighter.

Le Chevalier de Saint-Georges

Helpful Votes: 4 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2006-07-27

One of the problems in researching Le Chevalier de Saint-Georges is separating fact from fiction, due to the popular myths propagated beginning with Roger de Beauvoir, and continuing with Alexandre Dumas (fils). These and other semi-factual accounts of Le Chevalier's life led many to believe that it served as the basis for the character D'Artagnan in The Three Musketeers. In contrast to these myths, surviving well into the twentieth century, Mr. Banat's thoroughly researched study is factual.

Banat, a retired violinist from the New York Philharmonic and a specialist on the violin works of Mozart, is ideally positioned to understand the significance of this historical figure. It turns out that Le Chevalier was a major contributor to the symphony concertante genre, until recently thought to be Mozart's creation. As a musician, Le Chevalier was a violinist and composer, mastering the classical style and creating multiple compositions for orchestra and violin that remain underrepresented in the academic and performance Canon today.

Not only a prominent musician and athlete of his day, Le Chevalier was one of several African descendants who made important contributions to European elite culture. Born in Guadeloupe to a French plantation owner and his enslaved mother, Le Chevalier was educated in France, with substantial periods in England, where he was a champion fencer. In the latter part of his life, Le Chevalier became highly involved in the Haitian Revolution.

Mr. Banat began his study on Le Chevalier with an original article from the 1980s. Twenty years later, Banat's recent book reflects his dedication and enthusiasm toward his subject matter. The extensive documentation he provides for his assertions makes him the authority on Le Chevalier de Saint-Georges.

The Chevalier shines again--

Helpful Votes: 5 out of 5 total.
Review Date: 2006-09-02

The second half of the 18th century from St. Petersburg to St. Louis was a socio-political mess as men and women of faith and courage strove to overthrow the imperial tyrannies oppressing their lives and stultifying their cultures. Supported by his white planter father and adored by his black slave mother, Joseph Bologne, born on Guadeloupe, captivated the Court and Parisian society by his extraordinary fencing ability and musical genius. Nor did it hurt that he was both handsome and intelligent. His violin playing, his original compositions, and his orchestral conducting assure him a place among the handful of outstanding musicians between Bach and Mozart. His military acumen and his political idealism on behalf of the downtrodden not only in France but also in Haiti made him a distinguished brigade commander in the Revolutionary army and led him, at the pain of a long imprisonment, to help stop The Terror. At the end of his life, the world he had bedazzled was gone and the world he had hoped to establish was falling to Napoleonic power.
The sad, powerful tale of this romantic hero's life and genius is all movingly here in Banat's scrupulous research and genuine affection--just waiting for an intrepid director and a first-rate actor to make a brilliant film that would really speak to our time.

Chevalier extraordinaire

Helpful Votes: 6 out of 6 total.
Review Date: 2006-06-16

This book is far more than a biography of the 18th-century fabled composer/violinist/swordsman Joseph Boulogne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, born in 1745 in Guadaloupe, son of a plantation owner and one of his slaves. Based on rigorous scholarly research, the author presents a vivid picture of the social and historical background of the period in France, and the picaresque life of an extraordinarily gifted individual. The book is informative as well as an exciting read. It is enhanced by numerous illustrations, reproductions of original documents, and musical examples.

Chicago TV Horror Movie Shows: From Shock Theatre to Svengoolie

Published in Paperback by Lake Claremont Press (2007-10-26)

Authors: Ted Okuda and Mark Yurkiw

List price: $17.95

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Oh, How I wish Sven was Syndicated in St. Louis!

Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2008-03-24

Growing up in Chicago in the late 70's I missed Bishop's Sven. I started out with the Ghoul and was hooked forever when Rich Koz opened his coffin on Ch 32. Since that time I've lost precious brain cells to the permanent memories of those classic parodies and skits. Mr. Robbers, 50 Ways to Blow Your Cover, and more.

So, I had to get this book. It is a quick read (nearly half is just a list of b-grade movies) and tells the tale of how Svengoolie came to be and where the whole thing started. If you are a fan of Svengoolie you owe it to yourself to take this fun trip down memory lane, or elm street...whichever.

A gift for my Svengoolie lovin boyfriend

Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2008-01-25

I bought this book on a whim for my boyfriend who grew up watching Svengoolie on Saturday nights. He absolutely loved learning more about the show he adored as a child.

Well researched and fun to read

Helpful Votes: 4 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2008-04-24

I grew up in Detroit, so I missed out on most of the programs covered here, except for the maniacal Ghoul (Ron Sweed, a Motor City favorite) and the wacky and still active Svengoolie, played by the talented Rich Koz. In spite of this, however, I loved reading this book because it captures the fun and the essence of what every monster movie fan of my generation experienced, from the happily demented horror hosts to staying up late to watch those glorious (sometimes gloriously awful) films we cherished so much. Remember, this was mostly before home video came along. The book is loaded with nostalgic advertisements for these movies, the kind of ads that made you drool in anticipation.

Some folks might question why there's an entire appendix devoted to a "100 Monster Movies" rating guide, but to me it's one of the most enjoyable sections of the book because it goes hand-in-hand with the overall history of this subject. How can you discuss monster movie programming without discussing the monster movies themselves? If anything, I wish they'd gone a step further and covered even MORE titles. A few of my favorite films were overlooked. Am I the only one who has fond memories of CREATION OF THE HUMANOIDS? (Maybe I am.)

The book is well researched, fun to read, and has lots of wonderful photos and graphics. It makes me sorry that I missed out on all the fun. But then again, I didn't. No matter where you grew up, watching monster movies on television was a universal experience. This book captures that experience beautifully.

A necessary volume for Chicago TV history, horror and Svengoolie buffs

Helpful Votes: 9 out of 9 total.
Review Date: 2007-12-22

Let me start by saying I am from Chicago and I am a Chicago History buff.

As a child and into my teens watching Creature Features on Channel Nine (the opening as a six year old terrified me), and then the Son of Svengoolie on WFLD, I loved local tv. Why do I say this? Simply put - I had high expectations for this book. The good news is that Ted Okuda and Mark Yurkiw exceeded them.

Looking for Elvira - you won't find her - but "Dear" clearly was a feast for the eyes. Now I finally know what my dad was talking about.

"From Shock Theatre to Svengoolie" is a needed part of the history of Chicago TV and Lake Claremont Press respectfully published a book others might take a pass on and remains a respected leader in local publishing of Chicago history. Well edited, designed and expanded in part by a solid and varied reference section which includes a solid list of films shown (and reviews), a heartfelt "Collector's Corner" with additional reviews, and a resource guide on where to find your horror needs - that alone would stand to qualify the book as a great resource; but yes - there's more.

The book is factual and warm about the subjects themselves - with wonderful chapters on characters such as Marvin and the curvacious and faceless "Dear" of Shock Theatre to Jerry Bishops "Svengoolie" concluding with the story of how Rich Koz's "Son of Svengoolie" became "Svengoolie" in his own right.

The book doesnt mince words. The Ghoul from Cleveland gets a chapter - and in that chapters lies the great story of the loyality of Chicago to it's city and to its broadcasters. That chapter alone made me smile - unfortuantely at an outsiders expense.

The book covers some obscure local attempts to compete against established programs as well - which goes to the detail the authors provided.

And then there was Sven.

While you can watch Jerry Bishop and Rich Koz on YouTube as Sven as a resource; the chapters on Svengoolie are detailed and worth the read.

I grew up and continue to watch Rich Koz as Svengoolie now in Chicago - and through this book you realize Sven's program not only entertains through horror but is also the last of the real local efforts to fight to keep local television creative, relevant and accessible. Koz is an important throwback to Garaway and other early Chicago broadcasters and deserves the praise and critical rsearch the book compiled.

In this book you can see why Koz is important as a local celebrity - and is up there with dare I say Studs Terkel and Oprah as important local personalities - even though Koz would likely deny this endorsement. WCIU should be credited for keeping a great program such as Sven on the air when others might just put an episode of "Night Court" on instead...yeech.

I particularly enjoyed the attention to detail; with photos of the old newspaper and TV Guide advertisements of the programs. If you loved those programs as a child - before there were so many options on cable; those ads were critical in promoting the programs and the movies we grew to love.

The book is lavishly illustrated and well written and referenced, footnoted and resourced. Time, effort and true affection for the material went into this tome.

In a book like this - there is room to be melancholy - and the authors avoid that trap. Lamenting on the fact local television is in most cases just the news; and all of TV's creativity is left to the networks would be an easy place to go - but the book is upbeat and most importantly a joy to read.

You want Creature Features? The book has it. Marvin and Dear - yep; its here too. Screaming Yellow Theatre and all of Sven? Yep - that too.

Clearly highly recommended.

I would write more - but my family is ready, the popcorn is popped and Svengoolie awaits .....

A must for any REAL horror fan

Helpful Votes: 9 out of 9 total.
Review Date: 2007-12-20

I bought this book at a book signing at "Horrorbles". The authors are really nice guys. The book is a must for anyone even remotely interested in horror, it discusses in detail the various TV horror hosts broadcast from the Chicago area. Its covers the inception of TV horror hosts to the present. It also does a good job of showing the evolution of the TV horror show. The book is well written and offers so much insight, there is a not only a wealth of information but resources for any fan of horror. There are plenty of photos that will surely evoke pleasant memories of sitting in the dark watching "scary movies". Makes a good gift.

Child in Time

Published in Hardcover by Smith Gryphon (1993-07-31)

Author: Ian Gillan

List price:

Used price: $49.99

Average review score:

What an outrageous life!

Helpful Votes: 13 out of 13 total.
Review Date: 1999-11-03

Child In Time is the autobiography of Ian Gillan, best known as the singer behind Deep Purple's legendary Mark 2 lineup (responsible for such hard rock classics as "Smoke on the Water," "Highway Star," "Woman From Tokyo," and yes, "Child In Time.") But he's also fronted his own band, Gillan, and Black Sabbath (on one album), not to mention sung the role of Jesus for the original Jesus Christ Superstar. All the while he has lived an interesting life, from his humble beginnings as the child of a divorced marriage, through his early singing days (inspired because he wanted to get into the movies like Elvis), through becoming DP's hard-drinking but always affable singer--and developing a love/hate (some would say hate/hate) relationship with the guitarist, Ritchie Blackmore. In fact the main reason I got this book was to try to get the "dirt" on their relationship. There are some juicy tidbits here, including the time Ritchie smashed a plate of spaghetti in Ian's face because he thought that the singer had put ketchup in the pasta. "Come on!" Ritchie taunted, but Ian just walked out of the room, almost in tears. Eat your heart out, MTV's Real World! But seriously, Ian acknowledges that they're like apples and oranges even if some of their musical collaborations have been magical. Elsewhere, Ian documents his views on drugs, sex, business dealings, and how to deal with traveling in unfamiliar countries. Not to be missed is the hilarious section on his year-long stint with Black Sabbath--pure Spinal Tap if it's to be believed. While there are some egregious mistakes in the book (concerning certain dates), I believe a recent edition has corrected them. Also, some feminists might not cotton to some of his views regarding male/female relationships, even if he seems happily married. Check out Child In Time and learn more about Ian Gillan (and Deep Purple!) than you'll ever see in one single book again (unless the 1983 Deep Purple Illustrated Biography is ever updated and re-released, that is).

SImply superb

Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 1999-07-21

If you are a great fan of deep purple or Ian gillan this book is a must have

A must for any real hard-rock fan !

Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 1998-06-25

It tells in details the life of this marvellous singer, known by many people as The silver voice ! Ian Gillan is well known as the character of Jesus Christ Superstar in the record of the opera in the early seventies. Ian tells his career in full details, his family, his passion for music and drink !! Deep Purple is part of his life (most of it) and you can see it well detailed over here. A magnificent job by Ian. A complete biography of one of our most loved singers of all time: Mr. Gillan from Deep Purple. Hope you can enjoy it as I did.

A must for fans of Deep Purple, and all of Gillan's work.

Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 1997-07-11

Regarded by many as one of the greatest rock singers of all time -- this book details the life and times of Ian Gillan, best known as the lead singer for Deep Purple. Many will also remember him as the voice of Jesus on the original recording of the rock opera "Jesus Christ Superstar".

The book is a biography, written by David Cohen, with facts obtained from Ian himself. It gives insight into the clashes within the Deep Purple clan, and how Gillan went on to a successful solo career (only to return to the Purple camp he loved so well).

It's the world of rock and roll as seen through the eyes of one of its most witty and talented players.

An excellent bio of Deep Purple's outrageous lead singer

Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 1997-12-16

The incredible story of Ian Gillan, one of hard rock's greatest and most influential vocalists. Ian offers up many an outrageous tale of the life of a rock star, beginning with his childhood to the start of his third stint with Deep Purple in 1993.

The writing is witty and quick-paced and seemingly quite honest, as Ian relates freely both his triumphs and failures as a solo artist and as a member of such classic hard rock outfits as Deep Purple and Black Sabbath.

I highly recommend this for any fan of Ian, Deep Purple, or of hard rock/heavy metal in general.

China Live: Two Decades in the Heart of the Dragon

Published in Paperback by Diane Pub Co (1999-01)

Author: Mike Chinoy

List price: $15.00

Collectible price: $27.50

Average review score:

terrific - Mike Chinoy has another fan

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 1998-07-02

This is an absolutely delightful book. It makes the perfect gift for anyone interested in Chinese affairs providing remarkable insight. I was devastated to read the irresponsible inaccuracies in China Wakes by Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl Wudunn. Theirs was a China written in the tradition of Ugly Americans who stay at the Palace Hotel for one week complaining about the lack of ice for their Coke. I vowed that I would never ever read another book on China written by American journalists. Luckily, I was given Mike Chinoy's book by a friend. Absolutely brilliant!

Excellent

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 1998-06-08

This is one of the better books on China that I've read. I lived in Beijing for two years, and feel that, unlike Kristoff and Dunn in China Wakes, Mike Chinoy really understands China and what makes this most mysterious country tick. And like Jan Wong in Red China Blues, he goes through a transition of being gung-ho on Maoism to seeing the reality of the situation in China. This is one of the things that makes both books so believable. As I am a journalist, I also can appreciate the red tape he went through to get the story out. Chinoy also does an excellent job of describing the Tian'anmen massacre -- one of the better descriptions I've read. I really recommend this book. It's excellent!

Five stars

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2004-10-13

I have always imagined that foreign correspondents live more exciting lives than the rest of us, so I read Mike Chinoy's "China Live" to see a glimpse of the truth. Upon reading "China Live," I was pleased with to obtain an inspiring and balanced account of the career path of CNN's first Beijing Bureau Chief. As a journalist, Chinoy was crafty, dedicated, and intrepid. As trite as it may sound, his book leaves you with the feeling that you can go on to achieve great things and leave a significant and lasting mark upon the world. It is especially suitable for sinophiles and aspiring journalists, but also recommended for anyone who enjoys to read.

A balanced review of the Middle Kingdom.

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 1999-01-06

Mike Chinoy has done an excellent job of bringing to life a country that many people think they know so much about but in reality know so lillte about. China is a fascinating country. I spent six weeks there two years ago at a central bank conference so I studied the country in great detail. After my return I read Mike Chinoy's book and I feel it is a balanced account of the Middle Kingdom. Chinoy tells of his fascination with the country in the early days of U.S.-Sino relations. He details the changes that take place after the death of Mao Zadong and the economic changes through he leadership of Deng Xiopang. But his best reporting is the riveting account of June 4, 1989. This was Tiananmen Square and the brutal assault of the peaceful demonstrators. Chinoy was in the thick of the assault and he details his experiences not only on the night but also the next few days. All Chinese should read this book. Many Chinese think that the press has embellished what happened that night and that the government needed to restore order. Reading Chinoy's book may lead them to re-assess their governemnt's brutal policies. As a self-appointed Sinologist and one that has read many many articles and books on " Zhong guo" I would highly recommend this book. And some day I might get the opportunity to sit and talk with Mike Chinoy about his experiences in China.

Excellent read! Insightful look at major historical events.

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 1998-09-10

I could not put this book down. Chinoy (a cousin of mine, but that bears no influence in my review) invites you into the past where you find yourself in the midst of major historical events. His writing is filled with sincere emotion, high-spirited wit and a true sense of the human struggle to be free from opression. The book also opens the door to the fast-paced and unpredictable life of the foreign correspondent and how that role in our society has changed and is changing. A truly insightful book that should make its way into high school history classes -- I would have actually stayed awake in class if we had had material like this.

Coach's Challenge: Faith, Football, and Filling the Father Gap

Published in Kindle Edition by Howard Ebooks (2007-09-11)

Author: Ron Benson

List price: $11.99

New price: $9.59

Average review score:

Man with a passion

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-09-25

Mike Gottfried grew up with a overriding dream in his life--to coach college football. And that is just what he did, and very successfully, until he was unexpectedly fired. Toward the end of a stint as a college football analyst at ESPN, he discovered an even greater thing than a passion--a purpose. Gottfried started and continues to head an organization that seeks to fill the hole in a boy's spirit that is left when he has no father to fill that hole. Gottfried knows that hole well, it is one he has himself. His father died of a heart attack when he was 11. A number of coaches, a brother and other men help fill that void in his own life, but he knows many boys are not that fortunate. Gottfried makes it plain that he knows what he does is a ministry and the purpose that God put on his life and not something he merely stumbled onto by himself. This is an excellent testament to how God can use a person's hurt to bless someone else, and they both win.

You MUST read this if you grew up without a Dad or know someone who did!

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-10-27

This book made me laugh and cry and brought a deeper understanding of all the emotions of growing up without a Dad. I'm so thankful for Mike Gottfried and the work of Team Focus! Go Coach!

Very Moving Read

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-10-17

This book takes you to small town USA into a boy's life who has suddenly lost his father. It shows an overcoming spirit and the ability to reach through his own pain to touch other's lives. I think Mike Gottfried can reach young men world wide with his Father's heart.

mlagace

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-10-05

The coach tells a very inspiring story and informs us with some very good stats on the power of fathers. This is an excellent read for any father - football fan or not.

Outstanding!!

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2007-09-18

Mike Gottfriend speaks from his heart in this inspiring book. I intend to buy more books to share with school personnel and church ministers so they can have insight on what my sons go through on a daily basis. Anyone who wants to learn more on fatherless boys and the struggles they have must read this book. It encourages and motivates me as a mother and I'm grateful that Mike truly understands and cares. My sons love Mike and wish they could find more men like him. They now have a book that they will treasure for a lifetime!

The Color Purple: A Memory Book

Published in Hardcover by Da Capo Press (2006-11-08)

Author: Lise Funderburg

List price: $40.00

New price: $4.98
Used price: $1.00

Average review score:

A souvenir for my mom

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-02-22

I gave this beautiful coffee table book as a souvenir to my mom when we returned home from seeing the play. It was a perfect surprise since she had admired it for sale in the lobby (at$40). It made the bargain I got at Amazon even better.

The Color Purple: A Memory Book

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-12-29

I got this book to give as a birthday gift but it was so beautiful I wanted to keep it for myself. It includes pictures and writtings from the original cast as well as the full libretto. The cover is 3 dimensional and I could not have been happier. I may have to buy another for myself.

The color purple book

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-10-02

GReat!!! - Quick shipment - book is beautiful - I love it!! no problems at all.

One of the best memory books ever.

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-08-16

I actually bought this book as a gift. However, I loved it so much I kept it. The writing is beautiful and the illustrations to. The book also contains the script to the show "The Color Purple". Also, should you like Oprah. She has a foreward that is very moving pertaining to the story. It is very touching and moving.

The Color Purple: A Memory Book

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2007-01-13

Our family saw The Color Purple on stage in New York and my daughter has become obsessed with the music and the story, We bought her this gorgeous memory book for Christmas and she has spent hours reading the script, looking at the pictures and reliving the play. We will be returning to New York in 2 weeks to again see this wonderful show.

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