Television Books

The appeal of Andy Mac is simple: he's down-to-earth, amiable, ambitious, and loves skateboarding for the natural high it gives him. This autobiographical book makes me believe he would still be skateboarding even if his sponsorships had been cut off and he was working in a greasy spoon flipping burgers. Andy is the consummate competitor: focused, extremely hard-working, and dedicated to a sport he loves. The beauty of skateboarding as presented here is that the athletes compete against themselves as well as the other participants. Seeing rivals competing with a respectful comraderie is refreshing. I can relate. Playing basketball all my life has made me realize that part of the love of the sport comes from pushing yourself to exceed your limits. It's a blast competing, but it's more fulfilling when you respect your opponent and his skills. Laughing in admiration when someone knocks down a three-pointer in your face (even though you did your best defensively) or completes a perfect 360 spin off the vert ramp is what makes the sport endearing. Andy Mac is a fierce talent, but he also learns from his peers. He sets a good example for aspiring young skateboarders and makes me want to learn a kick-flip, even though I'd probably snap my coccyx in the process. This book is loaded with personal anecdotes and insights into this exciting, acrobatic, and often punishing sport. Professional sports would be more appealing if all the athletes were as good-natured as Andy. Instead of thinking about the next thousand-dollar bling jewelry he will purchase after winning an XGames competition, he's happy he can fill his cupboard with jumbo boxes of Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal. That says it all.

There are many great things about this book. It's humorous, gripping, and you just do not want to put it down. I rely enjoyed this book. I give it our stars. It is a must read . Even if you do not like sports you will like this book.

My 9 year old son loved this book. He learned a lot of good values from someone he really admires. I highly recommend this book.

Dropping in with Andy Mac is a really good book. It is about Andy Macs life. If you dont like skateboarding dont read this book because every page mentions skateboarding at least twice.

Here's an awesome book that will have you reading non-stop from beginning to end. Have you ever had the dream of becoming a professional skateboarder? Andy MacDonald has fulfilled such a dream. Dropping in with Andy Mac The Life of a Pro Skateboarder, is by far the greatest cant stop autobiography ever! I fell in love with this book from he start. It's a quick fun book to read.

The book tells you about the life of Andy Mac with great detail, starts with Little Andy getting constantly poisoned, I'm sure you are wondering what I mean but I guess you are going to have to read it to believe it! From the day he started skating his life was changed forever, when he got better he began to discover new places to skate, such as his buddies back yard which had a 9 foot half pipe.

There are plenty of reasons why anyone would enjoy this book. The book has less than 200 pages, but the font is decently sized. Not only is the story short but also there are plenty of pictures to give you a good idea of what he is talking about.

My daughter loves this book. She plays the songs everyday. She now knows all the characters from Sesame Street. The pop ups are great but just a little flimsy.

My [...] son received this book for his birthday and it became a fast favorite. He loves to push the buttons and listen to the music. He also quickly found the "stop" button and likes to stop the music if he doesn't like my singing--then he laughs. This is an excellent book and I highly recommend it.

My son received this as a first birthday present and still reads it everyday (7 months later!) The pop-ups are all torn, but he loves the music. This is one of his favorite books!

Elmo is everyone's favorite character come alive in this musically interactive book.

My 19 month old daughter LOVES this book! She spends more time with this book than anything else. I wish they would make more books like this. I would definitely recommend this book!!! Not only keeps your child busy but gives mom some quiet time. :)

This book provides the insight only a woman with Ghitis's experience could write. Great insights on the state of the world and the impact of mass media. A must read for journalists and travelers alike.

What an unbelievable voyage!

Ghitis took me on a guided tour of the world, showing me places I'd never seen. Making me care about what goes on, and showing me why it matters.

The world makes more sense after reading this book. It was an incredible adventure. Read this book.

As a journalist witnessing the historic fall of the Soviet Union and the events shaping the New Era after the Cold War, Ghitis analizes with remarkable clarity the actions of the key players in the political world arena. She lashes out at the U.S. arrogance for proclaiming itself "the indispensable nation", but also recognizes that much in the world depends now on Washington and what it considers its national interests. Ghitis exposes the inhumanity of the movers and shakers for inaction in tragic places like Rwanda, Bosnia and Haiti. "The End of Revolution" covers the world at large having as a common thread the big issues like the global economy in the New Era. But Ghitis also reminds us constantly about the effects of the big events and the global economy on the poor of the world. Like the elderly woman begging Frida for help in the streets of Moscow... the same streets used by the "new Russian capitalists" to show off their shiny new BMWs... A superb book.

Ms Ghitis tied together the seemingly unrelated events of the last twenty years and gave me a much broader perspective of recent history. I'd followed most of the news stories when they were current, but I lacked the ability to really comprehend any meaning behind them. Not only is it relevant and meaningful, but smart and funny.

I must agree with Wolf Blitzer's opinion of this book: What a treat! Reading the End of Revolution is like sitting down to talk with a fascinating journalist who has seen amazing events and can describe them and explain them in such a way that you are mesmerized and fascinated.

The author takes you all over the world, from the Amazon to Tibet, and dozens of places in between. It describes the crises that have made news in the world in ways that at last make real sense.

After years of watching CNN and others, this book gave me the perspective I had always hoped to find. The book explains our world while entertaining and offering insightful commentary and an unusual look behind the scenes at the world of television news. I highly recommend it.

Brian Kohl

This is a great book written by someone who actually new and worked with Errol Flynn.
The author Earl Conrad was the ghost writer for Errol's book "......Wicked Wicked Ways".

Mr. Conrad practically lived with Errol for a time working on Errol's book and remained friends with Errol. Conrad continued a friendship with Errol's parents after his death. The content is great. Conrad writes about when he first met Errol, the time they spent in Jamaica working on the book and even Errol's under aged female companion who was in Jamaica with them.

This book covers what Mr. Flynn could not include in his autobiography for obvious reasons. There's even a medical emergency. Conrad describes in detail a kind of seizure Errol suffered (which seems to have been brought on by drugs). He describes Errol's continued involvement with women even while the under aged female is with him.

There are some rare photos of Errol as a child, Errol in uniform working in New Guinea and a home Errol had built there, etc. Most of the photos were supplied by Errol's parents.

Earl Conrad clearly cared for Errol in the way he writes this book. He never paints any kind of bad picture of our star. Conrad only writes what he sees during work and leisure time personally spent with Mr. Flynn.

This happens to be one of the few books besides Errol's own autobiography and other books written by Errol I've found of value. It gives additional insight into this great man.

I paid $9.95 for a copy (the sticker price) about 3 year ago on Amazon. The current price has ballooned due to the re-sellers greed and rarity. It's a pretty short and small book. I wouldn't even pay $50.00 for it and I'm a stone cold Flynn fan.
A great read but not for $100.00, you may feel cheated........

If your really interested in Mr. Flynn, I'd suggest reading his autobigrapy, "My Wicked Wicked Ways by Errol Flynn". If you've conquered that I can suggest "Errol and Me by Nora Eddington Flynn".
This book is written by one of his ex-wives, his second.
I find a lot of insight into this book as well. The drug use is cooberated by Conrads book.

The only thing that my upset you is Nora claims Flynn beat her on about 2 occasions. On 1 Nora writes Mr. Flynn senior was present(I beleive Flynn's father was a live at the release of this book"). The circimstances are that of taking drugs from a drug addict. Clearly she loved and I think still loved Flynn during the writting of this book. This book is only going for $20.00 bucks too.

Excellent account of Earl Conrad's time spent with Errol Flynn gathering material for Flynn's biography. Gives an epic account of Flynn's latter years in Jamaica.....

If you have any interest at all in the life and times of Errol Flynn then you will enjoy Earl Conrad's book. He depicts Flynn in his near last days living at Flynn's Jamacia hideaway and writing what will become "Wicked, Wicked Ways..". The relationship with Adland, the Flynn sense of humor and the decline of Flynn are all directly portrayed, accurately, yet with kindness. A must read for Flynn fans.

Having read "My Wicked, Wicked Ways" several years ago this book adds another dimension to our understanding of Errol Flynn. It tells the story behind the creation of Flynn's controversial biography which caused quite a stir when it first hit the shelves all those years ago. Earl Conrad was a writer of exceptional ability who was able to create some wonderfully descriptive images of Flynn's crumbling glory as he moved into his final days. This is neither a sensationalist expo-zay nor a flowery tribute. Rather, it is an extremely eloquent, articulate and thought provoking epitaph to the life a Tasmanian schoolboy who went on to become one of the most significant and highly publicized personalities of the 20th century. As a literary work it is a text book perfect example of non fiction writing.

'Errol Flynn: A Memoir' by gifted writer Earl Conrad is the finest book ever written on the life of movie great Errol Flynn. Conrad was originally hired by Flynn in 1958 to ghost-write his autobiography 'My Wicked,Wicked,Ways'. That book was published within weeks of Flynn's death in 1959, and became a runaway national bestseller. This volume is about the year and a half Earl Conrad spent with Flynn at his Jamaican hotel, writing the first book, and is a genuine page-turner with Conrad giving first-hand accounts of his adventures with Errol Flynn. The reader will find himself pulled into the story, and probably wind up finishing the book in a single sitting! Conrad shows us that Errol Flynn was more than a swashbuckling movie star, world famous philanderer, mean practical joker, as well as self-indulgent drunk and sometimes drug addict. Yes, he was all of this, but he was also much more, including a naturally talented writer, self-taught marine biologist, voracious reader, seasoned sailor, and in time a superb dramatic actor.
Readers, climb aboard this ship as it sails into high adventure!

I saw the movie and fell for Liam Cunningham and am now looking for my Mossie Sheehan. I am not much for the romantical farce normally, but this one caught my eye and heart. I am also looking for a copy of the movie.

This a beautifully written book, and while I could go on, there are some very nice reviews already at Amazon under the Ashes of Roses title. I just wanted to alert people who saw movie Falling for a Dancer who might look for the book that it has a different title in the US.

From beginning to end, I found this book truly enthralling. I absolutely adored it. I could not at all put it down. The story is in depth and right at the heart of conflicts of emotions. The characters are lovable and realistic. It is full of heart ache, joy, love, romance, modern dilemas and sex. What else does one need from a book?

My advice to any hopeless romantic is to read this book, and maybe even then, buy the video. Even if you have already seen the video, it is worth reading the book. The plot is a lot thicker and more enjoyable!

Falling for a Dancer is the first Deidre Purcell novel I had read. I bought it after having seen the movie; which by the way is also very good. I was immediately taken with the very difficult living conditions in post WWII Ireland. I hadn't realized hard the Irish worked just to have enough food for the many mouths at the table. The leading character Elizabeth is a credit to her heritage. I admired her sense of commitment, yet she wrestles with her strong, youthful sensuality. This book tells as much about life as it does about living. Gals, if you want a well developed story line with well-written sexuality and romance, this is your book. I now have a complete library of Purcell's works. As the previous reviewer said, this book is known by two titles, Ashes of Roses, and in the US, Falling for a Dancer. It is a novel I will read again & again. Even with its pathos and often heart wrenching tragedy, it is definitely a book you will not want to pass by.

Have you ever wondered what life would have been like if a certain event in your life had never occured?To read this novel is to read about the life of some one like that. If the bus had never broken down Elizabeth(Beth) would never have met George and her life wouldn't have been changed for the worse. It is the 1930's and Beth is living in Cork with her parents. She is after arriving home from a trip to Dublin with her friend Ida, but she has a deep secret that no one must know - she is pregnent and has only two choices- leave home and move into a home run by the nuns for unwed mothers or to marry... After a horrifying visit to the nun-run home Beth solomly decides to marry. The match is made for her, she is to wed a resently bereaved man named Neeley Scollard. After a quiet ceremony Beth is brought home- not to Cork but to her new home in Beara on the west most tip of Dingle where she is met by her new daughters.Beth has a son whom she calls Francey. Straight away it is obvious that Neeley is a strict man- all of his family fear him. Neeley's cousin Mossie is a decent type of person but Neeley maintains that Mossie is a land-grabber and that he and his family are to have nothing to do with him. After a dance Neeley losses his temper and hurts Francey, that night while Beth is in Cork hospital with Francey, Neeley dies. Everyone suspects that young Danny Mc Carthy has murdered him- noboby knows. After many years of heart ache and turmoil Beth wants to leave Beara but finds it too hard to leave. Mossie trys to win her heart but ............. You don't think that I'm going to tell you the whole story? If I did where's the point in reading the book? Deirdre Purcell is the best in a new type of writer. She is able to pull you into the story and into the lives the characters. I really enjoyed this book- I've read it God knows how many times. I have found that I hate to put this book down when I'm reading it. If you want to read more about the Scollard family, the continuation book is called Francey and it lets us know what happened the only boy and the rset of his clann (family for those of you that don't speak Irish). Happy reading- let me know if you read the book and enjoyed it or even if you hated it- I might be able to suggest more books for you. Slan o mise !! (Good bye from me !!

This book does a fantastic job of tracing the history of broadcasting of Irish football, both radio and television. The only criticism I have of it is that it sometimes repeats itself from chapter to chapter. It's almost as if the chapters were seperate articles, or part of a serialized presentation which naturally requires repetition to "update" the reader. This is a very minor problem, however, which is vastly overshadowed by the depth of the research. It would have been nice to see an appendix that listed the various broadcasts by medium and by announcer(s) but this may very well be impossible considering the "open" policy that Notre Dame had in the early days, where anyone could broadcast if they had the equipment. A great work that I would not hesitate getting for anyone with an interest in Notre Dame or college football in general. Some who do not like Notre Dame may not feel that the book is objective enough to be a true "history" of college football broadcasting, but if they do not like Notre Dame, they probably can't read anyway (he says with tounge planted firmly in cheek.)

This may be one of the best books on sports broadcasting ever written. Dr. Gulifor covers The Fighting Irish on air like a late afternoon fog covers South Bend in November. Great oral histories with some of the key personnel of Notre Dame broadcasts. The is a well researched book, and one that both scholars of broadcasting and football fans will appreciate.

I picked up this book as another Notre Dame book for a Notre Dame fan, however, I received both a "really enjoyable read" and an education. This book is not my typical read. This book is an excellent reference to the history NCAA Football broadcasting, even if you are not an IRISH fan, and might even adjust your thoughts about Notre Dame with respect to their history and recent actions with NBC.

Dr. Gullifor has written a book that is both scholarly and readable. As an Indiana resident, I have always had an interest in ND, but until I read this book, I had no idea how ND helped secure their national prominance in football through the contracts they were able to negotiate. Dr. Gullifor has clearly researched his subject and has presented a very credible work.

A Must Read for anyone interested in Sports Media
Dr. Gullifor gives the reader an in depth understanding of the evolution of sports broadcasting in American culture, and examines the decision making process of broadast executives in regards to Notre Dame. This should be required reading for anyone interested in sports media.

This is a good product. I bought it for a listening station in my classroom. The theme goes with another story with my reading program.

I can see the charms of this book...a young bear gets up to watch TV only to find the TV isn't working. First her mother, then her father and finally a repairman try to fix it but by the time it's fixed, she no longer cares because she is happily reading a book. There is an enormous amount of data supporting the power of reading and it happens that in our own house the TV is rarely on so we found this book somewhat less compelling. The hardcover version has pictures on the title pages which add to the story - be aware that the board book may be lacking these (I haven't seen the board book so I don't know for sure).

As an elementary educator, I highly recommend this book for both teachers and parents of young children. The power of reading over watching television has substantial research and ultimately confirms that reading is a powerful tool. David McPhail is my hero when it comes to writing and illustrating text. His delightful message is not only for Emma the bear, but for all children. Read Read Read.

David McPhail's Fix-it! is a charming book. The illustrations are clear; the text is simple. It is good for pre-readers and beginning readers. The book promotes reading with your children.

David McPhail's "Fix-It" is a charming way to introduce reading to beginning or relunctant readers. Emma wakes up one morning to find the television set not working. Her dad, mom and even the repairman are unable to fix it. When the T.V. problem is finally solved, Emma no longer cares. She has found an equally enjoyable activity, reading a book. Although this book could be considered a "baby book" by more "experienced" readers, preschoolers should be able to find this book appealing. The message that the book is trying to get across to children is great. The illustrations are soft and help tell the story accurately. This book has charm and should be enjoyed by a variety of children.

This book includes even more "forgotten gems" from
the original "Twilight Zone" - from the fourth and fifth
seasons of the show. "The Incredible World of Horace Ford",
"What's In the Box", "The Encounter", "Number 12 Looks Just Like You", and "Come Wander With Me" - not all of which were
good episodes but the scripts read way better than the episodes on TV actually are. There are two versions of "Horace Ford" and "Number 12", so this book is about twice the size of Volume 1. And, a bonus item is included, "Dreamflight" by William F. Nolan and George Clayton Johnson (which was never produced on TV). The commentaries by Ramage are, once again, superb,
and they include anecdotes from some of the actors who are still living.

I loved reading this book. I've been a big fan of TZ since I was about six years old and these Zone Scripts books just keep coming out...Hamner, Matheson, George Clayton Johnson, Beaumont, Serling, and now this one. I LOVE the stories when I watch them on TV, but reading them is even more of a thrill. They are really great as literary pieces, just like the intro of the book says. The commentaries are really insightful too. I have been reading the COMPANION guide by Marc Scott Zicree for many years and I am sick of reading his comments. He's way too critical, whereas Ramage wields a strong pen and gives them exactly the kind of comments they deserve. I kind of wish there had been some production shots in this book like there are in the Serling Scripts book, but that's a minor point. A great book for any Zone fan.

Andrew Ramage has done it again - as in Vol. 1, all the dust is blown away from these gems - one gets an appreciation for how the written word gets translated, transfigured - molded into action. The glorious Trouble With Templeton is worth the price of admission alone - and Ramage's reviews of each entry are spot on
This is a great read and certainly a great addition to the TZ line of books

Kudos to Andrew Ramage for assembling this collection (the first of two parts), which turns the spotlight on a few of Twilight Zone's neglected writers and scripts.

In fine fashion, this book rounds out the line-up of Twilight Zone script books currently available. Releases from the distant and recent past have provided collections of the TZ work of Rod Serling, Charles Beaumont, Richard Matheson, Earl Hamner, George Clayton Johnson and Jerry Sohl. FORGOTTEN GEMS FROM THE TWILIGHT ZONE fills in the gaps by providing a look at the work of several non-core writers who contributed to the show.

These scripts may not be the most memorable of the TZ series, but they all hold a certain charm for fans of the show and classic television, and certainly stand on their own as entertaining entries. "Long Distance Call" and "The Trouble with Templeton" are particularly interesting scripts, and it's nice to have them in published form for easy reference. This book also presents a welcome treat by printing Charles Beaumont's story concept for the unproduced story "Pattern for Doomsday."

Revisit the lost art of television writing and enjoy FORGOTTEN GEMS FROM THE TWILIGHT ZONE.

Any true Twilight Zone Fan can tell you Rod Serling was a great writer , but although he was the main contributing writer to one of the greatest series in television history , he didn't do it alone, There were many that were responsible for bulk of great scripts that Mr Serling did not create.Richard Matheson,George Clayton Johnson , Jerry Sohl and Earl Hamner were all great writers that contributed more than a few scripts to the series,and all have had there works published in one form or another for fans to read and enjoy.But What about those other few "Forgotten Gems" that have fallen thru the cracks? I was more than excited to purchase this book , full of information about each script , the production process and actor/directer info, Andrew Ramage pays tribute to those writers of the series,that are some times over looked for thier great contributions to "The Twilight Zone" legacy .Episodes include " The Chaser", "Long Distance Call", "The Trouble With Templeton","Dead Man's Shoe's"and"I Dream Of Genie" . An unproduced concept script called "Pattern For Doomsday"(which was a great addition for me)is also included.Overall the collection is a great display of classic ideas from the begining of the television era,presented with great respect from Ramage, these scripts can now be enjoyed by sci fi fan's ," Twilight Zone Fan's or anyone that enjoy's a great story.

Superbly illustrated with black/white photography and "user friendly" maps, One Tank Trips With Bill Murphy showcases 52 Florida-based adventures that can, quite literally, be taken with one tank of gas in the car, van, truck, or motorhome. From the Pioneer Florida Museum in Dade City to the Mote Marine Aquarium in Sarasota, a wealth of relevant information and "how to" advice make One Tank Trips With Bill Murphy a strongly recommended planning aid for anyone seeking fun in the Florida sun! Also very highly recommended is the new sequel, More One Tank Trips With Bill Murphy (0942084276, ...) which follows the same superbly presented composition of the first book and offers the vacationer with 52 additional fun-filled Florida excursions based on the "one tank of gas to get there and back) that ranges from the San Sebastian Winery in St. Augustine to the Florida Gulf Coast Railroad Museum in Parrish. If you are planning an outing anywhere in Florida, begin by browsing through these two excellent travel idea guidebooks by Bill Murphy.

I got this book because I was new to the area - Am I glad I did! It has lots of wonderful places to visit including nature parks that locals didn't even know existed. I have given a copy of this book to all my overseas & out of state guests and they have enjoyed exploring the wonderful area we live in. Does not contain the big theme parks - we all know where they are - but all the hidden and interesting places that are suitable for all ages. A great book!!!!

I've lived in the Tampa area for a year now, and I was under the impression that besides Busch Gardens, there wasn't much to do. Boy was I wrong! This book not only gives great attractions to see in the area, including Pasco & other counties, but it also details things like great restaurants and stores that have been here forever. (Try Pete's Famous Smoked Fish in Clearwater, if you like smoked fish. The mackeral is to die for!) If you just want to get out of the house one weekend, this is the book for you!

I like Bill Murphy's choices for downhome, uniquely Floridian trips to a variety of sights. But if you would like more of the same painted on a bigger canvas, give Real Florida: A Travel Guide for the Passionate Yet Practical (The Budget Romance Traveler series) a try. This friendly book has a great "budget-romance" attitude and spans the state from Apalachicola to the upper Keys. (The author is a Tampa native, too.)

THIS GREAT TRAVEL BOOKS BY WELL KNOWN TV ANCHOR BILL MURPHY HAS SOLD 75,000 COPIES SINCE November. It is well written with 52 great trips to take on just one tank of gas. You will be surprised how many other interesting places has besides Walt Disneyworld!!!!

I bought this book for my girlfriend (the most avid of Friends' fans) as an annexation to her Christmas gift this past holiday and based upon what she says, it was really good. Now whether or not she is just saying that because I got it for her has yet to be determined but since she is usually a harsh criticizer of material that doesn't live up to her expectations, her positive review of this little book makes me believe it's a good addition to any Friends' fan's merchandise collection.

Came in a moderate time period. The smallness adds to the cuteness of it. Goes perfect w/ the rest of my FRIENDS shrine!

I'm a huge Friends lover, and by reading that book I would have to say that they could make a pocket version for it. It's a total Friends guide!! Do you remember Rachel's and Ross' first kiss? Who the hell is Janice? And George Stephanopoulos? Buy that and you'll stay tuned. From Chandler Bing to Ugly Naked Guy, we all need one sample of this dazzling book. All I have to say it's OH MY GOD!

Great guide of yesterday's episodes, great sections on each character, although it is old, and a newer, updated version needs to be released. Great comments by each character. A true 'Friends' fan will remember each episode as they read the quote. A must have for the 'Friends' fan in your life!

I loved it since I'm a Friends fan. It was touching, & funny. Great