Television Books

A wonderful eye-opener for any blind patriot who believes everything on TV and movies, and takes it all at face value. This book points out the hidden agenda of mass, corporate-owned media...

Parenti's critical review of the Rambo movies really made an impression on me. I used to like the Rambo movies, but now watch them mainly for laughs. Each subsequent Rambo release is, as Parenti describes it, worse than its predecessor. There was talk of reviving the Rambo character now that the U.S. is at war against terrorism. Let's hope it doesn't happen.

I'm not sure if working people are portrayed as negatively as Parenti has described it. If we only take Archie Bunker as an example, then yes, but filmmakers love to advance the theme of the powerless versus the powerful, because the opposite doesn't go well with audiences. Perhaps Parenti knows something I don't on this issue.

Parenti's favorable ratings of two films - JFK and Salvador - made me want to see them - over ten years after they had been released. I managed to see JFK, and it was great. I am still looking to see Salvador.

What I would like to see is an updated version of this book, since there has been more Hollywood propaganda released since the original version came out.

To hear newscasters avoid talk about class in America, you'd think the concept is as obsolete as the Soviet Union.Yet Michael Parenti continues to insist that class bias not only spreads out from the heart of society, but shapes it. Here he looks at TV's entertainment role in preserving social privilege. From popular stereotypes such as the Lone Ranger and his third-world flunky Tonto, to the invisible world of labor, to the well-meaning but misunderstood plutocrat, Parenti exposes capitalism's self-serving myths as portrayed on the little screen. Sure it's fun to kick around TV and a lot of people do it, but Parenti does it in a highly informative way that confronts our last remaining taboo - the role of wealth and power in American life.

Maybe the best chapter concerns profits and censorship. It's no news to point out that the networks and advertisers are in it for the money. But it is news to point out those instances when producers actually forego profits for the sake of respectability. Parenti details instances when industry has eaten losses rather than jeopardise the system of wealth and power it serves. For example, Procter & Gamble, TV's biggest advertiser, makes this allegiance clear by banning all content critical of Wall Street and the Pentagon from scripts it sponsors. In fact, most scripts - as Parenti shows - go through not 1, but 4 levels of censorship. No wonder, the public walks around in an ideological haze wondering why the world hates us -- and so much for the dollar sign's being more important than the system of which it is a part.

Another telling chapter concerns one of entertainment's most popular myths: "We only give 'em (the audience) what they want." Sounds good. But, as Parenti documents, despite this appeal to democratic ideals, the entertainment marketplace is anything but democratic. He sketches out control points or nerve centers that reduce real choice to pseudo choice, sort of like a multiple choice question whose options are narrowed to a desired range of outcome. All this is made sorrier by indications that American audiences respond to forbidden topics on those rare occasions when they seep through.

No book that debunks the FBI's screen role in the civil rights movement, or points out the class conditioning behind TV's version of Treasure Island, can afford to be overlooked. Whatever the book lacks in depth is more than made up for in focus. Despite his unperson status, Parenti remains a key figure among dissident academics banished to the book-selling fringes. Recommended to all those who understand TV viewing as anything but a passive pastime.

Propaganda is basically found in every modern society, so it should come as no surprise to find it in a movie like "Red Dawn," which Parenti refers to. He brings up such interesting facts as that all the TV networks have a department devoted to censorship, such as CBS's euphemistically named "Standards and Practices Department"; that companies like Procter & Gamble often have inordinate veto power over broadcast content considered subversive; and that PBS, which is actually anything but a "public" organization, has been dubbed the "Petroleum Broadcast Service" due to the large influence of the oil companies that help fund it. He who pays the piper..., you might say. I highly recommend this book.

Parenti does an excellent job in exposing how lopsided the entertaiment industry is, and how Right it is centered. He looks at aspects as diverse as Oscar winning movies to WWF wrestling, and how politically oriented they are, more often then not the Right. The Cold War did a number on American movies and it tainted the industry to this day in producing mediocre films that did not threaten or offend anyone high in power. I feel that today the situation is improved just a little bit, with more accurate portrayels of minorities and women and so forth, but we still have a long way to go in the entertainment industry. An excellent book for anyone at all interested in the entertainment industry and an eye opener as well.

This book s spectacular. The photography is outstanding. The scene outline that was scetched out gave an interesting insight as to how the scene was going to be shot. Couldn't get enough of Madonna and Antonio. Madonna was the perfect person for the role of Ava Peron the could almost be twins. Liked the opening by Madonna was very poiniently done.

This book is spectacular the photography is outstanding. The book gives you more than just photo's it gives you a couple of interesting insights as to how some of the scenes were created. Right down to including sketches of the scene in wich the song 'You Must Love Me' takes place intrieging. Would definetley recomend this book to any one interested in the movie; or if you like Madonna or Antonio. This book gives you your moneys worth and then some.

This book s spectacular. The photography is outstanding. The scene outline that was scetched out gave an interesting insight as to how the scene was going to be shot. Couldn't get enough of Madonna and Antonio. Madonna was the perfect person for the role of Ava Peron the could almost be twins. Liked the opening by Madonna was very poiniently done.

This book was awesome. It had wonderful photography, and a very good and understandable explanation of the movie. I could no put it down. I think that he pictures, though, made the book. Both Antonio, and Madonna looked great!

I loved the movie Evita, starring Antonio Banderas and Madonna. I read this book and couldn't believe it. It told me all I ever wanted to know about the movie, and more.

Don't you think it'd be GREAT, if Amazon listed the book's true author as Arianna Stassinopoulos instead of Arianna Huffington? I mean, really. Oy.

I can't believe no one has reviewed this book...so although I have never written one before here goes....
Critics say that this is the best book on the intensely private yet captivating Maria Callas. I'll go farther than that and say that it is the best biography I have personally EVER read and I am a huge fan of biographies. Yet, I can't quite put my finger on why its so good. Maybe its because Arianna Stassinopoulos shows a profound empathy for the diva or perhaps it's because she interviewed practically every living person who knew her. Maria Callas, the love interest of Aristotle Onassis who later dropped her for Jacqueline Kennedy, and of course the greatest dramatic opera singer who ever lived, is brought to life right in front of you in this fantastic, well ..... just read this book. You'll love it as much as I do.

The book is very good, but in some parts can be quite dull if you are not an Opera fan or musician. The beginning up to when she becomes famous is exciting, and the end as she is no longer quite so famous, is interesting. But the middle is redundant. Arianna goes through detail after detail of each and every performance. That to me is not exciting to read. But because I was curious about the whole Onassis/Kennedy/Callas triangle, I waited. It is important though to read everything to understand her personality. This woman was a wonderful person and a great legend, but she definitely suffered I would suspect from Histrionic Personality Disorder. Onassis is definitely a complete dick, not that this is a surprise, he reminded me a lot of Diego Rivera when it came to women as his possessions. They might have been friends had they known each other - although I suspect thier politics were different. I also purchased a CD to hear Maria sing and often played it while reading, quite a beautiful experience. I was not an Opera fan prior to buying this book. I only bought it after seeing the movie from Netflix - Callas Forever - a Historical Fiction. Curiosity got the best of me and now I am a fan - of Maria.

The number one recall I have about this book still haunts me to this day... her abortion. Onasis giving her the choice, him or the child.
Haunting. Horrible.
Above all, this book was a major "undertaking" for the author which she executed superbly! What a story! What a book!

(To the reviewer before me: Now we're two.)

I have not read any other biography on Callas, but I listen to her avidly (her La Wally aria is particularly addictive) and have her Tosca performance on DVD as well as the documentary Maria Callas: Life and Art. But Callas's music alone has always made me wonder about her. Such deeply mined emotions in her singing, such ferocity, such purity, such power. How does she get all these in her performances? Where does she mine them? Zefirelli has compared her to Michelangelo, Bernstein has called her the greatest artist in the world. This book answers these questions and explains why. I have to say that it is a compulsive page-turner, even now in the twenty-first century where opera is no longer mainstream. There's always something interesting in each page. At the same time the biographer doesn't belabor a particular episode or detail in Maria's life as to make it boring or overly dramatized. And Arianna Stassinopoulos is no Kitty Kelly: everything seems very well-researched and reliable.

I've got copy 4066 of this sumptuous (and reassuringly?) expensive package and I thought this review should really detail what you'll get for your money.

ONE: An oversize Kodak color film box, nineteen inches high by sixteen wide and three deep, this is a big facsimile of the box that De Dienes kept some of his Marilyn prints in. The package weighs twelve pounds and will hardly fit any bookcase. The inside has recesses for the two books and one booklet. Black silk tape allows for easy access of the contents.

TWO: A large, beautifully designed and printed, 240 page book of Marilyn photos printed on thick paper. Although the printing screen is not the highest (150 dpi) the photos leap off the page, especially the full-page color ones. Many of these photos seem to be very private shots of Marilyn that De Dienes took during her career (a few show her with other people, a hairdresser and bookseller). Several at the back of the book show Marilyn's face montaged into clouds or surrounded by celestial bodies. Between the photos, printed in silver ink and in a large typewriter font, there are excepts from De Dienes memoirs. Also printed in silver are smaller photos with his hand-written captions.

THREE: A booklet with twenty-four, one to a page, magazine covers featuring De Dienes photos of Marilyn. Seventeen of them are European titles. Predictably, great photos are weakened by logos, cover lines and generally poor cropping. I thought this booklet was rather disappointing in its production.

FOUR: The 608 page facsimile of De Dienes manuscript and composite book. I think this is the most fascinating item in the box because of the production problems. The original pages were typed on one side of a sheet of ordinary paper and this facsimile is on similar weight stock so that the back of each page has some text showing through, as the original (There is a production problem here though, the paper rightly has text show-through but the photos do as well, on the original paper only the white back of the photo would have been visible). Although the manuscript was in black and white it has been printed in four colors to create the aged paper look and the few handwritten numbers in green and red that De Dienes wrote on the photos. You can see all of his corrections and deletions to the manuscript and read the comments he wrote about the various contact prints of Marilyn and other printed ephemera he stuck on back of each page.

The original composite section has a hundred pages (it becomes two-hundred pages in this facsimile) of cut-out contact prints which De Dienes stuck on the typewriter paper, again they are reproduced in four-color black because of the occasional handwritten colored numbers, even the image of the punched file holes on each page is reproduced. Hundreds of these contacts show how he photographed Marilyn and you can see how dozens of shots were taken of which only one or two were probably published. Most of these images have never been seen before and certainly never in the form that they are presented here.

Overall I think the Marilyn Box is an amazing production package. A world famous visual icon is presented in a unique way.

*** FOR A LOOK INSIDE click customer images under the contents photo.

A truly wonderful pictorial memory of Marilyns early modelling years.The photos capture the emotion that exsisted between Marilyn and Andres and are uniquely presented in the large book.The box containing the books is truly one of a kind making the entire publication very special and authentic.

When I opened this box on Christmas morning, I felt like the luckiest girl in the world. A recent convert to Marilyn-ism, this was one of the first books about her I owned, and I'm so glad, because I think it's important to know Norma Jeane before you know Marilyn. These huge, glorious photographs taken by Andre de Dienes capture her innocence and natural beauty at a time when she was an unknown model. De Dienes' memoirs are touching and reveal Norma Jeane as she was to him, a man who fell in love with her, as so many would in the future. After paging through these books, you are left to feel as though Norma Jeane Dougherty would never look quite as beautiful again (and of course she would, but not in the same way). Revealing Marilyn Monroe at her earliest beginnings, this limited edition package is definitely worth the money.

For the Marilyn fan, this is a great book. The photographs reproduced in the large book are magnificent. The large book is difficult to read with silver ink on white paper, but it is cleaned up excerpts from the smaller facsimile typed recollections of De Dienes. It is heavy, thus a sturdy coffee table is required.

This book by Andre de Dienes is the most amazing title ever assembled on Marilyn Monore. ANY fan of Marilyn's will find this book worth every dollar. The design and reproductions are amazing! The diaries are a wonderful read! ...

I would spend a lot more for this book...it is worth every penny and you will squeal with delight when you first open it and find all the goodies inside. PAPER goodies.. LOL

Excellent book on the life and times of the great legend Bob Marley. Absolutely a must have for all Bob Marley fans. I couldn't put the book down until I had finished it. I highly recommend this book, it definitely deserves a five star rating.

The book came very fast and was in brand new conditions. I would recommend purchasing from this seller and would buy from them again.

When this was opened at X-mas, brought the recipient to tears. All the goodies packed into the book are amazing & worth every penny!

This is a nicely packaged (and slipcased) celebration of a reggae icon with beautiful pictures and interesting tidbits...the gatefolds and pockets with little surprises might become tiresome after a few browsings but Bob Marley is one those performers whose legend only grows with time and he is entirely deserving of this elaborate book. It's not too deep but then there are plenty of good books to choose from...in the end, it's all about the music.

I bought this book for my son for his birthday he is a big meerkat fan,he loved it!!!!!!!! Lots of great pictures inside.

A feast for Flower lovers or anyone who can't get enough of Meerkat Manor! Substantial weight "slick" paper (used for entire book) gave each picture a "hi-def" look, and there are plenty of them.
Aside from more detailed insider information (written by Cambridge
Professor Tim Clutton-Brock) there are maps of the Manor divided into
the territories held by the major meerkat clans, a chronology of Flower's life, geneological notes on Flower's children, and full-color pictures on nearly every page. Prof. Clutton-Brock has been
studying the meerkats of this area since 1993 and has done a marvelous
job of organizing and delivering a thorough and enjoyable discussion
of all things meerkat, and of Flower in particular.
I highly recommend this book for all meerkat lovers. It is worth every
penny. I know you won't be disappointed.

The book is full of beautiful photography and offers insight and additional detail to events that were softly touched on by the Animal Planet series of the same name - I find that the chart of all of Flower's pups in the back of the book to be particularly helpful.

Overall, it is well-written and easy to read - anyone who is interested in animals, Meerkat Manor, or Meerkats in general will enjoy this book.

Gives details of the Meerkat project that are sometimes only touched briefly in the Animal Planet TV series. There is heavy emphasis on reproductive strategies such as male roving and the frequent practice of infanticide of sibling's pups by pregnant females. Definitely for the reader who wants a deeper understanding of the sociobiology of another mammalian species not for someone who expects a gushing anthropomorphic indulgence. For that, view the movie!

Being a fan of Meerkat Manor, I really appreciate the information and great photos in this book. For anyone who enjoys the TV show or likes the study of animal societies, this book is for you.

this is cute. Its all color photos featuring adorable Michelle from the beginning to the end of Full House.

I love this scrapbook. It has more than 70 full color photos from the show Full House. Who ever is a Full House fan I would recomend this scrapbook for them.

I love this scrapbook. It has more than 70 full color photos from the show Full House. Who ever is a Full House fan I would recomend this scrapbook for them.

The book Michelle's Full House Scrapbook is excalty how they describe it. It is also funny at times and very cute!

This Scrapbook is the best. I love Full House and watch it always whenever it is on tv. With more than 70 full color photos it shows the whole family in action. All dressed up or in memorable moments etc. It also shows and talks a little about each character on each page. This scrapbook is for any big Full House fan or a character you like a lot in the show.

If scientists ever dissect the brains of Tom Leopold and Bob Sand, they may just discover that these hilarious comedy writers put the fun in funny. As Tom and Bob romp through side-splitting escapades with Milt and Marty, they cleverly incorporate "a funny" in every sentence. Don't skip your meds when you sit down to read this, as you will need the extra oomph to power you through the hysterical page-long sentences that have no punctuation in sight.

This book is about an inch wide and an inch deep, but it's funny. Almost as if they pulled together every bad comedy line and strung it together into a book. You'll feel guilty reading it, but you'll love it. (Just get a dust cover off War and Peace to cover it up.) It also contains the most offensive funny line I've ever seen in print. Silly fun.

I couldn't stop laughing. You can't go wrong with this book (especially if you're a comedian or comedy writer).

Bob Sand and Tom Leopold, two veteran television writers with decades-long careers, have written a caustic, hilarious, bile-filled, real-life "mockumentary" on the TV comedy business.

From the book's wild and disgusting cover, to the endless side-splitting venting they lay out for readers, this book is not one to read in a public place. You may end up trying to suppress waves of laughter and cause yourself to be ejected from a cafe, restaurant or bookstore. This book is dangerous to pregnant women, children, other TV writers, many famous comedians and half the rest of the world. Beware.

Ken

"Milt & Marty" will take you on the most hilarious journey of your life. Irreverent and at times, appalling, it's a MUST READ for anyone who dreams of breaking into showbiz, and for those who have had the misfortune to do so. I laughed so hard I almost "voided" in my designer jeans.

I JUST ORDERED A COPY OF LAURYN HILLS BOOK 'THE MISEDUCATION OF LAURYN HILL' AND, I ALSO HAVE THE ALBUM, BUT I FELT THAT I NEEDED TO KNOW MORE ABOUT LAURYN HERSELF AND THE ZION,HOPEFULLY SHE MENTIONS IT IN THIS BOOK,I LOVE YOU LAURYN,YOUR MY ONLY INSPIRATION,I WOULD LOVE TO SEE MORE BOOKS WRITTEN BY YOU, I'LL BUY EVERY COPY YOU PUT OUT, I LOVE YOU LAURYN FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART---love,Lashawn Nicole

This album is really creative, Lauryn Hill had TONS of talent!

I love this book! It is da BOMB! You have to read it. Lauryn hill is suck a talented artist and this book give you all the details of lauryn's life! It ROCKS! Hi mom!

The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill isan excellant book! Lauryn has beenthrough some trying times and I adore her for staying so strong. Aside all rumors that were made, Lauryn was still able to stay focused. She is truely genuine.

"Queen of the Hill"- What else could you say about a young woman of such grace? Many have loved and admired Lauryn for years and years and I can honestly understand why. Her style is so versatile, and her personality is so calm, that you can't help but join the " Lauryn Hill bandwagon" (ya know?) I say " Queen of the Hill" and I don't use those words lightly, because most people have read articles, many people have listened to her music, but when you meet her in person, the connection is so overwhelming, you do literally pinch yourself to see if it's a dream.

This book is a must for both men and women. (It might be for gay people too if you are into that sort of thing because they want to be "married" these days.)Darrell examines both sides of the realtionship from experiences and observations. I read this book cover to cover and will read it again because its funnnier than hell, just like his stage act! I can't wait for the second book!

Steve H. Ohio

MisInformation hits home in many ways. In reading the chapters (which are cleverly titled), I found myself wincing at some of the remarks, not because they are hard hitting and direct, but rather they are true in some regards. I think the key point made in this book is that it is not directed to all...let me stress all women, but those times I found the dialog assaulting were when I seen myself doing or saying those exact things mentioned. I think it is a good tool for men in respect to finding out why women think there are no "good" men left, but it turned out to be an eye opener for me as a woman. I can't wait to read volume 2.

This book is for men and women Darrell did not leave anyone that is dating ,married , or thinking about having any kind of relationship out. Ladys you may have to read a little bit at a time but when you calm down you will want to read more. Darrell is hard on us woman but if nothing else read the parts that relate to you or someone you know and i promise that you will read the whole book.

Darrell tackles the issues I wish others would be brave enough to address. As one of those "hard to find" males, I appreciated his honesty, directness and thoughts. We create our own reality and then blame others for the way things turn out, particularly in our relationships and how we are viewed by others in society. I laughed as much as I cried when reading this book. Darrell is a real truth-teller. After I finished reading it I gave my copy to my wife's single friends to read. Cheer up ladies and have faith. . . there are still a lot of great men out there. You just need to know how to find them with the right bait. Darrell's book is your tackle box for finding one of us! Can't wait for Volume II!

I thoroughly enjoyed Misinformation. I've had the pleasure of seeing Joyce perform live many times, and his skill as a comedian promised this to be an entertaining read. What struck me, however, was the level of insight and information underneath the issues he exposed. This is not some guy running his mouth off -- this is a study. This is a work that has come from years of astute observations, intense research, and personal experience.

That being said, Joyce's style is blunt and aggressive. This book is real. He doesn't sugarcoat things, and he doesn't shy away from his points for fear of offending. He tells it like he sees it, and for that I respect his honesty and courage. This book is a breath of fresh air in an age that is so hyper-sensitive to political correctness. If you put this book down because a word or phrase offends you, in the long run you're really denying yourself-- he just has too many excellent points.

Although Misinformation looks a bit intimidating, the effort is well worth it. You will see it's underlying themes every day of your life. Instead of chuckling at the overweight woman wearing the T-shirt that says, "Too pretty to work," you will shake your head at the much larger societal problem she represents.

Thanks, Darrell-- can't wait to read volume two!