Television Books

I absolutely love this book! I love seeing replicas of letters, stories, pamphlets, early drawings, etc. When people come to visit they pick it up and are as fascinated as we are. It's one of the coolest books we own.

Being big disney fans, my son really enjoyed receiving this as a Christmas gift. It comes beautifully packaged and is a great addition to his collection. Playing the cd's brings fond memories of the rides and attractions at Disneyland Park and makes you wish you were there.

You must be a Disney fan for truly appreciate this book. If that is your case, you'll love it!!. The "pockets" where some of the "souvenirs" are located are a little tight, and can tear with ease. Other than that, it is a nice idea.

These books are like a pop up book on steroids...They are FULL of interesting little pieces that you can take out and look at, like letters from Walt to Lillian, ride tickets from the early days and all sorts of other things...These 2 books are worth every penny!!!

This book is a timeless classic, an absolute gem. For anyone wishing to get a real glimpse into the magic that is Disney this is the book.It offers historical insight and hands on replica memorabilia. I found this book full of information and fun.Beautifully presented.

THERE'S ALOT OF GREAT PICTURES IN HERE!THIS BOOK TALKS ABOUT CERTAIN PEOPLE WHO INFLUENCED MANSON,AND WHY.IT TALKS ABOUT CERTAIN " LABELS " GROUPS,AND PEOPLE GAVE HIM AND HIS BAND.IT TALKS ABOUT CHARLES MANSON,ALEISTER CROWLEY,AND ANTON LAVEY.THERE'S SO MUCH MORE INFORMATION IN HERE.THERE'S SO MANY DIFFERENT SUBJECTS BEING TALKED ABOUT.THIS IS REALLY AN INTERESTING BOOK!YOU REALLY SHOULD BUY THIS AND THEN YOU'LL KNOW MANSON ALOT BETTER!

This book reads like a "works cited" page for Marilyn Manson's life. It's basically a list of all the influences on his music, fashion, philosophy, religious views, and general tastes in things like movies and books. It also gives an explanation for why all of these are relative to Manson, although I'm sure this is in the author's perception and not his own. This book is a must for those that want to understand why Marilyn Manson is the way he is. It does a much better job than his own autobiography, which I consider to be more entertainment than knowledge. I highly recommend reading both books, they serve as excellent companions to one another since neither give the complete story.

An absolutely awesome exploration of everything Marilyn Manson. If you ever thought that Marilyn Manson was just a mere "show and tell"...this book will show you wrong. As this book reveals (and even a fact or two that will catch Mansonites off gaurd) Marilyn Manson is the most complicated and wildly entertaining pardoxial visionary of the 1990's, and remains a historical phenemona. A great book, a must have for fans, and a great read for anybody who is intrigued by Marilyn Manson's intellectual and genuinly artistic lifestyle.

THIS BOOK COVERS ALOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS.HE TALKS ABOUT ANTON LEVEY AND THE CHURCH OF SATAN.WHY HE HAS SO MANY " PERSONALITIES. " WHY HE DOES THE MUSIC HE DOES AND WHY HE CHOOSES THE SONG TITLES.HIS BELIEFS AND FEELINGS ON CERTAIN ISSUES.THERE'S SO MUCH MORE.THIS BOOK IS VERY INFORMATIVE.IT HAS ALOT OF EXCELLENT PICTURES!HE CERTAINLY IS A VERY INTERESTING PERSON!

This is one of the best Marilyn Manson books I've ever read, besides of course "The Long Hard Road Out Of Hell", without lies. which is mostly what you could find on a MM book.

I grew up watching Chips and my older brother Jose, who later actually worked for the CHP for 20 years, was often teased as being an Erik Estrada lookalike.
So this character had a place in my life. It was great as a teenager-twentysomething Chicano to have a role model that was so successful. Estrada was so popular that his success and presence blunted a lot of negative role models and rascism I faced growing up.
The book details his early life and early career. That was really helpful in fleshing out the larger than life image I grew up with. I love autobiographies to see how the person weathers the storms in their life. I love connecting the dots and stepping stones of their life. Estrada had a reputation for being difficult to deal with; his most touching admission is that the lack of a father figure prevented him from learning how to get along w/ difficult people, how not to burn bridges etc. I found that very insightful.
He was a serious actor who worked his way up. After Chips, his success in a Mexican soap opera gave him an insight to his Latino background. He grew up a New York Puerto Rican (NewYorican?) who had never fully grasped what the Latino world is. As a Chicano educator, activist, nationalist I am happy when I see "Born Again Chicanos" or in this case Born Again Boricua.
Read this book and understand part of the 1970's.

If you or a friend like Erik Estrada - you'll enjoy reading this book. It is written to keep your attention and interest to continue. WELL DONE! A great gift idea for an Estrada fan.

I HAVE ALWAYS LIKED ERIK, SINCE I WAS A TEEN AND NOW TO READ ALL ABOUT HIM, WAS GREAT, I REALLY ENJOYED TO HEAR HIS LIFE STORY, AND HOW HIS MOM RAISED 3 KIDS ALONE AND HE DID HIS BEST TO KEEP HIS MOM HAPPY, AND I LOVE CHIPS I WATCH IT EVERY MORNING ON TNT AT 6:00AM IN THE MORNING BRINGS BACK MEMEORYS OF HIM. I VERY GLAD TO HEAR THAT HE FINALY FOUND THE LOVE OF HIS LIFE. AND HE'S A GREAT DAD TO HIS TWO BOYS AND HIS DAUGHTER. AND GLAD TO SEE HIM BACK ON TV ON THE BALD AND THE BEATUIFUL. TAKE CARE

I've been a fan of Erik Estrada's since the first season of "CHiPs", and am still an actively dedicated fan. I bought the autobiography in hardcover on sight without hesitation. The fan wanted the book immediately, and the amateur critic and aspiring writer have yet to regret the decision.

I don't read a lot of autobiographies because I lose either interest in the story or respect for its author. The conversational style and the honest and balanced telling of this story grabbed my attention on Page 1 and held it through a cover-to-cover reading. Aside from giving details not usually revealed through other means, this book presented itself as something special from the first moment. I wasn't reading an autobiography with stylized prose and a detached third-person feel. I was listening as someone I have long admired told me about who he is and where his roots lie. I felt the story as it was being told, from the frustration of Hollywood's own form of politics to the elation of true love and a treasured family. From triumph to tragedy, it's all there. It's a story of courage, determination, faith and love - personal, cultural and spiritual.

It's easy for celebrity autobiographies to become self-serving tell-all's, but this book maintains a straightforward perspective, allowing the story to be told with dignity and with class. It's a breath of fresh air, and an absolute pleasure to read. The fans who have remained devoted through the bad press and the "where are they now" stories have long held the hope that the truth would be revealed. It has in a compelling story, straight from the heart and well worth the wait. Thank you, Erik, for sharing your side of the story.

If you're a fan, this book is a must. If you're not, read it and you just might become one.

Erik Estrada's book is the best Hollywood bio I have ever read. He holds nothing back and is very honest about rough times and regrets in his life (i.e. failed marriages, his shaky relationship with Larry Wilcox). He seems like such a terrific person and great friend, too. God bless him, Nanette, and his two boys.

Also, wasn't Mr. Estrada so much fun to watch in "CHiPS '99:? :)

This is an official book on the world's best boy band! It's especially cool since the guys put their own special messages at the end of the book (Scott's one is hillarious, check it out).
In the book, you find out how they got together, about the house they lived in together and their debut single "Slam Dunk (Da Funk".
There are also profiles on each guy, and a questionnaire written in their own handwriting! All the pictures are great, and overall it's a gorgeous book! Definitely buy it!

This book is the official one and I noticed 5ive put their own special messages at the end, check out Scott's one it's funny. Anyway, this book rulz. It has all the info on each 5iver and even a quiz they answered themselves. Loads of good pics and lots of info on how they started and stuff like that. If you're a 5ive fan and you want some info on those great guys buy this book it's the best because it's official!

This book is great. It has loads of pictures and information.Each of the guys even wrote a message at the end of the book(isn't that sweet?)! If you are a fan of Five you better get or you'll be sorry that you didn't.ALL FIVE FANS WILL LOVE THIS BOOK,I do.

I like this book, it is a must for every fan, it has some interesting facts and some brilliant photographs. it's a good book, for fans.

This book gives all the information on 5ive, The Neighbours From Hell, you ever wanted to know. Filled with loads of fantastic pictures and their views on the world, this has to be the best biography ever! So, go and buy it, it's brill!!!!!

I've known the author almost my entire life, and have never met a man with a bigger heart or a bigger set of "ba..lls".. He writes the things that we all think about but never say.. Ed touches on the subjects that rub us the all the wrong way and has the guts to ask why...Reading this hysterical book is like talking to the author in person, no false pretenses here, a real book written for the people by a author who pulls no punches and takes no prisoners...

This books is a great book written by someone that is not afraid to tell it like it is, or give you his opinion on something. Too many people in todays world try to be politically correct, or tell you want you want/need to hear. Ed will tell you the way that it is, without "sugarcoating" it.

Ed takes on many of todays problems of the world, saying how it is. If more people would take the initiative that Ed has, maybe we could change some of the "problems" with America.

Met Ed via my brother and that's how I heard about his book. Because I'm a Social Studies teacher, I figured this would be a "must have" for personal reference. I would categorize this book as a "water cooler ranting" because the questions, concerns, and social mores Ed mentions are exactly what all of us regular folk say at work, home, or in our heads. He's put out a work we can relate to - poor grammar, spelling, and lack of political correctness. Very good that someone is voicing what we're thinking (but too fearful to say).

Kudos, Ed. I want my copy signed! Ha!

This is a great book..I would suggest that you read this book it will really make you think..An Edward is a GREAT author.He says what were all thinking.I bought 2 copies one for myself and for my girlfreind. And she can't say enough about it We'll be sure to tell everyone we know.....CAN'T WAIT FOR YOUR NEXT BOOK....Will absolutly buy it

This is a really great book. I never read a book like it. I think a lot of people think like Ed but would never have enough nerve to put it down on paper. He has no trouble telling it like it is and at the same time it's funny. Can't wait for the next one. Good job Ed.

This is a very well written and engaging biography of one of the most incredible musicians of all time. Totally worth it!

This will probably be one of my shorter reviews [A sudden shout: "Yeah, right Doc!"] because I can quickly cut to the chase, to wit, Dr. Alan Walker has produced in this painstakingly researched 3 volume biography [spread out over 25 years during the research] with this 1811-1847 book being the first in that series, the 'definitive' Franz Liszt! This trilogy is a must read for those interested in Liszt and, IMO, is not only the definitive Liszt from "the" acknowledged authority and foremost Franz Liszt scholar but a decided asset to the Liszt biographical literature per se.

Two more comments: Watch the Amazon vendor prices for the 'hardcover' editions! Originally, these were rather pricey books in hardcover [although well worth it! Knopf quality!] but I was able to get 'used' albeit literally mint hardcover editions of the 3 volumes from 3 separate Amazon vendors. What's that? Sure! The original harcover editions were, in order of publication, $25.00, $39.95 and $45.00. I'll generally check out the hardcover offerings over the paperback editions in most of my books and sometimes there are some really exceptional buys out there although if it's a choice between 'good' and 'very good' pay the few dollars extra for the 'very good' or 'like new' grade notations.

Finally, check out among other of Dr. Walker's tomes on Franz Liszt, "The Death of Franz Liszt: Based on the Unpublished Diary of his Pupil Lina Schmalhausen" which is quite an eye-opener with regard to the "treatment" [or lack of same therein] of Liszt prior to his demise. As I said when I reveiewed that book, I trust the source of the diary find as well as the findings and its editing, annotations and examination via Dr. Walker as to the veracity of the Schmalhausen remarks. I quoted the remarks of the conductor, Felix Weingartner, who was 'there' at the time and his own observations [et al] lend credence to the Schmalhausen diary.

So too, and if finances permit and you want Franz Liszt a la mode, get the 3 volumes in one swoop plus the Lina Schmalhausen diary book which was edited and annotated by Dr. Walker in re the death of Liszt and finally, putting it all together, the 2005 published Dr. Alan Walker 'capstone', if you will, "Reflections on Liszt." See my reviews on those two tomes as well.

Doc Tony


What's that? Why not! Doc Walker with a straight white haired wig resurrecting Steve Allen's "Meeting of Minds" and doing the one and only "F. Liszt" as a sort of latter day counter-balance to Victor Borge's 'interpretation' so to speak in that classic Mike Wallace skit! Who better than Doc Walker to play Liszt and concurrently know what he's talking about! Ahhhh! That's the rather cogent difference!

A sudden voice: "What about Doc Walker's Chopin and Schumann tomes?" Fine! They could be played next! ;-) [as I place much trust in Dr. Walker's sense of humor! But the obvious compliment of his research is clearly evident!]

Alan Walker deserves 5 enthusiastic stars for making his life's purpose the writing of Franz Liszt's definitive biography, and succeeding nearly as well as humanly possible considering the availability of the always-emerging Liszt materials throughout the years. For me, I would have liked to have seen an even more musically-oriented life of Liszt. More than a few times, Walker mentions that eyewitness accounts exist of important concerts, only to refer us in a footnote to some person's diary (probably only available in some Transylvanian dialect if you could ever find it) rather than telling us about it himself. Meanwhile we're treated to almost painfully detailed renderings of Franz's love life with Marie D'Agoult and the many domestic dramas which haunted him as his pursued his life on the concert trail... but these are minor quibbles. The book is great, no doubt about it. Poor Liszt, he was the busiest piano virtuoso in history at that time, traveling in various carriages and carts across thousands of miles of potholed roads where he was jolted mercilessly and endured illness, exhaustion, rain, mud, snow and ice while he raced to his next gig. He was literally thrown to the ground violently at least twice, when wheels dipped into ditches or the drivers fell asleep and the whole carriage overturned. (It's sad and sobering to realize that this is exactly how the original bassist for the rock group Metallica, Cliff Burton, was killed more than 150 years later on a lonely road in Sweden. He was sleeping on the band's tour bus when it overturned. In a similar accident, singer Gloria Estefan was lucky to escape with her life.) Somehow, despite these gritty and dangerous travel conditions, Liszt performed a grueling succession of mostly triumphant concerts everywhere from Italy to Scotland to Russia before he decided he had been bounced around quite enough thank you, and settled down to compose and teach in Weimar, where Volume two of this epic biography begins. Towards the end of Volume 1, I began to feel as if author Walker's spark was fading slightly. And lo and behold, as I began reading Volume 2, I was very pleasantly surprised to see that the intervening years in which the author was researching the next installment had allowed him to completely recharge his batteries, and present part 2 to the public with a fully-renewed sense of brilliance, wit, and passion for his subject matter. Highly recommended reading for biography buffs interested in great musicians and composers!

As a music student in the 70's the subtext when discussing Franz Liszt was that he was a showman who leaned on his empty virtuosity. Chopin, Mendelssohn, and Schumann on the other hand, were the true romantic artists.

It's taken me over 35 years of studying piano and music to get to the point where I would read this wonderful biography of Liszt, and my eyes have been opened even wider about the wonderful artistic character of Liszt and his completely indespensible role in 19th century music.

This book (I have all three) is a wonderful read, at some times it is "laugh out loud" funny, and is filled with musical examples that perfectly illustrate the points that Mr. Walker makes.

If you are a musician interested in the piano, or the Romantic period, you owe it to yourself to let the scales fall from your eyes, and read this enlightening exposition.

This is simply the standard of Liszt biography. The fact that Alan Walker researched enough to fill three volumes is an achievement enough, but you know what else makes this biography so good? It's fun to read. Without a doubt, anyone interested in Liszt will find anecdotes, insights, illuminated facts, and even musical analysis of the most colorful and exciting character in classical music: Franz Liszt.

I've read this book twice, actually, and the second time was even more enjoyable. This owes to many things: Alan Walker's superb writing style, eloquent organization (gives the pedantics many footnotes to absorb at the bottom of the page) and a fine cohesion of thoughts and ideas put into each chapter. Sometimes I can't help but enjoy the biography as I would a novel. Yet Walker does not write it like a novel and clearly sets out to chronicle Liszt's life from his youth all the way to his retiring from the concert stage. In between these pivotal times, Walker manages to debunk myths, explore Liszt's underrated music from his virtuoso days, and examine other characters who interacted with the Hungarian composer. Walker is always focused on Liszt but never detracts by discussing Clara and Robert Schumann's reactions, or Sigismond Thalberg, Chopin and even Alkan. Walker depicts their perspective of Liszt and goes on to explain why there were so many misunderstandings.

Stories of Liszt's true meeting with Beethoven, his exciting romance with Marie D'Agoult, the duel with Thalberg, his generous nature to play for charity, and so many enticing stories of his concert days all help to shed light on what a remarkable man Liszt was, and at such a young age, too. The whole book is an exquisite panorama of Liszt's character, detailed through his letters, his travels, his music, and his legacy as researched by the author. What Walker has done is set the standard for the way Liszt should be viewed in the history books. For so long, musicologists were almost feeding us false information. From the really low ones we were even getting propaganda that he was a womanizer, a cheat, some kind of vulgar pianist, and even a fraud. Walker candidly mauls those old and incorrect views into the dust; he explores and accurately dispels the myths and ignorance that so many people harbored and still harbor for him, and for that I feel thankful.

Never have I read a biography twice like this and found the second reading even more engrossing. There is never a dull moment, never a chapter that slows down. To be fair, the only chapter that was uninteresting was the prologue and biographical information of Liszt's family. Despite that, once you're absorbed into Liszt's young world with Czerny, his move to Paris, and his tours all over Europe, it's like being on a rollercoaster ride during the whole book.

Bottom line: Liszt lovers must read this book; it's the best wealth of knowledge to get on the young Franz Liszt and it is written in a way that doesn't just educate, but also entertains. Highly recommended.

A fun read wrapped around insights into the world of DC politics and the television news biz. Interesting plot,clever asides and enough suggestions of how government actually works to make one wonder. A variety of characters make appearances and give added interest to the book. Jennifer Beth Oko does work as a TV news producer so she has in depth knowledge of her subject. Read it!!

Loved it. Well-drawn characters and a well-constructed plot. Protagonist is human, vulnerability and an accidental perfect sleuth. Throw in an insider's tell-all about the vapid news morning scene and a little international intrigue, and this is a fun book! Highly recommended.

I read Jennifer Oko's first book, Lying Together, years ago. That book was a frank memoir of her life and romances in Russia. With Gloss, she shows she can write fiction as well as she writes nonfiction! The rumor is she's got another book on the way. Don't keep us waiting too long, Jennifer!

Jennifer writes what she knows very well. With her being in the TV show industry, you know she has seen many interesting and humorous things. It just seems natural for her to write a book that takes place in the TV morning show industry.

The leading character, Annabelle, is a producer of one of those very popular and highly competitive early morning shows. Jennifer illustrates the hard work Annabelle does, how she puts up with difficult personalities, egos, and treated like a 2nd class citizen at times.

Out of the blue, the big boss from way up top appoints her to produce a story about cosmetic relief for a refugee camp overseas. The pressure is on for her to produce and outstanding story.

Naturally, Annabelle does some digging. It's her job to do so after all. The more digging she does, the more things become obscure. Her tenacity gets the better of her as she suspects some wrong doing is involved regarding this cosmetic relief project.

Annabelle is not satisfied with getting answers the conventional way. She takes matters in her own hands in getting to the bottom of the story and exposing the ugly truth. She has many setbacks and hardships during her adventure to expose the truth in which includes prison time where she befriends an amusing character that acts as her mentor and keeps her moral up. Annabelle also has a couple of good friends with some quirky personalities on the outside supporting her theory.

The whole time Annabelle is searching for the truth, she makes every news headline throwing off the ratings and putting the newscaster's careers at stake of the very TV show she is employed with. The reactions of the camera talent are humorous and totally believable.

Annabelle goes from being a peon to one with leverage in her favor. She uses it for all it's worth and takes you to hell and back.

Great reading, Jennifer Oko!

Ouch! Ms. Oko has really nailed the shallow trench of network morning news and it stings. Only an insider like herself could weave a tale that rings so true. One part CONSTANT GARDNER and two parts BROADCAST NEWS, it makes for a great read.

On a warm summer evening in either 1954 or 1955, I was lying down listening to the radio when a strange new composition began, something I had never heard before. By the time it got through "The Pink Houseboat," I was definitely hooked. A local radio station was playing the entire SEVEN DREAMS. I told my wife about it, and she ordered it for me for Christmas that year. I still think that it is one of the best things ever recorded. It was after this that I became an avid Gordon Jenkins fan.

This biography by his son is worthy of its subject, very effectively written to celebrate the life of one of the best all-around musicians ever. It gives a brilliant insight into the music business, with striking vignettes of some of the legends of a few years back, like Sinatra and Garland and Armstrong and Nat Cole. I read it with great pleasure and have just ordered a copy to be sent to my son, who is also a pretty good musician, and who I am sure will love this book.

I also discovered that SEVEN DREAMS is also now available on CD and have already obtained a copy to go along with my old LP, which in turn was a replacement for the original one, which was worn out by frequent playings years ago. If Jenkins had never written another thing, his life would have been worthwhile just for this, I think, but I am so glad that he turned out such a great many excellent compositions and arrangements. He was simply the best--period.

What a great job Bruce Jenkins has done in revealing the "behind the scenes" goings on of his Dad's life, and the stories that lead us to
understand the man (Gordon Jenkins) and his genius! I have an inkling of that era...being born in 1937, but; this book opens the door to new appreciation of Jenkins' magic, and sentiment in his work. I indeed have met (musically); and have a new hero in Gordon Jenkins! Way to go, Bruce; you've made your Dad proud!

I enjoyed this bio from cover to cover. As a musician,i always wanted to know more about Gordon Jenkins life as a person and a musician. His son, Bruce did a wonderful job of enlightening me.

I first became aware of Gordon Jenkin's music as a boy through his marvellously exciting arrangement for Peggy Lee's "Lover". Later his style changed totally through superb albums for Sinatra, Nat "King" Cole and even "Nillson". Some thought that style old-fashioned even then but those artists thought differently.
Now thanks to this superb book by his son and professional writer Bruce, we learn that away from the podium and arranging desk Gordon Jenkins had a wonderful mordant wit and great courage in the way he coped with life's cruelties and particularly his last illness. I lent my copy to a friend who immediately had me get him his own copy. No higher recommendation than that!

I have been an admirer of the musical talent of Gordon Jenkins for decades, and I enjoyed his son's biography of the life of
a most talented arranger, composer and performer, along with
insights about Jenkins' relationships with the many artists who
benefited from their associations with him.

If you know Suzanne Farrell you will love and respect the lady even more after reading this book. Many artists can relate with her experiences and feelings. I'm sure anyone who was in the arts in college knew of someone who had this type of relationship with their teacher.
Honesty and truth abounds in this volume. Ms. Farrell has an accurate memory of the past. We have proof of that in her restoration project of Balanchine "lost" ballets. She is putting together choreography that she danced in her early twenties.
A remarkable lady!

Farrell had a rather dramatic climb into the spotlight so this is not the book to learn how a young dancer makes her way up through the ranks. It's also a little I-danced-this-then-I-danced-that, which makes it hard to remember important roles early in her career. That being said, she is a brilliant dancer, with an unusual career and the truest sense of Balanchine's choreography. If you're interested in Balanchine, American Ballet or the New York City Ballet, this is a must.

Suzanne Farrell was often regarded as Balanchine's ultimate "muse", although she was neither the first nor really the last. Balanchine in the 1960s became obsessed with this willowy, mysterious dancer, and choreographed many ballets for her. Their personal relationship was much gossiped about. But Balanchine was married (to another "muse", Tanaquiel le Clerg), and Farrell was a staunch Catholic. Eventually, she married another dancer, and left the New York City Ballet. When she returned 5 years later, Balanchine's personal obsession was over. They worked professionally till his death but it seems as if Balanchine never became emotionally invested in her again. Farrell for her part loftily insists that the relationship was consummated through "dance" and not the traditional way. One wonders if it was this remoteness and unattainability that made Balanchine so hurt when Farrell married and left the company.
Farrell's book is a moving personal story, and I'm too young to have seen her dance but surviving videoclips make it easy to understand Balanchine's obsession. She was indeed a beautiful, electrifying dancer. However, like a lot of singer autobiographies, Farrell can't help but sound a bit self-centered. She was isolated at the NYCB due to resentment from the other dancers, but it seems impossible that she'd remain so completely oblivious to the company's other members. Thus, 1960s mainstays of the NYCB like Edward Villela, Patricia McBride, Karin von Arnoldigen, that all figure so prominently in any chronology of the NYCB, are completely absent in Farrells story. From someone reading her book you'd think Balanchine choreographed solely for her, that she was the only important ballerina in his life, and that the company essentially revolved around her. This is not a criticism, but it's something to keep in mind when reading the book. I'd suggest also getting a biography of Balanchine, to keep this in perspective.
To Farrell's credit, she never self-aggrandizes or vilifies anyone. She admits Balanchine could be selfish and smothering, but overall she treats him very sensitively. She is also fair about her mother, a typical stage-mom. Overall, this is one of the best autobiographies of a dacner that I've read. Its candid and personal. However, like most autobiographies I wouldnt read it as an entirely accurate history of ballet either.
As an interesting footnote, Farrell's frequent stage partner and new NYCB dancermaster Peter Martins fired Farrell from teaching at the NYCB after a blowup in the late 1990s. In a preview of the book Farrell mentions the firing.
Farrell's co-writer was Toni Bentley, who's also written a fascinating personal account of being a NYCB dancer.

I stumbled across this book by accident almost a year ago and have been touched by it ever since. I'm not sure that I can explain the specialness of this of this story but it feels like a real life fairy tale. You can feel Ms. Farrell's emotions and passion of what it must have been like for her to work with her teacher, George Balanchine. What a dynamic duo they must have been together. I would recommend this book to everyone, whether you have been exposed to ballet or not, as a special glimpse into a very public but very private life. Truly a lovely story.

i read this book as a young adult, when i was entrenched in the rigours of technique and training and it inspired me in many ways. from farrel's honesty and dedication to her art to the descriptions of balanchine as both a person and an artist. i love this book and i highly recomend it.

Hollywood has a long history of bad boys as this fascinating book shows. Bad behavior is as old as Hollywood,but this book is not a simple recap of tabloid stories. It gives an interesting background to the actors' careers, their missteps, and the consequences of their bad behavior. It can also serve as a cautionary book. So much of the bad behavior is a result of booze and/or drugs and in many cases derailed or destroyed very promising careers. I would definitely recommend this book.

He not only gathers information that would otherwise require assistance from the CIA or NSA, he disseminates it in a lively, juicy, easy-to-read manner. He bridges the gap between researchers and the everyday yahoo who wants to know the most salacious details of Hollywood royalty acting like the pampered, indulgent maniacs they often are. One would expect this kind of all-encompassing, zippy, definitive collection from Parish, who has mastered this form, and he does not disappoint.

This is a fascinating look at Hollywood history. Bad behavior is as old Hollywood and bad boys go back to the earliest days. But this is not a simple recap of tabloid stories; this is an indepth look the backgrounds and careers of these bad boys. It also traces the consequences of this bad behavior. The book could also serve as a cautionary tale; much of this bad behavior is the result of booze and/or drugs and in many cases derailed or completely destroyed promising careers. I recommend this highly interesting book.

THIS IS A GOOD READ ABOUT SOME OF THE BAD BOYS OF HOLLYWOOD. AMONG THE MALE ACTORS COVERED ARE BEN AFFLECK, JAMES DEAN, DEAN MARTIN AND BURT REYNOLDS. THE STORIES ARE 4-5 PAGES BUT ARE PACKED WITH DETAILED INFO CONCERNING DRUGS, DRINKING AND SEXUAL BEHAVIOR THAT WILL SHOCK ALOT OF PEOPLE. I REALLY ENJOYED THIS WELL WRITTEN AND INTERESTING BOOK. I HAVE ALSO READ HOLLYWOOD BOOK OF SCANDALS BY THIS AUTHOR AND ENJOYED BOTH VERY MUCH. IF YOU ARE CURIOUS ABOUT THE SCANDAL CONCERNING THE SO CALLED STARS OF HOLLYWOOD THEN THIS IS FOR YOU. VERY RECOMMENDED.

What do Charlie Chaplin, W. C. Fields, and Dean Martin have in common? In addition to passing away on Christmas Day in their respective years of death, all 3, along with 67 others, appear in
"Hollywood Bad Boys," from the prolific pen of James Robert Parish. From Ben Affleck to Gig Young (Oscar winners both), you get a succint account of the lives (and, in 37 cases, the deaths) of the notables and the wannabes, that, for better or worse, made the American entertainment industry what it is today.
If you like E!'s "True Hollywood Story" and "Mysteries and Scandals," you'll love "Hollywood Bad Boys."