Television Reviews

If I Knew Then What I Know Now ... So What

Published in Hardcover by Contemporary Books (1988-10)

Authors: Estelle Getty and Steve Delsohn

List price: $15.95

Used price: $0.01

Average review score:

WONDERFULl!!

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2005-12-20

I absolutely love this book. Whoever wrote that you can here Estelle's voice as you read it, you are REALLY correct. This book is extremely funny, and tells the truth. I wish she could have talked about her time in Torch Song Trilogy a little more though. However, my book is battered as well I have read this book SO many times!

I LOVE this book....

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2005-09-26

I always tought that only the character Sophia was funny, but this book proves that Estelle is just as hilarious....

Classic Estelle!

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2003-11-20

While reading this book you could hear Estelle Gettys voice while she's cracking jokes throughout. Thoroughly entertaining!

Estelle Getty is so great.

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2003-01-30

This book was fantabulous. Anything Estelle Getty does is automatically a classic.

Golden

Helpful Votes: 8 out of 8 total.
Review Date: 2004-12-18

If you're an avid fan of the Golden Girls, and by that I mean, know when it airs on Lifetime and are able to recite dialogue from the show, then this book is for you. It captures the essence of Estelle Getty, and what we loved about her fiesty character, Sophia. It's an easy read of observations, anecdotes. I've read this many a time...my copy's all battered, but every now and then, when I'm feeling sentimental or a little blue, I pick up this book and find myself feeling a whole lot better. It's comfortable and familiar.

In the Footsteps of Marco Polo: A Companion to the Public Television Film

Published in Hardcover by Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc. (2008-11-01)

Authors: Denis Belliveau and Francis O'Donnell

List price: $29.95

New price: $17.54
Used price: $16.00

Average review score:

Fistfights, gun battles, and 2 scary crazy guys

Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2008-12-27

Francis O'Donnell and Denis Belliveau are two American adventurers who followed the trail of Marco Polo by horseback, camelback, on foot, and by jeep. This was in the mid 90s when much of their route was either in the middle of a war or was off-limits to Americans. They made their journey on a small budget, with no official support, and were damned lucky to escape with their lives.

These are not laid-back travelers taking a nice trip through Asia. They got into a knock-down fistfight with one another, another one with a group of Russian gangster wannabes in Tajikistan, basically told a Chinese security officer to go f**k himself, shattered the glass in a hotel door when the desk clerk wouldn't let them in (it was accidental, sort of, and they felt a little badly about it) and then flooded their hotel room when they forgot to turn off a tap. They also were kidnapped by a warlord in Afghanistan and came within seconds of being executed. Oh, they also hitched a ride across the secret Chinese nuclear test-site, driving at night, because that was the route taken by Marco Polo.

They knew enough Turkish and Russian to make themselves understood, and seemed to manage OK with Mandarin as well. They also knew a great deal of the cultural history of central Asia. They weren't just barroom brawlers.

They had tremendous difficulty getting into Iran, because they were American. They did finally manage to get in, after months of bureaucratic delay, on condition that they stay with the government-imposed driver and translator. They ditched the driver and translator after a week, and made the rest of their trip on their own.

The book is well illustrated with color photographs, and has frequent quotes from Marco Polo's journals, showing how much and how little has changed in the culture and landscape.

It's THE travel/expedition/adventure book of the decade

Helpful Votes: 23 out of 25 total.
Review Date: 2008-10-27

Denis and Fran live the French proverb: "leap, and the net will appear."

And so they begin...in the spring of 1993 when the friends were both 30, with a dash of reckless bravado and a lot of testosterone, they read The Travels of Marco Polo -- finding his descriptions come to life for them, literally jumping off the pages of his book. I suggest now that they have done for modern readers what hasn't been done in the over 700 years since Polo put pen to paper.

In writing about their own travels, Denis and Fran bring to life for us contemporary readers a world only Marco Polo knew. But since we can't all travel to such exotic and distant places -- it's all the more important that their book delivers on the insights of their two years abroad. That "travel is the enemy of bigotry," that this book will easily help teach our children: "intolerance just doesn't make any sense," as Fran says.

This book is for you...if you follow your bliss, and if you can live vicariously through our dynamic duo, achieving something most of us couldn't even dream up. Hey, 1,000 people have climbed Everest. Only 2 have done what these guys did.

You'll discover that the book works on 3 levels:

1. The authors effortlessly weave exciting historical passages from Marco Polo's diaries (exciting? history? really!). Their first person narrative is the truest form of storytelling, unfolding more like Indiana Jones, then any boring History 101 class. You can almost hear the Harrison Ford voiceover as they blend their own "in the moment" thoughts with text lifted directly from Polo's journals.

2. To anchor the reader, in context, they connect their wacked, Dali-like travels to their normal lives back in NYC. This ebb and flow, is exceptionally effective to help us internalize adventures we couldn't possibly fathom -- delivered through the eyes of two ardent travelers.

3. And, at 50, I appreciate the simple fact they've used large type, lots of white space, short chapters, stunning photos, all making the book readable in small chunks.

It's all so seamless. Making it...THE travel/expedition/adventure book of the decade.

A couple of themes flow constantly throughout. The pair suggest often that they couldn't seem to conquer the biggest barrier of all, bureaucracy. Learning that all visa officers are the same everywhere, liars, "...you have my word." Ha! And it seems that in every chapter I read their same one line, "it was over[sigh]." Every chapter. Patently false. These guys slid in and out of borders, with stealth. Some passages read right out of a 007 novel. As with their clandestine flight from NYC to DC (page 2), to meet with the mysterious "Mr. K." Landing in DC, quickly ducking inside a phone booth, and calling a number scribbled on a scrap of paper, from their "source." We move from Bond, to a scene from Die Hard 3, where the pair bolt from location to location, reaching just in time to make the next call, only to be given more instructions. If they don't get there in 15 minutes, the deal is off. No Mr. K. So, its taxi, hotel, phone call...rinse, then repeat.

Or, describing how a KGB agent masquerading as a bureaucrat questioned them (p 33). How they indignantly grabbed their passports back, before he could ascertain that their visas were actually forged. How dare he?! Jeez, Marco Polo never needed to forge a visa. But the real Bond cliche is their "letters of transit," given to them by Mr. K, addressed to various warlords along the dangerous Afghanistan route -- these letters were sewn into their clothes...no kidding. Also, describing one of many near-death experiences (p 46). Staring down the muzzle of a Kalashnikov, held by a small child. On their knees, in the dirt, in a land the US long abandoned, thinking "this is it, my life's over, done, I'm dead."

I gotta admit that although I'm staunchly American, by page 70, as the pair marches through Afghanistan, Denis and Fran describe firsthand the destruction of these people. Giving the reader some understanding of the effect our US has on this world. That with such great power, comes great responsibility. It's thought-provoking.

The lads struggle in a way sometimes painful to read. Day after day of bureaucracy, boredom, hunger and danger, on-and-on. But then they bring the reader back to why we travel in the first place. Like on page 116 when Denis is feeling sorry for himself that today's breakfast doesn't include Eggs Benedict, hash browns, and the smell of bacon. On the other hand, he posits, "I was on THE Silk Road, on the outskirts of the largest desert in the world, in China, a place I've always dreamed of going...I shouted over to Fran, "there will be no Eggs Benedict or coffee today..." Obviously, Fran shrugs, looking perplexed at his travel mate. Both of them couldn't think of a better place to be -- amen, brother.

Similarly, when Fran throws his arm over Denis' shoulder, proclaiming "I don't want to leave. I could see myself getting a Mongol princess and settling down... Xanadu is really here... These people are really living! I just don't know if I'll be able to fit back into my old life after being here." To which Denis cautiously offers, "I don't blame you for wanting to stay, but if you do...I'll have to kill you, pack you up in salted pork, and ship you back to Venice with me." I bet the typical Condé Nast traveler never gets to utter words like that?

This book is...more than just Denis' National Geographic quality photographs. More than just an adventure novel, of the first order. More than just an expedition travelogue.

IT'S A GIFT.

It's easily a gift from a parent or grandparent to spend a little time reading to a child. Some history here, funny passages there, imagery everywhere, all laid out in an easy-to-read format. The imagery reminds me of the scene in the movie Forrest Gump, where he's sitting by the bedside of his long love, as she's dying of AIDS. He describes to her, in vivid word pictures, the things that he's done, and the sites that he's seen. In a weak voice, she says "...I wish I'd been there with you." And, you just know it's so authentic when Forrest says to her... "you were." This book does that for the reader. Don't buy this book for yourself. Gift it, by reading it aloud this Christmas, to someone you care for.

Finally, know that their writing style runs from "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" (dude, lots of "dude"), all the way to Mary Poppins -- as on page 135, where they launch into a singsong babble when a Chinese cop demands their passports. "...no no, don't you agree, Fran?" "Oh yes, yes, we couldn't do that, no, no, that wouldn't be appropriate....no, you should always keep your passport..." LOL.

"I haven't told you half of what I've seen." -- Marco Polo.

I'm so jealous.

In the footsteps of Marco, Denis and Francis:The Journey of a Lifetime!

Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2008-12-12

While following their dream and the footsteps of Marco Polo, our intrepid Queens residents travel well beyond the borders of their borough, and their own psychological and spiritual limits, to discover the universality of the human condition. While encountering distant peoples and cultures these two friends confront dangers and adventures that re-establish their own places in themselves and in the world at large. Through their travels and personal growth we are presented with a revelation that is crucial in todays evermore complicated international relations, namely, that despite ethnicity, race, religion and nationality- common folks are open, decent, loving, and reflective of the God that created them. The warmth portrayed will encourage even the most faint hearted pessimist among us! A must see film, a must read book!

john coltelli

Best Documentary Ever

Helpful Votes: 4 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2008-11-23

From the moment I started reading In the Footsteps of Marco Polo I felt as though I was going on the journey with Denis and Francis. The book showed feelings, emotions and at times, danger. It is so well written that one feels they themselves have travelled the path of Marco Polo.

It is truly a "must read". Once you open the book you can't stop reading it until the journey is finished and Denis & Francis are safely home with their families.

a GREAT book -- the final nail in the coffin of my own job -- I have travels planned and am ready to take off for 2 years!

Helpful Votes: 5 out of 5 total.
Review Date: 2008-11-10

I just spent my weekend reading this great book! I have dreamed for the past few years of packing up and traveling the world solo for 2 years. This book was the final nail in the coffin of my own job. I'm set to go and am headed out March 2009.

The story intertwined with Marco Polo's own story and the beautiful pictures are divine. An easy read, but also a very thought provoking read.

Enjoy!!

Jimi Hendrix: The Ultimate Experience

Published in Paperback by Da Capo Press (1999-10-20)

Author: Johnny Black

List price: $21.95

New price: $9.98
Used price: $2.75

Average review score:

Love this

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-01-26

The reason to read this book isn't that it gives you the closest thing to a day-by-day accounting of Hendrix life (which it does). The best reason to read this book is the diversity of perspectives that it gives you on Hendrix. You hear from people who loved him, who just randomly bumped into him, and even a couple who could have done without him. There's no author's bias that you have to tease out on your own. There are an assortment of takes on Hendrix. You can judge for yourself what is valid and what isn't, based on whether it is corroborated by other accounts of the same event. A truly fascinating way to look at the life of a legend.

Provides a well-rounded view of the man and his career

Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2001-02-13

This book on legendary guitarist Jimi Hendrix takes an unusual turn, gathering eyewitness recollections of his life through the words of his admirers, friends and close observers. From his childhood experiences through adulthood, this uses quotes from documentaries, books, newspapers, TV and Internet sites as well as new interviews to provide a well-rounded view of the man and his career.

The Ultimate Book

Helpful Votes: 4 out of 12 total.
Review Date: 2001-05-02

Jimi Hendrix was undoubtedly one of the most distinguished and most talented guitarists ever to walk the planet. His life started out in the gutter: no mother, a father overseas, and nothing to rely on but himself. Soon however, he found his true calling, the guitar. One of his father's friends had an old Stratocaster and one night while he was drunk, he sold it to Jimi for hardly anything. From this point on, his life changed drastically; he took his guitar with him everywhere he went, even going as far as sleeping with it. His guitar took him all over the country, to England and back, and then back to London. On his last visit to London, he passed away. Jimi Hendrix was and will always be one of the best guitarists ever.

noone to trust

Helpful Votes: 5 out of 5 total.
Review Date: 2000-09-27

This book opens the wounds of Jimi's death anew. The author pieces together, as best he can, with recollections from family, band mates, and contemporaries the crushing price fame held for Jimi Hendrix. One can feel the pain, and I actually felt rage against all who seemed out to destroy him. True, he had his own demons, but there seemed noone who was really there to care about the "person" Jimi, only what they could get out of him. Of all books out, this one seemed most objective, if that is possible.

My experience with The Ultimate Experience.

Helpful Votes: 9 out of 10 total.
Review Date: 1999-12-24

This unique day-by-day account of Jimi Hendrix's life succeeds in driving home the relentless pressures of being a rock star. Drawn from a variety of sources, the book manages a feat rarer than a Hendrix guitar without teethmarks...a coherent recollection of the sixties music scene! An excellent read.

John Lennon (Unseen Archives)

Published in Hardcover by Parragon Plus (2003-10-02)

Author: Marie Clayton

List price: $20.65

New price: $19.00
Used price: $8.75
Collectible price: $33.95

Average review score:

Cynthia should have done a little investigating...

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-06-02

I just purchased this book because it was full of pictures I had not seen before, probably since they were shot by the Daily Mail british press. I like collecting picture books of the Beatles together and solo because they make good coffee table books and great books to just peruse through while you're chatting with someone about them. I collect the biographies as well; both go great together. If you like picture books, check out May Pang's new book "Instamatic Karma"; it's full of pictures taken during John's "lost weekend". The picture of John signing the document that would officially end the Beatles is worth the price of the book alone. Anyway, "Unseen Archives" is a great book to add to your Beatles/John Lennon collection. I do think Cynthia should have chosen another shot of John to use as the front cover of her book, "John", instead of the same one used for "Archives". But that's just my opinion....

Beautiful photographs, a must have for Lennon fans

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2004-05-01

So many Beatles-related books trot out the same photos, again and again. You all know the ones I'm talking about. But this book is decidedly and refreshingly different. I have many Lennon biographies in my library and this book contains many previously unpublished photos of John, especially ones from his childhood and in the period 1975-1980. The paper quality in the book is exceptional and is thick, glossy material which results in a stunning display of black and white vibrancy. The text is incidental but adds flavor and gives you the year each photo was taken.

The photos of the Beatles are a little weaker, and contain many previously known shots. But the individual pictures of John are outstanding. Consider the beautiful profile view on the cover of the book, taken in 1967. This is just a sampling of what this treasure trove has to offer. There are many other such nuggets within the covers. Any serious fan of John Lennon will adore this book and get many hours of pleasure perusing these photos of a great cultural and musical icon. John himself would scoff at such a description, but it's oh so true.

A Book For The Ages

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2005-05-01

I'm a great fan of John Lennon's work and this, almost behind the scenes, book shows me how his life really was like. It wasn't always perfect like people think it could be. The photographs tell a story in themselves with the short captions helping you along the way. The easy to read context makes it that more interesting.

great price!!

Helpful Votes: 2 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2003-12-20

I just recieved this book a few days ago. Its filled with hundreds of black & white photos and descriptions. I highly recommend this book to anyone... you cant go wrong with the price...Stock it up for gifts!

John Lennon

Helpful Votes: 2 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2003-06-02

Hey I just got this book for my birthday and it's really good, I am a huge Beatles fan and a pretty good sized lennon fan and this has TONS of good pictures in it, it's a great book and a lot of the pics are with the Beatles lol a lot without the Beatles too, It's a great book!

John Williams Greatest Hits 1969-1999

Published in Paperback by Alfred Publishing Co., Inc. (2000-03)

Author:

List price: $24.95

New price: $15.65
Used price: $11.00
Collectible price: $24.95

Average review score:

great book to have

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-01-17

i bought this for my brother who started taking piano lessons a while back, and it's got a great selection of some the most beautiful music i've ever heard (i love john williams). good if you love jurassic park, etc. & many other timeless musical scores!

Great songs

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2006-11-10

This book has all of Williams's best. The songs sound really good on the piano and are easily reconizable. I recommend it to any John Williams fan.

Wonderful!! A+++++

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2006-08-12

Boook was in GREAT shape, super super super fast shipping. Wonderful seller. Buy from this person! Thank you so much! We used one of the songs as a joke in our wedding (Indianna Jones theme song... I'm an Archaeologist) and people LOVED it! Thanks for helping to make our special day even better!
A+++++

THE John Williams Sheet Music Book

Helpful Votes: 19 out of 21 total.
Review Date: 2001-08-27

If you are looking for a book with various themes of John Williams, look no further. This book contains many of his great hits from, like the book says, 1969-1999. It includes the themes from Born of the Fourth of July, Jurassic Park, Star Wars, Jaws, JFK, Schindler's List, E.T., Close Encounters, and Superman. It also includes Duel of the Fates, The Imperial March, Luke and Leia (for all you Star Wars fans), Cadillac Of The Skies, Hymn to the Fallen, Seven Years In Tibet, Scherzo For Motorcycle and Orchestra, and many more. If you are a fan of John Williams and play the piano, this book is for you! P.S. Also look for the 2-CD set of the same name which includes all of the same songs.

The best piano book in the world

Helpful Votes: 2 out of 9 total.
Review Date: 2004-05-08

This is the best piano book in the world.

The Judith Durham Story: Colours of My Life

Published in Paperback by Virgin Books (2004-06-10)

Author: Graham Simpson

List price: $14.62

Used price: $74.99

Average review score:

Judith Durham : Colours

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2006-05-27

A well engineered, detailed book which chronicles the life of one of the greatest voices in pop music. Another example of a singer who fell victim to the industry's need to pigeon hole each artist in a specific genre to make them more "marketable".
Judith fell into the folk music trap and her talents elsewhere (blues, jazz, the piano)were ignored. Unfortunately, the folk music scare of the mid sixties didn't last long enough to sustain a proper career and Judith was forever classified as "that gilrl who sang with the Seekers". Pity.

The life of a great star and Australian national treasure

Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2006-03-22

This is the biography of a name that may not be familiar to most Americans, but her voice is recognized by all the baby boomers. Judith Durham was the lead singer for The Seekers who had so many hits in the mid 60's. She left the group in 1968 and began a solo career that is still going strong today.
Her voice is her trade mark and is like no other. She has had a very successful career with her husband, Ron Edgeworth, who was her arranger and pianist. He died in 1994.
The Seekers re-united for a single concert in 1993 which was stretched out to 110 concerts since so many people wanted to see them again. In one day, 10 concerts sold out completely.
They did their "final concert" in 1995, since all had solo careers to which they wanted to return. That lasted a few years and then they got together again in the last few years for more concerts. Primarily in Australia and New Zealand.
Judith's story is fun to read. I was particularly interested in how her career spanned so many countries and musical art forms. She and Ron started off in England, then moved to Switzerland since British taxes were so awful. They entertained in Europe, England, Australia, and the US. Spending considrable amounts of time in all places. They were such a talented combination that they could work just about anywhere.
They finally settled in Australia, where Judith was born and grew up.
Judith does not hold back the highs and lows of her career, which makes the book very real life.
This is a great book for all Judith Durham fans,anyone familiar with The Seekers or musical entertainment. And the nice thing is, you can still see Judith performing and buy her CD's and DVDs. She turns 63 this summer and her manager said that she is taking a break from performing right now.
Judith Durham is only 5'3" and weights around 100 pounds, but has one of the most powerful yet pleasant voices I have ever heard. It is truly unigue.
The male members of The Seekers brought in at least 4 other female singers to recreate the group, but none could replace the voice of Judith. Their 4 part harmony is what we all remember so fondly. This is a very good read.

A musical journey, a spiritual journey

Helpful Votes: 7 out of 7 total.
Review Date: 2004-03-27

"Colours of My Life" traces the life and career of Judith Durham, lead singer of the Seekers. Now a singer/songwriter in her own right, Judith shares her fascinating yet heartbreaking journey. Born in Australia to working-class parents, Judith struggled with issues of self-esteem, body image and depression. Her years with the Seekers brought both fame and frustration, as she coped with the need to spread her wings as an artist while being held back by her loyalty to the group.After four years of being relegated to nightclubs and variety shows by a manager who always played it safe, Judith gave six months' notice that she was leaving the group to pursue a solo career. Judith had always felt that her strong areas were jazz and blues, but feared there was no audience for this in the sixties. As she sought to shed her "folksinger" image, and compete with the likes of the Rolling Stones, the Beatles, and Simon and Garfunkel, Judith had to find her own niche. And in doing so, she also found her husband, pianist Ron Edgeworth. The two embarked on a 25 year musical journey which saw them living all over the world. And on a spiritual path which ultimately carried Judith through her health problems, recovery from a very serious auto accident, and the losses of her parents and husband. This book serves as biography, travelogue and music history lesson. But most importantly, it serves as an inspiration. Despite a lifelong condition causing limited lung capacity, Judith's voice rings strong and clear, now in her sixth decade. By sharing with us her joys and triumphs as well as her heartache and loss, Judith imparts a sense of purpose and zest for life, both in her songs and in her book.

Compelling life story of the worlds best female vocalist

Helpful Votes: 8 out of 8 total.
Review Date: 2004-05-14

In the afterword of "Colours of My Life" Judith Durham describes life as "what happens to you when you are making other plans." This phrase would certainly describe the life of one Judith Durham. This biography, lovingly written by Graham Simpson, was first released in Australia way back in 1994. It has been recently updated and reissued for the enjoyment of her fans all over the world.
While I have been a fan for all these many years I was certainly never a Seekers or Judith Durham fanatic. After all, the Seekers never achieved the popularity in the States that they enjoyed in their native Australia and the UK. About three years ago I was spinning my vinyl copy of the Seekers "Greatest Hits" when I remarked to my wife that Judith is perhaps the best female vocalist I had ever heard. This remark prompted me to do a search on Judith on the internet. I was really curious as to what she might be doing after all these many years. Much to my amazement, I discovered that the Seekers had reunited in 1993 and had recorded a new album of original material "Future Road". I was not aware of any of this. I immediately ordered the new CD and from that point on I have become a Seekers/Judith Durham fanatic!!!
I simply could not put down "Colours of the Day". What an interesting life Judith Durham has led. There are so many highs and lows, so many twists and turns. Graham Simpson has done a wonderful job in chronicling all of it. You will discover how Judith came to be a Seeker and the reasons why she chose to leave the group back in 1968. You will follow her around the world in her pursuit of a solo career. Learn how she met her beloved husband Ron Edgeworth and follow their travels over two decades from England to France to Switzerland to South Africa and back to Australia. It seems that they were always on the move in search of new musical horizons. You'll learn about the causes Judith really cares about and about tragic illness that claimed her loving husband.
Judith Durham has been honored all over the world for her work as a member of the Seekers, for her solo work and for any number of humanitarian causes she has become involved with. She is a remarkable lady. You are sure to enjoy her life story.

Top Book

Helpful Votes: 9 out of 9 total.
Review Date: 2005-05-22

This is an in depth story of a great Australian singer.
You can realy get glued to this.There is certain parts that you want to read a few times over again.Such as when the Seekers broke up.I dont think at the time she realized the heartbreak she would cause by leaving.Not that i remember cause i was only 1 when they broke up.
I dont think anyone can understand her reasons for leaving,unless they put themselves in her boots,and this is as close as you will get.
Now i was not a Seekers fan till i saw them perform at the 1994 AFL grand final.That voice just was so good i became a fan from that moment.I did know alot of their songs,mum had a few old singles,as well as i'd heard them on the radio mainly on the oldies stations.This book goes through her life,and how she reached stardom in the Seekers.Their careers seemed to explode when they took a ship called the SS Fairsky bound for England.
Its very interesting to read about the things that interested her in her younger days,and how she got into the Jazz scene.It goes through all the happenings in the Seekers.As well as into her solo career.
It also describes the accident she had in 1990 and the circumstances around that.I just love reading about when the Seekers got back together and the subsequent tours,and recordings.
They did their last tour in 2004,this edition was in 2003.

The Jump-out Boys

Published in Paperback by Vantage Pr (1999-11-01)

Author: Hank J. Barr

List price: $14.95

New price: $49.94
Used price: $49.94

Average review score:

Go Behind The Scenes of the hit TV Show COPS !!!

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2003-04-11

Even if you aren't a fan of the hit FOX television show COPS (and that would put you in a small minority), you'll find this trip behind the scenes of the making of the show that started reality television a facinating journey.

Hank Barr puts you right in the patrol car with the crew as they ride through the dangerous streets, documenting our nation's police forces doing the job that they don't get enough pay for. Barr's writing style is friendly and addictive. You'll have trouble putting this one down and the end of the book will only have you begging for volume 2.

A must read for fans of the show and those who appreciate our friends in Law Enforcement! Get it while it's still available!

A view through the back door

Helpful Votes: 5 out of 5 total.
Review Date: 2000-01-25

Riveting! Fascinating! Even these adjectives are grossly inadequate. Hank Barr has lifted the cover, just a bit, to provide a glimpse of a portion of life that most of us will never have the opportunity to see. That's probably one of the reasons why the show COPS continues to enjoy high ratings.

As to the book - it has been longer than I care to recall since I read a piece of non-fiction which was nearly impossible to put down. Mr. Barr may have been a sound man, but his words paint vivid pictures in the mind.

A word of caution - Don't lend your only copy to a L.E.O.(Law Enforcement Officer) it will quickly vanish as first one and then another L.E.O. "must" read it.

COPS and the Jump-out Boys

Helpful Votes: 5 out of 5 total.
Review Date: 1999-12-27

COPS - the long-running TV series documenting the dramatic action accompanying the arrest of criminals - is itself documented in this first-hand account by a real insider.The author relates his ten years of experience as a "jump-out boy," one who follows the action, as a cameraman, sound or lighting technication, all the while burdened with cumbersome equipment. This book is a must for any true COPS fan!

Jump Out Boys is a hit

Helpful Votes: 6 out of 6 total.
Review Date: 2000-02-05

For the average viewer the television show COPS gives you seven minute segments into the life and times of law enforcement around the world. Hank Barr, veteran producer of the show, takes the viewer behind the scenes in his book the Jump Out Boys. With the turn of a page the reader is taken on an emotional roller coaster ride that goes from laughter to sorrow and anger to joy. The stories the author tells are based on ten years of experience and for viewers of the show, this book will be an instant favorite. As a Deputy Sheriff that had the privelege to spend time with Mr.Barr, I can say with all certainty that he has not missed a detail with this book. It is a page turner that you will not want to put down and will read over and over again

COPS and THE JUMP OUT BOYS

Helpful Votes: 6 out of 6 total.
Review Date: 2000-02-01

I am one of the deputies that participated in the COPS Show. Hank and "Richie" rode with me on both trips to Los Angeles. As I read this book, I found myself thinking back to many good times with those two guys. Hank has captured many of the feelings and emotions that ran through us on several occasions. It brought back those times and it seems like yesterday. Hank is a true professional and was a pleasure to have in my radio car. He has been able to convey the stories in a way that only someone who was there can. This book is outstanding and Hank is a great guy. The one story that covers his rides with me is accurate down to every detail. I found myself laughing again, just as I did that night. Thanks Hank!

The Klingon Way: A Warrior's Guide (Star Trek: The Klingon Book of Virtues)

Published in Paperback by Star Trek (1996-05-01)

Author: Marc Okrand

List price: $12.00

New price: $17.00
Used price: $0.49
Collectible price: $27.50

Average review score:

A book for a warrior!

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-08-08

I bought "The Klingon Way" some years ago and was really impressed with it because it not only expresses the heart of the fictional Klingon culture but it's a book I've actually used in a men's group I led at a church I used to belong to because a lot of what's in the book are things men can really relate to, a book for a warrior!

Enjoyable for any Trek fan, Klingon expert or not.

Helpful Votes: 10 out of 10 total.
Review Date: 1996-08-02

In the quest for more and more spin offs in the Star Trek market, this book stands out. Rather than another novel, or nitpicking reference volume culled from the shows - this presents authentic alien literature: the proverbs of the Warrior Race!

Providing insight into tlhIngan (thats Klingon: think Bejing versus Peking. The standard English term is a corruption of the correct pronounciation, just as the old name for China's capital city was) culture, this book cleverly draws from the film and video incarnations for pithy Klingon phrases. The author (compiler), Marc Okrand created the language and clearly knows his Trek.

Illustrating almost every proverb is a relevant black and white. The proverbs are presented in tlhIngan Hol and DIvI' Hol (Klingon and English), along with a paragraph or two discussing the cultural background, and occasional grammatical tips.

The book is well organized, so that you don't really NEED the The Klingon Dictionary (also by Okrand), the authorative guide on the language. However, it makes a great companion to it. Someone seeking to learn and use the language would do well to buy both books and use The Klingon Way as a workbook of phrases to study with the vocabulary and grammar provided by the Klingon Dictionary.

irrestible

Helpful Votes: 3 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2000-07-07

Astounding. This is one of the books a Klingon fan would love to read. Trust me, you'll be intrigued.

The Klingon proverbs and their meanings in the book will help us understand Klingon culture and society.

Klingons at the best!

Helpful Votes: 4 out of 5 total.
Review Date: 2002-09-13

This is the ultimate Klingon book! It brilliantly weaves the tapestry of Star Trek's Klingon history, through its publication date in May of 1996. It is written both in English & Klingon. The photos are black & white. Each page contains a quote in both languages and a detailed explanation of the Klingon terminology. If you have not picked this up for your Star Trek collection, let me quote a Klingon phrase for you, "qoH vuvbe' SuS" ("The wind does not respect a fool"). If you can still find a copy of this, enjoy it.

Klingons are misunderstood

Helpful Votes: 4 out of 6 total.
Review Date: 2000-02-23

If I had to be reincarnated, I would be reincarnated as a Klingon. Even though Klingons take no prisoners, they have a few smooth edges. Some how I do think that the whole Klingon race and Klingons in general are misunderstood. This book gives some virtues and good says that can be applied today. My favorite saying is "Revenge is a dish best served cold." and this saying can apply to anybody, even ex-fiances.

The L Word: Welcome to Our Planet

Published in Paperback by Fireside (2006-03-07)

Author: Kera Bolonik

List price: $16.00

New price: $4.66
Used price: $1.22
Collectible price: $125.00

Average review score:

Great!

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-10-07

I ordered this book after buying the Season 1-4 DVD Collection. It is a great book with lots of color photos and explanations of the episodes.

I would have liked to have seen a little more from the actresses on their characters, and comments about working with the other actresses, but overall the book is very nice.

I would highly recommend it to anyone who is a fan of the show!

Amazing!!

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

This is the best idea I have ever had: the book is really fantastic and tells you all you want (and need) to know about the wonderful Showtime's serie.

L is for Loaded with Good Stuff

Helpful Votes: 23 out of 25 total.
Review Date: 2006-03-03

This book is unputdownable. The character profiles are keenly observed, and reading the episode guide is as breathless and fun as discussing the episode with your friends, except that this author has the inside track. And then we get inside dirt from the actors and the cast themselves!! The book is a total blast. Can't wait 'til they add season three.

More L Word Please

Helpful Votes: 4 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2006-12-25

As a big fan of the show it was great to have a book released to show behind the scenes and go into more depth with the shows characters and the actresses that portay them.

A Great Read

Helpful Votes: 5 out of 5 total.
Review Date: 2006-07-12

This book is a must have for any fan of "The L Word." I finished the book within a couple of days. It was that good. The info on the cast is great and it is good to go back and read summaries on the first two seasons. The pictures are awesome. All in all, definitely a good read.

Ladies of Soul (American Made Music Series)

Published in Paperback by University Press of Mississippi (2001-03-01)

Author: David Freeland

List price: $25.00

New price: $19.13
Used price: $5.04

Average review score:

1 on every 10 men

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2006-08-19

The history of (soul) music has been predominantly the domain of men. Only the really exceptional women like Billie, Aretha and Diane Washington were mentioned among the greats.

This book is made up from different interviews with Ladies of Soul like Bettye LaVett, Maxine Brown but also Timi Yuro (white).

I haven't seen a book yet that gives so much attention to the female voices of soul and is therefore worth buying. It is also a very pleasant read.

This Book Was Needed!

Helpful Votes: 15 out of 15 total.
Review Date: 2001-05-10

How many times have I gone to a club and watched fabulous singers give astounding performances and ended up asking myself, "why isn't she/he a star?" Many of these entertainers are professionals, but for some reason, have not achieved the heights that many other, equally talented people have.

My record collection is filled with such artists: Howard Tate, Loleatta Holloway, Syl Johnson, Vanetta Fields, Otis Clay, Anna King, Shirley Brown and many others.

Author, David Freeland, obviously felt the same way, as he set out to showcase seven unheralded female soul singers from '60s, by giving them some overdue recognition in his new book, "Ladies of Soul". Among them are some of my personal favorites, starting with the incomparable, Bettye LaVette ("Let Me Down Easy"), who knocked me out when I first heard her demanding voice on the radio singing "You Killed the Love". I had no idea that this singer was only in her teens, for she emoted like an experienced woman of 40. That voice was coarse, even nasty at times, pleading and fraught with the damages of cigarettes, booze and life. Many feel she has a "churchy" sound, but LaVette swears that she is a child of the blues. Wherever it came from, that voice affected me deeply. Since, I have seen her bear witness, "live" in performance, giving 110% of herself and working harder than Tina Turner during her torrid times with Ike. Tina, by the way, covered Bettye's first hit record, "My Man (He's a Lovin' Man)".

Maxine Brown is gifted singer who has had many hits and deserves the spotlight in this book. Her immense talent has grown with experience and she is one of the best soul singers around. One of her big hits, "Oh No Not My Baby" was later recorded by Aretha Franklin.

The misunderstood, Timi Yuro, who's career and voice puzzled many (some thought she was a man, others were convinced she was African-American). She's Italian and has a soul as deep as the rivers. As a young girl, not only did she sing opera to appease her father, she sang in black churches (thanks to a religious black nanny) and toured later, as a professional, with the icons of soul like Little Richard and Etta James on the chitlin' circuit. She was asked by Frank Sinatra to tour Australia with him in the late 60s and her records were produced by such giants as Quincy Jones and Clyde Otis. Timi's first hit, "Hurt", was covered by Elvis Presley.

David Freeland has done a remarkable job with his hands on research and wasted not a second, quoting what others had written on this subject. He traveled the USA and found these women and interviewed them, in person, in depth. It seems that he quickly became the vehicle they could utilize to voice their anger, frustration, exhilaration and hope.

Also fascinating, were Freeland's conversations with Ahmet Ertegun, founder of Atlantic Records, whose candid insights into achieving success in the record business (then and now) and the unpredictable tastes of the record buying public were truly telling. Frank perceptions into the lives of many soul performers were punctuated by Juggy Murray, founder of Sue Records.

David interviewed DJ's, engineers...numerous people who make their living in the recording industry. This gives his book its distinctive authenticity.

I was not familiar with the personal life of Denise LaSalle ("Trapped, By this Thing Called Love"), before reading this book. Over the years I have purchased her albums and enjoyed her brassy brand of r & b. After reading her story, I conclude that she is substantive, opinionated and also a savvy, smart business woman. Carla Thomas ("Gee Whiz") turns out to be an interesting character. Her career sizzled just below the boiling point and she never achieved the stardom she deserved. It was also interesting to read about Barbara Mason ("Yes, I'm Ready"), whose records I've enjoyed over the years, and to get to know the one singer I wasn't familiar with, Ruby Johnson.

The book is not just "I made this record and sang with this person", it covers the morose as well, not only in the music industry, but societal injustice, as well. Travels through the south, having to deal with the America's ugliest demon, racism, brushes with the Ku Klux Klan, all are undeniably apart of these scenarios.

Very revealing are the observations by Bettye LaVette regarding the city of Detroit, during the heyday of Motown. Hers is a much darker portrayal of the same occurrences that were described in other books like Mary Wilson's, the Temptations' or Martha Reeves' biographies.

The important accomplishment here, is that this book stimulates one's appetite to hear these grand ladies sing! Enter their names on any Internet search engine and you'll find more information on each of them. Thankfully, they have CDs in the large record stores or can be ordered online.

A very different, unusual account

Helpful Votes: 4 out of 5 total.
Review Date: 2001-09-11

David Freeland's Ladies Of Soul profiles the rise and fall of seven female performers of the 1960s. Maxine Brown, Ruby Johnson, Carla Thomas, Timi Yuro and others are revealed, from their struggles for success to issues involved in their music. A very different, unusual account.

very well concieved Book

Helpful Votes: 4 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2001-08-22

a Book such as this Enlightens Many of Artists that didn't get a fair shake for Various Reasons.I got a chance to read this while also Reading David Nathen's Book on Diva's.this Book is very well Detailed&gives alot of Insight to many things.worth a checking into.

AN EXCELLENT BOOK ON UNDERRATED SOUL SISTERS

Helpful Votes: 5 out of 5 total.
Review Date: 2002-05-19

David has written a compelling, honest and excellent tome on a diverse range of soul sisters some of whom have never received the mainstream recognition enjoyed by others. That he would take time out to track down Ruby Johnson and Timi Yuro and include such soulful divas as Bettye Lavette, Maxine Brown and Carla Thomas is to his eternal credit; I'm hopeful that there will be a follow-up since there are other women who deserve the kind of truth-telling treatment he offers. Bravo!

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