Chris O'Donnell Books

When I first saw this book, I knew it would be good, with Chris O'Donnell on the cover and a makes-you-want-to-read- synopsis, I knew this book would keep my eyes glued to the pages. Just like the synopsis, the book tells you about his childhood with personal facts and details on his upbringing, Which I didn't think was much different from mine. Secret childhood antics, interests - crushes on girls and his hobbies. It also gives details of his home life, pets and how he got on with his family.

The book goesthrough the stages of Chris's rise to fame and how he became a well known actor, with lots of info and the whole story of how he started out in front of the camera. All the gossip on what went on, on the film sets. The author gives a full explanation on the plot of his films and the roles Chris plays. It also has quotes from Chrishimself of how he has got on in his life so far and his future plans.

The book states the problems Chris had to deal with, such as tabloid stories about him. It also states Chris's happier moments such as the awards he has won and his name appearing on the nominee's list. Famous screen legends, Chris had made friends with, and the hot stuff provider describes his ideal women.

I gave the book 9/10 because it included:

· Interesting facts on him, I never knew before
· Good biography information
· Chris's personal thoughts and views on issue's
· Vital Statistics
· Filmography
· Gorgeous pics of Chris to make you swoon!

I didn't give it 10/10 because in some chapters the book goes off the story of Chris O'Donnell and focuses on his co-stars and other people associated with his films, and I really didn't want to read about anyone except Chris. That was the only bad point.

Overall, I think Chris O'Donnell: All - American Star is one of my favourite books. It's the ideal gift for any true Chris O'Donnell fan. I found out I have a lot in common with my favourite star, and the author Douglas A Mendini has researched well on Chris!. He has expressed in the pages of this book, O'Donnell's life through the good and bad times, but mostly the good times. He has told the whole story of how this little boy on his schools crew team became the boy wonder of the 90's we all know and love. But over everything, he has shown fans the REAL Chris O'Donnell.

Marc Parent has edited a collection that is an interesting and unique concept where authors have presented stories to be published that are not in their usual style. So as to avoid public expectations and criticism from hard core fans who are only satisfied with reading more or less the same thing over and over again they have kept their anonymity by not saying which of them wrote which story. Criticism of authors not producing the same old same old certainly does happen. Just read some of the tunnel vision reviews from some Harlan Coben fans of a non Myron Bolitair novels, Alex Cross fans of James Patterson novels, Dr Alan Gregory fans of Stephen White novels and even one of the authors in this collection Michael Connelly when he writes something that doesn't have Harry Bosch is often heavily criticised. So you can understand why being able to submit work in this format of the Secret Society of Demolition Writers would appeal so much to authors.

The problem for Marc Parent is that other than Connelly, Parent has really struggled to come up with anyone else that the casual reader is likely to have come across before, so therefore the whole purpose of the book really means nothing. Also the quality of some of these stories is pretty poor with not really anything happening in a few of stories meaning it is more likely some authors have just submitted work that was rejected by their publishers or they would be ashamed to put their name on. The other problem relates to the good stories like The Safe Man and Good Sport. You have no way of knowing who the author was to check out and enjoy more of their work in the future.

Overall this is a very average collection with only a few good stories. The concept is great and should be tried again, but you need more famous authors and you still need to stick to the traditional editing concept of the rejection of average stories.

I was dissappointed. Many of the stories were based around sexually explicit themes. I was looking for something more imaginative than that from these authors.

My book club recently had the pleasure of discussing this fabulous collection of short stories edited by writer, Marc Parent. When he presented such famous writers as Anna Quindlen, Sebastian Junger, Aimee Bender and others with the opportunity to write anonomously and "dangerously" they jumped at the opportunity. We not only enjoyed reading and discussing the intriguing and sometimes odd stories; we also took great pleasure in being detectives by trying to figure out who wrote what. It gave us twice the enjoyment for our money. I would highly recommend this for indivivual enrichment or book club discussion.