Movies Books

As previously said, this is a very well and beautifully writen errr... memoir. The cover tells you the whole story of what to expect inside. At first glance Alec dancing appears as a comical figure almost, but as you look closer you can see he is in some sort of agony. And as the book moves on, it is hard for him to not show his melancholy.
Despite being a bit of a emotional downer, this is still a very worthwhile read for any of his fans.

The journal of an extraordinary gentleman, one of the greatest actors ever to grace stage or screen. His reflections on his career are moving and perceptive, totally lacking in self-aggrandisement. His thoughts on the whole "Star Wars" phenomenon are particularly witty but smack of the desperation of being hounded by that film's fans. It's tragic that this great man may only be remembered by modern generations for his appearance in that opus instead of for his work in the Ealing comedies, "The Bridge on the River Kwai", his lengthy stage career and his magnificent turn on TV as George Smiley.

Alec Guinness is undeniably one of the most gifted actors of our times, and now, with his offering of "A Positively Final Appearance," we get to know something of the man behind the mask. This journal, kept between the summer of `96, and 1998, is chock full of insightful musings, reminiscences and anecdotes that are a delight. He shares his love of the theater, discussing many of the plays he attended during this period, and gives comments on recent movies, as well. An avid reader, he talks enthusiastically of favorite authors and books; his love of literature is unmistakable. The stage is his first love, however, and he speaks fondly, and frankly, of many of the plays he's done, and of his experiences with many of the actors and directors with whom he has had the privilege of working. He invites you into his private life, discussing the love of his life, Merula, and discoursing on their life at home, as well as their many travels. You learn what the greatest regret of his life is, who some of the people are he admires most, and a few of whom he could do without. He explains his negative attitude toward the "Star Wars" phenomenon, and addresses many of the events, large and small, that have in some way affected his life, and helped mold his perspectives. His concern over world events and the human condition is poignantly evident. Guinness writes so fluently, you can almost hear that distinct, familiar voice; you seem to be listening, rather than reading. There is a dignity and charm to his words that reveal, to some degree, the man behind them. That he values his privacy is apparent, and it becomes very clear that he is not the most accessible person, yet without any rancor; he holds his fans in high esteem, but there is a sincere humility to the man, who simply doesn't feel worthy of all the fuss. In a world seemingly rife with crass sensationalism and indifference, "A Positively Final Appearance" is like a tonic to the soul; it is so refreshing to discover that somewhere elegance and refinement still exist. My positively, final word on this book is that it is a joy, and should not be missed.

I picked up this book because I like Alec Guinness' work in "Lawrence of Arabia" and his other David Lean films (not because of "Star Wars" which I can take or leave). To be honest, I was worried it might be kind of boring.

Well, it was not boring -- it was delightful. The man was full of many profound observations about life that he communicated by writing about everyday things such as the birds in his yard or the weather. His vivid memories of his stage career and the people he knew were vastly entertaining. I was surprised to find him to be a humble, not-too-well-off everyday kind of man, not some fabulously rich egomaniac as I had supposed him to be.

Even though I could not be more different from him politically, I still enjoyed reading his views on politics. It was like talking to a dapper, well-bred older gentleman you bumped into on the street. His writing was assertive, yet polite and genteel.

If you miss reading this book, you've missed a simple pleasure that will make you smile. It's worth buying!

The late Sir Alec Guinness was a lovely writer, and with this, his final memoir, he improved vastly over his previous gift to us, MY NAME ESCAPES ME. Whereas the latter was strictly a selection from his diary, with this Guinness moves beautifully from journalistic descriptions of day-to-day events (from eye surgery to walks with his wife, Merula, to the indignities of moving slowly in an ever fast-paced and impolite world) and wry reflections on current events to anecdotes spanning his entire career in theatre and film. Each chapter is arranged by a theme, mostly seasonal, but they meander charmingly.

Those interested in his encounter with the church and his beginnings as an artist should find his autobiography, BLESSINGS IN DISGUISE. Those who might want reflections on STAR WARS will be disappointed. When one gentleman asked Guinness for an autograph from Ben Kenobi immediately after mass, Guinness admonished him, "Not in front of the parishioners!" and disappeared as nimbly as a young Jedi.

THIS BOOK IS ABOUT LEGENDARY FILM MAKER ROGER CORMAN. HE IS KNOWN FOR MAKING FILMS AS QUICK AND CHEAP AS HE COULD. MANY OF THESE ARE CULT FAVORITES SUCH AS LITTLE SHOP, GIANT LEECHES AND MANY MORE. I HAVE SPENT MANY A FRIDAY NIGHT AND SATURDAY AFTERNOON WATCHING THESE "CLASSICS". ROGER CORMAN IS KNOWN FOR MAKING CHEAP BUT INTERESTING AND SOMETIMES HILARIOUS B MOVIES. THE BOOK GOES BEHIND THE SCENES AS THE AUTHOR INTERVIEWS MANY FORMER EMPLOYEES WHO HAVE WORKED FOR CORMAN AND HAVE INTERJECTED THEIR VIEWS AND OPINIONS ON CORMAN. ROGER IS ALSO KNOWN FOR GIVING MANY STARS THEIR START. CORMAN IS ALSO A COMPLEX GUY WHO CAN BE VERY GENEROUS AND CAN ALSO BE AS CHEAP AS THEY COME. SOMETIMES MOOD BUT ALWAYS LOOKING TO MAKE ANOTHER MOVIE. I REALLY ENJOYED THIS BOOK AND I RECOMMEND IT FOR ALL FANS OF KING OF THE B'S AND WHO APPRECIATE BRILLIANCE ON A BUDGET.

Wow! Talk about switching personalities! This amazing biographer can emit the style of the person she is writing about to really give you a flavor of the personality. And of course, she spent time working for him, so you are privy to more of a view. Written somewhat bruskly like Roger's personality, you really gain insight into his life and what made him the person he is. Contrast this book with Beverly's biography of Ron Howard and you see some of the exceptional talent of this lady. A great read!

(...)

Gray's biography--fun as it is-- is more than a story about a man who is arguably one of Hollywood's most idiosyncratic moguls. It is a chronicle that parallels that of The Great Depression, World War II, the growth of the film industry and Los Angeles itself. We meet again celebrities we haven't thought about in years like the adorable dimpled Jon Davison, the memorable Vincent Price and even run across pop culture icons like Frank Gorshin.

Occasionally this book is burdened with glitz-town detail that only a dedicated film buff might adore but these moments are rare. Like a super hero, Corman--now 75 and still going--is resilient because he is multi-faceted. The same can be said for screenwriter cum UCLA instructor and journalist Beverly Gray. The two seem admirably paired in that way. Gray uses her many experiences and talents to tell the story of a man of many parts.
(...)

This fascinating "biography" is really a savvy "how to" book that belongs on the shelf of every screenwriter, aspiring producer, director, and development executive -- and everyone else who loves films and craves to know the secrets of Hollywood's most colorful mogul.

I found it fun to read as a realistic "behind the scenes" glimpse of what it takes to be a profitable mogul, such as the way Corman hired young cheap "promising" talent instead of going for experience. Directors fresh out of film school reading this book, for example, can get a good feel for the mindset and financial situation of producers they interview with. Screenwriters will learn how Corman and team (Gray had been his development executive) managed to write and produce so many successful films quickly.

Few books reveal the inner machinations of a successful producer so intimately. Gray, a screenwriting teacher at UCLA, has done a spectacular job of showcasing the life story of an intruiging man through more than eighty interviews and via her own experience.

I have to agree with the other five-star reviews. "Roger Corman: Blood-Sucking Vampires, Flesh-Eating Cockroaches, and Driller Killers" is the best book on the subject, the subject being the most unique American studio head in film history.

Beverly Gray really paints a nuanced picture of Corman and never panders to the fans, the haters, or her old boss Corman himself. Though it's impossible to pull back the curtains entirely and see into a man's soul, Gray seems to have at least pulled back one side, giving us as much a glimpse as is possible without telepathy.

Storywise, Corman is, as always, fascinating, and Gray's perfectly detailed retelling of his story is the best yet written.

One gets the feeling that Mr. Barer was enjoyed writing this book. There is intence action and suspence that keeps one glued to the book no matter what your 'suppose' to be doing. This was a fun read. I laughed, I cried and occationally cursed the book thinking the characters would actually hear me. The identities of the 'Saint' were inspired and brought out diversity and complexities of Siimon's character. I give this 2 thumbs up. A good read and worth a second look

I absolutely loved Barer's novel! It is GREAT FUN, very clever, and very well written. Anyone who wants to read a roaring adventure spiced with wit and verve should order this book immediately. I hope Burl Barer writes more books like this -- I enjoyed every minute I spent reading it.

The book is a roller-coaster of intelligence, charm and wit. But then, what else would you expect from Burl Barer. Simon Templar is one of those icons of pop-culture that you just want to invite to dinner and sit and listen to. I can't wait for the next Saint book

When I saw the movie, a whole new world of advendture was opened up. I read the book and was pleased that he wrote material that was not seen in the movie. I recommend this book to everybody! Especially since it made a #1 fan out of me.

The author has captured the flavour and style of the original Leslie Charteris' novels. This novelization is far superior to the film. I recommend this to all Saint fans.

I bought this book because I've enjoyed John DiLeo's other books for their informed, but casual, approach to movie love. At a time when so many movie books are either earnestly academic (you know, political readings of gender performance in Nikkatsu gangster movies of the 60s,) or infinitely culty-geeky (do I really need the whole history of Philippine horror movies?), DiLeo assumes the existence of a readership that is, like him, informed and serious, but not obsessive-compulsive, and in it for the entertainment.
The book is divided into eight chapters, each devoted to a separate genre. (For the record, the eight genres are "Musicals Written Directly For The Screen," "Film Noir and Variations," "Love Stories," "Westerns," "Fantasy and Horror," "War," "Vintage Comedy," and the vague catch-all "Life and Times in America," which basically means "drama." The focus is exclusively American, but the time frame is from the silent era to the present. The presumption is that you've already seen the rote classics, and he therefore offers five movies in each genre that he feels have received insufficient attention, and that you therefore might have reasonably overlooked.
You can agree or disagree with the choices, but none are eccentric, deliberately provocative, or contrived to display mere cleverness. The real joy of this book, though, is in the wealth of background information. DiLeo will, for example, in describing "Comanche Station," give an overview of Randolph Scott's career, the placement of his "amiability and lean beauty" in two decades worth of decent but unnoteworthy roles in diverse genres, as a way of positioning the surprise of his late-career flowering in the films of Budd Boetticher, and their collaboration on seven morally complex westerns. Being a movie fan, DiLeo doesn't fail to mention the final triumph of the comic hommage to Scott in "Blazing Saddles." This precise positioning and career review is done not only for stars and directors, but screenwriters, cinematographers, character actors, even the evolution of genre conventions themselves. And it's presented in a chatty, highly readable style. The net effect is that "Screen Savers" is like an encyclopedia in friendly conversation.
I expect that I'll be using this book as a reference work for a long time to come. It is, I think, DiLeo's best book yet.

This book is a joy to read. Aside from John Dileo's amazing scope of knowledge about film, he is a terrific writer. Dileo has an uncanny ability to fully and clearly describe story lines, performances and a variety of other details about each movie. I guarantee that anyone who reads this book will come away wanting to see most, if not all, of the movies discussed here so eloquently.

Having purchased Mr. DiLeo's previous books, I was delighted to discover he had a new one on the shelves. After planning some time off for the holidays, I overnighted this book -- eager to reacquaint myself with this author's clever and keen insight into classic motion pictures. By the time Christmas came, I had gobbled it up -- cover to cover. And... what a surprise to see my co-worker bought the very same book for me at this year's Secret Santa. I didn't let on that I had already purchased it but loved that fact that he was so eager to tell me that "SCREEN SAVERS is the type of book that all the TCM watchers should love!" Do yourself a favor and buy John DiLeo's new book.

I was thoroughly delighted to read John DiLeo's third book, Screen Savers.

His quirky takes on actors and directors are refreshing and novel. He opens new insights when viewing and reviewing films that have been forgotten or have never received the accolades they deserved.

Mr. DiLeo has a wonderful way with words, a lovely sense of humor and a pleasant and breezy style.

Screen Savers makes for terrific reading whether sitting in front of a fireplace on a cold evening or while enjoying an iced tea on a summery afternoon.

I highly recommend Screen Savers to any movie buff or would-be movie buff. It opens new paths to understanding the magic of film and the skills of the actors and directors involved.

Netflix should send a thank you note to Mr. DiLeo for his artful awakening of our appreciation for some half-remembered and some totally forgotten films.

I saw Seven Brides for Seven Brothers for the first time after reading about it in John DiLeo's Screen Savers. I would not have bothered to see it had I not first read DiLeo's analysis and insights regarding this underappreciated film. His essay led me to a much fuller understanding of its beauty, craft and surprising depth, making me want to see what I had previously considered an old-fashioned and uninteresting musical. Upon completing each chapter, I find myself scanning the upcoming programming for Turner Classic Movies, hoping they will soon be showing one of DiLeo's selections, so that I can use my new "behind the scenes" information while watching the film. It is clear that the movies the author selects for rediscovery are on a personal list of favorites, they moved or inspired him. But while he clearly loves movies, the tone never sinks to that of a fawning fan. He backs up his choices with detailed analyses and thorough research, convincing the reader of their rightful rank among films that should be reexamined. The joy of this book is that he educates the reader while imparting some of his obvious infatuation and love for his subject. And like any satisfyingly juicy critical discussion, the author allows a dialogue to develop with his reader. You may even find yourself disagreeing with him about a favorite star or director (c'mon, Lana Turner wasn't that untalented) and that is part of the fun. This book has rekindled in this reader a new enthusiasm for older and "gently used" movies. I can't wait for my first viewings of The Man Who Laughs and The Iron Giant.

I always know when my husband is reading this because i can hear him laughing from the other end of the house! These are really cute and I recommend them to all my friends and family members.

I grew up with "talking heads" type comics. I can burn through the Sunday funnies in about a minute-and-a-half just reading the text and, truthfully, this is what I =did= do for many years because it was rare to find anything really interesting to look at. But when "Calvin and Hobbes" came around, and Berke Breathed transmogrified "Bloom County" into "Outland", I started to stop and look at what could be done in what I had formerly considered a fairly seriously limited medium.

Around 1992, I started a subscription to a local paper which carried "Rose is Rose" and I immediately recognized the same kind of wondrous artistic talent in Pat Brady that I had seen in Breathed and Waterston. Even more so, since the author didn't have the clout of these other two, he had to cram this creativity into the formats and patterns dictated by the newspaper nazis (who want to make sure there's plenty of room for those Sizzler's coupons).

The subject matter of the strip isn't for everyone. It's a sincere, sweet look at a happy family. The humor in the strip doesn't generally derive from strife or even serious friction, but from the characters' expressions of imagination, and even the creative manner in which they get along. The fact that this works without being cloying, in a millenium ushered in by the Simpsons and South Park, is a testament to the truth behind the art.

I love Rose is Rose, and this collection of strips has given me no reason to think otherwise. For the humorous looks at life you've come to expect from Rose and her family, (and Peekaboo, too!), get this. :) I couldn't stop laughing, and I had to read the whole book in one sitting!

If you love "Rose is Rose" especially Jimbo and Rose's relationship and/or Peekaboo the cat, you need this book.

This is a collection of Rose Is Rose comic strips, one of the few decent ones not to appear in the Washington Post (along with Foxtrot and maybe Funky Winkerbean). They're a bit sappy at times: son Pasquale has a helpful guardian angel and is too good to be believed. On the other hand, the artwork is excellent and some of the ideas superb. Rose, the mother, has recurring fantasies of being a biker babe, which are brought out at odd moments. Dad is a great tease, at one point getting onto his knees with his shoes under them and telling Pasquale that he got that way because he didn't eat his vegetables. Certainly very entertaining.

This book was without a doubt the funniest book I've ever read. Naturally, readers familiar with his movies will get the most out of this book, but there's a lot in there even for those who can't sit through one of his movies. I especially like Waters's tales of his mischief as a lad attending Catholic school. Considering the time, his educational background, and the Baltimore environment, I can really understand how Waters turned out the way he did.

This book is impossible to describe in one word. It's no surprise that Water's life is funnier, and more bizare then any of his films can ever hope to be. We learn about Baltimore life, his childhood, Divine, Edith Masey, Pink Flamingos,Desperate Living,and more. THIS needs to be his next film project! The only thing sad about this book is that it feels dated at certain parts (especially when it refers to Divine in the present tense, since this was written before he died...and before Cookie Muller died...and Edith Masey). But it remains a fascinating read that really encourages people to feel grateful for living in Baltimore(or makes you wish you lived there).

Out of maybe a few hundred, this is probably the funniest book I have ever read. I remember reading it late at night in my parents house, trying to stifle my laughter so I wouldn't get in trouble for waking people up. "...a cry went up from the sleaze-mavens"

With this book, you could argue that John Waters is a better writer than he is a film maker.

Shock Value is like Waters' autobiography, mainly focused on his film career. There are only two chapters about his childhood. The book will be very interesting to every Waters fan as it provides in depth looks at the making of several of his earlier films. The book's material is dated, however, since it was written before he completed "Polyester". Waters' updates you in the new introduction though. It is very clean and has few curse words, unlike Waters' films, but is still good. I recommend it.

I finished Shock Value only moments ago, and i feel like i should go to baltimore and fall on my knees worshipping Waters and the crew. i thought i was weird...This book focuses on the early years and has truly inspired me to raise myself above the boring muck of semiconformist existence. READ IT

This is a wonderful Buffy the Vampire Slayer resource guide. It really is a shame that it is so hard to find now, because it really does answer a lot of questions.
Unlike the Watcher Guide books it gives great detail about episodes and characters There are also interesting side notes about meanings for some episodes and what the entitle idea for them were.
Characters like Xander, Willow, Giles , and etc... Are also mentioned a lot, and there is no doubt that you will learn something new about the series in this.
Even though this is a very heavy novel I totally recommend it. As a Buffy fan and reader I really think it is worth hunting for.
If you want some other good Buffy references. Then check out the Monster Book by Christopher Golden. This is another really good book about Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
However, if you can handle all of the reading in this book. Then you will defiantly enjoy this.

This really is a very good book and it's a shame that it's so hard to find. There is so much covered in this book about Buffy. Ever since Buffy has ended a few years ago. It seems like more people are interested in it then ever.
There are a few resources books out there that really can explain the series well.
This is one of them.
One of the things I found hard about this one though was that it was rather long and ongoing.
However, if you can get past that I think you'll enjoy it.

Don't bother with any other unauthorised Buffy reference guides as Keith Topping's 'Slayer' books are the only ones you'll ever need. This guide is packed with all sorts of information and Keith doesn't shy away from giving his informed and personal opinions about the series. He also briefly covers the spin-off comics, books and websites.

Keith Topping is a talented writer (check out his Doctor Who novels from BBC Books and Telos) and his episode guides are the best ones on the market. He has also written a companion book that covers Angel called 'Hollywood Vampire' which is well worth purchasing.

Each episode, up to and including season 5, gets 3-to-6 pages of coverage, organized under various thematic headings: Plot summary, music, memorable quotes, comments on the women's clothing, continuity errors, logic flaws, pop culture references, etc. Books of this nature are enjoyable because it's fun to compare one's reaction with the author's reaction, and Topping notices every tiny detail.

There are also separate essays: (1) History of the vampire myth, (2) 'The Outsiders' as a series theme, (3) BtVS and real-life school violence, (4) BtVS and the internet, and (5) disputes with the TV networks. As well, each BtVS novel gets about a page of coverage.

This differs from other BtVS books because of Topping's perspective as a Brit. He's a bit thin-skinned about the anti-British jibes, especially Principal Flutie's snide remark about the royal family in the second episode (Flutie was right!). On the other hand, Topping sees connections between BtVS and US culture with an objectivity that US viewers lack. Apart from the vampires, Sunnydale is a bit too perfect to be realistic, and it's certainly bizarre that a southern California town would be so lily-white. It is only in the 7th season (beyond the scope of this book) that we see a recurring black character (Principal Wood) and a recurring hispanic character (Iyari Limon as 'Kennedy'). Topping notes that (white) Americans often see themselves as decent people, perhaps overly trusting, fighting off non-white underclass intruders who seek to ruin their caucasian paradise. See the connection? Does the shoe fit?

There are a number of Buffy episode guides on the market, but Keith Topping's are my favorite by a considerable margin. Both volumes of THE WATCHER'S GUIDE are very fine, but I find they are more useful for the large number of interviews with cast and crewmembers. Although Topping ends his volume with some interesting essays and reviews of various Buffy-related publications and websites, the vast bulk of his guides are devoted to the episodes themselves. Currently this guide to episodes 1-5 is out of print in the United States (though available from Britain, I believe), and only the guide to Episode 6 in print here. Hopefully, they will bring out a new one-volume edition of seasons 1-7.

Each episode is covered in around 4-6 pages, offering a very brief synopsis of the plot, some of the better quotes, some ravings about the highpoints, a fun section about illogical elements, a general comment section at the end, and a host of other fun things. Oh yeah, those wanting to know about the music in each show can find a list here. I don't agree with his evaluation of each episode (e.g., he hates "Anne," which starts off Season 3, along with many others, but I think it is one of the best episodes ever, with a great deal of super clever writing that many people seem to miss), but he is always fun to argue with, and he is never merely sloppy. Most of all, Topping is clearly a fan of great TV, and there is the spirit of a fellow-fan informing the book as a whole. I also like the fact that each episode is introduced with the publication of the original date in the U.S. and in Great Britain, and also gives the titles in their French and German releases.

Now, I don't want to be misunderstood here, but this is also one of the great bathroom books of all time. It rates right up there with Dave Marsh's THE BOOK OF ROCK LISTS,THE NORTON ANTHOLOGY OF POETRY, and THE ESSENTIAL BIFF. Never underestimate the value of a good bathroom book.

This is good book that briefly describes the events of Episode I in a picture format perfect for young and non-readers

this is the best book you can look at to see all the details put into episode 1! there are pictures, quotes, and much info about each character! it truly is a good buy!

I just bought this book and I just can't get over how amazing it is. I learned who played Darth Maul finally and I found out a lot of things about the movie I really didn't noticed when I watched it.

When I got this book, It was totally AWESOME! there are a lot of pics and COOL stuff that you couldn't of had guessed...I mean is was "THE BEST" I couldn't stop reading it...it's REALLy good...trust me!

This book is really great. I learned a lot of stuff I didn't know before! For example, it explained more about the Jedi council and other characters.

My children have enjoyed reading this series several times.

Imagine traveling at light speed and traveling to any planet you want. Or having a beam sword/light saber that's indestructible, not even the best of the best could beat it. In "Star Wars Episode 2 Attack Of The Clones" by Patricia C. Wrede all of this is reality but in your mind of course. It's a book of action, adventure, excitement, and fun. Imagine you had the power of the whole galaxy.

On a planet called Naboo there was a young kid called Anakin Skywalker, chosen by a Jedi knight obi wan from the republic academy. Anakin was born to be a Jedi. He was the chosen one. So Obi Wan trained him for years. Soon he was set on a mission to protect the queen Padme. But really he was on a different mission to find his lost mother. Also to become a Jedi knight. But if he failed his quest to protect Padme he would never become a Jedi knight. He felt miserable because Obi Wan would not let him pass and also fight a real battle as a real Jedi. But he was just as miserable because he thought his mother was died. So he traveled to Naboo to hunt down the kidnapers of his mother. Accomplishing his goal he did. He destroyed all men and women of their kind. But to late he was, his mother was dead, hanging from a rope in one of their huts. After returning to his mission he felt that he failed his mother. But Padme was happy for him because he found his mother died or alive, as long as he finished his quest. Just then Padme reached to kiss him and that ended in an affair. When he returned to the republic and heard that he accomplished his mission they decided to night Anakin a full Jedi knight. His life was complete. Besides for his mother but when he married Padme his life was like he had a whole new family.

In this book there's a lot cool action. One of my favorites are when Obi Wan went to find the mastermind killer, the bounty hunter. When the bounty hunter tried to run from Obi Wan, but Obi Wan took this little tracker that Obi Wan put on his ship. So then obi wan took his ship and they started a high-speed plane chase. Back and forth through asteroids and shooting missiles at each other. Obi Wan knew he had to fire back but his real mission was to find out where he was going. So he did dodging missiles and asteroids but he made it. The bounty hunter was going to count Dooku the evil mastermind.
The theme of this book is that a young child that was chosen to be a Jedi knight. Trained by Obi Wan he was told to be the best of the best. But Anakin knew there was more in life then being a Jedi. He had to find his real family. So this book is really about a kid going to for fill his destiny.

If you read this book your imagination will grow farther then the galaxy. That's why you got to read this amazing book; also if you want fun, adventure, and excitement well this book has it all and even more. So in my opinion I rate this book 4/5 stars and I think it would be great for ages 9 to 13.

this book was awsome i rate it a five and above this is a must read book!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In the book Star Wars Episode 2 Attack of the Clones you will find Jedi fighting the dark side. My favorite parts are when Jango Fett and Obi-Wan fought on Komino. Also, the execution and the war on Genosis. Finally, I like the light saber fight at the end. I recommend this fictional book because this book is adventuresome, unpredictable, and shows exitement through out the novel. If you want to find out more read this book.

Starwars Episode 2 was an action/lovestory. The setting of the story was were the Jedis tried searching for the bad guys all over the galaxy. The main characters in the book were Obi won Kenobi ,the Queen and all the Jedi masters. My favorite character is Yoda because he was a very good Jedi master.My favorite part of the book was when all the Jedis fight against the clones.I would recommend this book to children betwen the ages of 7-13 because it is very cool and action packed.

Who knew? Those perky, Cover-girl anchors really are backed by a posse of hard-working, caffeine-guzzling, adrenaline-junkies who live for the deadline... and the fun and frustration of working behind the scenes in TV news.
As an independent producer, I recognized many truths in the people I've worked with over the years - and McNeely's clever book reminded me all over again why I preferred to save my sanity and stay away from local news. But that didn't stop me from reveling deliciously in main character Jackie McGee's series of painful and pleasurable adventures in TV news!
I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes to cringe at one page, grin at the next. A wicked, wonderful read!

A great story that exposes the truth behind the glamourous version of being a TV star we all have. The story is a refreshing and frank account of a career pursued in local TV news - the ups and downs, the hilarious moments and challenging choices that must be made by the main character Jackie. Think TV prima donnas and their fickle behaviour, but also real people and real life drama. Have a read as it's good fun, but expect some serious issues to be raised for you to give some thought to.

Oh, the trauma and drama of local TV! Who knew?? I sure didn't until I read this fresh and extremely funny, yet poignant story. I loved the way the author weaved together a story out of some pretty outrageous situations and over-the-top characters yet at the same time are very believable and we can all relate to.

If you really want some insight into the local TV biz, I can't think of a more entertaining way to discover the inside scoop, an exclusive on local TV news. Next time I watch the news, this book will be in the back of my mind. Are the anchors wearing shoes or house slippers? Is it sweeps week, and if so, what will they do to get us to watch this time? Why did the anchor leave? Contract up or something else, such as... you'll have to read to find out what I mean ;-)

I loved it and definitely, definitely recommend it.

I confess that I never watch the news, unless it is dished up by Jon Stewart or Steven Colbert. However, I was highly enteretained by McNeely's account of life behind the cameras in a TV News Studio. She turned the characters into real people instead of the 2D cutouts we see on TV. It was a brutally honest account, warts and all. It read so smoothly, I didn't want to put it down. And, above all, it was funny.

In "Stuck in the Box," Donna McNeely manages to be witty, savvy and even truly hilarious while never losing sight of the seriousness of her subject matter - and the humanity of her characters (for better or worse). Enlivened by a have-to-keep-reading fast-paced flow, the book is a delightful way to learn what really goes on in the world of TV news, which is fast-paced in itself: Style reflects subject matter, creating the sense of really being there. As entertaining and eye-opening as it is, the book has poignant moments as well. McNeely is grounded in what she believes at all times, yet isn't afraid to laugh at herself. It's a terrific read by someone who knows people - and how to write. Well done!