Interviews Books

Toward the end of his 1971 conversation with Richard Meryman, easily the best interview in this collection, Bergman says that "to make a film is to try to open up the roof--so we can breathe" (p. 112). This is as good a one-line characterization of Bergman's project as I know. Bergman's films defy easy analysis, sometimes because they're poorly conceived, as Bergman himself admits (he thinks, for example, that "Through a Glass Darkly" is a prime example), sometimes because even Bergman in retrospect isn't quite sure what he was trying to do, but sometimes because there's simply a great deal of depth to them. How, for example, to collapse the message of loneliness, despair, human nature, and hope conveyed in "The Silence" into a couple of sentences? But what Bergman at his best does succeed in doing is expanding us, opening up the roofs of our worldviews, inviting us--sometimes forcing us--to breathe in an atmosphere that's crisp and thin and heady.

Readers who pick up Raphael Shargel's collection of Bergman interviews in the hope that the master will explain what his films are about will be disappointed. Bergman tells us that he wants to elicit emotional experiences first and cerebral ones second in his films; that dreams have influenced his scripts and his director's eye; that he works best when his days are rigorously scheduled; that he thinks a film is "selected reality" (p. 106), which reminds me of Tarkovksy's beautiful characterization of film-making as "sculpting time"; that he thinks a certain "childishness"--a naivete, an openness to experience--is essential for good art. But what Bergman doesn't do, appropriately enough, is tell us how to interpret his films. So in many ways, his intervews are as mysterious as his artworks.

The interviews collected by Shargel vary in quality. As I've mentioned, Richard Meryman's is the best of the lot, closely followed by A. Alvarez's. The "Playboy" interview conducted by Cynthia Grenier is worse than worthless, and seems intent on focusing on little else than sex in "The Silence" (the interview was conducted shortly after the film's American debut). There are numerous typos in the text. "Feeling" is consistently spelled "felling," for example, and at one point Bergman is referred to as the "15 year old creator of 'The Silence'"! The only other book I've read by the University of Mississippi Press was also poorly proofed. Strange that an academic press is so careless in its copyediting.

Shargel's collection is a decent starting point for readers new to Bergman, but better ones include Bergman's memoirs, The Magic Lantern (2007) and Images (1995). Jesse Kalin's The Films of Ingmar Bergman (2003) is highly recommended for serious students.

This collection of interviews with Ingmar Bergman gives the reader almost a definitive view of not only the great director's vision, but of his constantly evolving artistry. As a teacher, I found the discussions of individual films invaluable.

No film critic could have approached Bergman with such passionate understanding and insight as Raphael Shargel. Following his film reviews in The New Leader for years, I am not surprised by his far reaching ability to grasp a life's work as he does his movies, always interested in their impact on society and us as individuals as well as the history that produced them in our time. When you get to it, your understanding of Bergman and appreciation for the value of interviews across a lifetime will be as rich as this book's index.

I'm a big fan of Bergman, and I was thrilled to see these interviews come back into print. They tell you so much about Bergman's life, films, and his personal opinions. Organized chronologically, this book reveals a development of Bergman both as an artist and as a person. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in learning about Bergman's genius or film in general. The introduction offers terrific insight into the mind of an artist.

I've now worked 34 years for a Federal resource agency, and experienced numerous successes and failures during the journey so far. I have been deeply moved by the lessons and messages in this book from the eight mentors interviewed, and from the author, Michael Fraidenburg, who has pulled the wisdoms of these mentors together for us.

This book is about how to hold on to your faith, and your courage, as a natural resource professional. It is particularly valuable to those who have been through many professional battles, and lost some you thought were very important. It's advice from those who have seen ways to keep the faith in their work, and faith in their agency's actual mission, despite the obstacles we all face in keeping our integrity, in keeping our eyes on the prize.

I've given this book to several college students in the natural resources field, and several state agency staff early on in their careers. I've highly recommended it to a number of college professors to use in their natural resource classes. The book is that good as a companion to "Sand County Almanac", "Research & Management Techniques for Wildlife & Habitats", and "Principles of Conservation Biology".

However, as a long-term agency employee, this book is far more than a valuable preparatory resource for college students. "Intelligent Courage" reflects images of what I've experienced and seen. It's a call from your professional roots, not only reminding you of what's most important, but reminding you that it is not too late to reclaim what's most important to your work. As an example of one of the book's many messages, this is from one of the mentors, Tom Peterson: "To know there's something you can do an do nothing, or having a gift that can help and not using it, bothers me. It is important to not turn your back when you can make a difference."

Wherever you are on your professional journey, pick up Michael Fraidenburg's book, and listen again, or for the first time, to these messages from the roots.

Former Executive Director of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Michael E. Fraidenberg presents Intelligent Courage: Natural Resource Careers That Make a Difference, a solid guide to earning success in the world of natural resource service professionals. Written especially for students about to complete their university education and search for jobs in the field, Intelligent Courage offers the insights of a plethora of different experts and stresses the importance of self-determination, commitment to the cause, passion and enthusiasm for one's work. A highly practical guide packed with true tales, learning experiences analyzed and "day-in-the-life" stories.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, which describes the careers of successful natural resources managers and biologists. Fraidenburg has a way of writing where you feel like you are sitting down at a table with some of the best conservation biologists in the business, getting their ideas on how you can use their experience to be successful in your career.

I have worked in the natural resources field for about 25 years, and found the advice given here entertaining, interesting, and right on target. I highly recommend this book, not only to natural resource professionals, but to students entering the profession, professors teaching college classes, and just about anyone who wants to make a difference in their career and needs some excellent advice from some very successful mentors.

I highly recommend Intelligent Courage by Michael E. Fraidenburg. I have worked in the Pacific Northwest on salmon and steelhead restoration, research and management since the mid 1980s.

Fraidenburg outlines the challenges environmental advocates face in today's political and cultural climates. His specific examples from recent and historical professionals provides a groundwork for detailed core principles and values. These principles should be studied and discussed by every natural resource professional. Fraidenburg outlines specific ways and tactics to make a difference while surviving the bureaucratic nightmares so prevalent in our society. This type of information was noticeably vacant in all my formal academic training. While technical skills are important, the issues discussed by Fraidenburg have been far more important and have occupied much more of my time during my career than any of my technical training. Fraidenburg does a masterful job at dispelling the myth taught in Universities that good science is the key for good resource management decisions. Fraidenburg shows where good science fits in and where political savvy, determination, and integrity move good science into the decision making process.

This text should be mandatory reading for every member of congress. The book clearly demonstrates how poorly the political process functions when bureaucracies ignore the experts hired to manage critical resources. It also illustrates just how badly politicians can "get it wrong" by bending to special interest groups.

This is exactly the type of text I wish I could have read when I was in college. I could have been much better prepared for the "real world." While masters on the technical side, the "real world" is foreign to most of the college and university professors I've worked with over the years. I could have been a much more effective advocate for our nation's resources had Fraidensburg's text been available and required reading during my undergraduate degree.

I would rate this text as one of the most informative guides to natural resource management in the "real world".

This book captures Delroy's leadership skills, even as a youth, and shows clearly what happens when untrained potential is blindly ignored. The principles exhibited as an outlaw come across strong and balanced, and to see them come full circle today should not be a surprise to the reader. I believe that if this book is read critically by the younger population, it would serve as a blueprint for what moves not to make in life. The writer does an excellent job of describing the influence and or power of running the streets.
I like how he captures the events that were occurring in the eras described and putting things in context because it helps the reader to get an understanding of what was going on.
Delroy's tendency to be loyal and his love for his people is undoubtedly traced to his upbringing and influences of the Rastas, Mr. Jones, and the gangsters who were able to exhibit balance. Loyalty, Family and consciousness are the theme throughout the book.
Some of the dramas had me laughing even hours after I had read the chapters and was driving to the campus. Some dramas caused me to reflect on a deeper level and realize how not too far apart we are on the perception of certain things.
In using humor and dramas Delroy was able to paint an accurate account of the prison experience and really put things in context. Prisoners and family of prisoners are rightly informed that there is a large amount of emotions, pain and suffering that is directly associated with surviving a prison experience.
The transformation and redemption is seen as a result of Delroy taking advantage of the gift of time. Agreeing that prison prepares prisoners for a part in society that does not exist anymore, I would have liked to see Delroy play the devil's advocate and try to predict how things would have ended up had he not made the critical decisions that he made to turn his life around.
Finally, Delroy did justice to his relationship with his son David in less than two pages. I would have liked to see glimpses of those "hundreds of pages of communication" which I think would have provided a bigger lesson of what happens when the concept of fatherhood is misconstrued.
Overall a very excellent book that invites the reader to a personal journey in a public arena.

Indeed reading this book is like watching a movie, however, this is real life not fiction. Interview with Soldier Danny should make the youths of today think twice before they get involved in gangs, drugs, murder and going to prison. This book is an education not just to youths but to all who have tried and failed. You can get up again! No matter how far you have fallen, Soldier Danny shows that one can persevere even after 20 years of hard labor in prison. This book tells you how you can start life over. It is unfortunate that Soldier Danny had to endure such hardship. Yet during his struggle the Lord has never left him. We are talking about the original "Don" who got shot in his head twice and lived. A man who decided that murder and gangs is for losers. A man who looked to God for guidance and made it through. I recommend this book to all brothers and sisters throughout the world, ESPECIALLY JAMAICANS. This is the most provocative, exciting, riveting, life changing book I have read this year. This is THE BOOK OF THE YEAR!

Reading this book is like watching a movie. It clears up a lot of questions I had concerning Jamaicans in the diasppora. Very riveting, funny, serious and most of all authentic. Never read a story of this magnitude form one who lived it and survived it.
Big Up!!!

"Interview With Soldier Danny" is an eye-opening look at the life of one of the original "Yardie" that set the foundation for Jamaican Rude Bwoys here in America. Its a compelling story which shows the transformation of "Soldier Danny" from a bwoy in the ghettos of Kingston to the streets of Brooklyn, Bronx and Manhattan. The book shows what happens when potential is wasted and hanging with the wrong crowd influences your action much to your detriment. It also tells of redemption and making that "Uth Turn" in your life.

This book is an absolute joy to read and you will find yourself turning the pages with such eagerness to see what happens next. It will make you laugh, cry and reflect on your own life. "Interview With Soldier Danny" is inspirational, the Philosophy that permeates the pages will leave you in awe of "Soldier Danny's" intelligence and mental resolve.

Simply put, there is no book like this about rap in Los Angeles. From KDAY to the Watts Prophets to Death Row, this book covers EVERYTHING you know about Hip Hop in LA, a story that is distinctly different from Hip Hop in New York. It features interviews with LA's biggest - Dre, Eazy, Cube, Ice-T, Cypress Hill, etc. - and leaves nothing out. This is a story that's rarely told, which is strange when one considers that LA rap was the force that mainstreamed Hip Hop. Hard to find, but a must have for any mainstream rap historian.

I have to give it up to Brian for the very honest and understanding picture that he paints of the early to middle development of the westcoast hip hop scene. Through his interviews and writings, hip-hop fans get a real sense of how rap music developed on the west coast and they hear the stories directly from the artists themselves. This book is priceless and a definite must have for all music fans. In fact, somebody stole my only copy so I need to buy another one. Cli-N-Tel

My bedroom in the Picture section LINK'S Room with the SP1200 from back in the days

West Coast Style LINK

Freestyle Fellowship's Mikah 9 is the preeminent freestyle rapper of all time. He is the John Coltrane of the modern era.

This volume of articles and tidbits about the great Jackie Chan is definitely worth a read if not great. There are many fine insights into the man and the legend Jackie Chan, and indeed a lot of interesting photographs, which makes it so much the more enjoyable.

The format of the book, however, does not really agree with me. I don't like the article form, it seems cheap and mean. In my opinion it would have been better to write a uniform, coherent text based on the interviews and articles instead. The information is still there, it just seems a bit disorganized (which it really is not, it just seems that way).

It is still highly recommendable for all the information in there. Sure to please any fan.

This book is awesome! John Little's interview with Jackie Chan is worth the price alone. The photographs are the best, particularly the one of Jackie climbing a flag pole that looks like it has to be 50 feet off the ground! I learned so much about Jackie Chan, his martial arts training, his fitness methods and his personal philosophy. Having read all the other books on Jackie, I can easily say that this is - by far - the best! A must for everyone who loves his stunts or have been awed by his physical talent in martial art.

I loved this book. Anyone into the arts will love this book to. Its great and i personally like Jackie Chan.

This book is a fabulous read. I couldn't put it down until I finished it. It is not a narrative, but rather a compiled series of interviews between the author(s) and Jackie Chan that have taken place over the past ten years or so. The chapters are split up into sections on his childhood, martial arts training, philosophy, health and fitness, career and film making, stunt coordinating etc. Each chapter has an introduction and then goes straight into an indepth interview with Jackie Chan himself! There is a small overview at the beginning of the book on his life (a mini "My Life in Action"!) and at the end a filmography and a chapter containing what the author considers are Jackie's ten best stunts in a short paragraph format. There is a treasure trove of pictures from Jackie's films (all black and white unfortunately), many not before seen. I consider this book belongs on the shelf with Jackie's autobiography as it is contains personal insights and comments from "The Man" himself. My respect for Jackie Chan, already high after reading "My Life in Action", has risen even higher. The man is phenomenal and makes the so-called "Hollywood Stars" shine rather pale in comparison. If the many who dismiss Jackie as "just an action actor" could only read this book, how their eyes would be opened! Highly recommended - a must read!

This is an excellent book to give to your mother or wife on Mother's Day, or any day of the year just to say thanks for being who you are.

"Jewish Mothers" is terrific. The diversity of subjects, storytelling images, and biographical essays are excellent windows into the variety and complexity of American Jewish Womanhood. The opening essay about Joyce Antler highlights the importance of Jewish family attitudes in promoting the success and strength of so many of these subjects. The photos which accompany each essay illuminate the experiences and personalities of each woman. My favorite is the joyful exhuberant joyfulness of Rachel Eitches as she nurses her twin babies. Great shot. Readers interested in women's issues, Jewish life and culture, and intergenerational relationships will find this book stimulating. Makes a great bat mitzvah gift.... Alice Gross

This collaborative effort of words and stunning compilation of photography is phenomenal. The women featured are inspiring and -- best of all --very "real!" This book is truly a must-have and would be a great gift for any woman ... for Mother's Day or any day.

Wow, what a powerful and gorgeous book. I have shed tears after reading each woman's story. Every woman has made an impact on the world in her own way.

If Ernest Hemingway had made movies, they would have looked something like John Huston's. The passion, intelligence, and joie de vivre of Huston's films are reflected in this set of articulate interviews. Pour yourself a good drink, and listen as one of Hollywood's best raconteurs spins yarn after yarn in this splendid volume of a valuable series.

Ably edited by independent scholar and freelance writer Robert Long, John Huston: Interviews is an informative and insightful compilation of interviews with the late John Huston (which took place from 1952 to 1985) in which he personally comments on his life and projects as an acclaimed filmmaker. Among the movies that are surveyed within this context are The Maltese Falcon, Key Largo, The Treasure of the Sierra Madre, The African Queen, The Night of the Iguana, Prizzi's Honor, and The Dead. The observations range from his approach to directing; the influence of painting upon his camera work, and his association with stellar actors, to his beginnings in Hollywood as a screenwriter, and the influences of James Joyce and Ernest Hemingway upon his movies. Replete with numerous anecdotes about writers, directors, and actors with whom he collaborated, we are presented with a body of work and a filmmaker's life that will be immensely appreciated by students of his work and a man whose personal life was as prodigious as his professional career.

This is a terrific book. It consists of interviews with John Huston from 1952-85. Not only does the reader find out about Huston's ideas on filmmaking and get some inside info on the making of classic films, but he will find out about the breadth of Huston's interests, which extended beyond filmmaking to art and philosophy. Here, truly, was an intelligent man.

The most interesting thing to me about Huston was that he started in the classic studio age and survived its downfall to make films that were fresh, interesting and important even in the Eighties. These interviews show Huston's mental flexibility. He admires "McCabe and Mrs. Miller," "Rocky," and "Taxi Driver." Huston is also quite frank about his own films. I will never be tempted to see "Roots of Heaven" or "Barbarian and the Geisha." I have to see "Moby Dick," which he considered one of his films that never got its due.

I was sorry when this book ended.

Ably edited by independent scholar and freelance writer Robert Long, John Huston: Interviews is an informative and insightful compilation of interviews with the late John Huston (which took place from 1952 to 1985) in which he personally comments on his life and projects as an acclaimed filmmaker. Among the movies that are surveyed within this context are The Maltese Falcon, Key Largo, The Treasure of the Sierra Madre, The African Queen, The Night of the Iguana, Prizzi's Honor, and The Dead. The observations range from his approach to directing; the influence of painting upon his camera work, and his association with stellar actors, to his beginnings in Hollywood as a screenwriter, and the influences of James Joyce and Ernest Hemingway upon his movies. Replete with numerous anecdotes about writers, directors, and actors with whom he collaborated, we are presented with a body of work and a filmmaker's life that will be immensely appreciated by students of his work and a man whose personal life was as prodigious as his professional career. John Huston: Interviews is also available in paperback ..., [price]

In a world in which everyone is thinking about knowing the most hidden secrets of the life, Borges, when is asked to give some advice to the younger generation, only says:

I don't think I can give advice to other people. I've hardly been able to manage my own life. pp 75.

what a man.

He lived in Literature and Literature lived in him. Books were for him his truest friends and the secret intimates of his soul. When he spoke to another he spoke always to himself and to the books within him. But because he knew books so well and loved them so much all his speaking too became a book .And in the end even his final words there were books talking to books and talking to more books.
So for those of us who also love books , his particular love of books taught us so so much - but only in books.

Borges is great in in his writings, and almost as good in conversation. Witty, urbane, stylish, Borges shows that conversation can be as exciting as literature. Buy now!

This offers a series of interviews in chronlogical order (from 1966 until shortly before his death in '85) While he is good humored and self effacing he never lets you know more than he wants you to. There are also certain repetitons of ideas that occur, but anyone that has read Borges before will be used to that. To some extent it happans with most of the better writers in varying degrees anyways. Even with the repetitions it never comes across like he is doing memorized routines (which sometimes happans with William burroughs interviews)all in all important insight into the mind of an important writer.

One might think that our governors come from an elitist, "born with a silver spoon in their mouth" pedigree, but that presumption is nothing further from the truth. Based on one-on-one interviews with the governors, the authors explore the backgrounds, values and beliefs of 50 governors. Oddly, despite coming from all walks of life and political philosophies running the left-right gamut, most of the men and women have similar virtues.

Hard-learned lessons early in life and their hands-on practicality in dealing with problems helps to explain why most Presidents come from the governor ranks rather than the Senate or House (where pedigree counts for a lot).

Teens should enjoy the personal stories, some quite wrenching, and hopefully learn that their futures are more in their control than they realize.

One might think that our governors come from an elitist, "born with a silver spoon in their mouth" pedigree, but that presumption is nothing further from the truth. Based on one-on-one interviews with the governors, the authors explore the backgrounds, values and beliefs of 50 governors. Oddly, despite coming from all walks of life and political philosophies running the left-right gamut, most of the men and women have similar virtues.

Hard-learned lessons early in life and their hands-on practicality in dealing with problems helps to explain why most Presidents come from the governor ranks rather than the Senate or House (where pedigree counts for a lot).

Teens should enjoy the personal stories, some quite wrenching, and hopefully learn that their futures are more in their control than they realize.

What a lot of work went into this volume, not only the individual interviews, but also compiling the data for meaningful generalizations about these people. And the individual stories are truly fascinating. Anyone who wants to know what it takes to be a successful person should read about these 50 governors.

How did they do it? Have you ever tried to get a one on one with a governor? What determination and excellent interviewing techniques! Fun "government" reading.

I purchased this for dad, who at 89 , gets so excited when he hears that "Main Streets and Back Roads" is the next show on Chronicle. As a New Englander, I find it offers a fresh look at known, and unknown treasures in my own back yard, and often, an amusing look at us Yankees.
You'll find quaint dining, day trips, and breath taking views.
This book would also be a good start to your first trip to New England. 7:30pm on WCVB / Boston is an institution here. If you're in town, tune in after your busy day.

I have been a fan of the show "Chronicle" for almost 15 years. Throughout those years, "Chronicle" has never let me down. It continues to be a wonderful inside look at different places all over New England. And now, there's a book! "Main Streets and Back Roads" showcases some of the stories with pictures and descriptions. Although nothing is as dear to my heart as "Chronicle," the book is a pretty good second. Anyone interested in quirky characters and unusual stories should pick this one up and try the show itself, channel 5 (New England) at 7:30 weeknights.

I'm so excited about the new Chronicle book. Try it, it's a great way to learn more about main streets and back roads. Plus, it will be a great holiday gift.

"Main Streets and Back Roads" is a collection of stories of New England towns from the award-winning TV show Chronicle, which is on Monday thru Friday, Boston's channel 5, 7:30 PM. It summarizes each 'Main Street and Back Roads' show on Chronicle, complete with pictures of the towns. This is a great book for fans of the show Chronicle or people who like to learn about new places. I recommend this book to anyone, especially as a holiday gift in the approaching months. Try it!