Will Smith Books

Many, many years ago I happened to hear an audio tape of Harlan Ellison reading the first part of his "I, Robot" script for a Science-Fiction convention, so when what may well be the most infamous unproduced script in Hollywood history was finally available in print I picked it up immediately. Ellison takes several of Isaac Asimov's classic Robot short stories (including "Lenny," "Liar!" and "Evidence") and weaves them into the life story of Susan Calvin, told in flashbacks to a reporter at the funeral for Stephen Byerley, First President of the Galactic Federation. For example, Susan nows becomes the little girl in "Robbie." Consequently, Ellison avoids the traditional pitfall of omnibus movies, such as "Tales from the Crypt," "The Twilight Zone" or "Creepshow," where whatever is used to link the segments together is of little or no importance to the overall film.

Ellison's introductory essay is certainly not as vitriolic as his story about what happened to his "Star Trek" script "The City on the Edge of Forever," but it does recount the bizzaro world of movie making to explain why this remained an unproduced screenplay. Both the essay and the script are testaments to Ellison's deep personal affection for Asimov and a special treat is Ellison's revelation as to the casting he had in mind when he wrote the script: Joanne Woodward as Susan Calvin, George C. Scott as Reverend Soldah, Martin Sheen as Robert Bratenahl, and Keenan Wynn and Ernest Borgnine as Donovan and Powell. Sounds good to me.

You may come to this illustrated screenplay as a fan of Ellison or of Asimov or most likely of both. However, regardless of your point of origin I think it is important that you have read the original Asimov Robot stories before you read the script. The stories are Asimov's but the adaptation is Ellison's, and you have to know the original tales to appreciate the inspired organization of this script that weaves them together. The artwork that illustrates the screenplay is by Mark Zug, and consists of both full-page color paintings and black & white character sketches that help to flesh out your mental images of Calvin, Donovan, Powell, and the rest of the gang.

The fact that there is a movie version of "I, Robot," starring Will Smith, now available on DVD, simply helps prove the superiority of Ellison's adaptation. Just read Ellisons' script and compare it to what Hollywood has wrought and you get exactly what Tinsle Town is all about in a nutshell. The fault with the movie is that it celebrated action over intellect, and that the story it tells would be better suited for an Asimov Robot story down the road once you really understand the three laws. You will also note that at the start of "I, Robot" the three laws of robotics appear one by one, imposed over bubbling water. The water, it turns out, is not part of a super computer, but it sure strikes me as an intentional homage to the start of Ellison's screenplay. If it is not, then you know full well there would have been a lawsuit coming (cf. Ellison and "Terminator").

"In Hot Pursuit" has a little bit of everything in it. It's funny, sad, and leaves you hanging on the edge of your seat in the last few episodes. I would highly recommend this album to any AIO fan!

"Do or Diet" This is the funniest episode in the album! (I even caught my Dad laughing.) Try to imagine Bernard, Whit, and Wooton all trying to lose 10 pounds -- in about three weeks. And if you think that would be interesting, try to imagine Connie being their personal trainer!
-5 stars

"Hindsight" During an unforgetable experience in The Room of Consequence, Liz has to decide to either ruin her reputation or possibly lead a timid boy into a life of crime.
-5 stars

"The Taming of the Two" Bart Rathbone is trying to advertise The Electric Palace! When an old rival of Edwin's suddenly appears in Odyssey and agrees to help out by hosting a Shakespearean festival, Bart thinks things will be perfect...until Edwin finds out! Meanwhile, Nick and Xavier are trying a little twist on the classic "Romeo and Juliet" for the festival.
-3.5 stars

"Teacher's Pest" What do you get when you mix the teacher's pet, the class clown, exploding pickles, and a custom build mouth that can (sort of) chew gum? A disaster!
-3 stars

"The Mailman Cometh" Marvin and Tamika envy Xavier. He gets to do all the fun stuff, like watch creepy movies at the theatre, while they have tickets to see "Me and My Honey". When they try to take advantage of the privelages that Xavier has, they realize that running away from trouble usually gets you right back into it!
-3.5 stars

"My Girl Haley" Another great twilight zone! When an innocent looking computer gradually becomes Joey's master, he must choose if his relationship with Haley or with his family and friends is more important.
-5 stars

"Seeing Red" Uh-oh! Liz and Mandy have a crush on the same guy?!? Is their relationship at stake? Meanwhile, Joanne and Connie are having their own boy troubles. The church in Sri Lanka that Joanne helped build has burned down! Joanne thinks she should try to sell an antique compass in Washington D.C., but Jack disagrees. Connie has a fight with Mitch over the phone and is not willing to apologize to him.
-4 stars

"Black Clouds" Joanne has decided to go to Washington D.C., and Connie is accompanying her so she can see Mitch. On their way there, they stop in a diner owned by an odd woman named Ethel. While there, they meet a strange girl named Lindy who thinks she is bad luck.
-4 stars

"Silver Lining" When a man named Vic saves Connie's life, she tries to help him get out of a crime he did not commit. However, Vic is not willing to listen at first and when things get too out of hand, it's too late. A very exciting and gripping adventure!
-5 stars

"Pink Is Not My Color" Connie and Joanne finally arrive to their destination, and stay with an FBI family in Virginia. Connie tries to straighten things out with Mitch, but instead of being distracted by her, he is distracted by his job as an FBI agent.
-5 stars

"Something Blue, Parts 1 and 2" Joanne goes to Washington D.C. to try to sell the compass, but is confused when one dealer says it is a worthless antique and the other says it is a prized possesion. Meanwhile, Mitch has to decide if he loves his girfriend or his career more. Exciting, emotional, and action-packed!
-5 stars

Like what you've read? Then get this album now!!

This book changed the way mankind looked at his world... it brought the concept of "robots", as well as the word itself, into the world's consciousness, and subtly influenced the future path of technological thought as no other book has ever done, and all in a very understated and beautifully written way. It's a real masterpiece, and a must-read, especially for those like science fiction! This Kindle format version is excellent.

So many different threads of Enlightenment thought seem to pass through the writings of Baruch Spinoza, it is perhaps surprising that so few thinkers have given full place to his work in the founding of the modern world. In this volume Steven B. Smith seeks to repair this omission to some extent.

Smith is primarily concerned with Spinoza as a founder or architect of the modern liberal polity, but with an ingenious twist: part of this concern is _also_ with what Spinoza had to say on the related question of "Jewish identity." The underlying question here is: is it possible to be a Jew, indeed for there to _be_ Judaism, in the context of a liberal social order?

I shall not try to summarize Smith's discussion of Spinoza on this important question; suffice it to say that we are treated to enlightening presentations of Spinoza's theology and his "secularization" of the meaning of Judaism and of the Jewish people, all of it depending on a clear and close reading of the neglected _Theologico-Political Treatise_. For its exposition of Spinoza's thought alone, this volume will be a helpful addition to the library of any student of Spinoza.

However, Smith also deals directly with the question I mentioned two paragraphs back, which makes his work highly pertinent on other grounds as well. His answer [p. 205] is that liberalism is indeed "the last best hope for Judaism" -- the "worst solution except for all the alternatives" -- but that Judaism and liberalism may not be fully compatible anyway. "To the extent that the liberal Enlightenment urges the abolition of [belief in] a particular providence [as reflecting the spiritual core of Judaism and the fundamental Jewish experience at Sinai], it will always be at odds with Judaism."

Note Smith's careful phrasing on this point. His closing remark immediately raises the question: _does_ liberalism require the "abolition" of belief in a "particular providence"? I do not think it does, and I think Spinoza was mistaken to argue otherwise.

But I arrived at this view in part through reflection on Smith's nuanced presentation in this volume. I can only urge other readers interested in these questions to do likewise.

I own this set. As I pass through the 55-year old mark, I keep coming back to it and will read it from start to finish one day. The price is a bargain.

If you want just a taste of the rich content, buy The Lessons of History.

Two other major works I recommend are:

The leadership of civilization building: Administrative and civilization theory, symbolic dialogue, and citizen skills for the 21st century
How to Change the World: Social Entrepreneurs and the Power of New Ideas, Updated Edition

I got this book for christmas for my brother, who is an artist too, but unknown. These images and essays are so good I know he will be thrilled as I was to find them at last, because it took almost two years to get this one. I studied with the cedar program, and this book offers a rare chance to see the root of Idaho art.

Reviewed by Stephanie and Parish (age 3) Rollins for Reader Views (3/07)

Sandy West-Smith wrote "Who Will Teach Missy the Difference Between Good Touches and Bad Touches" after her 3-year-old daughter was molested. West-Smith has made such a difficult topic simple to discuss. She does not discuss sex or go into a lot of detail in the book. This is geared for preschoolers who should not even know of sex, yet.

Parish carried this book around for two days before allowing me to read it to her. This was her new book, and she did not want to share yet. I was a bit surprised that she took to the book so quickly. The drawings are simple; they are not bright and attention-grabbing. They show Missy and her mother in situations that all children can relate to. Missy sits on her mother's lap, she takes a bath, and she goes to the doctor.

Missy's mother explains that no one besides Mommy, Daddy, and the doctor should touch her where her bathing suit covers. This general rule of thumb is right on the preschool level. She also explains that Mommy and Daddy can only touch her bottom when cleaning and putting on medicine.

Parish has "Who Will Teach Missy" in her backpack that she carries with her when we run errands. She "reads" it in the car. I had to wait until she fell asleep to get the book away from her long enough to write this review. I think it is the simplicity of the illustrations and the small size of the book that has attracted her to it. In 19 pages (only 9 have text) Sandy West-Smith has effectively mastered the art of explaining such a horrendous problem to such innocent children.

The volume is written in an easy conversational style.
As such, the presentation is perfect for young readers.
Will Smith was born nearly 40 years ago in Pennsylvania.
He was a Baptist, although he attended Our Lady of Lourdes-
a Catholic School. The family lived modestly.

His father worked in refrigeration. Will was a good student.
He did well in the technical subjects according to the author.
There was an opportunity to study computers;
however, Will chose the entertainment industry.

His first album was "Rock the House". Later,
he starred in the TV comedy "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air".
The book contains a number of memorable pictures.
i.e. a yearbook photo of Will and a photo of
"Independence Day" performers; such as, Goldblum, Pullman,
Smith et.al.

Near the end, the author challenges readers to imagine the
future direction of Will's career. The book has so much
content that such a task would be very difficult to contemplate.

The work has an extensive listing of his performances
in the Appendix. This includes a chronology, a discography, a filmography, chapter notes and website information. The
presentation would be good for the sports enthusiast in your house.

This is a really good book, I think any one would enjoy it- if you like will's music OR acting! PS If you like this one also check out maggie marron's other books- they're all great!

The book was thrilling, but covered in great detail the many experinces the the soldiers endured.