Television Books


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Television Books sorted by Average customer review: high to low .

Television
Hollywood Drive: What it Takes to Break in, Hang in & Make it in the Entertainment Industry
Published in Paperback by Focal Press (2005-05-16)
Author: Eve Light Honthaner
List price: $22.95
New price: $14.49
Used price: $25.00

Average review score:

A+ Read
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-06-30
This is a great book to start with if you are thinking about a career in Hollywood. The author gives a great overview of the business and makes sure she explains herself well. An easy read. Highly recommend!

great source of info!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-10-23
This book is a great addition to this author's other work - a fact-filled compendium of documents and advice for producers and production managers that's simply the best single book about making films professionally.

This book is a bit different, dealing with the other things - personal drive, character, etc.

If you are in the business, you will find something here you didn't know!

My friend Mark Hansson wrote to me recently to recommend Eve's other book - The Complete Film Production Handbook (3rd Edition, Book & CD-ROM). Mark is a busy guy in `the biz,' having done almost a hundred films and TV shows, including episodes of Murder She Wrote, Fat Actress, Six Feet Under, as well as the features Dreamgirls and The Quickie (overlooked and much-recommended) - so his advice is key.

Turns out that Eve and Mark have been friends for a couple of decades, since they met on a film when Eve was a Production Coordinator. Mark read the first edition in galley form, long before it became a standard reference book at most studios and at many film schools. Eve's got another book out too: Hollywood Drive: What it Takes to Break in, Hang in & Make it in the Entertainment Industry.

While Hollywood Drive deals with more `esoteric issues,' The Complete Handbook is worth its price for the production forms alone: a CD Rom of almost 200 templates that can be customized and adapted for any film or TV show. Mark says, "I still use some of them today, such as the `Walkie Talkie Checkout List,' an active Word document that you can type into once it has been downloaded."

Eve herself has helped thousands of our industry colleagues, through classes and the group she founded - the Film Industry Network (FIN), which still meets once a month at Sony studios. Mark again: "I'm very proud of Eve and the second career she has found as an author and teacher. She's an extraordinary person. And no - I don't get royalties from the book!"

I don't get royalties either - in fact I bought both books right here on Amazon, and I am glad I did. The Complete Film Production Handbook is a must-have for any producer, director, or production manager.

Good resource for Writers
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2006-11-19
You wouldn't know this book is a great marketing book and writers should read this one. The book focuses on the film industry but there is a wealth of information in here about marketing yourself that writers can benefit from. There are some great excercises you can use to start defining yourself and begin your publicity. Whether it is for your book, screenplay or yourself.

Excellent read
Helpful Votes: 5 out of 6 total.
Review Date: 2006-06-16
I just received this book today, and cannot put it down. Honthaner writes with such ease, it's almost as if she's sitting there discussing the entertainment industry with you. As a recent graduate and an intense drive to make it in Hollywood, this book suits all of my needs in seriously knowing the ins-and-outs of the business. I would definitely reccomend Hollywood Drive to anyone with a similar passion to want to know all and be in the mix of the entertainment industry.

Film School in a Book
Helpful Votes: 9 out of 10 total.
Review Date: 2005-11-07
I attended author Eve Honthaner's class at USC in 2004. Titled "Breaking In, Hanging In and Making It," the class gave me all the skills and tools necessary to make it into the film industry in Hollywood. Her encouragement and burning desire to help people succeed in following their dreams translates well from the classroom to the page. For those who don't have 6 weeks and $2,000 to spend on her enlightening course at USC, this book is a real bargain. If you are serious about pursuing a career in Hollywood, "Hollywood Drive" will teach you the importance of networking and all the other skills necessary to get your foot in the door. Using the tried and true methods of Eve Honthaner, I got my first job in Hollywood with Fox -- and many more to follow. I now recommend this book to everyone who dreams of Hollywood and has the courage to pursue that dream.

Television
John Wayne: American
Published in Paperback by Bison Books (1997-09-28)
Authors: Randy Roberts and James S. Olson
List price: $29.95
New price: $16.80
Used price: $11.49
Collectible price: $29.95

Average review score:

excellant book .
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2005-10-24
I enjoyed this book more than I can Say . Being 80 yrs. old ,

I have grown up with John Wayne , more so than any other movie

" STAR ". Buy this book , you will treasure it .

Jack Yannuzzi

an amazing biography
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-09-01
I am French and a huge fan of John Wayne's career.
I've found this book very complete whithout having long movies résumés.
This book is more focused on anecdotes' movies.
Moreover, the life of John Wayne is not depicted only as a pure "American" cowboy (despite the title of the book)and the authors really want to explain the choices of John Wayne in politics or in his own life whithout trying to influence the reader.
That gives us the impression that John Wayne lacked confidence in his own life but barely never in his career.
I've been reading biographies for a very long time and I can say that this biography is really well written and as I was reading it, I watched several movies with John Wayne, just for pleasure!!

The Man and the Legend
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2007-11-13
The acid test of any biography is does the personality of the subject come through the pages of the book? After the reader is finished, do they feel they have meet the man or woman they were reading about. Historians Randy Roberts and James S. Olson have done so with this book, which is very difficult for two distinct reasons: 1) Wayne left no papers; and 2) there is the legend of John Wayne that gets in the way of knowing Marion "Duke" Morrison, the man behind the famous stage name.

Roberts and Olson have given their readers a well-written, engaging study that is both traditional biography of the actor, but a study of his status as an American icon. The authors also show that Wayne was a talented actor in addition to being a movie star and deserved the Oscar he won, even though he expected to lose.

A decent and diligent son, he was never able to win his mother's love. For whatever reason, she showered her affections on her second son who was a mediocrity in life. Wayne was a conservative, but mainly because he was a classical liberal in that he believed in limited government that did little to impose on the liberties of individuals. Even though he was worth millions when he died, he had invested poorly and had gone bankrupt, squandered most of his earnings, and most of his fortune was the result of his having an honest business partner that had looked out for him.

He went through three marriages, but was a loving, if removed father. In many ways, he placed more value in his friends than in his family. Perhaps because his friends could never hurt him the way his wives had.

There will be other Wayne books, but it is difficult to see this book being surpassed anytime soon.

The Duke Of America
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2008-09-30
A very well written biography of a very complicated man. From the Duke's childhood to his later years in Hollywood, you get the full picture of an American legend that was patriotic, controversial, opinionated, grateful, and a deliberate artist.

John Wayne: American takes you into Wayne's inner circle of friends, family, and co-workers. If you love John Wayne, or even kind of like him, you'll love this book. There are some shockers that reveal the man behind the curtain that is sure to be a water cooler discussion after you read the book.

Read this book, Pilgrim!
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2007-06-22
I had wanted to read a John Wayne biography for some time, but never got around to it until buying this book. I think I picked the right one. It is chock-full of interesting information regarding 'the Duke'. I was surprised to discover how nasty director John Ford could be to his actors, John Wayne included; and yet the two were good friends. Surely Wayne must have wanted to punch the guy out a time or two. Regarding Wayne's mother; I don't think the writers did an adequate follow through. In the first sections of the book, much was written about the relationship between mother and son, but there was no follow up later in the book. Did his mom ever come around and begin to appreciate him before she passed away, or did she remain cold and aloof until she died? As a reader, I felt like I was left hanging on this one. Otherwise, this was an excellent book, and I highly recommend it. The final sections, covering Wayne's last days were sad and disturbing, but the man left us with quite a legacy on film. There will never be another like him.

Television
Letters from Backstage: The Adventures of a Touring Stage Actor
Published in Paperback by Allworth Press (2005-11-01)
Author: Michael Kostroff
List price: $19.95
New price: $11.42
Used price: $4.63

Average review score:

Behind and in front of the curtain, Kostroff's witty perspective will lift your spirits and make you chuckle
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-03-21
"Letters from Backstage" is one of those witty little books you can hardly wait to recommend to friends. Written with wry humor and a delightful perspective, Kostroff's fingers literally tap dance across the keys as he brings you along on his touring company adventures.

Kostroff is dazzled by things. He has stars in his eyes, and he can't help it. In spite of his crazy life backstage, the encounters with theater ghosts and machines that fail just when you need them, he remains awed by the fact that somehow life has given him a chance to be an actor

If you dream of achieving a career in the theater, there are valuable lessons to be learned in this book. Intimate details only a professional can know will prepare you for the grand roller coaster ride.

In the beginning, Kostroff is nervous when he gets called back for a second audition for The Producers. "There was tension in the room," he writes. "I've learned, over time, that it falls to me to break that tension. As I walked to the little X in the center of the floor and prepared to sing, two of Ms. Stroman's associates got up from the table and headed for the door. "I don't know what it is, I quipped. "Whenever it's announced I'm going to sing, people put on their coats and leave." Everyone laughed gratefully. I can now die happy."

In Portland, he is confronted by a convention of cheerful, chirping ladies dressed in cutesy sweaters sporting pom-poms, kittens with big eyes, or panda bears. These ladies think they are the funniest ladies on earth, but they drive Kostroff crazy. Rushing to get to the show on time, he finds every elevator packed with these gleeful broads. Each time the door opens one of them screams," Oops! Must have caught the local!" then they burst out into hysterical laughter. "Ladies," Kostroff imagines himself saying. I am in comedy, and please trust me; none of you is the least bit funny."

"It's like this:" he says in his epilogue, "amazing, horrifying, magical, thrilling, boring, tiring, energizing, satisfying, hilarious, sad, lonely, fraternal, endlessly long, and far too brief, an adventure. Really, there's nothing like it."

By the end of the book, you'll get to feel what it's like to have Mel Brooks kiss you on the cheeks and compliment your performance, but you'll also get a sense of annoying frustration when an over-eager dresser keeps tugging and fussing at you all the way to the edge of the wings.

Ups and downs, highs and lows, laugher and tears, that is show business as Michael Kostroff knows it. But one thing is for sure---you'll wish the tour would never end, and the next time you see Michael Kostroff's name on a book, you'll rush right out to buy it.

Takes you along the ride
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2006-12-01
Reviewed by Kelley Anderson for Reader Views (11/06)

"Letters from Backstage" is a collection of e-mails to friends and family while Michael Kostroff toured with "The Producers" and "Les Miserables." They give you brief glimpses of his journey, from auditioning for "The Producers" to his last curtain call of "Les Miserables." He gives his impressions and descriptions of the cities, sites, hotels and cast-mates that he meets along the way. It is the story of a hardworking theater actor who doesn't seem to take anything for granted and doesn't let the fame go to his head. I feel that the book is especially written for anyone who has ever wanted to be a theatrical actor. He is brutally honest about the amount of work it takes in rehearsal and performing and also what gifts and shortcomings life on the road brings. He tells his story from his perspective and tells it well.

An actor is not something I ever wanted to be growing up. I was horribly shy and terrified of making what I thought was a fool out of myself. While Michael was describing being up onstage, the audience in their seats and all of the singing, dancing and acting going on onstage, I could honestly feel my hands grow clammy and my chest tighten. His descriptions were clear, accurate and (for me) terrifying. Any aspiring actor is sure to enjoy the suspense and drama of the stage. The practical jokes carried out among cast members did make me laugh out loud. Rehearsals, practices and more behind the scenes work seems to be just another day at work for any of these professionals, and yet Michael has a way of making it seem magical, because it obviously is to him. I have to admit, the book may have been even more interesting to me if I had ever seen either one of the shows.

My favorite parts of the book were the descriptions of the local activity in the cities he visited. Farmer's markets, local restaurants, and lively locals made me yearn to visit some of these cities. Other times, the descriptions were too sparse and generalized and I couldn't see in my mind what he was trying to describe, which is not surprising for text originally intended as e-mails to friends. A great addition to this book would be a final chapter, after the tours were finished, of highlights of what really stood out for Michael in all of those trips.

Michael says he has a "passion for the correct use of the English language" and it shows through in his writing. I read through the chapters swiftly, never getting tangled up in obvious grammatical mistakes. It is an easy to read book that I am sure will delight a younger audience looking to become actors as well as fellow actors in or retired from the business who would like to reminisce. He naturally finds a great transition from story to story, filling in background details necessary to the telling without bogging the entire story down. I believe that Michael could take many parts of this book and expand them into stories that would stand alone brilliantly, and they all still fit together neatly in "Letters from Backstage."

Aspiring, current and former actors along with theater lovers of all kinds will enjoy reading "Letters from Backstage." Michael is a natural storyteller, keeping true to the theme of the book, the backstage of two touring performances, while sharing his life and travels. The e-mails and letters included could be written directly to the reader. He tells the story as he sees it, not apologizing for some of the less than professional antics that go on. He continues to fall in love with the theater life over and over and brings you along for the ride.

Kept me smiling from beggining to end
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2006-08-06
This book is very entertaining and enlightening. He loves every minute of his showbiz career and is happy to let you go "on tour" with him.

This would be enjoyable for actors and just people who enjoy theatre watching.

LOVED IT!

Wonderfully entertaining!
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2006-04-26
I don't work in the entertainment business, and don't know much of anything about theatre, so I was a little afraid this wouldn't really hit me. I couldn't have been more wrong! This book is full of well told, highly entertaining stories. Kostroff has a great way of making you feel like you were on the road with him and the rest of the cast and crew. I laughed out loud a number of times, and feel like I got a real insider's view of things. It's practically your own backstage pass! Easy to read, and a lot of fun.

The ins, outs and inbetweens of a touring stage actor
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2006-03-18
What is it like to be a touring stage actor? Author Michael Kostroff's childhood dream came true when he was cast in national tours of two plays: his story of life on the road comes to life in LETTERS FROM BACKSTAGE: THE ADVENTURES OF A TOURING STAGE ACTOR, which began as a series of emails to friends at home and evolved into a handbook of adventure. From hotels and old theatres to onstage mishaps and lovely old theaters, all the way down to the nuts and bolts of how touring stage actors handle typical challenges, LETTERS FROM BACKSTAGE brings it all to life.

Television
The Lucy & Desi: A Real-Life Scrapbook of America's Favorite TV Couple
Published in Hardcover by Running Press Book Publishers (2003-10)
Author: Elisabeth Edwards
List price: $40.00
Collectible price: $40.00

Average review score:

Really Nice Gift for a Lucy Fan
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2007-10-31
This was purchased for my daughter who happens to be a huge Lucy fan. She thoroughly enjoyed it as it is chock full of reproduced letters, articles and other memorabilia. It makes a wonderful gift.

Thank-You Lucie Arnaz and Desi Arnaz Jr.
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2007-12-03
What a wonderful gift Lucie Arnaz and Desi Arnaz Jr. have given to the fans of their parents. This book will warm your heart, make you smile, and bring tears to your eyes. It will make you feel like you snuck into Lucy's closet and found her scrapbook sitting on the shelf. I got goosebumps when I saw the enevelope written by Desi that said 'To my darling'. I almost felt like an intruder when I pulled out the Valentine for Lucy that was inside. There are photos, letters, clippings, and side notes, all beautifully assembled. This is a must have have for anyone who has ever loved Lucy, Desi, Vivian, and William.

A Must For All Fans
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2007-10-31
When I received this book in the post I did not put it down for a least an hour. It was so thoughtfully put together and showed all of Desi and Lucy's fans just how much they loved and cared for each other thoughtout their lives.
My most memorable areas are the little pieces written by the couple describing their thoughts and how they felt about each other. Lucy's words about Desi's death really struck me as although she had been married for 25 years she still felt his death hard.
My daughter who is only aged 15 years also could not put it down and was especially interested in the reproductions of the important letters and documents.
We both love it and it is certainly a must for the bookshelf of any Lucy and Desi fan.

FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Helpful Votes: 4 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2006-01-13
If you are a Lucy Fan then you simply must buy this book! I just received mine and sat mesmorized by it, it is now my favorite Lucy item I have. I have an enormous collection of everything to do with Lucy or I LOVE LUCY you can imagine and this Scrapbook is so incredible.....it's honestly as if you are looking at the original scrapbook and you are even able to pull out inserts on several pages.....passport, letters, etc. I am not joking, if you are a collector of Lucy things and you do not have this Scrapbook then you are missing an incredible addition to your collection. The price is really great considering all you get. Words truly are not enough....I'll never ever get tired of looking at this!!!! Don't just think about buying it, buy it this minute!!!

lucy & desi the real -life scrapbook
Helpful Votes: 5 out of 5 total.
Review Date: 2005-09-21
The scrapebook was execellent. I enjoyed every little thing about it. It was great of all the document that were in there. This is a great book.

Television
Mr. Bean's Diary
Published in Paperback by Andrews Mcmeel Pub (1994-09)
Authors: Robin Driscoll and Rowan Atkinson
List price: $12.95
New price: $19.53
Used price: $0.01

Average review score:

Wonderful!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-05-18
Great book, worth the price a hundred times. Great to read more exploits of Bean! Just like the TV show! Recomended! Some parts will laugh you to death such as:

Smashed bugs in the book

Police reports

Much much more!

Good
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2006-12-16
Funny, but I expected it to be like a book, and there were just some andom notes for every day.

Hate the TV show? You still might like the book
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2003-09-21
Even Mr. Bean's most enthusiastic fans will have to agree that he can be really gross sometimes. For those of us who wish we'd never seen him try to stop his ears with someone else's used chewing gum, he's a lot easier to take in print than on video, just as weird but much less nauseating. I think he's funnier, too. It's kind of like a radio play: What you fill in with your imagination can be funnier than what they show you.

Great
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2005-08-03
This book is hilarious and makes for simple, entertaining reading. It consists of a diary in which Mr. Bean records his various escapades (in his untidy scrawl) and keeps his letters and newspaper clippings. It contains quite a few references to the episodes themselves, and it's necessary to read it more than once to appreciate the full humour value. I recommend this book to all fans of Mr. Bean.

Absolutely Hilarious
Helpful Votes: 4 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2004-06-16
Mr Bean aka Rowan Atkinson is one of my favorite comedian. He manages to crack you up without resorting to low down slapstick humor. The book is a must-read for Mr Bean fans, and for those of you who have yet to see his TV shows (way better than the movie), I highly recommend this book. It is guaranteed to give me tummyaches from laughing too hard.

Television
Mulder, It's Me: Gillian Anderson : An X-Haustive X-Pose of the Woman Who Is Special Agent Dana Scully
Published in Paperback by ECW Press (1997-09)
Authors: Gil Adamson, Gillian Anderson, and Dawn Connolly
List price: $16.95
New price: $20.99
Used price: $4.36

Average review score:

mulder it's me
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 6 total.
Review Date: 2002-02-09
THIS BOOK IS GREAT, REALLY GOOD AND FUN TO READ IF YOU ARE AN X-FILES OR GILLIAN ANDERSON FAN. I HIGHLY RECOMAND THIS BOOK

Mulder's it's Me: More than just a biography
Helpful Votes: 14 out of 14 total.
Review Date: 2001-01-02
Straight from the cutesy title that X-Philes know and love as one of Scully's trademark phrases, Mulder, it's Me really hits the spot. Gil Adamson and Dawn Connolly's biography about the amazing Gillian Anderson is extremely informative without being invasive of Ms. Anderson's privacy. The well-written fourteen-chapter biography is only the beginning of this stunning masterpiece - the book also includes candid interviews, a comprehensive episode guide of the first four seasons of The X-Files, a section on the 1996 Burbank convention by the renowned Autumn Tysko, a listing of internet resources, and 16 pages of color photos. Whether you are a newbie or a veteran fan, Mulder, it's Me: The Gillian Anderson Files is the must-have biography.

The best Gillian Anderson biography/A must for all fans!
Helpful Votes: 30 out of 31 total.
Review Date: 1999-08-14
This is the best Gillian Anderson biography on shelves today. But this isn't just a biography, this book also includes television and radio interviews with answers to some of the most frequently asked questions. You get to find out what people did when Gillian Anderson appeared at the X-Files convention and what questions her fans asked. It also includes the speech she made in Washington D.C. for public awareness about Neurofibromatosis, the disease her younger brother has been diagnosed with. This book also includes great Gillian Anderson Internet sources and an X-File episode guide with all the shows from season one to the end of season four. But best of all, this book includes a great section of full page color photographs of Gillian. If you are a Gillian Anderson fan, you have to get this book!

Th best Gillian anderson book on the Market!
Helpful Votes: 5 out of 7 total.
Review Date: 2000-11-23
This book is great for people who want t get all the facts and want awesome color Photos .I think Gillian is agreat person and Actress and this book helps you realize that.AS well as info there is a great X-files episode guide section.Many thanks to the athur and gillian for being the great actress she is.

One great G.A Book!
Helpful Votes: 8 out of 9 total.
Review Date: 2000-02-23
This book has, well, everything you wanted to know about Gillian Anderson (Agent Dana Scully on the X-Files) and more! The colour photo's are excellent, as well as the black and white ones. Each chapter has a unique title, and very good detail into herself, her daughter, and her work. A must have for any Gillian Anderson fan.

Television
Patient
Published in Paperback by Viking (1996-05-09)
Author: Ben Watt
List price:
Used price: $8.74

Average review score:

Compelling
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-11-12
Sad, but not hopeless, biographical account of a young musician stricken with a horrifying illness. Heartfelt & honest without being overly sentimental. Written in a captivating & sometimes humorous tone, not witholding any details. I have been reading this as a physician, and will recommend the book to any young patients I have with grave illnesses.

Lyrical and spiritual in its unique perspective
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2005-04-23
I purchase this book many years ago simply because I was a big ebtg fan. I casually knew what he had been thorugh and felt terrible for him, but was going through the process of losing and then grieving for a loved one.
When I read the book, it offered me a perspective on what life may have been like for my loved one as he suffered illness. What a wonderful gift Ben Watt has given. He writes without self-pity, in his lyrical style without being flowery or glossing over the ugliness of illness. I am so glad that he survived for selfish reasons-the music he (&Tracey) has(have) produced (before and after the illness) has been a diverse gift to the world.
And I am so greatful that he wrote this book. Experiencing the death of a loved one through being a spectator to horrible illness, was, in a strange way one of life's best gifts to me. No I didn't learn to be greatful for my health and all that crap-I learned that true joy comes from giving to another and expecting nothing in return. Ben Watt's Patient, gave me an extra perspective on that experience, and sometimes helps me to remember the life-lesson from it all.
In summation, read Patient for more of Watt's lyrical writing, read it to find a surprisingly good story with plot twists and turns, read it to learn what severe illness truly is. Fascinating. A gift-thank you.

Fascinating Read from an Unexpected Source
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2006-01-10
I'd been a fan of EBTG for quite awhile before this book came out. Their soothing music has always been a favorite so I was really interested to see what this book was all about.

It turned out to be a very disturbing account of Ben Watt's freak-show illness, blow by blow. His commentary is riveting and one gets the feeling that he does not feel sorry for himself in the least, but instead follows his own story as if he is an observer who also happens to be its main character.

I was heartened to read toward the end of the book Watt's own musings on what may have brought all his health problems about. Though he left it vague, his illness seems to be among those new "diseases of civilization" caused by many factors in our surroundings that lead to hard-to-define ailments where environmental toxicity and the overuse of pharmaceutical medicines are certainly not to be discounted.

In any case it seems that his passion for music transcended all, and was at least in part a contributor to his recovery. Most of all he deserves a thanks for telling his story, unadulterated. For sure it has made this reader not feel so isolated.

Everything But The Hype.
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2003-09-26
The fact that Watt's story lacks a significant plot (outside of the onset, diagnosis, and treatment of his rare condition) is largely forgivable. For those of us who know Watt primarily as a musician/songwriter, the somewhat static storyline here is acceptable. All that's missing from "Patient" is Everything But The Girl's enlightening bed of music to be heard under Ben's delicately articulated prose. Typical of many great songs, Watt occasionally blurs the line between the first- and third-person narration, and "Patient" is better off for it. Perhaps even better than the great writing, though, is the genuine and intimate portal into the lives of Ben and Tracey rarely afforded to EBTG fans. It's a relatively short read, but each page gives plenty to be absorbed as the result of Ben's crafty alliteration and his uncensored, yet careful, approach to the fog of medical lexicon. Not for the weak of heart--or stomach--Watt's book exacts distinct feelings of sobriety and contemplation...with an ending portrait that expertly convey's his trademark understated hope.

Memorable, insightful
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2003-08-08
I'll admit I picked this up mostly out of curiosity as a longtime fan of Everything But the Girl. What kept me reading, however, was Ben Watt's skill as a writer. His story is gripping and harrowing, but told with a dry wit and wonderful observations. This book is not just about one man coming to terms with serious illness, but how that experience affected his relationships with his loved ones and his view of himself. This would be a great book for anyone in the health care field to read; it gives you a sense of the patient as a full human being, not just a "problem" to be fixed. Ben Watt's writing skills are as strong as his ample skills as a musician/songwriter. This book has my highest recommendation.

Television
Remembering Walt
Published in Hardcover by Disney Editions (1999-07-21)
Authors: Amy Boothe Green, Howard E. Green, and Ray Bradbury
List price: $29.95
New price: $7.90
Used price: $8.34

Average review score:

Excellent Book
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2002-09-30
This is definately a winner! Great little gems from Walt Disney's family, closest friends and colleagues. The pictures are equally wonderful. Great candid shots and personal family photos. This man had more character than Mickey Mouse himself!

A GOOFY VALENTINE TO THE MAN WHO WOULD BE KING
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2003-02-10
This lavishly illustrated tribute --- first published in 1999 and now released as an oversized trade paperback --- is a must for diehard Disneyites. (Dig the vintage, time-worn color
cover photo of Uncle Walt, with Cousin Oscar clearly in view.) Amy Boothe Green and Howard Green's text is nothing more than quote after quote from Walt's pals, peers, co-stars, family and friends, all of whom (surprise!) praise The Man Who Would Be King. But it's the vast array of black-and-white and color photographs --- many rare and many never-before-seen, all of which are stuffed into the pages --- that make this a winner. Walt as a young boy. Walt as a young man. Walt at play. Walt at work. Walt with family. Walt with friends. Walt with Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke. Walt with Hayley Mills. Walt with Shirley Temple. Walt with Annette Funicello, who provides the book's most poignant quote: "When I was first diagnosed with multiple sclerosis ... I thought,. "If Mr. Disney were here, I could ask him what I should do. He would know." And, of course, Walt with the Mouse and the Mouseketeers. Noting goofy here. Except Goofy.

Okay
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 5 total.
Review Date: 2002-01-30
The pictures were nice. I'm a big Dinsey fan so I pretty much enjoyed this book. It told what people who worked with him thought about him. I gave the book four stars because there were some bad words.

The finest tribute to a great man
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2003-11-18
I was very happy while reading this book. I found all the things Walt's aquaintances had to say about him very interesting and credible. Very little seemed sugar coated (as Disney personel seem to be sometimes). I would make the assumption that Walt's personality was portrayed correctly by the many people that knew him. Throughout the course of reading this book I kept thinking about the quote that one amazon reviewer said that made me buy this book in the first place, "makes me wish I knew that man."

A wonderful insight into the philosophy of Walt Disney
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2003-10-26
This book is exactly as one would expect by reading the title. It's just quote after quote from people who knew Walt Disney best. I liked that many of his former employees were interviewed. Since I was familiar with some of the animators, imagineers, and actors it made it a more personal thing for me when reading this book. There are also many pictures that show Walt during all the different periods of his life, though the majority of them are during his successful years heading the Disney corporation. I share the sympathy of another reviewer who said that after reading this book they wished they had known Walt Disney. I think a person who really admires the Disney empire will share the same sentiments about the man who dared to dream.

Television
Rushmore (Classic Screenplay)
Published in Paperback by Faber & Faber (1999-05-31)
Authors: Wes Anderson and Owen Wilson
List price: $18.00
New price: $9.75
Used price: $7.49

Average review score:

A master class in writing humor and heart.
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-11-30
One of my all time favorite films. The screenplay does a great job of highlighting what exactly made this film so great. For you writers out there, observe the subtle humor and motions toward emotion in the simplest of phrases. An instant classic, and great companion to the Criterion Collection DVD.

A must for Max Fischer fans
Helpful Votes: 13 out of 13 total.
Review Date: 2000-02-01
Happily, this is an original script/shooting script, not the final filmed version so there are plenty of scenes and lines included here that did not appear in the movie. After reading I have a new appreciation for the subtle, nearly flawless directing and acting in this amazing film. Buy it!

Watch the Movie First
Helpful Votes: 4 out of 5 total.
Review Date: 2000-01-20
I dare use the word "quirky," because that usually means "esoteric and/or pedantic." But "Rushmore" manages to be quirky while still being entertaining and heartful. There is real emotional impact in this film, as sharp and hurtful as first love lost. Yet, it remains a brilliant comedy with enough "moments" to make repeated viewings worthwhile. The book only serves as a fond memory of the film, much as the soundtrack. See the movie first, then buy the book to cherish the experience again.

Wonderful printed version of movie for ages.
Helpful Votes: 4 out of 9 total.
Review Date: 1999-08-25
Rushmore, both the script and the movie, are instant classics. The buzz generated is still modest compared to the actual impact. Very fulfilling read. Sic transit gloria.

If not anything, the humor.
Helpful Votes: 5 out of 5 total.
Review Date: 2003-10-28
I identified with the characters in the movie. I know one person wrote an intelligent review saying that the movie seemed too surreal, but in my opinion, though I admit the situation had a surreal feel to it, the characters were extremely realistic. I loved Margaret Yang and the way she was so caught up in success that she lied for a project that was almost bought by NASA.

If you don't like anything else, you have to at least admit that Rushmore is one of the funniest things you have seen or read.

Television
Set Lighting Technician's Handbook, Third Edition: Film Lighting Equipment, Practice, and Electrical Distribution
Published in Paperback by Focal Press (2003-03-31)
Author: Harry Box
List price: $52.95
New price: $33.30
Used price: $29.50

Average review score:

Exactly what it says, very in depth
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-10-09
This book is very in depth and easy to read. I have done lots of lighting for theater and concert, but not film or video. This book taught me a lot. It is specific to lighting for film and video so if you are looking for more information on theater lighting or automated lights for concerts, this book only has a few pages on that. But for film and video it Rocks! I would even recommend this book to anyone interested in lighting.

Highly Technical.
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-06-07
I gleaned a lot of information from this book. There is not a ligting, electrical connection that is not explained to my satisfaction. Take the time to read all then keep this book handy as a reference. Just showing that you have the book, proves that you know what you are talking about.

Must have
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-01-27
Great book, lots of detail for any working Lighting tech, or aspiring tech. Great for a indi-film makers library.

A lot of Really Good Info.
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2007-06-03
A MUST HAVE for the inside scoop into the Industry.

Great for beginners or review for experts
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-05-15
If your planing a career in the motion picture or television business than this book will greatly advance your technical knowledge of the business. If your an old pro at the business the book is great for a quick reference to prepare you for a shoot.


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