Television Books

Part of the Apple-certified training series, Final Cut Pro for Avid Editors is for film editors and professional video editors who already use Avid, but who want to move these skills to Final Cut Pro as quickly as possible. Chapters blend feature comparisons and conversion tips with charts, lesson goals and plans, chapter reviews, and more, making this an excellent guide for either classroom or self-study. It's a self-paced learning handbook highly recommended for any film pro involved in training and applications.

This book helps ease the monumental transition from Avid to FCP. It is definitely a must for anyone going through the change, but becomes less useful once you get the hang of FCP. Once you are through the transtion, then get the book Final Cut Pro 5 for Mac, which answers the rest.

This book I could only find used, it is not easy to come by...

If you are ever forced to quickly learn Final Cut pro for the odd job where Avid is not a viable option, or you want to start editing your on stuff on the cheap, buy this, read it and practise it for a week and you will be a Pro at Pro, knowing everything there is to know, at least, where to find it and whether it is doable or not. It is a book written by an Avid editor for Avid editors who have to go through the same learning curve. You can be very surprised going through it on how similar the two editing systems are and most of all, how quickly you can synthesise the information and make it second nature. I fervently recommend this book being so well written, going always to the point and covering everything properly.

As an Avid editor and now learning FCP, I can recommend this book for helping to understand where everthing is. This book is a must unless you want to tear your hair out. If you know how it feels going from Media Composer to DS, then you will understand why you need this book and I might add others.

We have been an Avid only edit house for years, but reciently purchased two Final Cut systems. Most of the transition was pretty easy, but trying to figure out how to do some of the things in FCP that we did in our sleep on the Avid slowed us down a bit. This book draws great parallels between the two systems.

This is a good product. I bought it for a listening station in my classroom. The theme goes with another story with my reading program.

I can see the charms of this book...a young bear gets up to watch TV only to find the TV isn't working. First her mother, then her father and finally a repairman try to fix it but by the time it's fixed, she no longer cares because she is happily reading a book. There is an enormous amount of data supporting the power of reading and it happens that in our own house the TV is rarely on so we found this book somewhat less compelling. The hardcover version has pictures on the title pages which add to the story - be aware that the board book may be lacking these (I haven't seen the board book so I don't know for sure).

As an elementary educator, I highly recommend this book for both teachers and parents of young children. The power of reading over watching television has substantial research and ultimately confirms that reading is a powerful tool. David McPhail is my hero when it comes to writing and illustrating text. His delightful message is not only for Emma the bear, but for all children. Read Read Read.

David McPhail's Fix-it! is a charming book. The illustrations are clear; the text is simple. It is good for pre-readers and beginning readers. The book promotes reading with your children.

David McPhail's "Fix-It" is a charming way to introduce reading to beginning or relunctant readers. Emma wakes up one morning to find the television set not working. Her dad, mom and even the repairman are unable to fix it. When the T.V. problem is finally solved, Emma no longer cares. She has found an equally enjoyable activity, reading a book. Although this book could be considered a "baby book" by more "experienced" readers, preschoolers should be able to find this book appealing. The message that the book is trying to get across to children is great. The illustrations are soft and help tell the story accurately. This book has charm and should be enjoyed by a variety of children.

This book includes even more "forgotten gems" from
the original "Twilight Zone" - from the fourth and fifth
seasons of the show. "The Incredible World of Horace Ford",
"What's In the Box", "The Encounter", "Number 12 Looks Just Like You", and "Come Wander With Me" - not all of which were
good episodes but the scripts read way better than the episodes on TV actually are. There are two versions of "Horace Ford" and "Number 12", so this book is about twice the size of Volume 1. And, a bonus item is included, "Dreamflight" by William F. Nolan and George Clayton Johnson (which was never produced on TV). The commentaries by Ramage are, once again, superb,
and they include anecdotes from some of the actors who are still living.

I loved reading this book. I've been a big fan of TZ since I was about six years old and these Zone Scripts books just keep coming out...Hamner, Matheson, George Clayton Johnson, Beaumont, Serling, and now this one. I LOVE the stories when I watch them on TV, but reading them is even more of a thrill. They are really great as literary pieces, just like the intro of the book says. The commentaries are really insightful too. I have been reading the COMPANION guide by Marc Scott Zicree for many years and I am sick of reading his comments. He's way too critical, whereas Ramage wields a strong pen and gives them exactly the kind of comments they deserve. I kind of wish there had been some production shots in this book like there are in the Serling Scripts book, but that's a minor point. A great book for any Zone fan.

Andrew Ramage has done it again - as in Vol. 1, all the dust is blown away from these gems - one gets an appreciation for how the written word gets translated, transfigured - molded into action. The glorious Trouble With Templeton is worth the price of admission alone - and Ramage's reviews of each entry are spot on
This is a great read and certainly a great addition to the TZ line of books

Kudos to Andrew Ramage for assembling this collection (the first of two parts), which turns the spotlight on a few of Twilight Zone's neglected writers and scripts.

In fine fashion, this book rounds out the line-up of Twilight Zone script books currently available. Releases from the distant and recent past have provided collections of the TZ work of Rod Serling, Charles Beaumont, Richard Matheson, Earl Hamner, George Clayton Johnson and Jerry Sohl. FORGOTTEN GEMS FROM THE TWILIGHT ZONE fills in the gaps by providing a look at the work of several non-core writers who contributed to the show.

These scripts may not be the most memorable of the TZ series, but they all hold a certain charm for fans of the show and classic television, and certainly stand on their own as entertaining entries. "Long Distance Call" and "The Trouble with Templeton" are particularly interesting scripts, and it's nice to have them in published form for easy reference. This book also presents a welcome treat by printing Charles Beaumont's story concept for the unproduced story "Pattern for Doomsday."

Revisit the lost art of television writing and enjoy FORGOTTEN GEMS FROM THE TWILIGHT ZONE.

Any true Twilight Zone Fan can tell you Rod Serling was a great writer , but although he was the main contributing writer to one of the greatest series in television history , he didn't do it alone, There were many that were responsible for bulk of great scripts that Mr Serling did not create.Richard Matheson,George Clayton Johnson , Jerry Sohl and Earl Hamner were all great writers that contributed more than a few scripts to the series,and all have had there works published in one form or another for fans to read and enjoy.But What about those other few "Forgotten Gems" that have fallen thru the cracks? I was more than excited to purchase this book , full of information about each script , the production process and actor/directer info, Andrew Ramage pays tribute to those writers of the series,that are some times over looked for thier great contributions to "The Twilight Zone" legacy .Episodes include " The Chaser", "Long Distance Call", "The Trouble With Templeton","Dead Man's Shoe's"and"I Dream Of Genie" . An unproduced concept script called "Pattern For Doomsday"(which was a great addition for me)is also included.Overall the collection is a great display of classic ideas from the begining of the television era,presented with great respect from Ramage, these scripts can now be enjoyed by sci fi fan's ," Twilight Zone Fan's or anyone that enjoy's a great story.

I bought this book for my girlfriend (the most avid of Friends' fans) as an annexation to her Christmas gift this past holiday and based upon what she says, it was really good. Now whether or not she is just saying that because I got it for her has yet to be determined but since she is usually a harsh criticizer of material that doesn't live up to her expectations, her positive review of this little book makes me believe it's a good addition to any Friends' fan's merchandise collection.

Came in a moderate time period. The smallness adds to the cuteness of it. Goes perfect w/ the rest of my FRIENDS shrine!

I'm a huge Friends lover, and by reading that book I would have to say that they could make a pocket version for it. It's a total Friends guide!! Do you remember Rachel's and Ross' first kiss? Who the hell is Janice? And George Stephanopoulos? Buy that and you'll stay tuned. From Chandler Bing to Ugly Naked Guy, we all need one sample of this dazzling book. All I have to say it's OH MY GOD!

Great guide of yesterday's episodes, great sections on each character, although it is old, and a newer, updated version needs to be released. Great comments by each character. A true 'Friends' fan will remember each episode as they read the quote. A must have for the 'Friends' fan in your life!

I loved it since I'm a Friends fan. It was touching, & funny. Great

When I was coming of age in the 1960's,one of my favorite TV shows was "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In"-It was downright hysterical-When I heard that a book had come out about the program,I knew I had to purchase it-Author Hal Erickson begins his book by listing several performers whose comedic style paved the way for "Laugh-In",such as the vaudeville team of Olsen & Johnson & Ernie Kovacs-"Laugh-In" ran from January 1968 to May 1973-Along the way,it introduced us to some truly talented individuals such as Arte Johnson,Ruth Buzzi,Goldie Hawn,& Lily Tomlin-"Laugh-In" was the top rated show from 1968-1970-However,once certain cast members started to leave,the show diminished in popularity-NBC cancelled the show in early 1973-There's an appendix in the back of the book that features a brief synopsis of each & every episode-If you're a bona fide "Laugh-In" fan,you must purchase this book.

I am a huge fan of "Laugh-In." If you are a fan also, this is THE book for you. It includes everything. The only thing missing are pictures- there are not any. However, all of the behind the scenes, inside info about the show, its history, series revival attempts (thus far- there is talk about another one,) and reunion specials, is all here. All of your questions are answered. I know mine were. Also included is a season by season episode guide, with a detailed synopsis for each episode for all of the six seasons.

This book is usually pretty expensive, but it is worth the cost. Every TV show should have a book written about it that is this wonderfully brilliant. Double thumbs up!

A very worthwhile piece of literature which belongs in any library of comedy or television. It chronicals the history of one of the best and most inventive events in TV history. The book is more the history of the show than the humor but it does contain lots of the wit and the flavor.. Now I want a book of the jokes with photos. Good work.. Buy it.

A thorough history of a legendary television classic. The book paints a picture of the popular culture of a time that will surely not be repeated. I highly recommend this for anyone who wants to learn about a fascinating era or just simply wants to revisit a phenomenon long gone.

It's been a year-and-a-half since Hal Erickson's "Sid and Marty Krofft" was published...too long for this reader, as Mr. Erickson is quickly becoming as vital to the world of TV history as Brooks and Marsh. The bulk of "From Beautiful Downtown Burbank" recaps the origin, growth, and ultimate demise of "Laugh-In" with Mr. Erickson's trademark savvy enthusiasm, the kind that comes only aftermonths of research and interviews. What's more, the book's appendix isn't to be missed, since you'd be hard pressed to find a more thorough "Laugh-In" episode guide anywhere (it even includes the never-been-syndicated sixth season). The lack of photographs is completely made up for by Mr. Erickson's gifted ability to recreate the show's backstage atmosphere. Can't ask for more than that in a history book... Perhaps the only question the book doesn't answer: why Ian Bernard replaced the program'soriginal theme song in the 2nd, 3rd, & 4th season, only to resurrect it in the 5th. Asking that is pure hairsplitting, though, and shouldn't dissuade anybody from doing themselves the favor of purchasing this book,a gripping read from a multi-talented writer. So until Columbia House or Rhino immortalize "Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In" (heck, even after they do), "From Beautiful Downtown Burbank" is the definitive tribute to a marvelous and groundbreaking program.

As a young boy living in New Jersey making a dollar for his first hustle to the present time, Dashawn Taylor has given us an up close and personal look into his life. From his struggles and disappointments to his triumphs Dashawn has continued to be positive while looking at any negativity as a lesson learned.
Now as a collage graduate and business owner Dashawn shares some excellent tips... dos and don'ts for success in today's business world.
An inspiring read!

Locksie

ARC Book Club Inc.

As I stated in the foreward, I really took pride in the opportunity to get into DaShawn's world. Hearing his stuggles and seeing how he finally made it to the top was quite encouraging.

Thanks DaShawn,
Stephanie Johnson, Author
She's Got Issues, Rockin Robin, Desperate Sisters, Married to the Badge

This book was not only a good read but it serves as a manual for what could happen when you don't let your situation overtake you. I really enjoyed this book and passed it on to a couple of young men that I know. After reading it, I could see a change in them and that made me proud. Thank You for writing such a great book.

This book is excellent!!!! It highlights yet another real-life story of someone coming from a struggle and striving their way through challenges to reach success in life. The 10 Hustle Commandments are true jewels of wisdom.

HE IS THE ULIMATE HUSTLER....HE'S BEEN THOUGH ALOT AND THIS BOOK TELL YOU WHAT HE WENT THOUGH...TO GET TO KNOW HIM IS TO COP THE BOOK. YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED I REALLY ENJOY THE BOOK..... READY TO SEE WHAT HE BOUT TO TAKE BY STORM NOW.................

THANX DASHAWN

An amazing read! Thanks Carlton for sharing your spotlight to help guide others on their life's journey.

i couldn't put it down. touching, insightful, candid, fascinating. Carlton destroys his demons with courage and love, and finds peace in forgiveness along the way. a must-read.

WOW! What a book about discovery? I was not expecting to love this book but I did! It lets us all know, we can rise above our insecurities, confront our fears and begin to feel alive.
Carlton, Thanks for being such a talented writer.
All the best
Jo Patrick

CARLTON ROCKS
BEING HONEST IS THE MOST DIFFICULT THING FOR ANY OF US TO BE IN DAILY LIFE... I AM NOT TALKING ABOUT TELLING THE TRUTH... I AM TALKING SOUL BARING HEART WRENCHING WHITE KNUCKLE HONESTY!!!
THIS BOOK IS A BEACON OF LIGHT TO PEOPLE WHO NEED TO FIND THE COURAGE TO LIVE THE TRUTH...

I BOUGHT 5 FOR MY FRIENDS!!!

We live in a world where people hide behind masks! The mask of sexuality, drug addiction, and approval addiction. Fear is the cause of masks. I appreciated Front & Center because it displayed courage as Carlton Wilborn fought his fears. It is truly transparency at its finest. Carlton's writing paints beautiful pictures about his struggles. He draws you into his heart and many of us can relate with the life changing choices that developed him into who he is now. His journey is encouraging and insightful to those who seek the success he has, which is true peace and freedom! I highly recommend this memoir you will be blessed as you experience the transformation that took place in this book. It's not easy living life "Front & Center", but after reading this book you will be confident that it's possible to do it transparent and fearless!

it sparks the imagination and use of wine for not just drinking

This is another excellent cook book by Jeff Smith! It's full of great recipes and stories by a very talented cook and writer. This one focuses on cooking with wine. I have used many of these recipes and found them to be very good. Being a home grown cook myself and having had many of my grandmother's classic recipes handed down to me, I found this book to be very helpful in expanding my culinary taste buds.

Jeff Smith entertained us for years on his PBS program 'The Frugal Gourmet'. Not only did he teach us many savory dishes, he also educated us. Not satisfied with just cooking delicious meals for his viewers, he would give detailed history lessons about the origins of the dish and made it all a lot of fun!

This may be Mr. Smiths best cook book and it is a worthy edition to everyone's cook book library. I own and have read many, if not all of his cook books, not only for the man's knowledge of cooking, but his incredible wit! This guy was funny and I would have loved to have hung out and throw a few beers down with him.

Unfortunately, this man had some very seriously bad press released about his personal life and well..... I am not one to spread rumors.....he seemed like a great guy and sadly he died before he was able to clear his name.

R.I.P. Frugs!

Jeff Smith has always been an influence on my cooking from the first time I saw him on television. I was very excited to get this book many, many years ago and it has been a staple in my kitchen ever since. This is a cookbook focused on using wine in virtually every recipe. That made it dear to my heart right away.

The book begins with an introduction where the author considers the properties of wine as food. He goes on to discuss romanticizing wine and concerns about alcohol. The introduction is, like all of Jeff Smith's writing, peppered (pun intended) with personal anecdotes that always bring a smile to the face.

The book then moves on to a section filled with cooking hints and tips. The author discusses various pieces of kitchen equipment, cooking terms and various definitions. A brief discussion of herbs follows, although I believe he could fill an entire book with this type of wisdom about the culinary use of herbs. The section is completed with information about the TV series and a few hints on entertaining.

The next chapter opens with another wonderful anecdote. Unlike many dry cookbooks, this one is filled with life and warm commentary. The author discusses wine and how it relates to history, theology, healing and cooking. This is no mere cookbook filled with indexed recipes and little else.

Finally, the recipes begin. The first section includes a variety of "tapas". 15 different tapa ideas are offered, although only 3 are actual recipes. 4 more appetizer recipes follow including a recipe for zucchini fritters that are simple and are simply out of this world.

A chapter on soups is next and opens with comments on adding wine. Simple instructions for making various stocks (without wine) are included. Mr. Smith includes a recipe for minestrone soup that, while challenging compared to many of the other recipes in the book, is beyond description. Recipes for various chowders and soups total 13 recipes in this chapter.

The next chapter deals with fish and shellfish and I must confess that I have rarely used recipes from this section. 11 recipes include one I have made. The scallops in cheese sauce was easy to make and tasted wonderful, although I was loathe to try it the first time.

The next chapter proves that wine and salad do 'go together'. A variety of simple dressing recipes even includes a recipe for mayonnaise. The 17 recipes include one for a tuna and potato salad in pesto that sounds odd but is delicious. A far cry from 'tuna helper'.

The next chapter moves through pasta, rice and dumplings. 12 pasta recipes and includes the sultry 'Hooker's Pasta'. Only 5 recipes wait in the rice section and the green rice recipe is a favorite at our table. Only 5 dumpling recipes follow but it was from this book that my dumpling making began. Semolina, polenta and German dumplings are all simple to make from the pages of this book.

Mr. Smith's well known love for poultry is well represented. Chicken is first with 10 recipes. I have used more than half of those recipes with some frequency. I think each recipe from this section has passed through my kitchen at one time. The 5 duck recipes have seen far less use. Duck is not popular in our house so it is hard to judge these recipes. Knowing Mr. Smith's talent I am certain they are perfect. Turkey rounds out the poultry with a single recipe I have yet to attempt.

The chapter on "confits" is next. Growing up we called this "potted meat". Only 6 recipes are offered, but they are in the true spirit of the 'frugal gourmet'.

Beef (8 recipes), pork (7 recipes), lamb (6 recipes, including 1 for curry powder) and even rabbit (5 recipes) are also covered. 4 marinades are offered. 8 recipes for sausage might not be the healthiest choice. Each recipe I have tried has been wonderful.

A small section about veggies includes 12 recipes. The carrots in vermouth is recommended by all of my friends. A short section about the eggplant includes 8 recipes. I would have easily ignored this section were it not for the television program that accompanied it. I was convinced to try something new and was rewarded with these recipes.

The next chapters deals with a topic near my stomach. The sauce recipes range from a basic brown sauce to a white cheese sauce that stirs my hunger even as I type. The tomato and garlic sauce is simple. It has served as the base for many other sauces I have created. 8 recipes in total offer sauces for most occasions.

4 recipes for "molded dishes" have held little interest for me, but the ice cream bombe is simple and fun. Never one to ignore simple aspects of life, Mr. Smith even includes 10 sandwich recipes and 3 for casseroles.

A short section on "tabletop cooking" (with 3 recipes) introduces a section on international cooking kicked off with China. The author introduces the basic concepts of the Chinese kitchen and the use of wine. The 10 recipes in the Chinese section are merely a prelude to the Chinese cooking series that was to come later.

A mere 6 recipes are found in the French section. That is surprising considering the wine theme. Perhaps so much had been said on the topic in other books. 10 recipes are found in the Italian section and the spareribs in gravy is recommended if you enjoy pork.

Though I am not a fan of Japanese food, I did find the 13 recipes interesting and have made several of the sauces from the book. A mere 4 Spanish recipes finish the international section.

10 recipes comprise the "wine specialties" sections. Such oddities as garlic wine and wine jellies are discussed. A section about coffee follows and includes 6 different recipes.

Finally desserts are discussed. After a two page discussion of the topic in general, the author dives in with 5 wine desserts and 6 ice cream recipes.

The conclusion of the book covers many aspects of wine selection, opening wine and other general wine tips. Although not a dedicated book about wine, some of the tips from this section were insightful.

My copy of this book is worn and dog eared which I consider a tribute to Mr. Smith's recipes and research. If you have never read a Jeff Smith book before, this is a perfect first choice. If you do not like wine you will still find many valuable ideas in the book. Those who do enjoy wine will find a new treat with every turn of the page.

Jeff Smith has always been an influence on my cooking from the first time I saw him on television. I was very excited to get this book many, many years ago and it has been a staple in my kitchen ever since. This is a cookbook focused on using wine in virtually every recipe. That made it dear to my heart right away.

The book begins with an introduction where the author considers the properties of wine as food. He goes on to discuss romanticizing wine and concerns about alcohol. The introduction is, like all of Jeff Smith's writing, peppered (pun intended) with personal anecdotes that always bring a smile to the face.

The book then moves on to a section filled with cooking hints and tips. The author discusses various pieces of kitchen equipment, cooking terms and various definitions. A brief discussion of herbs follows, although I believe he could fill an entire book with this type of wisdom about the culinary use of herbs. The section is completed with information about the TV series and a few hints on entertaining.

The next chapter opens with another wonderful anecdote. Unlike many dry cookbooks, this one is filled with life and warm commentary. The author discusses wine and how it relates to history, theology, healing and cooking. This is no mere cookbook filled with indexed recipes and little else.

Finally, the recipes begin. The first section includes a variety of "tapas". 15 different tapa ideas are offered, although only 3 are actual recipes. 4 more appetizer recipes follow including a recipe for zucchini fritters that are simple and are simply out of this world.

A chapter on soups is next and opens with comments on adding wine. Simple instructions for making various stocks (without wine) are included. Mr. Smith includes a recipe for minestrone soup that, while challenging compared to many of the other recipes in the book, is beyond description. Recipes for various chowders and soups total 13 recipes in this chapter.

The next chapter deals with fish and shellfish and I must confess that I have rarely used recipes from this section. 11 recipes include one I have made. The scallops in cheese sauce was easy to make and tasted wonderful, although I was loathe to try it the first time.

The next chapter proves that wine and salad do 'go together'. A variety of simple dressing recipes even includes a recipe for mayonnaise. The 17 recipes include one for a tuna and potato salad in pesto that sounds odd but is delicious. A far cry from 'tuna helper'.

The next chapter moves through pasta, rice and dumplings. 12 pasta recipes and includes the sultry 'Hooker's Pasta'. Only 5 recipes wait in the rice section and the green rice recipe is a favorite at our table. Only 5 dumpling recipes follow but it was from this book that my dumpling making began. Semolina, polenta and German dumplings are all simple to make from the pages of this book.

Mr. Smith's well known love for poultry is well represented. Chicken is first with 10 recipes. I have used more than half of those recipes with some frequency. I think each recipe from this section has passed through my kitchen at one time. The 5 duck recipes have seen far less use. Duck is not popular in our house so it is hard to judge these recipes. Knowing Mr. Smith's talent I am certain they are perfect. Turkey rounds out the poultry with a single recipe I have yet to attempt.

The chapter on "confits" is next. Growing up we called this "potted meat". Only 6 recipes are offered, but they are in the true spirit of the 'frugal gourmet'.

Beef (8 recipes), pork (7 recipes), lamb (6 recipes, including 1 for curry powder) and even rabbit (5 recipes) are also covered. 4 marinades are offered. 8 recipes for sausage might not be the healthiest choice. Each recipe I have tried has been wonderful.

A small section about veggies includes 12 recipes. The carrots in vermouth is recommended by all of my friends. A short section about the eggplant includes 8 recipes. I would have easily ignored this section were it not for the television program that accompanied it. I was convinced to try something new and was rewarded with these recipes.

The next chapters deals with a topic near my stomach. The sauce recipes range from a basic brown sauce to a white cheese sauce that stirs my hunger even as I type. The tomato and garlic sauce is simple. It has served as the base for many other sauces I have created. 8 recipes in total offer sauces for most occasions.

4 recipes for "molded dishes" have held little interest for me, but the ice cream bombe is simple and fun. Never one to ignore simple aspects of life, Mr. Smith even includes 10 sandwich recipes and 3 for casseroles.

A short section on "tabletop cooking" (with 3 recipes) introduces a section on international cooking kicked off with China. The author introduces the basic concepts of the Chinese kitchen and the use of wine. The 10 recipes in the Chinese section are merely a prelude to the Chinese cooking series that was to come later.

A mere 6 recipes are found in the French section. That is surprising considering the wine theme. Perhaps so much had been said on the topic in other books. 10 recipes are found in the Italian section and the spareribs in gravy is recommended if you enjoy pork.

Though I am not a fan of Japanese food, I did find the 13 recipes interesting and have made several of the sauces from the book. A mere 4 Spanish recipes finish the international section.

10 recipes comprise the "wine specialties" sections. Such oddities as garlic wine and wine jellies are discussed. A section about coffee follows and includes 6 different recipes.

Finally desserts are discussed. After a two page discussion of the topic in general, the author dives in with 5 wine desserts and 6 ice cream recipes.

The conclusion of the book covers many aspects of wine selection, opening wine and other general wine tips. Although not a dedicated book about wine, some of the tips from this section were insightful.

My copy of this book is worn and dog eared which I consider a tribute to Mr. Smith's recipes and research. If you have never read a Jeff Smith book before, this is a perfect first choice. If you do not like wine you will still find many valuable ideas in the book. Those who do enjoy wine will find a new treat with every turn of the page.

A wonderful cookbook featuring the glories of wine. The book contains two sections of essays, one prior to the recipies and one following. The first section of essays deals with the history of wine as food, wine as medicine, and wine in theology, all interspersed with biographical information about the author. The second section of essays, written by another author, deals with ordering wine in restaurants, stocking a wine cellar, and similar subjects. In between, are numerous recipies featuring wine in every course of a meal, along with appropriate recommendations.

All in all, a delightful book.

An excellent biography of the funniest man who ever stole a gag from another comedian. Yes it's Benny Hill, a man who took a name because is sounded Jewish and wrote some of the funniest songs ever using the most recycled of jokes.

His humour was what the people wanted in the seventies, coarse slightly obscene and saucy. He deserved the title of the the worlds most popular comedian. It was a shame that Benny ended up as a target for feminists and other politically correct groups and was eventually sacked for his humour. The people that hounded him must have been very humourless, cold hearted people indeed.

The book is great though there are few mistakes here and there with respect to show titles and content. I recommend anyone who is interested in British actors and theatre read this book.

Tim Brimelow
Melbourne Australia

This is a fascinating, first-rate biography of one of the twentieth century's most beloved comedy figures; a man who is now largely overlooked in his home country despite having been its most successful comic export outside of Charlie Chaplin. Benny Hill was a complex man who led a simple (if somewhat peculiar) life, and this book provides tremendous insight into not only his personal foibles and professional endeavors, but also the motivations and reasons for his intriguing private behavior and public rise and fall. Drawing on extensive research and fresh interviews with many of the key figures in Benny's life, Mark Lewisohn's writing combines warmth, empathy and humor with analysis, objectivity and attention to detail -- the comic inventiveness and outright stealing of other artists' ideas; the abnormally excessive frugality; the sexual indulgences and hopelessly failed relationships... whether you want to know about the man's career, his love life or the fact that he just loved a quick game of Kalooki, it's all here. Buy this book!

This is one of the finest biographies I have read in years -- it penetrates deeply into the formative experiences and motivations of this strange and reclusive figure, and brings him vividly to life. Many interviewees discouraged the author from this task, but he persevered, and we have much to thank him for. All Benny Hill fans will now watch and enjoy his familiar sketches -- shamelessly recycled over the years -- with an added appreciation for their origins and rationale. Lewisohn helps us to delve into the psyche of this mysterious man, at once the embodiment of little Englishness, yet also a sensitive soul and a student of foreign cultures and languages.

The book is not unblemished. Benny's 50s farce, "Who Done It", is not nearly as abysmal as the author suggests (it's adequate slapstick with a few laughs -- how many 50s British movies has Lewisohn seen, there are many worse!). Benny's frugality is surely comprehensible in a man who had withstood wartime privations; and that character trait, combined with the much-hyped locker-room chit-chat with Bob Monkhouse, was regrettable but entirely standard male behavior for the 1950s. Despite all the conventional wisdom to the contrary, Benny did evolve. And--again with respect to Lewisohn--Benny scaled some of his finest heights of inspiration during his latest years with Thames. I am thinking of the Chubby Dodds documentary, and Murder on the Orient Express, and the "Family" skit, which bring smiles and laughter without fail, though I know them back to front. Of course, he was a comedian who operated rather too comfortably within his decent but clearly defined artistic parameters. Yet what was comforting for Benny was also reassuring for us... Lewisohn is right that Benny Hill's work will return to favor some day. It deserves to.

This book is a tremendously thorough examination of Benny's life, and there are some surprises here for those who are only aware of him through his television shows. Lewisohn pulls no punches and leaves very little unturned, both good and bad. It is unfortunate that Benny is now almost taboo in his own country. Having read this book, I will appreciate his comedy in a different light.

Good but slightly flawed

I bought this book not only because BCCA started to run the half-hour series again, but because I remembered reading a story in the paper a number of years ago how Benny Hill died alone in a sparsely furnished apartment, unloved.

What I got was a tremendous insight into English vaudeville and its morphing into radio and then television. I also got a tremendous amount of information about Hill's life, as other reviews note. I would, however, like to focus this review on the author's highly critical look at Benny Hill's work after he brought together the Hill's angels. The author unabashedly takes the feminist line that these programs were sexist, and there's no doubt that while the programs themselves were probably enough to get the feminists atwitter, now that BBCA is showing the uncut hour long shows, Hill's on air ridicule of the feminists was what really did it. I hadn't seen the hour long shows when I read the biography, so I more or less took the author at his word. Now that I've seen them, I have two comments. In no way are the Hill's Angels in any way objectionable. The author's comment, what did they have to do with comedy, is misdirected because they had everything to do with framing the skits that were carried within the performances. I think some of Hill's best work was done in these years.

My second comment is more of a revelation. I've always wondered exactly what it was that set Hill apart, the quality that no one else could or ever will duplicate. I realized watching these later shows that Hill had done something no one else had ever been able to do. He brought vaudeville, in its true form, to television. From childhood, he was steeped in, although unsuitable for, vaudeville. Television gave his strength, an acute eye for vaudeville, and his weakness, an inability to project beyond the tenth row of seats, the perfect format. It happened once, and that's the only time it will ever happen.

Finally, as to his death alone in a sparsely furnished room. The picture of Hill dead looks pretty bleak. However, the author makes one thing clear. Benny Hill did in life exactly as he pleased, lived his life exactly the way he wanted to live it, and knowing he was going to die soon, died exactly the way he wanted to die, eating candy bars, drinking, and watching his beloved TV. He had no regrets about anything in life and he was surrounded by people who loved him dearly. Even his failed romances weren't romances, but attempts to reach for unattainable women so he never had to make a commitment that would limit his freedom to do as he pleased. The one time he was expected to make a commitment, he ran fast. Hill did what he wanted in life, and to do that, he had to live and travel alone, and that's exactly what he did. Definitely buy this book, but don't let the author's prejudices dissuade you from enjoying all of Hill's work. As to the author's hope the British return to an appreciation of Hill, it'll never happen, but that doesn't stop us from enjoying him.

This book is interesting and gives the account of Gloria Jeans film career. It covers and talks about her experiences and goew over the plot of each film taking perhaps 2 to 4 pages per film.

She was in a lot of films, so remarks specific to films cover from 80 to 120 pages in the book.

One thing the reader might regret would be to hear about films that they have never seen. Some of these films are available from sources, well let me refer you to references in the IMDB database regarding her movies. I don't want to advertise videos in this review. But in the end, one problem the reader may discover is that they will wish that they saw the films in a very high quality state, which may not be available any more. Some of these films are lost and not available or a really good copy which would match her talent is not out there to be seen.

That being the case, there is some bittersweet memories or perhaps the lack of being able to even have them, when reading about some movies, if you've never seen them. The author makes every effort to describe the movies in details and the plots of each movie are talked about in detail (with spoilers). This helps the reader understand the movie as well as it could be understood by a written narration. That understanding unfortunately is not as good as experiencing the movie by watching it. So for those who have seen her movies and are her fans the book will have greater value than those unfamiliar with her or her films.

It's interesting and a candid account however from the inside of a movie star who had their ups and downs. And it would appear that the downside was not really due to her own fault or some "personal demon" that you'd read about when reading the accounts of many film stars. She seems to be a real nice girl and lady who kept herself from the corrupting influences of hollywood and her waning popularity was more of a matter of a changes in the movie industry and a focus on different types of actors than anything of her own doing.

This leaves the reader with a feel good feeling about the star rather than some wonderment and awe at how wild a star may be due to their fame. I wrote this review after reading most of her book. I have not read the last few chapters yet, but will finish it soon. Not bad and it would have been nice if she would have gone on in movies for a longer period of time, but these things happen and sometimes the public is the ones who lose when old movies are forgotton or not widely shown. The fickle new public often looses the ability or desire to watch the older treasures from any age and ends up missing something.

Her career really wasn't a tragedy that some might think, she just had an early popular career and it peeked fairly quickly and this was in an age when most stars didn't make a killing with huge movie deals. So when the star ride was over, it was pretty much over and she returned to a normal life. Pretty typical for most child stars, but she had a longer career and wasn't just a child star. Although it seemed that Hollywood treated her as such and didn't appreciate her enough. That's the overall impression I get reading the book.

Gloria Jean's winsome personality and knockout singing voice made her one of the most charming and talented performers of all time. She has had a life filled with peaks and valleys. Happily, one of those peaks is GLORIA JEAN: A LITTLE BIT OF HEAVEN, a new book that combines Gloria's personal memories with the input of her biographers, Scott and Jan MacGillivray. Their combined efforts have produced one of the finest, most comprehensive books ever written about a show business figure.

This volume is an engaging blend of biography, autobiography, show biz history, and film analysis. Gloria Jean's comments regarding her life and career (in movies, television, radio, concerts and live theater) are consistently fascinating; she possesses a real gift for storytelling, and brings a vibrant, you-are-there immediacy to each anecdote. (Additionally, Bonnie Schoonover, Gloria's younger sister, provides some of her own keen observations.) Gloria doesn't look back with bitterness; if some individuals come across in an unflattering light (and some do), it's simply a matter of documenting how that person's unfortunate behavior had an impact on Gloria's career. On the other hand, Gloria is quick to praise those who deserve it...and that includes familiar names such as Bing Crosby, Groucho Marx, and W. C. Fields.

Gloria's insight as a show business veteran is neatly complemented by the writing/research skills of her biographers. The MacGillivrays combine an obvious (and infectious) affection for their subject with their exhaustive knowledge of the entertainment industry in general and Gloria Jean in particular. Readers will be amazed by the wealth of never-before-published material on each one of Gloria's movies...including production histories, summaries, critiques, reviews, theatrical and home-movie reissues, aborted projects, and lost films. The result is a meticulously detailed, well-organized and highly enlightening volume brimming with information that will surprise even the most seasoned film buff. (Has anyone ever detailed the production histories of WONDER VALLEY and LAFFING TIME prior to this?)

The book contains an equally impressive gallery of rare photographs: charming candid shots of Gloria with W. C. Fields, Donald O'Connor, and Elizabeth Taylor; Gloria posing with Boris Karloff and makeup master Jack Pierce; Gloria feeding birthday cake to Sabu; and even frame enlargements from screen tests and obscure films. (One of my favorite photos is a wildly incongruous shot of little Gloria posing with the giant robot from the Bela Lugosi serial THE PHANTOM CREEPS.)

The only disappointing aspect about this enterprise has nothing to do with the book itself. After reading about the movies, I was dismayed to learn that the majority of Gloria's films never made it to video, nor do they turn up on television anymore. Sure, NEVER GIVE A SUCKER AN EVEN BREAK (starring W. C. Fields), her best known movie, rates an occasional TV broadcast, and COPACABANA (starring Groucho Marx and Carmen Miranda) is currently available on DVD, but THE UNDER-PUP, DESTINY, A LITTLE BIT OF HEAVEN, RIVER GANG, I'LL REMEMBER APRIL, I SURRENDER DEAR and the rest are missing-in-action, languishing in the film vaults. Her work deserves to be made widely accessible.

A handsome, smartly produced volume, GLORIA JEAN: A LITTLE BIT OF HEAVEN is a winner all the way. At last, Gloria's story has been documented in a manner worthy of her, and even if you're not already a fan, you'll find this book is much more than just "a little bit" of Heaven.

This book was a gift and was very well received. Loaded with pictures and information. Recipient enjoyed it very much and indicated she could not put it down until she had read it from cover to cover.

The Story of Gloria Jean, coloratura soprano at Universal from 1939 thru the WW2 and later a few at Columbia is an interesting and well written bopok withe the co-operation of Gloria and her younger sister Bonnie Schoonhover. The author, historically, details all the films and shorts and gives a rundown on the songs and cuts from the scripts he had access to for the original & susequent resissues. I have the Papercover edition and there are a number of good photos in sections in the book. Highly recommended!

FOOTNOTE: Gloria's only color film, Wonder Valley filmed in Arkansas in 1952 at 73mins, is unviewable today due to the producer's copy(all that is known) being badly deteriorated.

Gloria Jean is perhaps best known for co-starring with W.C. Fields in his absurdist classic "Never Give a Sucker an Even Break." She was once among the most popular girl-next-door icons among World War Two servicemen, and worked with such stars as Groucho Marx, Donald O'Connor, Jerry Lewis, and was even requested as a co-star by Elvis Presley in an opportunity that, sadly, never materialized. Her memories and anecdotes are a most fascinating look at wartime Hollywood moviemaking. Her candid admission of failed comebacks and missed opportunities display more courage than most entertainers are willing to offer. Highly recommended.