Entertainment Books

Excellent resource for learning about the ins and outs of getting your songs copyrighted and published. Simple, well-thought-out and professionally done. A must-have cassette for your car.

I am a songwriter and have long looked for a concise, practical guide and overview of the songwriting business. THIS IS IT!!!!! I would recommend this audio cassette to anyone and everyone interested in this business of songwriting. It replaces confusion, mystery and 'overwhelm' with a really tangible, step by step understanding of what needs to happen, and how to do it.

This book clearly presents the information needed for an unsigned songwriter to take steps to becoming a published (signed) songwriter. The chapters are well organized and the reader's voice is easy to understand. I have been a music publishing professional for 20 years, and this book answers all of the questions most frequently asked by novice songwriters. Highly recommended!

Being in the music industry for the past several years working with an indie record label, Lansdowne, Winston, Bloor, Hoffman House Music Publishers, SGA and writing for Music Connection Magazine and SunsetStripRadio.Com, I've met a lot of eager songwriters/artists trying to break into the industry and this book would be absolutely perfect them. Like most struggling artists, it's hard to find time to sit down and read, let alone work all those odd jobs (or that one job that's less than ideal), write songs, rehearse, do the club networking-thing, and live a life worth living. You can listen to this book and let it sink in slowly, passively, painlessly, etc. NO READING REQUIRED..haha...Aaron talks about various resources to help you get started on your pitching spree, specifics about copyright, collaboration, etc...Do your songwriting dreams a favor and get this book/tape.

I've been a songwriter for 20 years - the last 9 of which professionally, meaning I've been lucky enough to have gotten paid for it. I also teach songwriting for UCLA Extention, The Songwriters Guild of America and many other songwriting organizations throughout the US and Canada. I will be recomending Mr. Mezza's "You've Written a Song..." to all my students as well as my professional colleagues. This information is vital to the beginning songwriter and timeless to the veteren. If you put words and music together...GET THIS TAPE. Phil Swann, staff songwriter for Dreamworks SKG.

Savvy Casting Director Bonnie Gillespie scores a direct How-To hit with this latest effort, "Conversations with Working Actors." As anyone in Hollywood can tell you (especially BG), there is no greater feat in Tinseltown than to make your living by performing. And that's why this book is such a helpful tool to those artists who are on their way...as well for those who have already arrived!

Insightful interviews, commentary and anecdotes will inform and inspire even the most jaded showbiz type---whether it's from a name you recognize (eg Joy Behar) or someone whose face is so familiar but name doesn't ring a bell (Michael McManus). Learn and laugh from this well edited and always interesting actor's essential!

That book was amazing.It includes interviews with 29 working actors who they are asked about the challenges of the profession, the triumphs, the disappointments, the dreams that came or didn't came true and why.Through reading these discussions, you feel like you are talking to these people in person, that natural and realistic they are.It is a beautiful journey, that i feel will be equally worthy to everyone, whether he is in the profession or not.I am not in the profession, however i always wanted to learn how actors live their lifes and that book provided me valuable knowledge that i will always cherish.

This book reads as smoothly as a novel. Each chapter is a slice-of-life vignette that delves into the lives and minds of working actors. Actors will learn something from each of their peers. Fans will love the insights into the personalities, hopes, and some of the usually-hidden fears of these noteworthy actors. Bonnie and Blake get the real stories behind these hard-working actors of all ages.

Actors will recognize Bonnie as both a casting director, book writer, and creator of columns on the business of show business. Get a copy today. You will be enthralled.

Each and every chapter of "Acting Q's" is a personal story shared by some of the most incredible people who just happen to be creative and talented artists. Through Bonnie and Blake, these wonderful actors share information along with life lessons learned in a very touching and personal manner. There is so much that every actor can relate to within these pages and so much invaluable advice that is past on that this book is the ultimate gift.

This inspiring collection of interviews takes you on the journeys of several artists that share a passion and a common goal - to become a working professional in the entertainment industry. In response to Bonnie Gillespie's and Blake Robbin's thoughtfully posed questions, each working actor shares their heartfelt stories and life experiences that lead them on their road to success.

From aspiring and veteran actors to the fans that show their undying support, all will be able to learn from and relate to the many challenges and similarities of each actor's chosen path. From how they got started to where they are now, the reality in these actor's lives is motivating, enlightening and helps us all to appreciate just how hard working they are.

Thank you, Bonnie and Blake, for giving all of us a book that is filled with so much life and is a joy to read.

There is a version that is the same book in hardback but LARGER that means the photos are too. The dimensions are 9 1/4" x 10 3/4" hardcover. This is printed on the inside of the dust jacket front that folds in. Amazon says it is a bit larger by mistake.

This other version here though is 6" x 7"

The previous hard back version is a lot bigger (taller and wider).

by Klaus-Jürgen Sembach. Schirmer/mosel, Munich, 2000
ISBN 3823821210

Published in NY.

It has the same 86 Duotones and 14 color illustrations, but is a previous larger size. Does it make a difference?

YES. It makes the duotones 8x10 or larger in some cases.
This is a must for your collection. For those who care there are only 3 or 4 old aged photos in the back. So ther rest are Audrey at the height of beauty and glamour.

There is a version that is the same book in hardback but LARGER that means the photos are too. The dimensions are 9 1/4" x 10 3/4" hardcover. This is printed on the inside of the dust jacket front that folds in.

This is a lot bigger (taller and wider).

by Klaus-Jürgen Sembach. Schirmer/mosel, Munich, 2000
ISBN 3823821210

Published in NY.

It has the same 86 Duotones and 14 color illustrations, but is a previous larger size. Does it make a difference?

YES. It makes the duotones 8x10 or larger in some cases.
This is a must for your collection. For those who care there are only 3 or 4 old aged photos in the back. So ther rest are Audrey at the hight of beauty and glamour.

This book features both black and white and color photos of the legendary Audrey. The photos capture her impeccable beauty and charm. There is a four page biography included, as well as a two page filmography. I think any Audrey Hepburn fan must have this book. I don't think you will be disappointed. I highly recommend this book for its superb photos. Adieu means "farewell" and true, she may be gone, but Audrey will remain with us forever.

This is an excellent chronological collection of beautiful photos of Audrey, rightly focused on her years as a star in the fifties and sixties, and balances the material very well: there are publicity shots, movie stills, private and candid shots, and a healthy mix of the familiar and the little-seen. The book is handsome and well-designed, and of the subject herself no more needs to be said. Probably the best visual book on Audrey so far, by a slight margin over "Audrey Style", which is more informative.

This is a version that is the same book in hardback but LARGER that means the photos are too. The dimensions are 9 1/4" x 10 3/4" hardcover. This is printed on the inside of the dust jacket front that folds in. Amazon says it is a bit larger by mistake.

The other version IN PRINT though is only 6" x 7"

The previous hard back version is a lot bigger (taller and wider).

by Klaus-Jürgen Sembach. Schirmer/mosel, Munich, 2000
ISBN 3823821210

Published in NY.

It has the same 86 Duotones and 14 color illustrations, but is a previous larger size. Does it make a difference?

YES. It makes the duotones 8x10 or larger in some cases.
This is a must for your collection. For those who care there are only 3 or 4 old aged photos in the back. So ther rest are Audrey at the height of beauty and glamour.

be sure to ask used sellers the ISBN and dimensions before buying.
This book is a must. The images are stunning, even if you aren't a huge fan, but are into glamour portraits. I am very picky, and love this book.

The only problem with any of the 'Least I could Do' compilations is that they end. The wit is sharp and the humor unstoppable. The main character (Rayne Summers) is head strong and cocksure and gets away with most of his outrageous shenanigans. His friends range from a gas station attendant to a grade school teacher who has Darth Vader as a conscience. Every character in these books have their own special charm and wit about them.
If you like to laugh until you cry, pick up all three books in this series (chronology does matter, the stories progress.) And remember Frog King makes everything better.

A marvelous 3rd book brought to you by an amazingly witty writer and an astoundingly creative artist, Because I Can sets the comic standards another notch higher. Filled with raw sexual humor and cocky testosterone packed punchlines, it is a wonderful read for people of all ages and backgrounds. Warning: readers suffering from thin skins, faint hearts, feeble minds, weak bladders...oh hell, if you're just a big pussy then you may want to consult a doctor before purchase. Enjoy!

-Kate

Humor, as most other things, can be dangerous to your health if consumed in overdosis. Usually, the daily comic strip which is the basis for this book will just bring you close to spontaneous combustion, but still gives you room for recreation. This one is different, packed and way over the security level. Dedicated. Leaves you shattered after a couple of hours. And still I usually read these books in more or less one go. Yes, I am addicted.

Seriously, the books collect a refreshingly different approach to entertainment which is well worth not only the small investment, but the time to read every single little word inside as well. Well, the end of the book will still be there way too soon. What makes this book more than just a simple collection is the enhancements made by the creative team behind. They have been able to include a fair portion of their own life blood into this project and it shows. The book is littered with comments, explanations, background info, sketches and annotations which really inject life into the characters.

I do own all three books of the series and the website is among the first ones I need to read in the morning (I don't drink coffee, cause I think that starting my day with a laugh or two is superior to caffeine). Will I buy the next one? Sure. Do I recommend these books? Well, obviously I do, yes?

Kind regards,
Hickup

This 3rd volume in the set, A year in the Life of Rayne summers and his friends, the introduction of new family. The Antagonizing view of the world, and no matter how unrealistic an action may seem there is humor and truth in it all and that the confines of the real world plain suck, Ryan Sohmer has gone to great lengths to give us the joy from Least i could do. and i beleieve the title of book to describe more of Ryan than Rayne, why does he do it all. Because he can.

The quality of the book is great, the authors are great, and the content is almost guarenteed to cure any diseases of any sort, forever. It's just that great. As a daily reader of LICD, I love this book.

John Belushi, a man of laughs, a man who lived for an audience's
approval and cheers, John Belushi was an entirely respectable man and deserved to be remembered as a man of great worth among friends and colleagues, this book harrowingly displayed him as both, they did not write from a biased point of view, but rather from many perspectives, of friends and family. Every comedian should allow the utmost respect for such a spectacular man, John, may you rest in peace, knowing that all of your fans will remember you forever, we love you.

I was in the library a week before surgery looking for light fiction to tide me over a week of recuperation, when I saw "Belushi" sitting on a new non-fiction shelf and picked it up on a whim. I never got to the fiction.

Well-collected and organized first-person interview quotes, personal photographs, behind-the-scenes stories...this is a wonderful, yet cautionary, tale of the 1970's in America. I laughed out loud; tears came to my eyes. Thank you, authors.

Disclaimer: John Belushi was born in the same hospital (a few years later) as I was; one of his father's restaurants was two blocks from where I did some of my growing up; I was in Second City audiences while John was there; I've watched SNL faithfully since its first year; I saw even John's bad movies. Prejudiced I am-this is still an admirable, accurate, caring biography.

I grew up on "Saturday Night Live" and my favorite comedy is NATIONAL LAMPOON'S ANIMAL HOUSE. I remember the day John Belushi died and I've read WIRED at least three times. I've also read and reread SATURDAY NIGHT: A BACKSTAGE HISTORY OF "SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE" by Doug Hill & Jeff Weingrad and LIVE FROM NEW YORK: AN UNCENSORED HISTORY OF "SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE" by Tom Shales & James Andrew Miller. I also read SAMURAI WIDOW by Judy Jacklin Belushi.

So how could there be anything left to say?

I hesitated about buying BELUSHI but, after I picked it up and started thumbing through it, I couldn't put it down. And I couldn't put it down after I got it home. The stories are told by the people who were at ground zero in Belushi's life and the photos are new and personal.

This is a great book for the person discovering what a stormy genius John Belushi was and for the long-time fan who thought he or she knew everything about him.
And BELUSHI is also for everyone else in between.

As Senator John Blutarsky once said, "NOTHING IS OVER UNTIL WE DECIDE IT IS!"

Most if not all of the facts of this book will not be new to John's fans. Especially those who have read the eight-or-so books already written about or by him and his friends and family.

And, title aside, it is not really a biography; it is an oral and pictorial history. But that is its strength. The voices of those friends & family come through, showing their love for the man.

But the interesting thing is, as awesome as some of the stories may be (especially to those who haven't read them before); the pictures do an even more excellent job.

Some of the photos were previously seen in SAMURAI WIDOW and WIRED, but most are never before published. And in them, you can see the buildup from Belushi's boyhood through the first three years of SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE. Then the explosion when that show, ANIMAL HOUSE, and the Blues Brothers record all hit at the same time.

And then the fallout. Visually, I think you can mark the moment when the road turned hard for John; it's in a full-page picture, on page 172, of him in costume for 1941.

It's in his eyes. Look at most of the photos that precede this one, and there is a light in them, something that's growing, some kind of spark.

And though it's probably too simple to say that Hollywood stunted that growth and killed that spark, it's also, probably, accurate.

Because in most of the post-1941 photos, that spark is gone, with only a brief resurgence in the pictures taken during the filming of CONTINENTAL DIVIDE.

This was apparently a happy (if not always fun) time for John, and the pictures reflect that. Unfortunately, more so than the movie, which is enjoyable but instantly forgettable.

The key picture here for me is on page 222. It shows Belushi wrapped in a blanket, sitting on some cabin steps in his stocking feet. He's just sitting, and staring, and thinking of god knows what, but the image has an apparent vulnerability that the photogenic John rarely showed in pictures. He was a man who always seems to have known where the camera was and how to keep its eye on him. Not here.

But CONTINENTAL DIVIDE flopped, and in the photos that follow, he mostly looks wasted. I don't mean that with the drug connotation, I mean that spark was being denied again.

A note at the end proclaims, "This book is not objective," and it isn't, so bully for them for admitting it. It's an attempt to bring a loved one back to life by talking about him.

Beautifully done...and now I really know, right from the start, how wonderfully talented John was. If you lived his fast paced life with tremendous pressures and being the best he could possibly be, you'd probably be hitting some drugs, too. Lets focus on who the man really was and about all of his close friends who really loved him. Judy Belushi Pisano does an excellent job putting this book together. What a talent she is a fantastic achievement. I couldn't put this book down and I have the rings on my ass to prove it !!! Now John would have appreciated that comment !

This book looks so fab I cant wait to get it, cause o do I love Ben Affleck so 4 any ben lovas u better get this book just looking at it makes it so great!!!!!!! o but remember he's mine!!!!!!lol!!!!!

This Book Is Awsome. I Read It From begining To End. I Loved Every Part Of It. I Also Recomend The Matt Damon Book Witch Is Way Cool Too.Thanks

This is the greatest book ever written. It's right up there with the Bible and on par with Cervantes and Tolstoy. Good go, Ben.

I am a young adult and I really enjoyed this book. Not only was it filled with wonderful anecdotes about Ben Affleck's life, it was also insightful and funny. I learned a lot about Ben, and about myself. This is not your average teen fare.

i think that this was a very good book. it gave a lot of good information on ben. it was easy to read for younger kids. the only problem was it was too short! i wish i could have a really big book all about ben! so big it would take me forever to read! but other than that it was freat and i reccomend everyone to buy it and read it!

These are the best audio cds around for children. I bought these to help continue introducing Bible stories to my children. An AWESOME resource.

Excellent stories! I was afraid they might be a bit boring, but not a bit. Even pre-teen children and adults are riveted. Great value (15 hours) for the money. If you want good, wholesome, valuable stories, buy this set.

These CDs made a recent 6-hour drive FLY by, for both my kids and me! Talk about bringing the Bible to life -- these do the trick. There are a couple of scary/intense stories that might be better for older children. Aside from that, I highly recommend this set!

I purchased this set for my son who is 10. He recently finished another set and so far has loved all the Odyssey stories. He loves playing x-box live, sports and watches t.v. like the majority of kids in our nation. But every night, before he sleeps, we start the cd. Recently, he yelled to me to run to his room "fast" because the story about "that guy who wouldn't bow down to an idol was on" and we just had read that story the day before! I am thankful for this series of CDs. He goes to sleep thinking about things bigger than Halo and he hasn't be afraid of listening to these when friends come too. "It kind of calms them down."

Not only were the stories entertaining enough for our whole family, but my 5 year old son is now quoting scripture at the dinner table. These bible stories are brought to life by the voices of the Odyssey crew. I highly recommend these to any parent. Thank you Focus on the Family.

This book is a wonderfully whimsical bit of erotica... I got it as a birthday present for my boyfriend and it's always a bit topic of conversation when company comes over. it's now almost completely colored in!

I think this was one of the best gifts I've ever given. If you like seeing your friends and family turn red, this will surly do the trick. This book was great fun. : )

This book is FUN! Everyone I show it to loves it! Guys, girls, the whole party is standing over each others shoulders commenting, pointing, and laughing at themselves for enjoying this book so thoroughly. Even some of my kinda straight edge friends love it!

This book entered my life at a time when I was feeling more or less 'eh' about my vagina. Like, I'd wake up in the morning, first thought: 'I've got a vagina.' Next thought: 'Yeah, so?'

Not anymore. In my mind, at least, my private parts have progressed from the drab Middle Ages to a Technicolor Age of Aquarius. Let the sunshine in.

Who said crayons are for kids?!! This wonderful book will bring out the artist in everyone. Great adult entertainment. You are guaranteed to be the star of any occasion with this unique gift. Highly recommended!

Even when Ray Bradbury isn't writing, his friends and fans and disciples are writing about him. This book will give you a couple of hours of joy, and make you wish you had read all 500 of Bradbury's published works, seen all his movies and television productions, heard all his radio plays, seen his stage productions, heard all his recorded books and stories, attended all his lectures, seen all his media interviews. Once hooked on Bradbury, no-one goes into recovery. Ray Bradbury's works are written for future generations of optimal behaviorists who want to see the world and its people survive and thrive.

--Jim Reed, author, DAD'S TWEED COAT: SMALL WISDOMS HIDDEN COMFORTS UNEXPECTED JOYS. Learn more about Reed: jimreedbooks.com

This coffee table book is a must have for Bradbury fans. Full of pictures and illustrations of his various stories and books are interweaved with text written by friends and associates of Bradbury's throughout his professional carreer. The book spends a great deal of time on his personal correspondance with William Gaines (comic book publisher and later MAD magazine). The correspondance shows a literary master who was truly fond of comics,then considered a trash medium during the 1950's. The book also spends a good deal of time on notes by Francois Truffaut, the french cinema genious who filmed farhenheit 451. Bradbury is also shown as a man who loved Hollywood from the time he was a small boy. This book is a great addition to have, both for the written word and the beautiful artwork.

There's a point in this book where the author says "You have to be an amazing writer to inspire so many illustrations and paintings." And that's why Bradbury is so great. After reading a book like The Martian Chronicles, you can easily imagine what he was describing. And if you can draw or paint, you'll want to create those images on canvas.

That's why almost every piece of artwork in this book is so beautiful. Just take the Illustrated Man as an example. Each artist who was commissioned to create a cover for the book had the task of showing an almost-naked man covered in tattoos. But the tattoos had to show scenes from dozens of short stories. One artist made the Illustrated Man an obese, shirtless guy in a carnival sideshow. Another gave him technicolor cartoons across his back and shoulders, depicting roaring lions and men in spacesuits. The third image is the most famous --- a nude man with his back to the viewer, sitting, with all of the skin below his neck covered in images.

This approach is repeated throughout the book --- different artists interpret the most vivid images from Bradbury's best books and stories. Over a hundred paperback book covers are reproduced (including a few that I was obsessed with when I was ten years old), along with movie posters, paintings, movie stills, and comic book pages.

The text is just as good. This book serves as a biography of Ray Bradbury, tracing the arc of his career from science fiction author to short story writer for 'the slicks' to comic book writer, novelist, playwright, and screenwriter. Bradbury's relationship with EC comics is recounted through the correspondence between Bradbury and William Gaines. It's very interesting, especially when Bradbury catches Gaines stealing his stories and offers to write more for EC instead of suing.

If you're a Bradbury fan, you'll love this. It's the kind of book you'll pull off the shelf every month and flip through, just to marvel at all of the strange and beautiful images. If you don't know Bradbury's work, you'll still enjoy all of the artwork. Maybe the images will inspire you to read his books..

This treat of a book is unique in that it is not merely a collection of illustrations from Bradbury publications over the years, but seeks to document the whole spectrum of "visualizing" the rich prose of Mr. Bradbury, an almost impossible task! This includes films, stage productions, marginal doodles by Bradbury himself, books and films that inspired Bradbury in his early years, and much more - a rewardingly broad approach to crafting the book.
In addition wholeheartedly agreeing with the wonderful points noted by other reviewers, I would like to point out that the book features much rare material by Joseph Mugnaini, the definitive Bradbury artist, in the form of concept sketches for covers, stage backdrops, and some of the original paintings that inspired the Bradbury-Mugnaini partnership in the first place. The contribution of Mugnaini's works to Bradbury's success, as a visual carnival barker beckoning readers into Bradbury's world is tough to underestimate.
The book is beautifully printed, with one absolutely tragic exception - the reproduction of Charles Addams' original illustration for the story "Homecoming" is horrible! It is terribly blurry and there are some kind of liquid stains on the original work, which hung in the Bradbury home for many years. For comparison, look at the (reversed) reproduction used as the dust jacket for Bradbury's recent "From the Dust Returned" novel/collection. Just unfortunate that the one illustration botched - was the lone collaboration between two magnificent twentieth-century masters of the macabre. Still OVERWHELMINGLY worth owning however.

Now that Sam Weller's "The Bradbury Chronicles:the Life of Ray Bradbury" is selling like water at the bookshops,we'll see the importance of Jerry Weist's "BRADBURY,AN ILLUSTRATED LIFE,A JOURNEY TO METAPHOR".I didn't read yet Weller's book,but I know that Frederik Pohl didn't like it.I own a copy of "Bradbury,an illustrated life...", since it appeared.And I loved it.What a gorgeous "objet d'art"!The ailing Bradbury must be proud to have inspired a book as beautiful-and good-as this one.The text by Jerry Weist is well written,professional,competent.The Foreword,by Bradbury's archivist ,collector and friend,Donn Albright,is very informative about a few of Bradbury's illustrators.The Introduction,penned by Bradbury himself,is enlightening.
As an admirer of Science-Fiction illustration and collector of SF Memorabilia ,this work was a visual feast to my eyes ,taste and, sensibility.
Called my attention:firstly,the reproductions of book and magazine(AMAZING STORIES,WONDER STORIES QUARTERLY)covers,interior illustrations,movie stills and posters(the famous one-sheet poster for the silent "THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA" and the glorious six-sheet poster designed for William Cameron Menzies's/H.G.Wells's "THINGS TO COME")and the Sunday comic strips(TARZAN,BUCK ROGERS),that influenced Bradbury's visual taste and literary preferences.Secondly,the reproductions of publications(fanzines)like IMAGINATION and FUTURIA FANTASIA(with Bradbury as editor)that enriched his beginnings as a science-fiction fan ,nurturing his creative juices and his friendship with the future great illustrator Hannes Bok,plus the moving photos made when Ray was visiting New York City during the (First)1939 WORLD SCIENCE FICTION CONVENTION financed by his buddy Forrest J. Ackerman, or made in Los Angeles ,like the amazing photo showing a youthful Ray at a meeting of the Los Angeles Science Fiction Society(LASFS) in 1940,when nineteen-year-old Bradbury was just beginning his writing career.This photo is sensational because it shows us other famous(now)members of the LASFS:FORREST J. ACKERMAN,MOROJO,RAY HARRYHAUSEN,ARTHUR K. BARNES,EDWARD E. "DOC" SMITH,CHARLES HORNIG,ROBERT HEINLEIN(seated at the table,only his face showing).Also appearing in the photo :JACK WILLIAMSON and EDMOND HAMILTON(standing near the wall in the background).The other photograph that moved me was taken(circa 1946/47)probably in Los Angeles, too. In this one , Ray appears side by side with the couple EDMOND HAMILTON/LEIGH BRACKETT and with Hamilton's sister.Thirdly,I was enraptured by the exquisite beauty of the interior B&W drawings(Oh,the marvelous B&W drawings by HANNES BOK,LEE BROWN COYE,BORIS DELGOV, VIRGIL FINLAY&LAWRENCE STERN STEVENS) illustrating Bradbury's stories in pulp magazines ;the outstanding colour paintings printed as illustrations for Bradbury's stories in the 'slicks'(ESQUIRE,THE SATURDAY EVENING POST,COLLIER'S,and so on).His stories(for instance,"A Sound of Thunder","The Beast from 20000 Fathoms","The Illustrated Man" and "Mars is Heaven")were,then, interpreted by great artists like STANLEY MELTZOFF,REN WICKS,JAMES R. BINGHAM&JAMES BAMA;the futuristic cover designs for Hardcovers ,like GEORGE BARROWS'S Arkham House(American edition) and MICHAEL AYRTON'S Hamish Hamilton(British edition) cover designs for "DARK CARNIVAL",ARTHUR LIDOV'S cover illustration for "THE MARTIAN CHRONICLES"(1950)and JOSEPH MUGNAINI'S cover painting for the british edition(1963)of "SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES" ;the catching paperback's covers for the BANTAM edition of "THE MARTIAN CHRONICLES"(1951)and the BALLANTINE editions of "FARENHEIT 451" &"THE OCTOBER COUNTRY"(1953&1956 respectively,both JOSEPH MUGNAINI'S covers).Deserve special mention the series of JOSEPH MUGNAINI'S(1912-1992) litographs,preliminary watercolor sketches,original B&W drawings and paintings inspired by Bradbury's stories and books.The italian-born MUGNAINI was considered the best interpreter of Ray's dreams.
Finally,the chapter dealing with 'EC COMICS and Ray Bradbury:The Untold Story' is precious.Jerry Weist is in his terrain here.As he says in the opening of the chapter:"The story of how Ray Bradbury came to have his writing adapted by a small,energetic company named Entertaining Comics in the 1950's is now a legendary chapter of comics history".How very true this is.I was enchanted by fantastic reproductions of originals by FRANK FRAZETTA,AL WILLIAMSON,AL FELDSTEIN(his recreations are amazing).And it is always rewarding for me to admire the fabulous adaptations&splash-page arwork by the great WALLACE(WALLY)WOOD,a real genius of the comics.'Last,but not least' I was thrilled reading and seeing the archive of photos and Film Memorabilia reproduced.My favorites:the promotional photographs of Ray with the lovely Barbara Rush during the production of "IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE"(Universal,1953);the Half-sheet &Insert posters & Window lobby card for the same film and the known(signed) One-sheet poster for "THE BEAST FROM 20.000 FATHOMS" .
Many years ago I saw "THE BEAST FROM 20.000 FATHOMS" at an old movie theatre in my home town.It was an unforgettable experience for me.A few years later ,I read the famous Bradbury's terrifying short story "MARS IS HEAVEN",the first yarn by this great writer that I read.I was definitely hooked.From then on I've been reading almost all his SF&Horror stories and a good number of his novels(novels?).
So,I love this book and I warmly recommend it.

I have been in this hobby for over a decade. I began with AD&D and played it for most of my time gaming. I always liked how the older rules were so friendly to what the players wanted.

Unfortunately current editions of certain games are not that way anymore and I thought the older style would slip away. I'm glad I was wrong.

Castles and Crusades uses the best parts of the OGL stripping the D&D SRD to it's core and rebuilding it to be like a RPG should be. Fast, exciting and above all fun.

At 128 pages it may not seem like much but I had the rules down in one evening. I also taught my nephew the game in 20 minutes. It is of note that he has limited gaming experience.

Above all else C&C is easily compatable with older AD&D editions as well as the new editions making it the most versitle game in existance.

This is the best $20 you'll ever spend on a gaming product!!!!

In my opinion this is a wonderful example of what a rpg Player's Handbook should be - all of the pertinent rules on building characters and performing the basic tasks of the game - without a lot of filler, fluff, or excuses for not having an imagination.

The game itself is terrific, as a return to a simpler time in rpg's when the game wasn't overly burdened with many, many different mechanics that slow down game play, but don't significantly contribute to story telling or experiencing the imaginary adventure.

In substance, the Siege engine (the authors' name for the near-d&d like structure that the game is based on) is a wonderful mix of First Edition AD&D (the first hardcover books - the first edition of the game to feature the word Advanced in the title), with some modernized D20 mechanics. In a nice mix of new and old, your abilities are all derived from your race and class, but the chance to perform those abilities is derived from your statistics - here is where the Siege engine adds, in my opinion. Each character can choose (based on race and class choice) up to 3 statistics (of the classic six - Strength, Wisdom, Intelligence, Dexterity, Constitution, and Charisma) to serve as Primary statistics. All abilities that are based on Primary statistics have an additional 30% (+6 on a d20) chance of success over other practitioners of the ability. A player creating a Ranger character might pick Strength and Intelligence as his primary abilities. Another might choose Strength and Dexterity - the two characters will have very different areas of expertise and concentrated focus, even though both are Rangers.

Combat is quick, and straight forward. A quick roll of initiative (on a D10), players and non-players then act in order. Ties are broken by Dexterity bonus. Roll to hit, roll for damage. Spells may involve a resistance roll, or a saving roll. Abilities require a single dice roll. All in all, the combat runs great, and quick. Players are more interested in where their companions are, what the tactical situation of the fight is, and how to gain the upper hand through maneuver and magic, rather than picking just the right feat for the situation.

Having run some sessions (and having a very long history with rpg's in general, and all the versions of D&D in particular), I have to admit that I miss having some sort of skill system. The Non Weapon Proficiency system from First or Second edition AD&D would do nicely, as would the Skills system from Third edition. Feats are (thankfully) absent, as they are the one thing about Third edition that keeps me from liking it (and it's worst aspect, from the point of view of a DM preparing adventures).

Combat in Castles and Crusades runs very smoothly and cleanly, and is over quick, while still having all the round-to-round decision making and tactical choices of a good rpg. Magic is done very well, with a very nice spell list for the different classes, good rules on acquiring spells.

This with the companion volume - Monsters and Treasures Castles And Crusades Monsters & Treasures- makes a great rpg. I have to say, that I am anxiously awaiting the Castle Keepers Guide (now, if I am correct, due out in Autumn 2007). It is supposed to add a lot, and will be twice the size of the Players Handbook. If it adds a skill system, and (apostasy) somewhat more detailed initiative rules, then I will be in seventh heaven. If not, one of the greatest things about Castles and Crusades is that it can very very easily be added to, and I could easily plug in my favorite skill system and initiative rules.

I too started out during the original D&D red/blue box days and this is the best "version" of D&D since the Rules Cyclopedia. I've DM'ed OD&D and 1st ed AD&D and played in AD&D 1e & 2e. While I own D&D 3e, I've never played or DM'ed it. It just seems to be too complex and too much trouble. The older I've gotten, the more I've come to appreciate rules lite games that don't force me to memorize an encyclopedia's worth of information or constantly reference a large collection of books during play. Also, if I want detailed tactical combat, I'll just play a miniatures game. C&C has rekindled my interest in running a D&D-style fantasy game for the first time in over 10 years.

The game takes the classes/races of 1st ed AD&D and marries it to a unified task resolution mechanic based on a d20 role. Most situations are resolved by adding modifiers to a d20 role and comparing to a target number. DMs or Castle Keepers (CKs) as C&C calls them, will greatly appreciate the streamlined rules since prep time is greatly reduced. Combats are fast and fun rather than bogging down the game. Although Troll Lord Games will be supporting the game with new material (a Monsters & Treasures book is due out soon and will be followed by a Castle Keepers Guide and a fantasy setting book along with several adventures), you can easily convert any OD&D or AD&D module you already own (or can find used on Amazon or eBay), so you don't have to feel compelled to buy every new book that comes out and can buy only those additional books you want to. For those than don't have a shelf of old D&D modules, a selection of monsters, a character sheet, and an introductory adventure module are available for download at the Troll Lords website.

Although C&C appeals to me as an old-timer, it is equally suitable for new players/CK's as well. In fact, I would say that players new to roleplaying would be better off picking up C&C rather than D&D since it's much easier to learn and play.

I started with OD&D and have been away from roleplaying games for many years. And 25 years later, I wanted to teach my daughter and nephew about the world of Dungeons & Dragons and roleplaying games and so then discovered Castles & Crusades! It has all the great elements of OD&D and the benefit and experience of these last 25 years in gaming improvements. It's fast, easy to learn and a great way to get kids or newcomers introduced to roleplaying. Highly recommended!!!

Really takes me back to the simpler days of the "red box" era. When the detail was in your own mind instead of confining rules. I hope this brings more players back to the game. Simple play mechanics uncluttered with needless detail.