Entertainment Books

I bought this book by chance but it is my current go to book when looking for inspiration and reviewing technique. Don Davis is a master. He uses subtle changes in his pieces that give them a uniqueness I enjoy. My only complaint would be that I wish he had more pictures of his work inside the book.

A wonderful book for beginners and experienced potters alike. Lots of new ideas with detailed explanation and pictures. An absolute must, and a great price too!

I loved the step-by-step approach this book takes with the many different examples of pottery. Also, it is great to show the techniques of the different potters. The book also includes photos of other pieces made with similar techniques. I borrowed this book, but now have to have my own copy.

This is a good book for beginners. The book has great pictures and the instructions are easy to follow. I also like the progression in the projects. It builds your throwing skills step by step.

When I first started throwing, I found this book an extremely useful source for reminders, clarifications, and pointers on techniques I'd learned in class. It's a great practical guide for beginners. Now that I've been throwing for a while, I find I continue to turn to it for ideas and pointers. I've purchased several other clay books that were touted as "must haves" for potters, but I've been disappointed with them. They often focused only a few pages on wheel throwing, or were not as clear when describing techniques. Davis' book, with its straightforward instructions, good illustrative technique photos, and interesting photos of varied designs and forms, is the reference I keep turning to for myself and sharing with my classmates.

His title is poignant--it could mean, "Why am I discriminated against just for being black?" or it could mean, "Why did God single me out for such stardom and an extraordinary life?" Both of these themes weave throughout the book. Sammy was part of a show-biz trio with his father and "uncle" Will Mastin. He began performing at a very young age, and these two kind men managed to shelter him against racism until he entered the Army. Then, literally from day one, he faced the worst of racial hatred and ostracism, which lasted well into his famous years. He had his nose broken three times. He could play in a Las Vegas club, but had to find accommodations elsewhere. He could not enter the casinos where he played. When he married the blonde and beautiful May Britt, there were still states that had miscegenation on the books, so they could not travel together legally. But little short, one-eyed Sammy was determined to beat the odds. "If I'm a star," he figured, "I can break down these doors." But he didn't have an easy time of it. The whites thought he was too black, and the blacks thought he was too Uncle Tom. He was all set to perform at JFK's inauguration, when he was suddenly "uninvited." He became personal friends with MLK, Jr. and RFK, only to see them gunned down. His marriage to May died because he was the "always on" guy, drinking and whoring and never there for their three kids. He HAD to live up to his "swinger" image, and he felt that stardom was the only hedge against his being deemed a second-class citizen. He then met Altovise, a black woman whom he married. It seems as though she had a much better tolerance for his over-the-top lifestyle than May did. But he still ended up $1M in arrears to the IRS, which he eventually paid off. (He was always good at earning money, but even better at spending it.) He was a brilliant star, good at singing and dancing. telling jokes, and playing the trumpet and drums. Frank Sinatra was his lifelong friend, giving him breaks and encouraging him every step of the way. And Sammy championed RFK as the best president that we could have had during our times for civil rights. This book ends four years before his death, but the cause of death was throat cancer--too much singing and smoking and drinking killed him in the end. But what a ride!

In simple, down-to-earth prose, the late Sammy Davis, Jr. tells his moving life story, from playing cheap theatres in the 1920s South as a five-year-old with his uncle, to the magnificent fame he achieved decades later. Before he became universally beloved, Davis had to endure, and overcome, brutal bigotry. The best line of the book is when he asks, "How do you kill an idea?" His answer: "With a better idea." Go read it.

Fascinating personal account of show business, racism, politics and famous personalities from the 40s to the 80s. Shows how excess (Sammy) or even the appearance of excess (Dean Martin) is useful (necessary?) for the publicity that makes one a star.

Mr Davis'is revealed to be much more than performer. We find Sammy to be an activist, comedian, swinger, a great human being. His friendship with Frank Sinatra is shown to be pivotal in his giving up drugs. Another laugh and cry book.

I really enjoyed this book, I had no idea what the blacks in the US had to go through, having grown up in Australia. Sammy had a big chip on his shoulder which he carried throughout his life but it is understandable when you read what he went through. This isn't just a boring story of a star's life, it is a fascinating look at racism, politics, being rich beyond your dreams and in debt for millions - a great read.

No matter how many stories you have heard about Willie Nelson, or what you know about him -- I promise that you will learn new things about him when you read Joe Nick Patoski's book, 'Willie Nelson: An Epic Life."

I have been reading Joe Nick's articles about Willie Nelson for years. It's always like I'm sitting down listening him to tell a story. You can kind of hear his southern accent in your head while you're reading :)) Joe Nick doesn't ask the same questions of Willie, and he always gets new answers. This book is so well researched, well written, and entertaining. Joe Nick tells the stories behind the stories. He is a Willie Nelson fan, and you can feel when you read it that this book was a labor of love.

The book is about Willie Nelson, but it is also tells the history of music in Texas, and the characters and musicians. There are several books written about Willie Nelson, and I've read them all. This one is the best!

Thank you, Joe Nick, for writing this book!

If someone had asked me who would be the best person to write a biography of Willie Nelson, I would have said Joe Nick Patoski without any hesitation. He's been "on the story" for years, as a journalist and as a fan. (I have too, in fact, but Nick got there before I did!)

What fascinated me about this book was how well he negotiated the huge cast of characters -- and I mean "characters," a term used in the Texas underworld for small-time criminals, as well as dramatis personae. Willie has never been able to say no to anyone, resulting in a "family" the size of a small town, and it looks like Patoski has interviewed all of them.

And although I've been covering Willie since his 1973 Atlantic sessions, and have interviewed him numerous times, I was astonished at how much new stuff I learned from reading An Epic Life. It's great to have all this information in one place, and for serious fans, or, indeed, anyone interested in Texas music, the history of country music, or what it's like to be a superstar today, this will very likely be the definitive book on the life and work of Willie Nelson for some years to come.

At which point, I don't doubt Patoski will get back on the case and update this one.

This masterful, extremely well-written, critically-acclaimed book is one of the most entertaining I have read in years. I loved it. You will love it too. Willie Nelson's seventy-five years are packed full of amazing honky-tonk characters, historic music, and priceless philosophy. The characters that he attracts like a magnet had me laughing out loud. It also manages to lay out the cultural history of Texas country music and show business over the span of Willie's life in well-researched, fascinating detail.

Joe Nick Patoski did over 100 interviews with Willie, his family, his band, and his long-term friends. They tell their story in their own words mixed in with Patoski's novel-like story telling. The love and extreme loyalty of the major characters is a constant theme. Willie does everything he can to help the people that helped him all these years. It is a fascinating, biography that young and old will love. It would make a perfect gift for anyone. No one has lived a more interesting rags to riches to rags to riches life than Willie. As Patoski makes clear, its hard to find anyone that doesn't love Willie Nelson. I did a search of Joe Nick Patoski and was delighted to find all the rave reviews.

Johnny Hughes

"Willie Nelson: An Epic Life", written by acclaimed Texan Joe Nick Patoski, is a meticulously researched and very readable documentation of the life and career of the legendary Willie Nelson. Combining insightful observations about Willie along with exclusive interviews of Nelson and the people that have been closest to him in his personal and professional life, this official biography has a very engaging and fluid style that makes it an entertaining and enlightening read for those either new to the story of Willie Nelson or for the long-time fan.

From the Blackland cotton patches of Willie's boyhood home in Abbott, Texas, through his musical "coming-of-age" in the rough and tumble, blood and guts honky-tonks of Fort Worth, his trials, tribulations and ultimate successes in the music business of Nashville, Nelson's return to his roots in Texas and to Austin, then on to the heights of The White House and his well-deserved legendary status worldwide, Patoski wonderfully leads the reader on the road of Willie Nelson's life.

This well-written, flowing " page-turner " is a joy to read.

Jim Yanaway

Willie Nelson's craggy profile on this book's cover looks like it was carved out of granite. He appears like a man who has lived a rough life, one who has not taken particularly good care of himself. An Epic Life explores the reasons why Willie's face looks like that, and does a pretty good job explaining things.

Author Joe Nick Patoski gives you all the down-and-dirty details of the fighting, drinking, womanizing, tax cheating and drugs, as well as all the stories behind Willie's timeless songs. Patoski conducted hundreds of interviews with Nelson and his family and friends over 35 years of research, and it shows. He's crafted a true insider's view of an icon that's also a comprehensive biography, an interesting read filled with many personal glimpses, with the bonus of some fascinating profiles of other folks both known and unknown.

A section of glossy pages in the middle has 26 black and white photos. They range in time from 1929 to 2007, from a vintage shot of Nelson's parents to a portrait of Willie and his sister Bobbie Lee from last year.

Here's the chapter list:

1. Somewhere in America, 2007
2. Abbott, 1938
3. East of Western Grove on Pindall Ridge, 1925
4. Abbott, 1933
5. Waco, 1952
6. San Antonio, 1954
7. Fort Worth, 1955
8. Vancouver, Washington, 1956
9. Fort Worth Again, 1958
10. Houston, 1959
11. Nashville, 1960
12. Los Angeles, 1961
13. Ridgetop, Tennessee, 1964
14. Tennessee to Texas, 1965
15. Coast-to-Coast, Border-to-Border, 1967
16. Lost Valley, 1971
17. Austin, 1972
18. Orange to El Paso, Dalhart to Brownsville, 1973
19. Garland to Hollywood, 1975
20. The Hill, 1979
21. The World, 1986
22. The Valley, 1991
23. The New World, 1993
24. Paradise, 2004
25. Home, 2006

I enjoyed the book, and felt that it presented a pretty thorough, well-rounded view of an interesting person. I do think that Mr. Thomson knows the music scene very well, although he unnecessarily inserts some of his personal condescending viewpoints of some currently popular country artists. I knocked the rating down a star because it needed better editing - there are several typos that should have been caught.

I gave the book as a gift, and they thought it was great

Great insight to one of America's greatest song writers and musicians. I've followed Willie for over 30 years and I'm not a country music fan. Willie reaches everyone who loves a good song.

Awesome book! Fills in a whole load of gaps in Will's life that I often wondered about. I've been a fan for 25 years and hoped this kind of 3-D book would come along - it's not only very astute on his life and character but also absolutely BRILLIANT on his music.

I had to write this review after reading the previous reviewer's comments, which make little sense. THE OUTLAW is a fantastic read, and, more importantly, the first book that really grapples with the strange, magic reality of Willie Nelson. It is virtually un-put-downable, full of character and verve, honesty and insight.

Even as I tore through it I suspected there might be a split between those who read it: for so-called 'loyal' Willie fans who treat him like some kind of God, it may not appeal. Those who are looking for an uncomplicated, unthinking homage to Willie will not find it here - there are plenty of those kinds of books on the shelves, but this is the first Willie book to really grapple with the complexities of the man; it is a warts 'n' all study, although affectionate, knowledgable and fair, and presents him and his amazing world in a thorough and truly new way.

It is clearly and cleverly written, with little up-close vignettes of Willie in between each chapter, and with cameos from all the major players in Willie's life. I bet Willie read it with a wry chuckle and thought, 'Yep, they finally got me!'

A wonderful book, highly recommended to all Willie fans who don't wear blinkers, and all other music fans.

I enjoyed this book. It was an absorbing, eye-opening look into the world of the ballet written by an insider - a young, intense and highly intelligent young woman, a dancer with the NYC Ballet, who exposes life in this elite and unique world.

I really enjoyed this book. It gave a wonderful glimpse into the real world of professional dancing. Miss Bentley told this story with beautiful language, her words flowed like water. I found it wonderful to know what it was like to live the life of a dancer, to know the struggles and the victories, the fantasies and the realities. I recommend this book for all who love dance and for anyone interested in show business or simply anyone who enjoys a good read.

With "Winter Season," Toni Bentley allows her audience to see a real picture of the incredibly tough, demanding and creative world of professional ballet. We see George Balanchine at the end of the career, and such greats as Suzanne Farrell and Peter Martins. The incredible, difficult, almost insane demands put on the dancers are clearly drawn, as is Ms. Bentley's love for her art. Especially evocative is her struggle with reconciling art with her demanding profession.

Often, artistic memoirs focus on the superstars, the Tallchiefs and Nureyevs, for instance. The view from the corps de ballet is all the more interesting for being so rare. This book is beautiful, wry, humorous and exquisitely-written. I wish Ms. Bentley had written several other volumes.

Winter Season: A Dancer's Journal is the exquisite chronicle of a ballet dancer's experiences with the New York City Ballet. The dancer, Toni Bentley, claims a certain naivetee, but I don't believe it's innocent ignorance as much as it is simple yearning for experiences she rarely has.

She has a delicate flair for words, and her prose couldn't be any less lovely than her pliees and tondus.

Dancing with a world-famous ballet company is gruelling. The dancers are overworked, underfed, and have little understanding of how the "real world" works, yet it would seem they like it that way. Ballet companies thusly have much in common with military outfits: soldiers and dancers work brutally hard, but have their concerns looked after by the higher-ups. Balanchine is the dancers' general.

With the incredibly long hours and the accompanying mental and physical exhaustion, how did Toni get the time to write this book?

She writes,

"We are hairless. We have no leg hairs, no pubic hair, no armpit hair, no facial hair, no neck hair and only a solid little lump at the top of our heads. Any sign of stubble must be closely watched out for and removed.

"That is not all. We don't eat food, we eat music. We need artistic sustenance only. Emotional, inspiring sustenance. Al our physical energy is the overflow of spiritual feelings. We live on faith, belief, love, inspiration, vitamins and Tab."

Toni eventually does break free of the NYC Ballet machine, but she's drawn inexorably back. After all, as she says, "We live only to dance. If living were not an essential prerequisite, we would abstain."

This is a beautifully written very open look at the world of a professional dancer. The difficulties and joys of life in a world class ballet company are clearly and thoughtfully laid out by Bentley. The pride she had for her place in NYCB, and the sadness of standing in the background while others danced in the spotlight in front of her. But ultimately we are allowed to see the great joy finds in her dancing, and the struggle and work it took to get her there, as well as the struggle and hard work it took to keep her there. Overall I thought that Bentley was very candid and very honest about her life in NYCB. Every dance student planning a life as a professional dancer should read this book.

This is one book I will keep in my private library. Very good book with all the pictures. My mother has enjoying looking at it also.

I really enjoyed the beautiful pictures. I first read "The Trapp Family Singers" by Maria which was great but I wanted pictures and more info and this book was greatly enjoyed.I really liked it.

I had the opportuntiy to buy this book last fall when I saw the grandchildren of Maria Von Trapp in concert at the Dollywood theme park. Having read the account by Maria in her book "The story of the Trapp Family Singers" as a child I was fully aware that the movie and the real story were not identical, however the liberties of the movie version aside this book is a delight for anyone who loves the story and music of the Von Trapps. It gives you a first hand insight to what the family went through from the Natzi's to the building of their inn in Vermont to the rebuilding of it after it was destory by fire. The photography is superb and the history of this family is one I have enjoyed for years and will for years to come. I can hardly wait til next Christmas to add the Von Trapp Children CD to my holiday music enjoyment.

....because I find so many information about the Trapp Familiy which I don't know. I saw the two german movies from 1956 und 1958 and the american from 1965, and I like all this films.

The pictures make it easy to read.

But there is something, that I don't like. Martina, who died in 1951. Maria Augusta wrote only one and a half sentences about her stepdaughter. Why had she done that ?

Good, that I've read "Yesterday, Today and Forever", so I know the tragedy of Martina's death.

...

This book is a really great behind-the-scenes type book about the real Von Trapp family. Fans of the movie may not like it as much, because there isn't very much stuff written about the making of the SOM. However, it really gives you a very clear picture of the way the story reall was without detracting from the magic of the movie.

This book was the most helpful guide I have ever had. I couldn't put it down. I just wanted to keep on going. It got me through the whole game in just over an hour, not even. If you are just dying to get through your game, you better buy this book. I garantee you'll get your moneys worth.

I thought that this help book was very well written. Ithelped me a great deal getting through the game. I would recommend itto anyone.

This is a great book for The X-Files: The Game. It has everything you'll need to know about the game plus funny messages, a section that explains the little things you don't understand, a picture gallery, an interview with the director of the game, and a quick walkthrough for agents on the run.The only thing I didn't like about it was the small nit I found that made me have to hesitate to go on with the game. I would greatly recommend this book.

I'm generally not a big fan of "hint books" butPrima's Official Strategy Guide to The X-Files Game offers more thanan easy way out of those tight spots during game play. It also includes some valuable insights into the game's characters, plots, and a photo gallery.

This is an excellent guide. I would not have finished the game without it. It gives detailed instructions on what to do. It made the game alot less frustrating and alot more fun!

If you are an actor or want to know what it takes to become a great actor, this book is a must read. I have not found any book on acting that has kept me interested and intrigued as this book. It is a wounderful read for all seriously interested in acting.

What I enjoyed were, in addition to notes on the role, the notes on what it was like to be an actor in England after growing up in apartheid South Africa. Good to meet some of the greats of theatre: "Trevor Nunn", "Chris Hampton" etc as well..

As a studying actor, I could relate to some of the mental processes that Antony Sher revealed in his book "Year of the King." Through this journal, I was able to see how Sher prepared to play the role of Richard III, his thoughts when confronted with a problem, and in what places he looked to find the answer. This book showed me the importance of keeping a record of my own progress during a production. The only thing I wish from "Year of the King" is that a video had been included to allow us to see Antony Sher's end result!

I first read Year of the King 6 years ago while studying in London. I fell in love with the works of Antony Sher on stage and was thrilled to find this book. Its been a source of inspiration and admiration since and has opened my eyes to what a different world actors live in. I am now that much closer to understanding the intricacies of performance through the words (and sketches) of Antony Sher.

This is the best book I have ever read on the process of acting. It should be required reading for every actor! It details the process that Antony Sher went through in developing the character of Richard III. It's a "fast" read because you are so eager to find out what he will do next. Highly recommended.

I won't repeat what was said in earlier reviews. This book is one-of-a-kind. It was both fun to read and a bit uplifting, too. Of course, if you were from Phoenix--and especially during the 1960's--you'll get more out of this book, but there is still something for everyone. The sixties and it's music affected everyone. Most of the book is stories and anecdotes told in the actual words of many people involved in pop/ rock music, and even though at first I wanted the author's comments in between each one, I soon decided it was for the best.

The book conveys well the excitement, experimenting, and innovation of the times. Phoenix produced some famous musicians, and produced some like myself, who never made it big. But it was fun. Of course, there were excesses during that decade, but many of us like some in the book, learned from our mistakes. Lastly, there is the huge role that music and community plays in expanding the consciousness, or awareness. It's there in between the lines of this book, shouting at the reader.

WOW,WHAT A GREAT INTERPATATION OF THE TEEN SCENE,MUSIC,AND ROCK BAND MEMBERS FOURTY YEARS AGO. GROWING UP IN PHOENIX DURING THAT ERA I COULD FAINTLY REMEMBER THOSE GREAT TIMES,AUTHOR ED WINCENTSEN REALLY GIVES A "DOWN TO EARTH ACCOUNT "OF WHAT WAS HAPPENING,AND THE PLAYERS INVOLVED DURING THAT TIME.I THINK ANYONE,FROM THAT TIME AN PLACE,CAN'T HELP BUT TO GET NOSTALGIC.

It was great to see George Washington Bridge recognized in the book. if you grew up in Phoenix,it was a special experience to see Duane Witten and crew. Their sound was outstanding and not duplicated. I would rather hear GWB tune up than see Iron Butterfly live.

As a pre-teen muscian in Phoenix, I went to Duane's house and asked him for the words to Mr. Tamborine Man (no internet in the 60's). The annoyed yet classy guy complied.

If you like to read about rock music -- regardless of where you grew up, you will love this book. Phoenix has never received as much credit as it deserves for it's rich local music scene. From Dyke and the Blazers to Duane Eddy to Marty Robbins to Alice Cooper, Phoenix, Arizona was a happening place!

Close enough to L.A. to pick up all the latest trends. Far enough from L.A. to create it's own unique personality. The author does a great job of capturing the energy of that time via interviews with many of the local musicians who were making it all happen. There a lot of references to cultural touchstones -- those things that anyone who lived in Phoenix at the time will recall -- the radio stations, the drive-in movies, the local dances and on and on. It was the scene that spawned Alice Cooper, the Tubes, Goose Creek Symphony, Hub Kap and the Wheels and many more groups that went on the national or regional fame.

Regardless of where you lived, you will relate to many of the things in this book. If you try it, you won't be disappointed.

If you lived in Phoenix during the 1960's and have fond memories of the vital music scene that thrived there, or if you're just a fan of classic garage bands of the era, then this is the book for you! "Yes, Phoenix had Music in the Sixties!" contains fascinating details and photographs of many of the up and coming Phoenix rock & roll bands, some of which attained star status in the 70's. Remember Alice Cooper? They were The Earwigs and later The Spiders in Phoenix during the 60's. The list is amazing . . . The Vibratos, Floyd & Jerry, Thackeray Rocke, The Grapes Of Wrath, Mike Condello, Phil & The Frantics, The Hearsemen and more. In addition to the general history, many of the band members tell their own stories in candid interviews. It's all there, the studio banter, war stories about "the road" and the fascination and excitement these young rockers felt during their fledgeling years. You won't be disappointed in this book, it's a garage band collector's delight!

Teaches in a very short time how to play the game better. My 11 year old could also read and apply the book's techniques, so I think it is well worth the money and time if you like to play this game.

It wasn't long ago that many of us hardcore yahtzee
fans believed that the optimal strategy was well out
of the reach of mortals. Well, the esteemed Olaf
Vancura, PhD has thankfully proved us wrong. Yahtzee
Advantage is certainly the most ground breaking book
in the history of Yahtzee that ever was and certainly
ever will be. After a short history of Yahtzee,
Vancura discusses Yahtzee rules and even clarifies the
dubious and complicated 'joker rules.' He then moves
on to how he unravelled the secret of Yahtzee. The
next few chapters address how to simulate the optimal
strategy in beginning, mid, and end game. There are a
number of useful graphs that summarize what play to make
during different rolls in the game; he even
includes the Yahtzee distribution given perfect play
and provides a few case studies. Without Dr.
Vancura, we never would have known the golden benchmark - the optimal score under perfect play. Advantage Yahtzee is a must for serious fans of the greatest game ever made. Because of Yahtzee Advantage, and its counterpart - the online Yahtzee Proficiency Tester- , I expect that we will see human yahtzee scores to rise dramatically over the next decade.

This book includes a decent set of rules, a standard score sheet and a crystal clear explanation of the one rule that most people misinterpret. Neat, but, in and of itself, not worth a book unless you're a purist who wants to know if they are in the "wrong" camp. Imagine my surprise when I found out I was.

Of course, it also includes a reasonably small set of guidelines that will enable you to approximate "perfect" play. Given the "stupefyingly" large number of possibilities, you'll never play "perfect" Yahtzee. If this is what you want, five stars. If you have a penchant for numbers, you may well be playing close as it is. Again, I was.

Personally, I wanted a book with three sections: the two above and the third consisting of the mathematician's/programmer's point-of-view. Of course, the book tells you the approach Vancura used. Without it, the problem explodes. It took Vancura two months to go from "it can't be done" to "did it." But the distance from "here's how" to actual implementation is huge. Would have loved to have access to source code in at least pseudo-code if not C/Perl/some other popular language - preferably somewhere on the web.

For some reason, I had always thought of Yahtzee as a game of mostly luck and a little skill. Then I read Advantage Yahtzee, by Olaf Vancura, Ph.D. The book is cheap (only 6.95) and a relatively quick read, but I guarantee that your Yahtzee scores will improve dramatically after reading it just one time.

This book, however, was written in such a manner that even someone who has virtually no math skills and has only played Yahtzee once will be able to read it easily and benefit greatly.

Between the strategy tips, the book is filled with fun facts. Did you know that the highest possible score in Yahtzee is 1,575? That would mean you'd have to roll 13 straight Yahtzees. Or did you know that on every first roll, there are 252 possible outcomes? You'll learn this and so much more if you read this book. Pick it up, it's well worth the cheap cover price and will improve your game vastly.