Entertainment Books

TC Luoma is hilarious...he's also RIGHT! America needs, now more than at anytime, a champion for manhood and TC Luoma has my vote. Think of this collection of essays as a troglodyte version of Christina Hoff Summers' "The War Against Boys...". Great reading.

I have read some of these on the testosterone site before and find TC's anecdotes a little scary, a little disturbing and usually very funny. This collection makes you think and not just about hot naked chicks.
Seriously though musings from a very clever and funny man. Not just for the gym rats and serious athletes but something for everyone...

EVERYONE knows someone who can get something out of this great book. TC's style is very entertaining to read and he has a great way of getting his point of view across. Alot of this stuff reminds me of some friends who I'll have to loan my copy to. It was great to read this and relate to the author's ideas. I think even women would enjoy this book (as a window into the way some men tick). If you know someone who lacks some backbone, do them a favor and pick them up a copy. Even if you don't, its a very good read.

This book is not recommended for uptight people. It is not recommended for those who are terrified of the "beastly" word Testosterone. It is also not recommended if you think you will get a sort of "chicken soup for Man's soul". If this is you, give up now. You will be offended, you will be disgusted, and you won't have actually bothered to read a word that TC has written and tried to understand what he is saying. You'll just lump it into the category of "evil things we must keep away from the blessed, rosy-cheeked innocent CHILDREN!" God forbid they ever actually realize there's more to life than sitting in your desk with neatly combed hair and ritalin imposed calm. You know, so they can be good little boys and never step outside the cave to take a look around.

If that is not you, however, you will most likely be rolling on the floor gasping for air at least once while reading this book. TC says what pretty much most men think, and he says it unashamed. Most of all, he makes you think, even if you think that he's been whacked in the head with a 45 lb plate one too many times. This is a book I would buy for most any man that needs to reclaim his pride, who has been beaten to death the the omnipresent PC bulls*t and had his sense of who he is locked away along with his balls by the crusading uptight right or the man hating ultra-left. This book is for anyone who's ever been outraged at the injustice in the world or had the irrepressible desire to go "Ah-nold" on the ridiculous constraints of modern life. Anyone who's ever wanted to be wild and free, this book is for you. This book is also for any women out there who like their men 'high-octane" and rough around the edges, but true to the core. Women who "get" high testosterone men will probably be laughing almost as loud as the guys reading this. Women who don't will no doubt be offended at the countless references to dark and dirty things, or the mis-perceived objectification of women (which TC and other T-men are vehemently against). TC is remarkably well read, at home discussing all things Dostoevsky or Shaw or Rand, or talking about women underpants and bras. Truly fresh air. Personally, I've been disappointed at the books that purport to expound on what is considered "manly". Too many are practically parodies of themselves, doling out ridiculous and wildly inaccurate statements. Often, they are almost as bad as the popular celebrity culture, telling men to wear this or buy that because it's manly to be a conformist, don'tchaknow.

There is not that much training information in this book. There isn't supposed to be. It's not a training book. It's a book written by a man, for his fellow men; indeed, anyone else who thinks that the world has gone too far in telling us what to think and wear and see and feel and say and do.

This book should be required reading for everyone, even if they are uptight and wussy. No doubt they won't get it, but it would give them a glimpse into what they are missing. And hey, nobody said you have to agree with everything an author says for a book to be worthwhile.

I also recommend going to the website or googling his old Atomic Dog articles. There are scores that didn't make it into the book, all of them good. I have one word for you-- "Yoohoo". If you figure out what that means and you don't find it one of the best extended metaphors in history, there may be no help for your sense of humor.

BUY THIS BOOK. BUY IT NOW.

I really enjoyed this book it was funny and helpful.
The only book out ther that I found equally or even a little more helpful was Twelve Step Plan To Becomming an Actor by Dawn Lerman.
If you want to laugh and develop self confidence and audition skills.
Read these two books.

Miles Paul
LA

You must read this book. Along w/ Michael Shurtleff's book "Audition" on theatre auditions, a book which Hooks recommends, this has been one of the best audition tools I've come across. The book will definately pay for itself if you take Ed's advice to heart and into action!

In a very honest and inspiring approach, Mr. Hooks paints a picture of the experience involved in auditioning for various media (theatre, film, commercials). Every beginning actor should read this book.

This book is on of the best I have ever read. Not only does it make you extremely confident about your acting ability, but it's hilarious. Hooks has made such an amusing book that I would even suggest it to people uninterested in acting. The book gives you a feeling of, "The casting directors can take me or leave me. I'll just get famous with someone else. Hooks tells you all the facts, like what to wear to different auditions, how to relax yourself before one, and how to choose an agent. Any time you start to lose hope in acting, read this book!

Firstly, I have to declare an interest - my novel, Stag: A Story About Coming of Age--In a Bar, is set on a bachelor weekend and David Boyer used a contribution from me in this book so I'm bound to be a bit biased. That said, it's brilliant. My copy arrived here in London this morning - and I haven't been able to put it down all day! It's funny and full of fascinating insights... some of these tales make the bachelor parties I've attended look positively boring by comparison. This would be a great book to buy a male friend (or a woman who's keen to know what happens when guys get together!)

I was at the bookstore trying to get some ideas about planning a bachelor party for one of my best friends from school, when I came across this hilarious,(and often warmhearted),account.Makes me totally look forward to the party and I got some GREAT ideas.A cool read too.
My wife is going to give it as gifts to some of her friends. She said it was quite the eye opener!

And I thought I had been to some crazy bachelor parties!

Boyer -- a trained journalist -- collects some pretty hair-raising stories here of the age-old tradition of bachelor parties. But this book is more than just a collection of accounts about the funny, surprising, erotic and sometimes embarrassing last-nights of freedom. The author provides both a history the bachelor party ritual (yes, it goes WAY back) and -- more interestingly -- a real behind-the-scenes look at the "industry" itself. The interviews with strippers, dwarves, and adult-entertainment clowns (NOT to be missed!) are pretty interesting and definitely give you a window into the lives of people who, even if you meet them one day, you'd never hear the real stories about.

This would be a great gift for a guy about to take the marriage plunge, or his bride who's wondering what could possibly go on at a bachelor party. Highly Recommended.

In answer to the main review of the book just below the publishing informaton above: In fact, I found this book to be very, very sociological: a good ethnographic method of participating and observing the parties and a good historical method of interviewing participants. That its prose is fun and wry does not lessen its documentary appeal. Why does convoluted language and theoretical name-dropping constitute sociological (or scholarly) all the darn time? Can't sociological, historical, and journalistic writing be fun to read and clearly written?

I ordered this book, and it just came in the mail recently. I sat down and read it all in one sitting. Bet ya don't know which of the guys's favorite cartoon character is Alvin from The Chipmunks! And which one's favorite quote came from a South African pastor?

The chapters in this book include:
Overview Of The Band; Making The Promise; Taking It To The World; Jason Perry; Lights, Camera, Action; Jeremy Mhire; Hit The Road; Nathan Walters; It's Not What You Might Think; Nate Cole; Here In My Heart; Gabe Combs; Facing the Future; Fear Not; To The Fans; and Just The Facts.

Definately a cool book, and lots of cool pics too! If you're a fan of Plus One, you'll love it!

This book is a treat for any fan of this group. It's a bit thin, but is put together in a colourful fashion with lots of fun photos of the guys. Each member of the group gets his own profile and history with personal as well as publicity photos. A real bargain.

This book is about Plus One. It has facts about each of the guys, interviews, & great pics. Buy it if you're into Plus One (I mean, why wouldn't you be?). :)

This book is really good. I recommend any Plus One fan to get it. Great pics included in book. :)

This would have been much better if its author had limited his story to his adventures in Paris in the twenties, as did Hemingway in "A Moveable Feast". (Hemingway appears in "Bad Boy of Music" by the bye.) Still this is very entertaining. Its author exaggerates and invents and lies through his teeth--you might learn something.

Also recommended: PENTATONIC SCALES FOR THE JAZZ-ROCK KEYBOARDIST by Jeff Burns.

My interest in reading George Antheil's autobiography came from admiration for his music and what he could relate about Paris in the 1920's. Mr. Antheil was a very good writer and wrote quite a lot during his life, particularly for Esquire magazine. He gives his writing a conversational style that flows nicely. I liked the fact that he began his book with stories of his brief career as a pianist and how hard it is to be a traveling musician. Must amusing is that he had a gun concealed in a silk holster when he perform - except once in Budapest when he placed it on the piano. His performances had been greeted with so many riots that he felt he needed the option to shot his way out of the concert hall.

Mr. Antheil's book is more the story of his life than a review of his musical life and compositions. He does discuss the writing of his operas, sometimes in rather tedious detail, but he rarely talks about his compositions with any detail. One interesting comment in the book concerns his Fourth Symphony which had been compared to the music of Dmitri Shostakovich. Mr. Antheil revealed that a good portion of the music came from his opera "Transatlantic" and so pre-dated all of the Shostakovich symphonies. Therefore, any similarities in style are coincidental.

We learn a lot from Mr. Antheil about his life and loves and money worries, and there are some interesting anecdotes about Stravinsky, Hemmingway and James Joyce but Mr. Antheil seldom focuses on his realtionships with other famous people. The chapter about Mr. Antheil and Hedy Lamarr inventing a radio controlled torpedo is very interesting but one is left wondering how they set about designing such a thing.

The book also provides an interesting look at Europe, particularly Germany, after the First World War. "Bad Boy of Music" is entertaining if sometimes a bit rambling at times but if you have an interest in Mr. Antheil's music this book is a must read.

If you like the legendary "Autobiography of Edwark Bok" I think you will like this. It is a wonderful and witty book by a man who had a meteoric career and then was, strangely, forgotten. Extremely entertaining, very well written. One of the top 100 books I've ever read.

This book is thoroughly entertaining. From tips on how to control and unruly audience(a pistol works well) to patents on guidance systems for torpedoes this book covers the gamut. Oh yes, he does talk about music. Get a copy of Ballet Mecanique and you will understand Mr. Antheil, bright mind, brilliant technique, tongue firmly in cheek and willing to be audacious 24/7. His music is really quite intriguing. The Chicago Symphony Orchestra played Symphony no. 5 'Joyous' during the 2000-2001 season and introduced me to this under-appreciated, under-performed American composer.

Another great series from Adventures in Odyssey. These cd's are a great way to teach your kids values. Wonderful story lines and sound effects are superb! A must for kids 10- older.

This is a album every Odyssey fan should have my fav episode off the album is Black Veil 1&2. Great album one of the best albums 5 stars.

Well, other than the fact that I would wake up early every saturday mornings to listen on the internet, it teaches a very important lesson. I'll start at the begining:

1. The main idea is to put your faith in religion, rather than science, but it doens't just teach in one episode, but takes it to the extreme and shows that when all hope seems lost, pray, and trust everything in god.

2. The storyline is terrific! I won't spoil any surprises, but I will tell you this:

-Novacom releases this "Novabox" thats supposed to heal you.
-Someone is trying to steal the Imagination Station!
-Oh no! Murders?
-Some students figure out the secret of the Novabox & go to the utter extreme to try to destroy it.
-Bill Riely's wife is back because of the Novabox?!?!
-Did Bill Riely really blow up the tower!?
-Many EXTREME surprises

Well, if you are a fan of Adventures in Odyssey, and radio dramas, then I suggest that you go out and buy it!

Novacom is growing stronger. In spite of all Whit and the gang have done, they seem to be gaining support. And it's not exactly like they're doing anything wrong. Or is it? Slowly, the kids begin to uncover some things that just aren't right. But will Whit, Jason, Connie, Tom, and the others figure things out in time?

Every one of these 12 episodes contributes to the Novacom story is some form or other. The writers have done a good job of building this story. But, if you think you know where this story is going, don't bet on it. There are several surprises in the story line here and everything ties together perfectly for the ending. I was glued to my seat waiting to reach that climax, too. They also do a good job here of tying in elements from their many years on the air. I loved some of the references to episodes from their first couple of seasons.

Fans waiting to see how the Novacom storyline resolves itself will be thrilled with the outcome. If you've missed the last couple of collections, you'll want to go back and hear them before you listen to this one so everything makes sense.

Richard Buller's knowledge seems to have no bounds. With clarity and confidence, the author presents key moments in the life of Lois Moran. He also spends a third of the book exploring her relationship with F. Scott Fitzgerald. Buller had a vast amount of information at his disposal: Moran's journal and autobiographical notes, her son Tim, and Moran herself. Plus, he researched numerous books and contemporary newspaper articles. Intimidated? Don't be. Buller pulls all the pieces of the puzzle together for us, in a seemingly effortless flow of historical events. Don't know the works of Moran or Fitzgerald? Buller provides clear summaries. Then, he takes us to the next level by analyzing how Moran influenced Fitzgerald. In addition, the book provides many pictures with helpful captions. Even if you've never heard of Lois Moran, this is a "must have" for anyone interested in F. Scott Fitzgerald, movies, or the Jazz age.

I suppose I first encountered Lois Moran as most people did, via Scott Fitzgerald's portrayal of her as Rosemary Hoyt, the ingenue in his tragic 1934 romance TENDER IS THE NIGHT. Since Arthur Mizener identified Lois Moran as Rosemary's "original" in his 1950s biography of Fitzgerald THE FAR SIDE OF PARADISE, her name once again became recognizable, and we began to think of her as a silent film star who must have beeen cute, but surely without talent otherwise wouldn't her performances have survived? Now Richard Buller steps forward with this biography of the actress herself, both in and out of her relationship with the great novelist, and his book shows us that she's perhaps even more interesting when considered as an actress alone, and not just a Lolita-like playtoy.

Buller explores the bond between Gladys (Lois Moran's mother) and her daughter, and rebuts the myth that Gladys was a conventional stage mother who disliked her daughter's interest in married men. Gladys is worthy of a book all of her own! She took Lois from their settled life in Pittsburgh and brought her to Paris as a teen to escape the repressive US climate of the day, and to show her daughter life in big beautiful capital letters.

Stardom in the movies was only a sort of lagniappe to Lois, who abandoned Hollywood when she married in 1935. And she was signally a free-lance player, one who evaded the contractual obligations of any one studio (except for a brief and not too happy contract with Fox). That may have precipitated her withdrawal from cultural memory, however, for I think in the classical cinemaa the studio really built their stars up, and the ones who played it free-lance aren't as well remembered today. (We know Clark Gable, for example, better than we know, say, Irene Dunne.)

Buller has uncovered three short stories that Lois Moran wrote about Scott Fitzgerald, it's a shame that his publishers couldn't have authorized their publication in an appendix, for the excerpts he quotes are fascinating. Just as tantalizing are his descriptions of some of Moran's movies. I for one am going to go on a hunger strike until Turner Classic Movies schedules a showing of WEST OF BROADWAY with John Gilbert--the ultimate "bad luck" movie from Buller's description.

Lois Moran went to Broadway and starred in two Gershwin musicals (OF THEE I SING and LET 'EM EAT CAKE), then married an industrialist who ran Pan Am, Clarence Young. In the Youngs' luxury apartment here in SF's North Beach, on Vallejo Street, they hosted a secret wartime conference with FDR, Lindbergh, and other luminaries. I'm going to go there later today and try to talk my way into the graces of the current owners of the building and photograph the room where it all took place. After Clarence and Gladys died, Moran's later struggles with alcohol make for sad reading. What a story! And what a woman!

Lois Moran's life and body of work, so carefully portrayed by Richard Buller, are a living tribute to the wonderment of Lois Moran, the person. Here is a portrait of some eighty years of giving without reservation to the people of this planet.

The author's insightful and diligent research, coupled with some memorable findings in her journals, papers and photographs, have made this book a true and masterfully constructed literary achievement.

I had never heard of Lois Moran - now I am a fan! Richard Buller's fascinating account of this remarkable woman is brilliantly researched and beautifully written. Why more has not been made of this shining Hollywood star is a curious mystery. Happily, Mr. Buller fills us in with style. He describes the era adroitly and offers surprisingly intimate historical nuggets, sly humor, and a deep poignancy that moved this reader to tears. I felt as if I were walking with Lois every step of the way. Like meeting an old friend for the first time. Her gleeful, almost childlike kinship with life attracted sparkling people and events; yet her "grown-up" values guided her to always hone her gifts and to help others. A unique example that despite our heartaches, we can indeed create a "beautiful fairy tale" of our lives. A delightful, revelatory read. Inspiring.

Tonya's book, BeautyQuest, was impossible to put down. Her journey from self-involved model to self-sacrificial minister's wife and mom was fascinating, well-written, and inspiring. And her advice about beauty and self-image is heartfelt and genuine, obviously stemming from experience with the low self-esteem and weight issues associated with many people in the modeling world. Buy this book for yourself, or for a young lady who has stars in her eyes about the fashion industry. I highly recommend it!

Mrs. Ruiz does a great job of telling the fascinating story of her life.
Great applications for all women.

Tonya's book was impossible to put down. Her journey from self-involved model to self-sacrificial minister's wife and mom was fascinating, well-written, and inspiring. And her advice about beauty and self-image is heartfelt and genuine, obviously stemming from experience with the low self-esteem and weight issues associated with many people in the modeling world. Buy this book for yourself, or for a young lady who has stars in her eyes about the fashion industry. I highly recommend it!

Beauty Quest was fun to read! Tonya told lots of exciting stories about the good, bad and ugly world of modeling. The book was inspiring, informative, and courageous.

"Bee Sides" is perhaps the best of the Tori Amos songbooks. For most of us who cannot obtain copies of the out-of-print singles, this book may be the only way to hear her unreleased songs. Edward J. Lozano (project editor) did a remarkable job of setting Tori's music to paper. Especially enjoyable to play are "Honey", "Sister Janet", and "Ode to the Bananna King". You will not be disappointed!

If you have missed the experience of The Bee Sides of Tori Amos this is a fabulous book. It includes the rare and the known. "Here in my Head" "Honey" and "Ode to the Bananna King" are included in the large set list. Here in my Head is especially beautiful and true to Tori's playing.A definite must have for all Tori fans.

This book was printed after Under The Pink was released, so her later b-sides are not represented here, but this songbook is still a gem. Also Paulina Stuckey's artwork is superb! Tori and her dad chose from among her drawings, and they fit so well with the songs they are paired with. Anyway that's all I'll say since other reviews deal with the music itself and I'd just be repeating..

lets see...where do i begin? since i am not a die hard fan of tori amos yet, although i love her very much as a person and a musician, some of the songs were not noticable yet to me. i will learn the song and when i do, i know i'll learn to love 'em. i just got the book today so it'll take while...you know? anyway, my favourites must be kinda "home on the range" (i like it because it's noticable) and i love "black swan". "here in my head" also is nice, but since i'm not the greatest at the piano, and it has 6 flats, i just play the music with the f's #. it's kinda hard at first, but after...man, it's a beautiful song. oh yeah, and if you decide to do it my way, make sure that when there's a natural sign, play the note sharp. you do the math...BOTTOM LINE: GREAT BOOK!

If Bernard Shaw were not the second greatest playwright in the English language, this biography would not have such significance; and were it not for Shaw's multidimensional personality, this book would not possess so many fascinating dimensions. Sally Peters acknowledges her debt, and gives us a work without self-conscious authorship. It is a book that invites reading and rereading. Much has been made of Shaw's homosexuality; but Dr. Peters' focus is broader and deeper than that. A story, which often reads like the most engrossing fiction, Bernard Shaw: The Accent of the Superman, is a rewarding resource for any serious student of modern drama.

Peters, Sally. Bernard Shaw: The Accent of the Superman. New Haven: Yale University Press.

If Bernard Shaw were not the second greatest playwright in the English language, this biography would not have such significance; and were it not for Shaw's multidimensional personality, this book would not possess so many fascinating dimensions. Sally Peters acknowledges her debt, and gives us a work without self-conscious authorship. It is a book that invites reading and rereading. Much has been made of Shaw's homosexuality; but Dr. Peters' focus is broader and deeper than that. A story, which often reads like the most engrossing fiction, Bernard Shaw: The Accent of the Superman, is a rewarding resource for any serious student of modern drama.

Was Shaw gay? Dr. Peters builds a convincing argument that he probably was and that he used his vast intellect to erect every possible defense against his homosexual leanings ever coming to sustained expression. I thought I knew Shaw but I will never again look at him again now that I have read this provocative volume. I am giving it only 4 stars, however, because even my interest (and I am a fan of Shaw) could not be sustained for the entire length of this discussion of Shaw's romances/flirtations/avoidances.

This is a complete and wonderful biography of Bernard Shaw. Dr. Peters has written a thorough and fasinating history of a complex man. For the definitive word on Shaw, read this book.