Television Books

I have to rate this book highly, due to one thing in particular; a load of photos NEW to someone who's been buying all things Marx since the 1970's. Some of the candid, on-set shots; some of the very rare shots of Zeppo; and some shots from scenes that were later cut...these are the stuff of dreams. Crazy dreams, but dreams, nonetheless.

It just misses five stars for two reasons: a nice crop of pictures we've all seen a thousand times and, worse, a number of well-known, yet misquoted, lines.

Did someone proof this? There's not much writing, so it couldn't have taken long...and, after all, Arthur's an author in good standing.

You'd think he could take some of the money he's made off his pop over the past forty years and buy a complete set of Marx CD's. Then he could nab the quotes directly. No excuse for this.

Yet I, for one, still recommend it for the visual treasure it is. A great "coffee table book" - and on a hilarious subject that makes you long to crack it open and take it all in, as opposed to some of those paper paperweights you've typically seen gathering dust in living rooms various and sundry.

The best Groucho book to come around in years. I loved it!

I've owned this book for several weeks now and it continues to have this strange affect on me: every time I pick it up, my mouth opens wide in awe and then twists into a grin that runs from ear to ear!! I just can't stop smiling! This is not your average picture book on the Marx Brothers.

Make no mistake....this book is first and foremost about the pictures and all have been STUNNINGLY reproduced. There is a richness and depth to the photos that you find in, say, coffee table photography books (Ansel Adams comes to mind). Some of the photos have been published before, but the majority of them are being seen here for the first time in book form. But even if you've seen some of the photos before, you've never seen them like this! This truly must've been a labor of love.

Accompanying the photos is a casual running commentary supplied by Arthur Marx which is at once charming, engaging, revealing and entertaining. You can almost imagine yourself thumbing through a Marx family photo album with Arthur stopping here and there to share the memories he associates with each picture.

This book satisfies on so many levels, but don't expect it to be a primer on the life and times of Julius H. Marx. For that find a copy of Hector Arce's GROUCHO (if you can!) but keep a copy of this book nearby because it wonderfully illustrates yet another facet of the man we know as Groucho.

I give this 5 stars (and 4 hard-boiled eggs!)!!!

Initially the quality of the photos is striking. Then you look at the subject - a man who brings joy through his art of comedy - and some of the most emotionally moving images of Groucho emerge. And some gorgeous photos of the rest of the brothers also.

What fans of a dead artist always encounter is the lack of anything "new" out there. This fills a gap. I have been a Marx fan since my youth and have found the expenditure on this book, and the wait, worth it. The best picture book on the Marx brothers to date.

This book allows you to be in the Marx Family and experience what it must have been like to have a Father who was none other than the "One and Only, GROUCHO!!!"

I have nothing but the utmost respect for Arthur and thank him for sharing his memories and ALL of his fantastic photo's of his Father and Family.

If a picture is worth a million words then this book is worth at least two million ("or three for a dollar").

I'm a fan of the wonderful Brady Bunch sitcom and some of the made for television reunion movies so I bought Elizabeth Moran's Bradymania book and I liked it and thought it was interesting and fun. I loved the episode guide which was actually the main reason I bought it but I loved all the rest of it too including the cast biographies and I highly recommend this book and also Growing Up Brady which was written by Barry Williams who played Greg Brady.

After reading Bradymania, I bought the book for friends that I knew would get a kick out of it! I even played a trivia game with friends and family, utilizing the Bradymania book as my source of questions about the show!

In terms of spinoff coverage, this is the best I've seen so far. While they're not the focus of the book, Moran does talk about each one in more detail than anyone else so far. There's no episode guide for the spinoffs, but I suspect the problem there is availability. I bet a lot of us would do our own episode guides if we could just see the shows again, uncut!

Moran's book also talks about the stage show, and speculates about the "upcoming" (at the time!) theatrical film, the first Brady Bunch movie from 1995. Moran was shooed away from the ultra-high-security movie set in her quest for tidbits!

I have yet to find the true ultimate Brady book. Like the rest of the Brady books, the episode guide in this one could be a lot plumper. But Moran's book is a good balance of character trivia, actor trivia, producer trivia, episode trivia, etc. Read every word, and you just might pass the trivia challenges at the end of the book!

You can find more in-depth actor trivia in "Growing Up Brady," and good "outside-world" trivia in the "TV Treasures" book. However, if you are looking for a little of everything, "Bradymania" will do the trick.

I know this book is much more reliable than Barry Williams' often untrustworthy Growing Up Brady book. The GUB book has in it's original edition about 32 careless mistakes! In it's revised edition it has about 15! Buy this book by Moran instead!

Elizabeth Moran did her homework. The famous TV show which first aired October 3, 1969 accumulated a lot of trivia, and Moran found most of it,

It is as if she read every Brady Bunch fan site and spoke at length with every Brady contact.

I'm not a Brady collector, and found "Bradymania!: Everything You Always Wanted to Know" to be an entertaining book about a show I grew up with.

Learn about every episode, the careers before and since the show (including Oliver and Sam, and even 'Tiger the Dog' and 'Fluffy the Cat'). Incidentally, there were as many as 36 cats (all named Rhubarb) that may have played Fluffy.

There are sections on how the actors became Brady kids, how they were schooled on the set, how they relaxed, and why the show was eventually canceled.

Anthony Trendl
editor, HungarianBookstore.com

As another reviewer already said, this book is obviously a labor of love. The author went to a tremendous of amount of effort to get interviews from dozens of the surviving Burlesque trooper, whose histories and stories are engagingly told in this book.

I happened to see the book in a used bookstore, and picked it up just for fun. I didn't know anything about the subject, and was surprised at how much there was to know. For example, one of the women points out that back in those days, they didn't have the elaborate production numbers that they do now, and so just simple talent had to carry the brunt of the show, and she's generous (unfortunately I don't recall her name) in saying that the whole cast was just packed with talent and everyone in the show was usually very talented, so that usually wasn't a problem.

I was so naive about the subject that I didn't even know that women were appearing on stage in such skimpy costumes back then. :-) I thought it only happened in photos taken in shady back rooms for rags that were circulated to a small but discrete clientele. Until Playboy came along in the 50s, you didn't this kind of nudity anywhere in print, at least in a widely circulated publication. But the women here are easily the the peers of those from the famed silkscreen magazine era.

But even more than the visual titillation aspect of the book is that the stories of these women, who were true pioneers and unappreciated until now in many ways, are being told for posterity. Also, some of the men who were important to the period are profiled too. Overall, it's a fine book on what was a bygone and almost lost age of the stage and theater that finally seems to be getting some of the credit it deserves.

And as for the reviewer who gave the book a low rating because he works on Broadway and thought the book should have mentioned the new Burlesque revival, and that the book was just the author gushing about shows she'd never actually seen hersellf, well, stop whining. The book is about the old Burlesque, not the new stuff. And as for not having seen it, that's pretty much the nature of history, since most of it wasn't seen firsthand, anyway. And if you want a book on the new revival, then go write it yourself. Some day someone will be saying the same thing about you.

Just noticed that there are some copies around for used prices on this insanely well-done hardbound. I paid a lot more and if you're looking for some vintage burlesque history of real performers, begin here. Briggeman clearly states how and why she undertook this search; this isn't a working author, she approached it as a fan, a researcher and hit a bull's eye. And if you can scarf one up for a good price, grab it for a fascinating read.

No Virginia, this isn't neo burlesque: here are the roots of the original bump & grinders who paved the way for today's performers who now cross into new media, post-feminist stuff and are more rock stars than many rock stars: today's performers owe a major bow to the subjects in "Burlesque: Legendary Stars of the Stage" and as a labor of love, this proves that a well sought-out and researched project like this can transcend its original goal. "Burlesque" humanizes the performers behind the glitter and, sometimes, grime of a lost era. for the Bettie Page fans and Brown and Bigelow pin up fans along Elvgren's alley, a tip o' the Hatlo hat to a book well done. could it have been heavier in one way or another? Sure: any subject like this is a jump into the deep end of the pool. There's a lot more to cover, but that's not the point: finding real, breathing people and hearing their stories was and is the point. Great vintage photos make it a time trip. And like so many art forms that were reviled by upper class, burlesque, baseball, comic books and rock and roll are spawned by commonality and drew from their working-class roots to become the color in a grey society. This books rocks: what an homage and how well it is done! Kudos!!!

I'm glad to have it in my library; I envy the author in her numerous encounters with the real, working performers who, in their own stories, are now legends. True stories; real people. Bless Briggeman; bless her subjects.

This book is full of wonderful memorabilia, but it's a little weird that the author doesn't mention, or never has heard of, the neo-burlesque movement that has sweeped America and parts of the World. Rhapsodizing about performances she has never seen seems to be her way of romanticizing the past. There's no denying the book has wonderful photos, and the author's collection is full of amazing items. Even if she doesn't like the current burlesque scene, it's something she should comment on. Even the NY Times has written about the current burlesque revival! Nowhere does she mention Teasorama, the NY Burlesque Fiestival, or Exotic World, though she talks about the Museum. It's a flaw in an otherwise entertaining book.
Caveat: I am very much a part of the NY scene, stage managing and helping in a variety of shows, so perhaps I'm prejudiced.

I just heard this book, "BURLESQUE: Legendary Stars of the Stage," won the 2005 IPPY Award in the Performing Arts catagory. From what I've read, over 2200 books were submitted by over 1500 Independent Publishers...and this book was judged to be the best in its catagory. That's all I need to know; it tells me this is a good book--perhaps considered a collectible due to all the photos it contains. The book also preserves at least a small piece of burlesque history; written by someone who has gotten to know many of these old-time performers in their later years. It's a book worth owning!

Slipping behind the scene, author and founder of the Burlesque Historical Society, Jane Briggeman,draws the reader into the dressing rooms and personal lives of the woman and men of burlesque.

Peppered troughout the book are beautiful photographs that show lots of curves, georgious gowns and costumes that bring the art of the dance into the readers mind.
Jane Briggeman covers all the ground from men performing baggy pants comedy to the burlesque stars and big production shows.

The author writes about burlesque's high popularity as well as its low periods when threatened by repressive times. Her impressive collection of burlesque memorabilia would be a welcome addition to any writers research library. Briggeman reveals heart and soul in "Burlesque". The size of the book and the attractive high gloss red cover makes this a very classy coffee table conversation piece. Go out, buy the book and have some fun, it's a very exciting read.

I can't believe I've reached my 50th review.And it is happily on a topic near and dear to my heart.....Buster Keaton.
Buster was not as appreciated as he might have been in his 1920s heydays.And when his downfall at the hands of MGM came in the early 30s,as far as the public was concerned he was just considered just another fatality
like so many of his peers that occured in the late 20s and early 30s with the conversion to sound.He was soon forgotten.
But it didn't keep Buster down the least bit.He eventually battled back from depression and acute alcoholism.He was rarely out of work for very long and whether behind or in front of the camera he continued on like a trouper for the rest of his days.
The man lived and breathed comedy and never lost his ability in the development and creation of gags.And of course his masterful directing abilities and knowledge of the camera were unquestionable.
Buster fortunately lived long enough to see a steady resurgence in his popularity and homages from many in the film industry.And his public persona also reached new heights as new generations rediscovered his older films and/or relished his appearances in newer films and on TV.
This book then is a fitting tribute to a legend and one of the GREAT(and I don't use this word lightly) purveyors of screen comedy in the 20th century.
It is first and foremost a pictorial tribute.It is absollutely filled with wonderful photographs,some I have seen but others I have not.
It even has a photo montage of a Buster how-to on creating his trademark pork pie hat.
All this is nicely rounded out with text from the author and most especially his late widow Eleanor.
All in all I recommend this book highly to those who are just discovering this great screen comedy genius.There's no better way to acclimate yourself to his life and career.And to those like myself who have known and adored this mans' work for years,this book should be an essential piece in the Buster Keaton section of your library.

I've always been a little disappointed that Buster Keaton gets overshadowed by stars like Chaplin, mainly because he was more than just a silent comedian. In many ways, he was a daredevil of his time, always doing his own stunts and risking his life on several occasions. In today's Hollywood, what star would've dared let a whole house fall on him and miss by mere inches as Buster does in Steamboat Bill Jr.?? Not even Jackie Chan would've tried that one!

With that in mind, Buster Keaton Remembered is superb at illustrating a lot of the stunts and tricks he used in making his best movies, not to mention the man himself, with some glorious candid and studio photography.

The only real disappointment I found with this book is the text's general lack of depth. Sure, the classic shorts and features are all here. But his later work (post-1940) is generally glossed over. Many intriguing elements are also introduced like the death of one of his gag writers, his unreleased film "Ten Girls Ago", his family becoming part of Buster's films, etc. But in most cases, these are only mentioned in passing and get little analysis or explanation.

But then, Buster Keaton Remembered isn't really meant to be a biography - this is more of a coffee table book. So if you're looking for a stunning pictorial of his life, this is the one to pick up. If you're looking for more detailed insights into the man and his movies, it's time to head for the library.

I recently attended the Ninth annual Buster Keaton Festival in Iola .KS. It was my seventh visit. I met Margaret his Granddaughter and she autographed this book. The book is beautifally done in the vailed quality of the golden movie age. The pictures and story line are truly of love for this man from his wife and "grandaughter". James Karen also was present and received the "Buster". Stone face will be remembered as a common man with photos of him smiling. This is special because he was also a proud grandfather to his granddaughter. For a final tribute visit, Find a grave.com GOD BLESS BUSTER

the photos are worth the price of admission, many i had not seen before as a long time fan of keaton. the text is clear, and not horribly sentimental, which i was afraid to find as the book was co-written by his last wife.

gorgeous. really well done.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Being a fan of Buster, I've read numerous bios, ranging from mediocre to all out hatchet jobs. Students of the "Great Stone Face" will learn a lot, I certainly did. The photographs alone are worth the price of the book, epsecially the "stills" from THE GENERAL, STEAMBOAT BILL JR. and ONE WEEK. Keaton always seems to take the proverbial "back-seat" to Chaplin, but Buster was the better comic, by FAR!!! And, as an added bonus, you can see how Buster and Eleanor made the "pork-pie hats" worn in so many of Keaton's films.

This book is jam packed with great information! As the parent of child actors, I wanted to get the scoop on what casting directors are thinking. On auditions, parents wait in the reception area while their kids meet with casting directors in a separate area. Most of the time, the parents do not meet the casting director at all. So I never really get to see how the process works.

By reading "Casting Qs", I got all of my questions answered, without having to nag my kids for info! The best part is that even after reading the book from cover to cover, I can go back use the book as a reference if my kids have a meeting with one of the CDs interviewed. I think that this book is a MUST READ for any parent of a child actor, seasoned, or just starting out. I wish that I had read it even sooner!

With all the research that has been done for me in this book I've been saved a lifetime. I've just started utilizing some of the words of wisdom gathered and have a new perspective and energy on the industry because of it.

Bonnie Gillespie's "Casting Qs: A Collection of Casting Director Interviews" is the most important book to have on hand if you are an aspiring actor in the entertainment industry. This book has been referred to numerously by myself and my daughter, a child actor. Bonnie's format is non evasive yet to the point - a perfect blend of insight for a new person to this business or a seasoned professional. This book should be in the hands of everyone with a true passion for "making it". Each Casting Director that is featured offers an enormous amount of hits and misses to their daily grind. Anyone wishing to embark on this business would be a fool to ignore the straightforward words from these top casting directors....I give it two thumbs up...but if you ask our whole family (immediate and who have read it) WE give it 10 thumbs up!!!

Bonnie Gillespie's book "Casting Qs" is a totally invaluable resource if you're an actor in LA. Every actor needs a leg up and every casting director is different - how great to have a resource that allows you to differentiate yourself while appealing to the Casting Director's own sensibilities! I go to this book every time I read for a new casting director, and also for ideas on how to gain access to casting directors I don't know yet. It's not what you know, it's who you know - so why not learn how to know the people you need to know? This book helps you do that. One casting director says flat out to send in your headshot with Casting Qs on the outside of the envelope, he'll know you know a little bit about him and he'll take a look at you. I took him up on the offer, and he's serious! But you'll have to buy the book to find out who.

The most fascinating book on auditioning that I've ever read. Nearly 100 casting directors share their thoughts on what they like, hate, and everything else that falls inbetween. The most incredible aspect of it all is how often the casting directors say the same things.

I learned things in this book I wouldn't (and couldn't) have possibly learned without it.

For all you kids out there who picked up a guitar because you wanted to be a Beatle, this book shows you how to do it.

First, be exceedingly talented and charming, then WORK YOUR TAIL OFF! Within these pages is detailed documentation of exactly what the Beatles did to attain, then retain, their unparalleled success.

No other band, save possibly The Ramones, put in more stage time wherever they could, and we all know the results.

Read this book, young musicians, then go out there and do it, for the sake of us music fans.

Thanks to Mr. Lewisohn for this book. We look forward to his multivolume bio.

The Beatles weren't always big,and their was a time actually before Beatle mania.In these times we also didn't always have Ringo star to play drums.We had Pete Best.

The compiled information is outstanding.For a person to gain so much information and archives and list them all in this well priced book is a genious.Very affordable as amatter of fact i picked this up new for $5.99 just awhile ago.

With a well written list of all of The Beatles shows from Livirpool to the USA you can expect the same amoutn of quality info in each segment.The back of the book features a list/guide to all the Beatles albums and a well summed up list of al their songs.(OR so we believe)All the information found in this book is accurate never having to worry of fasle news paper clippings or romours that spread amongst those days.Cool little tid bits of info float all over the book and some well done photos.

This is truley for the Beatle fan in all of us craving that little bit of nerdiness wondering about everything they ever did.Or to some one who wants a well written chronological ordered book of the Beatles in general.Big fan or newcomer this is just right for you.

This is the best book to twin the Anthology Book.
You can get your PhD in Beatle Arts, studying this bible.
However, I rated it just 4 stars because the cover portrait says "The Complete Beatles Chronicle" and the picture below makes you think they were a duet (John & Paul). This is a huge and annoying mistake.

Mark Lewisohn has collected some great Beatles info that every fan should know. Every live performance, recording session, and even mixing dates are included here, in this fine publication. Belongs on everyone's Beatles bookshelf.

I borrowed The Complete Beatles Chronicle from the library hoping to get more info on the making of the White Album (my favorite). But, because of how well the book is written, I wound up starting from the beginning.

This book is interesting because it doesn't miss the big picture. At the beginning of each year is a concise chronicle of what happen that year and its significance. One needn't get bogged down in the details. Just read the first few pages of each chapter for a good overview.

But, if you read the whole account, you'll discover the true genius of the four lads from Liverpool and how they somehow managed to create high-quality songs in between appearances on TV shows, sitting in on radio broadcasts, making movies, going on far-flung concert tours and dealing with mobs of desperate Beatlemaniacs.

Some of this data must be conjecture (even though it's not presented as such). For example, unless it was revealed in an interview, how would the author know that Billy Preston was brought into the Get Back sessions in order to break the tension within the group.

Still, it's an easy read filled with facts. I must now buy this book. So should you.

[DW]

As an actress and a writer I was thrilled that this book helped me out in both fields. You get great ideas/inspiration for characters to write and great tips and tricks for acting out very specific characters. It's also quite great how the author talks about "types" of actors and characters and knowing yourself well enough to know who you will pull off well. I found myself discovering things about myself, not only as an actress, but as a person, which can only help in my portrayal of certain characters! Great read!

The "Eight Characters of Comedy" by Scott Sedita was absolutely fantastic! The book was incredibly informative to a writer and an actor, but also gives the audience/reader such an insight to how tv shows and film are created. It's a wonderful book. I recommend it to all!

I mean, seriously. Someone FINALLY sat down and wrote a book that deconstructs all the different characters (there's 8, by the way) that appear in comedy, sitcoms specifically. Sedita manages to set forth a simple, concise, easy-to-read (AND understand) method to determining, from an acting standpoint, WHICH character you are (I'm, surprisingly, a "lovable loser" and not, as I had hoped and dreamed, a "womanizer"), and which specific traits are most often and commonly associated with PLAYING these characters ("hopeful" and "optimistic" are two big ones for the "lovable loser"). I can only begin to tell you how incredibly helpful this book has been in my audition preparation and my character creation. If you've ever thought about acting, especially in comedy, PICK UP THIS BOOK!

Now I truly understand comedic timing! Sedita is a master at communicating the true technique of the comedic actor and how to apply it to your performance. I learned more from this book about acting than any other acting book I have read. He writes in simple straight forward terms that any actor can use to improve their performance and truly makes you respect the great comedic actors of our time. Thanks Scott!

Scott Sedita's Eight Characters of Comedy provides the actor and/or writer wonderful tools for making sit-com characters come alive! All artists interested in the world of sit-com will benefit from this book! And it's fun to read, too - Unique and incredibly insightful!

I love these Official Guides for the X-Files. They tell the entire episode in just enough detail if you may have missed something or have not paid enough attention. They also have the "Backstory" so you could find out information you ay never have even heard of. They have quotes from the fabulous stars. I just wish they would have had more from and about the stars. Bt other than that they are fabulous. I have my rating as 5 stars but because of this I would pick four and a half if I could. They tell everything you need to know and more about the greatest show to ever air!

I love this book,I especially like the behind the scenes stuff, it's great.I recommend this book to anyone who is the biggest fan in the world to the show like me.It has a great picture of David Duchovny in front of the mirror (very cute). I have almost all of season 6 on tape so it was very interesting to read the behind the scenes stuff and see how they made the episode.I have all of season 7 on tape so I can't wait for the next book to come out.I am running out of blank tapes!

I admit to being a X-Files addict, and so this was necessary to try to understand the show. It, and its previous 1 through 4, have made my interest in the X-files grow as I finally got clues and tremendous answers in reviews and stories from many missed episodes. A lot of work obviously went into these books, and I wait eagerly for volume 6.

The End and The Beginning is just another great book in a great collection. It is one of the most descriptive guides yet, with great color photos and a play by play look at each episode from season 6. If you are a true X-phile, this book is a necessity. This is a great look at the series while Scully and Mulder were still on the same planet, so to speak.

This is definitely a must-have for any X-Phile, especially if you missed an important episode of Season 6. It contains a detailed summary of every episode in a mini novel-like form, with commentary about that episode. It's also great to have if you desperately want to view a Season 6 episode, but you didn't tape it. In this book, you can READ the episode. I know it's not the same as watching it, but it's something. And for all you 'Shippers like me out there, you can re-live all the greatest 'Shipper moments, like in the episode "Triangle."--the famous kiss, and Mulder's famous "I love you" line to Scully. And let's not forget the part in "The Unnatural" where Mulder teaches her how to play baseball, or in "Dreamland" where Mulder dances in front of the mirror while in the body of Morris Fletcher.

The book also contains colorful photos commemorating every unforgetful moment of the season. Now I can't wait for the next volume. I'm one of the unfortunate people who missed the Season 7 finale, where Mulder gets abducted and Scully announces to Skinner that she's pregnant . . .

This is a very well written and engaging biography of one of the most incredible musicians of all time. Totally worth it!

This will probably be one of my shorter reviews [A sudden shout: "Yeah, right Doc!"] because I can quickly cut to the chase, to wit, Dr. Alan Walker has produced in this painstakingly researched 3 volume biography [spread out over 25 years during the research] with this 1811-1847 book being the first in that series, the 'definitive' Franz Liszt! This trilogy is a must read for those interested in Liszt and, IMO, is not only the definitive Liszt from "the" acknowledged authority and foremost Franz Liszt scholar but a decided asset to the Liszt biographical literature per se.

Two more comments: Watch the Amazon vendor prices for the 'hardcover' editions! Originally, these were rather pricey books in hardcover [although well worth it! Knopf quality!] but I was able to get 'used' albeit literally mint hardcover editions of the 3 volumes from 3 separate Amazon vendors. What's that? Sure! The original harcover editions were, in order of publication, $25.00, $39.95 and $45.00. I'll generally check out the hardcover offerings over the paperback editions in most of my books and sometimes there are some really exceptional buys out there although if it's a choice between 'good' and 'very good' pay the few dollars extra for the 'very good' or 'like new' grade notations.

Finally, check out among other of Dr. Walker's tomes on Franz Liszt, "The Death of Franz Liszt: Based on the Unpublished Diary of his Pupil Lina Schmalhausen" which is quite an eye-opener with regard to the "treatment" [or lack of same therein] of Liszt prior to his demise. As I said when I reveiewed that book, I trust the source of the diary find as well as the findings and its editing, annotations and examination via Dr. Walker as to the veracity of the Schmalhausen remarks. I quoted the remarks of the conductor, Felix Weingartner, who was 'there' at the time and his own observations [et al] lend credence to the Schmalhausen diary.

So too, and if finances permit and you want Franz Liszt a la mode, get the 3 volumes in one swoop plus the Lina Schmalhausen diary book which was edited and annotated by Dr. Walker in re the death of Liszt and finally, putting it all together, the 2005 published Dr. Alan Walker 'capstone', if you will, "Reflections on Liszt." See my reviews on those two tomes as well.

Doc Tony


What's that? Why not! Doc Walker with a straight white haired wig resurrecting Steve Allen's "Meeting of Minds" and doing the one and only "F. Liszt" as a sort of latter day counter-balance to Victor Borge's 'interpretation' so to speak in that classic Mike Wallace skit! Who better than Doc Walker to play Liszt and concurrently know what he's talking about! Ahhhh! That's the rather cogent difference!

A sudden voice: "What about Doc Walker's Chopin and Schumann tomes?" Fine! They could be played next! ;-) [as I place much trust in Dr. Walker's sense of humor! But the obvious compliment of his research is clearly evident!]

As a music student in the 70's the subtext when discussing Franz Liszt was that he was a showman who leaned on his empty virtuosity. Chopin, Mendelssohn, and Schumann on the other hand, were the true romantic artists.

It's taken me over 35 years of studying piano and music to get to the point where I would read this wonderful biography of Liszt, and my eyes have been opened even wider about the wonderful artistic character of Liszt and his completely indespensible role in 19th century music.

This book (I have all three) is a wonderful read, at some times it is "laugh out loud" funny, and is filled with musical examples that perfectly illustrate the points that Mr. Walker makes.

If you are a musician interested in the piano, or the Romantic period, you owe it to yourself to let the scales fall from your eyes, and read this enlightening exposition.

Alan Walker deserves 5 enthusiastic stars for making his life's purpose the writing of Franz Liszt's definitive biography, and succeeding nearly as well as humanly possible considering the availability of the always-emerging Liszt materials throughout the years. For me, I would have liked to have seen an even more musically-oriented life of Liszt. More than a few times, Walker mentions that eyewitness accounts exist of important concerts, only to refer us in a footnote to some person's diary (probably only available in some Transylvanian dialect if you could ever find it) rather than telling us about it himself. Meanwhile we're treated to almost painfully detailed renderings of Franz's love life with Marie D'Agoult and the many domestic dramas which haunted him as his pursued his life on the concert trail... but these are minor quibbles. The book is great, no doubt about it. Poor Liszt, he was the busiest piano virtuoso in history at that time, traveling in various carriages and carts across thousands of miles of potholed roads where he was jolted mercilessly and endured illness, exhaustion, rain, mud, snow and ice while he raced to his next gig. He was literally thrown to the ground violently at least twice, when wheels dipped into ditches or the drivers fell asleep and the whole carriage overturned. (It's sad and sobering to realize that this is exactly how the original bassist for the rock group Metallica, Cliff Burton, was killed more than 150 years later on a lonely road in Sweden. He was sleeping on the band's tour bus when it overturned. In a similar accident, singer Gloria Estefan was lucky to escape with her life.) Somehow, despite these gritty and dangerous travel conditions, Liszt performed a grueling succession of mostly triumphant concerts everywhere from Italy to Scotland to Russia before he decided he had been bounced around quite enough thank you, and settled down to compose and teach in Weimar, where Volume two of this epic biography begins. Towards the end of Volume 1, I began to feel as if author Walker's spark was fading slightly. And lo and behold, as I began reading Volume 2, I was very pleasantly surprised to see that the intervening years in which the author was researching the next installment had allowed him to completely recharge his batteries, and present part 2 to the public with a fully-renewed sense of brilliance, wit, and passion for his subject matter. Highly recommended reading for biography buffs interested in great musicians and composers!

This is simply the standard of Liszt biography. The fact that Alan Walker researched enough to fill three volumes is an achievement enough, but you know what else makes this biography so good? It's fun to read. Without a doubt, anyone interested in Liszt will find anecdotes, insights, illuminated facts, and even musical analysis of the most colorful and exciting character in classical music: Franz Liszt.

I've read this book twice, actually, and the second time was even more enjoyable. This owes to many things: Alan Walker's superb writing style, eloquent organization (gives the pedantics many footnotes to absorb at the bottom of the page) and a fine cohesion of thoughts and ideas put into each chapter. Sometimes I can't help but enjoy the biography as I would a novel. Yet Walker does not write it like a novel and clearly sets out to chronicle Liszt's life from his youth all the way to his retiring from the concert stage. In between these pivotal times, Walker manages to debunk myths, explore Liszt's underrated music from his virtuoso days, and examine other characters who interacted with the Hungarian composer. Walker is always focused on Liszt but never detracts by discussing Clara and Robert Schumann's reactions, or Sigismond Thalberg, Chopin and even Alkan. Walker depicts their perspective of Liszt and goes on to explain why there were so many misunderstandings.

Stories of Liszt's true meeting with Beethoven, his exciting romance with Marie D'Agoult, the duel with Thalberg, his generous nature to play for charity, and so many enticing stories of his concert days all help to shed light on what a remarkable man Liszt was, and at such a young age, too. The whole book is an exquisite panorama of Liszt's character, detailed through his letters, his travels, his music, and his legacy as researched by the author. What Walker has done is set the standard for the way Liszt should be viewed in the history books. For so long, musicologists were almost feeding us false information. From the really low ones we were even getting propaganda that he was a womanizer, a cheat, some kind of vulgar pianist, and even a fraud. Walker candidly mauls those old and incorrect views into the dust; he explores and accurately dispels the myths and ignorance that so many people harbored and still harbor for him, and for that I feel thankful.

Never have I read a biography twice like this and found the second reading even more engrossing. There is never a dull moment, never a chapter that slows down. To be fair, the only chapter that was uninteresting was the prologue and biographical information of Liszt's family. Despite that, once you're absorbed into Liszt's young world with Czerny, his move to Paris, and his tours all over Europe, it's like being on a rollercoaster ride during the whole book.

Bottom line: Liszt lovers must read this book; it's the best wealth of knowledge to get on the young Franz Liszt and it is written in a way that doesn't just educate, but also entertains. Highly recommended.

A fun read wrapped around insights into the world of DC politics and the television news biz. Interesting plot,clever asides and enough suggestions of how government actually works to make one wonder. A variety of characters make appearances and give added interest to the book. Jennifer Beth Oko does work as a TV news producer so she has in depth knowledge of her subject. Read it!!

Loved it. Well-drawn characters and a well-constructed plot. Protagonist is human, vulnerability and an accidental perfect sleuth. Throw in an insider's tell-all about the vapid news morning scene and a little international intrigue, and this is a fun book! Highly recommended.

I read Jennifer Oko's first book, Lying Together, years ago. That book was a frank memoir of her life and romances in Russia. With Gloss, she shows she can write fiction as well as she writes nonfiction! The rumor is she's got another book on the way. Don't keep us waiting too long, Jennifer!

Jennifer writes what she knows very well. With her being in the TV show industry, you know she has seen many interesting and humorous things. It just seems natural for her to write a book that takes place in the TV morning show industry.

The leading character, Annabelle, is a producer of one of those very popular and highly competitive early morning shows. Jennifer illustrates the hard work Annabelle does, how she puts up with difficult personalities, egos, and treated like a 2nd class citizen at times.

Out of the blue, the big boss from way up top appoints her to produce a story about cosmetic relief for a refugee camp overseas. The pressure is on for her to produce and outstanding story.

Naturally, Annabelle does some digging. It's her job to do so after all. The more digging she does, the more things become obscure. Her tenacity gets the better of her as she suspects some wrong doing is involved regarding this cosmetic relief project.

Annabelle is not satisfied with getting answers the conventional way. She takes matters in her own hands in getting to the bottom of the story and exposing the ugly truth. She has many setbacks and hardships during her adventure to expose the truth in which includes prison time where she befriends an amusing character that acts as her mentor and keeps her moral up. Annabelle also has a couple of good friends with some quirky personalities on the outside supporting her theory.

The whole time Annabelle is searching for the truth, she makes every news headline throwing off the ratings and putting the newscaster's careers at stake of the very TV show she is employed with. The reactions of the camera talent are humorous and totally believable.

Annabelle goes from being a peon to one with leverage in her favor. She uses it for all it's worth and takes you to hell and back.

Great reading, Jennifer Oko!

Intrigue on a morning news show? Not at all what New York producer Annabelle Kapner could have ever imagined when she produced a human interest story on a cosmetic industry plan to create jobs for women in the refugee camps of the Middle East. Well, it had gotten her a date with the ultra sexy and most eligible bachelor in Washington, D.C., political speechwriter, Mark Thurber along with a small taste of being in the limelight, but nothing to prepare her for what was to come. After some very weird phone messages and e-mails Annie began to realize her report was about to change her life and not necessarily for the better! Researching later for a follow-up segment on the cosmetic story Annie would be arrested by Homeland Security when found snooping in the wrong office at the wrong time landing her in cell block 6 in Federal Prison.

*** In a fresh and witty new look at the real deal behind a stereotypical news station, Jennifer Oko, a real life producer on one of Americas top news shows not only pokes fun, but also reveals the shady dealings networks war over getting the major ratings. Written primarily in the first person, with a self deprecating sense of humor the reader will find themselves chuckling throughout the story bringing to life some truly funny stereotypical news people from the witchy morning diva Faith Heide, to beleaguered executive producers, as well as some of the underhanded ways `bookers' attempt to procure guests. Not only will you find some hilarious moments with Annie but her Slavic smart-mouth cell-mate Galina, who actually slaps sense into Annie, will have you rolling on the floor. It also delivers a thoughtful look at how one must balance ratings over journalistic integrity. Presented in a smartly well-written, off-the-cuff style, Oko writes a novel both genders will get a kick out of in this "Glossgate" tale full of intrigue, political corruption and hilarious inmate humor. While the coverup behind the lip gloss, the horror of the testing, and the motive behind it adds to the conflict, the behind the scenes revelations have given this reader a better appreciation of my favorite Morning news shows. Witty and entertaining, this delicious debut is a recommended read for all.

Marilyn Rondeau, RIO - Reviewers International Organization