Reviews Books

I recommend this book to any nursing student who feels lost in Patho class! I walked out of lecture one day and I was so frustrated that I drove straight to the bookstore. This book breaks it down so that you can understand in plain old English. Its great to read before going to lecture and it really helped me with my first exam! I got an A! Trust me, if you want to understand Patho, get this book!

This is an excellent book to purchase. I wish I had it in nursing school. Way to go Marlene Hurst!!!

I love that it breaks down alot of information into bite size, digestible size for the brain!

I bought this book, along Kael's 5001 NIGHTS AT THE MOVIES (capsule reviews) and its sister collection DEEPER INTO MOVIES as a used book b/c it's out-of-print(!), after getting into an online discussion about movies...and realizing the "critics" being bruited about were Red Reed and Ain't It Cool News! When I mentioned Kael, who I'd read in THE NEW YORKER from the mid-Seventies through the Nineties along with owning copies of all her collections up to REELING from my college days, I got a lot of "Who's she, anyway?" Since my college collection of Kael paperbacks had long since succumbed to age or being lost while moving, I realized it was past time to start repurchasing them.

Simply put, Pauline Kael ranks alongside James Agee, Manny Farber, Dorothy Parker, Andrew Sarris and Frank Rich as one of the greatest American critics of the Twentieth Century. Unlike too many "movie reviewers" who think a snappy quip is all that's required, Kael gave intense analysis even to films she disliked intensely, so that her judgements were highly nuanced and thought through. Her insight into the shift in filmmaking and film consumption in the mid-late Twentieth Century, coupled with understanding of earlier movie eras, helps clarify the Sixties American switch from "movies" to "cinema"...and back again during the Reagan Eighties. She was a lifelong "movie lover" with the intelligence to comprehend the meaning of nonmainstream "cinema" - and the wisdom to know when its praise was earned, and when it was just pseudointellectual cliquishness.

This first collection is, in many ways, Kael's most "critique-y", containing a series of long articles on topics like the growing "cinerati" fondness for films with oblique narratives like LAST YEAR AT MARIENBAD or LA NOTTE ("Zeitgeist and Poltergeist"), the "deep cinema" movies that were in their way as fraudulent as Hollywood's worst ("Fantasies of the Art House Audience"), and even a lengthy swipe at McCarthyism's corruption of Hollywood which should be required reading for Ann Coulter and every other "HUAC apologist" ("Morality Plays Right and Left"). There are also witty and thoughtful reviews of both "arthouse" and popular films of the mid-Fifties through mid-Sixties.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough - and I urge some US publisher to reprint her entire ouerve, and Amazon to "Kindleize" her work so that a new generation can appreciate the greatness of spirit that was Pauline Kael.

Pauline Kael was a prophet of the times: she knew that people would eventually be addicted to the movies. But she was perceptive enough to realize from the onset that this addiction went beyond the inescapable, because grippingly overwhelming, magic of storytelling. She understood that movies were addictive because not only do they take on a life of their own, they also created a world of their own --- cult worship, technology wizardry, critical discourse, the vagaries of box-office results, and all that jazz. These Ms. Kael grasped, and armed with her stylish wit and whip, she rallied on to the cultural battlefronts of what would turn out to be our multi-media age. This book is therefore a must-read, because beyond the disparate individual movie reviews, Ms. Kael allows us to appreciate the intellectual and moral landscape of our times. She shows us that behind things are the more important scheme of things. For her, the reel is for real. And these days, who can say it isn't so

I grew up reading Pauline Kael's reviews, mostly by walking to the public library in the small town where I grew up -- I'd snag the New Yorker off the shelf and immerse myself in what she had to say about movies, many of which would never come to my town. But I was enthralled.

I love her reviews now for the same reason I loved them then -- she makes me want to see the movies she writes about. And more than that, she makes me want to see movies, period. Her passion for the medium -- even when she doesn't like a film -- is contagious, and she expresses it beautifully.

Surprisingly to me, in these early reviews she frequently quotes the reviews of other critics and then mercilessly takes apart what they have said. She particularly has it in for the New York Times' Bosley Crowther, but she doesn't let others off the hook easily, either.

Kael is fun to read, even if you haven't seen the movie she is talking about. I've never seen "The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone", though I have seen "Suddenly Last Summer" -- both based on works of Tennessee Williams. But Kael's 1961 review of "Mrs. Stone" is a hilarious read. In one part, she says:

"The men who filmed 'The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone' seem to think the idea of an aging woman seeking companionship and love so daring and unusual that they fumble around with it almost as much as the doctor in the screen version of 'Suddenly, Last Summer', who couldn't seem to cope with the simple facts of Sebastian's homosexuality and kept saying, 'You DON'T mean THAT?'-- 'No, it CAN'T be THAT?' -- 'WHAT are you saying?' -- 'What do you MEAN?' I assumed the youngest child in the audience would get the point before he did. By trying so diligently to make Mrs. Stone so sympathetic and understandable the director and writer, Jose Quintero and Gavin Lambert, kill all interest in her. We could accept a woman buying love, but why make her haggle over it?"

Kael is hilarious, maddening, and most of all, thought-provoking. And if you love movies, she'll make you love them more.

The best thing about this book is that it tips you off to sites you never knew existed and would have never found otherwise. I consider myself pretty web savvy, and yet I discovered sites that are fun and useful and whose existence was a pleasant surprise. Also, the book is very funny and has a great attitude.

The iFilm Internet Movie Guide by IFILM.com editor-in-chief Lew Harris is a trailblazing, comprehensive guide to the best films, film sites, review sites, celebrity shrines, and movie-related gossip on the Internet. Perhaps most unique of all, it reviews and directs websurfers to short films that are available 24 hours a day on the Internet for all to see, for free! An absolute "must" for movie buffs and have access to the Internet, The iFilm Internet Movie Guide may be the first book of its kind but it certainly won't be the last!

I got this book as a gift from a friend. I had very low expectations. I pride myself on having a rather large list of entertainment url bookmarks. Boy, was I surprised!! And impressed. The book starts off with the best 50 short films to watch on the Web--for FREE. There are the best in animation, spoofs, sci-fi, celebrity stuff, comedy, drama etc. I especially liked the "underground" sites, hip review sites (rotten tomatos), Sexiest sites, and other movie stuff. The interviews were fairly irreverent and fun. There is even a professional Appendix of the best screenwriter sites, filmmaking sites, producing sites and other somewhat professional places to go. It is just my guess, but there are probably close to 500 or more legitmate entertainment sites described in this book--way more than I ever imagined or have time to fully check out. very browsable. Thanks for the gift--I've had hours of pleasure. Broadband makes this book much better

Easy to carry, easy to use and easy to look-up. Organization in the book serves its purpose for medical students, residents, specialists, etc. Great amount of information in a page.

This book has been a great resource. The "in a page" format is accessible and easy to learn from. The information is correct and very thorough, but not overwhelming.

This book has been a great resource. The "in a page" format is accessible and easy to learn from. The information is correct and very thorough, but not overwhelming.

I read this book, and it totaly helped me! I started my film, and learned so much from this book.

The author must be some sort of g-d! He anwered nearly everyone of my questions. It actually changed the way i've been shooting.

Thanks! If only you'll write some more books!

I found Mr Garon's book to be direct, informative and easy to read without losing any of the details. This had all the information of a definitive text while being an easy read. I was eagerly awaiting his book, it did not disappoint.

Filmmaking is a leap of faith. A lot of people assume someone else will solve all the paperwork problems when distributions is locked. Unfortunately, if your paperwork is not in order and you can't furnish deliverables, you run the risk of losing the distro deal. Deliverables- what you provide to a distributor so they can do their job of marketing your movie- begin at the screenwriting stage.

If you are totally do it yourself and willing to make investments on yourself, why would you leave legalities to the VERY end when you have no choice (at least at the start you have the option of NOT hiring someone if they won't sign an actors release, avoiding a location if the owner won't sign. There's no "getting away" with anything.) This is stuff you hear about in film school, but it doesn't sink in until you experience the limitations caused by putting off the paperwork.

Author Jon Garon provides a legal book that is inclusive of all filmmakers, including no budget guerilla filmmakers. Even books that deal with guerilla filmmaking tend to gloss over the pertinent details that relate to Do-it-yourself-ers. He has some beautiful words of respect for guerilla filmmakers, too. That this is a law and business guide makes it a must have for anyone thinking about making a movie, be it for no money or millions.

This is the first book I've read that goes indepth as to the protections of a sole-proprietor vs. sole-Proprietor LLC (if your state allows it). I set up the LLC today, following his instructions. Took 10 minutes, online. Even went to the irs.gov for the employer id Number. He explains the risks of partnerships, and how you can unwittingly enter a partnership if you and your pals don't set forth an agreement at the start.

Financing is everyone's biggest complaint. This book explores the conventional and alternative financing models (investors vs. disposable income vs. debt financing/credit cards), and goes one better as to compare the risks and rewards of each. The golden quote is "I have never heard of anyone who has gambled her house on a film and won."

He even breaks down setting up your company and chain of command, running your company, working out deferrals and how those are paid back, and all sorts of issues you need to know but otherwise wouldn't think of. This book also includes info on contracts, actor and location releases, and music permissions.

Granted, this doesn't include a lot of boiler plate. But Mark Litwak has books for that. However, this book bests Litwak in the realm of detail and why certain provisions really matter. This book empowers the filmmaker to understand business and contracts, what to ask for, what to avoid, and so much more. This is a critical book to own. Particularly if you're broke. So get it!

This excellent novel by Howells is a May-December love story. Middle-aged Theodore Colville falls in love with young and pretty Imogene Graham. The relationship borders on the ridiculous, but it's only when Imogene falls for a younger man that Colville calls it all off. One wonders what took him so long. The dialogue, especially when Colville is involved, crackles with wit. This is Howells's own favorite of his novels. It is extremely entertaining, one of Howells's very best books, and one of the best novels on the American bookshelf, regardless of time period.

When you think of chroniclers of love, life and American society during the Gilded Age, you automatically think of Henry James and Edith Wharton.

But while W.D. Howells never quite reached their levels of prominence, his similar works are full of quiet introspection and evocative, vivid prose reminiscent of Wharton at her best. And "Indian Summer" is one of his better works -- a lush, colorful exploration of 19th-century Florence, and a love triangle of Americans who are taking a prolonged vacation there.

After a disastrous career loss, Theodore Colville is vacationing in Florence, and promptly begins a massive midlife crisis. But he perks up after encountering Lina Bowen, a widowed ex-flame of his who is also staying in Florence with her young daughter Effie. And at a party that evening, Lina introduces him to the young, vivacious Imogene Graham.

Soon Colville is squiring Effie and Imogene around Florence, and even taking all three women out to the carnival. Naturally, Imogene develops a crush on the kind, cynical Colville -- but her innocent liking alarms Lina, who still is carrying a flame for him, and Imogene's well-intentioned errors tie her in society's web. Noow Colville must decide what he wants most, and which woman truly loves him.

At heart, "Indian Summer" is basically an exploration of a love triangle between an older man, a slightly younger woman, and a girl young enough to be his daughter. That's a delicate situation at the best of times, but this was also the Gilded Age -- codes of conduct were strict, and feelings were expressed in a dance of words and gestures rather than outward displays.

But to frame the story, Howells creates an elaborate portrait of how wealthy Americans lived and saw Europe. In between parties and meditative conversations, there are vivid looks at the Florence of the time -- he fills it with dusty chapels, quiet hostels, walks in the rain, meditations in cafes, gorgeous old buildings and a wildly indulgent carnival full of masked flirtations.

And all this is painted with a lush, detailed style that walks the fine line between sensuality and propriety. Like Imogene, it's full of passion and beauty, but not enough to get swept away. But also through the book is a sense of autumnal regret about youth's passage and the question of what happens after that.

Most of that midlife crisis angst comes from Colville, who has just suffered a public humiliation and had to sell the paper he once ran. So unsurprisingly he's a bit depressed, and ends up being inadvertently torn between the affections of two women -- one is his equal in every way, and the other makes him feel old, yet he likes her youthful vibrancy. Lina is a fairly solid character, but Imogene's naive delight in Florence and in an older man's friendship is excellent.

"Indian Summer" in Florence is apparently a pretty nice time to be there, unless you are locked in a love triangle of manners and hidden feelings. A lushly-written look back to a much more complicated time.

An American middle-aged man returns to Florence, Italy - the scene of a heartbreaking romance twenty years earlier. There he meets an old friend from those days, her daughter, and her twenty year old female protege. Slowly a surprising romantic relationship develops; but is it really what both people want? Great dialogue, wonderful character development, and a happy ending.

What fun! Humorist Wodehouse was near, perhaps at his best when he wrote ARCHIE. The humor is gentle and old fashioned by modern lights, but loses nothing in the telling, as Wodehouse spins his fiction and observes the social landscape of this, his adopted country.

In addition to an avid enjoyment of the Drones, Jeeves, golf, and Mulliner tales, I find I am developing a marked taste for Wodehouse's light novels. Everything he touches, it seems, turns to laughter. Other places the commedia del arte takes place in motion picture studios, on cruise ships, at resorts on the French Riviera, but here the venue is the Hotel Cosmopolis, drawn, no doubt, from his observations of New York nightlife. And here's Archie, a good-hearted, bumbling Brit out to seek his fortune in the colonies. And of course he met a girl while vacationing. And of course she's a millionaire's daughter. And of course said millionaire is proprietor of said hotel. Does it sound like a formula? Right ho! a formula for fun. Richard Usborne says this book is a lot of stiched together stories. But so what? Ukridge is a lot of not stiched together stories. This book introduces one of Wodehouse's best heroines, Lucille, as the power behind the throne of the Lucy/Archie axis, together pitted against her anti-Archie father. How can you not order it?

Poor Archie! Trying to win his stern old father-in-law over, only to land himself in deeper trouble! Getting locked out of his artist friend's apartment in a scarlet bathrobe, and many more such money-making schemes gone haywire, including those to get his f-in-law's approval. The portrait gone awry, and the shoes left outside the door.... Oh no! I'm not going to tell you anymore, you just must read this, and you'll find yourself laughing uncontrollably wondering how you ever thought the world was a drab place! With Wodehouse, there is always laughter in the world!

Mary Hinds' Infinite Elvis: An Annotated Bibliography offers her readers a precise measurement of the impact Elvis Presley has had on the American popular culture both as a performer and as an icon. The informative, reader friendly text is enhanced with more than 1,700 verified entries ranging from biographies to discographies, fiction to travel guides, poetry to comic books, major articles to dissertations. Here documented are his concerts, his eating habits, posthumous Elvis sightings, how his death changed the media's treatment of celebrities, even how a new religion devoted to Elvis emerged to become part of mainstream America. Infinite Elvis is essential reading and a very highly recommended reference for all personal, academic, and community library popular culture, music history, and Elvis Presley reference collections.

If you could buy only one Elvis book, this is the one. Far more than just a listing of the books on Elvis, it is a great study of American culture and how we reacted to Elvis.

One of the most intelligent and well-written books about Elvis Presley. Hinds proves her theory - that Elvis is one of the most impactful individuals in the last half of the 20th century - in a thorough, effective manner that is entertaining as well. Her writing is a delight to read! She covers every aspect of Elvis' impact through almost everything that has ever been written about him. Very useful, as well as fun to read.

I found this book to help me with studying for the differences between prokaryotes and eukaryotes.

The virus section was also very helpful for my college microbiology class.

For test preparation I used also "Microbiology Study Guide: Key Review Questions and Answers" also on Amazon. (author Patrick Leonardi.) This study guide showed me the type of questions asked by college professors of microbiology. This helped a lot because now I knew what to expect.

However, a good knowledge source like "Instant Notes in Microbiology" provided a very good way to first learn the facts.

"Instant Notes in Microbiology" is a cheap and cheerful alternative to the proliferation of glossy microbiology textbooks which the North American market has spawned over the last decade. If cheap and cheerful puts you off, it shouldn't. The book is comprehensive, well written, well illustrated (in black and white), and importantly, reasonably priced. Unashamedly concentrating on a non-medical approach to microbiology (although medical microbiology is covered as well), the book lives up to it's title and presents a wide range of material concisely in an extended note format.
So what's the downside? I wonder if students can be weaned away from the Technicolor extravaganzas which compete for their attention, or if lecturers can be persuaded to adopt this minimalist volume as opposed to the competition? Also, while this is an excellent introduction to microbiology, to progress to a deeper understanding of specific topics, students will need to be persuaded to undertake extra reading and research. As we know, back to basics can have it's pitfalls, but put to the purpose for which it is intended, this is the most useful microbiology textbook it has been my pleasure to read for many years.....

I have been traditionally schooled as a molecular biologist and had not dealt with microbiology since an intro course in college. When a new job landed me in a bacterial research lab, I panicked. This book has provided me with a great review of microbiology and prompted me to remember things I didn't know that I knew! The text is clearly stated and easy to understand. There are many cross references to other sections of the book which help to tie concepts together in a quick and concise manner. The diagrams are well drawn and very concise. I would recommend this book for those who have had some micro, but feel the need to brush up on the basic concepts.

Of the numerous medical texts I have, this one is unique. It is a quick and detailed resource that helps bridge Subjective and Objective data into a coherent Assessment and Plan. I look forward to the other books in this series.

This is one of the most user-friendly, comprehensive resources I've come across in many years and is quickly making its way towards the top of my "must have" recommendations list. The way that it is organized makes it easy to accurately diagnose. Because it addresses all relevant issues and conditions that may present, it ensures a proper work-up. A fantastic resource!

This is a great and superbly laid out book. Whether you are still in school or just want to use it as a quick refresher, this book will assist you and help improve your diagnostic skills.