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Arts and Entertainment Books sorted by Average customer review: high to low .

Arts and Entertainment
Bruce Springsteen on Tour: 1968-2005
Published in Hardcover by Bloomsbury USA (2006-10-03)
Author: Dave Marsh
List price: $39.95
New price: $13.98

Average review score:

Beautiful and interesting!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-08-26
An interesting tale of how a talented musician struggled to become the best rock artist the world has ever seen. Accompanied by a lot of pictures from his career it's truly a beautiful book.

Nice Finisher
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-02-16
"On Tour" is the perfect complement/finisher to Marsh's "Two Hearts". It fills in the gaps through the Devils & Dust Tour. The verbage is light & the pictures vivid. Fan or not, it's worth the read. Nothing compares to seeing him live, but it follows the energy as well as it can.

Great book for the Springsteen fan
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-01-07
Bought book as a christmas present for my boss who is a Springsteen Fan. He is going to put it on his coffee table with his other favorite rock star books. Great pics....

Great for your Springsteen super fan
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 5 total.
Review Date: 2007-01-21
Purchased as a gift for an all time super fan of Springsteen. He loved the book. A must have for any Springsteen fan.

As a huge Springsteen fan, I devoured this book and begged for more.
Helpful Votes: 7 out of 7 total.
Review Date: 2007-11-23
Dave Marsh is not what you'd call an unbiased journalist. Nor should he be. He is basically the official Springsteen biographer, and his previous books have documented his rise (the first book), then his popular explosion (his second book), which have been collated in the terrific "Two Hearts".
Here, he provides a tour-by-tour analysis/memoir/scrapbook of the career of Bruce Springsteen.

I am a huge Springsteen fan. Just huge. I devoured this book and begged for more.

There are literally hundreds of killer little details that will delight anyone who has seen a Springsteen show. If this book is given to a Springsteen fan who by chance has not yet seen him live, it will make them want to donate a kidney to do so.

The most frequent comments I internally made while reading this tome were "I wish I was there", or " I wish that would come out on CD or DVD", or "That must have been amazing" and usually ending with " I must find a way to get tickets to his next concert!"

No other musician could have a book like this. Many of his beloved onstage stories are reproduced here. Accounts of particularly historic shows (The Bottom Line, The Roxy, Nassau, the Coliseum), guest performers (Ronnie Spector, his mom requesting an encore)...the way he went from band tours to solo shows...

Bottom line (no pun intended) is that this is a mandatory purchase for any Bruce fan!

Arts and Entertainment
David Lean: A Biography
Published in Hardcover by St. Martin's Press (1996-08-15)
Author: Kevin Brownlow
List price: $40.00
New price: $9.49
Used price: $7.44
Collectible price: $40.00

Average review score:

Educational Treatment of Lean and His Films
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-08-22
Brownlow's massive biography does a very good job of painting a comprehensive picture of the great Lean--arrogant, demanding, selfish, and absolutely brilliant first as an editor and then as a director. Lean had no patience for what did not forward the story, and his movies were the better for it. One gets the impression, however, that the same was true for individuals in his life who did not help him achieve his own goals.

A bit clunky at times in regards to readability, this is still a first rate book. The sections on Brief Encounter, the Dickens' films of the 40s, and Lawrence are excellent.

The story of how directing a moment
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2006-04-29

This extraordinary biography by Kevin Brownlow, reflects the life and inspiration of one of the great artist in movie screen history.
Page by page, we can take a look along the David Lean?s mind and the way he was inspired by the subjects and the way a big project became alive.
From the black and white to the beautiful color, from the photography created by Frederic (Freddie)Young to his partnership with Maurice Jarr? and the insistence from Lean to
compose the exact music for Doctor Zhivago.
Every important film, such Zhivago, The bridge on the river Kwai and Lawrence of Arabia, were written through many chapters and the conception of those films as unique, the casting and the making of those titles are unforgettable.
Also, we have David Lean as a human being, with his failures
as father and husband, but the intimacy of his life is only
upgrade by his conception of his films.
Every moment in his films was special.
He directed every dialogue and moment as unique and all those
were the equivalent of the best.
This great book written by Brownlow is one of the best biographies ever written.
The heart and soul are alive along the pages and there is no moment when the book becomes slow or uninterested.
The same proportion we have in David Lean movies.


One of the greatest filmmaker biographies ever....
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2006-08-03
I adore this book. I have been reading it as of late, and I love the book (and David Lean) even more. I have always detested biographies of filmmakers that are far too academic in their tone; that professorial tone where they analyze the films ad nauseum, and are constantly talking about symbolism and other completely useless things. This book spares us of that. It is meticulously researched, with great antedotes and quotes from the master himself. It talks about Lean's childhood, and you realise what Lean had to overcome to become one of the greatest filmmakers ever. It's a shame this massive book is out of print. Like a reviewer said earlier, we're constantly given fluff pieces of talentless whores like Spears, Lohan, etc., but here is a real artist whose films still inspire people today. Thank you, Kevin, for writing such a great book, and, of course, to David Lean himself...

Fantastic ... but forgotten treasure
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2005-01-24
What a pity it is when "biographies" of no-talent flashes-in-the-pan like Madonna, Ashley Simpson, Brittney Spears, ad naseum, are ubiquitous, but Kevin Brownlow's fascinating and throughly-researched biography of a true genius is out of print. What does this say about our culture's priorities? Not much. Oh well . . . fortunately a few copies of this marvelous book survive. If you're interested in great movies ("Lawrence of Arabia," "Doctor Zhivago," "Summertime," "Great Expectation," etc.), great stars (O'Toole, Sharif, Katherine Hepburn, William Holden, Robert Mitchum, and a host of other great stars -- AND great actors), or, perhaps, one of the greatest film directors of the twentieth (and probably any other) century, do whatever you have to do, but grab up a copy of "David Lean: A Biography" as quickly as you can before the remaining copies disappear altogether.

Engrossing and Illuminating
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2004-01-23
A simply marvellous biography of a cinema titan. It's the product of many conversations between Lean and the author, a great film historian and no mean director himself, having made the gorgeous Silent Era documentary "Hollywood" (is that ever coming out on DVD?!). For this reason the tone is very chatty, with so much quotage from Lean himself that it's nearly an autobiography; and Brownlow's knowlege of real-world production lets him know just what questions to ask. It rather reminded me of "Hitchcock/Truffaut", another filmmaker-to-filmmaker conversation. Mind you Truffaut didn't bother quite so much with Hitchcock's love affairs, but one can always skim. It looks intimidatingly massive but this is more because of the lavish illustrations than excessive wordiness. Great read, inspiring and full of useful tidbits.

Arts and Entertainment
Dream a Little Dream of Me: The Life of Cass Elliot
Published in Paperback by Chicago Review Press (2007-04-01)
Author: Eddi Fiegel
List price: $16.95
New price: $10.38
Used price: $10.45

Average review score:

If You Love Cass, BUY THIS GREAT BOOK!!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-09-06
Wow...words cannot begin to describe this book! A very detailed, and well researched book about one of the greatest female singers ever to grace us with her beautiful voice and music! After reading this book I found myself lost and up in the clouds because I have never, ever been so into A book in all my life. I just wish I was old enough back then to have fully appreciated Cass, The Mamas and Papas, and the music explosion of incredible people, songs, and albums(I was born in 1968). I guess I will have to settle doing it now. I hope Cass knows somehow that she has so many fans who adore her to this day!! It's very sad to think that she's not here today to feel that warmth. Well, I'd like to think she does know, and is smiling at those fans who continue to be touched by her spirit, music, and humor. Some say Michelle was the "Pretty" one in the Mamas And Papas...I honestly have to say, nahhhh. Cass was as beautiful on the outside, and she was on the inside. The only thing I believe I would maybe tell her, if I had meet her back then...I wish, was to stop the drug use. After reading the book, I learned that she was making big steps to clean up that aspect of her life at the time of her death. The drug use would have turned me off for sure, but this was the mid-late 1960's. If you are A new Cass Elliot fan, purchase this book. You will learn so much about her life, and become even A bigger fan. If you are already A huge Cass fan, and don't own this book...you are doing yourself an in-justice. You will also learn new things like I did! Kudos to the author for an incredible treasure! We still miss you Cass!

Excellent, well written biography on Cass Elliot
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-07-26
A thorough, carefully researched biography of the infamous Mama Cass. Through interviews with Cass' family and friends, the author debunks the Ham Sandwich Myth which has been urban legend for years. If you want a detailed biography of this talented woman, this is a great one to start with. Cass never really wanted to be a folk-rock/pop singer; she was a Broadway Baby and her love was Broadway musicals. But without her, The Mamas & The Papas would not have had the success they did have in the 1960's, in my opinion. Her larger-than-life figure and personality, plus her knockout voice really made that group.

I think the book is intresting thus far Im still reading it.
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2007-10-28
I like the book I recemend it to anyone who is a mama and papas fan

Very Sad and Selfish people
Helpful Votes: 4 out of 7 total.
Review Date: 2007-12-26
This book was very good, but it was sad to find out how really pathetic these talented people were. John Philips was the worst of the group, what a egotistical and controlling as*hole! I was totally blown away by the actions of this famous group! I understand that this was the 60's , but not everyone was doing drugs and laying around stone out of their minds. Cass Elliott brags that she dropped acid 5 times during her pregnancy and her daughter turned out perfectly normal! She was considered a "good" mother by her friends?!! (I have to wonder what her daughter really thinks about that.) To me, being very talented is not an excuse for being irresponsible. I'm glad I read this book, It was a real eye-opener about who the Mama's and the Papa's really were.If you Love this group you HAVE to read this.

Mama Baltimore
Helpful Votes: 4 out of 5 total.
Review Date: 2007-06-21
My mom went to Forest Park High School in Baltimore. Cass Elliot went there also. There is a picture of her in my mom's yearbook, 1959....Who knew? Love you Cass, always have, always will!!!

Arts and Entertainment
Florence Lawrence, the Biograph Girl: America's First Movie Star
Published in Paperback by McFarland & Company (2007-03-20)
Author: Kelly R. Brown
List price: $35.00
New price: $34.30
Used price: $46.23

Average review score:

A Fine Tribute to Filmdom's Most Unsung Actress
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2000-06-30
A nicely researched and insightful biography of Florence Lawrence, one of the most shadowy yet important figures of early cinema. Many things about Florence's life and career will perhaps always remain vague, but Kelly Brown gives a worthy account of America's "first movie star." It is refreshing to know that Flo is finally getting the recognition she deserves. This book is a must for the true film buff.

Must Read for Film Buffs
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2005-06-23
This slender volume is fascinating because it finally paints a well-researched picture of the long forgotten Florence Lawrence. I've always been fascinated by her after seeing publicity stills of her from the mid-1900s. She appeared to be warm, charismatic and fascinating. Her greatest tragedy is that none of her films have been shown in eighty years. I have one of her shorts, "Flo's Discipline" which only lasts about twelve minutes but it gives you a hint of how dazzling she was before the cameras. While her cohort, Mary Pickford, went onto a spectacular career that included mind-boggling salaries and a world-famous Hollywood castle, Pickfair, poor Lawrence was living in a small, hotel room, being paid a few dollars a week as an extra at MGM. Her life would make a wonderful movie--and a cautionary tale about the pitfalls of how fleeting fame is, and how fickle is the public when it comes to remaining faithful to the flavor of the month.

Magnificent, painstakingly researched work
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2001-11-11
Florence Lawrence was an enigma I had always wanted to know about, having been interested in silent films for many years. Information on her was scarce, save for some still photographs in silent movie history books. Kelly Brown really did her homework, in what must have been a difficult task, digging up information about a star whose heyday was almost 90 years ago! Congratulations, Kelly, on a job well done! I can't recommend this book highly enough!

Good, well illustrated biography.
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2001-10-21
I always enjoy a good biography, especially those of the nearly forgotten silent screen stars. This biography of Florence Lawrence was well researched and had many wonderful photos. The author did a good job with the resources available. Most of the films and people involved in silents are gone now, so the job is doubly difficult. Although pricey, this biography is well worth reading.

Great research on the very first movie star
Helpful Votes: 4 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2004-10-09
Florence Lawrence was "big" before there were movie stars. She was the original "Biograph Girl" before Mary Pickford was given that name by movie fans. After losing her job at Biograph, she was hired by Carl Laemmle's IMP company (later Universal). As a publicity stunt, Laemmle started a rumor that she was dead. Then she made a personal appearance in St. Louis and was mobbed by fans.

Unfortunately she was pretty much out of work in five years. Poor managemet by her husband Harry, as well as a painful injury forced her into bit parts. She was still acting in very small parts into 1938, when she gave up on life and committed suicide.

Kelly Brown has done an incredible research job. Using Florence's surviving correspondence, as well as trade magazine artices and advertisements, she has reconstructed Florence's life. The book has many footnotes noting sources, and there is a very detailed filmography. Instead of a book full of dry facts, Ms. Brown keeps Florence's story interesting. If you are interested in early cinema, or even important women actresses, you should definitely read this book.

Arts and Entertainment
Frank Sinatra: An American Legend
Published in Hardcover by Stoddart (1995-11)
Author: Nancy Sinatra
List price: $100.00
New price: $30.89
Used price: $11.03
Collectible price: $118.88

Average review score:

Sinatra-Viewed Naked & Still Beautiful
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2003-07-14
Here is Sinatra stripped of everything who leaves me knowing he has deserved my love and admiration all these years. With Sinatra, he drove himself through life going after whatever he wanted and risking the consequences. We get to look at his ups and downs and his prides and his falls. We see him suffer at love and sing about it. We see him finally, after all the aborted tries, finally sink himself into a relationship with his last wife that kept him happy until he died.

Life for Sinatra was all or nothing at all and he did life his way and fell into lots of tender traps and led some into his own tender traps, like one famous movie star I will let you discover on your own.

What so special about Nancy's book is that she is amazingly organized and objective in her account of her father's life. And the CD, well the CD is everything. You get to hear Sinatra on Sinatra, unabashed.

Everyone on the planet needs to buy and read this book to learn what life can be when you go for it all every day!

Kudos to Nancy for a biography well, well done.

The Review
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2003-02-26
This book has excellent pictures with the most vital information for a biography project. A great buy and great read for interested fans of Ol' Blue Eyes.

The ideal family album
Helpful Votes: 5 out of 5 total.
Review Date: 2003-07-23
No wonder this book is so thick- it's filled with numerous photos of Frank Sinatra, his family, and friends over the years. I love looking at these pics, and so will any other Sinatra fan. There is detailed info throughout the book as well. This is one worth having in your collection.

A MARVELLOUS SCAPBOOK
Helpful Votes: 5 out of 6 total.
Review Date: 2001-03-07
This scrapbook is a real treat to any true SINATRA fan.It is full of pictures of everybody who was important in his life from his parents to collaborators like arrangers NELSON RIDDLE; all his wifes from NANCY to BARBARA;the legendary LOUIS B. MAYER etc.Better than most biographies because it is based on facts not rumours.The early pictures from his beginnings are alone worth the price.I was fortunate enough to get this book at the third of it's price and i went through it very fast because once you open it, you simply can't take your hands out of it.If FRANK became the singer of the past century, it's not by accident, he worked hard at it.I was particulary touched by his loyalty to his true friends.FRANK SINATRA is a mirror of his country. He was the son of immigrants who lived the AMERICAN dream to the fullest.Where is the AMERICAN dream today now that it's last legend is gone?Let's not complain too much ,because everything that FRANK SINATRA ever recorded is now available on cd.Nostalgia when you think of it is a very good thing.SATURDAY is not the loneliest night of the week anymore thanks to the chairman of the board.If you are not already a fan, this book should do the trick.

Everything you want to know about Frank is in this Book
Helpful Votes: 7 out of 7 total.
Review Date: 2000-08-29
I had to get this book after seeing how low the price came down.The original price was 40 dollars. Nancy Sinatra's book on her Father has everything in here.I couldn't believe Frank weighted 13and a half pounds when he was born on December 12,1915.The Doctor ripped and scarred his ear,check,and neck,plus puncturing his eardrum.Frank wasn't breathing,so his grandmother Rose held the baby under cold running water until he gasped his first breath and cried.This book is like a Diary.It goes from year to year,sometimes month to month.All of Franks movies,records,concerts,TV shows,songs,and the name of the songwriters are in here,plus hundreds of pictures,starting with Frank's baby photo, ending with a touching family photo taken in 1996.There's a wonderfull picture of Marilyn Monroe taken with Dean Martin sitting ringside at the Sands..All of the stars are in here,and family pictures we've never seen before.If you are a Frank Sinatra fan,you have to get this Book.Its huge,and the pictures are fantastic.

Arts and Entertainment
James Brown: The Godfather of Soul
Published in Paperback by Da Capo Press (2003-01)
Author: James Brown
List price: $16.95
New price: $8.95
Used price: $8.73

Average review score:

Get on the Good Foot Y'all!
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2007-02-27
James Brown was a true innovator. Nobody can take his genius away from him. He has passed on to occupy the ancestral realm. Remember the ancestors are always with us, you simply have to invoke their names.

I recommend this book for any James Brown fans or casual reader of history.

a very good read
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2006-12-27
RIP to the Godfather of Soul, Soul Brother #1, The Hardest Working Man in Show Business. This been a great blow and to all of us James Brown fans here. This book was the one I needed to keep me focused. Just read it all the way through earlier this year. Very strong, uplifting and powerful. James Brown was the Hero, the Legend, the American Pioneer. He wasn't just an entertainer or a hit maker or an artist, he's a man that have overcome alot on what's happening in the world: going thru poverty, business, the Civil Rights Movement, the world, loss of jobs, politics, way of culture, way of living, and a way to express ourselves thru a meaning of religion, life, hunger, soul, pain, and suffering. The Man had it all. Boy I'mma miss him and his talent. His spirit always captures us thru this day. GOOD GOD!!!

Thanks for all the hardship and legacy you put us into, Brother James Brown.

Interesting From Start to Finish
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2005-12-28
I bought this book a couple of years ago, and once I began reading the first page I couldn't stop until I'd finished the whole book. The things that JB had to go through as a young boy, it's a wonder he didn't wind up on death row, or in an early grave. It's a good thing that he turned his attention to music, and put all he had into it. Even though he was never really raised by anyone, or had a real family life he was able to make his mark in life. I'm glad that he acknowledges the power of God, and he knows what God can do. I enjoyed reading this book. This is a must read for everyone.

The greatest entertainer in the world!!!
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2003-09-08
I'm 34 I had listened to some James Brown manly the hits. I had the oppertunity to see his show a couple of months ago. It was fantastic. I started getting some of his other albums like the big payback(my favorite) I must tell you I'm hooked I can't get enough of that sound. I finished this book today. It was awsome his takes on things are so down to earth. If you're down with Mr. Brown than you gotta read this.

It hooked me - An Amazing Read
Helpful Votes: 6 out of 6 total.
Review Date: 2005-08-28
What a life. What a personality. I have enjoyed this book enormously: You get the feeling that this is James Brown telling you his extraordinary story in a long and fascinating conversation. He talks about his music, his personal life and troubles, his philosophy, and, what I think is most thrilling, show business and stage performance.

My main goal in reading this book was resolving a personal doubt: Was he the genius behind his records, or was it Maceo Parker, Fred Wesley or his producers? After reading the book and listening to his records with lots of new insights, I have little doubt that the main driving force (although not the only one) in his records was himself. What Brown says about his music, where it came from, how it was made, what he intended to say, really made me discover many things in his records! For instance, if you have 'Live At The Apollo (1963)' (one of Brown's best albums) or have listened to it, DON'T MISS what he has to say about it -and play the LP again. I couldn't stop laughing for almost a quarter of an hour.

On another hand, I was also wondering: Is he a ruthless, egotistic and authoritarian character, as he is sometimes portrayed? In the book, JB openly and candidly talks about the discipline in his band, prison, guns, Black Power, and politics; and, paradoxically, in the end I finished with the impression of having received a lesson in confidence in man, tolerance, faith and spirituality. Soulful singers like him or BB King really have something to say about life-not only in their records.

On a last note, I think the (co-)writer Bruce Tucker has structured the book very well, hooking you from the beginning until the last page. As usual, it is better to avoid beginning with the prefaces and forewords, and leave them for the end. Only a little information about musicians in the sessions would have been welcome -although it is true that it's not the scope of the book.

Definitely worth reading it if you are a James Brown fan, and also very commendable if you are interested in music in general.

Arts and Entertainment
John Carradine: The Films
Published in Hardcover by McFarland & Company (1999-05)
Authors: Tom Weaver and Gregory William Mank
List price: $65.00
New price: $65.00
Used price: $54.99

Average review score:

Dracula Lives!
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2001-07-20
In a career spanning hundreds of movies from "Tolerable David" in 1930 up until literally his death in 1988, John Carradine blessed this world with his many florid theater, film, and television performances. His greatest role(in his opinion) was split between major parts in the classics "Stagecoach" and "The Grapes of Wrath", both directed by John Ford. He loved to work. He loved Shakespeare. He loved women. The book details his three marriages, his drunken parties with John Barrymore, and his jail time for late alimony payments. And here, for horror fans, is a detailed breakdown of every film, from "House of Dracula" to "Satan's Cheerleaders". The large hardcover tome is complete with a myriad of pictures and posters. John Carradine is truly part of American cinema legacy. He died in Milan, Italy, attending a special screening of "Stagecoach".

Finaly a book about the great John Carradine
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2000-01-21
All the other big names of horror-movie-actors have been covered: Karloff, Lugosi, Chaney, Lee, Cushing, Price ... Here is finaly the first book about John Carradine and all his films (and not only the B-Movie-Horrorfilms !)It was time !

German: Endlich ein Buch über den grossen John Carradine. All seine Horrorfilm-Schauspielkollegen sind ausreichend gewürdigt worden, von Lugosi, Chaney und Karloff über Price, Lee und Cushing. Nun endlich gibt es ein Werk mit vollständiger Filmograhie (und nicht nur die Horror-B-Filme) über diesen Altmeister. Wie alles aus dem McFarland-Verlag teuer aber in jeder Beziehung in Topqualität !

Great Introduction to Carradine
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 1999-11-10
Everyone recognizes his face, but few can name him. John Carradine was a memorable character actor who gave rich performances in big and small budget pictures. Finally, a book has been written about him that not only explores his life via anecdotes and interviews interspersed throughout, but his vein of work that stretched innumerable decades and genres. Author Tom Weaver has crafted a fun and lively chronological read, putting together little-known information and revealing asides to enhance our knowlegde of the work of an aspiring actor. Perhaps now, more people will seriously reappraise Carradine's work and give him the consideration he's due.

Long overdue and worth the wait
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 1999-11-06
He's the actor everyone knew, but few knew anything about. Here - finally - is the definitive look at the horror icon's hundreds of films, and his surprising life, including the strained relationship with his sons. Best of all, it's by two of the brightest lights in the field.

Superb
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2000-08-02
John Carradine's career spanned six decades and films thatranged from acclaimed classics (The Grapes of Wrath) to undisputedstinkers (can anyone say anything positive about Billy The Kid Vs. Dracula?). In John Carradine: The Films, author Tom Weaver deftly documents each and every film of the multi-talented actor. Complete cast and credits listings, synopsis and author commentarty for each film are included, as are remembrances from various co-stars, directors, Carradine's sons and even Carradine himself.

Weaver's commentaries on the films spices up the usual dryness found in many "Films Of" books, due to their rather strict cast/crew/summary formula. An opinionated reviewer/critic, Weaver doesn't pull his punches in offering up his takes on Carradine's films. Whether or not you agree with his views, it's nice to hear definite opinions for a change in a book like this, instead of the oft-times "take-no-controversial-stand" approach which, while certainly objective, doesn't always make for the most fascinating or interesting reading.

And for regular readers of the author, not to fear...the classic puns are here in good abundance, and will not fail to make one groan and shake one's head on occasion.

Rounding out this tribute to the "thin" Dracula are recollections of Carradine from directors Joe Dante and Fred Olen Ray, and a mini-biography by Gregory Mank. Carradine's flamboyance, lust for life, and love of Shakespeare, as well as his regrets and resignation to the many poor roles he either chose or was forced to accept in order to "feed the family" are just a few of the many sides to the actor that are captured by Mank.

In all, Tom Weaver has assembled an extraordinarily fine and fitting tribute to a too-long overlooked personage of classic horror history. Par for the course for the author, John Carradine: The Films is thoroughly researched, hugely informative, frequently amusing, and most importantly: simply a must-have book.

Arts and Entertainment
Lonely Avenue: The Unlikely Life and Times of Doc Pomus
Published in Hardcover by Da Capo Press (2007-02-26)
Author: Alex Halberstadt
List price: $26.00
New price: $1.97
Used price: $1.97
Collectible price: $29.59

Average review score:

A nice little gem...
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2008-05-25
Biographical reviews tend to have a standardized format: several chapters on the linage of the subject, tales of early childhood, struggle and (usually)success.

Haberstadt's biography is much the same, except the author does a nice job of leading the reader thru the parts we have to endure by building a strong sense of the frustration and difficulties Doc Pomus faced throughout his life. The book isn't overbearing, and he paints an interesting enough picture of the determination this polio-stricken hall of famer had.

If there is a weakness, it's that you never get a real strong sense of what exactly it was that Doc did. I mean, I still haven't figured out if his contributions to some of the greatest songs were his lyrics, his sense of rhythm, his music, or a combination of all three. Certainly it is poignant to think that "Save the last dance for me" was written as he watched his new wife dance at her wedding, but there was too little addressing the mechanics of Doc's writing for my taste.

I thought it was a most interesting and useful book to have on one of the great contributors to rock and roll.... and long overdue.

Music libraries will find it an excellent addition
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-10-07
During rock 'n' roll's early years Doc Pomus wrote some of the biggest hits from his Lonely Avenue to Save the Last Dance for Me and Hushabye. His works were picked up by Elvis Presley, B.B. King, Bob Dylan and more - and LONELY AVENUE documents his life, inspiration, achievement, and times in an outstanding blend of quotes from his journals and biographical examination. Music libraries will find it an excellent addition.

excellent
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-02-02
Great book. I got choked up reading about Doc writing Save the Last Dance for Me.

Wow!
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2008-03-23
What a great book. You never think about songwriters when you listen to a song but after reading this book you will. It's the story about the man behind some of the biggest hits of the 50' and 60's but it's so much more. Doc's story is more then his music, it's the life that he led and the trials he overcame to get there. If you're into music or not this is one book that will make you laugh, cry and just revel in one man's life and times.

Lonely Avenue, Doc Pomus
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2007-12-11
The writer did his homework, and I'd recomend this book to anyone, also visit the Brill Building, There's Always Magic In The Air.

Great reading!

Arts and Entertainment
Looking for Harvey Weinstein
Published in Paperback by Holly and Shirley Yanez (2004-04)
Author: Shirley Yanez
List price: $25.00
New price: $10.00
Used price: $1.88

Average review score:

Come on Harvey give them a break!!!!!!!!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2006-08-24
Now he has got his new company surly a movie about mad women chasing the movie producer to save an artist makes a great movie for the failing Hollywood blcobuster? The Weinstein Company should look at this book now and make it into a UK movie.

Thelma and Loise meet The Player?

Come on Harvey
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2005-10-13
This book really made me laugh but I have to say I was shocked that Harvey Weinstein did not help them save thier artist, he must be short of money because these women could sell snow to Eskimos. Excellent read and the perfect holiday companion.

Mad English women take on Harvey
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2005-10-13
This book is hilarious buy it if you love to laugh at the reality of life.

Black Comedy
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2005-10-14
I got hold of a copy of this book from someone important in Hollywood, flying first class, Virgin Airways. He was laughing so much I asked him the title of the book he was reading. Was he laughing at the story or was he laughing at himself. It turned out he was a producer and knew Harvey Weinstein very well. The book is a true account of what happens when normal women get inside the Hollywood system and expose not only themselves but the people who run it. Fantastic story.

What an amazing story
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2005-10-13
This is just amazing, what a tale. I wish I had seen this side of Hollywood. The book is a sales manual and a diary for drunks, drug addicts and those who tell the truth.

Arts and Entertainment
Loretta Lynn
Published in Paperback by Da Capo Press (1996-03-21)
Authors: Loretta Lynn and George Vecsey
List price: $15.00
Used price: $4.88

Average review score:

Amazing!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-09-26
I have very high standards when it comes to idols (at least by my warped definition). Mrs. Lynn managed to be both an idol and hero to me. She is a strong out spoken female that refuses to compromise her beliefs to fit into a cookie cutter/hollywood type image. The best day of my life was getting to visit her ranch and pose for a photo on her steps. I love both of her books although Still Woman Enough is my favorite as she is completely relaxed in being herself. Loretta Lynn is an inspritation for all women young and old that have had to overcome hard challenges in life.

What can I say?
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2004-12-23
I have been completely in love with Loretta Lynn ever since I saw "Coal Miner's Daughter." I didn't even know who she was til I watched the movie at age 14, then I read the book and became hooked on her music. She is an amazing woman. Her life has been hard, and she doesn't take any of her success for granted. She is who she is. What you see is what you get with her. I don't know if anyone who reads her book could relate to half of what she has experienced, but it makes for interesting reading. I was lucky enough to see her live in concert a month ago, and when she walked out on that stage, I was brought literally to tears. I just couldn't believe this woman I admire so highly was actually standing in front of me. I'll never forget that night. And I will never stop loving Loretta Lynn. Read BOTH of her autobiographies. Both are excellent.

I was a Coal Miner's daughter in Kentucky
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2003-12-28
This is one of the greatest books that has ever been written. My father was a coal miner until he got hurt. I sing my self and loretta is just so good. Being from the same state she is i guess the reason she has such a influenece on my life. If you read this book you will love it.

Coal Miner's Daughter
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 5 total.
Review Date: 2002-05-23
Very interesting. This woman has led a very difficult life, but she never seems to lose her spirit.

Very Impressed
Helpful Votes: 5 out of 5 total.
Review Date: 2005-05-02
A grandmother at 28? Wow! I learned a lot of interesting things about 1) the country music star, and 2) about coming up hard and making it work out.

This book is Loretta Lynn's tale of her childhood in Butcher Holler with her poor but pround parents. Her parents allow her to be married off to a man she barely knows when she is 13. Amazingly, she remains married to this man for the rest of his life.

Anyway, the husband encourages Loretta to sing publicly because he thinks she has a great voice. And I don't need to tell you how the career goes, because that's pretty popular knowledge.

All in all, this was a great book. Very well developed and informative, whether you're a country music fan or not.


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