Arts and Entertainment Books

The Lost Days is not an easy read, but if you are interested in solving the mysteries of the human mind and the mystery of Agatha Christie's disappearance in 1926, The Lost Days is a very satisfying experience. Author Owens, a therapist, has done a very interesting thing, she has taken Agatha on as a client and the therapy session solves a seventy-year-old mystery as no one else ever has including the great Queen of Mysteries, Agatha herself.

The queen of mystery biggest mystery was her own. It was incredible to me to find out that Agetha had a mystery of her own that she could not solve. Doctor Owens approach to solving Agetha's mystery was fascinating and a real page turner. It was the most uniqe books I've ever read. Using Agetha history and passages from her books to coherently solve a previously unsolved mystery was a stroke of brillance. Dr. Owens takes us on an intelletual ride that keeps you interested from the first to the last page. The solution was so satisfing that I felt 100% confident that the ultiment mystery was finally solved. YOU WILL HAVE TO READ IT FOR YOURSELF TO BE LET IN ON THE SECRET! The solution and writting is something that Augetha would be proud to have authored herself 5 STARS!

I was surprised to find out that Ms. Christie herself had a mystery surrounding her disappearance in 1926, so I was interested to find this book. But I would have called it, "The Agatha and the Ecstasy."

I thought I knew just about everything there was about Lucy. This books goes over all of Lucy's life and everybody she worked with and then some. It is enjoyable to just read it thru but an excellent resource to just look up things about her life. Want to get some information about Fred Mertz....you can find it easily. I even discovered that Lucy and Desi were not the first couple to have a baby on their tv show. To find out who , well you'll just have to find the book and read it for yourself.

"Lucy A to Z" is well researched and fact filled. It is one of the few books about Lucille Ball that I can recommend without reservation and I have read most of them. It is an easy read and well worth the time invested in reading about Lucy's career. Wanda Clark

Everything you could ever want to know about Lucy...in one place! I bought a copy of the second edition a few years ago and liked it very much, but I was disappointed that there were no pictures inside. Well, the author has taken care of that in this new fourth edition, and then some! There are lots of pictures, many of which I haven't seen before. The cover photo alone is a real knockout! Not only that, but the book size is bigger and there are many more new entries. It looks like it has been totally redesigned. And if you ever needed to find out anything about Lucy, it's an encyclopedia format, so just look alphabetically (there's also a huge index). I love Lucy, and I love this book! Highly recommended.

I was a fairly big Lucy fan but hadn't bought many books about her, mostly those about her show, I Love Lucy. But when I found this book, the idea of an encyclopedia intrigued me, and I figured there'd be lots of stuff about I Love Lucy, in any case. There sure is, and there's a lot more, on every aspect of Lucy's career, arranged alphabetically. The pictures are great and everything is super easy to find. The writing is both breezy and insightful; the author's obviously a big fan, but he knows his stuff. A lot of research must have gone into this. As someone else on the page says, if you need any `splainin' about anything in Lucy's life or career, it's here.

This book is far from complete---but who cares? Any book that does Luis Bunuel justice is welcome in my library.

Where are the films? Criterion did a fine job, but there are sooo many more that need to be released!

I've got a lot of books dedicated to Don Luis...but none is as beautiful as this one! Anyone familiar with Bu?uel's career will not find anything new written in this book. What you will find is page after page of gorgeous stills from his films as well as many delightful behind-the-scenes shots.

Absolutely indispensible!

This is a stunning picture book filled with stills, behind-the-scenes shots, and other rarities, lovingly collected and put together by the good folks at Taschen. The book is up to the typical Taschen level with thick, glossy pages and stunning photographs. Interestingly enough, I found lots of pictures from films I couldn't identify. There were actually relatively few pictures from the major pictures such as Diary of a Chambermaid, Belle du Jour, That Obscure Object of Desire, or even Un Chien Andalou. There's lots of coverage of his Mexican films as well as some of his lesser-known works. In that respect, the book is incredibly valuable. While I wait for US distributors to get around to releasing Buneul's entire filmography, I can at least experience these other films through the stills.

As usual with these Taschen books, the text is secondary and fairly light. If you want to read about Bunuel buy "My Last Sigh" or "An Unspeakable Betrayal". Get this title for its images alone. It's well worth the price for any Bunuel fan.

Well,this item that i purchased,is very awesome i think it's worth it to have this madonna stuff!

In 1998 at the Oscar's Madonna was called the sole survivor of the 80's. Now, nearly a decade later the terms holds true. What was the secret to a reign that rivals the Rolling Stones and Elizabeth the First ... her STYLE! From New York street urchin, yoga mamma, Gauthier Muse, and Scottish lass Mrs. Ritchie .... Madonna is the master of reinvention. Her style is always changing and evolving with time, and keeps everyone guessing what this pop culture icon will do next.

Unlike her 80's contemporaries (Boy George, Cyndi Lauper, Pat Benetar, etc) ... Madonna is not stuck in an era of the "good old days" because like her style reflects, the good times are always NOW!

I just received my copy of this book yesterday! It's a visually stunning retrospective of Madonna's inimitable style and her incredible influence over fashion and pop culture over the past twenty years. The photographs included in this collection are beautiful and capture the true essence of a woman that transcends mere superstardom and is in a class entirely by herself. This book is definitely a must-have in all Madonna fan's collections. Also check out Matthew Rettenmund's Encyclopedia Madonnica & Michael D. Craig's Who's That Girl? The Ultimate Madonna Trivia Book!

These women paved the way for all women in media today and forever chaged the landscape of what we hear and see. They have influenced our culture and served as inspiring role models for women. Their stories of perserverence and triumph should make us all grateful for the wonderful women who came before us to open the doors of diversity in all career areas.

This book tells the inspiring tales of some of the most remarkable women of our time who would not be discouraged when told that they could not make it in a man's world.

Women have come a long way in many fields, in part, because of the efforts of many of these 50 courageous women. This is a wonderful book, fascinating backgrounds and photos of our most beloved pioneers. It would also make a lovely gift for any young woman starting out who doesn't even realize the opportunites she has now because of those who went before and blazed the trail. Congratulations, beautifully done!

Jacqueline Marcell, Author, "Elder Rage, or Take My Father... Please!" and Host of the "Coping wWth Caregiving" Internet Radio Program

I've now read two of the three biographies Matthew Kennedy has written, and will most certainly be reading the third with gleeful anticipation. I love the detail, the atmosphere, the background of Marie Dressler's life. She was an amazing, unique, powerful lady, made wise through her endurance of so much hardship after her massive early fame.
My first knowledge of Dressler was the famous line in Dinner at Eight, delivered to the impossibly sexy Jean Harlowe. Dressler steals the scene shamelessly and effortlessly. Who WAS this person who could do full-body double takes with a grace and precision that belied her bulky body? Now I know.
Kennedy obviously loves his subjects, has a passion for film history, and for history in general. You cannot know Marie Dressler without knowing what she went through in traveling theater, WWI, the decline of Vaudeville and the Depression. Kennedy's writing is insightful, wry, warm and flows wonderfully from thought to thought. He has told the story of Marie in context with her times, and of early Hollywood, knitting it all together in a graceful, engaging way, and made what surely was an immense job look effortless.
Even if you've never heard of Marie Dressler, you will love her by the time you finish this book.

Louis B. Mayer once said that the three greatest actors who ever worked at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer were Greta
Garbo, Spencer Tracy and Marie Dressler. Beloved actress Marie Dressler (1868-1934) was my writing
obsession for four years. How did this delightfully idiosyncratic woman overcome so many demons in
herlifetime? How did she shape her epoch and how did it shape her? Known simply as "Marie" to millions of
fans, she is a fascinating creature of American popular culture. She is most known today for her amazing
popularity in early talkies such as MIN AND BILL (Academy Award, Best Actress, 1930/31), TUGBOAT
ANNIE and DINNER AT EIGHT. In fact, the large, unlovely sixtysomething year old was the number one
box-office attraction of the early Depression. Her earlier years were equally compelling. In the 1880s, she fled
an abusive father by joining a horse drawn carriage pulling a third-rate theater company. Later she charmed
Broadway and was the comic foil to legendary stage stars Lillian Russell, Eddie Foy and Weber & Fields. She
co-starred with Charlie Chaplin in Mack Sennett's 1914 hit TILLIE'S PUNCTURED ROMANCE, the first
feature length comedy every filmed. She was a passionate advocate of women's suffrage and the American
participation in World War I. In 1919, she co-founded Actors Equity. Her career took a nosedive in the 1920s
and she was broke and pitiable at the time of her rediscovery by the brilliant screenwriter Frances Marion. Her
final makeover as warmly embraced mega-star remains one of Hollywood's great comeback stories.
Researching the life of Marie Dressler took me to screening rooms, dusty archives and quiet libraries all over
the United States and Canada. In addition to interviews with her surviving colleagues at MGM, I had moving
conversations with Joseph Newman, assistant director on MIN AND BILL and DINNER AT EIGHT, and
Grace Ruthrruff, the generous nurse who was at Marie's deathbed in 1934. It is my hope that this biography will
help restore Marie Dressler's legacy as one of the twentieth century's great entertainers.

Ever since Marie Dressler knocked my socks off when I first saw DINNER AT EIGHT I have been frustrated that most biographical sketches of her life recycled the same tantalizing ten pages or so of information, and although Betty Lee's competing biography was welcome, it left as many questions as answers. This book finally does this fabulous star justice with comprehensive research on her now-obscured early life; loving, intelligent coverage of all her extant films; savvy, well-written documentation of her stage career; and endlessly perceptive reconstruction of what Dressler was like as human being. Catching Dressler in a rare showing of her films EMMA and TUGBOAT ANNIE in San Francisco some years back and espying a notice that this biography was being written, I spent years anticipating it, and was never disappointed in the slightest. Truly a bravura performance -- Dressler lives again. But WHEN will more of her work be released on video?

A stunning book for any serious Marilyn afficianado - the photos, taken by little known paparazzi photographer Earl Leaf throughout Marilyn's career show so many of her moods, facets, expressions that it sometimes feels like you see her in an entirely new and unexpected light whenever you turn the page. Quite a few of the photographs show her lesser-known sides: her imperiousness, her toughness, her shrewdness, her ability to manipulate - all qualities she tried very hard to hide from her public but which nevertheless make her even more fascinating. Ventura's text gives some interesting insights and a uniquely lyrical point of view of Marilyn and what the images taken by Leaf's lens show of her. From her early starlet days to the years of her decline, we see her slowly eroding emotionally like an apparition fading into the light. Sometimes sad, often food for thought and always beautiful to look at, this is definitely one of the favourites in my collection. There are many images here you most likely have not seen before and will keep revisiting for many years to come.

Marilyn is captured in just about every mood possible in this book. A wonderful book for my MM collection.

The pictures of Marilyn in this book are wonderful..I thought I saw them all until I got this book. I recommend to all Marilyn fans, it is a must.

This is a most interesting set of conversations between Craft and Stravinsky. In many ways it is more personal than the earlier books by Stravinsky and quite frank in his assessments of the artists he knew and current trends in music and art. I cannot say that I agree with all of the master's judgments, but he is Stravinsky and I am not. He is always interesting and amazingly well read in his own art and in others.

His anecdotes from events in his career are always interesting and usually enlightening. The photographs reproduced here are especially interesting because of the people Stravinsky is with and what they say about the time and places when the were taken.

The book first takes us into his childhood, again, but this time in a most personal way. He then recounts various people he knew and provides us his portrait of them and often includes letters. He then gets directly into questions about music. For music lovers this is the most vital portion of the book. The last section talks about Nightingale, Persephone, and The Rake's Progress. Stravinsky also includes the outline he and Auden developed during their first ten days together working on the opera. Fascinating stuff.

A must read for all who love Stravinsky's music and for any general music reader who wants to know about one of the great musical figures of the twentieth century. That it can be had so inexpensively is a real plus!

What consolations are found in Robert Craft's amazing conversations with Stravinsky. For artists, Stravinsky comes through as a living colossus sitting next to you. The span of his intellect does impress, and with apparently blithe effort on his part, for it never flashes. It only glows. Stravinsky can open his world with a few chosen sentences; entering those tall doors one can only be subsumed in a vast arc of modern art in the person of one man, one great being. Craft's ardent intellect (wonderful queries all, leading the master in) relaxes within his affection for Stravinsky, not only respect but love too. That fusion of intellect and heart marks the book with a perfect pulse. Stravinsky's words come as unfussy and decisive as his music. His remarks on his time in Ustilug before returning to Petersburg offer loads of insight - Firebird was to come shortly - and throughout the book he leads Craft patiently with, typically, a largesse of economy. I'm struck by the providence of their remarkable relationship, the evocative noble aspects of it - how we've all benefitted! The chemistry that undergirds all the Craft-Stravinsky dialogues indicates Stravinsky knew well the worth of their venture, and saw to it that we might profit. Recommended without reservation.

The book provides an incredible value for those interested in artistic developments in Paris, under Diagilev's "Ballets Russes" leadership. I was impressed by the broadness of Stravinsky's thinking, by his incredible intellect and by his constant quest to explore the new - the ultimate attribute of creativity. The book is full of interesting memories on many famous people.

The Michael Jackson: The Visual Documentary is the most comprehensive book ever published on the King of Pop. Michael Jackson himself has recommended this book - mentioning it in the sleeve notes of his HIStory - Past, Present and Future Book 1 album. Covering from the birth of Michael Jackson upon to the present day, the book provides a complete record of Michael Jackson's moves, grooves, music, albums, family, history, and more. Illustrated with hundreds of photographs, the book also details Jackson's records, concerts, videos, awards, interviews, quotes, public appearances, his family, fascinating memorabilia and details of rare Michael Jackson records, and much more. From Steeltown to Motown, from the Jackson 5 to his solo career, from The Wiz to Thriller, he's been Bad, Smooth and Dangerous and even Blood On The Dance Floor. He's made captivating videos, with exciting dance moves, played spectacular concerts and filled the world's largest arenas across the world. He has been performing since the age of five, breaking records since he was 11 and a star without equal since 21. He has been such a great influence on music history over the past 30 years and with this book, you can be part of his journey from birth to present (full with dated details). Though never far from the media spotlight, Michael Jackson remains an enigma. The Michael Jackson: The Visual Documentary presents all the facts about Michael as never before -- everything you need to know about world's most famous celebrity is in this one book. The book contains over 200 pages, over 280 photos, promo pictures, rare pictures, complete discography, singles information, family tree information, and much more. The complete history of Michael Jackson.

Props to Adrian Grant for this Book. Elvis,Sinatra&the Beatles I got there albums&they were alright,but MJ Built the House Known as Pop Music. nobody else has taken Pop Music where he has. the Brother always makes Me Proud.growing up in the Hood from Gary Indiana to Becoming the King of Pop.the Man is a One Man Industry.Owns those Catelogs,Masters&is the Most Influential Artist over the past 30 years easily.Every Artist over the past 30 years is in Debt to this Man's Musical Genius&Vision.this is a Tight Book&takes you back.He is the Artist that got me interested in Music more than anyone else.truth be told:the Brother is Vastly Underrated IMO.He deserves far more due for the doors He Broke down.

I got this Book a few Years back&truly dug how Adrian Grant went into Detail on MJ's Music.He mentioned when tracks were done&also mentioned side tidbits that were cool as well.very good comprehensive overview on one of the Greatest Music Artists Ever.He mentioned this song called "Buffalo Bill" that Michael Jackson had done&I was like I wish I could have heard it? that was cool of Him to drop Songs&things.alot of folks don't know how detailed MJ is in the studio or the fact He records so much.

I highly recommend Val Holley's latest study, of the late gossip columnist Mike Connolly, for anyone interested in reading between the lines of Hollywood history. Connolly, not all that likeable a character, managed to kow-tow to 1950's norms yet retain his individuality as a gay blade while becoming an important Tinsel-town presence in a time of conformity. Holley's bio of this unforgettable presence is a snappy read and gives the same insights into the man's character and motivations as his bios of James Dean do for that star.

This book tells the story of a flamboyant Hollywood character, who had the personal power to make or break careers of movie stars and other well-known people, long before the likes of the National Enquirer were ever thought of. The in-depth research for this book is so all-inclusive that even reading the bibliography can be a literary experience in its own right. Its thorough coverage of the Communist-chasing Senator Joseph McCarthy's dark period when so-called black-listed people could either not find work, or who had to work under assumed names, also gives historical credence to the book. Connolly's dogged anti-communist and anti-smut campaigns are described with full-blown candor.

The truth that the gifted journalist Mike Connolly was gay would come as a surprise to many readers such as myself, and it did not negate or overshadow his staunch Catholic upbringing, his campaigns against vice, or his writing. His being gay does not overwhelm either the book, or the reader.

You will not be able to put this book down, once you begin to read it. ...

Marvelously fun and fascinating; this is the most delightful and interesting work I've read in some time. The scads of delectable skinny alone make this book almost impossible to put down. But there's more here than dish: the Mike Connolly who emerges from Holley's carefully researched biography is an intriguing, complex, powerful, hilarious, and superbly talented figure. The author could easily have sketched a simplistic image of Connolly as a repressed gay intellectual, swerving his rage into anti-Communist vitriol. Instead, Holley builds up a nuanced portait of his subject by painstakingly mining the written record and loads of interviews with the subject's friends, family, and colleagues. In Holley's view, Connolly's campaign against leftist influence in the movie industry sprang from numerous sources, including his Irish Catholicism, his identification with the culture of Hollywood, his patriotism, his status in the movie industry, and the childhood poverty that fueled Connolly's drive to assimilate into elite society. The author sees Connolly, not as a victim of sexual politics, but as a forerunner of today's influential Log Cabin Republicans. Likewise, Holley eschews commonplace notions of the "closet" in presenting an intricate image of Connolly's gayness and Connolly's success in holding the mirror up to gay Hollywood culture. The author vividly depicts Connolly's strikingly "open" way of life, and details the various "rules" by which Connolly and other gay film industry figures thrived within industry boundaries. All the while, the author spices the account with excerpts from Connolly's writing, by turns witty, playful, bitchy, scolding, vicious, and luxuriating in scandal. Moreover, Holley's story casts light - often new and always engaging - on numerous landmarks in Hollywood history, among them the "Confidential" magazine crisis and the threatened outing of Rock Hudson, the rivalry among the leading gossip writers, the Blacklist, and the movie industry's pivotal role in the 1960 Presidential campaign. Doubtless, Holley's book will appeal to an array of readers. Movie buffs will fasten on discoveries about their favorite stars and scandals (don't miss the inside scoops on Sinatra, JFK, and Peter Lawford); devotees of Hollywood camp will enjoy scores of delicious anecdotes and zingers (Tallulah Bankhead's 52nd birthday extravaganza surely takes the prize); film historians will find a well researched contribution to the social history of the later studio system; and gay studies scholars will uncover much of value: new tools for analyzing gay writing (such as Holley's "Rules of Gay Gossip" and Connolly's techniques for "openly" publishing gay scuttlebutt), a detailed picture of a pioneer of gay political conservatism, and a multifaceted and innovative depiction of queer Hollywood.