Arts and Entertainment Books

Peter Wooley obviously loved working in the film industry as his enthusiasm for the business is on every page. This is a light-hearted look at what happens behind the scenes when a film is being made.
He tells some very funny as well as some very touching anecdotes.
Many people write sour books about their experiences making films. I'm ceratain that Wooley had some of those moments but he prefers to remember the funny, interesting moments -- the ones that made him stay in the business for life.

Fans of Hollywood gossip will find this an entertaining memoir which examines what part is played in the movies and television by production designers. The author has been a production designer for over thirty years: he's worked with many talents and his job is to make locations realistic - from the actors to the scenery. Gossip and tall tales abound here.

A hiliarious peek at what happens behind the scenes, this funny book tells the stories that don't even make it to the "Making Of..." books and movies. Peter Wooley talks about Blazing Saddles, The Day After, High Anxiety and more. This is the great stuff that goes on in the movie industry, not just behind the camera, but behind the behind the camera!

Best of all, it's the really funny stuff and the quick-witted one-liners and stories that make it a hilarious read.

About the only negative thing I can say is that I would have loved to hear more about Blazing Saddles, one of my favorite movies of all time: "The sherrif's a..."

This is an absolutely delightful book.
Through Tony Randall's gift of "perfect recall" we can relive the wonderful days when Hollywood was still big studios with contract actors.
So many antecdotes about many famous people (actors, writers, producers, directors) I was laughing out loud many, many times.
After reading this book I feel like Tony Randall is a good friend and I have spent an afternoon chatting with him on the porch.

Tony Randall's wit,intelligence and remarkable memory including photographs of his remarkable life and career is demonstrated in this beautifully entertaining collection of show business stories.Along with co-writer Micheal Mindlin begin with Tony Randall as a young, eager acting student at the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York then his superb theatrical Career with such legends as Ethel Barrymore,Lilli Palmer,Sir Cedric Hardwicke and Paul Muni and on the screen with Rock Hudson,Doris Day,David Niven,Marilyn Monroe and Debbie Reynolds.He became a household name starting in the TV series Mr. Peepers with Wally Cox and the marvelous portrayal of Felix Unger in the long running series The Odd Couple.This book makes wonderful reading!!

I read the Publishers Weekly review at the top of the page and was stunned at the criticism. Whoever wrote that review has no sense of humor, or is just an idiot. This book is the funniest, most enjoyable book I've ever owned. It was a gift in 1990 and is still entertaining me, my family, and my friends 14 years later. The stories are short and concise, so you can pick it up and start reading anywhere in the book. Maybe it's because I've done some theater and film work that I can identify so easily with the stories in the book. But I believe anyone could read this gem and get endless hours of laughter out of it. BUY THE BOOK!

only 4 words, It Is The Best

I LIKE THIS BOOK!! Oh yeah by the way Sammy Sosa is going to win the homerun chase.He is going to kick mark mcgwire's behind back to Oakland where he belongs. Sammy deserves to win he doesn't take sterioids he takes flinston vitimans. GO SOSA!!

I read this book at a difficult time in my life. My mother had died days before, and I was sitting in the closest weeping, when by my foot lay a copy of Will Power! I wiped away the tears and began to read, expectantly, looking for answers.

I was inspired and enraptured to say the least, and my life suddenly took on new meaning. I could breath again, I could sing again. I began to rap involuntarily. I could not stop rapping, until musical ecstacy permeated every pour of my being. I was liberated at last from the sorrows of my recent loss.

Thank you Will Power! for changing my life forever.

Anyone attending performances of New York City Ballet will benefit from reading Martin Duberman's book. The Worlds of Lincoln Kirstein details the history and the development of the company and illuminates Lincoln's contribution to City Ballet's standing as one of the best dance companies in the world.

A superb biography of a complicated person who was not only a key figure in the development of ballet in America, but a cultural leader in a wide sweep of artistic endeavors over most of the last century. While his creative partnership with George Balanchine is central to this book, Lincoln Kirstein also had important early roles in introducing many modern painters to the public and with various fine literary endeavors.

The author, Mr. Duberman, does not flinch from Mr. Kirstein's "own varied sexual-affectionate history." Potential readers should know this is an unusually candid account of a notable person's private life.

While not a high-lighted part of this book, I especially admire Mr. Kirstein's service in World War II as one of the "Monuments Men", who helped save a large part of European art at the end of World War II. Readers interested in this overall effort might wish to read "Rescuing Da Vinci" by Edsel.

(The book's jacket design by Chip Kidd is first rate.)

The Worlds of Lincoln Kirstein is terrifically detailed and sweeps the reader into the best years of New York, especially. I could not put it down and walked around carrying this massive tome everywhere because I could not be parted from it. He truly crossed paths with EVERYONE, and it was enthralling to realize how one did that then. Duberman is frank and honest about the material that causes unease, particularly about fascism and social ambitions of some of Kirstein's colleagues over the years. His life was so layered, like a mille-fleur pastry, that Duberman has to keep sweeping back across the same period of months again and again to get it all, which takes some getting used to, but, by 1934, seems as natural a way as any to make the portrait complete.

I love this book. It's brilliant! The limericks outline the entire history of the band. The bio is there as well to fill in any gaps. The limericks are just great. Anyone who loves this band as much as I do will really enjoy this book.

YesTales is both informative and enjoyable (a rare combination, indeed). It is not encumbered with ranting opinion. I found it to be punchy, poignant and colorful ... a lively account of three decades of Yes. And the Limericks are hilarious! I have been a Yes fan for many years, and love all eras of Yes music. A Yes fan of any era would really enjoy this book, and any real Yes fan will know that says a lot! Three decades is a lot of music, and very distinctive eras. I loved it!

YesTales is both informative and enjoyable (a rare combination, indeed). It is not encumbered with ranting opinion. I found it to be punchy, poignant and colorful ... a lively account of three decades of Yes. And the Limericks are hilarious! I have been a Yes fan for many years, and love all eras of Yes music. A Yes fan of any era would really enjoy this book, and any real Yes fan will know that says a lot! Three decades is a lot of music, and very distintive eras. I loved it!

This book was great and I can't wait to read it again

This book told of the trials and tribulations of the characters of the past. It helped new viewers to catch up on the events of the past, while taking life long watchers on a trip down memory lane. Great Job!!

As a huge fan of the Y&R from its inception, I was very entharalled and delighted with this book. It is a *MUST* read for any fan of this show. Not only does it take you down memory lane, but it refreshes the memory of many story lines.

This is such a wonderful book! I wasn't much of an "It's a Wonderful Life" fan until I met the lovely Karolyn Grimes recently. She spoke about IAWL with such passion that I went out and bought the DVD the next day and watched it again, through new eyes.

This book is full of rare photographs as well as little known trivia. You'll feel as though you have a new friend after reading this book.

If you love little Zuzu Bailey, then you need to buy this book! And even if you're only a casual viewer of "It's a Wonderful Life", you're still going to really enjoy reading this.

This gorgeous book is absolutely chock-full of stunningly crystal-clear photos and delightful remembrances from Karolyn Grimes. It's perfect for collectors of books and memorabilia related to old Hollywood as well as those who would just like to know more about the Karolyn and her movies. "Zuzu's Wonderful Life in the Movies" is a cherished book in my library.

Zuzu's Wonderful Life In The Movies: The Story of Karolyn Grimes by Christopher Brunell is a veritable showcase of on-screen and behind the scenes photographs featuring Karolyn Grimes, the talented child star of "It's a Wonderful Life" and many, many other memorable Hollywood films. Complementing these captivating black-and-white photos is a brief yet involving story of actress Karolyn Grimes' personal life, the obstacles she faced, and her extensive filmography. Highly recommended for fans of classic movies, Zuzu's Wonderful Life In The Movies is a seminal contribution to Cinematic History reference collections and a "must" for any dedicated fan of the Golden Age of movie making.

While General Forrest's tactics have been a wise approach for many years;they need to be modified for modern times.Having the best training,motivated personnel and most advanced weapon systems are also mandatory for success.
At first glance,it may appear that this is a light weight or superficial book of modern weaponry and state of art gizmos.Even the title tends to sell this book short.
The authors,Frank Vizard and Phil Scott have done an excellent job of summarizing how and where the military got to where they are today,what are the newest weapon systems being introduced today,and what can be expected in the future.
We see where weapon systems have progressed at a continually accalerating pace since WWII;and as the saying goes; "You ain't seen nothing yet!"
What this book does especially well is its treatment of the people who will be using these weapons.Now ,and in the future,the "soldier" will be far better trained,motivated,protected,equipped and fewer in number than ever seen in the past.
The book not only covers the soldier but also the weapon systems of all branches of the military;the Army,Marines, Air Force and Army and personnel.We see the latest and projected Aircraft,Armor,Ships,Weaponry,Gear and Tactics supported with clear and concise text and photographs.
I have been attending Air Shows and following military documentaries for a number of years.However;the huge advancement in weaponry was never brought home more to me than this summer when I witnessed a display of the new F-22 Raptor.It showed capabilities that were simply breathtaking;and many of its capabilities are still being kept secret.This new plane clearly shows that this plane,its pilot,support systems,weapons,and stealth proclaim;it's a new era in war planes.
This book is going to be a very invaluable aid when following present and future conflicts.
If you want to know what's going on militarily,don't by-pass this book.

If there is a single book that captures exactly what is going on right now in DoD, this is THE book. Not only do the authors survey all of the major air, land and sea weapons systems under development, they write from a context framed by the past. This makes this work exceptional in contrast to most books that gush over future gadgetry while ignoring the physical world we live in which requires platforms that are robust, durable and mobile.

The book details how real transformation in land combat requires splicing new technologies like hybrid-electric drives, band tracks and advanced armor and weaponry to combat proven tracked M113A3 Gavin type vehicles not expensive lav3stryker rubber-tired armored cars. The authors explain how 5 combat effective 10.5 ton tracked M113A3 Gavins can fly in a single C-17 and easily in smaller C-130 aircraft while the overweight 19-ton wheeled lav3strykers can only fly 2-3 at a time in a C-17 and stripped down of fuel/ammo inside a C-130. The authors dilligently point out that spending billions on inferior equipment and losing capabilities is not transformation---gaining capabilities by upgrading M113 Gavins into Brigade Combat Teams is the way to victory.

Another excellent segment of the book is its depiction of efforts to lighten the individual Soldier's load and give him greater mobility (4-25 mph) by means like folding all-terrain bikes (ATBs) and carts. This book is a fascinating look into the future of U.S. warfare and should be a must-read by every Soldier, Sailor, Airmen or marine.

Everything that I wanted to learn about 98 Degrees, I found in this book. The pictures are amazing and I am an even bigger fan now! These guys are extraordinary performers and make incredible music! Jeff and the guys are truly dedicated to their work and I hope they keep it up for MANY years! This is the ultimate book to learn about 98 Degrees from conception to the present. A must read for any true fan!

This book is awesome you won't be able to put it down if you try. Everything you wanted to learn about 98° is in here. Jeff.... must i say anymore? Just check out the book and you'll see why. I'm a fan of 98° and this book just reaffirms what i know... that these guys are awesome performers and as well as handsome, gorgeous men. If you haven't picked up your copy yet, what are you waiting for? =)

Brad Stevens did a magnificent work, that enlightens all the aspects of Ferrara's movies. As a very serious historian, he multiplies the sources of informations, and we discover for example the youth and formation of the film-maker. As a brilliant analyst, he compares each film with a whole range of literary and cinematic works. It's a model in terms of monography about a director.
The book is wonderfully illustrated. The filmography is the most complete and detailed.
A necessary book for everyone interested, nonetheless about Ferrara, but about American contemporary cinema in general.

Brad Stevens, whose successful book on Monte Hellman was released in 2003, tackles another subject who doesn't always get the proper recognition that they so deserve. Through interviews with Ferrara himself (he wrote the brief introduction), correspondence with the main collaborators of the director, and enormous amounts of research, Stevens' book focuses on both the biographical and the theoretical nature of Ferrara's films. It's the most complete book on Ferrara at this time, and one would hope that Stevens would be able to update this text as Ferrara continues his controversial - but always impressive - career.
His section on unrealized projects alone makes this worthy of a purchase.