Biography Books

This is a book just itching to be made into an outstanding film. It's got all the elements of a film that people enjoy: action, drama, romance, danger, and IT'S TRUE! The new cover on The Company She Keeps is an eye-catcher and readers won't be disappointed when they read Georgia Durante's biography. The book captures the essence of life for a woman connected to an organized crime family. It spans a time period in Durante's life that goes from good times to bad times, from tragedy to triumph, and from fear to freedom of spirit.
Not just another biography like Nicholas Pileggi's Wiseguy, which became Martin Scorsese's Goodfellows, The Company She Keeps chronicles the spousal abuse which Durante endured while married to a member of the Family. How Durante coped and eventually left the Family life with her daughter is a chronicle that is all too common in cases of domestic violence and abuse.
Read this book and urge everyone you know to read it. Come on, Hollywood, when are you gonna get off the dime and put this on film???

Georgia Durante's book had me at the first word-- be prepared to go through the emotional roller coaster of a lifetime. How Georgia managed to not only survive but succeed is beyond me but her story is one that everyone-- men and women-- should read and remember. I carried the book with me everywhere until I finished it last night. You won't be able to put it down either!

I plan to buy a copy for each of my friends-- it's the perfect stocking stuffer!

The Company She Keeps by author Georgia Durante is one of the most
fascinating books i have ever read. No work of fiction could ever top
the life this woman lived. Ms. Durante has held nothing back, all of the
highs and lows are here, she has laid bare her soul. I can't believe
this book has not been made into a movie. It would be one of those
movies that you would want to watch over and over to make sure you
have seen every detail, it would be just that fascinating. Any of
hollywood's leading ladies could turn this role into an oscar winning
performance. This is one book i will not be lending out, it is one of
those you want to read over and over.

Georgia Durante's book "The Company She Keeps" is riveting. I could not put it down, I could not sleep because I wanted to get back to her story. I was proud of the warrior she is and I was sad when it was over because I will miss reading about her. I can not wait for her next book to come out.
She is truly an inspiration...to change your life...you can change your thinking.
Sincerely,
Susan Lynn
Jupiter, FL

I found this book very honest, exciting and interesting. Georgia Durante takes you along on her adventure and you will enjoy the ride.

I could not put this book down once I got into it. It has enabled me to understand the true nature of God and I have become involved in a Church that has many stories that echo the story of Ron, Deborah, and Denver.

Wow. This was a powerful story on so many levels. It challenged me in my perceptions of people. It also convicted me about "catch and release" friendships. In ministry it is easy to view relationships as a means to share the gospel rather than a lifelong committment to a person. I don't think this is always wrong per-say, you can't be all things to everyone, but maybe God wants to do something more in both my life and the life of someone else. It is a powerful idea to start of thinking of truly loving and learning to trust to the point of becoming "family" with someone who is so much "the same kind of different" as me. I would highly recommend this book!

What a beautiful true story that transcends two worlds and brings us to the place where we are all the same - people made in the image of God. I was moved to tears more than once, I smiled, laughed and cringed as I read through this amazing tale. In one way it was shocking to see that in my lifetime there have been people living in the conditions of one man while others are living in the "lap of luxury". But not only did God have to bring them from two extremes and bring them together, but then a sad event unites them. This is a touching story that has pearls of wisdom and spiritual insight wrapped in a covering of a story that will keep you turning the pages for more. Highly recommended!

Ron's wife, Debbie Hall was a woman called of God to step outside the boundaries of $1000 per plate charity dinners and high society to take follow in Christ's steps and take His love to "the least of these". Devoting herself to working with the homeless community of Forth Worth, Texas, she related to those she met as individuals and people with a purpose, loving them for who they were.

This flowing, authentic love was much more difficult for her husband Ron Hall to grasp hold of. Coerced into joining his wife's ministering efforts, his initial attempts were stilted. Focused more upon assuaging guilt and generating a warm, fuzzy sense of do-gooding, it was only when his friendship with Denver Moore blossomed that he experienced the depths of true compassion.

Raised in informal, modern-day slavery, Moore worked hard growing and picking cotton until some time in his late twenties when he left the only life he knew in search of a better one. The new life he found resulted in thirty years on the streets, homeless and without work. Over these years he became angry, his heart hardened and he slipped into darkness.

When God placed the Halls in his life he resisted their tapping at his heart. Survival skills learned from years on the streets launched his automatic defense system. Through prayer, persistence and love the lives of these three individuals would weave a new story that would inspire and touch the lives of thousands.

While God's importance in this work is never minimized, no clear presentation of the gospel is present. There are also some experiences related that some readers might feel uncomfortable with; spirit visitations and visions are clearly a part of who Denver Moore is and his understanding of God. While these may appear as superstitious to many, it's likely that these beliefs are common to those with Denver's upbringing.

That being said, books like these aren't read to inform your theological position. Read it to see the joy and fruit of being Jesus' hands and feet in this world. Read it to learn about striving to serve Him with love and spreading that love to those who have fallen through the cracks. Read it to experience the deep love between a husband and wife, the power of God to soften and change hearts and His ability to take grief and use it as a seed that will grow, flower and touch the lives of many. A beautiful story that warms and wrenches the heart; you'll want tissues on hand for this one.

When asked if they had any additional thoughts on the book the authors responded:

"Ron: Most of our thoughts were included and the book was never meant to be a self-help or instructional book. Ours is merely a story about how a Godly woman with a dream followed it to the point where a city was changed. Denver and I are not preachers or teachers, but sinners with a story to tell.

Denver: I didn't have any thoughts for this book, I just told my story. I just want to encourage folks to be more like Miss Debbie."

I'd say that about sums it up.

Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore is a different kind of love story. Two men, who couldn't be more different, are brought together by their love for one woman who has a powerful love for God. Ron Hall is a successful art dealer in Dallas, Texas when his wife, Deborah, hears a message from God to serve the homeless in a dilapidated shelter. He goes along with his wife, only for love of her. But when Deborah tells him that she has seen a vision of a man who will change the city with his wisdom, and that the man is Denver, one of the biggest, most frightening men in the shelter, Ron struggles to believe as well. Through Deborah, the two men become friends, of the forever kind, and God will use that friendship to change the city. This nonfiction tale of friendship is wonderfully written in alternately chapters in Ron and Denver's voices. Denver, who was a sharecropper in Louisiana, never learned to read or write, but has a deep sense of right and wrong, and he manages to teach Ron and Deborah both what true Christianity means. This is the kind of book that makes you long to have a deeper relationship with God so that you can see miracles the way these two men have. Denver says, "I'm just a nobody tryin' to tell everybody about the Somebody who can save everybody." Amen!

There are so many reasons to pan a book like this, writting, viewpoint, historical accuracy, but this book gets 5 stars in all catagories. So true, so full of action, so sad, so much to say. My true interest lies on the Eastern Front between Germany and Russia, but this was so good it is my favorite of WW2 in spite of the subject matter. Wow.

I have told people that war is the Second worse thing that could happen to a human. The first? Slavery - which is the battlefront against Hitler's National Socialists and the Imperial Japan in World War II.

That's where this story takes place. I have read few books that convey the realism and horror of war so well, without reservation. This is one.

Eugene B. Sledge, an Alabama boy, heads into War in the Pacific as a member of the U.S. Marines. He lands with the famous 1st Marine Division - 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines. His training was concentrated and intense - but still nothing prepares one for the onslaught of Pelilieu. He was a vet when he hit Okinawa where the fighting got even tougher. The image that sticks with me about Okinawa is a Marine who has to head back to get ammo. He slips in the mud and slides down the hill, rising to discover that he was covered in the maggots uncovered by his slid that were gnawing away at the dead bodies in the mud. This Marine, inured to death and destruction, is rattled badly. That image has stayed with me to understand the horror of this generation's sacrifice and their quiet acceptance of Duty.

By the time Sledge hit the hell of Okinawa, he was a combat vet, still filled with fear but no longer with panic.

I can't go into detail since I didn't read it myself, but my dad enjoyed it a lot.

I have wanted this book for some time. The seller gave a fair price and good service. I received the book in good shape, as advertized.

I was very satisfied with the level of customer service that I received from Amazon.com. As a college student I am always looking for cheaper books, so this has become one of my new favorite websites.

How much do you love movies?

If you are anything like me, the answer is simply, "a lot". As lovers of film we've all sat around and thought about making our own films. Invariably though, the discussions and daydreams of movie glory fall to the way side. You see the truth of the matter is none of us love film as much as Lloyd Kaufman, head of Troma. Lloyd never let those dreams of filmmaking go. How do I know this?...

Because I read Lloyd's book, "All I Need to Know about Filmmaking I Learned from the Toxic Avenger". In this funny, inspiring, and often times touching how-to/autobiography Lloyd goes over his early years of making films like " Squeeze Play" all the way up to recent cult films such as "Tromeo and Juliet". The book covers all the ups and downs of his filmmaking career as well as having many helpful tidbits for aspiring filmmakers.

The one thing that I always find myself thinking about when I reflect back on reading the book is how amazed I am by how much Lloyd Kaufman loves the art and spirit of film.

If you feel the same way about film or are just simply looking for an extremely fun read about fighting for your dreams, please pick up "All I Need to Know about Filmmaking I Learned from the Toxic Avenger".


You'll be glad you did.

...and so will Lloyd.

This book is great. I know, a pretty simple statement, but it's true. Nothing else needs to be said. It's fun, hilarious, entertaining and it also give you a sense of how independent film, REAL independent film, works.

It's great for anyone too, even if you've never heard of Troma or the Toxic Avenger or anything like that. You feel more like Lloyd is talking directly to you vs. just reading some garbage he claims he wrote.

Buy this book, than read it, than come back here and write a similar review because you'll love it so much.

In this book, Lloyd Kaufman, president of the impossibly quirky Troma Studios, shares insights and practical advice about making low-budget (or no-budget) feature films. Lloyd's writing style is just as unusual as the movies he directs, as he meanders aimlessly from self-deprecating autobiography to detailed, spur-of-the-moment instructions on how to fake an onscreen head crushing or make actors appear to vomit green foam. There's also plenty of out-of-place crude and scatological humor peppered heavily throughout. I wouldn't have expected anything else from Kaufman, whose unfathomably eccentric (but amiable) personality and genuine love for the art of do-it-yourself filmmaking shine through on every page. Fans of Troma, young and old, owe it to themselves to read this book. It really is an inspiring read for all of us who have the filmmaking bug but often become too easily defeated by lack of funds or crew members. Long live Troma!

if your a fan of troma or just a fan of movies this is the book for you.it tells the story of how Lloyd started the greatest ( and longest running )independent movie studio in the world ( or any other world for that matter)not bad considering they started off in a broom closet.there movies rock Lloyd is the man just buy the book

[...]I got this book as a birthday present in Christmas of '05, back when I was entertaining ideas of becoming a filmmaker in addition to just being a critic. While the need for actually putting something up on the big (or little) screen has passed for the time being, I am forever grateful for the spell due to the fact that it put this book (and Lloyd's equally engaging MAKE YOUR OWN DAMN MOVIE) in my possession. When I was done reading it, I knew two things: Lloyd is an amazing human being, and the only limits for success are those we put upon ourselves.

No matter what your passion is, Lloyd Kaufman gives you the inspiration to go out and damn well do it. Don't have the money to do it? Find a way to make it happen regardless. You'll never have all the money you want/need to do things the way you want to, unless you sell your soul to the godless corporations, so just kick that imagination of yours into high gear and get the job done. I recently edited a horror film reference book - a lifelong dream - and much of that inspiration came from meeting Mr. K on and off the page.

I have met Lloyd several times since at various conventions and am always impressed by his passion and his accessibility to his fans. He is constantly surrounded by adoring admirers, but he takes the time to acknowledge each one of them and everyone who comes in contact with him feels that they have had a "real" moment with Lloyd. That is a true gift. But if you want to spend some quality time with the great man himself, pick this book up. You'll have a new best friend and a new hero to look up to.

At times it was very difficult to read this true story due to my tears and heart stopping feelings. I think that this book should be required reading for the young people of today to let them know how blessed they are to have what they have. I hope our system has changed enough so that the things this young boy, and the many others in the book faced are not present today. My heart is still hurting from this story but I am glad that I continued with the read and finished Mr. Burch's story. I am going to pass this book on to my grandaughters to read and hope they share it with their friends.

This is a wonderful book, it will make you feel every emotion you have have.

This book is mind-numbingly captivating. I dont like getting depressed after reading a book, and I was expecting to find myself knee deep in a semi-horror novel. Such as David Pelzer's "A child called It," (good book by the way) but this story is different. Though the events told in this story are horrific, there is an enchanting light of hope that guides you through the chapters. The good expressed in this book is equal to the bad, and it makes for a well balanced read. The innocents and wisdom this child reflects is just heart wrenching. I love it.

I could not put this book down! It made my cry a couple of times but it does have a happy ending.

Since I first read this book over 15 years ago I've read the book over 10 times. I read it three times the first year. I felt it was an amazing story, very touching, and able to tug at me each time I read it. The strength and courage that the author had was amazing.

I bought Merle's Door because the sub-title "Lessons from a Freethinking Dog" caught my eye. I was in Pet Smart buying a bag of Eukaneuba kibble for my nine-month old Standard Schnauzer puppy named Otto, who is about as freethinking a dog as you are ever going to meet.

Ted Kerasote leads the reader/dog owner-lover on a wonderful adventure into the hidden life of dogs; not simply "what dogs think," from a Pavlovian standpoint, but why dogs are the way they are.

On more than one occasion, this book brought a smile to my face, or tears to my eyes as I learned something new about dogs. This book will bring you closer to your companion animal in a way you never dreamed possible. Dogs are a lot more than pets we shape, mold, and train to our liking; they can be companions with whom we can connnect and share experiences with, if we will let dogs be themselves.

I loved Merle's Door. It was well written book on a relationship between man and dog. A tear jerker, but one of my favorites.

First let me say that many more enjoyed this book than are critical.
I found it to have a large amount of " fill" does it really need 200 annotations? do we really have to hear about Ted's sexual encounters and world travels? I began to feel that he was more interested in telling about himself than Merle. I kept thinking that we are looking at a 50 year old far left liberal into new age religion etc. IE An old Hippy.

There are many parts related to Merle's adventures that are interesting, but I do not really consider this book memorable. I purchase extra copies of memorable books to share with my friends. In do not plan to purchase any additional copies of this one, and likely will not even pass it on for others to read.

This did not compare to "The art of Racing in the Rain." Bernie Doran

This book is a must read for anyone who has loved a dog. It is a beautiful book. If you have read Marley and Me....you will really like this book as well. Highly recommend for all dog lovers.

I picked this book for my book club here in Wyoming and it was a great choice. This book touched everyone and all admitted to using a lot of kleenex at the end! Don't miss this one. Patti

When I read this book I laughed, I cried, and reflected to my own experiences. Clay Aiken has so much wit and is a wonderful story teller.
I would recommend this book for anyone but especially kids that get picked on at school, as Clay was. His childhood was filled with pain but he chose to rise above it all. From his biological father to his step-father,
he had always gotten the short end of the stick and wondered what it would take to be loved. Wonderful, inspirational reading.

I recently finished his book in just a few hours. Excellent! The book reveals his life as a child, facts about his biological dad and his step dad, and his lovely mother. Many chapters actually moved me to tears. This man is humble, extremely talented and gifted.
A definite Must Read! You will enjoy the trip down memory lane with Clay.

Clay Aiken is one of the few celebrities I look up to. He has devoted fans because people see him as a friend or a brother. He is a very kind, humorous, and generous man. I am glad I read this book.

This book is truly a masterpiece! I read this book because I am a Clay Aiken fan, and I thought, 'Hey, a book by Clay Aiken, this should be cool.' I would recommend this book for anyone! Even if you aren't a fan of Clay, this is still an inspiring book. Let's just say: I laughed, I cried, it moved me!" I'm ordering the book and the audio cds. This is one of those books that you read front to back, then open it right back up and read it again!

I don't really like to write reviews, but I couldn't resist this one. Let me just start by saying I wasn't a fan of Clay when he was on Idol. I guess I was a bit young to really appreciate his talent. Well I've rediscovered him and have become a HUGE FAN. I can call myself a claymate.

Anyway, this book is great. I finished it in a day. I couldn't put the book down, not even for a minute. From the very beginning Clay opened himself up and showed that he's vulnerable. He says that he wants people to realize what you see is what you get when it pertains to him. You can't help but cry when things are rough, and smile when he sees the light at the end of the tunnel.

This may be a spoiler, but one of the many things that really stood out for me was when he was talking about his stepdad. When his stepdad died, you can tell at that time, Clay felt incomplete, not knowing whether he was loved by him or not. Then he remembered a story his mom told him; his mom said, a friend of his dad had visited him and he was talking about his brother Brett and how he knew he would turn out to be a great man. Then his stepdad said, "my other son is going to be a famous singer one day because he has the most beautiful voice."

That part of the book really touched me bc I felt like he got his closure and he knows his stepdad really loved him.

Anyway, I don't mean to go on and on, but this is a great book and is a page turner. You can't help but love Clay more and I'm sure people who read this book can relate to him in so many levels.

I was required to read this book in my high school psych class, as well as the sequel to it. It was a very captivating read, and the imagery really sticks with you. The teacher gave us a schedule of when we had to finish each chapter by, but I couldn't put the thing down.

This amazing true story is about a violent 6-year old. You will be amazed by the details of how her teacher--Torey Hayden--reaches out to this child with special needs. This book is a must for teachers and parents.

I was required to get this book for my special education training that I need for my master's. This book was very interesting. It showed the good and bad things Torey Hayden did in the course of serving this one child, Sheila. I could not put it down.

This story gave me tears of sadness and tears of joy. While it is heartbreaking to learn of all the abuse Sheila has endured, it is
heartwarming to know that SOMEONE took the time and effort to encourage her and to reach out to her. This book is a wonderful testament to the power of love and the human spirit.

I'm half-way through this book and I LOVE it so far!! I'm in school to become a teacher and we're reading this book. It has opened my eyes!!!

I find the writing Of Mr James Norton quite inspiring. Since reading this masterpeice I've made at least 7 people puke by making them smell my belly button. Bravo *Himmmy* and Happy Birthday!!!

I confess I didn't even know who Jim Norton was when I bought this on referral. The self-loathing bit gets old, but his wit is unbelievably funny at times, the stories are told with great observation humor and descriptions of hilarious uncomfortable situations. Highly recommended.

I laughed while reading this book front to back. I had heard some of the stories during his appearances on The Opie and Anthony Show but still laughed ever single moment. A must read for anyone with a sick sense of humor.

Lil' Jimmys book doesn't disappoint. He's definitely one of the best comedians going today. Hopefully his next book isn't too far away.

Absolutely hilarious. If you have heard him on Opie and Anthony and/or saw his stand up, this is a must. He holds nothing back. His tails of childhood are brutally honest showing his true colors. He takes everything on: race, handicapped, fat women, pooping, not bathing and even masterbation - several times. I honestly could not put it down. Every part is great. Quick read and very well written.

This was my 8th grade son's summer reading. He could not stop reading it and it caused him to initiate a lot of conversation with us about the holocaust. Since it was from the perspective of a girl his own age, he really identified with it.

I have just started reading more accounts of World War II and really enjoyed this survivor story. It is a big account in a small package. It is not about the gory details, but more about the emotions behind them. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

this book was awesome. i read it in a day. very hard to read, but you have to do it. buy!!!!

The book shows plenty of emotions of their loved ones being lost. Livia wrote her memory into a book, like most Holocaust survivors did. Most people are unaware of the presence of the Holocaust or just were uninterested. Like most Holocaust books they show the nightmare they experienced. Elli gives the reader an idea that they have hope to survive.
Some people read certain Holocaust books that fits their writing style and her Livia gives the reader the first person point of view.
We chose this book for our English class and we presented how they were killed like if one person in the barrack did not cooperate with the SS officers, the entire barrack was sent to gas chambers.
I recommend readers read this book.

This book is so powerful. I have read many stories of Holocaust survivors, but few if any have presented such a vivid view of the horrors the Jews faced. Some parts were disturbing, but they describe true history, so they are definitely important to read. If you're interested in the Holocaust, this is a great read.