Scott Books

I must admit a certain amount of bias in this review. You see, I am the "Max" that Scott (Max) Cherney refers to in this book. That said, you will forgive my bias with the knowledge that I have known, worked and been his brother from another mother for over 36 years.
As objective as I can be I will say that this is a wonderful trip through the memory and recall of someone who never, ever forgets anything. Scott Cherney has an encyclopedic memory of everything film and life and has total recall of even the most trivial factoid of film minutiae. This would simply be a parlor trick or a bar annoyance were it not for his driving stream-of-consciousness narrative style which carries you from one episode to another with delightful prose. When he told me he was writing this book, I knew from our past collaborations that this would be a fun read and I was right! If you have any interest in anything having to do with movies past, present and future - you must read this book. And when you read it, please understand that everything he says happened exactly as he says it did, whether I want to remember it that way or not! A Great Read!
Ed "Max" Thorpe

I recall many years ago as a young boy the antisipation of waiting for the movie to start.Sitting in the dimly lit theater munching popcorn and watching the dancing hot dog jump into it's bun.And thinking how strange that little cartoon was.Then I would go to the snak bar and get a hot dog quikly before the movie would start. Scott Cherny has captured that kind of memory for me in his book "In The Dark A life and Times in a Movie theater".Having lived in Stockton California for the past 35 years,I can identify with all of the various theaters and other land marks mentioned in his book.His wrighting style makes you feel as though he is speaking to you over a cup of coffee in a Starbucks.All of the wondrful films he mentions for the most part I have seen.And some of the not so wonderful films are good for a laugh as you read.His sharp comments assist in that endevor. Mr Cherney takes us on a delitful trip down memory lane in anywhear Amarica.From his childhood to present it is a fun jorney.We all can remember the time spent in a dark theater being taken to amazing places and seeing dreams come to life on the silver screen.Mr Cherney reminds us of the magic of old Hollywood and what dreams are made of.In show biz they say " Always leave them wanting more.Mr Cherney has done that in this book " In The Dark A Life and Times in a Movie Theater".

This book should get handed out to every [person] who attends movies...more pointedly the ones who always bring a baby into the cinema at the final showing of the night...There should be laws..like in England..where cinemas there, proudly display signs that say "NO INFANTS ALLOWED!"

Scott's book reminds most of us of how much fun going to the movies USED to be. To the days of double features for single admission, hiding in the trunks of cars going to the drive ins. Until the owners wised up and charged [a price] a carload. I myself can remember Horror films until dawn at the 99E drive in. Phantom of the Paradise, Suspria, Squirm, Family Plot and Tales from the Crypt...I am sure Scott was there taking notes.

A nice trip down memory lane..more wonderful for me, as I have been told many of those tales in person and I was there for the Schindler's List debacle. I am sure that kid manager quit after Scott was done with him.
Take Cherney's journey...it's a bumpy ride, so you better strap in!

an excellent resource - full of usefull information, presented in a uniquely accessable format

I love the Instant Genius series. The tapes, especially the one on wine, are packed with a lot of information. There is no long drawn out time wasting introduction. I look forward to listening to this tape over and over.

A great overview of both red and white wines, covering a broad range of issues including origin, taste, selection of wine, year, etc. Both my appreciation and interest in wine has increased. Ideal for the wine lover that want to know more.

Jean-Pierre de Caussade wrote a stunning book called Abandonment to Divine Providence in the 18th Century which lays out a plan of life based upon total trust and reliance upon God. Despite the trials of life; despite tears and toil, the grace of the present moment once embraced will affect a momentous change in the believer, and all the tears of life will be like a communion with the Lord of all. This book, Interior Freedom is a brilliant successor to Caussade. It is a contemporary statement of the road to peace based upon a deep understanding of the virtue of Hope, hope in God as the source of our interior freedom that that can not be damaged regardless of the trials of life. I would be understating the greatness of this book to say that it is simply great. It is not only great to read and a source of great consolation and wonderful ideas, it is a life-changing book. This is a beautifully simply written book that is totally approachable regardless of the level of one's spirituality. Like the Caussade book it is very thin, only around a 100 pages. That is not to say that it is simple, in some ways it can be a bit challenging, challenging of our preconceived notions of interior freedom, and all freedom for that matter. I have read it four times and continue to get great insights from it. Some of the insights are immediate, others take time to sink in. Regardless, this book offers generous spiritual guidance to finding peace in a chaotic world, and not just a chaotic world but in our chaotic lives, families and our sometimes impoverished souls, which are all yearning for peace and hope. It is full of truth and inspiration and one sheds a few tears of joy and thankfulness for this book. Where the French Jesuit Caussade in his book spoke to the Catholics of the French Revolution, this book will touch more cold, cynical, frenetically torn modern hearts. There is not a false note here. This a beautifully translated book. There is a pure gift. Piilippe focuses beautifully on the virtue of hope-- practical spiritual hope which is only kind there really is. This book contains no placebos, not palliatives, this book is about the inner life of the soul in reliance upon the source of all creation and goodness. Any Christian searching for a book on hope and peace could do no better than to start here.

It is well written. Talks about the truth of life and everyday living. A nice book to keep for meditation and to give oneself a better perspective in life.

This is the third book by Father Jacques Philippe that I have read, and already I wish there were more than 4 available in English. I am certain he will go down in history as one of the spiritual masters like Brother Lawrence, C.S. Lewis and others. This book is written in such simple and accessible language, yet with a message so profound any believer could grow from encountering it.

Fr. Philippe's main message is that freedom, true freedom, comes from God as the source. And that interior peace sought by so many people in so many ways, yet it only truly comes from learning to be content in where God has us. Yet by learning to trust in God despite external circumstances and situations beyond our control, we can find that oft-sought-after peace. He will show you how to appreciate what you can control, which is your response to what life brings your way.

This book seeks to teach us to live from a heart and mind that has been liberated and set free. But it is not the freedom that most seek. It outlines that freedom as being free to do whatever we want, but true freedom is choosing to live for others, living with our responsibilities.

Fr. Jacques draws from many sources to illustrate his points: Holocaust victim Etty Hillesum, Georges Bernanos, Henri J.M. Nouwen, Catherine de Hueck Doherty and many saints from both the eastern and western traditions as well as the Jewish wisdom tradition. He draws most extensively from Hillesum's journals An Interrupted Life which is the story of her life during the year leading up to occupation and leaving for the concentration camps, and her work among the Jewish children at the holding camp. He uses her life and transformation from a secular Jew to someone in touch with God and trying to live that in the most terrible of circumstances.

Fr. Philippe has written an amazing little book that will explain to you the freedom many seek in faith, and how that freedom can lead to Interior Freedom or as a title of an earlier book of his calls it Searching for and Maintaining Peace. Or as Douglas Coupland puts it "Now -- here is my secret: I tell it to you with an openness of heart I doubt I shall ever achieve again, so I pray that you are in a quiet room as you hear these words. My secret is that I need God - that I am sick and can no longer make it alone. I need God to help me give, because I no longer seem capable of giving; to help me to be kind, as I no longer seem capable of kindness; to help me love, as I seem beyond able to love." in his book Life After God. So this is a little book by a little known author that is truly valuable for the spiritual seeker in this life.

(First Published in Imprint 2007-07-13 in the book review column.)

The first collection in a series of essays by Slavoj Zizek, who is a Professor of Cultural Studies at the University of Ljubljana, Slovena and Visiting Professor at the New School for Social Research, New York and one of the leading contemporary cultural critics of the 20th century. A critically important acquisition for academic library Philosophy collections and student reading lists, this first volume of Professor Zizek's work is divided into three principle sections: 'Lacanian Orientations'; 'Philosophy Traversed by Psychoanalysis'; and 'The Fantasy of Ideology'. Enhanced with a glossary, an index, and an 'Author's Afterword: Why Hegel is a Lacanian', "Interrogating The Real" showcases impeccable scholarship and clearly documents Professor Zizek as an original and insightful philosopher in his own right.

What sizzling insistencies are presented here, served up on a platter of salad encrusted banana littered plenitude succulently garnished with mouth watering 1001 Nights Supa Sauce plus ultra crispy fries smoothly layered on delicious South Pacific grillings lightly and pliantly tossed and toasted in a sensational semiological batter, a perfect feast for the egregious sorts that salt away in the mines of academe with nary a twist or tryst such a work is a marvel to behold as it nestles willy nilly on the shelves of Opportune, suppurating and gently roasting in a chested blemish of buffoons...

I still have a few essays left in this little gem, but I would already highly recommend it because I have never had a better experience understanding Zizek.

First off, if you simply wish to gain a straight forward understanding of some of the possible theoretically usages of Lacan, Hegel, Kant, Foucault, Heidegger and a host of other heavy hitters then Zizek is your man. He loves a tangent, but he uses anecodotes, jokes and examples from popular culture to demonstrate difficult concepts in a clear way. (In my opion, that's what real genius is.)

Secondly, the essays are very witty, sometimes even hilarious. Whether Zizek is explaining that the Lacanian analyst is like Hannibal Lecter trying to eat Clarisse Starling's 'Dasein' or describing the perverse self-denials in Casablanca, he is always pretty snarky.

Lastly, I think Zizek, despite his penchant for silliness, does have a serious project. I think he wants people to use logic to transcend academic and psuedo-academic fads and to understand that human beings are miraculous and miraculously cracked. Zizek is miraculously cracked, that's for sure.

Yes a must have book if you follow the Iso Rivolta automobiles. Loads of real info in the years of production of the Iso cars. Covers all models built from the "egg" car to the one off Varedo, and gives a peek at what the Rivolta group is doing with boats,city cars, and the Grifo 90. Just buy it to look at the picutes its full of full color prints and text to make it a can't put down book.

Winston Goodfellow provides a tantilizing, well written story of of a family's quest to build beautiful, fast yet reliable automobiles. More than a dry history of an obscure Italian car manufacturer, this book highlights the great GT cars of the late 1950s and 1960s, in addition to giving a cultural snapshot of Italian design heritage.

This could be one of the best automotive books ever written. Mr. Goodfellow does more than just detail the history of the Iso car company, he tells the stories behind all of the personalities that helped build these amazing machines. This book gives the reader a detailed behind the scenes look at the Italian car industry during some of the most interesting years. Lots of technical information too! Can't wait for his next book on Giotto Bizzarrini.

Mike Clarke

Scott Gerber's first novel is better than most of John Grisham's novels. Its faced paced, the characters are well developed, and the plot is realistic. It should be a movie. I cannot wait for Gerber's next novel.

A first rate novel, ethnography, of the REAL Culture in Academic life. It goes behind the scenes of tranquility that Academics like to give the impression of, and gets to the back stabing, phonyness of Academic life. Plus its a great thriller. I think all will be very happy with this book.

This is not just another "who done it"; Dr. Gerber adds many interesting details of Thomas Jefferson U., Jeffersonville, and surroundings. Much of this should evoke fond memories for former students at a real Virginia school and edifying insight for the rest of us-- Virginian or not. Dr. Gerber's eloquent use of language instills an academic tone to this well paced mystery. Several brief legal thoughts add to its instructive theme without distracting from the plot. The title points to a recurring theme of finance and politics in modern education. An interesting and good read.

A Virginia Reader

James I: The Fool as King
This is the unvarnished story of the incompetent and depraved King James who left his name on an Excellent Bible he ordered translated solely because the current Bible (Geneva) had at most, three notes which called the King a subject of God, not the other way around. James was also obviously a homosexual who hated women and rewarded men favorites with titles and money that did not belong to him.A King so grossly narcissistic that he nearly set off the English Parliamentary Revolution years early. Amble evidence is presented to his lack of character, morality and an all invasive cowardice. All the a man convinced that God have given him the right to rule absolutely. In England, he never could, but managed to almost destroy the English Reformation with his tendency to share the opinion of whoever he had last spoken to, Especially if it was agent of the Vatican or an ambassador of Spain(then preparing to attack England. Otto Scott also paints masterful portraits of the miserly, vanity ridden Elizabeth I and the probable murderess and traitor Mary, Queen of Scots, James I's mother. As per usual, his greatest concern was never his mothers life, but how it would affect his chances at the English throne. A great book.

Otto Scott pulls no punches in his evaluation of James I of England (James VI of Scotland). Scott's writing is easy to read and fast paced, yet of a high scholarly quality. His solidly Christian perspective is unusual today. Look for other books by Scott. I recommend his book on Robespierre and _The Great Christian Revolution_. Highly recommended -- you will not be disappointed.

Otto Scott writes with a clarity that brings history alive, and one feels the pressure of the undercurrents of Catholic, Anglican and Reform churches, of the tensions between Bloody Mary and "The Virgin Queen" Elizabeth (who was NO virgin!) This book gave me an understanding of a turbulent period of history in Scotland, then England, and touching Ireland, and placed it well in the context of European wars. I learned a lot about incredible King Phillip II of Spain as well, whose empire was greater than the Roman Empire. It's funny, it's sad, it's powerful history, and I'll be reading more books by Scott.
The ebb and flow of the rights of Englishmen, which we take for granted, were in their formation, and men died for "displeasing the Crown". You will appreciate our freedoms today, and realize they come, not simply from a revolution, but from powerful spiritual struggles.

this story is fun for the kids and will ignite the readers imagination.

This book sparked my interest as one my husband and son would enjoy together. It has far exceeded my expectations. We all enjoy it immensely. The book definately has a jazzy tone, and it's a great story. My son loves to say that he "spun so fast he dissapeared!"

Whenever I see yet another children's picture book celebrating the heyday of jazz, bebop, and swing I always wonder how interesting that book is to the intended child audience. I mean, sure "Ella Fitzgerald: The Tale of a Vocal Virtuosa", by Andrea Davis Pinkney is fun, but do child readers dig it? Or do they just see it as yet another history lesson disguised as a book? With this in mind, "Jazzy Miz Mozetta" is extraordinary because even though it covers some old-fashioned odes to the dances of yesteryear, kids will enjoy reading and watching this extraordinary heroine as she bops, jitterbugs, and re bop she bams her way through the night.

One evening, sweet Miz Mozetta decides to doll herself up for a stroll in the moonlight. She applies Pretty Plum powder, Tango Mango lipstick, and a dress of a distinctive red sheen. Once outside, she runs into three of her friends while across the street some kids dance and jive to their beatbox. In a rare humor, Miz Mozetta asks the kids if she can join in, but their skepticism puts her off. Her friends won't join her either, so it's up to her apartment she clumps where she decides to turn up the radio and dream of dancing days. Fortunately for us, the tale doesn't end there. Her friends, lured by Miz Mozetta's spunk and the music from the band, put on their finest swing clothes and zoot suits and start some serious jitterbugging. Now it's the kids asking if THEY can join in on the fun and by the end everyone's cutting a rug in Miz Mozetta's snazzy living room floor.

There are tons of children's picture books out there that have elderly adults as their heroes, but few in which those adults dance as wildly and extravagantly as this. Author Brenda C. Roberts has a good ear for the cadences and wordings required for such a jazzy snazzy book as this. There's wonderful repetition and the characters speak affections like, "chickadee" and "honey dear". When Miz Mozetta's friends come in to dance the night away, one man's hair, "was shiny and slick and blacker than black and smelled like shoe polish". Couple this with first time children's illustrator Frank Morrison and you've got yourself a pretty little picture book. Morrison may never have helped create a book for kids before, but he's the perfect person to pair with Brenda Roberts' words. His Miz Mozetta all akimbo arms and straight strong legs. Characters in this book twist their bodies into an assortment of strange shapes and angles. Best of all are the wild dancing sequences where the multicolored elders regard the baggy clothed youngsters then burst into magnificent twirls and romps.

The book's certainly the kind of thing to wake the kids up with, that's for sure. If you want a high stepping picture book to accompany your dance-centric storytime (of which books like "Dumpy LaRue" and the aforementioned "Ella Fitzgerald" would have to be a part of), this book has your number. A visual stunner with a great sense of wordplay to boot.

Jewish Backgrounds of the New Testament is not light reading, but for the reader seeking a good understanding of the historical period from Alexander the Great to the time of the Herodian kings, this is an excellent overview.

As required reading for a course, I found it to be a bit dense, but good quality of research and interesting enough to not put me to sleep. If you want to understand the historical thinking and have a basic overview of the history of Jewish thinking, this is a good resource.

I purchased this book for a Seminary class. This book is a great resource for students of the Bible. The Scriptures have come more alive now that I better understand the politics and history of the time. It also strengthened my knowledge of the Old Testiment in general. I also knew very little about the intertestimental period until reading this. I highly recommend getting this resource.

Jewish Backgrounds is an excellent reference to introduce one to the History, culture, customs, polity, and theology that took place between the testaments. I am a Grad student and will definitely keep this book for my library. It is ideal for anyone interested in the nation of Israel and their influence and contribution to Christianity.

This is an excellent book on the subject of judaism in the period between the OT and the NT.
Mr.Scott covers a lot of ground regarding religious beliefs and how they changed over time.
There were different branches of judaism with similarities as well as differences.The author also details some contrasts between Samaritans,Pharisees,and Sadducees.

There is some helpful information on the Septuagint,it's source,and difference of translation between the hebrew OT and the greek OT.

Mr.Scott looks at Josephus and Philo and the value of their writings in the study of intertestamental judaism,with some understandable scepticism of Josephus.

He also details the priesthood and rivalry between families-Zadokites and Tobiads.The pollution of the priesthood is also discussed.

He covers the start of rabbinical judaism and the circumstances that led to the percieved need for oral law/tradition as a hedge around Torah.
There was some interesting information about Simon bar Kosiba(Kochba).

There is an "Intertestamental Calendar and Festivals Table" that is an excellent resource about the Biblical feasts.This period also saw the addition and alteration of some OT feasts.

The use of the sacred name is discussed.
"The Talmud and other rabbinical sources indicate that by the time of Simon the Just(c.200BC)the divine name was no longer pronounced,except by the high priest on Yom Kippur".
He also had an interesting perspective on the sabbatical and Jubilee years.
"The sabbatical year,occuring every seventh year and the Jubilee,every fiftieth year,prevented the accumulation of too much wealth and oppression of the poor".

There is a very good list of general sources,frequent footnotes and quotes.
I found a few minor points that I think are debatable in the book.That doesn't lessen the value of the author's work.
While not as comprehensive as Edersheim's "The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah", this book is a good choice for anyone interested in the diverse beliefs and Messianic expectations of the period.

A book that is written in a style that I find wonderfully timeless.
The art is exceptional and makes me want to read more of anything
Scott and Benita Story write and illustrate.
What a find.

I have been a fan of Johnny Saturn for quite a while now. This is a very interesting story with lots of twists and turns and nothing about it can be called formulaic or typical. What other story starts you out at the main character's funeral, for instance? Don't worry, that really is just the beginning of the story. This is a character that not even death can stop! If you like to be pulled into a story and want to read something like nothing else you have ever read, then you will love this book! If you want just another, boring, predictable story, then pass this one by - because there is nothing boring or predictable about it!

As a long time comic fan, I am one of the voices that can be heard decrying the state of the industry. I can offer up a laundry list of all the things I think that are wrong in the four color world. It is always a pleasure for me to be able to shine a light on what is right in comics.

One of the shining examples of what is right is Scott and Benita Story's Johnny Saturn. Take tight storytelling and old school artwork, toss them in a blender with the best of what has come before and the hope of things to come and Johnny Saturn is what is born from that volatile concoction.

Johnny Saturn, for me, is definitely a throwback to those heady days of mid-twentieth century "mystery men", ala The Shadow, Doc Savage, and even The Batman (as originally conceived). He is the embodiment of that spartan work ethic and sure moral center that is largely missing in todays comics.

Johnny Saturn is hard-boiled, tooth and nail heroism that invokes the old school stylings of Jack Kirby, Wally Wood, Joe Simon, and Gil Kane, but matched with that peculiar blend of modern angst and classic art that has been the trademark of creators like Frank Miller and Dave Gibbons.

Johnny Saturn is larger than life in a way that can only be showcased by the "street-level" adventures of a man of mystery. It is a snapshot of reality, played out on a grand stage, with all the inner turmoil that is wrestled with by we, the readers, and that's what makes Johnny Saturn tick. We know we are lesser men than Johnny Saturn, but his will and moral fiber are inspiring, and that kids, is what comics were meant to do. Not to be masturbatory fantasies, but inspiring tales that show us what we can be...

Johnny Saturn, in summation, rocks.

'Nuff Said...

~Bob Freeman
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