Arts and Entertainment Books


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

Arts and Entertainment
Another Day in Showbiz: One Producer's Journey
Published in Paperback by Ecw Press (2003-02-01)
Author: Pierre Cossette
List price: $19.95
New price: $1.94
Used price: $0.01
Collectible price: $19.95

Average review score:

A ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR AN ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY PIONEER!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-10-28
I'm the owner of an Entertainment Publicity firm in Las Vegas. While on a trip to Los Angeles last week, I wandered into a memorabilia shop and purchased what appears to be the original, unedited manuscript to this book. I've been reading it for the past two days and am absolutely enthralled with Mr. Cossette's story. Starting with his first break into the Entertainment Industry and proceeding through decades, I've been even more humbled upon realizing that I have worked with some of the people and organizations that he makes reference to in his earlier days in the business. For an Entertainment Industry member to a fan of all things Hollywood, this is an absolute must-read!

A Legend
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2004-12-11
Pierre Cossette is a true legend in Show Business. I recommend this book for anyone serious about a career in show business. He has helped so many new artist and their careers. An excellent book.

Wonderful showbiz biography.
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2004-07-17
Behind the scenes peeks into the inner-workings of show business are often self-congratulatory, full of tired insights and recycled anecdotes, and little more than glorified puff pieces. The arrival of Pierre Cossette's "Another Day in Showbiz" is all the more a truly welcome addition to the biography canon in that it both offers a plethora of quotable stories and a real attempt by its author to explain how an insider rose from being an outsider to becoming the proverbial insider without losing humility or a wicked sense of humor.

Particularly striking is Cossette's willingness to reveal his failures in addition to his many successes. A man whose winning track record includes celebrated productions in Las Vegas, on television, on Broadway and throughout the music world could easily have omitted his duds, but his candidness helps make the book resonate all the more as an instructional primer on the entertainment industry. The clear lesson here -- that it is persistency that can and does succeed -- is hardly unique to Cossette, but his cheerful yet no hold's barred spin on it gives the reader a glimpse that they could never have been privy to prior.

Getting rejected by Angie Dickinson with a romantic overture might not be something most would boost of, but the author's ability to see it as a reality check and to move forward is a perfect example of his self-deprecating style. Then again, his success with woman has obviously been quite good as witnessed by his glowing words for his current wife. In fact, his clear love for her, as well as for the other key woman in his life, is one of the book's strongest suits. Despite, or perhaps because of, his tremendous success, the obvious tenderness of the man serves as a winning example of a "nice guy finishing first."

To call him a true renaissance man may sound like a cliché, but it is perfectly apt. He knew everybody before they were anybody. Among the many highlights of "Another Day in Showbiz" are lengthy sections on his career in Las Vegas (where he not only began the tradition of the lounge singer, but booked Ronald Reagan and nearly every star of the era), an odd but telling encounter with Howard Hughes, his dealings with superstars ranging from Andy Williams to Celine Dion, his Broadway success with "The Will Rogers Follies" (including some interesting Marla Maples' anecdotes), the founding of his Dunhill Records label, and of course the book's main highlight -- his producing the Grammy Awards telecast for 35 years.

The manner in which he was able to convince a reluctant television network to air the Grammys live for the first time nearly 35 years ago is a perfect example of juggling, risking and trusting your guts. Incredible as it may seem today, there was no real interest from the network brass in such a telecast. Again though, Cossette's persistency and obvious smarts paid off. Cossette has been rightly referred to as "The Godfather of the Grammys," and anyone who reads this book will probably want to kiss his ring -- and want to go into "Showbiz."

A great read about Showbiz
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2004-07-17
Behind the scenes peeks into the inner-workings of show business are often self-congratulatory, full of tired insights and recycled anecdotes, and little more than glorified puff pieces. The arrival of Pierre Cossette's "Another Day in Showbiz" is all the more a truly welcome addition to the biography canon in that it both offers a plethora of quotable stories and a real attempt by its author to explain how an insider rose from being an outsider to becoming the proverbial insider without losing humility or a wicked sense of humor.

Particularly striking is Cossette's willingness to reveal his failures in addition to his many successes. A man whose winning track record includes celebrated productions in Las Vegas, on television, on Broadway and throughout the music world could easily have omitted his duds, but his candidness helps make the book resonate all the more as an instructional primer on the entertainment industry. The clear lesson here -- that it is persistency that can and does succeed -- is hardly unique to Cossette, but his cheerful yet no hold's barred spin on it gives the reader a glimpse that they could never have been privy to prior.

Getting rejected by Angie Dickinson with a romantic overture might not be something most would boost of, but the author's ability to see it as a reality check and to move forward is a perfect example of his self-deprecating style. Then again, his success with woman has obviously been quite good as witnessed by his glowing words for his current wife. In fact, his clear love for her, as well as for the other key woman in his life, is one of the book's strongest suits. Despite, or perhaps because of, his tremendous success, the obvious tenderness of the man serves as a winning example of a "nice guy finishing first."

To call him a true renaissance man may sound like a cliché, but it is perfectly apt. He knew everybody before they were anybody. Among the many highlights of "Another Day in Showbiz" are lengthy sections on his career in Las Vegas (where he not only began the tradition of the lounge singer, but booked Ronald Reagan and nearly every star of the era), an odd but telling encounter with Howard Hughes, his dealings with superstars ranging from Andy Williams to Celine Dion, his Broadway success with "The Will Rogers Follies" (including some interesting Marla Maples' anecdotes), the founding of his Dunhill Records label, and of course the book's main highlight -- his producing the Grammy Awards telecast for 35 years.

The manner in which he was able to convince a reluctant television network to air the Grammys live for the first time nearly 35 years ago is a perfect example of juggling, risking and trusting your guts. Incredible as it may seem today, there was no real interest from the network brass in such a telecast. Again though, Cossette's persistency and obvious smarts paid off. Cossette has been rightly referred to as "The Godfather of the Grammys," and anyone who reads this book will probably want to kiss his ring -- and want to go into "Showbiz."

I loved this book
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2004-07-17
Funny, interesting, juicy. One of the best books on the music industry I've ever read.

Arts and Entertainment
Battle On!: An Unauthorized, Irreverant Look at Zena: Warrior Princess (Xena, Warrior Princess)
Published in Paperback by Roc Trade (1998-11-01)
Author: Greg Cox
List price: $11.95
New price: $13.55
Used price: $0.40

Average review score:

The Best Xena Guide Available...
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2002-03-25
This is the ultimate Xena guide. Extremely well written! Greg Cox does an excellent job reviewing each episode with accurate facts and humerous observations. The first three seasons (I wish he would write one for seasons 4-6!) episodes are discussed along with their (possible) Mythological basis, subtex, highlights, and even an episode rating. There is also information on both Lucy Lawless and Renee O'Connor. If you are going to buy an episode guide this in the one to buy!

Episode reviews are excellent. It needs an index & volume 2.
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 1999-03-04
Any XENA fan should just buy it ! Is just mildly irreverent, cuz the author really seems to have a warm spot in his heart for this show. The episode reviews are thought inspiring; however, the book needs an index & comprehensive TOC. The next volume or two, for the more recent seasons, are sorely overdue.

The best Xena guide available to date
Helpful Votes: 18 out of 19 total.
Review Date: 1999-11-18
If you want a perfect reference for every Xena episode of the first three seasons that is enjoyable to read and very informational, this is the book for you. It makes up for its lack of pictures with great wit and an amazing style of writing. You learn a great deal about the origins of myths and the like. You even learn some ideas about possible symbolism in some of the episodes. This is a show that can always be read on many levels, and when this author peels away the top layer you do find much deeper ideas in many cases. Although I do not always agree with the "rating" he puts on every episode and I do not agree with every comment he makes, all in all it is a wonderful book that makes you think. And you can't agree with someone all of the time. I do respect him though for taking the time to make such a wonderful compendium to the greatest fantasy show in television history. Hopefully he'll create an updated version at the end of this year, to include the fourth and fifth seasons. I always reach for his book after I watch an old episode to read his ideas and I'm dying to be able to do that for the newer episodes also. Please, please write a sequel! In my opinion, the fifth season so far is the greatest Xena has ever had. It deserves a book from him, as does the fourth.

This is the Book!
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 1999-08-19
Although completely unauthorized, this is the finest book on Xena Warrior Princess. It contains reviews and insightful remark about the first three seasons of the show. Greg Cox also gives us a "reality check" in which discusses the actual historical/mythological context that the elements of each episode contain. He discusses continuity matters and character motives. He also included reviews of all the Hercules episodes that Xena and Gabrielle appear in. This is a book for fans written by a fan. Read, enjoy and Battle On! YiYiYiYiYiYiYiYiYiYiYiYi!

REQUIRED READING FOR ALL XENITES
Helpful Votes: 4 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 1999-07-23
This book is a great companion when watching the reruns on the USA network. Unlike "official" books on Xena, the author is not afraid to question a bad episode, but fortunately that's seldom required. He does a great job cross referencing recurring actors, characters, scenery(!) and related Hercules episodes, and his remarks on historical tie-ins are really illuminating for a non-history buff like me. I bought this a year ago and I reference it almost daily. The writing is clear and clever, and obviously done with love for the show. Please, Greg, we need a volume 2! I recommend this over all other Xena books I've read.

Arts and Entertainment
The Birthday Directory of Famous & Infamous People (2d Edition)
Published in Paperback by CAVA Press (1999-05-15)
Author: Dennis Crossland
List price: $19.95

Average review score:

excellent illustations
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2001-07-13
A very informative book, for finding out information on Stars. The illustrations are excellent, a thumbs up to the illustrator, he should go far with his abilities. Keep up the good drawings.

Amazing Illustrations
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2001-07-13
This is a great book to sit back, relax and read. I found it to be a great stress reliever, and my time passed so quickly as I couldn't put the book down. Hope everyone enjoys this book as I did.

birthday directory
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2000-02-14
The birthday directory is an amazingly fun and interesting. I found it informative and hard to put down. It's full of interesting tidbit's.I highly recomend it for schools and student's and a must for libary's! It's worth the pick up.

GreaT IllustrationS
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2000-03-11
The illustrations in this book are great

Another book of useless (yet interesting) information.
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2001-05-01
Are you one of those people who constantly forgets to send birthday cards to those you love? What about people you don't even know (the famous, near-famous, and infamous)? What about people who no are longer capable of celebrating their birthdays (i.e., the dearly departed--hey, it's the thought that counts). Yes, dates can be tricky to remember, especially if you find calendars and clocks to be offensive. THE BIRTHDAY DIRECTORY is your answer to all of these problems. It includes names, dates, and background information for thousands of people. Athletes, musicians, movie stars (adult and legit), writers, artists, and politicians are just some of the character types you will find between its covers. A large number of strange b&w illustrations have been added to spice things up. Entrees are listed by month, making it easy to see who was born on the same day as you. I was pleased to discover that Abe Vigoda (A.K.A. "Fish") and I share the same birthday. Abe Vigoda!!! Now, that's what I call trivia. Could anyone ask for more?

Arts and Entertainment
Bob Marley: Songs of Freedom
Published in Hardcover by Studio (1995-02-01)
Author: Adrian Boot
List price: $34.95
Used price: $2.24

Average review score:

A Musical Prophet
Helpful Votes: 12 out of 12 total.
Review Date: 2000-09-15
Like so many other deceased musicians, there are way too many "insider" books about the person. This is the only authorized book by the Bob Marley Foundation and it is a superb picture book. Filled with an abundance of color and black and white photographs this book brings the man to life. The pictures are rare as some are private family photos that are being released for the first time. This is a book that you want nearby so you can look at the photos periodically and remember the man as you listen to his music. The introduction by his wife Rita Marley is heartfelt and lays the foundation for intimate views of Bob Marley. His passions, his friends, his children, and even his music is here for all fans of Bob Marley. One of the cool features of this book is the format and how the narrative is given using some of the titles of his albums as a backdrop. Just a great book about a great man who passed this world much too quickly but left his mark for all to listen to the whisperings of a mystic. "Bob will come again. Like Christ he shall come in a new name"-Rita Marley.

A liberating and inspirational story of a true prophet.
Helpful Votes: 13 out of 13 total.
Review Date: 1999-10-22
Songs of Freedom truely gave me as a Bob Marley fan a better look at the life of a legend. Next to Bob's biography, Catch a Fire, this is the best acount of Bob Marley I have read. Songs of Freedom is filled with unseen photgraphs and quotes from Bob's loved ones, friends, and colleagues. An excellent story that has touched me deeply. I give this book a strong recomendation to life long Marley fans and those who have yet to discover the mystery, inspiration, and spirituality in this mans life.

unbelievable
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2006-02-18
A must for any Bob collection. I found a few new facts, but overall much of the same info elewhere. Get "Catch a Fire" for the story and "Songs of Freedom" for the pictures. It's proudly displayed in my office with the rest of my Bob, Reggae, and Jamaican souvenirs.

good
Helpful Votes: 7 out of 9 total.
Review Date: 1999-11-17
I loved this book. The pictures were very nice to look at. This book tends to focus more on Bob's music career then his personal life though. But otherwise this is a great book for all you Marley fans.

This book is Vivid, It is A MUST for any fan of Bob Marley!
Helpful Votes: 8 out of 9 total.
Review Date: 1999-07-18
Being a huge roots & dancehall fan of almost 7 yrs, this book is essential for any reggae collector of Bob Marley. I first enjoyed the intro by Rita Marley and the rest of the book is great. I must say that it is well-worth the money

One love, Jah Schreiber

Arts and Entertainment
Cary Grant: A Life in Pictures
Published in Hardcover by Friedman/Fairfax Publishing (1997-12)
Author: Jennifer Curtis
List price: $9.98
New price: $49.83
Used price: $6.99

Average review score:

A must have for all Cary Grant fans.
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 1998-09-14
If you like Cary Grant, you'll love this book. The photos are among the best I've seen. Jenny does a great job of summarizing Cary's life, sticking to the facts and leaving out the controversial rumors . I find my self constantly picking up this book just to gaze at the photos. This book will look great on any coffee table.

My Favorite Cary Grant Book!
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2000-11-22
This is a must own book! It is so full of photos of Cary Grant and details so much of his life. I would call this a picture book, and promise you won't be disappointed! I had the privelege of meeting the author and having her sign my copy. She is a fellow eMail Warbride, is funny, witty, and a wonderful person. She has written several other books that are well worth owning as well. Do youself a favor, buy this book today! ...

SUPERB
Helpful Votes: 4 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 1999-09-04
Jenny does an excellent job showing off the magnificent CG. This is a must for all interested in Cary and his films. There are beautiful publicity shots and movie stills. Great Job Jenny!

P.S. Hey Brian Thanks!!!!!!

excellent! A must have for any Cary Grant fan.
Helpful Votes: 4 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 1999-04-25
I received this book as a gift. It serves as an excellent guide to one of the most graceful and wonderful men of Hollywood. The pictures are beautifully arranged and capture the essence of who Mr. Grant was. Even the youngest Cary Grant fan will want to own this book.

Top-notch photo biography.
Helpful Votes: 5 out of 5 total.
Review Date: 1998-10-05
Indeed, this book is one meant to be displayed. I was immediately struck by the slick, high-quality paper used to enhance the many, many photos of the dashing Cary Grant. Ms. Curtis leads us through Grant's life with comprehensive, yet concise captions beneath each photo. The dignity and charm in her writing reflect the beloved characteristics that personified Cary Grant.

Arts and Entertainment
Chasing After Zorro
Published in Paperback by Cork Hill Press (2004-10-15)
Author: Britt Lomond
List price: $17.95

Average review score:

If you love Guy Williams as Zorro....
Helpful Votes: 11 out of 12 total.
Review Date: 2005-05-29
Britt Lamond played in the first episodes of Disney's Zorro. He was Capitan Monastario. The book wonderfully chronicles those first 13 episodes. Mr. Lamond makes a fantastic presentation of what went on behind the scenes. I have always thought the sword fights were the best I'd ever seen and after reading the book I realize why. Guy and Britt were well trained in sword fighting before Zorro ever came along. If you love Guy Williams as Zorro you will love this book. Thank you "Capitan Monastario"!

Villian with a Heart
Helpful Votes: 12 out of 12 total.
Review Date: 2005-03-12
Britt Lomond has treated us to a rare, behind-the-scenes look at one of the most beloved TV series of all time (and still playing throughout the world today). "Chasing After Zorro" is a first-hand account of his experiences on-and-off the set, as well as the circumstances leading up the series' inception. It is written with the kind of insight, humor and love that only one of the actors who helped kick-off the series could offer. It is an endearing glimpse into a different (and long-gone) time in Hollywood and Disney.

With his long career in front and behind the camera - Mr. Lomond worked in production for years after acting - he presents a well-rounded view of the workings and politics that existed during those first 13 epissodes. He also sheds light on the friendships he had with the other people involved in the series, from Guy, Henry and Gene to the writers and directors, and even to Walt Disney himself. From the very first page with his dedication to his family, you know that you are in for a genuine and touching journey into the heart of those first Zorro episodes.

I highly recommend this one-of-a-kind book for any Zorro fans out there.

A Great Book from Zorro's Greatest Nemesis
Helpful Votes: 15 out of 15 total.
Review Date: 2005-09-06
For those of us who remember the Zorro television series (the Walt Disney one, which is the only one for true Zorro fans), this book is a treasure. Britt Lomond gives us an interesting and informative tour of the first 13 episodes of the Zorro TV show, the ones in which he played the villian, Capitan Monastario. As many others have noted, he set the standard for villians in the series, and even though the succeeding bad guys (and gals) were exceptionally villianous in their own right, Capitan Monastario, as defined and played by Mr. Lomond, was never equaled and certainly never beaten.

The behind-the-scenes stories Mr. Lomond tells are fascinating, and he has uniformly kind words to say of his co-actors and the production personnel who did such a wonderful job of making the show so successful that it is still popular almost 50 years later.

That success was made possible by the contributions of artists like Mr. Lomond. He details each of the 13 episodes in which he appeared in the 13 chapters of his book, a fine way to present his material. In particular, he often notes the changes he himself made in the script. He would memorize the script, but then, where he thought his character would have said something different or would have said the same thing but in a different way, he would make the changes during the filming. Almost always, his changes were approved by the director. What this illustrates more than anything else is Mr. Lomond's professionalism. What he was doing was his very best to present his character as he thought the character actually was, or would have been had he been a real person. He was not satisfied with merely speaking his lines as written in the script; rather, he brought to the role an experience as an actor that was unique. Mr. Lomond even imagined the life of his character prior to the time depicted in the programs, in order to best know how his character would be motivated in various situations, and thus know how his character would act, react, and speak. By doing so, he depicted the personality of his character consistently in the best way.

Thus, he would study the script in the context of his own idea of what kind of man his character was, and he made changes which did not aggrandize his own role, but made the programs better because of his insistence on his character's acting and speaking the way he should. That kind of professionalism is, I think, rare in any line of work, including acting.

Mr. Lomond has nothing but praise for the others who worked so hard on the series, including unstinting praise for Guy Williams, Henry Calvin, Gene Sheldon, Than Wyenn, Tony Russo, and the other actors. The humorous stories he tells, such as tricks the actors played on one another, are fabulous, and he tells one story of a trip on the ocean in Guy Williams's sailboat that turned into a disaster and could very nearly have killed all on the boat. He has particular praise for Walt Disney himself as well as the directors, the production designer and art decorator, and others who made the programs look so good.

Mr. Lomond is a multi-talented artist, having acted in many stage, movie, and television roles, and also having worked in many different jobs behind the cameras. Look him up on [...] and you will see just how many different jobs he has done. Thus, he knows the filmaker's craft inside and out, and that makes his comments on the actors and production staff on the Zorro TV series that much more meaningful. He knows whereof he speaks, and he has done many of the jobs of the people about whom he writes in this book.

The substance of Mr. Lomond's writing is entertaining and full of information. The only criticism I have of the book is that he was not well served by the editors and proofreaders of his book; there are a great many typographical and other errors, not the fault of the author. The book is nonetheless deserving of 5 stars because of Mr. Lomond's writing.

If you are a Disney Zorro television series fan, this book is a must for you. If you are not, buy it and read it anyway; it will give you insights into the making of television programs that you would never know otherwise; and it will make you a Zorro fan if you are not one already.

Great Book
Helpful Votes: 7 out of 7 total.
Review Date: 2006-06-24
What a pleasure it was to read this book. I enjoyed it immensely. Mr. Lomond had the right touch in writing about his experiences on the Zorro set. I especially enjoyed all the behind the camera material. It is very poignant to have read this book, shortly before Mr. Lomand died.

Sweet memories are made of these...
Helpful Votes: 9 out of 9 total.
Review Date: 2005-08-03
Britt Lomond gives us a lovely glimpse into the world of the Zorro phenomenon as it played out via Disney's magic in the late 1950's and early 60's. He treats us to a behind the scenes look at how the duels between Monastario and Zorro were choreographed... and how he still bears the Mark of Zorro to this very day from the sword tip of Guy Williams. Also revealed, perhaps inadvertently, is the wonderful nature of this man... who with gentlemanly grace accepted the role of Monastario rather than the coveted role of El Zorro... all for the good of the show and not his own ego. A recommended read...

Arts and Entertainment
Complete Beatles Chronicle, The
Published in Hardcover by Harmony (1992-09-22)
Author: Mark Lewisohn
List price: $40.00
New price: $44.50
Used price: $7.14

Average review score:

Doesn't Miss The Big Picture.
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2006-03-31
I borrowed The Complete Beatles Chronicle from the library hoping to get more info on the making of the White Album (my favorite). But, because of how well the book is written, I wound up starting from page one.

This book is interesting because it doesn't miss the big picture. At the beginning of each year is a concise chronicle of what happen that year and its significance. One needn't get bogged down in the details. Just read the first few pages of each chapter for a good overview.

But, if you read the whole account, you'll discover the true genius of the four lads from Liverpool and how they somehow managed to create high-quality songs in between appearances on TV shows, sitting in on radio broadcasts, making movies, going on far-flung concert tours and dealing with mobs of desperate Beatlemaniacs.

Some of this data must be conjecture (even though it's not presented as such). For example, unless it was revealed in an interview, how would the author know that Billy Preston was brought into the Get Back sessions in order to break the tension within the group.

Still, it's an easy read filled with facts. I must now buy this book. So should you.

[DW]

Best of the best!!
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 1998-12-28
The best book about the Beatles, with "The Complete Beatles Recording Sessions", of same author.

A quick read.
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2004-07-19
Since publishers and editions change from time to time, I am not certain that I am reviewing the exact book. This book will be interesting mainly to those who were teenagers during the 1960s. These persons will recall the first time they heard each of the Beatles' albums, or they will recall the event of buying these albums. For example, I first heard Sgt.Pepper at the Fillmore Auditorium in San Francisco. The album was played before the performers went on stage -- that was Cream on their first American tour, along with Gary Burton Quartet and the Flaming Groovies (a last minute replacement for the Electric Flag). Anyway, the book takes the form of a diary detailing when and under what circumstances many of the songs were composed, recorded, and performed. The book contains 360 pages of small print, and almost every page has a 1/4 page photograph, though some are 1/8 page or 1/2 page, in size. The latter part of the book contains color photos. The reproductions of the photos are better than one might expect -- nice contrast and sharp focus. We learn that the original name of the Beatles was the Quarry Men, where this name came from Quarry Bank High School for Boys (page 12). We learn that the Quarry Men (John, Paul, George, and John Lowe (drums)) made their first recording in 1958 (page 13). We learn that Ringo was the drummer for a band called "Al Caldwell's Texans" even before he (Ringo) jointed "Rory Storm and the Hurricanes." (page 16) We learn that the first appearance of the lineup of John, Paul, George, and Ringo took place on August 18, 1962, and this was at Hulme Hall, where the occasion was the Horticultural Society's annual dance (page 75). We learn that the Beatles' first U.S. performances were in February 1964. An interesting fact is that Charles Finley, then owner of the Kansas City Athletics baseball team, paid $150,000 out of his own pocket to persuade the Beatles to play in Kansas City, and that the manager of the hotel in Kansas City cut up the Beatles' bed linen into 3-inch squares, and sold them for $10 each (page 139). We learn that the trumpet players on Strawberry Fields Forever were Tony Fisher, Greg Bowen, Derek Watkins, and Stanley Roderick (page 234) and that Dave Mason played the B-flat piccolo trumpet on Penny Lane (page 240). We learn that Maxwell's Silver Hammer took 27 takes, that She Came In Through the Bathroom Window took 39 takes, and that Here Comes the Sun had 13 takes (pages 324-327). Again, the reading is fairly dry and fun facts are encountered only on occasion. There is essentially no information on the Beatles' social lives. But for those who were teenagers during the 60s, the book is likely to be a page turner.

This is for the REAL beatles fans
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 1999-02-25
This is the kind of book that you would read cover to cover. But if you were a fussy fan you would want this book in your collection for reference.

Amazing
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 1998-12-24
Mark Lewisohn set a new standard for primary source research in rock music. This vastly informative book combines, in slightly truncated form, his brilliant day-by-day books "The Beatles Recording Sessions" and "The Beatles Live." Also included are film and radio appearances. Along the way are many suitable and wonderful photographs. Great for browsing or for obsessive fans to devour start to finish.

Arts and Entertainment
The Complete David Bowie
Published in Paperback by Reynolds & Hearn (2004-06-01)
Author: Nicholas Pegg
List price: $35.00
New price: $3.89
Used price: $3.49

Average review score:

The best
Helpful Votes: 12 out of 12 total.
Review Date: 2002-08-01
The best book about David Bowie, in a non-bio way.
The meat of the book are its song by song chapter, and album by album chapter.
The song by song covers every Bowie song, taking about its form and whats its about.
The album by album chapter covers each album in great detail.
The book also has chapters about Bowie's art, acting, videos, ect. In all it has nearly everything you'll need to know about David Bowie's career.

This Review is on Updated Version
Helpful Votes: 5 out of 6 total.
Review Date: 2004-07-27
If you are a Bowie fan, this is must reading. Pegg is extremely accurate, and his accounts of the songs Bowie has written and the stories about how the songs were recorded are fascinating. He does a great job tying Bowie's lyrics and music to places and times in Bowie's life, creating a full picture of all that was happening. The accounts of Bowie's tours and albums are accurate and excellent reading, very concise without being wordy or over the top. To get the complete picture of Bowie the entertainer buy this book. I have been a huge fan of Bowie since 1984 and this is the best book ever done on him.

Itýs a great ý encyclopedia!!!
Helpful Votes: 6 out of 6 total.
Review Date: 2003-06-04
The Complete David Bowie is definitely the best account of David's work, presenting in the first part of the book each and every song he has ever written or sung and continues with his albums, singles, movies and live appearances.

Don't get me wrong, Nicolas Pegg has done a great and painstaking job and the book is a great source if you're going to write a thesis on Bowie(!), but I wouldn't call it fun reading, mostly because of its structure, which is similar to that of a dictionary or encyclopedia! However, there are many interesting facts and quotes that will draw your attention, and you get to hear the explanation of many of his songs from David! -e.g. I didn't know what the theme of Heathen (The Rays) was and why it brought tears to his eyes in one of his concerts...

I think it's a very good and detailed piece of work, as long as you know what you're getting!

The Best Book on Bowie for the serious fan
Helpful Votes: 7 out of 7 total.
Review Date: 2003-02-15
As a collector of Bowie's music, I found this book invaluable. It filled in some gaps in my understanding of the great ones music and cleverly clarifies the evolution process from one Bowie phase to the next.
The book makes reference to many rare and unreleased songs which is vital to a serious collector.
It is written plainly and factually with no hint of worship.
If you are only concerned with Bowie's music then this is the book for you. Essential.

It�s a great � encyclopedia!!
Helpful Votes: 9 out of 10 total.
Review Date: 2003-06-07
The Complete David Bowie is definitely the best account of Davidýs work, presenting in the first part of the book each and every song he has ever written or sung and continuing with his albums, singles, movies and live appearances.

Donýt get me wrong, Nicolas Pegg has done a great and painstaking job and the book is a great source if youýre going to write a thesis on Bowie(!), but I wouldnýt call it fun reading, mostly because of its structure, which is similar to that of a dictionary or encyclopedia! However, there are many interesting facts and quotes that will draw your attention, and you get to hear the explanation of many of his songs from David! ýe.g. I didnýt know what the theme of Heathen (The Rays) was and why it brought tears to his eyes in one of his concertsý

I think itýs a very good and detailed piece of work, as long as you know what youýre getting!

Arts and Entertainment
The Cowboy and the Senorita: A Biography of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans
Published in Paperback by TwoDot (2005-04-01)
Authors: Chris Enss and Howard Kazanjian
List price: $12.95
New price: $6.77
Used price: $4.97

Average review score:

Roy & Dale
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-02-08
Growing up watching the TV shows and later watching them on Christian TV, I am a great fan of theirs. I even visited their museum in California and just missed seeing Roy. I loved the book. I'm not a great reader but couldn't put it down. I even plan to read it again!

Packs in black and white photos and high drama
Helpful Votes: 10 out of 10 total.
Review Date: 2004-07-14
The Cowboy And The Senorita provides fans of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans with a new, authorized biography based on the contributions of the Rogers family, who share their inside story of the two. From Dale's determination to be a singer despite her position as a teen single mother to Roy's first wife's death and his struggles raising three children alone, Cowboy And The Senorita packs in black and white photos and high drama to re-create the special challenges and lives of the two.

One of the best biographies about Roy Rogers & Dale Evans!
Helpful Votes: 12 out of 12 total.
Review Date: 2004-08-05
Chris Enss's, The Cowboy and the Senorita: A Biography of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans is one of the most heart-warming and well written biographies about the "King of the Cowboys" and the "Queen of the West." The personal stories of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans are very well crafted, and the author is able to capture the essence and soul of these two wonderful people. Ms. Enss is articulate, animated, and amazing when she read excerpts from her book at a Barnes & Noble store. Fans of her wonderful book should really meet the author in person. I truly hope an audio version of this book gets produced soon.

This story should be required reading !
Helpful Votes: 13 out of 13 total.
Review Date: 2004-05-14
There is a reason why Roy and Dale were and are national treasures, and The Cowboy And The Senorita reminded me why...their convictions, integrity and humility demanded that they were off screen what they were on screen, and their fans knew it and loved them for it. This was not only a nostalgic, entertaining, and inspiring story, I found it direct and readable and loaded with some wonderful rare photos. This is going to be the gift I give to everyone my age and older who needs a smile and a warm memory, and to everyone my age and younger who needs proven and tested human heroes to look up to and imitate. Happy Trails, y'all.

Time capsule for a generation
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2006-11-05
I loved this little book. Not a Hollywood whitewash, but a real story of two people whose love of family and faith shined for a whole generation because of their earnest values and huge hearts.

Arts and Entertainment
Dawson's Creek: The Official Postcard Book (Dawson's Creek)
Published in Paperback by Simon Spotlight Entertainment (1998-06-01)
Author: Gertrude Pocket
List price: $8.00
New price: $7.50
Used price: $6.95

Average review score:

An essential Item for any Dawson fan!
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2002-07-09
Being a huge Dawson's Creek fan, I just had to purchase this book and am I glad I did! The postcards are great! They truly capture the essence of the show!

Dawson's Creek rules
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2000-05-14
Because I have already made it clear that I love Dawson's Creek, it's obvious that I would love this! The poscards are great! The pictures help to show why the show is so great!

This show is so great, and its full of excitement
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 8 total.
Review Date: 1999-02-18
My name is Jenn and I want to be just like Jenn on the show. she is my role model. i hope to one day be as experienced as her. think about it she gets to fool around with Dawson!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This postcard book was awsome!
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2000-05-10
This book is sooo awsome. I love the pictures and of course I will never send them. Ther just to cool. In all the pictures Pacey is soo cute. I love this postcard book!

The postcards are great.
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 5 total.
Review Date: 1999-02-21
I loved this postcard book. All the photos are great! I would NEVER actually send these postcards to anyone because the pictures are just too great!


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