Arts and Entertainment Books

What more can you say about a book that so lovingly & painstakingly paints a portrait of an underappreciated '50-'60s icon ? This book provides an enormously entertainingly look into Zacherley as a persona & a man. In amazing detail, it traces Zacherley through his TV start to Shock Theatre to Disco-Teen to FM radio DJ. I admit that I couldn't put this book down & finished reading it in 2 days. I even read this enjoyable book over again twice ( something which I have never done before ) ---Anyone who remembers or just wants to discover Zacherley & '60s music will love this book.---- This book was an obvious labor of love from a great author.-- I would love to see more books by Mr. Scrivani although it will be tough to beat this one...

For anyone who is a John Zacherle fan and has lived through any of his incarnations, this book is a "must-have", a real blast from the past! The book covers the full scope of John Zacherle's broadcasting career, from how he initially got into broadcasting, his time as "Roland" in Philadelphia, his re-emergence as "Zacherley" in New York, the Disco-teen years, his years in radio, right up to recent years with his appearances at the Chiller Theater conventions. However, this is not a standard bio, as the author brings to it the unique perspective of someone who has personally known the subject and lived through many of Zach's experiences with him. A fascinating tome about a fascinating man. A good read, which should make for you a "Goodnight, whatever you are!"[Zacherle's Monster Mash PartyThe Zacherley ArchivesDr. Horror's Erotic House of Idiots[ASIN:B0007EKXMO Zacherley's vulture stew (Ballantine Books ; 417K)]]Zacherley's Midnight Snacks

GOODNIGHT, WHATEVER YOU ARE? is an intelligent, thoughtful and passionate account of growing up in the 60s, and could very well be the milestone of "Monster Kid" books, expertly capturing the spirit of a more innocent and hopeful era.

Wonderful and heart warming to finally have a real book about about the
golden era of east coast TV and one of the brightest stars....Zacherley.

I would recommend this book for any "child" of the late 50's or 60's who considers him or herself to be a fan of Zacherley. It was a very fast and interesting read for those interested in Zach and the path his career took on TV and radio. The book also provides some valuable personal insights into John Zacherley the man as seen through the eyes of one devoted fan. It paints John as a kind man who was very greatful for the love and attention of his fans. The book also features three factual appendices for people who loved the old Universal horror movies and the successful run they had on New York television when hosted by Zach.

This is a truly remarkable book and a delight to read. You feel as though you are right there as Terence Knapp reminisces about his life. In conversational detail Knapp tells of his intimate relationships with Britain's theater geniuses--Sirs Laurence Olivier, Derek Jacobi, Michael Redgrave, the irrepressible Judi Dench, and Lynn Redgrave and so many others.

But it is more than a book about stars. It is about a man's odyssey. He takes the reader from the hard times and poverty of wartime London, through the trials and triumphs of becoming an Actor; he shifts to the exotic orient in a quest to broaden his knowledge by learning about and contributing to theater in Japan. Finally, he realizes his second calling--teaching aspiring actors and bringing his love of Shakespeare and the theater to Hawaii.

In the Hawaiian Islands he has become a beloved and revered figure not only for his stunning Peabody award-winning portrayal of the leper priest, Father Damien, but for the countless other performances he has given for more than 30 years.

Knapp candidly reveals that although the dream of great stardom and great financial reward may have eluded him, he has found peace and satisfaction in touching the lives of so many in his beloved three islands--Britain, Japan and Hawaii. It is a story that helps us all in understanding and appreciating our own personal quest of peace and achievement.

This is a great tale of a life in the British Theatre during its mid-20th century Golden Era. Terry Knapp starts his story with his audition for the legendary actor-director,Sir Laurence Oliver when he created the inaugural company of the Chichester Festival Theatre and continues with a rare insider's view of the founding of the Royal National Theatre when its home was the historic Old Vic Theatre in London's Waterloo Road. Like a born story-teller Terry tells, in a well paced and charmingly informal way, the saga of the birth of what is now the theatrical pride of Great Britain. Terry traces its development during the first three years of artistic feuds and back-stage infighting and its Everestian peak of Olivier's magnificent OTHELLO in Moscow in the very heart of the Kremlin. Terry goes on to tell of being on tour in South East Asia, and his remarkable first visit to Japan which coincided with the visit of the Beatles to Tokyo. Awarded the first ever Churchill Fellowship to an actor Terry later returned to Japan to study its tradional performance arts encountering some remarkable theatre artists.His account makes informative reading about some of the world's most exotic Acting traditions which date back several centuries. He shares his experiences of working with Sir Yehudi Menuhin in Mozart's THE IMPRESSARIO and Dame Cleo Laine in a musical about the amours of George Bernard Shaw. These memoires have been praised for their style and content by the distinguished theatre biographer and critic, Sheridan Morley and by Gavan Daws, author oF HOLY MAN, the outstanding biography of Father Damien of Molokai. Terry was acclaimed internationally for his TV portrait of DAMIEN in a one man play by Aldyth Morris, (the title bestowed on him by the Hawaii State Legislature also being the title of his book.) This is first class, highly informative and very entertaining reading.

This is a truly remarkable book and a delight to read. You feel as though you are right there as Terence Knapp reminisces about his life. In conversational detail Knapp tells of his intimate relationships with Britain's theater geniuses--from Sirs Laurence Olivier, Derek Jacobi, Michael Redgrave, the irrepressible Judi Dench, and Lynn Redgrave and so many others.

But it is more than a book about stars. It is about a man's odyssey. He takes the reader from the hard times and poverty of wartime London, through the trials and triumphs of becoming an Actor; he shifts to the exotic orient in a quest to broaden his knowledge by learning about and contributing to theater in Japan. Finally, he realizes his second calling--teaching aspiring actors and bringing his love of Shakespeare and the theater to Hawaii.

In the Hawaiian Islands he has become a beloved and revered figure not only for his stunning Peabody award-winning portrayal of the leper priest, Father Damien, but for the countless other performances he has given for more than 30 years.

Knapp candidly reveals that although the dream of great stardom and great financial reward may have eluded him, he has found peace and satisfaction in touching the lives of so many in his beloved three islands--Britain, Japan and Hawaii. It is a story that helps us all in understanding and appreciating our own personal quest for peace and achievement.

Terence Knapp has lead a fascinating and truly inspiring life...and writes all about it with panache and style. The Farmer review gives you the details on the books contents, so just let me add that this breezy, lively read is a must for any theatre-lover, aspiring actor, Anglophile, or anyone who just wants to sit down and read something entertaining.

This is a jewel, an insider's view of the golden era of British theatre following World War II and the still-emerging synthesis of East and West aesthetic traditions. Terence Knapp has worked as an actor, director and sensei (master teacher) in Britain (as an inaugural player with Sir Laurence Olivier's fabled National Theatre), West Africa (on tour with Dame Judi Dench and others), the United States (especially Hawaii) and Japan. He has won accolades for his many memorable roles on stage and public television, most notably for his incarnation of Father Damien, the leper priest of Molokai.

Knapp tells of his day-to-day intimacy and friendships with some of the most celebrated productions and stellar performances of the 20th century: Olivier, Dench, Sir Michael Redgrave, Lynn Redgrave, Dame Maggie Smith, Peter O'Toole and Sir Derek Jacobi, among many others.

Knapp's great love of theatre, of the art of acting, and of the joy of mentoring illuminates this book with delicious candor and honesty. A must for any serious student of not only theatre, but also the arts and the spiritual life of the 20th Century.

At first I thought this book wouldnt be that great because there are a lot of names that I didnt recognize when looking at the index of people interviewed. However, that is because a lot of the names are the behind the scenes people who may not be 'names' unless you study the credits at the end of movies. There are some very interesting stories here. There is one good interview where a guy indicates how he screwed people all the way to the top of his field and later himself was screwed by someone he trusted. Payback. Karma. I hated that guy, but Im glad he told the truth. Each interviwed person is shown in a photograph. This is a well crafted book, done in a simple way and it works.

Major Hollywood stars had to work hard to break into the industry and make it big, but few places chart their stories under one cover. HOW I BROKE INTO HOLLYWOOD: SUCCESS STORIES FROM THE TRENCHES gathers dozens of Hollywood's greatest successes under one cover, including not just actors but writers, directors, designers and more to provide profiles of the best and how they worked to achieve their goals. Inspirational chapters profile nearly fifty such Hollywood success stories and will appeal to any interested in learning from experience.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

I loved this book, and highly recommend it to anyone interested in working in Hollywood, or to any creative type struggling to find career success. There are 67 first-person stories (from a variety of producers, actors, editors, lawyers, writers, etc.), and the interviewees have been incredibly generous in sharing not only their successes, but also their humble beginnings, self-doubts and failings. That willingness to show the true journey, warts and all, is what makes this book so inspiring, and such a gift. Many thanks to those who participated, and to the authors for making it happen.

A word to the publisher: this book has all the hallmarks of a classic, but the cover art and title don't match the contents. I almost passed it over on the shelf because the graphic design looked low rent, and it seemed to just be the personal story of the two authors, whose names I didn't recognize (sorry, guys). When it comes out in paperback (which it should--promote this baby!), how about listing some of the well-known participants on the cover, and changing the title to How I Broke Into Hollywood, 67 Success Stories from the Trenches? This book is a winner!

I thoroughly emjoyed this book, very readable, lively and interesting. The interviews flow like fascinating stories. The advice from those who made it will apply to almost any endeavor so the book should appeal to a wide audience.

If you are looking for some gossip-rag style tales of how Hollywood's biggest names got to where they are, then this isn't the book for you. There are a few big names in this book, Bernie Mac among them, but they are the exception rather than the rule.

This book, rather, is a thoughtfully introspective look at how many of the behind-the-scenes people working in Hollywood accepted crushing rejection time and time again, dealt with monetary difficulties while pursuing their dream, the tips and tricks they used to become known and well-employed in Hollywood.

Screenwriters, producers, actors, music supervisors, agents, and costume designers are featured, among other jobs, and their tales are inspiring and really helpful. Each person interviewed in this book really seemed to set aside their ego and talk truthfully about the times they doubted themselves and what could have made things go more smoothly in their journey to Hollywood elite. The advice given is really solid, and could benefit anyone in any career, but especially in the brutal film/ TV industry.

I'd definitely buy this book for any friend considering trying to make it in Hollywood. The advice and stories are entertainingly given and would be valuable and interesting even if they didn't end up pursuing that particular dream.

If you're one of those people that think only of Kaye Ballard as one of the "Mothers-In-Law" from TV, or that funny album with the balloons on it, treat yourself to her wonderful autobiography, "How I Lost 10 Pounds in 53 Years.!" Not only a fascinating story of the lady herself, but a warm-hearted look at practically the history of show business (Vaudeville, Broadway, Night Clubs, movies, radio & television). She's done it all, and you'll meet your favorites (and a few not-so) as only someone who's been there and done it can tell. Best of all, Kaye is her honest and humble self (What? A star with humility?) Yup, throughout her illustrious career, she's still the star-struck kid in Cleveland's RKO Palace worshiping the idols on the silver screen, and dreaming of Hollywood. Haven't we all been there? Starting as a teenager, performing in a Chinese restaurant (it's funny already!), through to today's still very active cancer-surviving octogenarian, here's Kaye at her funny, loveable best, sharing her successes and disappointments in one of the best autobiographies in a long, long time! Read it, you'' love it!

Loved it. Wish she had written more, could read her stories forever!!!! She is too funny...

I recently read Ms. Ballard's memoir in 10 days while I was staying with my parents as my mother recovered from knee replacement surgery. It was the perfect book to read during this time--very funny and light--but also an honest, heartfelt tale. If you don't know who Kaye Ballard is, well, you should. She's a wonderful comic actress who's starred in films (The Ritz), on TV (Cinderella, The Doris Day Show, The Mothers-in-Law) and on stage (The Golden Apple, Carnival, The Pirates of Penzance, Follies). I saw her perform back in the '90s in a small cabaret called Toulouse in Chicago (now sadly closed). It was a horrible snowy night--and my friends and I were the only ones who braved the elements to see her show. And so Ms. Ballard--being the classy, talented dame that she is--performed for us. We all LOVED her--and you will LOVE her book. The lady knows how to write an honest, entertaining account of her fascinating life. So sit back, relax and let Kaye tell you all about her legendary 60-year career. You'll have a wonderful time--I know I did.

I enjoyed reading this book very much - it gave real insight into the life of a single woman in show business. Kaye is a fantastic personality and very honest in this book about her career and friendshiips. She is a real lady with a great sense of humor. Nice photos too of some old favorites when they were younger. I would definitely buy this book again. A+

Kaye Ballard's name is well known in show business: she's performed in burlesque, nightclubs, big bands, and stage and here provides a memoir packed with anecdotes from her career. Her upbeat memoir comes packed with anecdotes from her 50-year career and will prove a real treat for any familiar with either Kaye Ballard's career or the world of stage and TV.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

If you are a fan [like many of us] or just have a passing interest in one of the truly great actors of the past 60 years, then this book is a must. Although there have been plenty of recent books devoted to the life and times of Peter Cushing, this volume stands out due to the meticulous research by the author along with it's easy flowing style. A joy to read and a future source book for fans of the great man I'm sure - packed from cover to cover with fascinating details of the great man and his career. Well done Chris - step out!! 5 Stars!

Author Christopher Gullo chronicles the career of Mr. Cushing, from his earliest work to his last days, and in general it is an entertaining read; it does, though, have some shortcomings.

To begin with, Mr. Gullo is not a particularly engaging writer, even taking into consideration that this is basically a movie bio. He's stiff, and his grammar is not the best. He also likes to add his personal critique of each film, which is generally fawning, and eventually annoying.

Then there's his accuracy. I'm a big fan of the early Hammer works, especially The Curse of Frankenstein, and Horror of Dracula (in fact, I don't think that they receive the credit deserved for the high level of fright delivered to their unsuspecting audiences, with taut screenplays, vivid effects, dynamic scores, and believable acting). So I was dismayed when Mr. Gullo recounted storylines from both of these little classics incorrectly. It made me wonder if he had ever seen the very films that launched the horror career of the subject of his own book. He then refers to a trademark Cushing habit of holding up his forefinger to emphasize a point as having originated in The Hound of the Baskervilles, which is inaccurate---Cushing does this in both "Frankenstein" and "Dracula", and both predate "Baskervilles"---irritating to the devotee.

So, is this book worth buying? Yeah, if you're a Cushing fan. He was the greatest. The best Baron Frankenstein and Van Helsing that I've ever seen. There are interviews, some nice pictures, and interesting tidbits (such as Cushing and Lee loving to watch Warner Brother cartoons together). It's a little pricey at $24.99, but with the extra cash maybe Mr. Gullo can now buy The Curse of Frankenstein and Horror of Dracula on DVD and see what he's been missing.

First things first: It's a pity that the author may lose a few sales seeing that Amazon - probably *the* major online venue for books - has listed this book under an incorrect title. The correct title is IN ALL SINCERITY... PETER CUSHING, not "In all sincerely" which doesn't even make any sense grammatically.

This is the first time I observed such a faux pas from Amazon and I hope this can be rectified as the book deserves to be easily found via a regular title search.

The title refers to the way Cushing always signed his letters or autographs. It's become such a trademark for him that if you ever come across a signed item from him that does not carry this sentence, it more than likely is not authentic.

Cushing was one of the most popular actors of the Horror Screen. Both admired by public and fellow colleagues as the "gentle man" of horrors, he was one of the last of a breed of courteous and ever polite people who seem to belong to a long forgotten era. There doesn't appear to be *anyone* who has even the slightest disparaging thing to say about him.

There are already a number of excellent books on Cushing on the market, but the angle of this one is that the author had approached as many of Cushing's fellow-actors and directors that he could get in contact with.

As such the book is told from the perspective of celebrities who knew him and freely shared their insights into this man's personality. His love for his wife Helen is well documented and runs like a thread through the whole book.

When I initially heard about the project I expected a thin booklet with a couple of quotations by the people interviewed. I couldn't believe it when I noticed that the final product covers more than 400 pages and as such is one of the most in depth books about the actor on the market. It is very well researched and the only thing annoying is the lack of an index, something that would have come in handy to find all the relevant quotations again. The actual interview passages are also a little bit too much in the simple form of "What was it like working with....?", but these are only minor niggles and shouldn't deter anyone from reading this book.

At the beginning of every chapter you will also find illustrations from comic artist Neil ("Black Forest"/"Wicked West") Vokes.

As the editor of "In All Sincerity. . . Peter Cushing," I am somewhat biased, but as a reader of fine biography, Christopher Gullo has done an amazing job with this book. His research is meticulous, as is his ability to tell a great story through the use of facts and data. His insight is deep yet constrained and reveals many ephemeral details that Cushing himself often glossed over or ignored due to his modesty and lack of self-aggrandizement. As his first book effort, Gullo has done himself and Peter Cushing a great service. Compared to other works on this subject, "In All Sincerity" epitomizes the nature of a true devotee and leaves the proverbial door wide open for more research and exploration on a fabulous actor and a true "Gentle Man" of the human race.

If you are a Peter Cushing fan, then you MUST buy this book. It will give you a detailed history of Peter's life and take you on a journey you won't forget. Knowing Peter as I did, I know he would be proud that "In All Sincerity" was written about him.

A wonderful book, a wonderful title and a wonderful writer! Christpher Gullo has left us ALL Peter's legacy to be enjoyed for years to come, and for ALL new Peter Cushing fans.

Peter Cushing was my hero.

sry for anyone who thinks otherwise...but i am joshua jacksons bigest fan...and obsessor...i honestly cannot speak for everyone but almost everyone i know finds out how much i love joshua jackson in the forst 5 minutes of knowing me...so for all those heartbroken girls who dotn quite grasp it..i am joshuas biggest and most adoring fan
xoxo

This book was way cool. I don't just give it five stars, i give it 10,000! Scince I am Joshua Jackson's BIGGEST fan (sorry all those other girls out there, but i know I beat you!) I want to know as much about Joshua Jackson as I can. I thought this book did a lot of that. I could have done with more pictures though. (but of course I already don't think there are enough Joshua Jackson pictures in the world as it is) This book is great, but even if it wasn't i would buy it anyways because it's about Joshua Jackson! What more do you need in a book!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think this book was great because it brought out a lot in his home life as well as his personal life. I kno we all love gossip gals! ! I also think Josh Is the HOTTEST guy on the planet and that also makes this book great ! ! !

I think Joshua Jackson Is Brilliant. He has done a lot for himself. He always looks great and all the films hes been in are exellent! I have seen all of them so far. This book tells you what hes really like. Not pacey in Dawsons creek, not damon in Urban Ledgend but Joshua Jackon,the greatest star in the world. I love him! Email me if you think so too

I really liked this book. It told me a lot about Josh. He's a really great guy, and funny as well as cute. I always loved Pacey, but now I think I prefer Josh.

I carried this book everywhere, for years. It went into my pocket, coming out, when I needed it.
The pages became worn, and dirty, but it didn't mater.
I've accidentally dropped it in water. The inks didn't bleed, and the pages weren't crinkly. Nearly ten years later, and it has held up, now sitting pretty in an album.
The info inside is off, being unofficial.
This is a must for all Justin's Fan Base!

It's so handy! It's got all this Justin info in it and it's in a small and adorable book with cute pics!

Great pictures of Justin and the rest of the group. Great collectible item for any Justin fans. Whenever I need an uplift, I just pull out this book, read and look at pictures of Justin. He is very inspirational and is so mature for his age. I wasn't mature enough at 19 and that was 21 years ago! LOL

This little book about Justin was really short but it had, at least, a picture on every page and there was little-known stuff about Justin. All of the pix were very cute and some of them I haven't seen anywhere else. I think it was worth the money, especially since you can put it in your pocket!

You can't get any hotter then JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE!!!!!! this book have sooo many pic of justin that you will go crazy. it is worth it!!

The history of (soul) music has been predominantly the domain of men. Only the really exceptional women like Billie, Aretha and Diane Washington were mentioned among the greats.

This book is made up from different interviews with Ladies of Soul like Bettye LaVett, Maxine Brown but also Timi Yuro (white).

I haven't seen a book yet that gives so much attention to the female voices of soul and is therefore worth buying. It is also a very pleasant read.

How many times have I gone to a club and watched fabulous singers give astounding performances and ended up asking myself, "why isn't she/he a star?" Many of these entertainers are professionals, but for some reason, have not achieved the heights that many other, equally talented people have.

My record collection is filled with such artists: Howard Tate, Loleatta Holloway, Syl Johnson, Vanetta Fields, Otis Clay, Anna King, Shirley Brown and many others.

Author, David Freeland, obviously felt the same way, as he set out to showcase seven unheralded female soul singers from '60s, by giving them some overdue recognition in his new book, "Ladies of Soul". Among them are some of my personal favorites, starting with the incomparable, Bettye LaVette ("Let Me Down Easy"), who knocked me out when I first heard her demanding voice on the radio singing "You Killed the Love". I had no idea that this singer was only in her teens, for she emoted like an experienced woman of 40. That voice was coarse, even nasty at times, pleading and fraught with the damages of cigarettes, booze and life. Many feel she has a "churchy" sound, but LaVette swears that she is a child of the blues. Wherever it came from, that voice affected me deeply. Since, I have seen her bear witness, "live" in performance, giving 110% of herself and working harder than Tina Turner during her torrid times with Ike. Tina, by the way, covered Bettye's first hit record, "My Man (He's a Lovin' Man)".

Maxine Brown is gifted singer who has had many hits and deserves the spotlight in this book. Her immense talent has grown with experience and she is one of the best soul singers around. One of her big hits, "Oh No Not My Baby" was later recorded by Aretha Franklin.

The misunderstood, Timi Yuro, who's career and voice puzzled many (some thought she was a man, others were convinced she was African-American). She's Italian and has a soul as deep as the rivers. As a young girl, not only did she sing opera to appease her father, she sang in black churches (thanks to a religious black nanny) and toured later, as a professional, with the icons of soul like Little Richard and Etta James on the chitlin' circuit. She was asked by Frank Sinatra to tour Australia with him in the late 60s and her records were produced by such giants as Quincy Jones and Clyde Otis. Timi's first hit, "Hurt", was covered by Elvis Presley.

David Freeland has done a remarkable job with his hands on research and wasted not a second, quoting what others had written on this subject. He traveled the USA and found these women and interviewed them, in person, in depth. It seems that he quickly became the vehicle they could utilize to voice their anger, frustration, exhilaration and hope.

Also fascinating, were Freeland's conversations with Ahmet Ertegun, founder of Atlantic Records, whose candid insights into achieving success in the record business (then and now) and the unpredictable tastes of the record buying public were truly telling. Frank perceptions into the lives of many soul performers were punctuated by Juggy Murray, founder of Sue Records.

David interviewed DJ's, engineers...numerous people who make their living in the recording industry. This gives his book its distinctive authenticity.

I was not familiar with the personal life of Denise LaSalle ("Trapped, By this Thing Called Love"), before reading this book. Over the years I have purchased her albums and enjoyed her brassy brand of r & b. After reading her story, I conclude that she is substantive, opinionated and also a savvy, smart business woman. Carla Thomas ("Gee Whiz") turns out to be an interesting character. Her career sizzled just below the boiling point and she never achieved the stardom she deserved. It was also interesting to read about Barbara Mason ("Yes, I'm Ready"), whose records I've enjoyed over the years, and to get to know the one singer I wasn't familiar with, Ruby Johnson.

The book is not just "I made this record and sang with this person", it covers the morose as well, not only in the music industry, but societal injustice, as well. Travels through the south, having to deal with the America's ugliest demon, racism, brushes with the Ku Klux Klan, all are undeniably apart of these scenarios.

Very revealing are the observations by Bettye LaVette regarding the city of Detroit, during the heyday of Motown. Hers is a much darker portrayal of the same occurrences that were described in other books like Mary Wilson's, the Temptations' or Martha Reeves' biographies.

The important accomplishment here, is that this book stimulates one's appetite to hear these grand ladies sing! Enter their names on any Internet search engine and you'll find more information on each of them. Thankfully, they have CDs in the large record stores or can be ordered online.

a Book such as this Enlightens Many of Artists that didn't get a fair shake for Various Reasons.I got a chance to read this while also Reading David Nathen's Book on Diva's.this Book is very well Detailed&gives alot of Insight to many things.worth a checking into.

David has written a compelling, honest and excellent tome on a diverse range of soul sisters some of whom have never received the mainstream recognition enjoyed by others. That he would take time out to track down Ruby Johnson and Timi Yuro and include such soulful divas as Bettye Lavette, Maxine Brown and Carla Thomas is to his eternal credit; I'm hopeful that there will be a follow-up since there are other women who deserve the kind of truth-telling treatment he offers. Bravo!

David Freeland's Ladies Of Soul profiles the rise and fall of seven female performers of the 1960s. Maxine Brown, Ruby Johnson, Carla Thomas, Timi Yuro and others are revealed, from their struggles for success to issues involved in their music. A very different, unusual account.

A Life Full Of Days ( Publisher: Authorhouse (May 1, 2003) ISBN: 141072607X) is a sincere and genuine memoir by Chalmers (Chum) Dale. Chalmers Dale is a (now retired) Emmy award-winning CBS news producer whose journalism career brought him face-to-face with distinguished citizens ranging from Martin Luther King Jr. to Bob Hope.

While reading A Life Full Of Days, I couldn't help but hear the song The Long And Winding Road by John Lennon and Paul McCartney.

"The long and winding road that leads to your door
Will never disappear
I've seen that road before it always leads me here
Leads me to your door..."

In his memoir Mr. Dale speaks from a life that has lived on both sides of the tracks -- A man who in his search for his true self and his honest sexual representation while living a double life as a gay man in a "straight" world. From a confused young man to WW2 military service to a ten-year marriage with two children, Chalmers endures to find his true self. Chalmers Dale does an exceptional job at sharing with us his 'personal' meaning of life and living that life as "who he is" and not what society dictates "who he should be".

A Life Full Of Days is an important book with a more important message. As the author says, "Was it time to stop kidding myself and recognize that I was a homosexual? The answer was yes." Chalmers Dale's story is one that will reach and enlighten everyone who reads it but especially this book puts his life out there for young people to see and possibly to "...ease some pain they feel during adolescence, with sexual confusion nagging at them." Mr. Dale's life and story also explores the compassion and understanding he brought to his assignments at CBS -- shows that "made a difference" for millions of viewers."

A Life Full Of Days is the verse and soul of a life and author who so perfectly sums everything up in a quote by Soren Kierkegaard that says, "LIFE CAN ONLY BE UNDERSTOOD BACKWARDS: BUT MUST BE LIVED FORWARDS." In this outstanding and well-written memoir this particular reader traveled "The long and winding road" that was and is the life of Chalmers "Chum" Dale. Thank you Mr. Dale for your story and your life. Hopefully many will read A Life Full Of Days, a book, that leads to your door.
John Weaver -Editor BooksandAuthors.net

A Life Full Of Days is the personal memoir of Emmy award-winning CBS news producer Chalmers (Chum) Dale, and entails the globe-spanning journalism that brought him face-to-face with distinguished citizens ranging from Martin Luther King Jr. to Bob Hope. Recounting his life from a confused childhood to his adult determination to seek out evidence of the human condition for all to see, A Life Full Of Days is an absorbing read and a highly recommended addition to community library American Biography collections.

These were the most exciting times in television history. This personal narrative--fascinating, difficult, ironic, and funny--tells of an ordinary life filled with extraordinary moments. Emmy Award-winning CBS News producer Chalmers (Chum) Dale examined and documented the human condition in over 300 shows. His work took him around the world, introducing him to many of the most distinguished citizens and celebrities of our time, from Martin Luther King Jr. to Bob Hope.
This compelling memoir, written in an approachable, conversational style, also tells of Chum's lonely struggle in leading a double life: A search for true sexual identity during adolescence, WW2 military service, a short teaching career, and a ten-year marriage with two children. His existence begins to make sense when he meets his significant other of forty-two years and starts piecing his life together. Through these enduring experiences, Chum's story also explores the compassion and understanding he brought to his assignments at CBS--shows that "made a difference" for millions of viewers.

Chalmers Dale reveals all about his interesting life. Dale was truly a pioneer, and his courage, integrity, and creativity are evident on every page.

The author tells his story in an honest but tasteful way. Seems like he did some cool things over the years even if it did take him a while to figure out who he was.

There are interesting reflections on music, sports, urban and suburban life in the 20th century and especially TV. The guy was on hand as TV became basically what it is today.

This book'd make great reading for young people in a similar position: figuring out their sexuality and family while trying to make the most of thier time.

His style is unpretentious and relaxed. I felt like I was sitting around one afternoon having a chat. There are photos.

The man that poetry made stands luminous
on the broken corners of history's suicidal cravings,
he watches splashing in the street
birds cleaning their feathers inside
the crystal flow of words he gave them,

he is a vintage wine now,
traveling with ease over the tongues
of other people's intentions,
he is a quilt
made of one billion black hands
spread like guarantees from a single living God
over the heads of the misbegotten.

The man that poetry made wonders
on which day will he finally recite his soul.
Ask him who his mother is
and he will sing for you memories
of bosom-heavy haikus
filling his mouth with the milk and nectar
of joy neverdying.
Ask about his father
and he will boast about a ballad
that thundered all the way
from Spain to Zaire
bouncing him like a sack full of sonnets
upon his broad whistling shoulders.

This man that poetry made stumbles barefoot
through the city, a huge blue ribbon wrapped
around one big toe, a small pink one tied
to the other, ragged jeans loose
upon free-verse hips, fluorescent eyes blinking
surrealistic kisses of negritude revisited--

To the woman confused
by his lust for peace
he begs "forgive me lovely genius
I was not born as you were born,
my blood was written
by a different kind of coupling."
To the man frustrated
by his lack of animalia
he sang, "Beauty is a thing finer
than exalted fears of actual love."

The man that poetry made sometimes
blows himself to pieces with bombs
made from metaphors, he enjoys watching
the words that shape his life
scatter like golden ashes of imagination
then one by one float back down to earth
covering him with forms and meanings
he never knew existed.
People passing the corner
where he stands luminous and throbbing
rarely see a man at all.
They look at the man that poetry made
and see a public toilet
or a burning bush flaming in the most unlikely place.
Sometimes they see him as a rare jewel
and snatch him up before anyone else
can look. He is always curious riding along
inside the pockets of strangers
wondering how they shall react
when they see him for what he is,
and he reveals, with
love lighting up his every cell
exactly who they are.


by Author-Poet Aberjhani
author of I Made My Boy Out of Poetry
and Encyclopedia of the Harlem Renaissance (Facts on File Library of American History)

This is the most complete writing on Hughes' life. Beautifully written yet very thorough. Arnold Rampersad is probably the most talented biographer alive.

I thought this was a very interesting book. It is VERY well written, I recomend it!

Long before the advent of the 1960's motto of black pride and black beauty, there was Langston Hughes who championed and celebrated black pride and black beauty, both African and black American, at the height racial inequality in the United States.

The two definitive biographies of Langston Hughes are written by Faith Berry, LANGSTON HUGHES: BEFORE AND BEYOND HARLEM, and, the two by Arnold Rampersad's, THE LIFE OF LANGSTON HUGHES VOLS. 1 AND 2. For those able to do it, I would recommend reading Berry's biography first and then DEFINITLY follow it by reading Rampersad two exquisite biographies of Hughes. Reading the two is the only real way to get a complete and accurate picture of Langston Hughes. Both books briefly address Hughes family background which isn't unique to him alone in the black American community as those non-persons of African decent on the outside repeatedly fail to understand. Both books address Hughes' humanity despite of the racism he faced as an extremely confident and proud African-American. Both acknowledge Hughes dislike of those blacks like Toomer ashamed of being black and their African heritage. Both reveal his living through all the moments in early 20th century American history like the Harlem Renaissance and meeting and befriending such figures as Dubois and facing McCarthy on charges of communism while punctuated moments of his life with wanderlust in world travels. Both books address the obstacles and triumphs he faced as being only the second black American to earn a living by writing , the first being Paul Lawrence Dunbar who was also Hughes idol and influence alongside Whitman and Sandburg. Both books take care to explain how Hughes relationships with his parents and grandmother may have shadowed his other relationships in terms of his race pride and the half hearted and insincere assignations with women he was linked to.

Where the two books differ is in discussing Hughes being gay. Berry appears unbridled by prejudice in acknowledging use as gay. Rampersad, a conservative black scholar and now part executor of the Hughes estate, is too eagerly fulsome in his attempts to deny Hughes being gay along with the coded references Hughes used to describe his affections for black men in poems which are similar to those used by Whitman in describing his same sex interest. This dangerously borders the homophobic line. (** READ the recent appendix in Rampersad biography where he rightfully takes issue with being called homophobic by his critics.**) This has been the chief criticism by many of Rampersad two biographies of Hughes. The great irony is that Rampersad actually confirms Hughes being gay by indicating the price Hughes would have paid if he was openly identified as gay at the wrong time in history (even in some circles of the black community today for that matter). Plus, in volume 2 of the LIFE OF HUGHES, Rampersad is less virulent in denying Hughes being gay and pretty much comes close to acknowledging him being gay but holds back for reasons of
his own.

Moreover, Berry discusses Hughes in a straight foreword manner. Rampersad biography is almost lyrical in its historical documentation of Hughes life like a number of biographies being written these days by certain scholars. Rampersad goes into great psychological analysis of Hughes and barring certain before mentioned instances gets it right.

"'The Africans looked at me and would not believe I was a Negro': ...
`You - white man'," they said. Repudiating the idea that he was not one of them,
Hughes asserted "the unity of blacks everywhere." Hughes' choice to embrace
his African-American heritage is a major theme of Rampersad's biography.
Hughes rejected his father's path and the chance to pass, to escape prejudice
and win easy acceptance as a member of Mexican society. Poetic inspiration
came from Harlem, from Jazz, and from anger at prejudice. Despite, or because of
its format, with chapters divided by years, this book made riveting summer reading.
Along the way it introduced me to wonderful poetry in the context of the life:
-----
Mercedes is a jungle-lily in a death house.
Mercedes is a doomed star.
Mercedes is a charnel rose. ... ----
AND:
Passionate, cruel,
Honey-lipped, syphilitic -
That is the South.
And I, who am black, would love her
But she spits in my face . . .