Arts and Entertainment Books

It's easily her best book yet, with wide-range appeal. It's sufficiently analytical and well-researched to pass muster with critics and academics -- I'm recommending it to my scriptwriting students at University of Houston - but it's also accessible enough to be a fun read for movie buffs.

"Marsha McCreadie 'gets' what it means to be female, and achieve some unique
niche in the arts/or any realm of success in our contemporary u.s.a.; she manages to
educate and entertain, her research solid, and her manner of expression deft,
informative, and entertaining"--
Eve Packer, poet/performer/nyc

As an American male, I developed an interest in the work of women filmmakers when I lived in Sydney and became something of an Aussie film booster. Gillian Armstrong and Jane Campion more than held their own against the Weirs and Schepisis as their early movies were released.

Two weeks ago, an aspiring screenwriter gave me Women Screenwriters Today, thinking I would enjoy it. And right she was-so much so that I bought copies for two friends. The author's choice of subjects is spot-on, her prose is eminently readable, and the personal histories are intriguing. Better still, the tips for novice screenwriters are worth their weight in gold. A very fine book all around!

Witty, insightful, and gutsy from the first line to the last, Marsha McCreadie's bird's-eye view, "Women Screenwriters Today, Their Lives and Words," is a must-read for female writers of any ilk. An amalgamation of interviews, commentary, and history, McCreadie focuses on these women's works, their process, and their experiences breaking into the male-dominated film "business" (or, as McCreadie points out, "art" if you happen to be from a country that actually supports art and film, i.e. those "little" countries like Canada, France, and Australia). I enjoyed McCreadie's multi-layered investigation into women's vs. men's stories, structure, and form, a discussion bandied about at least since Virginia Woolf, who declared in A Room of One's Own, "the nerves that feed the brain seem to differ in men and women." Speaking as a novelist, I wish that I had read this book years ago and seen the references to women's writing as "fluid" (Stacy Cochran), or crosscutting through time, as McCreadie reiterates. It would have saved me years of questioning my own approach and style.

It is unbelievable that I'm the first person to review this fantastic book. The book itself is also unbelievable in its intelligence, wit, depth, color, interest, and sheer genius. Alan Bennett is one of the rarest minds of the 20th/21st century. If you're a real reader and you don't have this book, you damn well better buy it.

If there is a spark of humanity in you read this book. Alan Bennett was part of the satire boom in early 60's in the UK and when neccessary has a caustic dry wit that can catch you by surprise sometimes. However for me what comes through in this book is his humanity.

The first section of the book where this is highlighted is his address at the funeral of Russell Harty, which only amounts to 7 pages. Harty was a successful TV show host and interviewer in the UK, who was hounded by the press in the 1980's over his sexuality (he was homosexual and never tried to hide that fact). Bennetts address is full of compassion and will either leave you crying or plotting a nasty end to some of the gutter press.

'The Lady in the Van' is a full chapter (45 pages) and a completely true story. At one point it was available to buy as a seperate book and is taken largely from his diaries. In the 1970's and 1980's outside Alan Bennett's own house in Camden, London, an old lady (Miss Shepherd) lived in a Van in the street. After a time the local council decided she could no longer stay on the street. Amazingly Bennett allowed her to move her Van into his garden and there she remained until she died. This is truly a remarkable story. Bennett of course is a marvellous observer of people and there is a side of me that says he only did it so that he could watch her. However read 'The Lady in the Van' in full and you are left in doubt that Alan Bennett couldn't have done it for that reason, because Miss Shephard's living conditions were frankly disgusting and the smell.. well enough said. Its a truly moving and poignant story.

The diaries constitute a major section of the book amounting to 180 pages. These cover the years 1980 to 1995. There is a section of prefaces to plays as well as articles on writers and filming. These other sections of the book are of the same high standard of writing as the two I mention above, if not all on quite the same emotional level.

In this country, I look for the least sign of God. It might be a dawn, the sound of music, laughter of an old person, giggling among my grandchildren, the prospect of the end of Bush's term, the golden silence of tv turned off, my wife's loving voice telling me to take out the garbage, take out the dog, take her out to a movie...and Alan Bennett's "Writing Home". What pleasure there is in this book. If you are literate and do not own it, reflect on what in your life has brought you into your miserable condition.

For those Americans who have never heard of Alan Bennett and are wondering wether or not to get this book...I say go for it. But if you're looking for something exciting you may be disapointed. Mostly subdued, sometimes hillarious stories of a life. Don't miss "The Lady in the Van"!

I loved this book; it was moving and written with an elegant grace, despite its dark content. It's difficult to write about mental illness with humor and charm, but Laura Love succeeds here where many others have failed. Excellent.

I've always found Laura Love's music and song lyrics to be thoughtful and profound, so it was no surprise to find this was a shocking but gripping true story. Frankly, I couldn't stop reading until finished and wished she had written more.

It's not a story for the fainthearted reader, because she tells all - warts and all. It's amazing that a woman could live through these experiences, yet end up with such a warm and compassionate sense of self! I also found it interesting to read about the times of Bobby Kennedy's assassination, the effects of race riots, and so many memories of the `60s and `70s from her perspective. Truly enjoyed the baby boomer nostalgia type memories. I would highly recommend this memoir!

I love a good memoir, and this book is among my favorites. The story of Laura Love and her sister Lisa is one I won't soon forget. Held hostage by a mentally unstable mother, the girls learn to tolerate a childhood of extreme poverty and insanity. The author has such a way with words, you feel as if you know her. With parts so emotionally overwhelming; I literally burst out into uncontrollable laughter, for lack of more appropriate emotions. A must read for all women or all races. A breathtaking glimpse into hell.

This book was like nothing I had read before. When I first picked it up I thought that I wouldn't be interested in it, however, once I started reading I couldn't stop. The things that happened to these little girls just breaks my heart and I had to know where their lives ended up.

I know Vernice Watson, and if you want to know how Urban Gospel of today got it's start.. buy the book. "You Can't Get There From Here" the bridge that got the Kirk Franklin's, Mary Mary's, and all the artist you hear today on a level playing field with other forms of music. Interesting reading,..experience the highs and lows of Ms. Watson an author who is raw with the truth behind the Gospel Music Industry.

It's so interesting to read about how things were done in the music industry 30 years ago... and to see that at the end only the way we do some things have changed, but the essence is still the same. It's amazing to see how Ms. Watson made it through this business. Really encouraging. I guess it'll make anyone want to go out there, but as the title says: You can'¿t just get there... it takes a lot of work, strengh and determination. Thank you, Vernice!!

In "You Can't Get There From Here", Ms Vernice Watson tells of her exciting career in the world of gospel music! This book is great! It includes many inside pictures, special stories, and her struggle to make it to the top of the music industry . Go on a journey with Ms Vernice Watson as she tells you how "You can't get there from here!"

This was an excellent book! Vernice know her stuff!! The book tells about the author's personal experiences in the music promotion business; good and bad. It is a must read!!

I bought this book for 99 cents figuring I had nothing to lose. I was shocked at the reading pleasure it brought to me!

This book is extremely entertaining for readers of all kinds. It provides basic information for well over 100 different television series as well as little-known facts and a look at how the television programs influenced culture.

Also not to be missed are the photographs included. While many of the photos are well-known, they are all beautifully displayed with vibrant color. Most intriguing were photographs of Lucille Ball and Mary Tyler Moore, although there are great photos from shows such as The X-Files, Star Trek, The Simpsons, and many others.

I also like how, in addition to the "100 Greatest Shows Ever," the reader is also treated to the top 10 shows in other various genres. The book really makes you rethink the entertainment that television can provide. Buy it -- you won't regret it!

I totally love this book! It is so entertaining, and just a terrific way to spend time. You can see everything you want to know about the top shows, and it's just terrific to read through, especially if you want to know about the top shows.

If you love TV then this is the book for you. Contains beautiful color and black and white photos and just enough information on all of the shows featured. All sidebars contain: Years on the air, top nielsen charting, and # of emmys won, as well as other interesting goodies like quotes from critics trashing great shows like Seinfeld, All in the Family, The X-Files,and Everybody Loves Raymond when they first aired. Go buy this book!

It seems that no matter what he writes about, from the introduction about getting older to his nurse readjusting his toupee, he does it so very well with humor. (I did not even know that he wore a toupee!)

These are really short one to two page stories of incidents that had occurred during his lifetime. It may or may not have you laughing out loud. It will at the very least, bring a smile to your face.

I bought this book with the intention of reading one or two stories a day. I couldn't put it down. I was laughing out loud and my children begged me to read them what was so funny. I would read them some and they enjoyed it as much as I did. What started out as a month or so of giggles turned into an afternoon of belly-laughs.

This came out almost the day Burns passed away. This is a very funny anecdotal review of George Burns' entire life -- many of the stories go back to his childhood. (His one-liner when the tough Irish kids in his neighborhood demanded to know if he was Catholic is priceless! Good thing he was a fast runner....)

He was a very funny guy, and the book reads as though you could bring him back for a day and hang out while he just sits and tells stories. A lot of fun -- too bad it seems to be out of print.

This is a great book and a must read for any 50 Cent fan. The book is full of details of 50 Cent's life and gives a more personal and inspirational view of this very accomplished artist. Fans will especially love the photos and memorabilia and will want to keep the book as a collectors item.

Can you imagine feeling what 50 cent (the rapper) felt when he got shot nine times, his struggles, and what he had to go trough just to be where he is today?

This is an autobiography about Curtis 50 cent Jackson's life, childhood, struggles, and what he had to do to get where he is today. He explained in great detail of his childhood and why he sold drugs and what he had to do because he sold drugs (he went to rehab). He sold drugs because he said that he never had the things that most young kids have today including: sneakers, cool shirts and other clothing, so he just wanted to have those things. He explained how it felt when his grandmother caught him selling drugs. He said that he blamed his grandparents because if he didn't have to hide it from them, his school wouldn't have found it in his sneakers. He also explained what happened the day that he got shot, and how the guy waited for 50 cent to get out of his house.

Even though 50 cent is a rapper I never know that he could write such a good book like this, he explained everything that happened to him in great detail. There was one passage in the book where he talks about himself going to rehab. He said that he had never did crack, but he said that he handled, cooked, and sold it so much that he came up positive when they tested him. He told about his time in rehab and how he thought it was funny (not haha funny) how a guy was in there for doing the same drugs 50 cent sold to people.

I would like to share an insert from the book, where 50 cent explains how he got shot. He puts you in his mind of what was going on and how he felt, and that what I like about his style of writing.

"Suddenly this guy runs up on our car and starts unloading like BANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm splayed out all over the back seat of the car, but since I'd grabbed my gun I threw my hand up and stared shooting back out the window. He starts to back up and tacks two more shots. One of them goes through my hand."

This is one of the most awesome and upclose and personal looks at any star i have ever seen published..
When reading this.. I could almost hear the words coming outta fifty's mouth...

I REALLY ENJOYED THIS BOOK AND THE PHOTOS OF CURTIS AND HIS FAMILY MAKES ME FEEL LIKE I KNOW HIM MORE.I FEEL THIS SHOWS YOU THAT 50 IS JUST AN EVERY DAY MAN I LOVE THE BOOK

For a realistic, hearfelt look at what it was like to dance at an infamous strip club, have a long love affair with porn king Artie Mitchell, and hang out with Hunter Thompson, this is the book to read! Full of uncanny detail, Corday's story is affectionate, funny, sexy, and a real page-turner. With a searing account of Artie's slaying by his brother Jim and the motives behind it, the murder trial which cost him $1.3 million, and the political connections that helped him get off with serving just 3 years at San Quentin.

An absolutely unmissable read for anyone interested in this bizarre story of two brothers who had the world on a string and then stuck a pin in it.

Simone Corday not only provides intimate details about working at the O'Farrell Theater, she kept track of conversations between she and her long-time lover Artie Mitchell, and her compadre Hunter S. Thompson in journals.

In her memoir, you are like a fly on the wall, drinking in so many delicious details about her life with these over-the-top counterculture icons.

It's a sensual, emotional page turner. You won't want to put it down, and then you will be crying out for more, lingering on that final page, and searching for old Mitchell Brothers' films to get more glimpses on her extraordinary life.

The virtues of Martin Jarvis's breezy, insightful and well-crafted autobiography have been noticed here and elsewhere. I can report that the pleasure to be derived from it is increased ten fold by listening to Martin Jarvis reading it. The voice is beautifully modulated, and apparently undamaged by forty years of theatre, TV, film and radio work. Not only is the text beautifully read, but there are also many demonstrations of Martin's Jarvis's uncanny ability to mimic and adopt other voices. You'll not only hear what Sir John Gielguid, Sir Alan Ayckbourn and Harold Pinter say, you actually believe they are there, speaking to you. Even the great radio actress Marjorie Westbury, to whom Martin Jarvis pays a high tribute, is somehow heard again in Jarvis's reading. There is also a Polish film director, and a Hollywood agent whose impersonations you will never forget.

Whether you're a theater enthusiast, an admirer of Martin Jarvis's work, a budding actor, or just someone who likes to be amused and entertained, you'll find this audio book set to be a great investment.

Loved Martin Jarvis's acting stories. It's a lesson to some of us who might have thought, in our dreams, that it's all champagne and roses. This elegant Brit warns that it ain't as easy as he and some of his fellow performers make it look - life on stage and screen can be full of downs as well as ups. Jarvis's sense of adventure makes the book a page-turning treat. His Hollywood tales are nothing short of compelling, not to say hilarious. And I have never read a better account of what it is like to be on stage in some of London's most noted theatres. A beautifully written autobiography, bursting with fun, information and wise thoughts about acting. I recently had a good time in the theatre watching this British star play the title role in the Lloyd Webber/Ayckbourn 'By Jeeves, on its way to Broadway. Look out NYC. Will Jarvis be writing about his adventures on the Great White Way? Hope so.

This autobiography by versatile British actor Martin Jarvis answers just about every question you've ever wanted to ask concerning the mysteries - and absurdities - of his profession. Whether he is writing about his experiences in Royal National Theatre productions with Sir Peter Hall or the intense atmosphere on the set of James Cameron's Titanic, Jarvis is never less than spellbinding. He is fascinating, too, about the detailed work that has gone into his many starring roles in the plays of Alan Ayckbourn, Harold Pinter and David Hare. And the account of his Theatre Royal Hamlet is a comic classic. His pen portraits of Sir John Gielgud, Robert Duvall, Angela Lansbury, Leonardo di Caprio, Kate Winslet, and the incomparable Dame Judi Dench leap from the page with a glittering perception. I adored the stories about the author's introduction to Hollywood - the character of the hysterical manager, Travis, has to be read to be believed. But beneath the humour, Jarvis' elegant prose conveys an extraordinary sense of the value and worth of being an actor. He is moving, too, as he takes us back to his beginnings at school in South London and his early successes (and failures) at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. I particularly appreciated the tales of student work with Anthony Hopkins, Mike Leigh and Patrick Stewart. This is the best book on the secret world of actors since William Redfield's brilliant 'Letters from an Actor'. I wholeheartedly agree with Dame Judi's assessment, displayed on the cover of this unmissable paperback: "Marvellously written - I laughed and Laughed!"

Adelina Patti at her height commanded a whopping $5,000 per performance in fees. She owned a castle in Wales. She was adored by the critics, composers, and the public alike. Pictures show an attractive petite brunette at times almost absurdly decked out in jewels. No wonder she considered herself a queen, albeit a fairly benign one.
This biography is another in the series of finely produced, copiously researched "Opera Biographies" by Amadeus Press. Tons of pictures, letters, reviews, apperance annals, and a discography make up this enjoyable book on the life of the ultimate prima donna of the 19th century. This book could, in fact, be subtitled "Everything you wanted to know about Dina."
However, like many prima donnas, Patti was probably a creature of the stage and song. She came alive the most when she was singing -- she even built a private theatre in her home to entertain guests with her singing. Her personal life, although much discussed, comes across as rather shallow and artificial. She married three times, the first time to a Marquis who flirted with Patti "lookalikes", the second to the tenor Nicolini (which caused a scandal in Victorian England) and the third time to a Baron half her age who both pampered and isolated her. There is no evidence she was ever in love though -- indeed she seemed mainly attracted to fawning eccentrics. Her last years seem to have been lonely. Thus, despite the research and well-written style of this biography, ultimately Patti is still a mystery. Her recordings, made when she was in her 60s, tell more of the story -- the charm, the emotional involvement, the uniquely haunting sound.
I greatly enjoyed this book because I had heard so much about Patti and wanted to 'know' her better. But as with most opera singers, really "hearing, one can believe."

The above quote, from Patti herself, pretty much sums things up. Adelina Patti was, undoubtedly, the most famous singer of the 19th century. In Mr. Cone's exhaustively researched book (in appendix form are lists of her roles, recordings, stage and concert appearances), the life of this extraordinary diva is examined. She started as a child prodigy, and made her official operatic debut at the age of sixteen (!) in "Lucia di Lammermoor." Patti lived in an age when operatic star power reigned supreme, and Cone includes tales of her capriciousness to highlight that fact. However, Patti was a true artist, able to even melt the hardest of hearts, including George Bernard Shaw. This is a marvelous book for anyone interested in singers and/or famous women of the 19th century.

I read this book years ago after it first came out. I was a fan of Patti but I knew very little about her life. She is an absolutely fascinating person and a tremendous singer (even in her sixties and seventies). If you like opera history, then this is the book for you.