Arts and Entertainment Books

My parents alerted me to this book. It's different, as the singers of today do not sing songs. They talk to a beat. Connie Haines sang with Tommy Dorsey's fine orchestra when Frank Sinatra was also a singer with his band. They did lots of duets together. I think that Helen Forrest and Connie Haines were the two best singers of those big band days. Her's is an interesting story that stresses her religious faith and how she overcame distress in her life. The photos are great, too. I understand she is still singing today with the same gusto. A friend recently saw her perform in Atlantic City with a World War II type review. Her good friend Jane Russell penned a foreword.

My parents alerted me to this book. It's different, as the singers of today do not sing songs. They talk to a beat. Connie Haines sang with Tommy Dorsey's fine orchestra when Frank Sinatra was also a singer with his band. They did lots of duets together. I think that Helen Forrest and Connie Haines were the two best singers of those big band days. Her's is an interesting story that stresses her religious faith and how she overcame distress in her life. The photos are great, too. I understand she is still singing today with the same gusto. A friend recently saw her perform in Atlantic City with a World War II type review. Her good friend Jane Russell penned a foreword.

I am the author of Snootie Little Cutie. Connie Haines is the best singer of the big band era. At seventeen she sang shoulder -to -shoulder with Frank Sinatra first in Harry James' band, and then they both joined Tommy Dorsey singing with the Pied Pipers, Buddy Rich, Jo Stafford, all members of the great showcase band. Connie lives in Florida and still performs. Her friend Jane Russell wrote the foreword. This book will transform you back to the Big Band Era with over 100 photos. Connie later toured with Abbott & Costello on their radio show, and also toured with Jane Russell, Rhonda Fleming, & Beryl Davis as Les Girls, singing bible songs on a nationwide tour. "You will learn a lot about this honorable, faithful, fun-loving, talented, crystal- chanddelier-loving Southern Belle," according to Jane Russell.

I enjoyed reading this book very much. I have read several other books about the Marx Brothers down through the years. I appreciated the fact that Mr. Marx is a former adoptee like me. He wrote about this aspect of his life and said some wonderful things about his family & friends. I appreciated reading what he had to say about growing up with his "real parents" (Harpo & Susan/the ones who were there for him). I also appreciated reading about the understanding of his parents as he learned about his biological family in this book entitled--Son of Harpo Speaks!: A Family Portrait My favorite quote in the book is one said by his sister, Minnie, when asked what she felt like being adopted to which she replied, "What does it feel like not to be adopted"? I am now interested in learning how to work with teen adoptees to help them understand their feelings and help adoptive-parents understand their kids better. Thank you, Mr. Marx, for writing a wonderful book full of surprises!

Authored by the eldest son of many people's favorite Marx brother, it gives us the inside story of not only Harpo's relationship with his son, but also the behind-the-scenes happenings in both men's lives and careers. Bill Marx writes his book with candor and humor, which makes the book a page turner from its opening words to the credits at the end. Illustrating the text are over 150 photos, ranging from the Marx Brothers' performances spanning many decades to family pictures never before seen by the public. Harpo, we learn, had a brilliant and zany wit that permeated every aspect of his life. If you didn't love him before reading this book, you will afterward.

I bought this book and ironically read it the week of Father's Day. Having read and reread Harpo Speaks I couldn't wait to hear what Son had to say about Dad. I say....Bill(Willie Mays) Marx, the accomplished music producer hits a walk off grand slam on what is,I think, his first book... His good friends gave him great advice....."people are interested in someone you are the world's leading authority on... the one ... the only.... Harpo Marrix!" If you ever had a father or laughed... this is the book for you.
p.s. Bill uses a rarely used literary technique of having present day conversations with the "spirit of Dad" throughout the book. The chats are short and sweet.. almost like talking to an angel.You'll love it.

I too, bought this book thinking it was light humor. It's much more than that even though I laughed out loud several times reading it. Much of the humor is dark and thought provoking. I saw my own predicament in many of the descriptions. I recommend it to any creative person.

I bought this book mostly as a kind of joke. Most of my friends and I classify ourselves as starving artists, so I thought this book would, at the very least, be an eery window into our lives.

What I got was not just a mildly amusing look at the life of the stereotypcal "starving artist," but in many cases, I was laughing out loud. Not only that, but the authors have infused wonderful accounts of real artists as examples for the various topics they discuss. Even though much of the advice is light-hearted and probably not meant to be taken too literally, there's a good portion of it that is as useful as it is entertaining.

What started out as a book I bought on a whim became a book that I have declared one of the best books I've ever read. Okay, that may be a bit melodramatic, but I'm an artist...aren't I entitled? ;-)

Bottom line? If you are an artist or know an artist who has ever struggled, GET THIS BOOK...if nothing else, you'll have a few laughs and your lack of success (and quarters for laundry) won't seem quite as grim.

A funny look a the nitty gritty issues of life mixed with facts about what the (now) famous did in similiar situations. Lots of fun (& sometimes helpful) suggestions for handling everything from critiques to living situations. Great fun to read!

Steve Irwin was a dedicated and thoroughly down to earth wildlife conservationist. He believed in what he did and he had a heart full of love and a healthy attitude towards life. Steve Irwin: The Incredible Life of the Crocodile Hunter thoroughly explores Steve's amazing life, from his childhood antics through to his adult relationships - including his wife Terry and their family. There are wonderful photos thru-out. Anyone who loved Steve, will enjoy having this book. Steve, you are missed. But the work you believed in goes on. Thank you.

Pam Dupre

The charismatic and highly animated Steve Irwin was compassion in action for the wildlife kindom. He revered all creatures great and small. His entertaining and captivating television specials were vital for alluring countless thousands of young viewers to learn to apprecaite nature and animal species. He interacted with crocodiles, snakes and dangerous animals to showcase that these species were vital to ecosystems and habitats. Steve Irwin did not kill animals. He was a warrior on behalf of wildlife. He was accidentally killed by a stingray. The latter are majestic and peaceful creatures. Steve Irwin would denounce any malcontent person who would mutilate and kill an innocent stingray. Thank God that Steve Irwin's wife and incredible daughter continue his campaign and advocacy on behalf of the animal kingdom.

A great book to pay homage to the greatest wildlife warrior ever.

I'm so glad that Brenda Buffalino has had a chance to put her interesting life in print for all of us to share...she is a treasure in the world of tap.....

If you love tap dancing you will love this book. Brenda's stories are totally inspirational as are her tap techniques and theory. The theory part is designed for those who have some experience with tap dancing.
One of the great things about this book is that much of the book covers the last 35 years of tap dance so the stories are all very recent and can easily be related to.
You won't want to put the book down once you start reading the tap dance stories section, its such a good read. When you get to the technique section you'll want to try the steps out.

With "Tapping the Source," Brenda Bufalino has given us a brilliantly titled and generously written professional memoir that opens a view into the personal impulses that have driven her creative process.

The book is divided into two sections. Part one is a memoir in the guise of "Tap Dance Stories;" part two, "Theory and Practice," is a master class for experienced tap dancers, but not to be skipped by the in, un, or less experienced, as Brenda continues the memoir even as she notates rhythms, and offers teaching tips.

Full disclosure: I count myself as one of Brenda's many friends, and my wife has produced her work in Seattle over the course of the years. From that vantage point I've been witness to a few of the events in this book, and have also been a willing audience for many of the stories. Brenda is an inveterate story-teller whose ideas, interests, and sources range vastly. A conversation with her, especially if it's a group event, is often like a tropical storm, and when she said she was writing a book I wondered how she'd be able to master the elements to a table as rigid as the page. Now, Brenda may be an improviser, but that's not to say she isn't disciplined, and she found the discipline for the book without sacrificing the art of the story. The book is a good read. It's witty, filled with tap history, opinionated, and touching in its personal reminiscences - most notably of her mother, her mystical involvement with people and place, and her long association with Honi Coles.

Brenda is an Artist, with a capital A. As a being she transcends her chosen forms. Her book will be purchased by dancers, but it's a book for artists, so if you are on the path, "Tapping the Source," is a useful map.

What a great book! I enjoyed reading this book and finished it in one sitting. I have had the honor of meeting Marco the Magi on a couple of occasions and have found him to be one of the most amazing people I have known. I work at Montserrat College of Art, one block from where Marco and Le Grand David perform and have watched them a couple of times with amazement. Marco has even opened his incredible theater to us and we have had three commencement ceremonies there and a couple of convocations at his other historic theater, the Larcom Theater.

I have always wondered, how on earth did he create something so amazing. Avrom has done a wonderful job of lifting the curtain and enabling the reader to understand Marco's life - and wonderful suprises. I strongly encourage those who have an interest in magic, theater, or leadership to read this book!

Brian Bicknell

Marco the Magi, an inspiration to immigrants everywhere. A book which takes the reader through time and hardship of a young man leaving his motherland with little other than the clothes on his back and to the present successful person he has become through the fruits of his hard work and sweat of his brow.

The reader will come to admire Marco as much as those who know him personally and know of his kind and generous heart.

The author, Avrom Karl Surath is not just an original member of Le Grand David and his own Spectacular Magic Company, but has also been a close personal friend of Marco's for over four decades. It is little wonder that he has been able to capture the true essesnce of this magnificent individual and of his accomplishments from childhood in Cuba to the present time as producer and director of the magic troupe from Beverly Massachusetts.

Through the years the author has had an opportunity to personally meet many of the people he has interviewed for the book and to be witness to many of the reuniting meetings between Marco and those friends he had been separated from for years.

Maria Ibanez
Miami, Florida

The Life of Marco The Magi - Researched and written over many years by Avrom Karl Surath, an original member of Le Grand David and his own Spectacular Magic Company, this book carries you through Marco the Magi's childhood and youth in Cuba up to the present time as producer and director of Beverly's famed magic troupe.

The author's research brought him in contact with members of the Cuban diaspora who were Marco's friends and members of his theater company when they were all beginning their lives in Cuba. The author was present when they rediscovered him in America fifty years later.The book recounts the revolution and the agony of Marco's forced exile. It covers his seven years of doctoral studies and friendship with Abraham Maslow at Brandeis University. It gives new perspectives on his founding of the Le Grand David stage magic ensemble. It shows how the genial magician has incorporated Maslow's principles in the colorful and often surprising life of the magic company over its thirty-year-plus history.

The book includes forewords by John Fisher, Dr. Ricardo Morant (Fierman Professor of Psychology, emeritus at Brandeis), and Luis Puello, a former student in Santa Clara, Cuba. Chapters contain interviews with Cesareo about how he conceived and directed the shows. It also includes interviews with Le Grand David about his role in the productions.

Pages 228 - Soft Bound

For Tim Holt fans or B-western fans, I enthusiastically recommend this wonderful book. Not only is this packed with all sorts of interesting information on the actor and his films, it's lovingly written and compiled with the author's passion for this man and his B-westerns shining throughout its pages. It's sad to see this treasure out of print and so expensive.

The book begins with biographical information on Holt, presented in a question and answer format. We're given an insightful look into Tim's childhood and personal adult life without being too intrusive. It's a fascinating look into the life of this beloved western star. Photographs are generously sprinkled throughout the book, along with copies of personal letters included from people who knew Holt adding to the personable charm of Tim's story.

Tim's films are listed with introductions profiling the defining moments in Tim's professional life. The sections include "Getting His Foot in the Stirrup: The Early Years" (1928 - 1943), "Earning his Spurs: The Pre-War Western Series" (1940 - 1943), "The Mature Cowboy Star: The Post-War Western Series" (1947 - 1952) and "Just a Sideline: The Other Films (1946 - 1971).

The author does a fine job of critically reviewing the films, without the criticism or gushing. Something I would never be able to do. Each film includes a personal rating from Rothel, Cast and Crew information, plot summary and the author's personal comments which include trivia with filming locations, behind the scenes photos and lobby posters.

The book also includes interviews presented in the same question and answer format as earlier in the book. Interviews are from Holt's family, female and male co-stars and Richard Martin (Chito), Tim's sidekick from his later B-westerns films. These interviews are a valuable source of trivia giving us a more intimate glimpse into Tim's professional and personal life. Then the book finishes with the section titled "Tim Holt's Scrapbook" that includes publicity material from the studios and newspaper articles written on the B-western star.

On a more personal note, I would like to add that Tim Holt is my favorite of all the B-western cowboys. This book is a delight for someone like me and I feel it beautifully honors Tim and his films. His films except for a handful are not available on DVD and are only occasionally shown on TV. I hope one day that will change.

Being the granddaughter of Tim Holt, I know a lot about him. But for someone who doesn't, this is the best book to read and learn about him. My favorite part of the whole book are all the wonderful pictures! David Rothel is a great writer, and he did a wonderful job writing this book! If anyone has any questions that aren't answeredby the book, e-mail me. Thanks! Happy Reading!

"I was five years old...I tried to sit up straight in the saddle as (my father) did, and every once in awhile I'd look down at my new cowboy boots...and I made up my mind that I'd never wear regular shoes again as long as I lived. I was going to be a cowboy for the rest of my life." Those are the words of Tim Holt later in his career, quoted in this magnificent book by author David Rothel. Tim Holt was a great "B" western movie cowboy star of the 1930's-1950's. His post-WWII western movie series that ran up until 1952 has to rate as the best series of "B" westerns ever made, with good acting, directing & production values, a lot of action, and great on-location photography. In many cases the RKO films made from 1947-52 should be more accurately referred to as "A-" westerns. The stories are always enjoyable and pleasing, and you can tell the good guys from the bad guys. Tim Holt was a fine actor and also appeared in several first class films such as Orson Welles' "The Magnificent Amersons," and with Humphrey Bogart in "Treasure of Sierra Madre." In his westerns he presents himself as a warm, easygoing & friendly cowboy with a good sense of right and wrong, a real hero. He is often drifting between jobs when the stories begin. This book is the first and only book about his life and films. I was born after his last westerns were filmed, and happened to discover the movies in the mid-1970's, after Tim Holt had already passed away (at age 54). I took an immediate liking to him as he presented himself in the movies, and when I later went to libraries and book stores to try to find information about him, found nothing except a few brief sections in several western film books. One paperback I found, "Great Western Heroes," published in the 1970's, gave more information than the other books, but not enough. Tim Holt has been a western hero to me since I saw the first movie, and it was a real joy to discover that this book existed when I found it on amazon.com. It's well worth the price. The book is well-written and is solidly bound with excellent print & photographic reproduction, has a great color cover of a more recent painting of Tim Holt, and is just loaded with a treasure trove of information on him. Childhood photos, reviews of all his films with accompanying pictures, copies of newspaper articles and his obituary, interviews and commentaries with his co-stars and fellow actors and family members, even copies of articles and interviews from western film magazines of the 1940's-50's. And some mysteries about his family life, his work after he walked away from acting (at age 33!) and did the rodeo circuit and shows, and the cancer that killed him are revealed here too. It's impossible to really express what a great book this is, and the author David Rothel deserves all the credit for the extensive research and effort he put into this magnificent volume. Highly recommended.

This is THE book about the longest-running show in TV history (and rightfully so.) All the profits from it go to charity. I bought it a few years ago. It includes a chapter (biography and photos) on each of the show's four decades; what happened after the show ended; song lyrics ("I watched the tube today, Wall-boy/Captain Super didn't make the grade..."); fan comments; and sections on some of the show's behind-the-scenes people, other performers like Dan Horn, and regular guests like Officer Harry, celebrity guests; and more.

The best thing about this book is all the photos. I loved the photos from the early years. I didn't start watching until the '70s, so those '50s and '60s photos are fascinating to me. I also liked the photos of their live shows (remember Legend City and the state fair?) and the photos of the set. Too many of them look a bit grainy or out-of-focus. It would've been nice to have more photos of Pat McMahon's hundreds of different characters. (That could've been a book in itself!) But since more/better photos probably don't exist, I can't fault the book for not including them. This book is as good as it could possibly be.

It will be of interest to anyone interested in TV history and/or Arizona history. I think it should be required reading for all the masses of people moving here. And if you're a Wallace and Ladmo fan, how can you live without it?

Damn, I miss these guys. Even Gerald. They make me proud to be an Arizona native. Here's to you, Ladmo!

If you grew up in Arizona like I did, and grew up watching the Wallace and Ladmo show after or before school...religiously as I did, you've got to get this book which chronicles the show wonderfully and really brings back very fond memories. KJ Chandler, AZ

When I was a young child in Arizona, I used to watch Wallace and Ladmo every morning before I went to school up until I was 7 and moved to California. I didn't move back to Arizona until I was in my 20's and by then the show had gone off the air. But just because it is no longer on the air does not mean it has to fade away. This book was the greatest gift I could have ever received. Not only could I reminisce about the show I loved as a child but I also learned about how the show started and what happened in the years after I had moved away. And this book is filled with hundreds of photos that bring back so many memories. Even though I only watched the Wallace and Ladmo Show for a few years, it will always have a big place in my heart and I will always be able to relive those happy memories with this great book.

What a great gift--for one's own nosalgic journey and for anyone else who will want to have a keepsake of the times and tides of our nation's preoccupations, whether with celebrities, politicians, sports figures, important 'voices' of inspiration. The pictures are captivating; the joy is infectious. It speaks volumes about how and why Oprah has led the way for a nation's curiosity and insight. It reminds us of all of the friends we've made as Oprah introduced us to who was 'happening' and how we came to open our world to all of them. Important !!

I'm a huge fan of Oprah Winfrey. I've watched her television show since it first came on the air. TO OPRAH WITH LOVE has wonderful color photos from many of my favorite episodes. It's filled with pictures of Oprah with tons of celebrities, politicians, sports heros, authors and others. So many priceless moments from her tv career are captured on these pages. It's just like a photo album filled with pictures of your best friends and family! As I first looked thru it I realized how much Oprah has made me laugh, made me cry, made me think, made me wonder and made me happy! I'll cherish this book! Wow!

THIS IS THE REAL THING.AN ABSOLUTELY PRICELESS CHRONICLE OF OPRAH THOUGHOUT THE YEARTS.IT SHOWS HER AS SHE EVOLVED AND FEATURES ALMOST OF HER MOST CELEBRATED GUESTS.THIS IS MORE THAN JUST A BEATIFUL PICTURE BOOK.IT IS A HISTORY OF TELEVISION AND OUR TIME.IT ALSO WISELY LETS EVERY PICTURE TEELL THE SORY AND DOES NOT CONTAIN A LOT OF PUFFERY.THIS LIMITED EDITIOB IS A THE BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR.

I worked indirectly for Bryan. He was in charge of the Financial Advisors in the region I worked .I was a dual employee of a bank as well as brokerage. He held a monthly meeting for all the Advisors and Licensed Financial Sales Consultants .He made all his meeting very interesting and productive. I always took away a valuable lesson from these sessions. He is a powerful public speaker and always delivered tips and points that made me an excellent sales person. Because of Bryan I am now working for the largest mutual fund company in the Nation. I highly recommend reading his book.

An easy to read style which gives hands on and practical advice everyone in sales (regardless of your industry ) should read. It is Head and Shoulders above the other sales books in which I have read. Mr. Mitchell's approach to planning and executing sales strategies are simple but brilliant! Top Producer will give you the edge necessary to increase sales performance. I myself have 17 years of sales experience behind me and feel that Top Producer has given me insight into what I have been missing all these years!

It's high time Bryan shared his ideas. I have 17+ years in sales experience as a financial consultant, and for a brief while, worked under Mr. Mitchell as my sales manager. I felt at the time that his sales meetings stood apart from those of other managers. Rather then just berate the staff about "increased production" Bryan brought useful, pragmatic material to his meetings to increase our sales. These came in the form of fresh ideas, or new spins on old sales techniques. His suggestions are interesting and useful. I integrated several of his ideas into practice and had a very successful career. One point Bryan made that I found to be true is that many sales professionals have no plan, and "any plan is better then no plan at all". Bryan takes this a step further by outlining a specific plan that anyone can use sprinkled with interesting, practical ideas. Furthermore, Bryan is not just driven by revenue, a mistake many managers make, he was the only sales manager I had ( and I had many) that openly spoke of, and concerned himself with "the good of the shareholders", a sentiment rarely heard in an era of upper management corruption these days. I encourage anyone in sales, or interested in a sales career to read this book.