Arts and Entertainment Books

I love this book. It's brilliant! The limericks outline the entire history of the band. The bio is there as well to fill in any gaps. The limericks are just great. Anyone who loves this band as much as I do will really enjoy this book.

YesTales is both informative and enjoyable (a rare combination, indeed). It is not encumbered with ranting opinion. I found it to be punchy, poignant and colorful ... a lively account of three decades of Yes. And the Limericks are hilarious! I have been a Yes fan for many years, and love all eras of Yes music. A Yes fan of any era would really enjoy this book, and any real Yes fan will know that says a lot! Three decades is a lot of music, and very distinctive eras. I loved it!

YesTales is both informative and enjoyable (a rare combination, indeed). It is not encumbered with ranting opinion. I found it to be punchy, poignant and colorful ... a lively account of three decades of Yes. And the Limericks are hilarious! I have been a Yes fan for many years, and love all eras of Yes music. A Yes fan of any era would really enjoy this book, and any real Yes fan will know that says a lot! Three decades is a lot of music, and very distintive eras. I loved it!

This book was great and I can't wait to read it again

This book told of the trials and tribulations of the characters of the past. It helped new viewers to catch up on the events of the past, while taking life long watchers on a trip down memory lane. Great Job!!

As a huge fan of the Y&R from its inception, I was very entharalled and delighted with this book. It is a *MUST* read for any fan of this show. Not only does it take you down memory lane, but it refreshes the memory of many story lines.

This is such a wonderful book! I wasn't much of an "It's a Wonderful Life" fan until I met the lovely Karolyn Grimes recently. She spoke about IAWL with such passion that I went out and bought the DVD the next day and watched it again, through new eyes.

This book is full of rare photographs as well as little known trivia. You'll feel as though you have a new friend after reading this book.

If you love little Zuzu Bailey, then you need to buy this book! And even if you're only a casual viewer of "It's a Wonderful Life", you're still going to really enjoy reading this.

This gorgeous book is absolutely chock-full of stunningly crystal-clear photos and delightful remembrances from Karolyn Grimes. It's perfect for collectors of books and memorabilia related to old Hollywood as well as those who would just like to know more about the Karolyn and her movies. "Zuzu's Wonderful Life in the Movies" is a cherished book in my library.

Zuzu's Wonderful Life In The Movies: The Story of Karolyn Grimes by Christopher Brunell is a veritable showcase of on-screen and behind the scenes photographs featuring Karolyn Grimes, the talented child star of "It's a Wonderful Life" and many, many other memorable Hollywood films. Complementing these captivating black-and-white photos is a brief yet involving story of actress Karolyn Grimes' personal life, the obstacles she faced, and her extensive filmography. Highly recommended for fans of classic movies, Zuzu's Wonderful Life In The Movies is a seminal contribution to Cinematic History reference collections and a "must" for any dedicated fan of the Golden Age of movie making.

While General Forrest's tactics have been a wise approach for many years;they need to be modified for modern times.Having the best training,motivated personnel and most advanced weapon systems are also mandatory for success.
At first glance,it may appear that this is a light weight or superficial book of modern weaponry and state of art gizmos.Even the title tends to sell this book short.
The authors,Frank Vizard and Phil Scott have done an excellent job of summarizing how and where the military got to where they are today,what are the newest weapon systems being introduced today,and what can be expected in the future.
We see where weapon systems have progressed at a continually accalerating pace since WWII;and as the saying goes; "You ain't seen nothing yet!"
What this book does especially well is its treatment of the people who will be using these weapons.Now ,and in the future,the "soldier" will be far better trained,motivated,protected,equipped and fewer in number than ever seen in the past.
The book not only covers the soldier but also the weapon systems of all branches of the military;the Army,Marines, Air Force and Army and personnel.We see the latest and projected Aircraft,Armor,Ships,Weaponry,Gear and Tactics supported with clear and concise text and photographs.
I have been attending Air Shows and following military documentaries for a number of years.However;the huge advancement in weaponry was never brought home more to me than this summer when I witnessed a display of the new F-22 Raptor.It showed capabilities that were simply breathtaking;and many of its capabilities are still being kept secret.This new plane clearly shows that this plane,its pilot,support systems,weapons,and stealth proclaim;it's a new era in war planes.
This book is going to be a very invaluable aid when following present and future conflicts.
If you want to know what's going on militarily,don't by-pass this book.

If there is a single book that captures exactly what is going on right now in DoD, this is THE book. Not only do the authors survey all of the major air, land and sea weapons systems under development, they write from a context framed by the past. This makes this work exceptional in contrast to most books that gush over future gadgetry while ignoring the physical world we live in which requires platforms that are robust, durable and mobile.

The book details how real transformation in land combat requires splicing new technologies like hybrid-electric drives, band tracks and advanced armor and weaponry to combat proven tracked M113A3 Gavin type vehicles not expensive lav3stryker rubber-tired armored cars. The authors explain how 5 combat effective 10.5 ton tracked M113A3 Gavins can fly in a single C-17 and easily in smaller C-130 aircraft while the overweight 19-ton wheeled lav3strykers can only fly 2-3 at a time in a C-17 and stripped down of fuel/ammo inside a C-130. The authors dilligently point out that spending billions on inferior equipment and losing capabilities is not transformation---gaining capabilities by upgrading M113 Gavins into Brigade Combat Teams is the way to victory.

Another excellent segment of the book is its depiction of efforts to lighten the individual Soldier's load and give him greater mobility (4-25 mph) by means like folding all-terrain bikes (ATBs) and carts. This book is a fascinating look into the future of U.S. warfare and should be a must-read by every Soldier, Sailor, Airmen or marine.

Everything that I wanted to learn about 98 Degrees, I found in this book. The pictures are amazing and I am an even bigger fan now! These guys are extraordinary performers and make incredible music! Jeff and the guys are truly dedicated to their work and I hope they keep it up for MANY years! This is the ultimate book to learn about 98 Degrees from conception to the present. A must read for any true fan!

This book is awesome you won't be able to put it down if you try. Everything you wanted to learn about 98° is in here. Jeff.... must i say anymore? Just check out the book and you'll see why. I'm a fan of 98° and this book just reaffirms what i know... that these guys are awesome performers and as well as handsome, gorgeous men. If you haven't picked up your copy yet, what are you waiting for? =)

Brad Stevens did a magnificent work, that enlightens all the aspects of Ferrara's movies. As a very serious historian, he multiplies the sources of informations, and we discover for example the youth and formation of the film-maker. As a brilliant analyst, he compares each film with a whole range of literary and cinematic works. It's a model in terms of monography about a director.
The book is wonderfully illustrated. The filmography is the most complete and detailed.
A necessary book for everyone interested, nonetheless about Ferrara, but about American contemporary cinema in general.

Brad Stevens, whose successful book on Monte Hellman was released in 2003, tackles another subject who doesn't always get the proper recognition that they so deserve. Through interviews with Ferrara himself (he wrote the brief introduction), correspondence with the main collaborators of the director, and enormous amounts of research, Stevens' book focuses on both the biographical and the theoretical nature of Ferrara's films. It's the most complete book on Ferrara at this time, and one would hope that Stevens would be able to update this text as Ferrara continues his controversial - but always impressive - career.
His section on unrealized projects alone makes this worthy of a purchase.

While doing my science research project, I found many books on advertising, but none as fascinating and complete as this. It's actually fun to look through!

I think it's really true that whatever are in ads reflect our society, and it was interesting to see ALL the entertainment ads, which made me think more about my project and everything else. It's a terrific book!

While doing my science research project, I found many books on advertising, but none as fascinating and complete as this. It's actually fun to look through!

I think it's really true that whatever are in ads reflect our society, and it was interesting to see ALL the entertainment ads, which made me think more about my project and everything else. It's a terrific book!

I have admired Nicholas Pennell's work since I saw him in the Forsyte Saga when I was in high school. I was glad to be able to find out more about his carreer in a book where the author was not trying to sensationalize anything but just give the facts.

This is a charming and readable biography of a man who dedicated himself not only to theater but to one remarkable theater in particular-the Stratford Festival in Ontario. Despite the beginning of a good career in London, Pennell, British by birth, once accepted a limited engagement with Stratford. Almost immediately he became fascinated with the theatrical opportunities that that repertoire company provided an actor, to say nothing of the rich dramatic offering it presented to an international audience.
As a result, Pennell became a Canadian citizen and spent a professional lifetime acting and teaching at Stratford. His work took him elsewhere, including the United States, England, and the West Indies, but his base remained always at Stratford, where he quickly became and remained one of the stars of the company.
Maher, who knew Pennell, bases her biography on his correspondence, interviews with his friends and associates, and interviews that Pennell himself granted to her and to others. The book is full of amusing anecdotes, as one always hopes to find in a book about theatrical personalities. It could also serve as a useful teaching aid for young actors because Pennell talks compellingly about the demands and techniques of acting.
Finally, you don't have to know what has been going on in English-language theater since at least the mid-20 century to enjoy Maher's book. But if you do, it is even more fun.
Henry Butterfield Ryan, July 29, 2005.

There are probably a dozen or so books that I've read and re-read cover to cover in one siting. I am adding Kanze and Sulek's to that pile, making it a super baker's dozen. It's a solid, well written text, highlighted with great pictures and memorabilia about radio's AM history in metro #1. My only regret for the radio historian is that there isn't one for all the other major metro areas like Chicago, Los Angeles, Dallas. I look forward to their FM version. Gotta have it. Bob Donnelly

Montclair NJ

Growing up in New York City, I lived the New York AM radio experience. My era was 1010 WINS with "Murray the K" and Jack Lacy. Occasionally I would dial up to Peter Tripp on WMGM-1050 or down to the "sweatshirt station", WMCA (Yeah-yeah). As I moved through adolescence music began to disappear from New York AM. Soon all we had left was WABC-Musicradio 77. That too would eventually go to radio heaven.

Bill Jaker's fantastic compilation takes us behind the New York radio scene. It puts faces to the voices of the disk jockeys who woke us up each day. Those who sat next to us on the beach blanket at Coney Island on a warm summer afternoon, and to the ones who rocked us to sleep each night. They all come back to life once again thanks to Bill Jaker and his friends.

But that's not all. You'll learn all about the storied history of the #1 radio market in the world. All the great radio stations of the 50's and 60's, and about stations you never even heard of. If you ever turned on a radio in New York, waited patiently for the tubes to glow and wondered who are these guys who keep playing the music I love, this book is for you. Despite what others say, you can go back in time, and this book will take you there. Enjoy! I did.

The interviews collected by Bert Cardullo in "Akira Kurosawa Interviews" give us various lenses and filters through which the great director's works were seen, over a fairly decent period of time. We have Japanese filmmaker interviewers, American critics, A Latin American novelist interviewer, and Bert Cardullo himself. We have the very respectful, the respectful but inquisitive, the annoyingly self-absorbed (you'll know it when you read it...a tipoff is that, after the most pompously convoluted question Kurosawa laughs...)and the one mind that provokes a real emotional response from Kurosawa.

That's a nice survey! You will hear many stories repeated (I begin to think that Kurosawa relied heavily on some basic themes drawn from his experience, and reiterated in his work with Audie Bock:"Something Like an Autobiography" and nearly word-for-word in Cardullo's final interview in the book) but, despite the repetition, new stuff is intermixed, and quite fascinating for Kurosawa fans and scholars.

Goes on the Kurosawa bookshelf.

Akira Kurosawa: Interviews.

I recommend this book unreservedly to anybody interested in film. In conversation with knowledgeable and distinguished interviewers Kurosawa gives detailed insights into how he works: how every stage of a film is exhaustively discussed beforehand by all its participants and the Director himself; how unplanned factors such as the weather can contribute to episodes of unforgettable beauty and mystery in the finished film; his refusal to be regarded as a philosopher, let alone a preacher ('I look at life as an ordinary man. I simply put my feelings into the film'); his passionate interest in, and extraordinary knowledge of Japanese history, of the social and military life of the given period; of how his early training as a painter has informed his perceptions and his methods.
Apart from all that we learn about Kurosawa's work, the book is full of insights into recent Japanese history and contemporary society, including, of course, Japanese cinema.
Kurosawa's speech is engagingly fresh and energetic, and despite his great fame he seems to be utterly without self-importance.