Arts and Entertainment Books

"The life and shocking story of the icon who danced her way to fame and infamy in Paris."

I used this book for a class I taught about Josephine Baker. The images collected here give such a good representation of Ms. Baker's life, and the three long essays in the book helped me understand her better. I would love to see this exhibition personally, but since I can't do that the book makes a good substitute. La Baker was quite a woman!

Incidentally the recently released DVDs of her movies are interesting too.

The life of Josephine Baker is one of the most incredible success stories in American history. Born into a poor but vibrant district of St. Louis, as a child she took her first steps toward becoming an incredible dancer by dancing in the streets for pennies. At age 13, she ran away to join a traveling road show, and at age 16 was the star dancer of a show that toured the country. She moved to Paris to join a musical review called La Revue Négre. So great was her success that, at age 20, she was the toast of Paris, and soon after, the toast of all Europe.
Ernest Hemingway said of her "(she is) ...the most sensational woman anybody ever saw. Or ever will. Tall, coffee skin, ebony eyes, legs of paradise, and a smile to end all smiles." Baker even took lessons in dancing from the great ballet master Balanchine who, as it turned out, learned more from her than she from him!
Josephine Baker, Image and Icon is a tribute to this incredible African-American who had little or no formal education, but earned her place in history through sweat and perseverance and an incredible talent. It is a book made beautiful by the images of Baker herself, as shown by original theatrical posters, photographs, drawings, prints and paintings of Baker made by some of the most celebrated artists of the period. The book is a rich profusion of color and movement, much like the dancing for which Baker was celebrated.
The book had its origin in the mind of the Director of the Sheldon Art Galleries in St. Louis, Olivia Lahs-Gonzales. After two years of searching for art and ephemera that would best show the life and times of Baker, Gonzales mounted an exhibition at the Sheldon Art Galleries by the same name, with exhibits drawn from collections public and private across the United States and Europe.* The book itself was the natural outcome of what was shown at the gallery.
In the book, Josephine Baker and her life and times is further defined by three scholarly and highly readable treatises. Bennetta Jules-Rosette, the author of "Two Loves: Josephine Baker in Art and Life," writes of the inventing of the image of Baker and the preserving of her as an icon. Olivia Lahs-Gonzales offers a commentary on Baker in the context of the modern woman. Tyler Stovall, author of "Paris Noir, African-Americans in the City of Light," describes Paris and the Jazz Age, and the place of Baker in the black Montmartre.
Baker not only danced and sang her way into the hearts of Paris, Europe and the world, but capitalized on her fame by taking on other tasks, such as combating racism in all its aspects. She adopted 12 children of all races and religions--her "rainbow tribe"-- and installed them in an immense French chateau. And, most incredibly, she took on the dangerous role of a courier in the French underground during the Nazi occupation, for which she received the French Légion d'Honneur.
If there ever was a book that defined and embodied its subject in its pages, it is Josephine Baker in Art and Life. It is a book that belongs in the library of everyone who loves Americana in its finest manifestation.

*The exhibition has now moved on to the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, where it remains until March 18, 2007

Basil Nestor describes this book as "an unabashed celebration of the wonder of Judy Garland," and indeed that is exactly what Judy: A Life in Pictures is: a celebration of a remarkable woman and unsurpassed entertainer. The biography of Judy is told most tellingly in pictures ranging from a shot of two-year-old Francis Ethel "Baby" Gumm to a wearied, prematurely old Garland hovering on the brink of her premature death. The pictures, all 125+ included here in this over-sized book, offer a great deal of personal insight into the life of this lady who was larger than the life she suffered through. Some would scoff at the likelihood of a superstar such as Judy Garland being constantly unhappy, but anyone who knows the gist of her life's story knows that troubles forever haunted her. The movie studios treated her badly and got her started on drugs because they thought she was fat, she saw only ugliness in the mirror whereas many fans adored her for who she was; I myself see the young Judy Garland as a striking beauty that put the likes of Lana Turner to shame. These pictures clearly show the toll taken upon Judy by her continuing drug problems, unhappy if not disastrous relationships, constant self-doubt, economic straits, and overall depression, yet they also capture moments of true magic when the real Judy Garland floated to the surface and made everyone around her love her. The later pictures of Judy are sometimes heartbreaking to see, particularly those of her final year as she basically wasted away, but these pictures show Judy as she really was.

The pictures are accompanied by a short biography of Judy's life and career, and this makes for an excellent introduction to this most complicated and talented of performers. Her entertainment exploits are documented lovingly, and her failures and tragedies described with great respect. You will find none of the hurtful innuendoes other authors spitefully insert in their own economically-motivated hatchet jobs of Judy, yet Nestor does not portray her as an innocent angel by any means, acknowledging the fact that many of her troubles in life were a result of her own actions. Thus, what you get here is a short, respectfully honest peek into the life of the greatest female entertainer the world has ever known, with a sizable number of intimate pictures telling the story more keenly than the words accompanying them. This is a book sure to delight any fan of Judy Garland.

This book is very well put together, combining some excellent pictures and interesting and ACCURATE text. You'll see Judy at two years old in a white ruffled dress all ready to sing onstage, the original "Dorothy Gale" look, some lovely photos leading you through Judy's flourishing years at MGM, her life as a wife and mother, ready to embark on the concert circuit, and finally, the last years of this beloved legend. The pictures are beautifully subtle and never too revealing, always candid and mostly nostalgic. The text is never incriminating or bitter against its subject. It is, and I quote it, "an unabashed celebration of the wonder of Judy Garland", and is a charming addition to any Garland collection.

This book was beautiful. I was awed with the wonderful collection of famous and not-so-famous photos. If you're a fan of Judy this book is for you.

Anyone who considers himself a Dylanophile needs this book. It's incredibly rare, as it was printed in a tiny first printing (about 1,000 copies) and the publisher failed soon after. But a Dylan collection isn't complete without it. Engel writes from a lifetime's research. It's a shame he doesn't reprint his book elsewhere.

I grew up on the Mesabi Range within 25 miles of Hibbing, Dylan's boyhood home. I've been a fan of his for 26 years. This is the definitive book on his early years. Full of photographs, some never before published, this book covers all aspects of his youth...his faith, his family, his town, his friends, and how he grew into who he became. Delightful reading for the true Dylan freak!

An excellent guide for a road trip, or pilgrimage to Hibbing. It gives a lot of information on the history of Hibbing and its culture. Also quite a bit more info on Dylan's childhood and family history than I have seen anywhere else, including numerous photos. Picked it up on New year's Eve afternoon last year, devoured it overnight, and on New Year's Day--at 4a.m.--left for Hibbing and felt as if I had been there before when I got there and "watched the sun come rising from that little Minnesota town." Found all of the Dylan sites listed with the help of the book, but should have picked a better day. (Zimmy's was closed, the Dylan museum was closed, and it was rather chilly to be wandering around old Hibbing.)

Think of it as a highly detailed tour guide to Dylan's Hibbing, whether or not the reader actually goes. Adds a lot of weight to references in songs like North Country Blues, etc.

This book is not just for the novice film-maker. I read it hoping it would teach me the techniques I needed to know in order to produce a script I had completed, but in the end it was the author's motivational message that encouraged me to write and publish my first book Noah's Ark, Discovering the Science of Man's Oldest Mystery that made me want to come back and recommend it to others.

If you want a film school education then buy this book. If you plan on gong to film school then I would buy this book and read it first. The message is simple. Learn this material and then make films. You don't need any additional material. It's all right here. Now put it to use. The motivation and planning information in Just Shoot IT! are priceless. It covers filmmaking from start to finish. The cinematography section is top notch and written in such a simple easy-to-understand manner. There are even filmmaking exercises to hone your skills. It was great reading a book that both motivated and enlightened my aspirations of film making. This is the best book on the market.

If you're aspiring to make a film, then you will enjoy this book. It is a invaluable tool to help you prepare, start and finish your award winning film. And you can tell the world what a big help this book was to you. It's fun, easy to read and understand. It's very practical. Full of secrets to help you cut cost and save money. I recommend you read this book and go make your film with this book in your pocket for a quick reference.

George Strait, the original country "hat act" is the subject of this new biography by Jo Sgammato. The story begins in his early days from his hit album, Strait Country, to the present. Strait has been at the top of the charts for sixteen years, a rarity for most country stars. I have been a fan of his for many years and was very excited when the book "Keepin' It Country," was announced. This book is must reading for all of his fans. As Barbara Mandrell sings, "I was county when country wasn't cool." This is also true of Strait the country sensation who never performs without his hat.

I really enjoyed this book. It gave good back-ground information on the singer and the person.

I love this autobiography of George Strait. It is the first book I have read about him. It gave great detail to his life and his music. I am waiting for another book about him to come out. he is so interesting and a true country singer.

As a sci-fi buff growing up and watching those sci-fi movies I always wondered where those awesome special electrical effects came from. In those days special effects (FX) were not computer generated but in fact done live. This book answers the question of where these electrical FX came from. A compelling as well as fascinating read, making you want to revisit those films again and head to the rental store just to see those FX once again.

Harry Goldman did an excellent job on reporting on Ken Strickfadens life and achievements. He also proved that nothing comes close to real sparks for a movie. Reccomend this book for movie buffs, Nikola Tesla fans, and historians!

This is a great story about the little-known genius behind the creation of the mad-scientist labs in so many of the old horror films we all love, Dr. Frankenstein's lab being the most famous and familiar. You get a feel for what was happening in the world that reflected in Strickfaden's life at various stages and it's fun to read some of the Hollywood set stories.This book is obviously written by someone who has a great respect for the person and the talent embodied in Kenneth Srtickfaden.
The photos are facinating as are the several pages of the original sketches for the equipment he made.
(By the way, you can see a glimpse of Strickfaden in the trailer with Mel Brooks on the DVD of Young Frankenstein, also highly recommended.)

Kenny Miller has lived the Hollywood dream and writes a fascinating story of Tinseltown in its glory days. From a humble start to performances in over 22 feature films as well as steady television and musical work, Kenny is a seasoned pro who has paid his dues. Hobnobbing with the greats and near greats and having fun along the way, Miller has an insider's perspective that is a must read for anyone hoping to break into the world of entertainment. A fun read.

Kenny is a Great guy...NOT a Hollywood phoney. I hope the book does well

Unlike Eddie Fisher's sleazey autobiography, Ken Miller's book recalls bygone Hollywood. While he could write about the dark sides of Natalie Wood, James Dean, Sal Mineo, Orson Welles, Anthony Quinn, Cecil B. DeMille, Connie Stevens and the death of the studio system, Mr. Miller choses the high road.

Fortunately Mr. Miller discusses the craft of acting in both big budget motion pictures and cheapo fly-by-night studios in the 1970's. His behind-the-scenes stories are funny. One highlight involves the acting debut of his pet dog, Krissy.

Ken Miller presents the professional acting craft as the way it should be...not to serious and what should be a lot of fun.

This book reflects a kind soul and a nice man.

You'll laugh out loud at Ronnie's wry and sometimes ribald storytelling....and sure enough, you'll want to share this special collection of unique stories with a friend who'll appreciate it, too. A sweet treasure from a Southern Belle!

I loved Ronnie Claire Edward's memoir, The Knife Thrower's Assistant. It is beautifully written and filled with wisdom, compassion and wit. Read it now! There's nothing quite like it!

This book clearly deserves more than five stars.

To write a book this funny, you have to have good material and be a brilliant story teller. Ms. Ronnie Claire Edwards has both to draw on, and makes wonderful use of them in this madcap memoir of summer melodramas in mining towns, being taken by gypsies, carnival acts, and alligator farms. Just when you think that you have been entertained royally, she switches the stories into a theme of who she is. The result is a brilliant portrayal of a talented actress.

Many people will primarily know Ms. Edwards from her role as Corabeth Walton Godsey in the television series, The Waltons. Her friends, however, know her better by her wonderful stories. In a foreward by Ms. Fannie Flagg, you find out that Ms. Flagg has "constantly dogged Ronnie Claire to sit down and write her always keen and hilarious observations . . . ." I, for one, am glad that she prevailed. I think you, too, will be. To give you a flavor for the book, Ms. Flagg characterizes it as "Oklahoma Gothic -- if there is such a thing. And if there wasn't, there is now." The reference to Oklahoma is because Ms. Edwards is from Oklahoma, and many of the stories relate to Oklahoma.

The book begins with the true tale of how Ms. Edwards became a knife thrower's target. She was 15 and had run off to work with a carnival as a ticket taker. The knife thrower was Great Shoshone Mahaffee, "half Indian, half Irish, and all drunk . . . particularly troublesome in a knife thrower." Her predecessor, Fifi, was starting to twitch. Apparently, she didn't need to worry about the cuticle on one of her pinkies any more. So Mr. Mahaffee "was looking for new blood." In that brief tale, you get a sense of the amazing wit, story telling ability, and writing skill that Ms. Edwards brings to her material.

As interesting as her experiences were, her family's were often even more unusual and humorous. "My family's ecentricity was God-given . . . ." It will spoil the story if I tell too much, but consider that her mother and father called her by totally different names. To her mother, she was Ronnie Claire. To her father, she was Sophronia Gertrude or sometimes, just Gertie. She looked for her birth certificate to check, and her mother said it had been lost. Her father said the mother was wrong, and she was suffering from "transient apoplexy." The mother said the father was doing this "just to be perverse."

When her mother and father die, her siblings take whatever possessions they want and send what they cannot bear to throw away to Ms. Edwards. She takes you through these dusty boxes and shares the memories they bring. After you learn more about her family, their friends and neighbors, and those they help, you will agree with her statement that "is it any wonder I became an actress?"

My two favorite humorous sections here were Uncle Homer's trunk (you won't believe Uncle Homer) and a series of letters from her father describing her mother's false teeth.

Then at the end, she finds a bundle of the earliest photographs and other keepsakes about her own life in a scrapbook. In there is a birth certificate. And what do you think it says? You'll just have to read the book to find out, but it's well worth the read just to find out the answer to that one question.

Ms. Edwards then sums up nicely about how all of this rich background of humorous human poignancy helped her become the person she is.

After you have finished enjoying this remarkable book, I suggest that you take a look at the legacy that you will be leaving your children through the perspective of their experience in opening up your possessions after you are deceased. What will they find? What will they think about? Then, go out and make some new and better memories with them.

Find the brilliance and fun in every moment!

I've read many books about Katharine Hepburn and this is one of the best. She is a very interesting woman. So, besides that, the thing that makes this book good is that the author actually new Katharine Hepburn and spent a fair amount of time with her.

The book covers their relationship between 1968 (when they met) and 1992. Mr. Prideaux wrote some screenplays especially for Great Kate. The book tells about their working relationship and their friendship of sorts.

Mr. Prideaux also writes about his meetings and work with other stars such as: Elizabeth Taylor, Dame Wendy Hiller, Judith Anderson, Patrick Duffy, Julie Harris, Jean Stapleton, Ryan O'Neal and Burt Reynolds.

Oh, how fascinating the 'STAR' quality is. It is amazing how some 'stars' feel superior enough to walk all over people and others are as nice as can be, no matter how famous they are. They are just people after all... no better and no worse than the rest of the world.

A most excellent and intrigueing book.

If you'd like to see the human side of the great Katharine Hepburn, then you've come to the right place. This book is informative, entertaining, a breeze to read, and above all, where Kate is concerned, honest. This is definitive Hepburn.

Very few books on Hepburn have been written by people who even met her, let alone those who knew her personally. James Prideaux has been a close friend for many years. In his book you'll find a portrait of Hepburn that has not yet emerged: human, warm, eccentric AND egocentric certainly, but always, always, ALWAYS fascinating. You'll find here the star, but also the woman-complete with warts. If you want to find a Hepburn not available elsewhere, don't miss this one!

Great conditon and very efficiant on the delievery. We thank you for the wonderful conditon of this book. Pleasently surprised!

A GREAT book! It has great pictures, appendices, and tells all the facts about the greatest band ever!

This is a must for every Led Zeppelin fan. It's chock full of information about the individual members and the group experience. It's well written and has enough illustrations to keep the photog fanatics contented.