Book Description

Sean Penn had barely hit our movie screens before he was hailed as "the best actor of his generation." Then his tumultuous marriage to Madonna turned his life into pulp fiction, even landing him in jail. But Penn was made of sterner stuff, re-emerging as a brilliant director, devoted father, occasional hell-raiser...and reluctant actor, capable nevertheless of breathtaking performances (Dead Man Walking, Sweet and Lowdown, Mystic River, and most recently 21 Grams). Inspired by the example of his father Leo, a decorated World War II serviceman whose acting career was cruelly curtailed during the 1940s blacklist era, he also found his political voice. Drawing on exclusive interviews with Penn and his family, friends, and colleagues (Jack Nicholson, Dennis Hopper, Woody Allen, Susan Sarandon, Bono, Christopher Walken, Angelica Huston, Kevin Spacey, and many more), Richard T. Kelly creates a richly detailed and multi-faceted portrait of an uncompromising American artist. The book also includes over seventy-five black-and-white photographs. ... Read more

Book Description

As one of the biggest stars to burst into U.S. theaters, Jackie Chan has wowed audiences with death-defying stunts. But who really is this lightning-fast Charlie Chaplin of martial arts moviemaking? Now, in I Am Jackie Chan, he tells the fascinating, harrowing, ultimately triumphant story of his life: How the rebellious son of refugees in tumultuous 1950s Hong Kong became the disciplined disciple of a Chinese Opera Master. How the dying art of Chinese opera led Jackie to the movie business. And how he broke into Hollywood big time by breaking almost every bone in his body.
... Read more

Reviews (81)

So incredibly engaging, I read it in a single day.
I'm not the type to read "Hollywood bios," (or Hong Kong ones) but after seeing Rush Hour and a dozen other Jackie movies, I couldn't resist giving the book a whirl. What a surprise to find such a well-written and thought-provoking story! I literally couldn't put it down. I spent all day sneaking around reading it at work, then stayed up until 3 a.m. to finish it.

As a student of traditional kung-fu (thanks to Jackie's influence), I've met practitioners who trained under the same abusive system as Jackie did. Although infused with humor throughout, the book really made me appreciate the suffering--most of it imposed by others--that goes into making a top kung-fu artist. I'm so glad that Jackie's life has followed the old adage "what doesn't kill us makes us stronger." He survived numerous hardships, poverty, and lots of really badly directed movies to emerge as the confident and successful star we know today. Jackie, thanks for giving Americans a much-needed HERO--not only in movies, but in real life!

Although it was Jackie's story, I really applaud the fabulous job that Jeff Yang did on the writing end of things. Great work!

YOU are Jackie Chan
I didn't know what expect when I started to read this book. I've read several biographies and although I pick interesting people to read about, none come close to Jackie Chan. His life from early childhood to manhood has been a difficult ride.

If you've ever seen any of his movies and find them filled with action, drama, and comedy, this book is no different. It's like you're reading the script of a movie. He paints vivid pictures in your head as he describes his life, his loves, his career. I have developed a better appreciation for Jackie Chan after reading this book. It is so inspirational that anyone can read this book, fan and non-fan alike and enjoy the man known as Jackie Chan.

I encouraged all my friends to buy this book and add it to their library, its definately a must have.

Great Book for All Ages
I have read this book about 5 times (for class book reports), and every time I read this book, it is still good. This book just helps solidify Jackies roles, and hardships he went through to achieve greatnesss. He had a pretty interesting life, and after I got started reading this book, I couldn't put it down. I gave it to a friend and he got hooked also. The story starts off with Jackie at an early age living with his parents in a French ambassadors home. Then it shifts to Jackie at the Drama School, where he gets in fights with the older borthers, who one of them end up being a huge influence in his life. I won't tell you who, you'll have to read it. You'll thank me for this. This book is definatly a keeper.

origins of jackie chan
This book really takes the reader into many aspects of Jackie Chan's early life from China, to the Peking Opera House where he was schooled in his martial arts, to Australia, and even a mansion where he lived a few short years after being born. There's more to one of the best action heroes in Hollywood than just punches and kicks and this book will keep you reading and sometimes laughing from Chan's antics as a mischevious kid. Also you'll read about other Chinese cinema superstars such as Sammo Hung and Yuen Biao growing up with Chan in the opera house. All in all a very solid book very much worth reading for any fan of Chan.

Chan's origins very unique
This book really takes the reader into many aspects of Jackie Chan's early life from China, to the Peking Opera House where he was schooled in his martial arts, to Australia, and even a mansion where he lived a few short years after being born. There's more to one of the best action heroes in Hollywood than just punches and kicks and this book will keep you reading and sometimes laughing from Chan's antics as a mischevious kid. Also you'll read about other Chinese cinema superstars such as Sammo Hung and Yuen Biao growing up with Chan in the opera house. All in all a very solid book very much worth reading for any fan of Chan. ... Read more

Book Description

Actor and singer Clary, born in France before the Nazi occupation, tells the story of his survival of the concentration camps, and the years that followed World War II, which included a successful show-business career (he was Corporal Louis Lebeau on the ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Short
First, I would like to clarify something that another reviewer apparently didn't understand. Robert Clary was NOT in a "death camp." He was in a "forced labor camp."

Second, based on what I have heard from him in several documentaries made for PBS, Robert Clary has a lot more that he could have said in his autobiography. He was obviously holding back on information or censoring his experiences. My feeling was that he would take his experiences to the moment of pain and then pull away from them. As much as I liked Robert Clary as Corporal Louis Lebeau on Hogan's Heroes and as a narrator of Holocaust documentaries, I must admit that his writing is not as intense as I was expecting.

A Biography Worth Reading
"From the Holocaust to Hogan's Heroes", is a fascinating account of Robert Clary's experiences growing up amid the backdrop of the Nazi occupation of France. Robert proves to be a remarkably 'lucky' individual who has had to face extra-ordinary circumstances and yet has not allowed the scars of Genocide to prevent him from finding personal joy, while allowing that joy to touch others. His exuberance and boyish charm punctuates the pages of his book as he recounts his innocent childhood, the horrific 31 months in Nazi prison camps from the age of 16, and the eventual realization that almost every member of his beloved family had been literally wiped out. His remarkable flight out of purgatory leads him to a renewed zest for living and to his own personal success on stage, television and pictures. His personal insights of the personalities that he met along the way, as well as his jaunt on Hogan's Heroes, keeps you from putting the book aside. Robert Clary literally leaves you wanting more.

Interesting Account of the Holocaust
I have been familiar with Robert Clary's work in soap opera, particularly DAYS OF OUR LIVES. I had read several accounts in various magazines, mentioning his experiences in the concentration camps and was quite interested in reading his experiences in his own words.

As an account of the Holocaust, it is of value. However, this was not an easy book to get through. Clary makes reference to so many friends and relatives that after a while it becomes difficult to keep any of them straight. The book varies from depressing to matter-of-fact, without very much relief for the reader from the overwhelming depression of the Holocaust. I had been looking forward to reading about his entertainment career after the camps to get relief from the grief, and then started to feel bored.

A powerful, highly recommended biographical journey
From The Holocaust To Hogan's Heroes is the autobiography of Robert Clary (born Robert Max Widerman in Paris in 1926), who is perhaps most famous for his portrayal of Corporal Louis Lebeau in the widely syndicated television comedy series Hogan's Heroes. But unlike his jovial television character, Robert Clary's personal experience with World War II was much more horrific - he was among those deported to the Nazi concentration and extermination camps at age 16 in 1942, and although he barely survived, his parents, two sisters, two half-sisters, and two nephews did not. From The Holocaust To Hogan's Heroes is a powerful, highly recommended biographical journey that enfolds the reader in a strong life with the will to survive and pass on personal knowledge of the past's abominations to the present generation.

Bland
Bland book written by a man with a huge ego and an appetite for embellishing history in an effort to elevate his own status as an entertainer.
Also, I found it curious how Mr. Clary (like apparently hundreds of thousands of others) could have survived a staggering 31 months in a German "death camp"? ... Read more

Book Description

Fred Astaire allows us to see through the effortless balletic exuberance. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

a must for fans of the talented Mr. A
Fred Astaire tells his story in the same way he dances, with integrity and grace. I have been a fan of Mr.Astaire's for many years. The first movie of his I saw was "Daddy Long Legs." I was fasinated with the way he danced. When I found out that he had a biography I snatched a copy up. What I like about this book is that Fred Astaire wrote it himself. I found myself laughing at times, and after reading the book I felt as if I knew him personally. The best thing about this book is that it has 47 black and white photos. This book is a must for true fans of one of the greatest dancers who ever graced the big screen.

Fred Astaire captures my heart.....again!!
An amazing story told by the man himself!! What an incredible life he led! A must have for any fan! I could not put it down. He is an amazing story teller and spends alot of the book on what you don't hear about, his and his sister Adele's incredible vaudeville act and his tour with the USO. What a wonderful man! And he focuses on things other people don't, his flops in show business! You know about his triumph's but he shares his defeats also. Definately worth every penny.

A book worth reading...
This book is actually one big anecdote, peppered with little things like Mr. A's first punch, trying to figure out a title for the book, and meeting his wife, Phyllis.

However, Fred Astaire does not offer much insight on how he got from point A to Z, or what made him do this and that. In other words, people who want the whys (and plan to psychoanalyze Mr. A's actions) will not find what they are looking for.

It's still a great read though, and real entertaining.

Disappointing
When I read an autobiography of a great person I look for insights into: What makes this person great? What specifically has he done, and what experiences and thought processes has he undergone, that shaped him to be the master of his domain? This is what makes a great autobiography fascinating. You search not only for WHAT he's saying, but also HOW is he saying it. Not only what he's done, but how he got there and his thoughts about it.

Unfortunately, in this book Fred Astaire offers no such insights. This book is filled with facts that are largely uninteresting to me - on this and that date he met Mr. So and So and did such and such movie with such and such lovely star with such and such lovely songs by such and such great composer through such and such studio.... Brief, factual stories.

These facts have their value, and his fans might want to know them, but when they make up an entire book without offering any further depth, I cannot but end up feeling dissatisfied and wanting for more.

As I was reading I kept on hoping that sooner or later I would get to a chapter where Astaire offers some meat, some idea as to who he was, his thoughts and views, insights into his personality and brilliance, some of his methods and perhaps even masterly advice. When I passed the 300th page of this 325-page book and still haven't found it, I finally had to admit to myself that it ain't happenin'. Even his humor and the small points he emphasizes here and there are rather trivial.

As much as I'm a devout fan of his incredible dancing skills (some of which I emulate in my own dancing), I must say that after having seen all of his movies and read this book I've come to the conclusion that there's something rather empty about him as a person, a quality that comes out in his art as well.

This might be sacrilegious, but that's how I feel.

True, his movements are unmatched, angelic to perfection and a sheer pleasure to the eye, but I have yet to feel that he's got more substance or depth to him other than these masterful movements. In all his fantastic movements, and in all his wonderful movies, I've yet to see him really moved - not even once.

I finally found SOMETHING to nibble on at the end of the book, literally on the final page. There he frankly admits that he's got "disappointingly little to say" about "the history and the philosophy of 'the dance'".

But, Mr. Fred, I'm not asking you to teach us the evolution and history of dancing! I can get that information from other sources. I am asking you to offer us some idea how YOU think! surely you've some ideas about dancing and what separates you from all other dancers in the world!

Or maybe not?

If he did, he surely kept it from us.

He does offer one clue though, on that same page. In it he tells us that he wanted to keep the "basic principles of balance and grace" of ballet, but felt "there should be no limitations". He says, "I wanted to do all my dancing my own way, in a sort of outlaw style. I always resented being told that I couldn't point my toe in, or some other such rule."

Now we know something about him! (although I could have guessed that just by watching him dance..)

In what probably is the most revealing remark in the book, still on that last page, he writes: "I have never used [dancing] as an outlet or as a means of expressing myself".

The impression I have - from seeing all his movies and this book confirmed it to me - is that in fact he had little to express. He's a master technician and a master of grace, but where is Fred Astaire, the man, in all this? Have we merely scratched the surface of his intellect and emotion, or is this surface all there is to him?

There are two options here. Either he's truly a very ordinary man who happened to have a truly extra-ordinary gift, and therefore he cannot articulate what he does not have, or that he actually does have a philosophy of life, and it goes something like this: 'Nothing needs to be taken seriously because life is utterly inane and meaningless. It's enough to be decent (which he certainly was), and beyond that, pray don't think or feel too much.. just dance!'

An American Classic
Fred Astaire was truly an American classic. Now that movie musicals are dead, proven by the born-dead "Moulin Rouge," no one is ever likely to surpass Astaire or even come close. Astaire tells his story in a disarmingly modest and self-deprecating way. He never says an unkind word about anyone. Does this make for a boring book? On the contrary, what you see on the screen is what you get in this book. You can hear his very voice telling the story. ... Read more

Book Description

Frank Sinatra famously shunned the press, yet in 1964, at the height of his career, he gave Life photographer John Dominis unprecedented access to his personal and professional life. Dominis shadowed Sinatra across the country for three months, generating more than 4,000 images of Ol' Blue Eyes, but only a few were used for the Life cover story. Featuring 150 of the most revealing of those pictures, almost all unpublished, this book creates a deeply personal portrait of the man behind the icon. Startling in their intimacy, these mesmerizing photographs offer a compelling portrait of America's greatest popular singer. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

SINATRA FANS THIS IS A MUST!
I LOVE this book. It's a collectors item no doubt. Pics of Frank that you've never seen before. Classics with Frank and Jackie Gleason and Sammy Davis jr. Frank at his house, on the massage table, in private places never seen. You can tell he wasn't posing for these pics. All naturally which is why it is so unique. And the texts keeps you wanting to roll thru the book without putting it down. What a life he had! What a book this is!!

Michael Brandmeier ... Read more

Book Description

See the difference, read Still Me in Large Print

* About Large Print
All Random House Large Print editions are published in a 16-point typeface


When the first Superman movie came out I was frequently asked 'What is a hero?'I remember the glib response I repeated so many times.My answer was that a hero is someone who commits a courageous action without considering the consequences--a soldier who crawls out of a foxhole to drag an injured buddy to safety.And I also meant individuals who are slightly larger than life: Houdini and Lindbergh, John Wayne, JFK, and Joe DiMaggio.Now my definition is completely different.I think a hero is an ordinary individual who finds strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles: a fifteen-year-old boy who landed on his head while wrestling with his brother, leaving him barely able to swallow or speak; Travis Roy, paralyzed in the first thirty seconds of a hockey game in his freshman year at college.These are real heroes, and so are the families and friends who have stood by them."

The whole world held its breath when Christopher Reeve struggled for life on Memorial Day, 1995.On the third jump of a riding competition, Reeve was thrown headfirst from his horse in an accident that broke his neck and left him unable to move or breathe.

In the years since then, Reeve has not only survived, but has fought for himself, for his family, and for the hundreds of thousands of people with spinal cord injuries in the United States and around the world.And he has written Still Me, the heartbreaking, funny, courageous, and hopeful story of his life.

Chris describes his early success on Broadway opposite the legendary Katherine Hepburn, the adventure of filming Superman on the streets of New York, and how the movie made him a star.He continued to move regularly between film acting and theater work in New York, Los Angeles, and at the WIlliamstown Theatre Festival in the Berkshires.Reunited with his Bostonians director, James Ivory, in 1992, he traveled to England to work with Emma Thompson and Anthony Hopkins in The Remains of the Day.

The Man who cannot move has not stopped moving.He has established a charitable foundation to raise awareness and money for research on spinal cord injuries.His work as director of the HBO film In the Gloaming earned him an Emmy nomination, one of five that the film received.His speeches at the Democratic National Convention and the Academy Awards inspired people around the country and the world.He has testified before Congress on behalf of health insurance legislation, lobbied for increased federal funding for spinal cord research, and developed a working relationship with President Clinton.

With dignity and sensitivity, he describes the journey he has made--physically, emotionally, spiritually.He explores his complex relationship with his parents, his efforts to remain a devoted husband and father, and his continuing and heroic battle to rebuild his life.

This is the determined, passionate story of one man, a gifted actor and star, and how he and his family came to grips with the kind of devastating, unexplainable shock that fate can bring to any of us.Chris and Dana Reeve have gathered the will and the spirit to create a new life, one responsive and engaged and focused on the future. ... Read more

Reviews (80)

A new beginning...
In this part autobiography, part answer to his fan's questions concerning his accident, Christopher Reeve provides an incredible look at his life from both sides of the traumatic accident that left him paralyzed. In reading this book, I found a man quite different from the average "movie star", a very strong and surprisingly complex person who, because of a great inner strength and supportive family and friends, was able to survive and go on with his life after what would surely cause most people to give up on life. Christopher Reeve continues to show himself to be a true "superman".

Still Superman, if you ask me.
This book is a testament to the courage and strength it takes to be dealt an almost fatal blow and come away stronger than he was before. Reeve takes us through his life and shows us just how this accident effected his personality and his heart, as well as the obvious physical aspects. I walked away feeling I knew Christopher better than I ever could have other wise. His words draw the reader in to his thoughts, and the reader walks away feeling priveleged to know Superman on a deeper level. Christopher Reeve IS Superman. He writes about his embarassment of "Superman" being struck down so easily, but his experience is just a way of showing us how even Superman has a tough time in this world. We each must fight our own demons. Each of us has it in us to overcome our challenges, and on the way, we have to clear the path for those who will follow us. I found the most touching part to be when Reeve realizes that people love him and each person is worth loving in return just because of that.

Inspiration for people working on regenerative medecine
For someone working in the medical industry with stem cells, this book makes me stay longer at work, sleep later at night, and fight more in my meetings for what truly I believe in to make sure I am really doing everything I can to make this future medicine available to our generation.

An Intelligent and Informative Autobiography
Having already read Reeve's second book "Nothing is Impossible", I wanted to read his autobiography "Still Me". I truly enjoyed reading the second book. However, I am a little disappointed with "Still Me". In addition to the general tone of the book, I was suprised by the incoherent nature in which this book is presented. While I am sure the biography was once in a more chronological order, I believe the book was deteriorated by poor editting decisions.

The story of Christopher Reeve is tragic. Being confined to a wheel chair for nearly ten years has severely limited the career of a talented actor. Reeve is likely to be remembered type cast to his role as Superman despite this being only a small measure of his acting capabilities. Because of his injury, more than Reeve's acting career was limited. His interactions with family and others have been altered. Additionally, the simple pleasures have been taken away from him. However, Reeve finds unlimited joy in a loving wife and beautiful children. The title of the book is a reflection of this joy.

I found the chapters in which he wrote about his disability and recovery prospects most interesting. Reeve has served as a great ambassador to educate the public about spinal cord injuries. These chapters were intertwined with the chapters of his life and career before the accident. I found the arrangement of chapters distracting from the overall story and tone. Because of the arrangement of the chapters, Reeve comes across as being very bitter. While I know he has reason to be angry, I do not believe that is how he is. For this reason, I believe poor decisions about the layout of the book take away from its quality. Nevertheless, I still found the book to be interesting and entertaining.

Inspiration
I have rarely read a book so inspirational & uplifting, as this, the story of a remarkable man who has overcome all odds and come to terms with a totally disabling condition. I was also surprised by the scope and versatility of his acting experience, We all tend to lump Chris Reeve in the "Superman" category. He is a talented and accomplished classical actor of great merit, and respected and revered by most of our "legends" also. I personally feel humbled and ungrateful, when I think of the torment and triumph this wonderful man has shown the world. Good luck Chris. I know you will walk again someday! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee met in 1945, when they were both performing in the same play on Broadway; Davis, resuming an acting career that had been interrupted by a World War II tour of duty in Liberia, was cast as the male lead, while Dee was originally hired as understudy to the female lead and soon found herself taking over the part. Three years later, still working together, they took advantage of a rehearsal-free day in their schedule to get married--and have been together through thick and thin ever since.

Trading turns with one another, Davis and Dee discuss the high and low points of more than a half century in each other's company. With Ossie & Ruby has enough stories for at least three books, covering the world of stage and film, the history of the civil rights movement, and the endurance of love and marriage. Their telling, in alternating first-person narration, is unflinching in its portrayal of the hardships they endured for being black-skinned and "left-wing" political activists--and equally firm in their continued dedication. This is a first-rate memoir by a man and a woman--each with a thriving career--who have collaborated to form a union even greater than the sum of its parts. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

The Black King and Queen of the Arts
I just had the pleasure of reading this marvelous book.This book is done with class and shows celebrities do not have to write memoirs that are full of trash.I have always loved Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee.I have always said people who have been married for many years usually have had many ups and downs in their relationships.It just goes to show if you have faith and are not willing to give up easily you can have a relationship of longevity and is an inspiration to others.An excellent book.They may have made mistakes but in the end they are truly role models.My heart and prayers go out to Ruby Dee in the loss of her lover, friend and colleauge Ossie Davies.Ossie Davis and Ruby together were a class act and they have written a celebrity memoir with class.

Beautiful

This is by far one of the most beautiful memoirs ever written. Through the challenges they face they have acomplished so much in their outside life as well as within their own partnership of love and devotion. Such a positive book to read.

Also recommending: Books by Maya Angelou, The Color Purple, A Paper Life and Nightmares Echo

Very Powerful
i've followed Ossie DAVIS&RUBY DEE for a long time.and this book is solid.overcoming Race,Class&Personal issues this couple have continued to thrive.i've followed MR.Davis's films such as Cotton COmes ToHarlem.also him in Lets Do It Again.and Both of them in SPike Lee's Do TheRight Thing&Jungle Fever.also hearing Mr.Davis doing Malcolm X's EulogySpeech was moving near the end of the film Malcolm X.it's a powerful bookhearing about Them overcoming so much and giving the world twice as muchback.

Enjoyed the journey of my favorite couple!
I felt as if I were at a personal reading with Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis.The couple shared their most initimate moments with the reader.They are a couple which has withstood the test of time and their love for each otherhas no boundaries.They have been fighting racism and equality for manyyears and are still very involved.You go Ruby & Ossie.

What a wonderful journey!!
What a great glimpse into the lives of two beautiful people. I have always known these 2 were special but what confirmation!! A tenderly writtenlife story. This sometimes hilarious book was a walk thru history and a truelove story. I am changed. ... Read more

Book Description

The Films of John Cassavetes:Pragmatism, Modernism, and the Movies is the first book to tell in detail the story of a maverick filmmaker who worked outside the studio system. Providing extended critical discussion on six of his most important films (Shadows, Faces, Minnie and Moskowitz, A Woman Under the Influence, The Killing of a Chinese Bookie, and Love Streams), Ray Carney argues that Cassavetes' work is a distinctly life-affirming form of modernist expression that is at odds with the world-denying modernism of many of the most important art works produced in this century. Cassavetes is revealed to be a profoundly thoughtful and self-aware filmmaker and a deeply philosophical thinker, whose work takes its place in the American tradition along with the writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson and William James. The six films treated here emerge as expressive interpretations of the bewildering challenges in contemporary American cultural experience. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

a very interesting and important book
I originally got this book and read the whole thing, before i had seen any of cassavetes movies. This is not a recommended route. I have now seen all of his films, except for husbands, and i can't tell you how amazing i think the importance of this book is. I wonder what the ratio is between the people who disagree and agree with it's context, in respect to it's attitude towards american cinema. the book really does rewire your brain. The people who i am friends with, who are also interested in film are dumb founded when ever i casually undermine 2001 or citizen kane in a conversation. More importantly though, this book, like Cassavetes films, extends into life and actually opens you up to knew spiritual territory
you didn't think about. One last point: Does any one notice how suprisingly objective Carney is when he mentions his most hated film makers like Spielberg ? Get this book. It may feel too intellectual, but it really isn't. If you think that then you are reading it too quickly and not thinking about what it's actually saying.

Boring is as boring does
I'm not sure what book the reviewer below this read, but I don't know how many times I'd have to read about films that completely re-imagine the way I (and our popular culture) see the world and my own experience before I'd feel "bored" or anything less than inspired and envigorated. In fact, I read this book very often - not just to gain information, like a dictionary or an encyclopedia, giving me facts and figure data I didn't have before, but as mental calethenics, or something like spiritual openess training. This is a much more meaningful and important activity than thematic comparison and contrsating, no matter how technically interesting that is. As the concepts and points of view on the world process thru my brain as I read them off the page, I gain new abilities to understand and see - and this takes work, and often repetition. So I reccomend anyone who reads this book and hopes to gain insight, not just into Cassavetes and his films, but into their own personal attitudes, to keep themselves OPEN, as Cassavetes explicitly did in every frame of film he exposed, and to always give the artist (or author) the benefit of the doubt before passing judgement based on arbitrary ulterior motives (which, naturally, we all have). This isn't easy (especially to the greatly film cultured), but I dare say you'll enjoy this book, and your life, a lot more.

some interesting ideas, lost in stilted prose
It was with much anticipation that I awaited the arrival of this book, being a great fan of Cassavettes, a man who in my mind was something of a saint. But whilst reading its opening chapter one fine spring evening, and quite content with the sentiments expressed thus far, I couldn't help but feel a little disappointed, that Carney's ideas weren't surprising or particularly revealing in any way. A rather shocking sentiment given the brutal, challenging, and often heartbreaking nature of the work this man was writing about.

However, upon further reading this book I realized it was not so much what Carney was trying to say (or what he was neglecting) that bothered me, but rather the way it was structured. The book is about three-hundred pages long, but would only make fifty pages or so of good tight writing. The prose is extremely repetitive. The problem being he decided to review each movie individually, drawing pretty much the same conclusions for each film (for honestly it could be argued that Cassavettes made the same movie over and over again). Perhaps he would have been better to divide his chapters according to theme, and applied the films accordingly. As it stands now if you read the chapter on Faces there is little point in reading the one on Love Streams because you will find Carney making the exact same points in virtually identical language. Extend this through the six films collected in this book and you are in for one tedious read.

some interesting ideas, but awful presentation
It was with great anticipation that i awaited the arrival of this book, being a loving fan of Cassavettes, a man who in my mind is something of a saint. But whilst reading its opening chapter one fine spring evening, and quite content with the sentiments expressed thus far, i couldn't help but feel somewhat cheated, that Carney's ideas weren't surprising or particularly revealing of the films in any way. A rather shocking sentiment given the brutal, challenging, and often heartbreaking nature of the work this man was writing about.

Upon further reading though i realized it was not so much what Carney was trying to say (or what he was neglecting) that bothered me, but rather the way it was written, the way he had chosen to outline his information. The book is about three-hundred pages long, but would only make fifty pages or so of good tight writing. Its prose is extremely repetitive. The problem being he decided to review each movie individually, drawing pretty much the same conclusions for each film (for honestly it could be argued that Cassavettes made the same movie over and over again), when he should have divided his chapters according to theme, and applying the films themselves to his conclusions. As it stands now if you read the chapter on Faces there is no point in reading the one on Love Streams because Carney makes the exact same points in virtually identical language. Extend this through six films total and you are in for one exhaustingly boring book.

I would however recommend the new Cassavetes on Cassavetes, also by Carney, but written primarily in John's own voice, as expressed in numerous interviews.

Don't read it without support
Almost everything Carney says, you tend to utterly hate him for at first. His most recent article seemed so pessimistic that I spent an hour in my apartment, sitting in front of the TV depressed by it all.

Everything Carney writes tends to be tough at first, because, like Cassavetes, he mentions truths about life that very few people wish to confront. There is no evasion of reality in this book. People can be horrible to each other. We all die in the end. That's life.

Carney doesn't analyse Cassavetes' work in relation to other movies and cultural trends (as most film professors tend to do), but prefers to focus entirely on the performances of the characters on screen. Like Cassavetes, he never really explains the characters' motivations, but instead focuses on how they react to their environments. Everything he writes is about life -- you'll find nothing about tendentious compositions, popular culture, or auteur theory. The only important thing here is Carney's love for the characters and their creator.

One of the greatest books ever written on American film. ... Read more

Book Description

In the Moment is an intimate memoir by the quintessential "actor's actor." Ben Gazzara established his name at the Actor's Studio in 1952. Working under Elia Kazan and Lee Strasberg, alongside Marlon Brando and James Dean, and gaining success with mega-stars like Marilyn Monroe, Gazzara helped to introduce a new acting style to the world. More importantly, however, the Actor's Studio launched his career as a leading man when he was handpicked by Kazan to originate the role of Brick on Broadway in Tennessee Williams's Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Soon Gazzara achieved national fame in the film Anatomy of a Murder. Launched into a career in which he worked and played with Frank Sinatra, Orson Welles, Laurence Olivier, Shelley Winters, Lee Remick, Woody Allen, and Audrey Hepburn, who was for a time the author's lover, Gazzara may be best known for his early work in independent film, collaborating on a string of off-beat, experimental movies by John Cassavetes. In the Moment takes readers onto the movie sets, revealing for the first time how these and other much-loved films were created. More recently, Gazzara has sprung into the second phase of his career by appearing in newer independent films. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (21)

EXCELLENT!!!
I LOVE "LUCY," AND I LOVED "MEET THE MERTZES." "LUCY" WOULD NOT BE "LUCY" WITHOUT FRED AND ETHEL, AND VIVIAN VANCE AND WILLIAM FRAWLEY. I LEARNED SO MUCH ABOUT THESE TWO WONDERFUL SUPPORTING PERFORMERS. THIS BOOK IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Great book for all I Love Lucy fans
Anyone who has ever seen I Love Lucy realize that Vivian Vance and William Frawley, who played Fred and Ethel Mertz, were a integral part to the success of the long-running show. Try to imagine the show without Fred and Ethel - you just can't!. Both Vance and Frawley were fine actors who had successful careers both pre and post-Lucy.This book provides an in-depth , fascinating look at both of these character actors and their impact on television history. Well-written and well-researched, this book is a must for any fan of the show.

BILL AND VIV SHOWN AS NEVER BEFORE
THIS BOOK IS AN EXCELLENT LOOK AT BILL FRAWLEY AND VIVIAN VANCE WHO PLAYED 2 OF THE MOST BELOVED CHARACTERS IN TV HISTORY. IT PROVIDES A LOOK AT THE HUMAN SIDE OF THIS ACTOR AND ACTRESS WHO PLAYED FRED AND ETHEL. I FOUND THIS BOOK HARD TO PUT DOWN FOR IT COVERED SO MUCH DETAIL AND FACTS ABOUT BILL, VIV, AND THE SHOW. THIS IS A VERY INTERESTING, HONEST, AND FACTUAL ACCOUNT OF THE LIFE AND CAREER OF THE TWO VERY TALENTED PEOPLE WHO MADE THERE PLACE IN TV HISTORY. I HIGHLY RECOMMED THIS FOR ANYONE WHO WAS A FAN OF I LOVE LUCY, THE LUCY SHOW, OR MY THREE SONS. A MUST READ.

Very Personal. Emotional. Every detail is here.
This is a must-have and a must-buy for any "I Love Lucy" fan or if you simply are just a fan of Vivian Vance or William Frawley. Here is the true story of both stars in their beginnings. How they almost did not and eventually were destined to be "The Mertzes" for nine years. Here you will read Vivian Vance's and William Frawley's individual stories. Also what happened to one another after "I Love Lucy" (1951-1957)/ "The Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Comedy Hour" (1957-1960) came to an end. Every movie, every television episode and work Vivian Vance did before she died is here. The same for William Frawley. Also read the story of when Lucille Ball saw Vivian Vance for the last time when Viv was sick. Also read when William Frawley worked with Lucille Ball one last time as a guest on "The Lucy Show" in 1965. Five months later he unexpectedly passed away after having a heart attack near Hollywood & Vine St.

EXCELLENT BOOK
For all my life I have loved I Love Lucy, and always have been fascinated by Vivian Vance and William Frawley, the actors who played Fred and Ethel Mertz. What about their childhoods? How did they get into show biz? What did they do before being cast on I Love Lucy? What happened to them after they left the show? Well, this book told me everything I wanted to know about Viv and Bill-- and then some. It is well written and well researched, and filled with great interviews with those who knew and workled with Viv and Bill. Such a pleasure to read!

With all the books and information available on Lucy and Desi, it is great to see one finally written on Viv and Bill! ... Read more

Reviews (25)

An honest account of Desi's rise to fame
After reading Lucille ball'a autobiography then another book called Desliu, based on Lucy and Desi's marriage, I read Desi's 'A Book" to get another perspective of a fascinating marriage and era in television. It is an honest account of Desi's rise to fame and his business accument and the principals he followed in his life. Not that much is covered on his marriage to Lucy or his relationship with his children but it is clear that he adored his children and Lucy, and built the Desilu empire for them, even to the detriement of his marriage and his children. But you cannot blame him in doing so as with his background and upbringing, it was his way of doing things. Even after he remarried,you get the feeling that he will always love Lucy. While Lucy in her book covered more of their relationship, Desi talks of the lessons he learned and praises those who helped him. He has a great style of writing that was really enjoyable to read. He holds back no punches when he describes his life and who he is. It is ashame he did not write a sequel to "A Book", covering his life after his divorce to Lucy, and how their relationship continued till he died in 1983. A great gentleman who you have to admire for his love of his family and his talent as an actor, muscian, producer, director and businesman, who lived a full life. Worth a read.

I love Desi too!
Wow! What a life Senor Arnaz led. We all love Lucy, but the man who created the most popular sitcom ever often gets overlooked. His book is thorough and eye-opening. If you love Lucy you need to read this book to hear the other side of the story. Although I did not always like how he chose to deal with life, I came away from this book with an enormous respect for the work he did. He was a great musician, producer/director, and businessman. I also believe he loved Lucy to his dying day.

A BOOK...IS TRULY WONDERFUL
IF YOU LOVE LUCY AND DESI AND WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THEM, THEN THIS IS A MUST-HAVE BOOK! A TOUCHING, ENTERTAINING AND VERY ENJOYABLE READ. WRITTEN WITH HEART-FELT SINCERITY, HUMOR AND SEEMINGLY ENDLESS LOVE FOR LUCY. BUY THIS ALONG WITH THE LUCY/DESI HOME MOVIE VIDEO. YOU'LL LAUGH AND CRY YOUR EYES OUT ALMOST SIMULTANEOUSLY.

A Book - Desi Arnaz
Very good book. Recommended for all "I LOVE LUCY" fans.

What a book!
Even though it took me a while to get this book, the moment I did, I couldn't put it down. I really felt as though I was sitting down having a one on one conversation with Desi Arnaz. Its so real, tells of his early childhood and the hardships he overcame, his experiences in coming to America, and of course his life with Lucille Ball. A must have and a wonderful, wonderful book. Well done Desi! ... Read more

Book Description

As the son of the worlds funniest comedian, Arthur Marx had an insiders view of the ever-changing landscape of American entertainment. Arthur Marxs GROUCHO offers never before seen images of his legendary family and the Hollywood scene of the th cent ... Read more

Reviews (21)

ARTHUR MARX'S GROUCHO
The best Groucho book to come around in years.I loved it!

A Moving Tome
Initially the quality of the photos is striking. Then you look at the subject - a man who brings joy through his art of comedy - and some of the most emotionally moving images of Groucho emerge. And some gorgeous photos of the rest of the brothers also.

What fans of a dead artist always encounter is the lack of anything "new" out there. This fills a gap. I have been a Marx fan since my youth and have found the expenditure on this book, and the wait, worth it. The best picture book on the Marx brothers to date.

Today Feather Is Feather's Day
This is a grand book.

Arthur pays tribute to the old man nicely.

"And we're giving you a tie. It's not much you got..."

Today Feather Is Feather's Day
This is a grand book.

Arthur pays tribute to the old man nicely.

"And we're giving you a tie. It's not much you got..."

Arthur's is a Grand Book, Nicely Done
I am very impressed with _Arthur Marx's Groucho: A Photographic Journey_. All photos are of high quality and most have not seen print before. I believe that over half were taken by Arthur Marx himself. The book weighs something like six pounds. The only reason that this is relevant to all but the infirm, and perhaps the hapless mail carrier, is because it denotes the quality of the paper used; more specifically: the high-glossy type of presentation that makes this coffee table book so unique within the realm of Marx Brothers books. Arthur Marx and editor Frank Ferrante (and the book designer, whose name is simply not handy just now) are to be commended on their efforts. Nicely done. Why my vote of "four stars" and not "five"? Most realtively-new Marx enthusiasts might likely give the book five stars. I guess that my lone reservation revolves around the fact that the editorial content (that meaning Arthur Marx's written observations), albeit generous in both tone and length, offer little _new_ insight to this jaded reader than, well, I guess, the fact that Groucho's breakfast consisted of half a grapefruit, two pieces of toast, and coffee). There may a few other brand-new insights that I've forgotten. (But again, I write as a long-time student of the Marxes.) At the same time, Arthur's text does serve nicely as a son's loving reminiscences of his father, and I'll take that over the transcriptions of "The Bank of America v. Erin Fleming" any day. (Besides all of that, the transcriptions do not include any photographs whatsoever. Perhaps fortuitously.) Regardless, most dyed in the wool Groucho fans will relish this expertly-executed new book on Groucho (a new book on Groucho is, obviously, reason enough for celebration). Newbies are likely to delight in it even more-so (even if, perhaps, most cannot actually afford a coffee table upon which to place it; my advice to them is "fake it"). I thereby recommend it highly. (I only wish this site allowed a vote of four-and-one-half stars. Ah well.) Kudos to all involved in this project. ... Read more

Book Description

Motherhood and Hollywood is Patricia Heaton’s humorous and poignant collection of essays on life, love, marriage, child-rearing, show business, having parents, being a parent, spousal rage, surviving fame, success, and the shame of underarm flab. She is warm, witty, and refreshingly irreverent.

Heaton grew up in suburban Cleveland, one of five children of devout Roman Catholic parents. Her father was a noted sportswriter for The Plain Dealer; her mother died suddenly and unexpectedly when Heaton was twelve. Love, fast food, and an unflagging sense of humor held the clan together and propelled Patricia on a showbiz career that began with hilariously nightmarish struggles in New York, eventually leading to a triumphant move to Los Angeles.

In Motherhood and Hollywood, Patricia Heaton pours out her heart and minces no words. She’s taking all prisoners for cookies and a glass of Jack Daniel’s and diet ginger ale. Laughter ensues. ... Read more

Reviews (36)

Disappointing, Although (Sort-Of) Enlightening
My first response after reading this book was to ask "What was THAT all about?".It was sort-of a biography, in that it contained some stories of her life and such... but I found it rather boring.Biographies frequently instill some sort of sympathy or a sense of inspiration and/or something uplifting but I felt none of that after reading the book.In fact, by the time I was half-way through reading it, I was thinking more about "When will this end?" rather than asking "What happens next?".

I have a good sense of humour and I scarcely raised a smile as I was reading this book and I certainly never laughed... which was very disappointing, given the impression we get of Patricia Heaton from the Debra character in "Everybody Loves Raymond".From the book, we learn of a fairly unremarkable life and some good luck in gaining work in Hollywood... which I would guess is basically how it works anyway.

We learnt precious little about the real woman, as she lives today, how she manages the family and her work and what effects being a Hollywood person has had on her relationships outside of Hollywood...and we certainly didn't really find out "how to get a job like hers".

I don't know... I suppose the style of writing actually put me off.This book is more a collection of essays on episodes of her life rather than a detailed reflection of how she felt these experiences affected her... as a mother and as someone destined to be living in Hollywood.I wonder, too, about the audience she had in mind when writing the book, as many of the "witty"(?) references to American culture are lost on non-Americans... and to me, including a whole chapter(ette) on "9/11" seemed a little strange in this sort of book, even though it was one of the few places that she related her feelings about her family and her place within it.

Overall, I'd say it would be worth a read if you didn't have a more interesting book to read... but certainly borrow it from someone rather than buying it.I can't see myself ever re-reading my copy.Then again, if you enjoy knowing Patricia Heaton as "Debra", it might be even better not to read the book at all and thereby not shatter your dreams of what you think the actress is really like.

most Fantastic
yes, i am a Huge Patricia Heaton fan so my opinion is probably gonna be biased..this book had me laughing so much i had to stop reading it on my way to work cuz fellow travellers thought i was nuts and i kept missing my stop..it's well written and i love her humour. i love her lists, i totally recommend it. every patty fan should read this book!!

Everybody Loves Patricia!!
I didn't expect to enjoy this as much as I did, in fact it's totally not something I would usually pick up at all. I'm not sure why I did except that I love the show, Raymond, and I love the cover of the book... and it was a Kelly Ripa pick. Her honesty about herself and others was very refreshing. If only other movie stars were as honest.
I enjoyed Heaton's breezy writing style and her common-sense approach to both acting and parenting. I thought it was refreshingly honest; touching at times, and at other times, laugh-out-loud funny. As someone who loves "Everybody Loves Raymond," I can say that, frankly, I watch it mostly for Patricia Heaton; as wonderful as the entire cast is, I think she is the funniest. So, I was glad to see that Patricia Heaton is as funny and honest in real life as her character. Patricia is a down-to-earth woman who happens to live in la-la land called Hollywood.

A SURPRISINGLY WELL WRITTEN BOOK FROM A WONDERFUL ACTRESS
The work that Patricia Heaton does on the CBS hit sitcom "Everybody Loves Raymond" is truly remarkable. In her role of feisty, put-upon suburban housewife Debra Barone, she brings depth and dimension to her character with great grace, cutting humor and a wide emotional range. She is, for me, the single best thing about this terrific show. Indeed, her work in one standout episode (I believe the title is "Bad Moon Rising"), in which Debra deals with a nasty case of PMS, is some of the very best I've ever seen a sitcom actress give us...and I'm not forgetting the likes of Lucille Ball, Loretta Swit and Shelley Long when I make that statement. I hope that it was for this episode that Ms. Heaton won one of her back-to-back Emmys, in 2000 and 2001. Ms. Heaton is also, inexplicably, one of the small screen's least ballyhooed beauties, with one of the nicest smiles on TV. For these and other reasons, I was very interested to read what she had to say in her 2002 autobiography, "Motherhood and Hollywood: How to Get a Job Like Mine." Well, the not-so-new news is that not only does the book let us learn where Patty Heaton came from, and how she got to the high place she is at today, but that it does so with much self-deprecating humor as well. Ms. Heaton writes as if she were telling us her story and views of life over a few drinks in the backyard of her Los Angeles home. The book is chatty without being gossipy; indeed, many readers may be disappointed that more "dirt" is not dished regarding the "Raymond" show's cast and crew.
Rather, the book is organized into three sections. In the first, we learn of Heaton's youth, growing up in a staunch Catholic family in a Cleveland suburb that sounds like Hooterville or Mayberry, from the author's descriptions. In part two, Patty comes to the Big Apple, and we learn of the many so-called "survival jobs"--eight years' worth of them--that Ms. Heaton endured. Finally, in part three, Heaton lands in L.A., and eventually, after her second marriage, some minor film parts and assorted TV work, nabs the role on "Raymond" for which she is best known. During the course of the book, Heaton gives us her views on modern-day education, child rearing, religion, acting awards, and stay-at-home moms. So yes, we DO get to know Ms. Heaton to a certain degree. Such topics as her first marriage and her brief drug dalliances are given the barest of mentions, and not mentioned at all are her other relationships, her production company, and her pro-life stance, which latter has set her apart in the Hollywood community. She doesn't even mention how she landed the plum role of Debra Barone! Still, it IS Patty's book, and I suppose it's her right to choose to include or exclude whatever she likes. This is hardly an in-depth autobiography (at 207 pages, how could it hope to be?); more like cherry-picked snapshots of what makes Ms. Heaton tick. To her credit, the book was written with no assistance from a ghost writer, and so Ms. Heaton should feel proud to have written a fun, lighthearted but telling book all by herself. Many of the lines in it are laff-out-loud funny. I never thought that I, a nonpracticing Jewish man who is ardently pro-choice, would ever have much to say to the proudly religious and openly pro-life Patricia Heaton if I were ever fortunate enough to meet her, but she comes across as such a fun and decent person in this book that I now think there'd be no problem. And really, how can any woman who's into "Jonny Quest" and John Carpenter's "The Thing" NOT be a fun person?
That said, I must add that a close reading of the book reveals some minor problems. Ms. Heaton refers to Moses Cleveland, the founder of her hometown; that should be Moses Cleaveland. The word "shearing" is used instead of "shirring," and "phased" instead of "fazed." Officer "Tootie" of the classic "Car 54..." TV show is referenced; that should be "Toody." And for some reason, Patricia insists on peppering her book with dozens and dozens of urinary, fecal, menstrual and throw-up references. Was Patty trying to be funny with these, or to show that she could be as coarse as the best of them, or what? In any case, these minor quibbles hardly detract from what should be essential reading for all fans of this wonderful actress. So do we really learn how to get a job like hers, as the title promises? Well, I suppose that if we read between the lines, the answer is to be born with God-given good looks and considerable talent, to keep trying and struggling, and maybe, just maybe, you'll catch a break. Fortunately for all of us, Ms. Heaton got the breaks that she so well deserved. And now, perhaps we can coerce another book out of her...

A fun and positive read!
What a wonderful book Ms. Heaton has put together. I have just re-read it and I enjoyed it even more the 2nd time.Gee- no trash, no dark passages about her life.It was fun, positive and strong.I don't have a lot of respect for Hollywood "people" but she has shown us that a normal person can make it in Hollywood.What makes it even more refreshing is that she has values and is not concerned about sharing them. It also made me yearn for those childhood days when we could just play all day and not worry about everyone being a potential weirdo. Something our kids will never get to experience. Thank you for a great book Patricia! ... Read more

Reviews (14)

NEGLECTED STAR GETS STAR TREATMENT AT LAST
It would appear that writing a compelling, readable, and entertaining biography is a daunting task. So many are dry, filled with facts and dates of little interest, or just plain dull. The difference here is that John Oller can actually WRITE. Ms. Arthur is, without doubt, one of the sorely neglected stars of any era. Her comic genius in "The More The Merrier" alone would merit a critical gushing today if anyone in the 21st century had even a modicum of the lady's superb timing and class. That she has appeared in several other classics (perhaps most notably "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington") certainly warrants a full scale biography and Mr. Oller succeeds brilliantly.

The notoriously private Ms. Arthur is not painted as arch nor perverse; simply a woman with a different take on life and Hollywood. She saw there was more to life than glamour and makeup (even attending college during career lulls)and her 'eccentric' personality becomes all the more endearing under Mr. Oller's critical, yet always fair, judgments. The book isn't overstuffed with facts and dates; just what is needed. I wish all biographers would realize that sometimes less is, indeed, more. Highly recommended.

An in depth look at a complicated Hollywood personality
This is the first major biography written about Jean Arthur and it accurately captures the contradictory and complicated nature of her personality. She was a brillient actress but an enigmatic "original" character, who in many ways was not suited to the public life of a show business personality. In spite of this, she became a great star and one whose popularity remains high due to the supurb quality of her work. I thank Mr.Oller for his excellent book.

A great biography for a great Jean Arthur
I was absolutely satisfied with the infos I've found in this book. A truly amanzing biography. In John Oller's amazing job you can find ALL the things you didn't know about this mysterious Hollywood legend. From her parent's relatives to her movie plots, from the men (and women) of her life to the children she didn't have. Every Jeany's fan should read it! ;)

Quiet, Beautiful, Mysterious- Everything that Makes A Comic!
I'm a new fan of Jean Arthur, so I'm not really sure of her life, and I'm sure not many people do. So you have to give the author credit, because she was probably more harder to find info about, then Greta Garbo. But, I'm glad people are writing about other great actresses and actors of the Golden Era of Hollywood, instead of writing about Judy Garland, Marilyn Monroe, Cary Grant, and others, not that I don't like them, but how much more can you say about a person, you know what I mean? We need to have more books written on other forgotten stars and have them remembered again. Jean Arthur did a good job of hiding her private life, her life in general. But, unlike Greta Garbo she wasn't going to go out of backdoors or have secret elevators just so she could have her privacy. You gotta respect her for that. But, no matter how good of an actress you are, will you still be forgotten if you don't share your life with the world and live a public life, everything that goes on or when something bad happens, or if your gay or a lesbian, does that have to be know like Marilyn Monroe, etc.? Well Jean Arthur is very much forgotten. She was very beautiful, naturally beautiful, a talent all its own. A true comic. She could stands along against Carole Lombard, Thelma Todd, and others.

Amazing
I'm an admitted Jean Arthur fan. Unfortunately, I was born after the major part of her film career was over, but I managed to get to know her through the late show on tv and her ill-fated tv series.
Thankfully, John Oller managed to give Ms. Arthur's fans a view of the private woman that her movies absolutely never hinted at. He thoroughly researched his subject and gave us a glimpse of the lady that I had never been able to comprehend before.
Without going into details (and ruining this book for you), I can only tell you that I picked it up and read the entire book cover to cover in a few hours.
While Jean Arthur may have been the most famous "recluse" that Hollywood ever spawned since Greta Garbo, she was not reclusive at all in some ways. She needed her space and appeared to be comfortable with a certain level of anonymity in her later years. I think that element makes this an exceptional read because Jean Arthur had a lot of substance as a person as well as a strong sense of self-integrity. ... Read more

Book Description

This biographical dossier on actor David Duchovny gathers together for the first time a comprehensive collection of profiles and interviews, complete with filmography, photographs, and hard-to-find facts, revealing the whole truth about the man they call "Fox." Hard evidence of Duchovny's fabled intelligence and covert sense of humor is uncovered in these intimate probes and personal profiles conducted by major magazines. Duchovny discusses everything from the influence of family, his philosophy of acting, and his favorite part of the female figure to his plans for the future. Covered are Duchovny's acting credits, which comprise more than a dozen films, from Working Girl to Kalifornia, while his small-screen roles include hosting The Red Shoe Diaries and playing a transvestite DEA agent on David Lynch's notorious Twin Peaks. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Very, very good!!
I liked this book very, very much. It leads you through David's whole entire life, not leaving out a detail, in my opinion. It's a wonderful source of information, and even has a place for interviews and comic strips. It gives you a list of all the summaries of The X-Files episodes in the first three seasons, which is very, very cool. It also tells you the plot of every sigle movie David has been in. If you want to know more about David Duchovny; actually getting to KNOW him better, I highly suggest that you buy and read this book. It has some really nice pictures in it, too.

Everything you ever wanted to know about David Duchovny
This book is full of great pictures and lots of information. Not only does it include his biography, it also has interviews and reviews of the movies he has been in. It includes a very funny internet section. There is also a season 1-3 episode guide. I read it from cover to cover and couldn't put it down. It's perfect for any fan. If you love the X-files and David Duchovny get this book.

Duchovny: Yes. This book: NO.
I love David Duchovny, don't get me wrong. However, I could barely make it through his biography. It's written in a very disjointed fashion, and everything mentioned is so out-of-order. It's also VERY outdated; so it's not even really worth getting now. The picture section, I will admit, is awesome; some of the best photos of David yet. The X-Files episode guide is extremely outdated; it only goes to season 3. 5 years ago, this book would have been a joy for me to read. But being madly in love with David Duchovny, I already know most of what was in there. If you want anything recent on David, DO NOT BUY THIS BOOK. The mediocre writing quality and ancient episode guide really isn't worth it.

This is a great book for all fans of the show, "The X-Files"
In the book, The Duchovny Files, you will learn about David Duchovny and how he became one of T.V.'s greatest actors. This book is packed full of information having to do with both David, his work, and The X-Files. In reviewing books about the show, I have found this to be one of the best books ever written. It is a great book for both fans and non-fans of the show to read! If you are a beginner of the show, I suggest reading this book, and The Anderson Files. Bo