Book Description

After forty years in the glamour business, Oscar de la Renta remains a vital name in both American fashion and Paris Haute Couture - a style-setter who has dressed famous beauties from Marisa Berenson to Kate Moss, Claudine Auger to Sarah Jessica Parker.With stunning images by such master lensmen as Richard Avedon, Peter Lindbergh, Steven Meisel, and Bert Stern, along with photographs from the designer's personal archives, this book captures the unique charm that is Oscar.The book covers his earliest childhood memories, his inspirations, his houses and gardens, the fidelity he has demonstrated to his artistic vision, and the women he has dressed.Oscar opens a window on his private world, sharing his style of living and humanitarian outlook.Oscar de la Renta is a never-before-seen look at one of the world's most influential tastemakers - as timeless as the clothes he continues to create. ... Read more

Book Description

On The Deal Maker: How William C. Durant Made General Motors:
"A well-written biography."–New York Times

On Stanwyck: The Life and Times of Barbara Stanwyck:
"Madsen’s admirably researched, insightful portrait of her aloof nature . . . reveals she was always torn between her wish to give of herself and her need to be in control."–Christian Science Monitor

On Chanel: A Woman of Her Own:
"Fascinating . . . . Takes the reader behind the coromandel veneers of Chanel’s life."–New York Times Book Review
"Carefully knits together the complex pattern of Chanel’s complicated existence.It’s not an easy task."–Toronto Globe and Mail

On Gloria and Joe:
"Axel Madsen finally gives the public a fascinating chronicle of the romance that could have ruined more than two careers."–Dallas Morning News

On Cousteau:
"Both critical and understanding. And it is exceptionally readable. Readers are well advised to take the plunge."–Chicago Tribune

On Malraux:
"Will stand as the best of more than a dozen books about Malraux in print."–Kansas City Star ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Very Interesting.
John Jacob Astor led the life most people do not even dare to dream about. He was a serial entrepreneur at a time when most of the world was composed of farmers. He was so successful at his businesses that when he died he controlled one-fifteenth of all personal wealth in the United States! Among many other things it is safe to say he was a very driven man.

Born in relative poverty in Germany, he immigrated to the United States via England, arriving just after the Revolutionary War ended. Marrying the daughter of the woman who ran his boarding house in New York, his business career moves from the importing of musical instruments to the exporting of furs. So successful is he in the fur business that he is able to finance the establishment of the first American fort in Oregon and supports this effort with his own ships via Cape Horn. Returning east overland, his employees discover the route that subsequently becomes the Oregon Trail!

This is a swashbuckler of a story which spans not just the North American Continent but the global economy as it existed in his day as well. Besides furs, he traded tea, seal skins, opium and assorted other commodities through global wars and economic recession on a scale to match the great trading houses of England, the British East India Company and the Hudson Bay Company. He was a man who took huge business risks. A key focus of the book is naturally the fur trade, the dominant wealth generator of its time. This was his first truly big score, one that he engaged in for over 20 years and the primary venture through which he amasses the fortune that provided the investment capital for all the endeavors which would follow.

Alex Madsen does an excellent job of fitting Astor within the economic and political time period in which he lived. I have found information here on the fur trade I have found nowhere else. This is a very well researched book; one that not only reports on the biography of the life lived but the history of the time as well. There is a lot to appreciate here. It is a book well worth the time.

This book was good, at best
I bought this book to learn about Astor and how he made his fortunes. The book goes into almost too much depth in regards to the fortune made in fur trading and shipping. Out of the 25 chapters, 23 were discussing nearly every detail of Astor, his men, indians, and his competition in regards to trading and shipping. In chapter 23, the author finally gets to where he claims Astor made his largest fortune, real estate. Since that is where he made the bulk of his fortune, then why did the author only devote one chapter to this topic? Most people who buy this book will do so to learn how Astor made his fortune, that is not explained well enough. I have to give the author credit, though, he did uncover many details that the other Astor biographers failed to see.

Excellent history of fur trade, little of Real Estate.
Madsen takes the reader through an interesting account of the early fur trade and the opening of the American West. There are interesting anecdotes from Astor's deaings with historical and political figures of the time. However, if you are looking for information on his later business dealings and the development of Astor into New York's largest property owner and landlord then you will be disappointed. Nine tenths of his book is devoted to the development of the American Fur Company and the travials of those who forged through the wild countryside on Astors behalf. There is nothing in this book about how he dealt with tenants, advertised properties, developed systems of management for properties, financing, leverage, nothing.
So buy it for an interesting histort of the time but don't buy it if your looking for information on how one of the great Real Estate investors of his time developed and managed his system of success.

Nobody is Home in Madsen's new Biography
Perhaps I should not write a review of this book as I did not finish it. I found the subject--Astor, who he was, what he did, and how and why he did it--very interesting, but Madsen's treatment an example of biography at its worst. Why? Because we are presented with the data of Astor's life, but where is Astor? There is virtually nothing communicated as to what type of person he was, WHY he was so ambitious, what he felt and thought about the various activities he undertook, his successes, relative failures, etc. In many instances of course the available data of his life do not necessarily communicate the subjective life of the psyche, only the objective actions. But it is the very task of a biographer--in my view the most vital task--to artfully connect the various "dots" of data so as to reveal the subjective life within, the drama of the mind and heart reacting to events as the events unfold. You don't get that here.

Astor's Millions
Found it to be a interesting look at the man behind the millions. The main focus of the book is aimed at examining how he made his fortune, sometimes in too much detail. I was expecting to find more information on how his fortune stood in relation to the times and how he spent his money, but Astor was known more for making money, not spending it. The book is more like a study in the business of late 18th century trapping, merchant shipping and real estate than it is about Astor, but that is the underlying theme of the book as well. Astor was the biggest business man in all three areas. The story of Astor deals with wealth, politics and war and how they were all connected. Well researched book and easily read. RECOMMENDED. ... Read more

Book Description

This collection will entertain all who appreciate the art of masterful letter writing. The Letters of J.R.R Tolkien sheds much light on Tolkien's creative genius and grand design for the creation of a whole new world: Middle-earth. Featuring a radically expanded index, this volume provides a valuable research tool for all fans wishing to trace the evolution of THE HOBBIT and THE LORD OF THE RINGS. ... Read more

Reviews (22)

This is a must-own book for any Tolkien researcher
Ever wonder where those Tolkien know-it-alls get their information from? This is one of the secret treasures we harbor. The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien reveals his inner thoughts concerning his own life, the world as he saw it, and the characters and events in his marvelous stories.

Time and time again I've turned to the Letters for inspiration and information on what Tolkien had to say about everything concerning Middle-earth, from the family secrets and scandals of the Tooks to how Aragorn would have ruled Arnor and Gondor in the Fourth Age. Tolkien shared his private thoughts with a select group of fans who wrote to him in his lifetime, and with his friends and close relatives. These letters are a rare glimpse into his candor, wit, and values.

Many of the questions that Tolkien readers form today when they first pick up his books were shared by their predecessors in the 1930s and 1950s when The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings were first published. His answers to fan questions are as fresh and informative to the 100th-time reader as to the 1st time reader.

One added feature of new edition: decent index
This book is certainly a must for any Tolkien fan. Many of the letters included here were written to fans of his works (though that includes people close to Tolkien, such as family members) and include details about Tolkien's ideas about middle-earth which aren't to be found elsewhere.

The original edition of this book came with a very poor index, which was unfortunate for a book crammed with references to events and people in Tolkien's created world. This new paperback edition includes a very thorough and complete index, prepared by W. Hammond and C. Scull, who have edited some other nice recent Tolkien books, including "JRR Tolkien Artist and Illustrator" and "Roverandom".

DON'T MAKE MY MISTAKE!
I thought this was a book about the invented alphabets of Tolkien's Middle Earth but it's NOT! It's a boring book of correspondence. Apart from the few letters where he talks a little about his invented runes and languages this is a WASTE if you are looking for more info on his runes, alphabets and calligraphy! So: BE WARNED!!

An Essential and Absorbing Volume.
One of the greatest literary figures of modern times, Tolkien is principally known as a novelist, scholar, mythologist, poet, essayist and philologist. However an element of the man that tends to go unnoticed is the fact that, on the basis of this volume at least, he was one of the greatest letter writers of the 20th century. Whether the reader is an avid consumer of all things Tolkien, or is just looking for an enjoyable book, this collection of letters will not fail to delight. There is much intriguing information on his writings to be gleaned from 'The Letters of JRR Tolkien' but there is a lot more besides. Even if one were to skip all letters refering to Middle Earth there would remain a large and fascinating chunk of the book to explore. We knew that Tolkien's literary imagination was remarkable, but what is revealed here is the staggering depth and breath of Tolkien's thought on all matters. The letters deal with an immense range of topics: religion, language, politics, art, literature, philosophy, current affairs, theology, history - the list is endless and wonderfully diverse. His style is lively and never bland or cumbersome to read. Original ideas and phrases that stick in the mind, seem to flow from his pen without effort.
The author that emerges from 'The Letters of JRR Tolkien' is a very human man, deeply religious, humble, affectionate and witty.
This is a delightful volume, relevant to anyone who has the remotest interest in literature or indeed any aspect of human affairs. It will provide enormous pleasure through many readings and re-readings

An excellent look at JRR Tolkien the person
If you have read "The Lord of the Rings" or other works by Tolkien, and are interested in learning more about him (what inspired him, what his views on things were, and what kind of person he was, and the process by which he wrote his literary works, especially "LotR"), this is a book you should definitely read. I found this book to be highly interesting and entertaining, and even educational. There is a huge index to help you find any subject or topic you're looking for. You will find letters to his family members, to his publishers, to friends like C.S. Lewis, and many more-all covering a variety of topics and thoughts from this brilliant writer and philologist. Thoughts on Christianity, and Tolkien's beliefs; his views of World War I (in which he fought) and World War II; a great deal of letters to his readers answering a multitude of questions about his books, especially "The Lord of the Rings"; his personal views and goals of his works; and so much more. It's really a look into the minds and thoughts of a genius, although he would never agree with that-his letters are filled with the upmost humility, even self-deprecation, of himself and his abilities. At the same time, he takes very strong, even stubborn, stances on issues he felt strongly about. His letter-writing style is so unique and is quite fascinating to me, and he can be quite funny. I definitely recommend this informative and very interesting book. ... Read more

Book Description

This is the first authorized monograph on Pierre Cardin (b. 1922). Visionary fashion designer and licensing pioneer, Cardin began his career apprenticed to Elsa Schiaparelli and Christian Dior. He quickly launched his own haute couture line, in 1954, followed rapidly by the first women's and men's prêt-à-porter (ready-to-wear) collections from a couture designer. Since the 1960s, Cardin's cutting-edge, futuristic designs have continually broken new ground and established exciting new trends. And he invented the business of fashion as we know it today, with international brand licensing across a variety of products and media. Pierre Cardin himself made his ambition clear: "I wanted my name to become a brand and not just a label."

Cardin brought high fashion to the street; he invented the bubble dress and launched the use of cartridge pleating, bright clear colors, as well as vinyl, plastics, metal rings, and oversize buttons. Pierre Cardin has also designed accessories, furniture, and cosmetics. There are now more than 900 licenses in over 140 countries, employing more than 200,000 people under the Pierre Cardin trademark. ... Read more

Amazon.com

A year after Princess Diana's tragic death in 1997, shocking revelations about her passing have surfaced via eyewitness testimony. From the nurse who covered her naked, lifeless body and who answered the queen's immediate query of "where are the jewels?" to the off-duty paramedic who held Diana's head in his hands, The Day Diana Died leaves no sacred rock unturned. What was the expression on Prince Charles's face when he saw Diana's mutilated body? How did Prince William and Harry react when they first heard the devastating news? Was there cocaine in the Mercedes? Inquiring minds want to know, and Christopher Andersen serves up a hefty portion of hearsay for those with an insatiable Diana appetite. Not meant for individuals with delicate sensibilities, this collage of reliable, low-profile sources covers everything from the measurements of Diana and Dodi's wounds to Camilla Parker-Bowles's two cents on her rival's death. In other words, if People magazine were to offer a class about the late princess, The Day Diana Died would be required reading. --Rebekah Warren ... Read more

Reviews (77)

A great chronological study of the death of Princess Diana.
I have found it very hard to put this book down! Christopher Anderson has written a wonderful book looking at the months leading up to death of the Princess of Wales. His book is populated with quotes and insights from those closest to the Princess and gives a good, in depth, look at the romance between Princess Diana and Dodi Fayad. Of particular interest is the reaction of Princess Diana's former husband, Prince Charles, upon learning of the Princess' death. Also, the reaction of Queen Elizabeth, who is more concerned with the royal jewels than with the death of her grandsons' mother!! A MUST READ if you have followed the Princess of Wales and have questions surrounding her death.

An engrossing account
I found this book to be incredibly informative and a fascinating read, which I read almost in one sitting. Instead of the usual tawdry gossip of most Diana biographies, it describes exactly, and in fascinating detail, about the events that led up to her death, the day she died, and the ensuing mourning that followed. We are made privy to details we never knew, and they are very essential details, in my opinion.

To me, the most interesting and ironic part of this entire tragedy is that Diana lay in the hospital in Paris, dead, with nothing to wear. Prince Charles and Diana's two sisters were on their way from London, and the world's most famous and well-dressed woman literally had nothing to wear. The clothes she had been wearing when she died had been torn from her body by doctors who were attempting to revive her. Her luggage had been whisked back to London by a paranoid Mohammad Feyed. And, here was the world's most glamourous woman, at death, being forced to wear a dress donated by the wife of the English Ambassador to France. This irony is just one of many sad ironies and twists of fate in this account.

We learn of the behind-the-scenes machinations leading up to Diana's funeral, the conflict between Prince Charles and his mother, the Queen, and how Diana's boys reacted. Prince Charles is definitely painted in a much brighter light than ever before. I was absolutely fascinated by this book, and I think it is well worth reading.

A tasteful and riveting account...
When I first heard about this book coming out, I was afraid it would be a tasteless and exploitative piece of paparazzi trash exploiting the death of a beautiful woman. However, I was more than impressed and pleased with the way the author combines hour by hour events on the day Diana died with background on her life and relationships. Diana was one of my favorite celebrities ever, not just for her beauty and elegance but for what she survived through and the fact she was such a good mother. This book combines all of those elements and also gives us a window into what happened on the day she died. One of the only tasteful and well-written books to come out after her death...

Enjoyable Book
My wife first picked up this book and was giving me bits of info as she read it. Well I got interested in the details so I read it after she completed it. I would never have bought this book on my own but I must say that I really enjoyed it. I think because there was so much news coverage that I really liked learning more of the details that did not always come out in the coverage. My wife said that there was not too much new in this book, but for me there really was, as I have not followed the story as closely as my wife. What you have here is all the facts put together in one book that is an easy to read review. I would recommend it if you are interested in the topic.

Riveting account of Diana¿s death & the world¿s reaction.
Given the lurid tabloid journalism, to which Diana was subjected during her lifetime, this account is a well-written and interesting overview of her life and her tragic death.

Despite the title the book covers much more than just the day of her death. It gives an overview of her whirlwind romance with Dodi as well as the stormy relationship that she had with the rest of her royal ex-relatives. If this is the first Diana book that you read there is more than enough background material here to make sure that you do not feel left out. Even if you are a royal-phile with a stack of books on the trials and tribulations of the Windsor family, there is plenty here to keep you avidly turning the pages.

In addition to Diana's fateful last day there is extensive coverage of the immediate aftermath of the accident and the extensive, if ineffectual, care that she was given at the seen. The standard care given in car crashes on Paris soil might be viewed as a scandal in itself.

Christopher Anderson is able to present to us the reaction of the Royal family ensconced in Scotland at the time, the reaction of her ex-husband and of the Queen. Her Majesty retreated into duty and protocol trying even to prevent her son from making the journey to retrieve Diana's body. The Wales' sons were kept out of the limelight and did not learn for some time about the enormous outpouring of grief surrounding the accident.

This was an event that evoked the sympathy of the world. In light of the events of 9/11/2001 it might now seem foolish that we could ever expend so much grief on one person. But I think that this book helps to show how in life and in death Diana was the lens through which so much emotion the world over was brought into focus. ... Read more

Book Description

The meticulously documented expos of a celebrated American philanthropist - and traitor - that reads like a classic thriller. New York Times Book Review Notable Book of the Year Winner of the Financial Times Book Award The dossier on Hammer tells another story. With unprecedented access to the files of both American and Soviet intelligence agencies as well as Hammer's own secretly taped conversations, investigative author Edward Jay Epstein lays bare the appalling fraud, unconscionable corruption, international treachery, and personal betrayal that indict beyond doubt this ruthlessly manipulative opportunist who courted American presidents and conspired with every Soviet leader from Lenin to Gorbachev. ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Fascinating history of a strong & questionable personality
I remember Armand Hammer appearing on the Tonight Show and other of guest appearances on the popular shows of the day doing his best to create a positive public image. He largely succeeded.

This book shows the deals he cut with rather awful people and Hammer's, being kind, questionable character. It is an engrossing story and the book is a great read.

The point is that this is an important story because of the relationships Hammer had with people in power in the Soviet Union, in the Middle East, and in Washington. Occidental Petroleum was and is an important company. Of course, Al Gore's father success, and much of Gore's personal wealth, is based upon carrying water for Occidental Petroleum. The company worked hard in post Hammer times to erase that difficult past. You can judge for yourself.

I believe that you will enjoy this book and warmly recommend it to you.

Has to be read to be disbelieved.
You know that "truth is stranger than fiction" because fiction is limited by our imagination. Here, author Epstein, provides a captivating biography of Armand Hammer - a con's con. Hammer pulled "all the stops" in a brazen existence of deception that is way beyond what can be imagined by all but the most cunning connivers. Crossing even blood and family members, Epstein's true chronicle of Hammer far surpasses anything of the mass media fictional yarns or true, related stories of the same ilk. Exceptionally well-written and very difficult to put down: most readers will find Hammer's m.o. incredulous and not being able to wait to see what happens next. In short, a great biography and required reading for sensitizing to business hypocrisy.

Straightforward Biography of a Twisted Individual
Biographer Epstein does a straightforward, almost journalistic description of the life and times of Armand Hammer, considered by many to be a man of vision, humanity, and charity until details of his life began to seep out following his death. Even the New York Times gave this man a glowing obituary. But, thanks to the tremendous research done by Epstein, we see Hammer for what he was: an evil, self-serving, egomanic. And Epstein's non-sensational telling of the details of Hammer's life is appropriate; it is unnecessary to augment beyond the notoriousness of Hammer's own actions. What Hammer did speaks for itself, and Epstein catalogues his many sins. He was a traitor to his country, his family, his friends. He was such a lowlife that he allowed his father to go to prison for crime he, the son, committed. He was a perpetual adulterer. He laundered millions of dollars and had secret accounts everywhere. He drove what most believed to be a successful company to the brink of bankruptcy. But I could have done without the incessant mini-flashbacks that kept creeping into the narration. And I think it was a really bad choice to begin the book with the prologue describing Hammer's final days. It would work much better at the end, as this failure of a human being tops himself while he is dying with malicious, coniving, and deceitful steps to preserve his false characterization upon his passing. I would strongly recommend that you read the prologue at the end of the book. I would also suggest that as you finish each chapter, you turn to the source notes for that chapter and be amazed by the research Epstein did to compile his facts. He paints Hammer as such a dispicable character, that you will be astounded that this character got away with his ruse for his entire life. In this day of rotten corporate big-business, the book shows the rot has been going on for decades.

Good
This book details the life of a rotten man. Probably a psychopathic man (to read more about this breed, read WITHOUT CONSCIENCE by Robert Hare). Armand Hammer was so ego-ridden, he was always having some book published about how wonderful he was. So it's great to have a book to counter his propoganda about himself. People--especially Americans--love a success, and often willfully overlook the rotten ends the successful person went to to become successful. As was the case with Hammer. A vain vain, conscience-free man. This book was both nauseating and fascinating to read.

This book should be classified under Historical Fiction
This book is one goofy rumor after another. With hardly any verifiable sources, Epstein goes crazy throwing out every possible conspiracy idea around. He actually states that Hammer financed Al Gore's college education, and that the whole Gore family were his servants. If you love the "X Files" you will love this book. ... Read more

Book Description

So many quotations are familiar, but how often do you find yourself asking ?Who said that?? and how often does the answer provoke the further question ?Who was he/she?? This book provides the answers!

The book was compiled as a result of the author?s own curiosity about the source of many intriguing quotations which are in everyday use. They range from the serious points of view of ancient philosophers, through gems of literature from poets and writers of all periods, to the notable sayings of present day politicians and personalities.

This new edition is an amalgamation of the three books Who Said That?, More of Who Said That?, and Still More of Who Said That?, bringing all the quotations together in one bumper volume.This is a fun book, aimed at giving the reader pleasure--a book that can be picked up in an idle moment and looked through with interest and amusement. ... Read more

Book Description

The first book written with a member of her personal staff, Trust No One reveals the fascinating and frightening story of golden-girl socialite and heiress Doris Duke.

With a fortune estimated at over 3 billion dollars and fabulous houses in Hawaii, Newport, Beverley Hills, and New York City, Doris Duke was one of the richest women in America, if not the world. Heiress to the American Tobacco Company fortune made by her father, James Duke, she took to heart her father's admonition "Trust no one!". Although she was a fixture on the international social scene and had countless lovers, ranging from celebrity Errol Flynn to Hawaiian beach boys, she remained desperately lonely. After two failed marriages and a notorious scandal, Duke became a semi-recluse whose behavior grew increasingly strange. But nothing in her life could compare with the headlines about her death, which included allegations of murder. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A Training Manual for Would-Be Proofreaders....
Anything interesting in the content of this book is offset by how poorly written (and edited) it is. It repeats the same well-worn Doris Duke anecdotes included in any Duke biography, but it is riddled with so many typos and grammatical errors that I began to suspect I had been conned into buying a self-published book by a semi-literate Duke afficianado! I tried not to be put off by such errors, but after that tenth time I read the possessive "Doris Duke'ss&quot. On the plus side, some of the errors make for the occassional unintentional laugh, such as when the reader learns that Duke's butler (who was with Duke when she died in 1993) died in "1966"! Spend your money on a real book...

A Must Read...Much More Depth and Substance than the Movie
I had a spark of interest about Doris Duke and the life that she lived, prior to the movie. I watched the movie and compared it will this book, which this book provides alot more information and detail that was left out of the movie. I feel you will enjoy this book and get a better look inside her life with the important details that the movie had no time to present or address.

Trust No One... Trust me- Don't waste your money
Trust No One might as well have been an exact copy of the previous Doris Duke bio. "Too Rich". As a huge fan of the late heiress D. Duke, I was appuled at the pathetic effert to offer insight into this accomplished art collector,philanthrlopist, architectural preservationst and animal care activist. This book copies the same super rich sterotypes that all D. Duke biographers repete like broken records, portraying her as a materilistic, nieve, unhappy women. Not only is she unfairly portrayed but the authors repetely make historically inaccurate facts. My recomendation for those interested in her facinating life... Spend your next vacation in Newport R.I. Tour her soon to be opeaned estate "Rough Point". Ask the locals and do research to find accurate facts. Some tips- try the Newport Library, the Newport Presorvation Society and the Newport Restoration Society- founded in the late 60's by D. Duke herself. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Great Disney Book Loaded With Photos and Info !!
This 213 page book is just full of an endless supply of full color photos of everything Disney for the past 100 years. You'll learn all about Walt's early life and how his ideas created worldwide Disney worlds. Each chapter covers a decade from 1901 to 2001 !! Many of these pictures are archival and never made available before. The book provides many memories for "children" of all ages. It's a keeper. Enjoy !

No details
This is a great book about Disney Company. It goes chronologically from 1901 to 1999 and beyond. Every event in the company's history is put in the book, but without much detail.
Since he maintains Disney Archives, Dave Smith could have done a litle better, like he did with Disney's Encyclopedia.

Excellent
This book was excellent! It had terrific pictures and it told from 1901 when Walt was born until 2001. It is a great keepsake. I purchased mine at Walt Disney World during the 100 Years of Magic celebration.

An excellent overview of Walt¿s life and of the Disney Co
I really enjoyed this book. It is packed with lots of great photographs and artwork from Walt Disney and the Disney Company. It also has a really nice overview of the life of Walt Disney and the work of the Disney Company in text.

I appreciated the organization of the book. The book is arranged chronologically, which helped me to understand the flow of events better. This book has a very upbeat, positive tone and paints a very bright and exciting future for the Disney Company.

This book does not contain nearly as much information about Walt Disney as some of the biographies that I have read, but I don't think that was the goal of this book. This book does a very nice job of chronicling the art and the work of this great American icon and then continues the chronology with the work of the Disney Company in the post Walt era.

This book starts with very early Disney and takes the reader all the way through to Fantasia 2000. This is an excellent coffee table book. I highly recommended it to anyone that loves Walt, his work and the continuing work of the Disney Company.

Excellent!!!
Here is the definite Disney chronicle of the century, put together by the world's leading authority on everything Disney - Dave Smith, and his fellow-writer Steven Clark. Follow the fabulous story of Walt Disney and his magic empire year by year, from its humble beginnings in the American Midwest up to its present ever-expanding days. "Disney: the First 100 Years" is a well-written, informative and fun book to read. You get the entire story of the Disney Company on 198 pages (filled with great photos), and will undoubtedly find it fascinating. This book is a must-have for anyone who likes Disney, and honestly - who doesn't? I really recommend this one - buy it! ... Read more

Book Description

Discover the books Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis loved to read during her White House years, and as a book editor. In the PBS film Jackie Behind the Myth the true story of Jacqueline Onassis and John F. Kennedy's love of arts and letters is eloquently explored. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Jackie at Johnson Library
Has anyone ever wondered why so few journalist explore Jacqueline Kennedy's testimony at The Johnson Library to discover the truth about the murder of her husband. At least this author mentions that Mrs. Kennedy stated in 1974 that "they gave messages to Adlai Steveson" and others warning President Kennedy not to go to Dallas. I thought this was one of the most thoughtful and well-researched books on Jacqueline Kennedy.

Not the Best Jackie Book I've Read
The thing that irritated me most about this book is the fact that the author does not know how to punctuate sentences or use correct verbage. It seemed to me like a fifth-grader wrote it and forgot to use the spell check. Also, the author gets bogged down in details that really had nothing to do with Jackie Kennedy Onassis (the Bossa Nova section almost put me to sleep).

I suggest you save your money and buy the video instead.

Takes Guts To Write This Book
I happened to know how difficult it is to reveal the religious beliefs of celebrities in post-modern America, and salute this author for capturing a complete understanding of all the books Onassis read, including the Bible.

Not the best bio of Jackie....
I found that this book was poorly written-- some of the information might be useful, but it really isn't a good resource if you're looking for a general biography of Jackie. I think Sarah Bradford's biography, America's Queen, is a thousand times better than this book!

Poorly Written But Contains Valuable Information
This book is poorly written and riddled with inaccuracies (though harmless ones, such as that JFK taught Caroline the poem "Fig" when she herself has stated that her mother taught it to her to recite to her father); however, it contains valuable information about Jackie's years as an editor. It is too bad that this book did not have a decent editor. The author wanders far far afield repeatedly wasting pages on too much detail about such things as Viet Nam and the bossa nova...when a few paragraphs would have sufficed (the book is about Jackie, remember?). I was truly surprised that other readers were not more critical. Actually one might do better to skip the book and view the video of the same name. ... Read more

Book Description

If you think you know Jerry Seinfeld from his show, think again.

Because of a carefully honed publicity machine, and through savvy marketing, millions of rabid Seinfeld fans are convinced that the TV Jerry and the real-life Jerry are one and the same. But that's not the case.

From the time Jerry was a lonely, bashful, introverted kid hiding out in his blue plaid-wallpapered bedroom in his parents' modest house on Long Island in the 1960s, he had an unlikely dream: To become one of America's best-known and most popular standup comics ever. Home alone, he watched his comedic idols on a small, fuzzied-image black-and-white TV, or listened to them on his scratchy portable hi-fi -- Abbott and Costello, Bill Cosby, among others.

Seinfeld: The Making of an American Icon is the never-before-told story of how Jerry made his dream come true -- of how this very ambitious, extremely driven, compulsively perfectionistic son of a Jewish sign peddler who once hustled bogus holy water from Lourdes carefully worked his way up through the knock-down-drag-out world of stand-up comedy as it began to explode in the mid-1970s, and how he went on to cocreate in the late 80s what is considered to be the most brilliant and successful must-see TV sitcom in the history of the medium.

From the start, Jerry has been extremely private about all aspects of his personal life. But now this very complex and enigmatic funnyman is revealed, sometimes as loving, compassionate, and sensitive, other times as dark and steely. But always fascinating.

For more than a year, bestselling investigative biographer Jerry Oppenheimer conducted in-depth interviews with scores of Jerry's closest friends, family members, business associates, lovers, and fellow comedians who spoke candidly and on the record for the first time, painting a riveting portrait of the beloved and talented comedian.

This is a book about Seinfeld the man, not Seinfeld the show. It also is a sweeping look at the very serious, often degrading big-money world of standup comedy and network TV, where some die and others, like Jerry Seinfeld, become royalty. Seinfeld: The Making of an American Icon is no laughing matter.

Reviews (10)

disappointment
The only reason I gave this book 2 stars is that it is about Jerry. I took it from the library because I'm a huge fan and was interested in learning more about how he came to where he is now - what I found instead were tedious details (not in a good way) from acquaintances and not much soul to the book. The book also doesn't seem to give credit to the amazingly hilarious Larry David, who is responsible for so much writing on the show. How can someone write an entire book about Seinfeld without once even speaking directly to the person you're writing about? This missing link was definitely a huge gap in the book, leaving only mundane details and a want for something authentic from Seinfeld himself.

gritty road to riches
The most important thing about this book is that the author conveys to us the hard work and tedious endless preparation and joke revisions Jerry Seinfeld has done over the years to develop a clean act for grownups. It is nice to know that he stuck to it even when college kids and disco dancers ignored him as he performed. He was not an over-night star. I am enjoying the book. I feel a little uneasy with all the innuendo of gayness (not that there's anything wrong with that) the author interjects. But other than that, I find his detailed accounts and multiple quotes fascinating.

If you like Jerry Seinfeld, you'll probably hate this book..
What's up with this Mr. Oppenheimer,anyway. He frequently makes the point that Jerry Seinfeld achieved extraordinary success with a clean act, unlike other comedians of the time. He didn't use profanity in his comedy routines and I think that was a huge part of what made Jerry Seinfeld so great. (Not that he's not great still!)
This Mr. Oppenheimer, on the other hand, seems to think that the shock value of throwing in one disgusting word after another is worth the price of degrading his own name as an author.
I'm glad I didn't buy this book. The library shouldn't have either.

Lightbulbs
I bought this book for one reason and one reason only. I wanted to get the lowdown on the "lightbulb" story...

Jerry Seinfeld once sold lightbulbs over the phone. I wanted to know what this was all about. I knew he apologized for it years later. The book tells all. Jerry and his friend came up with a crazy con posing as injured war veterans. It was disgusting and offensive. According to the book, they would drop lightbulbs on the floor when on the phone and then cry about how hard it was getting used to their hooks. You see, they lost their hands in combat. See? I told you it was offensive.

This book is a little offensive. I'm not sure whether the author likes Seinfeld or not. He sure goes out of his way to serve us the dirt.

But I liked the book. Not a whole lot, but enough to reccomend it. Put it this way- I liked it more than I didn't like it.

Seinfeld is an immensely private man, which makes him a prime target for books like this. But this is more than tabloid fodder. It is focused. It told me things I din't know before and it's pretty well researched. That Jerry didn't cooperate, and asked others to do likewise, shows. But for what the author had to work with, he did a fair job.

It's All In There
This book had good, reliable sources, and Oppenheimer really did his homework in finding out about Mr. Seinfeld. If you need some info about Jerry, you'll find it here if you find it anywhere...Especially since this book is written from the interesting slant of somebody who may not be so fond of Seinfeld...

The only reason this book really gets a passing grade from me is that it's about Seinfeld's life...Seinfeld is a really interesting and quirky guy, so unless you try pretty hard to mess up whatever your writing about him, you'll end up with something interesting.

I don't really like Oppenheimer's style--was this book rushed into stores, or what? I counted about 15 typos, and some paragraphs were pointless and fluffy, while others condensed too much into such a small space. ... Read more

Book Description

You are invited to take a journey, along with the author, to her hometown in the American South, a unique culture of relative safety within a sheltered small town in the mid-twentieth century.You will discover a time when sorority girls were virgins, baton twirlers mattered, and Elvis PresleyÂ’s hips were the wildest thing on the block.

Against the backdrop of groundbreaking musical environments from Memphis, Tennessee to the Mississippi Delta, you will share stories that follow Elvis and his rise to fame through the eyes of his Graceland neighbors in the small suburb of Whitehaven.The authorÂ’s mother, a young girl who was as much a celebrity in this small town as Elvis, reveals never-before-shared photographs and stories that chronicle a town, an extraordinary man, and a time forever lost to history, each on the brink of explosion and change.

... Read more

Reviews (4)

Awesome
I found this book at my place of work, just lying around.It is awesome!Very interesting and I would recommend it to anyone.

thoroughly enjoyable read!
I very much like this book about Elvis, as told from the perspective of one neighboring family whom Elvis looked up to from the minute he started to become successful. Anyone who wants to know about Elvis' early days and his desire to be accepted into the old money society set in Memphis should definitely read this book. Excellent.

Wow!
Getting inside the early world of Elvis was fascinating. Sometimes sad, sometimes surprising, sometimes funny, but definitely more revealing and intimate than a lot of other books. I'm so glad I found this!

Even the children betray Elvis Presley
Even the children betray Elvis Presley for only damned money.
Elvis always respected children and these little people sell him wholesale. ... Read more

Book Description

Derek and Keith Brewer, identical twins from Redondo Beach, went from riding the waves of the California coastline to walking the runways of the world's fashion capitals. This bold, graphic biography chronicles their success story, featuring photographs by fashion's preeminent style-makers-- from Steven Meisel and Patrick Demarchelier to Blake Little and Peggy Sirota-- and showcasing the Brewers' appearances in top magazines, campaigns, and shows, from Esquire, Vogue, and Sassy, to Yves Saint Laurent and Calvin Klein. The Brewers also provide the inside scoop on their beach boyhood and extreme lifestyle, from surfing to snowboarding, and share what it's like to be celebrity twins. Derek and Keith are represented by Q, America's newest model management agency.
... Read more

Reviews (22)

The Twins Could Have Done Much Better
The book is pretty boring. The text is lacking, and skips anything in depth about these twin dudes. The pictures could be so much better. They really skipped over the Joe Magazine affair of their lives. Too bad, as that was the best of the Brewer boys as far as I am concerned. It was real, and heartfelt - this book is not.

Excellent Book!
Surfers/models Derek and Keith (with their editors) put together this great book in a very unique way by compiling tons of pictures of temselves while using creative design principals to tell you personal things about themselves. Don't be concerned about the durability of the softcover edition because the binding and pages appear to be of the best quality. The layout and design are done very professionally and this book is not to be missed for any fan of the Twins or just anyone who appreciates male beauty. Great job, guys, you scored big with this project! I can't wait for your next publishing creation.

Twins
They're brothers. They're twins. They're lovers? That's what many of their photographs suggest. Pictures of the twins undressing each other, holding each other, caressing each other, gazing into each other's eyes, and almost kissing each other. I don't know if the brothers were wanting to show the public their incestuous relationship or if the photographer somehow persuaded them to do it but it has made them into two of the most successful male models on the planet and for that I applaud them.

Boo!
Written for a child and about as thrilling as watching a Presidential debate on a hot summer day...

Don't waste your money or time on this - not even for a die-hard Brewer fan!

Mirror of Male Beauty
The Brewer Twins, Keith & Derek, would, each on his own, be among the most beautiful youths on the planet: it would be difficult to find anyone to match such perfection. But here we see this beauty mirrored - and more than just doubled. These are not just two exquisitely-formed guys who happen to be brothers: they are twins, with the shared intimacy that goes along with that. The striking point about most of the photos in this book is that their physical beauty is complemented and emphasized by the beauty of their friendship and fraternal love for each other. One does not simply admire their beauty: one cannot help but delight also in the sheer joy of seeing such closeness between two guys. We catch a glimpse of something very precious here, something that warms the heart as well as appealing to the eyes. Male beauty does not come better than this: these guys are the stuff of which the Greek myths of Adonis & Narcissus, Achilles & Ganymede are made - only the Greeks never imagined there could be two such fair youths. Buy it: you'll enjoy hours of pleasure gazing upon the beautiful Brewers - I know I have. ... Read more

Book Description

The words of the eulogist capture the moment when the living begin to define the memory of one who has died. When a famous person passes, millions watch on television to see who attends the funeral and what was said about the deceased. This book presents a collection of 42 eulogies in their complete text and offers a unique and illuminating opportunity to glimpse people in the context of their times. Such important figures as Martin Luther King, Jr., John F. Kennedy, Eleanor Roosevelt, Richard Nixon, and Mae West are all included. The eulogies appear alphabetically by the last name of the deceased being eulogized and are preceded by brief biographical sketches of both the deceased and the eulogizer. ... Read more

Book Description

"Mrs. Guggenheim, how many husbands have you had?" she was once asked. "D'you mean my own, or other people's?"

Peggy Guggenheim's tempestuous life (1898-1979) spanned the most exciting and volatile years of the twentieth century, and she lived it to the full. How she became one of the century's foremost collectors of modern art-and one of its most formidable lovers-is the subject of this lively and authoritative biography.

Her father, Benjamin Guggenheim, went down with the Titanic en route home from installing the elevator machinery in the Eiffel Tower, and it was in Paris in the 1930s that the young heiress came into a small fortune and began to make her mark in the art world. Uneasily married to the alcoholic English dilettante writer Laurence Vail, she joined the American expatriate bohemian set. Though her many lovers included such lions of the worlds of art and literature as Samuel Beckett, Max Ernst (whom she later married), Yves Tanguy, and Roland Penrose, real love always seemed to elude her.

In the later 1930s, Peggy set up one of the first galleries of modern art in London, quickly acquiring a magnificent selection of works by Picasso (who snubbed her), Magritte, Miró, and Brancusi, and buying great numbers of paintings from artists fleeing to America after the Nazi invasion of France. Escaping from Vichy, she moved back to New York, where she was hugely influential in assisting the beginnings of the new American abstract expressionist movement (in particular, Jackson Pollock).

Meticulously researched, filled with colorful incident, and boasting a distinguished cast, Anton Gill's biography reveals the inner drives of a remarkable woman and indefatigable patron of the arts.

Reviews (5)

Huge Disappointment!
After anxiously awaiting the arrival of this book, it was so disappointing to realize that I was forcing myself to read it!The book reads like a term paper with so many quotes from PG's own book that I was wondering why I had not bought that one instead.Several friends have also attempted to read this book and just can't get past the first half.You have to be dedicated and determined to get through this one!

Art, sex and high psychological drama!
I could not put this book down.I read it straight through over two days in complete fascination.A woman who so deeply influenced art of the 20th century and nourishedimprotant artists when they were unknown so that they could keep working, and yet so insecure, so troubled, so unsure of her own knowledge and taste.An exquisite portrait of this flawed and fabulous character.I am thrilled that the aucthor has created such a thorough and penetrating biography - Peggy certainly deserves it!

A Life Devoted to Sex and to Art
The name Guggenheim is well known among museums and among art collectors.One thinks that all those Guggenheims were pretty well off, but everything is relative, and there were rich Guggenheims and poor ones.Benjamin Guggenheim in 1912 dressed in his best formal evening clothes, heroically helped women to climb into the lifeboats of the _Titanic_, and then drowned.He left half a million dollars to his family, but it was the legacy of a poor Guggenheim, not a rich one.His daughter Peggy managed to take her share, and independently of the other collectors in her family, made a highly-regarded collection of early twentieth century art.It was a great accomplishment.She also took plenty of lovers, many of them famous, which is somewhat less of an accomplishment.She was a reprehensible mother, and pinched pennies in ways that would make those around her uncomfortable.She was a contradictory bundle, and now a fun, big, gossipy biography, _Art Lover: A Biography of Peggy Guggenheim_ (HarperCollins) by Anton Gill, has put bright light on all the facets.It isn't always an uplifting story, but it sparkles.

Peggy was fourteen when her father drowned; Gill argues that she was always looking for a father figure after that.Her sexual enthusiasms may have been driven also by fretting over her looks; she was a good-looking woman with a fine physique, but she had a nose which one unkind friend (and she had many of those) said looked like an eggplant.She had two marriages, both to artists, the second one to the famous surrealist Max Ernst, but both were painful.She took hundreds of lovers, most of whom meant little but a night of fun.Someone asked her later in her life, "How many husbands have you had, Mrs. Guggenheim?" and the typical, sharp, self-deprecating and self-aggrandizing answer came: "D'you mean my own, or other people's?"She was far luckier in her pursuit of art (rather than of artists).As years went on, she referred to her collection as "my children" and showed more interest in caring for it than she did for the flesh-and-blood version.She was able to buy art from artists who are now household names before they became so, and before art prices skyrocketed.Her sponsorship of Jackson Pollock is a lasting imprint on American art.Although her famous collection of surrealist and cubist works is now widely appreciated, not everyone felt it wasa success.When she welcomed the critic Bernard Berenson to it in 1948, she gushed, "Mr. Berenson, you were the first person to teach me about painting," to which Berenson replied, "My dear, what a tragedy that I wasn't the last."

The Tate Gallery in London had enough enthusiasm earnestly to try to acquire her collection (it did do restoration work), but because of her legal and personal problems, the deal never went through.Tellingly, she could not finally compete with the resources of her uncle Solomon's foundation and museum.She had made her Palazzo Leoni one of the high points to visit in Venice (where it contrasted with the ancient city to good effect), and upon her death, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation took it over as a public museum.Peggy died in 1979, and her cremated remains were interred near her collection, and also near her beloved dogs' resting place, but far away from any friends or relatives.She had done well with dogs and art, and not much more.It was an eccentric and unique life, often successful, but encompassing a good deal of lost opportunities and sadness.This generous but by no means fawning biography is a pleasure to read because it is full of fascinating detail, scandalous stories, and coruscating bon mots.

A LASTING MEMORIAL
I never really knew who Peggy Guggenheim was until I visited her home filled with art:the Palazzo Venier dei Leoni in Venice, Italy.The gardens and terraces as well as all the rooms open to the public are filled with wonderful examples of the modern art collected by Guggenheim, including, tellingly, a larger-than-life white statue of a horse situated outdoors on the main terrace overlooking the canal.The horse has a happy male rider.The rider sports a large erection.

So who was Peggy Guggenheim?Anton Gill goes a long way to providing her with a lasting memorial but far from a stuffy one.His well-researched, entertainingly and wittily written book ART LOVER is a fascinating read.Guggenheim was not one of the wealthier Guggenheims; her Dad went down on the Titanic and she was left with a goodly sum of money, but far from the vast fortunes her relatives had.And so, as Richard Adler & Jerry Ross said about their heroine, Lola, in "Damn Yankees," Guggenheim used "A Little Brains, A Little Talent (With An Emphasis On The Latter)."She had, according to her own account over one thousand "sexual liasons" with men as famous as Samuel Beckett and as nasty and vicious as her alcoholic first husband who emotionally and physically abused her.

She knew she was not a great beauty (in fact in one of the terrific photos collected for the book she resembles Dame Edna!)so she used her brains and superb taste and knowledge of a true bargain to collect art from men as diverse and influential as Brancusi, Mondrian, Pollock, Duchamp and Ernst (her second husband), most of which were purchased during World War 2 when so many artists were fleeing Europe and selling their works cheaply.

Peggy Guggenheim was a true American original who led a wild life of art, society and sexual high-jinks in several countries and she has left us, at least, a wonderful, wonderful gallery of modern art in a Venetian palace, most of us can only dream about living in.Gill has done her proud.HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

A Superlative Study of a Legendary Lady!
With equal parts wit and scholarly research, author Anton Gill uncovers Modern Art champion Peggy Guggenheim. Never hesitant to present all sides of this complex character, Gill renders a multi-faceted portrait of one of the most significant figures of the 20th century art world. Bravo! ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (13)

A suprising and thoughtful look at two icons.
I thought that this book might be a normal sort of celebrity biography, you know, a little (GARBAGE), a little flash, but DIANA AND JACKIE is much more, and much better than that. It's really a look at the lives of these two influential woman and how they impacted both the English and American cultures. There are a lot of thought provoking questions here...was Diana being a good mother when she aired her grievences regarding her marraige to the entire world? Was that a selfish act? Or a selfless one, in that millions of other women could identify with her, and feel less ashamed about themselves.

Jackie Kennedy comes across as a very sympathetic person, one who tried (successfully) to raise her children as close to normally as possible within the Kennedy whirlwind.

The parallels between their two lives are extraordinary and very telling. It's really amazing to see how these two branches of a very strong tree grew in completely different directions.

I really liked this book and would recommend it without reservation.

Two extraordinary Everywomen
Mulvaney has taken two of the most famous women of the last century and compared and contrasted them in the roles all woman are cast in (Maidens, Mothers, Myths). It's a fabulous idea and makes for very entertaining reading. While there is little new in this book about the lives of either of these well-documented ladies, the parallells Mulvaney draws between them gives the familiar information a fresh spin. (In particular, I'd never considered how similar their relationships to their formidable mothers-in-law were!) The cultural comments are interesting, too. Jackie maintained her (stereotypically English) "stiff upper lip" to the very end, while Diana took the more typically American, open approach to her life and her problems. And that's why I believe these women continue to fascinate. As much as we read about Jackie, we'll never feel we knew her -- she's an enigma we keep trying to solve. And it was Diana's very openness and accessibility that made her so appealing.

Show some respect!
Dear Publishing Industry,

I have not read the book nor do I intend to. I came across it recently through one of your book clubs(to which I belong). It seems that every month you make a point of investing a great deal of time and money into marketing a book about overrated celebrities by star-struck authors.

In this time of soaring unemployment, downsizing and corporate fraud that befall the majority of the population, you choose to release a book which praises two individuals who had never experienced the above injustices but whose families instigated them and themselves contributed nothing to the progress of humanity.

Both Diana and Jackie were born into privilege. Both had the fortune of living in the best neighbourhoods, attending the best schools, socializing with the rich and famous, and not working at all to survive. Both passed on the same experiences to their children.

Paparazzi, constitutional obligations and in-laws who bestow multimillion dollar trust funds on their grandchildren are thankfully not the misfortunes that many single mothers deal with. They are blessed. For they deal with gang leaders who harass kids in low income areas, dumb-downed education system, dead-end jobs to pay for food and apartments smaller than Diana and Jackie's bathtubs, apathetic fathers, humiliation and gender discrimination. Certainly such trivial worries do not merit hundrends of books.

It seems that many talented struggling writers from all cultures, fields and walks of life also do not merit to be published to educate the semi-illiterate public about the many accomplishments of the world. Why not publish books every year about such groundbreaking women as Marie Curie, Susan B. Anthony, Golda Meir, Sofia Kovalevskaya, Billie Jean King, Evita Peron, Simone de Beauvoir, Oriana Fallaci ... (unfortunately the space provided does not allow for all of them to be listed)?

It is also unfortunate that there is not enough space for them in your budget.

Straining to be scholarly
There are dozens of vapid biographies of both Jaqueline Kennedy Onassis and Princess Diana out there, but this book manages to do the work of two: It has vapid info on both of them! What a thrill! Jay Mulvaney strains to produce some sort of substantial comparison and contrast, but the result is less than satisfying. (Considering that his only other books are about Kennedys and clothing, I wasn't expecting anything too earth-shattering)

Using the trio of "naiden, mother, myth" (instead of "maiden, mother, crone"), he examines the lives of both Di and Jackie -- their childhoods, their marriages, the two children each of them had, their husbands, and their lives after their husbands (in Di's case, post-divorce; in both of Jackie's cases, in widowhood).

One of the biggest problems with this book is the superficiality. The book makes a great deal out of similarities that just don't mean much -- divorced parents, philandering husbands, overbearing in-laws, out-of-control weddings, and so on. But the fact is that though there are some similarities (both of them became irrational focuses for the masses), there isn't a lot of similarity under the surface.

Yes, both of them had divorced parents, but WHY they divorced is drastically different. Yes, both of their husbands cheated on them, but they had drastically different personas. Those husbands were a shy, spoiled aristocrat and an outgoing, charism