Entertainment Books

I read Julie Andrews' Home first and then picked this up to finish the story. It's well done with loads of details and facts that were previously unknown. Goes so far even to mention Julie's efforts to publish Home in early 2008. This books is worthwhile and quite entertaining. A must read for any Julie Andrews fan.

Of course Julie Andrews has always been my idol. Growing up watching "Mary Poppins, The Sound of Music", "Thoroughly Modern Millie", made me want to be just like her. Beautiful, sweet, and with the vocal ability of an angel! Well, I am none of those things. I have such vivid memories of her singing. I used to sit under a table all day and listen to the record of "The Sound of Music" for hours on end.
I have grown up thinking, Julie Andrews was a Queen among women.
This book made me see inside the "Queen". Whoa! I found out things about her I really didn't want to know. Ah! She is a mere mortal after all. Bummer! I did enjoy this book. Learning her background made me appreciate her even more. Long live the "Queen".

I ordered this book because since the 1960's I've adored Julie Andrews. I found here everything I wanted to know about her. But this book is not very "readable".

Mr Stirling often leads the reader down dead end paths - leaves them wondering "Where am I now?" and is often not fun to read. I enjoy a book that flows. This one jerks along like an old truck with a couple of flat tires on a bumpy forest road. Occasionally there's a well written story, but for the most part it's hard to follow and the stories he tells are truncated and with unrelated elements. It's like being in a forest and wondering where the path is. I'd rather have gotten (and will get) my information from other sources.

Unlike his subject, Richard Stirling doesn't go beyond his professional talents and requirements. He writes a good biography where his subject never stopped at simply giving us a good song perfectly delivered.

He keeps his well judged and full bodied biography within the realms of good taste and gives us, without camp or intrusion, a clear picture of the complicated life of one of the Last Great Hollywood Icons. He also gives all the information we need to decide what it was that caused that Icon to rust and fall and then eventually rise again. He takes us with insight and humour beyond the often cited unfashionable image and untimely films that caused Miss Andrews to flounder on the rocks just off the shore of superstardom.

In spite of being perceived as Englishness personified and even being the only actress listed in the results of a recent poll which looked to name the Great Britons, very early on in life she became an American; not a great but a mediocre American.
She is quoted as saying that it was America that made her a star and that the English would have left her to kick in a chorus line. This is improbable given the way her career was going in the UK before being exported to star in the Broadway transfer of The Boy Friend, but it sounds good as a piece of self justification. She went from applying her limited, specialist talent and her strong lovable stage and screen presence in the best situations possible to decades of roles and films that needed a talent entirely different to her own. In other words she stopped doing what she did best very early on in her career. The whys and wherefores of this disastrous mistake are among the core interests in this long needed biography.

Odd though it is that being a first rate live performer should be second choice to appearing in third rate films, Stirling clears up this conundrum as he uncovers the gradual Americanisation (and worse) Hollywoodisation of Julie. Star studded self-named television specials alongside theatre concerts featuring the worlds best orchestras and conductors seemingly underscored decades in a life filled by personal and professional doubt, therapy and unconvincing cinema projects that showed her up as a mediocre acting talent, constantly cost far too many millions and then flopped miserably as the studios, who eventually took their ball home, looked on in horror.

Richard Stirling takes us through this extraordinary life starting with the making of the child variety star with the freak adult vocal chords housed in the tiny sound box making waves that might have drowned a less determined spirit. The now extinct world of music hall is brought vividly to life before moving on to The Hit Broadway Operetta, world recognition, diva sized misjudgements of choice and behaviour, years of confused image and misuse of talent, arriving finally at a return to the musical stage in Sondheim's Putting it Together in which she showed the world exactly the thing for which it had been waiting all those years, i.e. a first rate mature singing actress at the peak of her ability. This fringe success crowning takes her onwards and upwards to royal status a second time thanks to another major misjudgement, this time in a disastrous Broadway `succès de scandale' and then on, ironically, to film stardom a second time around thanks to yet another dose of bad Hollywood which this time became a surprise mega hit franchise.

This is Stirling's first major biography. It follows on from years of cinematic study including conceiving and curating seasons at the National Film Theatre as well as more years of journalistic activity for major publications on both sides of the Atlantic. Between the pages of this biography there is magazine sensation found only in the chapter headings and in the melodrama of the hospital soap-opera operating theatre prologue. His writing is otherwise free flowing, fresh and finely detailed without being pedantic. Every aspect and face(t) of her professional and personal life including the brick wall of privacy surrounding his subject, whom he met and interviewed many times, is thoroughly researched. You'd think that the staroftheworld period in her early years is required knowledge for anyone remotely interested in musical theatre history but there are surprises for all no matter how well informed. That said, where this book scores it's biggest success is in the little known story of her life before stardom and the so easily dismissed but fascinating wilderness years of middle age.

I wanted to know more about Julie Andrews. I adored her as Mary Poppins, loved her in The Sound of Music & was delighted by her comic performance in Thoroughly Modern Millie. I somewhat remember her "falling from grace" so to speak, making some unmemorable films, dissappearing...then suddenly it seems, she's back writing children's books & making successful movies again!

So I really wanted an overview of her entire life and that is why I chose this book by Richard Stirling over HOME which ends about the time that Julie's fame begins.

The book is an engaging, easy read that has generally fulfilled my expectations. It covers Julie's meteoric rise to the heights of fame and the painfully slow slide into a lingering sort of limbo that allowed her to triumphantly hold her head up occassionally but never again made full use of her sunny personality & gorgeous voice.

This book gave me the distinct impression that instead of being "ahead of her time" that unfortunately Julie Andrews showed up perhaps 20 years too late to be fully utilized in the field of musical/comedy films. (...and it teases us with the vehicles proposed for her but never made...) However, it also points to the fact that Julie is full of tenacity & perseverance. Of course, she is still around and that's a good thing.

I play the piano in church, and this hymnal offers some easier-to-play versions of some of the favorite hymns. I especially like their version of "His Eye Is on the Sparrow" and "I'd Rather Have Jesus". It's also larger print and offers a huge selection. I'm very thankful that I found this hymnal.

This is a Great Hymnal with lots of Great Songs!!! The seller sent it very quickly and it arrived in good condition. I would Highly recommend this seller!!! God Bless!!

This is a great hymnal for anyone wanting a nice blend of traditional and contemporary songs of the church. While it may not have the latest contemporary songs that have become popular among many Christians, this is still a nice hymnal for blended worship.

THE WRITER WITHIN YOU
A Step-by-Step Guide To Writing And
Publishing In Your Retirement Years
By Charles Jacobs

Charles Jacobs has written a comprehensive manual for anyone considering writing and publishing a book.
`The Writer Within You' is geared towards those who have reached an age where they want to create fiction, nonfiction, or share their wisdom and memories. While this is written as a manual for those who have reached their retirement years, anyone can use the information to guide them through the writing process.
You will find boxes with Words of Wisdom that are liberally sprinkled through the book. Mr. Jacobs starts the book addressing all the concerns of how to start writing and each additional chapter presents a new topic that shows you how to continue that process. The back of the book Appendices lists reviewers, printers, blogs, book coaches, distributors, wholesalers as well as books on writing, just to name a few.
My bookshelves are lined with `How To' books on writing, yet this one stands above the competition. It is a research book that will become your Bible as you pursue your writing experience. `The Writer Within You' is a guide you will use over and over again. A timely book for those contemplating writing and publishing in their retirement years. Finally, there is a research book that does it all for writers.

I thought this book was excellent. I stumbled upon this book at my local library and went out the same day and bought it. "The Writer Within You" is packed full of information, references and knowledge. It is written in a manner that is easily understood. The title states this is a book geared for "retirement years", but the information is applicable to any writer of
any age. I highly recommend this book.

The Process of Writing and Publishing

Charles Jacobs provides a step by step guide to writing and publishing in his award winning book "The Writer Within You." The material in this book is written with retirees in mind. Jacobs provides a "hands on" how to book which covers everything from building confidence in the new writer to process of revising, editing, and writing a book proposal.

I especially benefited from the chapters on writing fiction or non-fiction and the important elements to consider in both. The chapters dealing with writing personal stories and memoirs were also very helpful. Up to date information on writing for e-zines, using blogs, and print on demand publishing make this a timely important resource with a broad base of information for a variety of writing experiences.

Each chapter includes sidebars featuring "Word's of Wisdom" written by well known authors, editors, agents, and publishers. These tips are an invaluable source for both beginning and seasoned writers.

Jacob's writing is well organized, dynamically developed and structured. Charles has a passion for helping new writers accomplish share their passion while fulfilling their dream of becoming published authors.

Jacob's provides the basics building blocks for developing the craft of writing, as well as the process of publishing. "The Writer Within You" is informative, comprehensive, and inspiring. I plan to keep my copy handy for frequent referral as I hone my own personal writing skills. This is an outstanding sourcebook for every writer.

There are many books on becoming a published writer. Charles Jacobs has produced another one, but with a difference. It is directed at retirees who might be at the stage where they want to set down their thoughts for relatives and friends or, more ambitiously, embark on a new career as a professional writer. Well, I'm a senior, but I've been a professional writer all my adult life and I'm here to tell you that, although The Writer Within You certainly has lots of good advice for the retiree crowd, it goes far beyond that in scope.
This is a book that any writer, old or young, beginner or experienced, will find most informative and useful. It is very complete and up-to-date, including POD (Printing on Demand), eBooks, eZines, and blogs, as well as the more traditional publishing methods. The basics of putting words together are there as well, and just about everything in between.
Jacobs' writing style is clear and logical and the book is made even more inviting by the inclusion of many "Words of Wisdom" sidebars (inserts) by authorities in a variety of relevant fields.
If you have any interest in writing, at any level, buy this book. You will be well rewarded.

There are many books out there that teach you how to write and many that tell you how to get published. Charles Jacob's book, the Writer Within You, not only does both but does both well. Marketed for retirees who've had the writing bug and can now pursue their passion with their new-found free time, The Writer Within You is also an excellent resource for anyone, at any point in their life, who is interested in writing. There are the targeted tips for those just out of the labor market, but there is enough here on writing and publishing in general that is useful for anyone.

Jacobs covers the writing basics for both fiction and non-fiction, including some of the varieties within the latter, like memoirs and creative non-fiction. His explanation of the publishing process, both traditional and self-publishing, is one of the clearest and informative that I have read, even when compared to other books devoted solely to publishing. Jacobs also includes a good primer for those interested in taking advantage of web publishing, including info on e-books, ezines and blogs.

Each section has helpful quotes from other authors and references to other works, especially for those interested in further investigating the areas covered by Jacobs. The book is capped by a comprehensive appendix listing by category many of the references found within the text as well as additional useful references.

Everything one needs to get started writing and get published is here. I highly recommend this book for the retiree or anyone else interested in becoming a published author.

Savage Worlds RPG is not the innovative RPG some reviewers make it out to be. True, the game's simple game mechanics facilitate "fast and furious" game play, but they're not particularly revolutionary (adding a card deck to generate random outcomes, for example, is an ancient concept). Some of the rule descriptions in the book lack clarity and may leave many player's wondering what the author intended.

I don't believe the Savage Worlds system is inherently better than those of other popular RPGs. I would say that the price of Savage Worlds Explorer's Edition is far more reasonable than other RPG core rule books on the market. If you are just looking for a simple game and you haven't spent all your allowance on death metal downloads, Savage Worlds is worth a look.

This game is great for both a quick start one shot game or for a long term in depth campaign.

I have been a gamer since '79 & savage worlds is fast, fun, & furious as it claims. It loses no punch or depth from its simplicity.

Savage Worlds advertises its mechanics as "fast and furious", which is true: the rules are bareboned but solid, and combat proceeds quickly, and in an interesting fashion. Die rolls outide of combat are quick, without much "searching for the right chart" time spent. The book itself is concise, compact, and provides a good deal of rules and info for such a small package. Sometimes, it's a little hard to find exactly what you're looking for, a back-of-book index would have been nice, but that's really my only complaint. Personally, I prefer a bit more crunch in my RPG systems, but it's all subjective. The wonderful thing about SW is the AMAZING array of variable settings available. Whether they are hardbound setting/campaign books, PDF downloads, or setting converions found online and made by enthusiastic gamers, there is no dearth of a selection. I am playing in a Rippers (Savage Worlds; S2P10005) story right now and having a blast. Highly recommended!

If you've ever desired an RPG system that would allow you to create your own setting and have it up and running literally within a few hours- Savage Worlds is your baby. It is a "universal" system that covers nearly everything you or your players would want to do while remaining extremely simple to organize. It's also a great system for people who are new to RPG's due to the relatively short list of skills and abilities (you don't have to be a genius to put together an effective character), and all of the skills are useful, intuitive, and flexible. For example, "fighting" covers all type of combat- fists, swords, clubs, kung-fu, lightsabers, etc, while "shooting" covers any type of ranged attack- guns, bow & arrow, throwing knives, machine guns, laser rifles... It really lets you be creative with your character without needing to specify in the rules exactly what they specialize in. The Savage Worlds systems also supports roleplaying and creativity through it's use of "tricks" your players can think up on the spot: declare what you're trying to do, make a basic check (agility, strength, etc), and if you pull it off you'll get a bonus against the enemy or task you're working on. Players can also be awarded "bennies" for creative play, which can be spent to re-roll dice.

Savage Worlds really does boil down to its declaration of being Fast! Furious! and Fun! And for about 10 bucks, it's certainly the most affordable core RPG book on the market. After playing around with the information provided in this book, you'll definitely want to explore some of the official Savage Worlds settings which include themes such as swashbuckling high-seas adventure, supernatural westerns, gothic horror, pulp action, and super heros.

I think it would take more effort to make a Savage Worlds game NOT entertaining than it takes to get one up and running. RPG fans, you can't go wrong with this one.

I bought this book mainly for the use of one song for a callback. Using and installing the CD software was fairly easy and helped a ton when it came time for the callback audition. It's nice to use the software (Amazing Slow Downer)(funny name)) to slow down, and speed up the tempo you would like to rehearse your songs with. The CDs are not perfect, but it can be put to good use when you don't have the time or money to go to a voice teacher to work on a song. I normally sing Soprano and not Mezzo-Soprano, but this book has many useful songs and is a good workout for stretching vocal range down, if you are used to singing in the upper stratosphere.

This book is an excellent source for finding and selecting songs for musical theatre auditions. With the help of the CDs, which are included, an individual is able to practice the songs on their own.

Does anyone with this book know if it includes "It's a Perfect Relationship" from Bells are Ringing?
A quick reply would be GREATLY appreciated!

Thanks!

I got it fast and it was in great condition. Exactly what I needed.

I'm a vocal student and find this book a fun diversion from the Italian and art pieces I also sing. I'm a true contralto (I vocalize a high A, but my richest range is mid G to mid G) so music can be challenging to find. This book has several pieces that, untouched, are low enough to do my voice justice -- As Long as He Needs Me, Hold On, Someone Else's Story. I suggest you also buy the CDs (there are two in the package) that go with this book (purchase separately). I had the book for a couple of years before I purchased the CDs. The CDs helped me discover several great songs I wasn't familiar with. More significantly though, the CDs contain a computer program that will allow you to adjust pitch higher or lower. The CDs makes the book more versitile and easier for rehearsal.

One other note. All the books labeled mezzo in this series are also labeled belter. I can belt with the best of them and songs like What I Did for Love, Look at Me I'm Sandra Dee and Adelaide's Lament are true belting songs. But I think the majority of the pieces are better performed with varying tempos and dynamics (including, in fact, What I Did for Love). There are quite a few ballads in this book that are definitely not belting pieces. So don't be scared away by the belting label because you'll find plenty to sing here if you're not a belter. Enjoy singing!

I have every one of the Charmed series books, this is just as good as all the rest. The girls keep you on the edge of your magical seats in another great adventure.

Trickery Treat (Charmed) was an awesome book. It had lots of history, detailed history that made me realize that it was the last in the series, but it still could have gone on another few years. They could have done what the Buffy book have done, written stories in different seasons. They could have had short stories even books written by fans. I think that would have really ended the series on a much higher note. To bad there was no Prue in this book! This whole time, we could have seen Prue at some point,especially since when we didn't get to see it in the series. Only a few minor bloopers, but all and all a great book for all you Charmed fans. A great ending to a wonderful show.

The Charmed Ones must stop this ghost before it does more harm to the house.

'Trickery Treat' was a wonderful treat to read. It gave us 'our' witches back AFTER the end of the TV series. I was delighted to resume my relationship with the characters and would encourage more books on the same vein. We want to know what happens with Wyatt growing up and Peobe pregnant. And please note not all readers are aged 9 to 12. Us grownups loved the series and I consider the books a continuation of this relationship. Thanks Diana and keep em coming!!

As always great book loved it & would like to see more books written on the charmed series

This is a pretty good autobiography. Not a five star in my opinion as a 5 star book review leads to a timeless classic that will be read over and over again. Chuck Yeager is an interesting character one that probably doesn't get his full dues since the age of NASA.

Breakdown Review:
Storyline: 4 out of 5 It would have been good to hear some input from his children what they thought of their old man. I find it out that they had no commentary on the book.

Writing style: 4 out of 5 stars. The book is written well and in such a way as to make the book difficult to put down. Nothing creative or insightful into the writing style.

Depth: 3 out of 5 stars. It is fairly shallow in places.

Entertainment/Education value: 4 out of 5 stars. The writing is extremely biased and opinionated which would not make this a very good book for instructional purposes. If believe what is written there as being accurate, however, it is written in such a way as only to describe the facts from the eyes of Chuck despite the comments from his friends,wife, and co-workers.

This book is mostly entertaining, it may be interesting to compair it with other pilot biographies, but it is definitely more a bestseller than a history book.

Chuck Yeager's book was just fun to read. It is one of the books that I hated to put down once I started reading it.

Many of the reviews have called Chuck Yeager a hero. I believe that he is simple due to what he has accomplished through his military career. From humble beginnings in backwoods America to an enlisted man and then on to be a general. Yeager has shot down enemy planes in combat, been shot down and evaded being captured. He shot down a German jet fighter with a propeller drive fighter. Yeager shot down five enemy aircraft in one mission. He was the first person to break the sound barrier. He has flown most jet aircraft while in their testing phase where many pilots have died. I think that makes him a hero in that he took the risk of death over and over again while serving his country in peace and in war.

I have read a few reviews of the book that are unflattering. Maybe he had a racist background, maybe he didn't like people from India, maybe he was this or that. I never saw that in the book but I guess you can take out of it what you look for. Many great men in history both military and civilian were not perfect humans. Maybe Yeager was one of them but maybe he wasn't. This book is not about the Nobel Peace Prize, it is about a combat veteran and his exploits in the air.

If you are looking for a book an easy to read book of a true American experience that shows a man that faced death over and over while serving his country and lived to tell about it, then Yeager should be on your list.

Yeager: An Autobiography

His book starts with his early life in West Virginia where he learned many activities from his father, grandfather, and teachers that would be important throughout his lifetime. The book then picks up around 1940 when he became involved with military aircraft, with which he was involved until he retired after he became a one-star general and before he became a two-star general when he could no longer fly high-performance aircraft. He became the best pilot in the AF, ready for any eventuality with old or new aircraft. Their were many sections written by his superiors, friends and his wife. He knew many aircraft-oriented people including Bob Hoover, Pancho Barnes, and Jackie Cochran. Chuck and Glennis retired to Grass Vally, California. It took a while for Chuck to adapt but adapt he did.

This is an outstanding book on several levels. It is a compelling presentation of the development of supersonic jets and the race to break the sound barrior. It is also the story of perhaps the best pilot ever to fly a plane and the Alpha of all Alpha males. If you like the movie "The Right Stuff" then you should really enjoy the story behind one of the main story line of that movie.

Diffee begins with a series of Venn diagrams demonstrating the small overlap between the cartoonists creative oeuvre and the amusement of New Yorker editors. Then, he allows a brief (alas, all too brief) view into the world of each of 38 eminent cartoonists. This is includes a collage of photographs, a brilliantly crafted- and usually more brilliantly executed - questionnaire, and a handful of cartoons. These brilliant gems are almost always hysterical (including many laugh out loud hysterical), and always obvious why they were not published in the New Yorker - too rude, sexual, political, etc. Although, I have not read the first volume, completing this volume spurs me to run out (errr, zip online to Amazon), and order the previous volume.

If you've gotten to this page, there's a good chance you've either seen or bought the first volume, The Rejection Collection: Cartoons You Never Saw, and Never Will See, in The New Yorker.

I thought the cartoonists' responses to the questionnaires in the first collection provided a fascinating look into the creative mind. In this volume, the questions seemed more convoluted and the answers more conventional.

The cartoons, however, struck me as being funnier in this volume. Two of my favorite cartoonists (Sam Gross and Gahan Wilson) are featured in both volumes.

If I could only buy one, I would buy the first volume, but both collections are enjoyable.

I love the original Rejection Collection. That collection contains many of my favorite cartoons of all time, and it still makes me laugh on my 15th, 16th ... etc. reading. Sadly, this second collection is just not as good. Despite the presence of a few real gems, as a whole this sequel is *not* the cream of the crap, but is instead the next layer down. Worth reading, but not worth owning.

I heard the author on Fresh Air and decided to get the book. It is obvious why some of these cartoons didn't make it into the Mag. Less obvious with others. But almost all fun. The cartoonist 'autobiographies' are also great fun.

I have to admit at the outset that I don't laugh as easily as others I know. Too much so called humor seems predictable or formulaic these days. Not so, The Rejection Collection volumes. This book and its predecessor had me giggling, chuckling, laughing and occasionally guffawing from cover to cover. The cartoons are great. Many are twisted, a little sick, or iconoclastic, which tickles me no end. The questionnaires are a fun and valuable insight into the creative minds and personalities of the contributing cartoonists.

Don't miss Bob Mankoff's replies to their questions (found in the questionairre), also in the appendix! He easily holds his own in terms of wit.

Laughter is a great gift. The Rejection Collections I and II are the perfect choice for someone you care about, who has a slightly twisted sense of humor. I hope there will be many more volumes to come. I'll buy them all!

Buyer beware! This is a piano music book, not a Jonas Brothers paperback as advertised. I am very disappointed in the way this item is presented online - you would be too!

We picked the authorized Jonas Brothers book. How wrong we were! WE paid double the price for a songbook!

This is a music songbook not a book about the Jonas Brothers. It is very nice but misleading as I thought I was buying a book about them and was surprised when I got it. Luckily my kids read music and love the Jonas Brothers so they are determined to learn how to play the songs.

This book is great for anyone learning to play guitar,piano, and sing or can do all that stuff... I'm learning how to play Australia on my guitar and its awesome.. this is my 2nd lesson or like time playig and im already half way through the song :. this is also a great book if you are in love with the JONAS BROTHERS just as much as i am.....

I bought this book a few months ago after reading some very skeptical reviews. I've read every chapter and have to say that the content was truly eye opening for me, as I am a classically trained pianist with very little time to play piano. After reading this book, I can play confidently from a fake book while playing interesting chord progressions. I can also apply this to my own songs, which up until now, I've composed by ear only. Perhaps to some who have never been exposed to music theory this information is hard to handle. I would say that if you are truly motivated to learn this stuff, it will set you free at the keyboard.. Thank you and Kudos to the author of this wonderful book! (And yes, I have the circle of chords in a frame on my piano!)

I was disappointed that this book does not actually show you how to play the piano. There is a lot of theory in the book, but nothing to actually help me with my piano lessons.

This book has knowledge and it's knowledge that any musician can use. It may not be the best for a total beginner in music but if you have a nodding acquaintance with the subject there is something in this book for you. I've seen criticisms that the songs were too old or some of techniques don't sound good. My opinion is that that doesn't matter. There is enough material in there that you can learn things you never knew about before. It helps dispel the mysteries of the keyboard and will enhance your knowledge of music theory as well as your ability to play.

This book has changed my life! I struggled at the piano forever until I discovered this wonderful book! While it clearly will not be for everyone wanting to learn piano, it was perfect for me. As a youth, I hated piano lessons because of the mechanical approach to learning songs that I didn't even like. I felt like I was a human playback machine. Know what I mean? Whereas, it seemed my guitar-playing friends were having all the fun. When they wanted to learn a new song, they would just start asking what the chords were. Then, they would just practice playing the chord progression at home. Later, when they got really comfortable with that, they would start getting really creative, adding interesting little frills and things and MAKING A LOT OF COOL MUSIC knowing, really, just a little bit of actual information about the song + having musical ideas of their own. So, how come piano lessons were always so different? You don't have to be jealous of your guitar-playing friends anymore. This is the book my friend's guitar teacher would have written, if he played piano. You learn a song by playing its chords. Once you're comfortable just playing the chords, you add melody. It can be easy and it can be difficult, it depends on the song, how quickly the chords change, how complicated the melody is, and how much "extra" of your own you want to add. It's a very flexible approach to playing. I highly recommend it. Best of all, unlike boring piano lessons, nobody is going to make you practice music you don't like. You can use this method on any sheet music which has a) a key signature b) a meter c) chords spelled and d) a one note melody line. Fake books are best, because all extraneous stuff is removed, but you could use this method with any sheet music meeting those minimum requirements. And, you will play these songs using only four reversible chords, an amazing but real time saver, key to the success of this "fake" method!

...whether to buy "How to Play Piano Despite Years of Lessons: What Music Is and How to Make It at Home" or "Play Piano in a Flash! Play Your Favorite Songs Like a Pro--Whether You've Had Lessons or Not!" by Scott Houston, buy BOTH--- and do read Scott Houston's book FIRST. He explains the whole premise of playing off chords so much more clearly and simply. After reading Scott's book, you can delightfully play all sorts of piano music you may have around your house effortlessly after a few tries. To give you an example, I used to practice fairly simple folktunes for about a week before (somewhat joltingly) being able to play up to tempo at an even pace. Now, knowing what I know from Scott's book, I can play any such song in about 15 minutes. Really! And I can play faster and more eloquently than I ever could before. Now, I have confidence that I could accompany any singer (including myself)-- a trick I used to think only "good pianists" could do (with much practice). In short, it motivates you to play music almost immediately in a fun and joyous manner.

Now for "How to Play Piano Despite Years of Lessons: What Music Is and How to Make It at Home". It's A LOT more philosophical, and a lot more wordy. It explains everything in much greater detail, and is very fond of the basic Oom-pah-pah sort of playing. The "standard" technique call for playing the melody an octave higher, the root note in octaves on the lowest possible section of the piano (for the Oom) and the chord (reconfigured so as never to reach higher than middle E nor lower than middle C) for the Pah-Pah. This takes quite a bit of PRACTICE. I certainly do not master this in 15 minutes! However, using this technique, I sound like one of those pianist that play at cash bars in restaurants that used to send my mother in the other direction because the "noise" gave her a "headache". It may work exceptionally well for some pieces, and it is certainly not the ONLY device taught in this book. It *is* a good book, with lots and lots of ideas of how to vary the bass notes and such to get a "full" sound from your piano. But you might get a headache or two... and might get discouraged and give up playing piano after all. (DON'T!) It is less motivating, and much more practice than Scott's book. I just can't decide whether I even like the result of the techniques shown. But music theory is explained in a somewhat harmless manner....

Now, I again suggest you buy BOTH books so that you can read them both, try them both, and make your own decisions. However, if you're relatively new to this topic, I suggest that you at least buy Scott's book first. Yes, you'll probably finish it in one sitting and it will seem so OBVIOUS after you read it that you'll wonder whether you ought to have spent the money for the book at all. Yes! Now, sit down and play the piano using these technique to see for yourself!

(To give you some point of reference, my level of playing beforehand using the classical method was Book Four of John Thompson series.... about intermediate I'd say.)