Entertainment Books

Other than Sting & Sir Pauley, you're the greatest to ever touch the instrument!
XXXJer

I've read at least 10 different books about the Grateful Dead. While many of these books are very informative, nothing comes close to Phil Lesh's book. It reads more like a day-to-day encyclopedia of Phil's perspective of his life before, during and after the Grateful Dead. No detail seems to be left out. His memory of the minutia of his life is staggering. If you really want to know what was going on with Phil before, during and after the Grateful Dead, this book is highly recommended. It is not a quick read but it is very informative: more so than any other book regarding the Grateful Dead. Budget between 15 and 20 hours to read this book even though it does not appear to be that long of a book. Phil, job well done! Bravo!

I truly enjoyed this account of Phil's life and his experience with the Grateful Dead. The audio ,which was read by the author, was beautifully written and entertaining!

I like Phil's book. I like it a whale of a lot more than I do Dennis McNally's egotistical cop-out from writing the "authorized biography" of the GD. Phil writes in a nice style, with not a touch of the supposed "arrogance" attributed to him in his younger years evident. In fact one could assume that, due to the changes he needed to make in his lifestyle just to survive in the past decade or so, that also included eating a few large pieces of crow-pie, washed down with genuine humility and probably at times some real tears.
Phil goes into the story of the band, and it's nice to her him speak of it in his own words and terms, as much as it is to read Jerry's account in "signpost to New Space." I'd rather listen to either one of them for what they have to tell than Weir's ideas of it, but that will be for another day in the far future, if indeed he ever gets round to it, as he is threatening to. He talks a bit about the pre-Grateful Dead years when the band were becoming acquainted socially and somewhat "extra musically" which as we all know, eventually led to the Warlocks and history. But it's nice to hear the things he has to say about those early years and times in Berkeley, Palo Alto, las Vegas and SF as though that pre-1966 magic- whatever real gem of magic existed in the Haight scene before the over-hyped "summer of Love" cast its fell shadow upon the city, and also the adventures or misadventures they had leading up to the formation of the band propre.
He also writes about the band as a musical experiment, or an experiment in more than music, as a psychedelic adventurer, and this actually to me is its real value as a book. That he obviously survived acid (some would argue "nobody could take that many trips and remain sane!" but you find the proof of it in his lucid writing, and his great memory.
I have always had something of an issue though with some of the premise he puts forward as one of the band's rasions d'etre, that at times, the audience reacts to the music and vibes of the hall as would a school of fish, in the "one-mind" or "group-mind" mode, and as if this is always to be viewed as a positive thing. Lemmings also react in a group-mind mode, and where does it ever usually get them?
Still, it is good to hear the words of one of the original participants in this "noble experiment" make his arguments and his judgements upon social idioms, and he really CAN write well about music itself, and about the actual mechanics of many of their great songs.
It's a shame we haven't got Jerry here to give his own thoughts about this book, but then, there's the possibility that with him here, Phil never would have felt the need to set it down like this.
I give it five stars- anyone who loves the Grateful Dead or San Francisco Rock & Roll and desires to know as much as possible about it's genuine sources and flavors owes it to themselves to pick it up. You might not put it down again until you're done.

I've read a few Dead books and this is by far the best insider's perspective. Phil was there from the beginning and vividly recounts what it was like growing with the band. Everything from the acid tests to the untimely death of their front man is covered in great detail. Surprisingly, through all the chemicals, Phil has a great memory of events and leaves nothing out. I was too young to experience the Dead first hand, but after reading Searching for the Sound, I listen to them as if I had been there.

I loved this book!!! James Lipton can write and does indeed write extremely well. The first half is indeed more autobiographical in nature but is a very interesting behind the scenes story of his life and art. Mr. Lipton includes plenty of self-congratulation, but contrary to some reviews, which made the book much more interesting for me.

Most of the last half is about "Inside the Actor's Studio", a TV-series that I never missed once I discovered it. I ran into a dozen or so passes that were quite moving as I read this book. I highly recommend the book for anyone who enjoyed the series and/or finds James Lipton to be an interesting fellow.

Just ignore the title and expect more than just about going Inside "Inside the Actor's Studio". If you only want the TV series part, read chapters 11-17 and view the photo section. Be warned, however, that you will miss some real nuggets.

What I wished he had included (think future edition) is a list of the 200 or so guests who appeared on "Inside the Actor's Studio", in order, in an appendix.

James Lipton provides the reader with a modestly-written account of his multi-faceted career and his many accomplishments. It is easy to journey with him from his initial efforts to earn money for law school to his accomplishments on radio, in television, on the stage and, finally as a (the?) principal of the Actors' Studio. That's the first half of the book. The second half is a review of many of the actors, actresses, writers and directors who were interviewed by him on "Inside the Actor's Studio" arranged with emphasis less on the individuals and their fame and more on their mettle. For devotees of the program, it is another wonderful journey with Lipton. For those who have not watched his television series on Bravo and who don't know James Lipton, it is an introduction to a most talented and accomplished individual who has a wonderful story to tell. "Inside Inside" is a most enjoyable read.

In a nutshell:
Despite a long introduction assuring us it's not all about James Lipton, it's all about James Lipton.
Pompous and self-serving, ponderous reading.
Word for word rehashing of the tv shows' conversations with little to no new information or insight.
Mr. Lipton never misses an opportunity to sing his own praises (or to quote others who also, invariably, sing his praises). I'm a fan of the show and had no idea Mr. Lipton was so accomplished in so many areas. But a reader can only take so much and this unending litany of "aren't I wonderful and oh, by the way, aren't I wonderful." It gets tiresome quickly.

I, like most readers I assume, ventured to this book under the auspice that it could possibly reveal some kernels from behind-the-scenes of a show so devotely watched and scrutinized. I, also, have joined the legions that have enjoyed mocking, mimicking and wondering what possibly could have spawned such a fawning, erudite boob. Yet, while Lipton has over the years been the easiest of targets (i.e. Will Farrell, Ali G, etc.) there has always been an aspect that you cannot dismiss about him altogether.
Not only has he survived such ridicule with aplomb, but he has embraced it. (i.e. having Ferrell on show, appearances on Conan O'Brian)

What emerges in the book is a life enmeshed with literary and artistic giants but also a portrait of grace, intelligence and generosity. Lipton is uncommonly frank and is only discreet when the embarrassment is for someone other than him.
Most likely unknown are his previous best-selling books, Broadway musicals and collaborations with Arthus Miller, Baryshnikov, Stella Adler and other world movers that he can count as friends and heroes.

While I, too, was seeking more on the likes of Johnny Depp, Dustin Hoffman and Martin Scorcese, what I found was something more interesting. My own assumtions eroded and a new appreciation of the man, the arts and all the people that come and go through his long journey to the show. It's quite impressive.

That being said, be WARNED. Lipton is an erudite, a son of a writer, who published a book on words themselves ('The Exhaltation of Larks'). Don't go two steps from this reading without a dictionary in hand. Think I'm kidding? Then ask yourself- Are you a sesquipedalian?

Not a tell-all, nor a peep backstage, but a deep and winding discovery of a treasure hidden in plain sight.

I heard James Lipton interviewed by Elvis Mitchell on KCRW's The Treatment (broadcast March 19, 2008). Lipton was promoting Inside Inside. The interview made me want to buy the book. When I visited Amazon to make the hardcover purchase the reader reviews were rather unkind and I thought, unfair. The theme of the complaints seemed to be that the book centered too much on Lipton and not enough on the show Inside The Actors Studio or on the stars who'd graced the show. Well after hearing that interview with Lipton on The Treatment, I came away understanding that Lipton's book was about himself and the different people and events that had influenced him. People who purchased the book thinking it was about something else perhaps did not bother to listen to Lipton before purchasing the book. James Lipton is a good story teller and at age 80 he has some good stories to tell. His classical education shows itself in his facility with language and in the themes around which he groups his essays. There are those who state that Inside Inside is too centered on Lipton as if that is a detriment instead of an asset. Lipton has had a rich life and he has met quite a few interesting characters outside of the well-knowns he's interviewed on the show. The manner in which he introduces you to these characters and allows you to get to know them through his memories is quite engaging. Still, this book may not be engaging for everyone. Before purchasing Inside Inside, or any book for that matter, I would suggest sampling one chapter of the book. If you would like an audio sample of Chapter 6 of Inside Inside you may search Y-o-u T-u-b-e for the ISBN-13 number for Inside Inside. The number is 978-052595035.

Another masterpiece by Hamill. This work reveals the humanity of Sinatra. It is short, but oh soooooo good! If you are interested in Sinatra, read this book. It is sophisicated and loaded with the nuances of the man who did it his way, faults, bruises, and all.

Ironic that Pete Hamill should write this book. To my ears and eyes, Pete Hamill has never written a sincere or honest word in his life.

The irony is that when Sinatra was asked how he wanted to be remembered, he said he would want people to think of him as an honest singer.

The book is good, but read it with a grain of salt due to the author.

I like this book because it isn't like all the other Sinatra biographies out there. In fact, it isn't really appropriate to call "Why Sinatra Matters" a biography at all. Author Pete Hamill was an acquaintance of Sinatra's and much of the book is built around conversations that the two men had together, which is very interesting. This book gives a general overview of Sinatra's upbringing and rise to stardom. Hamill explains how Sinatra's childhood and Italian American background contributed to the development of his music. Sinatra's "fall from grace" is also examined, but Hamill is quick to point out that the only thing that really matters is that Sinatra was able to overcome his obstacles and make an incredible comeback. There has never been another singer like Frank Sinatra and there never will be again. Sinatra continues to represent so many things to so many people, which is why his music will live on forever.

Many of the basic,well known aspects of FS's life are mentioned here, starting with the Genoan and Sicilian branches of his family history, his quiet father and brash, Democratic Ward Leader mother. The segment on Bing Crosby's huge influence on 1930's popular culture, especially in the new radio-centered family (like TV today) is great, and perhaps not known too much today. FS as an icon for immigrant Italians, along with LaGuardia and DiMaggio, is also a high point. The days with James and Dorsey are also well done, if rehashes, like much of this otherwise excellent book. And much is written about FS's legendary "Fall" and 2nd Rise, the Fall being among the most overdone of FS's incredible life.(Many would love to fall from such Olympian heights!). Mr. Hamill says that the music is what matters. Obviously, he's right! Only Frank could sing so well about the depths of anguish and despair, as well as the thrill of triumph! The author also gives a nice summation of the great work of FS with Nelson Riddle. Unfortunately, short shrift is given to Billy May, and a short paragraph mocks the "sugary" work of Gordon Jenkins. Oddly, the most famous pairing of Jenkins and FS, "September of My Years" is listed in the appendix as among Mr. Hamill's favorite albums! It would have been nice if a CD was included,since this book does not really mine the golden depths of FS's best recordings. Still, all in all, a fine and succinct presentation of The Man and His Music.

This is a small book. Short and sweet. Mr. Hamill gets right to the point . There isnt a lot of fluff in this book. A few pictures and so anecdotes to start some of the chapters. It written well and the layout is succint. This is a must read for any Sinatra fan.

I bought this book last september. And I still read it.
It made me cry that someone so cold could take someone who is loved by everyone. It made me think to. darrell was so loved by millions of people whether they were fans friends or family. He will be truly missed by me and my family and I cant wait to get my dimebag tattoo.

we miss you dime keep on rockin w/ hendrix and joplin.

A great book about the events leading up to Dimebag's demise. Good detail and well written. A definate read for any hard core dimebag fan out there. Getcha Pull!!

I HAVE NOT READ A BOOK IN A LONG TIME THAT I LITERALLY COULD NOT PUT DOWN. I HAVE NOT READ A BOOK IN A LONG TIME THAT MADE ME CRY THAT HARD. YOU FEEL LIKE YOU KNOW EVERYONE THAT DIED THAT NIGHT....(GOD BLESS THEIR FAMILIES) AS WELL AS DIMEBAG. MY 15 YEAR OLD IS AN AVID GUITAR PLAYER AND THIS IS HIS HERO. I HAD TO READ IT BECAUSE THAT IS ALL WE EVER HEARD/AND STILL HEAR ABOUT IS DIMEBAG. WOW IS ALL I CAN SAY. I AM SO SADDENED THAT I CAN NEVER SEND MY SON TO ONE OF HIS CONCERTS. I BELIEVE HIS SPIRIT LIVES ON IN MY SON THOUGH BECAUSE HE PLAYS LIKE DIME VERY MUCH. HE OWNS 6 ELECTICS AND OF COURSE HAD TO GET A DEAN!!!!! THE ONE WE GOT HIM FOR XMAS WAS DIMEBAGS TRIBUTE GUITAR. AN AWESOME BOOK IS ALL I CAN SAY AND YOU JUST HAVE TO READ IT!!!!

This book was read in like 6 hours, it is not a big book but i got to say that i was hooked from the 1st page to the last one !! Im a big metal fan, so for sure im a fan of Pantera & Dimebag and im happy to say i saw them live at least 5 times in the 90's. I will always remember that day when my friend called me at 6ham to give me the bad news, this book tells you everything about that day and more. Get it now !

The book has a dual thesis; one being the victim's lives and the second the nightclub rampage and police shooting. What I did not realize while reading the book is that the author did a splendid job of weaving Thompson's, Bray's, Halk's and Abbott's seemingly unintersecting lives into the tragic end. I felt this book was in-depth and gripping.

There is no shortage of research done by the author. He has credited numerous people for contributions of photos, interviews and documents. Given the subject matter, it may have been easy to invoke a morbid fascination from the reader for the sake of selling books but, he tastefully used hundreds of crime scene photos. He obviously established a repor with CPD Officer J. Neggemeyer as well as other investigators. He did a fine job of delving into the lives of the victims and articulated what good people they really were, which made the occurrence that much more disturbing and tragic.

I thought the book was accurate for the most part, save for a few mistakes in municipalities. The only reason I didn't give the book 5 stars was I felt that referring to Nathan Gale as "the beast" was childish. Although he slowly changed into a beast given his mental illness, changing the moniker does not change the fact that Gale was single-handedly responsible for immeasurable pain and damage.

This book makes me uncomfortable. i really like Ray on one hand, and find him insightful and intelligent, and have a very similar philosophy on life and existence...and yet, why is he so glaringly uncaring about Jim? No, i am sure he loved Jim on some level, but still...what's missing?

Why did he want to use Jim for art and not care about Jim the person? Only cared about what he wanted out of Jim, the great poet...no wonder Jim created "Jimbo", with the "friends" he had to put up with.

How could this man who talks about love be so uncaring about someone as close to him as Jim? It doesn't add up.

If it weren't for that, i'd really like Ray, now it's just...what's going on here? i don't get it. Art isn't more important than the people, Ray. the Doors is less important than Jim and his suffering, than anyone in the Doors.

An interesting read, though.

i'd like to get in touch with real fans of Jim Morrison...if anyone wants, plesae email me at tontheon@yahoo.com

Ray should just live life as he really is and not try to rewrite history and make himself more than he is. He was a very great musician and an integral part of the Doors. Yet he seems to be trying to convince himself and everyone else in this book that He should have been the "Rockstar" and not Jim.

There were two different Jim Morrisons, says Ray Manzarek, whose vision along with Morrison's created the group, and whose organ playing helped distinguish its sound.

There was the Good Jim. Poetic. Artistic. Polite. So unselfish he suggested the group split all royalties and songwriting credits equally although he wrote most of the songs and was responsible for the group's singular image. Drenched in the modern and avant-garde culture of the previous century. Possessor of a huge literary bookshelf which he knew so intimately he would win repeated bets that he could identify a book pulled from its shelf, just by hearing a few lines read from it at random. Possessed of a special Dionysian spirit that Ray saw as one of the unique forces of the 1960s, and of a desire to lead others to it. Ray thought an artist ought to be president some day, and that Morrison, with his good looks, WASP roots and Native American shaman vision, might just be the guy.

Then there was the Bad Jim, a persona Manzarek dubs "Jimbo" - a drunk with a mean streak and racist tendencies, who sought to destroy the Good Jim's poetic voice. Manzarek, married to a Japanese-American, felt this acutely. Alcohol brought Jimbo to the fore. Over the Doors' short lifespan - releasing albums from 1967 to 1971, with their touring curtailed after Morrison's 1969 obscenity bust in Miami - his bandmates found him increasingly difficult to work with, and never knew on a given day if poetic Jim or drunk Jimbo would show up.

When Morrison died in Paris in 1971, a death certificate attested merely that he'd died because his heart had stopped. Most likely, he had by age 27 drunk himself to death, perhaps aided by heroin. Jimbo had won out.

The good Jim is worth remembering. Doors music still resonates 40 years later because it was truly creative, and Jim Morrison was a large part of what made them special. Art rock as a movement is usually placed in the 1970s, but the Doors were ahead of the wave, with a sound and vision spawned in 1965 while the Beatles and Beach Boys were still dominating the airwaves with teen music.

Manzarek and Morrison met at the UCLA Film School. Primarily a musician, Manzarek says he was drawn to film as a medium because it drew on all the arts. His wife was an artist. Morrison, with no musical background, was a poet. The three of them, living together for a spell, drenched themselves in art of every sort. Early stoners and acid heads, they were genuinely in pursuit of the muse.

There lurks a suspicion nowadays that modernism, in every genre, is bogus, allowing the untalented, unschooled and unskilled to rip off the unsuspecting. Think of every ridiculous modern "artwork" whose creator ever conned an art museum into devoting prime space to it - when all it was, was an entire canvas painted orange. Or a red one with a green dot in the middle. Or a sneaker nailed to a canvas. Something that made you think, "I could have done that. But why would I have wasted the time?"

The Doors remind us it doesn't have to be like this. Manzarek and Morrison were avant-gardists but also well schooled, drawn together initially through their mutual appreciation of modernist jazz master John Coltrane. Manzarek had played classical piano as a youth, had grown up in Chicago where he was exposed firsthand to the Chicago blues during its heyday in the 1950s, and had a comfortable familiarity with rock and other pop genres. Morrison had no musical background but had mastered a good century or so of avant-garde literature - Rimbaud, Celine, Jean Genet, Kerouac, the other Beats and many more. While in school, they dug all those New Wave film directors. Drummer John Densmore was a jazz drummer and also a Coltrane fan. Guitarist Robby Krieger had a background in flamenco and folk, picking the guitar with his nails instead of using a pick.

Their sound was their own - blues, jazz, rock, flamenco. Morrison's unique poetry reflected his own personal search for the beyond; their very name alluded to a William Blake poem and to their desire to strip away the barriers to true perception of reality. The Doors were modern but still artists, succeeding because they had a strong foundation in modernism of every genre and a background in classical work as well.

The Doors, artists trying to break the commercial pop or rock band mold, faced an uphill battle. Numerous record companies rejected their sound as too different and too threatening. The Doors couldn't coast; they had to be good.

They pursued their art the way artists in more classical genres go about it, standing on the shoulders of those who had gone before, immersing themselves in the modernist oeuvre - that's not an oxymoron - as they set out to create its next step.

Morrison sought for man to become free, personally and sexually. His work hasn't dated because he focused on timeless themes like sex, death, life, and rebirth, using universal imagery such as sun and water. Manzarek concurred and hoped this freedom would effect a social and political transformation. Ecstatic liberation is more likely to yield chaos, as the Doors learned the hard way in Miami when their stage nearly went down amidst thousands of surging fans. And while according to Manzarek, Morrison never actually flashed Mr. Mojo Risin' at the crowd - instead taunting and teasing the crowd with their own crude desire that he do so - his irony was easily lost on the judge and jury that convicted him.

Manzarek's telling is overripe with California New Age speak, a mish-mash of Eastern and Western religious influences, constant references to "chakras" and other mystical gobbledygook, and an obsession with finding "fascism" everywhere. Whatever one may think about it in light of later events, though, it's true to its time. This is what 1960s ferment was about. The Doors went where no one had gone before. That's what artists are supposed to do.

I bought this book because the first couple of pages SEEMED to be about Jim Morrison and the Doors but it turned out that Ray only talks about himself as if he was a 16yrs old and has no mature writing in this book. Only the last few chapters of the book are actually about Jim and he keeps it brief. He only talks about having sex with his wife. NOT IMPORTANT TO SELLING A BOOK ABOUT THE DOORS AND JIM. THIS BOOK WAS HORRIBLE

This is the best book on The Doors I've read, by far, and I've read most all from Patricia K's self-centered, obsessive effort to Danny Sugarman's work. Manzarek is open, honest and doesn't pull any punches. He is not nearly as egotistical or obsessed with Morrison as Kennealy was and speaks as an insider from the origin to the end of The Doors. I found this book inspirational.

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.....

Did you know that Julia Child had an eye job and three face lifts? That's not the only surprise that lurks inside this deceptively small book. Author Laura Shapiro has written a biography that is mostly sympathetic to its subject, but doesn't shrink from showing Child's less attractive qualities. She was opinionated and rarely shrank from saying what was on her mind. She had no patience for people who didn't agree with her about food. She had no use for vegetarians, organic food, or California cuisine. To friends, she made some homophobic comments. In public she did not.

Shapiro has managed to fit a lot of fascinating information into 181 small-format pages. Unfortunately, the Penguin Lives publishers didn't see fit to include an index, let alone notes. Shapiro addresses this in a note at the end of the book, offering to provide sources for anyone who requests them. It seems likely that most of the quotations she provides in the book were from letters Child wrote to friends or from published interviews.

Even if you've already read about Child's spy days, her introduction to French food, and the first TV shows, here's your chance to read about her breast cancer, how she coped with her husband's decline after a stroke, or what she really thought about McDonald's.

This book was exactly what I was looking for. It has just enough about Julia's background to let you know what lead her to become The French Chef without being overwhelmed with minutiae. The book focuses mainly on her love affair with food & its preparation and her drive to get people to go into the kitchen and cook. If you enjoy watching Julia, you'll enjoy this book.

This short biography, one in the wonderful Penguin Lives series, is an excellent overview of Julia Child's life. Laura Shapiro writes well and keeps the narrative flowing. It was a joy to read.

A delightful book that renewed my interest in food and got me browsing through the Julia Child cookbooks I own. One sees all the effort and hard work that she and her dedicated husband put into her TV shows. My husband and I enjoy cooking and since reading this book, we have regained some venture and enthusiasm in trying new dishes. And even if things don't always turn out, neither did Julia's. One learns from mistakes, goes on and tries again.

Did you know that Julia Child was a devout atheist? There are many details about Julia Child's life that her adoring public did not know. This small but comprehensive biography is an excellent overview of her long life and successful career. I had heard about her work during World War II, but I didn't know the details of her training, how her acclaimed first cook book came to be, or what went into the success of her TV shows. All these things and more are included here.

What shocked me the most was her siding with the food industry when radical changes in production came to be. She was against organic food, calling it "even worse than health food," and was quoted: "There is no room for the cult that regards `natural methods' as good, and all improvements on nature as bad." She called the genetic engineering of food "one of the greatest discoveries" of the 20th century, and spoke out in favor of irradiation while calling opponents "nervous nellies." She supported the food industry on changes such as pesticides, hormones in beef, and antibiotics in chicken. I would have imagined someone so enamored of food in its natural state would have been at the very least leery of such radical changes

To her credit, she encouraged new young female chefs, and did all she could to advance their careers through publicity and by funding scholarships for these female culinary students. As she advised all her students, she believed love for the food that went into preparing it is what made an exceptional meal. Interestingly, later in her career, she turned to more convenient methods, such as using frozen foods. She was a great fan of the American supermarket, and believed a good cook could create fine meals with all ingredients from a supermarket.

This little biography is a wonderful look into the life of this fascinating woman, and includes much about her exceptional qualities as well as her more controversial views. Laura Shapiro has created an enlightening narrative which gives a complete picture of our one and only Julia Child.

Read it in an afternoon and enjoyed it a lot! If you're a fan of K. Smith you'll appreciate it. Kevin puts out a lot of great material. Also, check out his podcast "Smodcast". Type SMODCAST into iTunes for a FREE, yes FREE, audio show with Scott Mosier. It's some classic stuff and you'll bust a gut laughing.

Kevin Smith proves himself as a very good writer once again with this collection of his blogs. There is a lot of behind the scenes information given as well as his likes and dislikes when it comes to movies and celebrities. The stories range from funny to serious, but all keep the interest of the reader the entire time. If you are a fan of the "Evening with Kevin Smith" DVD series, this is basically the same kind of thing but in book form. The stories are different than on the DVDs, so I didn't mean that the same stories are told that you have heard a thousand times.

So basically, if you are a fan of Smith, this book is a must have that you won't be able to put down. If you're not a fan, why bother with this in the first place? Fans will find enjoyment, but I doubt those Clerks haters will have their opinions changed. This is for the fans, and fans...I can't say it enough, you will like this book.

What does it mean to have a cult following? When one speaks of directors like Clint Eastwood, Ron Howard, Martin Scorcese or Steven Spielberg, the reference is to a director that appeals to a broad audience, as opposed to one who appeals to a smaller group. This limited appeal director can be said to have a cult following, and like with regular cults, the followers are often more avid (or deluded, depending on your viewpoint) than their mainstream counterparts. It's the different between Christians and Movementarians (Simpson fans will understand).

Kevin Smith has a cult following and I am one of the cult. He will never have the broad popularity of Eastwood, et al, because that isn't his goal. His movies are crammed with dialogue and limited in action and often the items discussed could be considered offensive. Clerks, Smith's first movie, was almost given an NC-17 rating for the dialogue alone. But to those who don't offend easily, Smith's movies are often really funny. Smith himself is both a funny writer and speaker; as DVDs of his college tours show, he has a definite following and he can be hilarious in person.

Silent Bob Speaks is a collection of essays he has written, primarily for Arena magazine. For those familiar with Smith from other things (his movies, etc.), this fits right in with the Smith they know. If you don't know Smith, this is not the place to start (for example, if you don't know who Silent Bob is, you probably need to rent one of his DVDs first (but not the atypical (although good) Jersey Girl).

Much of the book deals with behind-the-scenes happenings for his movies Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back and Jersey Girl, with plenty of wonderful asides, such as why he doesn't like Reese Witherspoon but does like David Duchovny. For the most part, he is kind to the celebrities he discusses, and his interviews with Ben Affleck and Tom Cruise will give you some insights into those actors with very little negative material. And, most importantly, the book is really funny.

One reason Smith has his cult following is that he successfully seems like one of the guys. You might like Steven Spielberg, but it's hard to imagine that he'd just like to hang out with you. On the other hand, Smith seems a lot less aloof; his movies are filled with friends of his and his view of himself is nicely self-deprecating. This book is more of what makes a Smith fan a Smith fan.

I am a Kevin Smith fan. I love most of his work and by that I mean I wasn't big on the sequel to "An Evening With Kevin Smith" and I wasn't big on "Chasing Amy" or the animated series of Clerks. The rest of his movies I liked a lot or loved. Never read his comics though.

I was expecting a lot from this book. And I didn't get it. This book takes place basically telling the story kind of like production journals of him working on "Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back". But while he is doing that he goes off on stories about other topics. Don't get me wrong, I typically enjoy that stuff from him a lot. But this book hasn't made me laugh once and I am a tad over 100 pages into it.

I bought this book for my husband who is a huge Kevin Smith fan. If you are a fan, you won't be disappointed. If you are easily offended by language, the occasional potty humor and thinking out of the main stream its probably not the book for you. He is a brilliant writer who can write about everything from being obese to meeting Tom Cruise. It's a good (and quick) read.

Actually, I'm a little disappointed with this book. While it is big sized and full of fine pictures and good essays, I still miss something. I would have liked more pictures from the production of Tarkovsky's films, sketches and early concepts, and also more pictures from Stalker and Solaris. And also larger pictures. This may sound like complaining too much on a great book, but that's how I feel. 3.5 stars. My advise is: check it out inside before buying.

an interesting collection of essays on tarkovsky. there are better books on him, i think.

I own several books on this unique Russian filmmaker, but was not prepared for the sheer size and content of this one. The book arrived in a box so big that I assumed had several books in. Though I have only started to scan through it, the photographs are amazing and the text is the kind one who seriously enjoys films can read. Not over done with "social content" or metaphor interpretations, but rather focuses on the real skill of making each film. Choice of camera work, writing, etc.

I look forward to getting through this book. Though is going to take some time!