Entertainment Books

This is a great read for people interested in Bollywood. It not only tells the tale of one of the most popular actors in the film industry, ShahRukh Khan, but it also puts his history in the context of Bollywood's history. It is a great combination of in-depth information and socio-cultural analysis of Bollywood and ShahRukh Khan's life. It is extremely well written-interesting, poignant, and funny. For those who already know a lot about Bollywood or for those who are completely new to it, this is a great book for both kinds of people. I loved it and I highly recommend it. :)

If you are starting to get interested in Bollywood cinema and/or Shah Rukh Khan then this book will not dissapoint you.

I fell in love with the Bollywood cinema in August 2005. After watching hundreds of movies I felt a hunger to know more, to understand what makes it tick, what lies behind the colour, drama, music and obsession with Indian movie stars. I was looking forward to "King of Bollywood: Shah Rukh Khan and the seductive world of Indian cinema"-it sounded most promising. When I got hold of the book (thanks to Amazon)I couldn't put it down. I devoured every page, every bit of information-loved everything about it. I recommend the book to anyone who is interested in Indian Cinema, you will find it to be a fascinating insight into what makes the industry so alluring and powerful.

Title: King of Bollywood
Author: Anupama Chopra
ISBN: 978-0-446-57858-5
Publisher: Warner Books
Review By: Diana Rohini LaVigne, Indian Life & Style Magazine

Packed with scrumptious lesser known facts of one of, if not the top Bollywood actor of modern day, Shah Rukh Khan, King of Bollywood is a fun book to read and fun book to share. Being one of the most talked about personalities in the world today, SRK is a legend already but King of Bollywood feeds the hunger of his fans globally on what is the man like behind the mask of superstar.

Although it shies away from some of the less flattering aspects of the actor's life and lifestyle, it does deliver some notions of challenges faced, failures along the way and allows readers to travel from his days as a penniless boy traveling to Bombay on a whim to the grand master of marketing and box office smashes. His story is so extraordinary and almost bigger than life, but Anupama Chopra tells the story in a way that allows fans to follow along and relate their own personal struggles to those of the actor's. Expertly written, King of Bollywood puts SRK's life into chronological order while recalling old memories into current day stories for insight into his physiological make up. Chopra really works on getting the actor's words into the book and calls on friends and family to help build the story from outside his prospective.

There is no doubt that Shah Rukh Khan is a master at the game of Bollywood and the art of persistence. King of Bollywood tells the tale of a boy, turned into a husband, who becomes the actor he always dreamed of being and then remaining the man he always was at heart. This wonderfully written book will provide entertainment to Bollywood lovers around the world and for ages to come.

Bollywoodmania is an addiction. For Westners that will discover and appreciate it in the next years (and be sure they will!) it is the disclosure of a fairytale world of moviemaking that was there all the time but that we simply didn't know. Well, when this will happen the first and probably most important gateway will be the actor and the movies interpreted by Shahrukh Khan. And after having seen some of these, no one will be able to resist curiosity on this great actor.

Anuparma Chopra is a member of the Chopra family that makes up the establisment of Bollywood and is also an estimated journalist. From her priviledged point of view she has written this biography of the still young King Khan integrating his personality with the history of Bollywood cinema in the last 20-30 years. Naturally, the biography is authorized and as such may not contain episodes that are not consistent with the image modern Bollywood and Shahrukh Khan want to convey. All the less, there is a sincerity that transpires throughout the book and allows the reader to connect with the actor and his environment.

The first part on the youth of the actor is full of episodes and sometimes takes on a mythical aspect, but that is a common feature of all biographies. The chapters on the later years are a little sketchy and skip many well known facts. But we must not forget that this book has and will have a different impact on Indians or the Indian-culture public and "Westner's". The Author wanted to write about something new or at least not well known to her main public, that practically reads at least two or three articles a day on Shahrukh Khan. Reading the Indian reviews of the book that criticize the small amount of new information this aspect is very evident.

The book's point of force is the analysis of the reasons for Shahrukh Khan's success, that trascend the actor's talent and are deeply rooted in the transformation of Indian society and how modern Indians envision themselves in these years. An important weight is correctly given to the directors (Chopra and Johar) that have created Shahrukh's winning image and cinema personality, while some movies and directors he also worked with are only mentioned.

The bibliography is quite extensive for a short biography such as this and cites many interesting books on Bollywood cinema. A filmography of the actor is missing and I would have appreciated a brief comment on his less well known movies.

I suggest to read this book even if you are not a Shahrukh fan just to be updated on modern entertainment and on the reasons and pulsions that contribute to create our "collective imagination".

I bought this book to send to my son in Iraq. He loves to watch their program on TV. My son really likes the book.

Great book read it cover to cover in one weekend. It was great to read that in the early years they choose morale views on how they wanted there company to be seen in public.

Hubby LOVED this book. We don't really watch the show - but for some reason, he wanted this book. He read it in about three days and then went back to re-read specific parts.

I found this book to be an enjoyable read, it just could have been so much better with a little effort put in by the publisher or who ever made the decisions on the content of the book.
I kept wondering why they didn't seem to bother with proofreaders, fact checkers and editors. I understand it was written by bike builders not professional writers but they could have at least asked a professional to help organize their thoughts.

Orange County Choppers - Tale of the Teutals
I purchased this book for my 13 year old nephew. He is an Orange County Chopper fan, he loves the Discovery series and has all the DVD'S.This book has been great in respect to encouraging him to read, as it has enough information on each character and pictures to keep him interested.
If you want the book for technical information and bike building detail, then it's not for you. This is a good light read for the person who enjoys the Teutal tantrums !!! If a book like this can get boys reading, then I'm all for it.This is also good for big boys who love the show, as my husband thought it was not bad !

If you are a SF fan, you will enjoy the artwork and stories in this third volume. This continues the battles and adventures of all the characters from the SF II and SF Alpha era and merges them. SF Alpha is a precursor to the SF II. It is a quick read with excellent artwork and an interesting story, and although there are some small parts of the story that are boring for a few characters, most of the story and battles are worthwhile. Do a search to find sample pages of what the artwork looks like. The book is in digest size, which is smaller than the comic book sizes. There is also an Ultimate SF book available which collects the entire four volumes and shows them in larger-than-comic-book-size pages if you can find that version. I recommend this book to all fans of SF, and to any non-fans who know of SF but have never tried to learn the backstories.

The art is as always not only perfect but also suits the characters well. the story this time around takes center around CAmmy and T.hook not my fave characters thats probably why I didnt enjoy it that much, that and I dont consider Dalsem to be a Master.

Anyhow for any of those character fans this for you.

this books and the others are really good, I ordered this book with 4 more and all were delivered in less than a week!!

excelent work, excelent art, WOW

I LOVE STREET FIGHTER

this book is so cool the art is nice and its street Fighter at its best. I ordered this and it took months to come but its well worth the wait. There is even cussing in here its really good and I think anyone will like it if they are a true Street FIghter Fan.

Just like the first 2 of the series, more detailed background stories to your favorite Street Fighter characters. A really well thought out storyline that has mysteries and draws interest. Even has quotes from Bruce Lee, "Be water, my friend!" I recommend this book and the whole series as it is one of the best looking graphic novels with a great storyline that puts all the true Street Fighter game stories intertwined into one main storyline, "Whos the greatest Street Fighter of them all?!"

Feig has done what is seemingly impossible: He has topped his first book.

The relatability of Feig's experiences is again the main attraction. This book is about the "Kick Me" growing up and dealing with the problems of libido and the need for sexual satisfaction. These stories rang true, because Feig's experiences are shared ones that a lot of young adult males have. This book is about him having sex, but like most guys, he wants it to be right when it happens. For example, we have the story of his first overeager girlfriend, who he escapes only by moving to California for the summer. Feig's description of the circumstances and the actual experience of his first time is one of the most authentic accounts I have ever found in print.

As in "Kick Me", Feig's way with words makes the essays in this book snappy and humorous. The turns of phrase are what can make an ordinary sentence laugh out lound funny. It is no wonder that he is a part of the team that created 'Freaks and Geeks'.

I recommend this book to anyone who wants to know what adolescent and young adult males' lives are really like. The book will make the reader laugh, but also cringe with recognition of things that he himself or a fellow man has done.

Do you laugh at awkward situations? Cringe in empathy towards another's embarrassment while enjoying it in some strange way?

Feig is a great story teller.

This book, as well as his first book (Kick Me), was very funny. I enjoyed it and so did everyone I have lent it to.

This story sounds so much like my own adolescence that I was truly amazed. I couldn't recommend this more highly.

I just finished reading the book and I truly loved it.

The author has chosen to share some of his most embarassing adolescent moments in the book and for this I am grateful. I don't think that I have laughed so much in such a long time.

I am very much looking forward to reading the author's other book "Kick Me", I am hopeful that it will be just as enjoyable.

This book is just as relevant now as it was in the age it was written. If you don't "get it" then it wasn't meant for you.

I found this book to be thoroughly enjoyable. Lenny Bruce is an interesting guy and I think it's very insightful just of life and society in general and of all their inconsistencies. Though today, I'm sure, is much different than Lenny's era, most of what he has to say still applies. He can be really funny at times, but I'd say its a darker humor. I remember thinking it dragged just a bit when he gets deep into his legal battle near the end of the book but overall it kept me entertained.

I first read this book at the tender age of fourteen, and even then it had an impact on my perceptions. Now, over thirty years later, it has remained one of the strongest influences of my life! I would not be the wise and compassionate Spiritual teacher that I am without having read about Lenny's life of pushing the boundaries and comedic concepts far ahead of his time. He was and still is the most profound comic Spiritual visionary America has ever seen...and most likely will ever see. Long live Saint Lenny!

You could be forgiven for thinking that this book is by Eric Bogosian. Although generally okay, the Fireside edition spends more time talking about Bogosian on the front cover than it does talking about Bruce himself.

Too bad. But luckily for the reader, this book is pure Lenny.

More readable than the transcripts of his performance (since he intended this to be read)-- How To Talk Dirty and Influence People is part autiobiography and part diatribe. Bruce explains, jokes, cajoles and convinces as he writes. This is the story of his life from his birth until 1963 when it was written.

Lenny Bruce is a very important figure in the histories of performance and free expression. This book is a little bit sketchy to be a final remembrance, but is still worth the time and effort that it takes to read. In particular, the beginning sections of the book are magical-- funny, wry and moral. It loses the thread a little bit towards the end, as Bruce is more and more obsessed with the legal wars that he was then fighting on every front. Certainly understandable, but the latter chapters are much less open for the reader and seem to have been written in a much bigger hurry than the rest of the book.

If you are interested in Bruce, this book is a must-read. The Fireside edition is bound with an introduction by the aforementioned Bogosian and with a preface by Kenneth Tynan.

You don't have to be a fan of Lenny Bruce to love this book, you don't have to really know who he is (I really only know him from a few recordings and by reputation). This book is funny. This book is still a valuable piece of social satire and criticism. This book is an interesting story. This book is a piece of history. This book is great. This book should be read.

Judi Dench is a favorite actress and I wanted to know more about her life. Too many photos and not enough about the person.

If your are as big a Dame Judi fan as I am this book is a must read or maybe, more accurately, a must see. It's sprinkled with family photos of Judi Dench, her late husband, Michael Williams and her daughter. Best of all it covers virtually all of her career from her early Royal Shakespearean Company days through all of her stage, movie and TV performances (up to but not including her latest film, "Notes on a Scandal.)
This book is literally presented as "scenes" with great photos and anecdotes about her many talented costars starting with her RSC performances - a virtual who's who of great British actors.

If you are an American like me and were originally introduced to Judi Dench through the limited offerings of her BBC TV show "As Time Goes By," this book gives you loads of insights into the breadth of her career. It has dozens of black and white photos and just as many brilliant color photos.

There are brief comments by Dame Judi about family photos and other personal moments that give one a bit of insight into her real life. She comes across as being very down to earth and her legendary sense of humor shines through. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because this isn't an actual autobiography by Dame Judi. It would have been nice to have had more material written by her.

All in all this is a great coffee table book for fans of one of the great actors of our times.

Judi Dench continually amazes, and her wonderfully open, honest, and often touching personal photo album style of bio leaves one with an even greater sense of her lovliness as a human being. The book is truly a delightful journey.

Quite enjoyable. Nice to get a take on the richness of her remarkable career. The insight she brings to her acting tell volumes between the lines. Certainly one of the greatest artists of our time yet modest and endearing.

I have always been a fan of Judi Dench; her acting has inspired me. I enjoyed the book very much. I have never bought a book about an actress in my lifetime but I couldn't resist this one. It's on my table in the living room and everyone scans it and tells me they are going to buy it too.

I have just learned to play guitar and I find this book the perfect place to start. If you desire to learn to solo, this is the book for you. It also has plenty of scales that even some of my pro friends don't know!

This is a wonderful book if you are serious about playing guitar. It's way better if you have at least some previous knowledge about music theory. If not, you'll gain knowledge anyway. However, if you're too anxious to go ahead and start skipping sections -specially those fundamentals at the beginnig (which may be a little tedious for the guitar rookie) it might become a bit senseless. Over all, this is a very good study on scales and, combined with discipline, it shall take you further on your desire to become a good musician. If you get the Book/CD + DVD deal you will save money and enjoy the experience even more.

I love this book. Everyone likes to look into the lives of others. This is the perfect chance. I love all Found magazines.