Entertainment Books

Speaking as another graduate of the Neighborhood Playhouse who actually studied with Sandy (as well as continuing to study with him in his private class after graduation), I had some reservations about Larry Silverberg's book. Acting is experiential, not intellectual. Larry Silverberg implies that Sandy's technique can be learned from a book and practiced by amateurs. That was never Sandy's intention. Learning the Meisner Technique is an organic process that requires the guidance of a trained teacher. Preferably, this should be someone whom Sandy actually trained as an actor and as a teacher.

The problem with expressing "the reality of the doing" in writing seems almost self defeating. To put it bluntly, you've got to do the work. Sandy once said, "You know those books, AN ACTOR PREPARES and ACTING: THE FIRST SIX LESSONS? Tell you what, you learn to act and then read those books to see if they knew how to act." Read Larry Silverberg's book and SANFORD MEISNER ON ACTING to see if this is the Meisner Technique seems to suit you. Then you will need to make the commitment to study and learn first hand. Be warned, it requires talent and hard work.

The vital issue is to acquire a viable technique to be able to work on a professional level. Sandy's technique is time proven, providing you learn from the right teacher. Above all, Sandy knew that acting can be painful at times and the actor's life is a hard one. However, he wanted acting to be a healthy process. "Acting is fun," he used to say, "don't let that get around." It becomes fun when you begin to know what you're doing.

Just remember, that reading about the process is not the same thing as doing the work itself.

For the record, Sandy Meisner was the greatest teacher of any subject that I ever encountered in my life. He was truly one of a kind.

Biographical reviews tend to have a standardized format: several chapters on the linage of the subject, tales of early childhood, struggle and (usually)success.

Haberstadt's biography is much the same, except the author does a nice job of leading the reader thru the parts we have to endure by building a strong sense of the frustration and difficulties Doc Pomus faced throughout his life. The book isn't overbearing, and he paints an interesting enough picture of the determination this polio-stricken hall of famer had.

If there is a weakness, it's that you never get a real strong sense of what exactly it was that Doc did. I mean, I still haven't figured out if his contributions to some of the greatest songs were his lyrics, his sense of rhythm, his music, or a combination of all three. Certainly it is poignant to think that "Save the last dance for me" was written as he watched his new wife dance at her wedding, but there was too little addressing the mechanics of Doc's writing for my taste.

I thought it was a most interesting and useful book to have on one of the great contributors to rock and roll.... and long overdue.

Great book. I got choked up reading about Doc writing Save the Last Dance for Me.

What a great book. You never think about songwriters when you listen to a song but after reading this book you will. It's the story about the man behind some of the biggest hits of the 50' and 60's but it's so much more. Doc's story is more then his music, it's the life that he led and the trials he overcame to get there. If you're into music or not this is one book that will make you laugh, cry and just revel in one man's life and times.

The writer did his homework, and I'd recomend this book to anyone, also visit the Brill Building, There's Always Magic In The Air.

Great reading!

"Lonely Avenue" is one of the most moving books I've read in a long, long time. It's so good, I read it in one sitting. I couldn't put it down. This book will make you laugh, it will make you cry, and parts of it will make you want to jump out of your chair and cheer for its hero (and a new hero of mine), Doc Pomus, a true American orginal if there ever was one. Even if you don't know anything about him or his music, do yourself a favor and buy this book.

Annoyingly inaccurate for most of the side missions. Completely missing some information. It was however helpful for some of the story missions.

As always Brady Games introduce a fansy guide for Grand Theft series. It shows all missions,weapons,items,..... ALL WHAT YOU NEED TO GET 100%

This is a review of this product: Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories Official Strategy Guide for PlayStation 2 (ISBN-10 #0744009162 - First Printing). Amazon may display this review on the page of another version of this product, for which this review may not apply. After reading this review, please click on the link so that you can be assured that the product this review applies to is the same one you thought it was for.
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** UPDATE **
BradyGames posted an update to their site with the missing information and error corrections (though it's not a complete list). See the end of this review for that updated information. You should still feel free to use the "Comments" feature to make this the official list of errors, as there are probably errors that BradyGames and myself may have missed.
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The BradyGames Grand Theft Auto PlayStation 2 guides have had errors in the past. For example, the Grand Theft Auto 3 guide is missing information on some of the side jobs and non-mission tasks; the Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas guide has incorrect screen shots and information on the Photo Ops. However, this guide is the absolute worst I have ever seen. It seems that the only difference between the PlayStation Portable (PSP) and PlayStation 2 (PS2) versions of the guide is the text at the bottom of the front cover and the controls listed on pages 3 and 4.

The BIGGEST ERROR is that the PS2 exclusive content is not in the guide at all. These include 6 extra Unique Stunt Jumps, 5 extra Rampages (and 1 moved), and 6 extra Side Missions. The list is below, but for details see the PS2 Exclusive Content Guide (gamefaqs-DOT-com/console/ps2/file/938211/47835).

* Unique Stunt Jump 1 - Little Havana
* Unique Stunt Jump 2 - Starfish Island
* Unique Stunt Jump 3 - Vice Point
* Unique Stunt Jump 4 - Vice Point
* Unique Stunt Jump 5 - Vice Port
* Unique Stunt Jump 6 - Vice Port
* Rampage 1 - Little Havana
* Rampage 2 - Starfish Island
* Rampage 3 - Downtown
* Rampage 4 - Prawn Island
* Rampage 5 - Vice Point
* Rampage 6 - Ocean Beach
* Side Mission - Playground On The Dock
* Side Mission - Rush!
* Side Mission - Hyman Memorial O.D.T.
* Side Mission - Caddy Daddy
* Side Mission - Playground At The Park
* Side Mission - Crims On Water Wings

The SECOND BIGGEST ERROR is that the guide lists tons of Multiplayer content that doesn't exist in the PS2 version. Details about this are included in the list of errors I found below.

The THIRD BIGGEST ERROR would relate to incorrect mission-related information. I have not found much of it because I have just started playing the game, but I know that there are a lot of errors in there (all of which were undoubtedly in the PSP guide too). Some of the reviewers over here at Amazon have made mention of a few things (though I'm sure that there are many more errors).

Here's the list of errors I've personally found, though again, this should not be seen as a complete list of errors:

PAGE 1 - Table of Contents - The listing of "Multiplayer Scenarios" on page 30 (feature non-existent in PS2 version).

PAGE 5 - The "Custom Tracks" section (feature non-existent in PS2 version).

PAGE 5 - The "Saving Progress" section mentions saving to a Memory Stick and the Custom Tracks feature, both of which only apply to the PSP version.

PAGE 25 - The VCPD Wintergreen name is on two lines instead of one. (This is just a cosmetic error and not a PSP/PS2 difference, but I thought I'd note it anyway.)

PAGES 30-33 - All of these Multiplayer Missions are NOT in the PS2 version. Heck, the first paragraph even mentions PSP and UMD.

PAGE 37 - The "Story Mode Missions" section mentions Multiplayer content (feature non-existent in PS2 version).

PAGE 37 - Mentions 30 Unique Stunt Jumps and 30 Rampages - there are 36 Jumps and 35 Rampages in the PS2 version.

PAGE 37 - The Multiplayer Unlockables: Vehicles section (feature non-existent in PS2 version).

PAGES 38-40 - All of the information on these pages is for Multiplayer Missions which is NOT in the PS2 version.

PAGE 41 - The Multiplayer "100% Game Completion Characters" column/section.

PAGE 44 - The barber shop Red Balloon doesn't seem to be on the map. It should be a bit north of #20 listed on the map.

PAGES 48-51, 157-158 - Only lists 30 Unique Stunt Jumps, while the PS2 version has 36.

PAGES 52-56, 159-162 - Only lists 30 Rampages, while the PS2 version has 35 (and one was moved).

PAGE 62 - The Hovercraft side mission says that it is available at the beginning of the game. This is false. The craft isn't there at the beginning of the game and probably doesn't appear until after the bridges open up (otherwise you could just use it to get to the second island early).

PAGE 240 (LAST PAGE) - The "Printing Code" section says "For example, 06-1 shows that the first printing of the book occurred in 2007." It should say "07-1".

BACK COVER - An interesting cosmetic error is that the sample pages shown as 14 and 15 are really 84 and 85 with some slight design changes.

On several pages throughout the guide it says to press UP when in the PS2 version
it would be R3:
* PAGE 15 - The Ambulance description.
* PAGE 16 - The Cabbie description.
* PAGE 18 - The FBI Rancher, FBI Washington, and Fire Truck descriptions.
* PAGE 19 - The Hunter description.
* PAGE 21 - The Rhino description.
* PAGE 24 - The Taxi, VCPD Cheetah, VCPD Cruiser, and VCPD Enforcer descriptions.
* PAGE 25 - The VCPD Wintergreen description.
* PAGE 57 - The Taxi Driver "Details" section.
* PAGE 58 - The Paramedic "Details" section.
* PAGE 59 - The Vigilante "Details" section.
* PAGE 60 - The Fire Fighter "Details" section.
* PAGE 110 - The "Cancelling Empire Missions" section.
* PAGE 127 - The "Air Speed" section.
* PAGE 163 - The Air Rescue "Details" section.

Before I wrote this review, I wanted to give BradyGames the chance to do the right thing: recall the first printing, release a new correctly-written version, and offer replacements for all those folks who bought the vastly-erroneous first printing. In other words, wanted them to make a *REAL* PS2 version of the guide and give me a copy in exchange for the absolutely almost-useless "PlayStation 2" guide I bought that they currently have on the market (which they should recall and destroy - or rebrand as "for PlayStation Portable").

Sadly, BradyGames not only chose NOT to do the right thing, they chose to simply ignore my e-mails altogether. Instead of boring you with the details, I tried for a month to get a hold of someone on the BradyGames staff via e-mail and phone. I found many of the personal staff addresses, but received no replies from any one of 21 staff members. Going the phone route was useless as I could not find their direct line - just customer service call centers for other departments of their parent company Penguin Putnam.

Based upon the lack of response from BradyGames, it is obvious that they don't care about the products they release or their customers. Since the faulty product in question bears the Rockstar Games name, and is about one of their games, I thought that maybe they could help. After all, I certainly hoped that Rockstar would care more about their related products and have more respect for their customers than BradyGames does.

So on May 18, 2007 I sent a message to Rockstar Games (usa-AT-rockstarsupport-DOT-com) telling them of the situation. The next day I received a reply from James Brett which said, "Thank you the e-mail to ourselves here at rockstar support but we are only a technical support team and will not be able to help you on this matter unfortunately." Okay, that's understandable. I sent a reply asking who I can contact at Rockstar that *would* be able to help me. Obviously that would be someone in the main or corporate offices, and surely they have e-mail addresses. If the support department can't help me, then I'd like for them to point me in the right direction. I have yet to receive another reply, and I doubt that I will.

At this point, there's really nothing else I could do except to warn people of the massive and major flaws found in the PlayStation 2 version of the Vice City Stories guide and advise them not to buy it. If BradyGames doesn't want to listen to me, maybe they'll listen to the poor sales.
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** UPDATE FROM BRADYGAMES**

Over two months after the book has been released, BradyGames finally posted some updates on their site with the missing information and error corrections. Of course, this is only a "patch" for the problem, and not a solution. They should recall all copies of the First Printing, add this new information and corrections, and offer revised copies (Second Printing?) free-of-charge to all of the people who bought the error-ridden First Printing. It isn't nice to make the customers download and print out several pages of new information and make hand-written corrections.

Here is the information from the BradyGames site:

[in the addresses below remove the spaces, replace DOT with . and remove the dashes inbetween p-d-f]

PS2 Updates

* Rampages (7.6 MB)
bradygames DOT com / content / images / 9780744009163 / errata / rampages DOT p-d-f

* Six New Stunt Jumps (4.8 MB)
bradygames DOT com / content / images / 9780744009163 / errata / uniquestuntjumps DOT p-d-f

* Five New Pastimes (3.2 MB)
bradygames DOT com / content / images / 9780744009163 / errata / pastimes DOT p-d-f

* Yellow Markers are now Pink Markers.

* References to Up should be R3.

* Page 5: No Custom Tracks in PS2 version.

* Page 14: 37 Sniper Rifle and 38 Rocket Launcher are not available until eastern island is opened.

* Page 25: The Violator boat is not included in Vehicle Showroom.

* Pages 30-33: No Multiplayer in PS2 version.

* Page 35: Bulletproof Sanchez ($4000) is unlocked at your first safe house for completing Conduct Unbecoming.

* Page 35: Bulletproof Ventoso ($2500) is unlocked at the Downtown King Knuts for completing From Zero to Hero.

* Page 35: Marquis ($4500) is unlocked across from your first safe house in the water for completing From Zero to Hero.

* Page 35: Skimmer ($4500) is unlocked at the dock behind the Clymenus Suite safe house for completing From Zero to Hero.

* Page 35: Squallo ($4500) is unlocked in the water behind the Compound safe house for completing From Zero to Hero.

* Page 62: Hover Craft Race 1 (Pastime) Availability should be after completing From Zero to Hero.

* Pages 37-41: No Multiplayer Unlockables.

* Page 73: You get the Pistol inside the barracks instead of the M16.

* Page 77: Round 4: Assault Rifle. You need to score 2000, not 2500. Round 5: Sniper Rifle. You need to score 2500, not 3000.

* Page 77: "See #17 and #18" should be "See #7 and #15."

* Page 95: There is always a Regina parked on the sidewalk outside Louise's sister's place.

* Page 99: You do not get New Multiplayer Mode Content for completing To Victor, the Spoils.

* Page 122: Reward: None for Jive Drive.

* Page 135: There is no Multiplayer in the PS2 version.

* Pages 154-155: The screenshots for Red Balloon 73 and 81 have been swapped.

* Page 190: The Bovver '64 is unlocked for purchase at your safe house for completing White Lies.

Info from: bradygames DOT com / bookstore / product DOT asp?isbn=0744009162
(click on "Errata" in the grey "More Information" box)
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I bought this book two days ago and I think that they did'nt even change the guide from the PSP. All the screenshots are on the PSP. Many of the Jumps, Pampages, and missions are wrong. DON'T BUY.

As usual having any decent guide for a Grand Theft Auto title is more than useful and this guide still has some very helpful maps and guides to the various items and activities found in Vice City Stories. The most glaring issue is that this is a copy of the PSP version guide - it even has the multiplayer elements left in it and doesn't cover the PS2 specific elements in any detail (or at all). Helpful, but a lazy effort from Brady unfortunately.

I really enjoyed this in depth look into the life of my favourite bass player.

I've learned so much more about a guy I thought I had a pretty decent knowledge of anyway! The author, Bill Milkowski, really knows his stuff. He had a personal relationship with Jaco and writes in a way I found intriguing, I really could not put this book down.

To any musician - not just bass players - this book is a must. giving a detailed account of Jaco's genius in writing, composition, arrangement and whole approach to music which at the time really made the man stand out from the crowd.

Filled with interviews taken at the time and more up to date accounts of Jaco's antics the book makes you laugh out loud and at times shed a tear at what this remarkable man could have achieved had his life not been so tragically cut short.

The chronological approach of the author made it very easy to follow Jaco's life from his birth, through childhood, his rights of passage on the music scene to the point where he truly sat on top as the world's greatest bass player, all the way to his sad demise, fall from grace and that fateful night and what truly happened.

First off, the title is great. There is no doubt that Jaco is one of the most (if not the most) gifted bass players of all time. The book documents his life as a young boy who picked up the bass (after he could not play drums any longer because he broke his arm), his career and his later years when he suffered from mental illness and died at 33. I bring up the question of accuracy as it has been raised by others as well.

One criticism about the book has been that it sensationalizes Jaco's destructive behaviour and takes away from his legacy. This is a point made by Metheny (who was a friend and a fellow musician) in the liner notes of Jaco's debut album. Also I have asked the opinion of (via a short e-mail) Jaco's second wife. Her website that details some minor inaccuracies that exist in the first edition.

That being said the book is well written and gives insight into Jaco's life. Milkowski (who is a music journalist) portrays Jaco as an extremely gifted, hard working and narcisisstic man who self destructs at the end due to bipolar disease. The clues to Jaco's illness are evident from his early years. He plays tirelessly and at times seldom sleeps. At the end of his life he self destructs due to a number of reasons including refusal comply with treatment for his illness,drugs and drinking.
One has to wonder what it says about our society that no one helped Jaco when he was clearly suffering towards the end. I posted the same question to Jaco's wife and her answer was that one has to be willing to accept help.

Mental illness is still misunderstood my most of the world. People who suffer from it can be hard to deal with and be around. I hope that if the same scenario plays out today, with better understanding of mental illness, the outcome would be different. But I am not an optimist.

I remember Jaco Pastorius through several great concerts with Weather Report and a sizzling show with Word of Mouth at the Cleveland Agora.

For those who had the chance to appreciate his music live or for so many that are grooving to Jaco many years after his death, the updated biography - with a CD that includes additional material - by Bill Milkowski is the best way to piece together the complicated rise and fall of the brilliant musician.

Milkowski has exhaustive interviews with musicians, family members, media, friends and lovers that are split in chapters to coincide with his years as a musician with a dream, the height of musical achievement and then leaving Weather Report, and the controversial years after leaving the group that found Jaco spiralling out of control personally and musically.

That Jaco was a musical genius cannot be denied. The book will leave you wondering why Jaco - as with too many artists - took his gift and tossed it into the abyss of "what could have been."

This book is a well done biography worth reading. Unfortunately it focuses mostly on the sensationalism of Jaco's life. Looking back what you remember is story after story of his out of control behavior, and attempts to explain it by blaming the negative people in his life. I would have liked to have heard more of his successes. It is an excellent book for musicians, but even better for anyone in the field of mental health.

This extrodinary man had serious mental health problems. It seems the only time he had a chance was when he was arrested and put in Bellevue psychiatric hospital. Unfortunately he always convinced friends to get him out. Even the author admits to this mistake.

This without a doubt one of the saddest books I have ever read especially since I know and love his music and talent. But also because had he lasted another 10 years, new drugs may have helped.

However there were too many hangers on and bad influences. It reminds me of the old Rodney Dangerfield joke in which he states,"I appeal to people who can do me absolutely no good."

In this book there is plenty of blame to go around.

This book reads at times like a hagiography of Jaco. Yeah, Jaco's flaws are enumerated, but there is an obvious worship of Jaco by the author. Having said that, it is still a good book. It is a very thorough biography. It is a little different, in that it helps to have a knowledge of the intricacies of music, e.g., specific chord changes are mentioned. Yo, I took piano, so I don't know a D chord from a G chord on a guitar. Still, I enjoyed the book and learned a lot.

The 40 minute CD that comes with the book, is a real nice bonus by the author. Thanks.

My daughter's piano teacher recommended this book. I ordered it from Amazon , which took much shorter time to receive than the other online music store. Overall, a very good beginner's book for 4-year-old.

In "My life so far" Jane Fonda opens her heart and her life to all of us and while doing so teaches us how to live and survive in these difficult times.

My Life So Far by Jane Fonda is a fascinating look into her family life and journey into womanhood. Very revealing look into her life as the child of Henry Fonda to "Hanoi Jane" and the criminal investigation waged against her by the government, to Jane the mother/wife, to the insightful woman she is today. She is her own woman. Never knowing much about her, I found this book intriguing, candid and educational.

Very Honest and inspiring. Just when she gets whiney she deflects you. A great read overall.

First of all, I would like to thank Jane Fonda for sharing so much of her spirit, self and life. Reading her book made me feel like I was a time traveler as she took me back in time to when she was a liitle girl and traversed along side her throughout her life and into her third act.

I most definitely could relate to some of the same issues Jane Fonda dealt with in her life. For instance the lack of love, compassion and acceptance in the home while growing up.
The uncertainty about her sexuality.
Questions concerning the Vietnam War.
Jane Fonda's relationship with her father or lack thereof. Unable to connect with her father on any level (no fault of her own). All these issues I to combatted in my life and just like Jane I am a fighter and a survivor.

On another note, I have a favorite actress for each decade going back to the 30's. For instance Merle Oberon is my favorite actress of the 30's, Ginger Rogers the 40's, Kim Novak the 50's, and Jane Fonda of the 60's and 70's. I have not been able to choose one since Jane Fonda retired, but I am so happy to see that she is making a come back in movies. I so missed her presence on the big screen.

In closing, I believe this book has something for everybody. I highly recommend "My Life So Far" to everyone.
Thank you Jane Fonda for sharing so much of yourself with family, friends and fans.

For a love story that is unlike anything you've ever read check out D. W. Gutridge's Captured by a Smile.Captured by a Smile "Imprisoned by Love": A Memoir of Young Love that Refused to Die.

Jane is a pretty misunderstood woman. People make judgements about her based on stories they see in the media, and based on the rhetoric of those who oppose her. I learned a lot about the real Jane Fonda in this book. Her childhood was not that pretty. Her relationship with her father was strained at best, and this book delves into that with the insight and sensitivity of a person who has learned to accept parents who are not perfect, and who has come to understand how those early years shaped her life and the decisions she made throughout.

- C.A.Wulff, author of Born Without a Tail

be so lucky. I have not read Shirley's other books and I am not sure exactly why I purchased this one other than I suppose I was feeling especially nosey and liked the gossipy aspect of the book. Shirley tells a lot of her business but I suppose at this point and time in her life she could really care less how people judge her.

I always knew she had an unconventional marriage but just how unconventional was made very clear as she sustained long term affairs with Robert Mitchum, Danny Kaye and little escapades with some of her leading men like Yves Montand. What is very noticeable is that Shirley doesn't go into any of the issues associated with having such an open marriage at the time she did it. Her escapades are told with dry humor and a sort of emotional detachment. I do, however, believe that Robert Mitchum could have been one of her great loves instead of a long term affair.

I did appreciate her attempts to provide insight as to how affairs can happen so readily when making a picture. How they are in fact aided and abetted sometimes by directors and other crew members. Some directors won't let spouses on the set, some do questionable things to provoke reactions to get you to do the movie their way.... It's all very enlightening in that you do see how insecure people such as a Marilyn Monroe type would get eaten alive by these sort of games.

I suppose Frank Sinatra was really p_ _ _ _d off when this book came out because for all her flattery of him she paints such a sad picture of him. It almost.... I said almost, makes you want to overlook his ego maniac, self centered, I am God attitude towards the rest of the people on the planet. I also found her description of Debra Winger's antics on Terms of Endearment to be totally revolting. I have to think that if behavior like this is found acceptable in order to get the best from an actor then the behavior we read about shouldn't be a surprise. The anything goes behavior that is tolerated while making the movie could in fact and does create serious behavioral problems in some stars. In other words they expect real life to be like on the movie set and it doesn't work that way.

All in all I enjoyed the book, it's very juicy gossipy bits and her insights into old Hollywood.

The reply he gave when told of the book,whose reply?, who do you think,all in hearsay of course, but i believe it.Maclaines current outing is quite enjoyable really, apart from when she takes of into phycobabble,boring,in other tomes,too serious to be a good storyteller,suprisingly in this she is different,couldve dropped a few more juicy titbits,she has probably seen it all,her tales of the mafia are fasinating,that dry detached realism of hers,really suits such a subject maybe she should write a book about them sometime,but her insights into sinatra are truly fasinating,actually they are confusing,was she cutting his throat,or what,this is what baffles me,on one page calling him god,on another icily tearing him asunder,for to sinatra disloyalty,was the greatest sin of all,what i would not have given to be a fly on the wall of a reasturent, when mclaine walked in and met him after this.

What is MacLaine's book like? Like being at a party where someone corners you, and talks to you the whole night, all about herself and her psycho-analysis of everyone else, never knowing when to shut up. Sure, I knew it was a book all about her - I was actually looking forward to reading it. Still, endless drivel and psycho-analysis on the many famous people MacLaine has met does not make for an interesting memoir. Half way through the book I gave up! I got the picture in the chapter about Lewis and Martin: the world is filled with unhappy, complex people - even Hollyworld. Next time, Shirley, remember: Less is indeed More.

This is a "Hollywood" memoir, not a "Shirley MacLaine" memoir, so be advised. Yeah, she's in there all right, but you get more, so much more. It's one of the most intelligent of all the star bios. If you are looking for a lot of mindless tibits and giggly gossip, you won't find much of that here. But if you are looking for real insight into some of our star icons, like Sinatra, Dean, Mitchum, this is the place to find it. Further, if you have any interest in what making movies is like, if you want to be an actor, director, cameraman or marry one, this is the book for you. If you are a creative person who puts yourself out there for the public, you will love this book. No one else has nailed this experience like MacLaine has. I will never see the Oscars or star interviews the same way again. In fact, the writing is so exceptional and insights so wide-ranging that this book should be required reading in any film class.

Is anyone's favorite star Shirley MacLaine? I doubt it. But she's spent a lot of time thinking about stardom and Hollywood and audience and appeal, and in MY LUCKY STARS she gives it to us without holding much back. Her love affair with Robert Mitchum is presented as a Romeo and Juliet folie a deux in which the two of them entered a private world out of which they never really found their way back out. When she became intimate with Yves Montand, even after knowing what he had done to Marilyn Monroe, his co-star on an earlier picture, you really have to wonder if Shirley has a masochistic streak. (I suppose co-starring with Jerry Lewis, you'd need one.) And frankly, her description of a sizzling sex affair with Danny Kaye didn't ring true.

Far more solid is her recounting of Debra Winger's acting out on the set of TERMS OF ENDEARMENT, and in one of the very last chapters, "SAY ANYTHING," Shirley really lets her hair down with a series of anecdotes about her fellow stars that are too hot to repeat; she protects their anonymity by not revealing their names, but their identities will be obvious to anyone who knows anything about Hollywood. The story about John and Bo Derek is far more graphic and gruesome than anything you could have imagined. Well, maybe it's not the Dereks, since Shirley doesn't name them, but hey, she does everything but draw their faces on the margins of the chapter. Read it if you're in the mood for a good shock.

By her own accounting, Mac Laine has now made three comebacks in the movies (with THE TURNING POINT, with TERMS OF ENDEARMENT, and with GUARDING TESS). She might go on to do more, who knows? You may not like her any more than you did before you started reading this book, but you'll have gotten a grainier look at Hollywood life than anything since the last Bruce Wagner novel. Well done, Shirley MacLaine!

This book is so good I read it in two days. I could not put it down. I can't help but think about the Bible verse, Romans 8:28, after finishing this book. Truly, God has worked out all the things that happened to Michael in his life for his good, and now Michael is allowing God to use his experiences for the good of others. What a testimony!!! I was touched by the transparency of Michael --- he made me laugh (the story about the nun throwing erasers) and he brought me to tears (almost forgetting to hug his Dad during a visit to see him). One of the things that spoke to me the most is the perspective he gives on healing. I think that many times we think that healing means we will not experience pain, but Michael describes quite the opposite in his book. It is clear that God has healed him from the harmful effects of his past experiences, but also clear that he still feels pain from them. Michael demonstrates that one of the reasons God allows us to still feel the pain and still be healed is so that we can share in the sufferings of others who are going through similar experiences. I encourage anyone who wants to read a story of how Jesus Christ truly redeemed a man and how we can "redeem" others to read this one.

One of the most important publications in recent years. It not only helps with the survival aspects of molestation and abuse but also alerts adults how to recognize preditory behavior in caregivers, teachers, etc.

Michael has exposed a raw edge of hurt in himself and also shared healing. Bless him for his courage!

Michael Reagan writes from a child's perspective here. He details traumas that he suffered as a child including adoption, molestation, the divorce of his parents, and boarding school.

Although he is in his 50s now, he is still affected by childhood events, particularly the molestation. During the course of his life he has engaged in high risk behaviors and had suicidal thoughts stemming from his experiences.

It took decades, but he finally found redemption through his relationship with Christ. His wife was a major player in helping him overcome this as well.

This book would be good to read for those who have experienced some of the issues mentioned above. Additionally, I think it would help to provide great insights for adoptive parents, all parents, and those who work with children. I also recommend it for anyone who likes to read an inspirational story of the redemptive power of Jesus in one's life.

Well I hope Christ is nicer to Michael than Ronnie was. Ronnie once famously asked which one is mine when visiting Michael at camp, not knowing which of the boys was his adopted son. Presumably on the day of judgement Christ won't ask Michael "Which one are you?"... I've always cut Michael some slack despite his pandering conservative views and his seemingly insatiable thrist to milk his connection to his father for every last dime he can hustle. And in a way it is refreshing to see Michael still throwing himself at Ronnie's cowboy boots even after his passing. Then again there are still dollars to be made which brings us back to this book. The sob story presented here is not without genuine sobs, but I found it all a tad tragic that here is this abandonded boy still trying to win some acceptance from Dad - be it his earthly one or God - and that his method of winning that acceptance is to live on his knees instead of his own two feet. Hopefully Michael's next volume will be when he finds his own voice and his own manhood.

Michael Reagan writes the kind of autobiography one would expect from a radio talk show host -- part soul-bearing, part diatribe. This is not a particularly well written book, so don't wait around for the Pulitzer, but it's a quick read so you won't hate yourself for having spent the time reading it. It it is a heartfelt account of a man who has finally battled his demons and come to peace with his place in life. Along the way, Reagan uses his story as a jumping off point to talk about social issues (divorce, pornography, etc.). His story is interesting for fans of his father, a little insight into the family history and a sympathetic portrayal of two parents (Ron & Jane) who did their best to raise a troubled kid. Mike also shares a clear story of his commitment to Jesus Christ and the huge difference that has made in his life story.