Why can't anybody write a straightforward biography of a famous writer? I put Sylvia Plath on the same planet as Emily Dickinson...writers who attractWhy can't anybody write a straightforward biography of a famous writer? I put Sylvia Plath on the same planet as Emily Dickinson...writers who attract pedantic culture vulture wannabe's. The writing is dull, it skips around in time, and it goes on and on about her writing rather than her life and marriage to Ted Hughes. Bleah....more
An autobiography of a NY Times critic, this book explores her family history via photographs. She was descended from Czech Jews who fled Nazi Germany An autobiography of a NY Times critic, this book explores her family history via photographs. She was descended from Czech Jews who fled Nazi Germany and built a new life in America. It was moderately interesting but I dunno...didn't really pull me in like a good autobiography will....more
You can learn something about the mindset of the entertainment business by reading this book. I have no doubts that her claims of misogyny and selfishYou can learn something about the mindset of the entertainment business by reading this book. I have no doubts that her claims of misogyny and selfish egos are correct. However, in this book, she slams her co-workers, and only she knows how to get something done. Some of her claims are awful and probably humiliating for the subjects to read, e.g. she claims that Mandy Patinkin from her movie Yentl wanted to have an affair with her and was mean to her when she rebuffed him. There are ad nauseam references to powerful politicians she's known and plenty of examples of how she knows better than others how a script should be written, how the set should be lit or...whatever. At the bottom of page 623, there's a story of how she, and only she, detected a false note in a 72-piece orchestra. Everyone applauded her for catching it when nobody else did, and somebody said, "Never underestimate this woman's ears." Gag.
Streisand is widely disliked in Hollywood (Yentle was referred to as "Tootsie on the Roof"), and I suspect her behavior has much to do with it. She's talented as all get out, and when she's right, she's right, but the book gives you a peek into her bullheaded personality and colossal ego, and you might not like what you see. If you are a fan, get the book. Get the book if you want to learn something about movie-making in Hollywood. But if you dislike people who slam others and praise themselves, skip this one....more
The story of the shuttle Columbia is heartbreaking. She broke up while returning to earth and left a vast swath of debris and the bodies of her crew wThe story of the shuttle Columbia is heartbreaking. She broke up while returning to earth and left a vast swath of debris and the bodies of her crew while engineers and scientists grieved and struggled to figure out what happened and why. Thousands of volunteers in East Texas searched through freezing rain to find parts of the shuttle and return them to NASA. Some pieces were the size of a nickel, others far larger. All had to be returned and studied. The families needed closure, and NASA needed answers. It is impossible to read this book without feeling the grief, frustration, and exhaustion of those who fought to make sense of a horrible tragedy and prevent another one. The book is accessible, avoiding technical jargon while making the reader understand what a nightmare the loss of the Columbia was to the space program. You come away from this book with a new respect for NASA and the incredible people who continue to explore space, despite the hardships and very real risks. One of the best books I've read in years....more
An interesting look at the frustrations and challenges faced by NASA's first six astronauts. How they were selected, what they did, how they trained, An interesting look at the frustrations and challenges faced by NASA's first six astronauts. How they were selected, what they did, how they trained, and how they handled sexism and hostility from both within NASA and from the press and the public....more
From the earliest days of photography up to about the late '80's, this is the story of women photographers. Most came from an art background and were From the earliest days of photography up to about the late '80's, this is the story of women photographers. Most came from an art background and were forced to fight sexism and discrimination in pursuing their passion for photography. Most of the photographers are relatively obscure. Notably, famous modern photographers such as Annie Leibovitz, Lynn Goldsmith, and Patti Smith (yes, she is a photographer and a musician) are omitted. Women reportage photographers are also excluded, with the sole exception of Dorothea Lange. All the photographers use film; very little mention of the digital arts. The photographers are from all over the world. Oddly enough, none of the photographs are especially well known, although "Migrant Mother" is included. So, this isn't a book about famous photographs that happen to be taken by women, so much as a book about the women themselves and how they practice and feel about their art.
The book was okay, moderately interesting. ...more
Wow, I loved this book so freaking much!!!! It strips away all the silly mythology about one of America's most brilliant writers, leaving a fascinatinWow, I loved this book so freaking much!!!! It strips away all the silly mythology about one of America's most brilliant writers, leaving a fascinating and historically accurate biography. In some incidents facts are scarce, so the author offers various theories and the strengths and weaknesses of each theory. The reader is free to decide what to believe. There are also some photographs of Poe and his family, his final resting place, various cities he lived in, and some artistic interpretations of his works. The book is only 266 pages, so it's a quick read. Go grab it, it's that good!!...more
I'd never heard of this photographer. I found his history and accomplishments fascinating. He was one of the very first Hollywood glamour photographerI'd never heard of this photographer. I found his history and accomplishments fascinating. He was one of the very first Hollywood glamour photographers....more
At first, the book was fascinating. It studies the conflict between art and commerce in the punk music world of the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s. But as At first, the book was fascinating. It studies the conflict between art and commerce in the punk music world of the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s. But as the author profiles band after band after band, it got monotonous. Rebellious teenagers struggle for artistic recognition, attract a following, succumb to the lure of a major label, discover drugs and alcohol, and finally crash and burn. And each profile ends with, "well, yeah, I wish we had done it differently, but I got no regrets..." Huh?
So, it got boring after a while. I did force myself to finish it. I thought the description of the complete change of the music industry from vinyl records and big labels to the internet and digital fame was really interesting and totally on point....more
Patti Smith is a writer, musician, hodophile, and photographer obsessed with poetry. The book is a photobiography of poets, writers, musicians, scientPatti Smith is a writer, musician, hodophile, and photographer obsessed with poetry. The book is a photobiography of poets, writers, musicians, scientists, and activists, many of whom are now deceased. There are also family photographs and some interesting still lifes. Patti did not take all the photos but wrote the captions. And frankly, some of them are difficult for me to understand. "Cowboys and gardenias, the power of the dog." Or "strange though breathtaking, one can trace the curves of each word, miraculous and embittered." Huh? Some captions are clear and easy to understand, while others sound almost culture-vulture.
Despite my puzzlement, I liked the book. The photography was interesting, and I thought the selection of subjects was intriguing. How does she choose which creatives to honor in her book? She no longer takes Polaroid pictures, because Polaroid film for her camera is no longer made. But I'd like to see her produce another book featuring photos and captions, even if it made me scratch my head and go "huh?". ...more
You'll love this book if you like name-dropping and endless references to musicians' cocaine habits. You'll hate this book if you think drug abuse is You'll love this book if you like name-dropping and endless references to musicians' cocaine habits. You'll hate this book if you think drug abuse is NOT funny, draft dodging is not funny and prurient gossip is annoying. I hated it. (the book, that is)...more
This book is excerpted from Tina Brown's diary when she was editor of the fashion and news monthly magazine Vanity Fair. Tina is a brilliant writer (TThis book is excerpted from Tina Brown's diary when she was editor of the fashion and news monthly magazine Vanity Fair. Tina is a brilliant writer (The Diana Chronicles is fantastic) but this book was painful to read. The name dropping alone is nauseating: Henry Kissinger! President Reagan! Prince Charles! Donald Trump! Mick Jagger! Endless references to social events at extremely expensive hotels and restaurants, private planes, and limos up and down 5th Avenue. Expensive homes in Manhattan, Long Island, London. Firing the nanny and the struggles to find another one...bleah.
If you like Tina Brown's other books, then yeah, read this one too. But be prepared to choke down a distasteful portion of glitterati nonsense while you read it....more
Extremely interesting to read, but there are some errors. She treats Prince Harry gently and leaves out several facts: he was a horrible pilot and couExtremely interesting to read, but there are some errors. She treats Prince Harry gently and leaves out several facts: he was a horrible pilot and could NOT learn to fly an Apache. He was pushed out of the Army, the upper echelons were tired of his demands to be given jobs beyond his abilities (the Apache being the most obvious example)...more
An excellent guide to the politics of Henry VIII's court, with Thomas Cromwell at the center. Interesting and without the dry background so many histoAn excellent guide to the politics of Henry VIII's court, with Thomas Cromwell at the center. Interesting and without the dry background so many history books drag into the story. Highly recommended....more
Patti Smith is a rock musician, writer, photographer, and creative iconoclast. The book is mostly ramblings about her experiences as a traveler, she lPatti Smith is a rock musician, writer, photographer, and creative iconoclast. The book is mostly ramblings about her experiences as a traveler, she likes to go to out-of-the-way places such as small cafes in Berlin, obscure cities in South America, that kind of thing. Some folks love this style of writing...ramblings about not much of anything that explores different ideas or experiences. Personally, I don't care for it. I prefer a more logical, linear narrative. I can see the appeal, folks who like Emily Dickinson would love this book. ...more
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