A better, more thorough bio than the Isaacson one (which was also fantastic), but it didn't really change my opinion that Jobs was a genius douchebag.A better, more thorough bio than the Isaacson one (which was also fantastic), but it didn't really change my opinion that Jobs was a genius douchebag....more
I discovered SNL around 1990 or so, when I was 11 years old. I was too young to stay up that late, so I would set my alarm for 11:25 and sneak back doI discovered SNL around 1990 or so, when I was 11 years old. I was too young to stay up that late, so I would set my alarm for 11:25 and sneak back downstairs to watch Carvey, Myers, Farley, Sandler, Rock, and Hartman. Best cast ever.
Hartman, the grossly underrated character actor, was always a favorite. I remember being devastated when he died. The details around that night were really fascinating and terrifying. The build-up was also really good, detailing Hartman's early life and career. The part about the funeral and post-funeral was a waste of time and space.
Good book, but it wasn't on par with The Chris Farley Show....more
Ugh. 20% into this and I just couldn't continue. Poor story-telling and nothing had happened. Ugh. 20% into this and I just couldn't continue. Poor story-telling and nothing had happened. ...more
Since I am: a) an Amazon fanboy, b) a customer experience professional who worship's Amazon's amazing customer experience, and c) someone who hopes to beSince I am: a) an Amazon fanboy, b) a customer experience professional who worship's Amazon's amazing customer experience, and c) someone who hopes to be making some supplemental income through Amazon in the near future, I really enjoyed this thorough look into the behind-the-scenes stuff from Amazon's entire history. ...more
I have always found cults to be extremely interesting. Scientology is a huge, wealthy cult that has drawn in some major celebrities, which is where thI have always found cults to be extremely interesting. Scientology is a huge, wealthy cult that has drawn in some major celebrities, which is where they get the majority of their money. I already knew a lot of the stuff from this book, but it was still a fascinating account of the history of the cult and the inner workings.
The only thing keeping it from 5 stars was there was too much about Hubbard's life....more
After reading Krakauer's Into Thin Air several years ago, I thought nothing would rival it for best non-fiction book. I was wrong.After reading Krakauer's Into Thin Air several years ago, I thought nothing would rival it for best non-fiction book. I was wrong....more
I always knew that Jobs was a brilliant douchebag, but I didn't know to what extent. This book deeply explores both sides of himAbsolutely phenomenal.
I always knew that Jobs was a brilliant douchebag, but I didn't know to what extent. This book deeply explores both sides of him, and I believe those are the two key sides to Jobs.
Isaacson pulls no punches here (at least he doesn't seem to). Some brutal interviews with friends, enemies, colleagues, employees, and employers, all of the current or former variety. And it's best when he quotes Jobs and then follows it up with something like, "Of course, that's not true. Here's why..."
An amazing read. I highly recommend it. I learned a TON. I zipped through it very quickly once I got going....more
Ben Mezrich is kind of hit-or-miss, but he hit on this one. Not on the level of "Bringing Down the House," but still very good.
I am fascinated by littBen Mezrich is kind of hit-or-miss, but he hit on this one. Not on the level of "Bringing Down the House," but still very good.
I am fascinated by little-guy-turned-big-guy stories, and this is the king of them. The story behind it is very interesting, and Mezrich builds it up very well....more
I'm not typically into biographies or memoirs much, but this one intrigued me, particularly after EW and People magazines gave it extremely good revieI'm not typically into biographies or memoirs much, but this one intrigued me, particularly after EW and People magazines gave it extremely good reviews.
Turns out they were right.
It's like Titanic, in that you know what happens in the end. But the build-up is absolutely fascinating, tragic, and devastating.
The Chris Farley Show is presented in three acts of Farley's life. Farley's brother interviewed what must have been nearly 100 people who were close to Chris during his life and put those interviews in the book, uncensored. So you get stories about heavy drug use, alcoholism, overeating, and prostitutes, to name a few.
Reading about the things that Farley went through, and how no one was able to stop him or help him, was haunting. I didn't know - and it seems like no fan did - what he and his family and friends went through in his last few years. It was as unputdownable as a book can be; I read it in about 4 or 5 days....more
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