Average customer rating:
- Fine Biography
- "This was a man."
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Little Caesar: A Biography of Edward G. Robinson
Alan L. Gansberg
Manufacturer: The Scarecrow Press, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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The Lost One: A Life of Peter Lorre
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Ava Gardner: "Love Is Nothing"
ASIN: 081084950X |
Book Description
In this fascinating biography, Alan L. Gansberg reveals the man behind the public face, his many memorable roles among more than 100 films, and his struggle to find steady work in Hollywood again.
Customer Reviews:
Fine Biography.......2005-04-12
Edward G. Robinson seemed tough, but he had a sensitive side too that was most obviously expressed in his love of modern art; his collection of Renoirs alone was for many years the most impressive West of the Mississippi. He was said to have bought a masterpuece every time he made another film for Warner Brothers, to reward himself with some beauty for dipping himself in dreck. And yet Robinson's films still startle with their magnificent energy and passion. They too are works of art every bit as much as his Soutines and his Picassos.
He was not a ladies man in the traditional sense of the term, but as Gansberg's fine biography shows, he was interested in all forms of beauty. And part of the reason he could so well play obsessed characters (such as his films with Joan Bennett in the noir cycle) is that he too was prone to obsession.
The blacklist (or more strictly speaking, the graylist) affected his career badly. For some time offers of employment dried up, even though he was never a Communist or anywhere near it. The mere idea is laughable. Cecil B. De Mille of all people, the director and producer often thought of as a rightwing nut case, was the one who gave Robinson a solid job playing in his own remake of the TEN COMMANDMENTS. No other mogul in Hollywood would have had the balls to cast Robinson so promimently, not at that time when men walked scared of HUAC and its minions. It took a compassionate conservative to restore Robinson to the high echelon of film stardom to which he rightfully belonged.
Robinson's own book, ALL MY YESTERDAYS, was famous for revealing so little about its subject. Author Gansburg gets right down to ground zero with Robinson's psyche, exploring his ups as well as his well chronicled downs. I wish I had been a fly on the wall when Gansburg interviewed some of his many Among his many films, TWO WEEKS IN ANOTHER TOWN, THE VIOLENT MEN, SCARLET STREET, SOYLENT GREEN and NIGHTMARE have all undergone recent critical revision, while DOUBLE INDEMNITY
< KEY LARGO, and THE WOMAN IN THE WINDOW remain American masterpieces of the highest order.
"This was a man.".......2004-10-06
This book, except for the Epilogue, was written in 1983, ten years after Edward G. Robinson's death. The author, Alan Gansberg, therefore had the opportunity to interview a number of key friends and relatives to gain insight into the man, and we are richer for it. Emanuel Goldenberg, aka Edward G. Robinson, was defined by his strong Jewish upbringing and the words of his father, who taught his children to improve themselves and to "Always live beyond your means. It will make you work harder." Robinson took both pieces of advice to heart. He was a life-long learner, a tremendous workhorse, and made the best of every talent he had. In his early efforts to get into acting, he sold himself with the line that he was "not good on face value, but good on stage value." And he delivered, got noticed, and found himself, in 1915, in the play "Under Fire," a war melodrama where Robinson played three different parts. The play opened first in Boston, and Robinson received a glowing review in the "Boston Globe." Shortly thereafter, the play went to New York, and Robinson again got good notices in "Vanity Fair" and "The Theatre Magazine." This was the turning point for Robinson. At 22, he dropped out of CCNY, bought a new wardrobe, and turned his full attention to his new career. And this book takes you through every aspect of that brilliant career, including the awful times of the early 1950s, where Robinson was forced to appear (twice) before HUAC to clear his name against anonymous charges that he was a communist sympathizer and even a Russian spy. Heading up the right wing and enforcing graylisting and blacklisting was the head of the Screen Actors Guild at that time, none other than Ronald Reagan, who knew which way the wind was blowing and made certain his career was never in danger. This book puts Reagan in a bad light as a manipulative, self-serving, self-righteous fellow with little compassion. The consequences of Reagan's indifference to the suffering of his fellow actors are apparent in Robinson's and others' suffering, including that of John Garfield. Robinson, like millions of others, was nothing more than an FDR liberal all his life, and wasn't shy about it. For this he was punished, and, in the Epilogue, Gansberg draws parallels to today's repressive national climate.
I have always enjoyed Edward G. Robinson and am grateful to Turner Classic Movies for broadcasting Robinson movies from his Warner Brother years. Robert Osborne, the host of TCM, mentioned this book at the recent screening of "Larceny, Inc.," a 1942 "flop" that actually is pretty entertaining today, if a bit tiresome.
The book has an excellent Appendix listing all the stage, screen, television, and radio appearances of Robinson. I highly recommend this book to anyone wanting to read about the life and times of a great actor and a warm, engaged person. Robinson's biggest fault, which he himself admitted, was that he wasn't a great fathter to his troubled son, Manny. That comes across in the book too. "This was a man" is a line from the Antony soliloquy in "Julius Caesar," which Robinson used in his first audition, in 1912, for the Sargent School, later the Academy of Dramatic Arts. The soliloquy describes Robinson himself.
Average customer rating:
- Could have a laxative effect on some readers
- Starr biography fails to twinkle!
- IT DON'T COME EASY
- Not worth your time
- uninteresting
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Ringo Starr: Straight Man or Joker
Alan Clayson
Manufacturer: Sanctuary Publishing, Ltd.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 1860741894 |
Book Description
Following Starr through his life and careers as musician and actor, Clayson's impeccable researched and highly entertaining biography details the ex-Beatle's romantic liaisons, health problems, alcoholism, and return to prominence.
Customer Reviews:
Could have a laxative effect on some readers.......2003-03-29
Glad to see that other reviewers share my thoughts on this infuriating "Maze" of a book. By the end of the first page you realize that you've walked into something that's hopelessly tangled and confused. You keep stumbling on in the vain hope that the whole nasty mess will EVENTUALLY "Straighten itself Out" . No such luck. Your persistence DOESN'T pay off. The endless twists and turns only get worse. I bought my copy for [money amount]at a local market. Boy, what a waste of Money!I started to read it late one evening. After a couple of minutes I found myself mumbling such comments as "What the hell is this all About ?". It's like reading a foreign language .... I couldn't "Cotton On" to ANYTHING he was saying. By page 23 I'd had enough . Suitable only for use as a doorstop when those hot North winds start to blow. ...
Starr biography fails to twinkle!.......2002-08-04
There are many books about The Beatles but most of them focus on the accomplishments of the group as a whole or the exploits of Lennon and McCartney, and to a lesser extent, George Harrison. Ringo Starr is usually overshadowed, so a biography on his life should have been a worthy addition to any Beatle fan's bookshelf. Unfortunately, it's not the book it could have been and ultimately disappoints.
Beginning in his teddy boy days in Liverpool and ending with his first "All Starr Band" tour, this biography does have segments to recommend it. In particular, the chapters covering 1970-1990, as Ringo's post-Beatle life has been chronicled less than his days as a mop top. We get some insight into his successes and failures in this period including wayward record deals and a bout with alcoholism.
Sadly though, Clayson's book fails to get close to his subject in any meaningful way. Ringo wasn't interviewed for it and nor were any direct family or former lovers or any of the other Beatles or Beatle sidekicks or musicians who worked with his after the break up. Clayson relies almost solely on newspaper stories, articles in the music press and other author's books to piece together Ringo's story. Those interviewed for the book are a bunch of no-names who could probably call themselves acquaintances of the man but nothing more. It's obvious that Starr and everyone who is really close to him, decided not to cooperate with the author, so Clayson's book reads like a scrappy research project cluttered with endless footnotes. Because of this, the book lacks depth and we learn little of the man who was once Richard Starkey. Clayson's writing style is also quite awkward because he tries to string together forty to fifty referenced quotes into each chapter, making it read like a university thesis at times. The odd factual tidbits are the only thing that recommend it because other than that, it's a hollow book, lacking both insight or emotion.
IT DON'T COME EASY.......2001-07-08
When I was a little girl, Ringo was my all time favorite Beatle (and I was a major Beatles FAN)! For years I hoped a good, comprehensive biography of the world's most famous drummer would be published, so I naturally expected this book to fit the tab.
Wrong! It is written in a rather pedantic, condescending tone and offers very little in the way of new information. Instead of treating Ringo with respect, the author appears to trivialize the major obstacles Ringo had to overcome to attain the level of success that he did.
Although I was very disappointed by this book, I am glad to see that Ringo is getting more coverage. My suggestion? Skip this. Read the Beatles' "Anthology" instead. You'll be glad you did.
Not worth your time.......2001-07-05
This book is just hard to read -- period. One would think that a biography on Ringo would be like himself -- fun. Instead, Clayson wrote a book on an interesting subject and made it as much fun to read as the collected works of Milton. Maybe Clayson is embarrassed that a writer of his "caliber" is churning out books on Ringo, instead of writing the great British novel, and wants the reader to suffer along with him. God knows he seems more intent on showing the reader how smart he is, rather than informing and entertaining us.
Clayson also seems focused on Pete Best, who I guess gave him an interview (Ringo would not). Finally, there are many sloppy factual errors in the book. The one error I found most ridiculous was Clayson's saying that there was trumpet on Helter Skelter. A trumpet? Is he sure there wasn't a fiddle and banjo on that one too?
One of the few interesting things about the book is a picture of Ringo as Elton John tries to kiss him. His expression is priceless.
uninteresting.......2000-06-07
i bought this book on ringo starr---read only some of it.it was boring and uninteresting.i did not like the style of writing at all.i learnt little about ringo in this book....i returned the book for a refund!
Book Description
Entertaining collection of 56 visual puzzles asks players to find differences between 2 pictures, select identical drawings in a group of similar illustrations, match a silhouette to its corresponding figure, and much more. Instructive captions and solutions included.
Customer Reviews:
Better then I expected.......2007-05-07
I am very please with the quality and the price. Very entertaining. I purchased these books for my fiancee' who loves spot-the-difference picture puzzles. He has tried numerous ones in the past that only held his attention for a minute. I actually heard him laughing because he could not locate a soccer ball in one of the pictures. Needless to say, I was pleased because I had finally found a couple of spot-the-difference picture puzzles that held his attention for longer than a minute. I highly recommend these books.
great fun for many age groups -.......2007-01-09
great puzzles to work alone or with friends = very enjoyable
Customer Reviews:
Life: The Ultimate Picture Puzzle: Can You Spot the Differences? (Picture Puzzles).......2007-09-01
This is the 3rd book in the series and continues their tradition of mental exercise. The pictures are gorgeous and the details amazing. The format of gradually increasing difficulty adds to the pleasure of this puzzle book.
A wonderful way to while away a few minutes and increase your mind's ability to recognize details and differences.
Book Description
While using their smarts to find six differences between every pair of near-matching pictures, kids will simply enjoy examining the many marvelous vehicles each image displays. There's a copter with a sky-high view of the world below; a railway station with long, streamlined trains on the tracks; a bicyclist speeding along on his wheels; an elevated subway passing by big skyscrapers; and ships at sea. It’s a challenge and a visual delight.
Book Description
Look first at one photo, then at the other: they're almost the same, but not quite. Children may have to search carefully to find the subtle differences between each image, but they-and their parents-will instantly realize what sets this collection of 100 puzzles apart from others. Each puzzle is a beautifully composed color photograph, rich in detail, and they're all arranged in categories such as seasons, animals, travel, and holidays. The appealing pictures include flame colored trees in fall, a lioness and her cubs, and bridges, boats, and buses.
Kids will love exploring each image, hone their powers of observation, and enjoy the feeling of pride when they spy all the changes.
Book Description
Look first at one photo, then at the other: they’re almost the same, but not quite. And that’s the challenge and the fun of this game, which demands good concentration and a sharp eye. But one thing’s for sure: although you may have to search carefully to find the six subtle differences between the two nearly identical images, you’ll realize in a single glance what sets this collection apart. All the puzzles are carefully composed color photos, rich in detail, and wonderfully arranged in categories, such as seasons, animals, travel, holidays, and vehicles. Hone your powers of observation gazing at photos of flame-colored trees; a lioness and her cub; bridges, boats, and buses; and a sky-high view of the world below from a helicopter.
Customer Reviews:
Inferior to the Life books.......2007-08-06
After tearing through both Life Picture Puzzle books I was eager to do some more "find the difference" puzzles so I picked this one up. However, I was quite disappointed. I think you'd need a microscope to see some of the differences - there were several that I couldn't find even after looking at the answers and careful examination. I'm still convinced a few just weren't there. Many of the differences are just sloppy Photoshop blurs instead of the clever changes in the Life books. Overall the quality of the puzzles is below those in the other books. But for picture puzzle fans, it's still a fix until the next Life book comes out.
Pretty much fun.......2007-07-24
I enjoyed this book. I did not find it to be as much fun as the Life picture puzzle books that are available through Amazon, but it was pretty much fun. I liked the animal and travel pictures better than the transportation ones.
Beware - all photo puzzles were previously published.......2007-07-22
I liked all of Christine Reguigne's previously published photo puzzle hunt books. Although I originally purchased the books for my daughter, I loved trying to solve the puzzles (finding the differences) myself. I ordered this book, expecting all new challenges. I was very disappointed to find out that this book contains puzzles from her previous books - nothing new. There was nothing in the description denoting this. Since we had already completed all of the puzzles in this book, I returned it. If you have not tried any of Reguigne's previous puzzle books, you will probably enjoy this collection. If you have, don't waste your money, as these are "old" puzzles.
Book Description
The lovely creatures come, two by two, in vividly beautiful photos: zebras with their black-and-white stripes; a green frog on a leaf edged with pink flowers; brilliantly blue peacocks with their feathers spread; tigers, tigers orange-bright in the jungle; and a host of other wildlife in the trees, the water, the forest, and sometimes lolling on the ground. It's a must for both animal and puzzle lovers.
Customer Reviews:
Disappointing...........2007-01-13
There are 6 differences per set of photos. The photos are fun and nice choices. Half of these differences, 3, are fun to find....but the other half per set are very obscure visually and appear to be half-a**ed in their conception; some hardly appear as they are on the very edge of the photo; and some are so unbelieveably ridiculous as to be called a difference worth finding. It appears as if this was hastily put together by someone on their home computer with photo manipulation software and it was too hard to come up with 6 clever differences. They should've stuck with 3 or else had some additional help to come up with enough to make this book worthwhile.
Customer Reviews:
Beautiful and different.......1999-03-14
I took off one star because I would have liked to see the differences listed at the back of the book!!!!
Dazzling and intricately detailed artworks are a feast for t.......1998-06-05
Mike Wilks previous books include The Ultimate Alphabet, which I have not had the pleasure of viewing. He is a writer/artist, although a better artist. His new book that I discovered by chance, intrigued me right away. I am the type of person who enjoys children's puzzlebooks and mythology books, especially if they are illustrated by stylistic and talented artists. The dazzling and intricately detailed artworks are a feast for the eye. And comparing the alternating pictures to find a myriad of differences was actually quite stimulating, especially on my break at work. I can't read in the staff-room because there is too much noise. But I found this book to be a perfect coffee-break companion. His artwork is magical, mystical and thought provoking. The changes in the artwork are missing objects, subtle colour changes, moving objects, changing shapes, reflections, and many others.
I delighted in the chance to use my perception and reading in ways that I never had before. Mike Wilks is truly a genius, and I can't wait to go through the art stores looking for some of his work. I would love to acquire an original!
Average customer rating:
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Behold: Spot the Difference Bi
Wendy Madgwick
Manufacturer: Random House Books for Young Readers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 0679853332
Release Date: 1993-12-06 |
Book Description
According to bestselling marketing expert Sergio Zyman, many companies rely too heavily on innovation to solve their problems. Whenever a brand or business gets old and tired, the impulse is to scrap it and start over with something fresh. It sounds great, but more often than not, innovation simply doesn't work. Zyman knows this firsthand— he was the chief marketing officer at Coca-Cola during the disastrous launch of New Coke.
So what's the alternative? Zyman now preaches the power of renovation, not innovation. Recapture the essence of your existing brands, products, and core competencies, and do more of the things that made you great in the first place. For instance, Coca- Cola's essence was about authenticity, continuity, and stability, and New Coke undermined all three qualities. It seems obvious in retrospect, yet too many managers are so impressed by innovation that they approve ideas no one will buy, such as premoistened toilet paper or smokeless cigarettes.
With Renovate Before You Innovate, Zyman explains the tools managers need to revitalize their marketing strategies and improve their growth rates. This book will challenge the conventional business wisdom and help companies make smarter decisions.
Customer Reviews:
Growing a Business the Right Way.......2004-10-22
Fascinating approach that skewers the notion that innovation is the savior of business growth. Sergio Zyman provides examples galore showing how innovation has derailed many a company from its true course.
His notion of leveraging the essence of a business to do more of the things that made it great in the first place is very powerful, and it really leaves you scratching your head at how some companies can still focus on continually seeking out the new thing rather than the RIGHT thing for their business.
Excellent anecdotes and many solid approaches to relooking at a business in order to uncover growth opportunities that make sense.
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