Editorial Review

Douglas E. Winter, author of Read more

Reviews (4)

thorough insight
a powerful, enlightening and elegant look inside the life of an amazing talent. Another one of my favorite biographies (that I've read in the last year) is Aldous Huxley, An English Intellectual, by Nicholas Murray - but this one on Clive Barker is phenomenal! I'm stunned by the exhaustive research and careful analysis that these highly gifted biographers bring to the table.
Insert witty title here.
I took this book out from the library because I was in the mood to read non-fiction about fantastic fiction. I hadn't actually read any Barker, except for two false starts on Sacrament. I now intend to rectify that situation, as I've gone out and fetched myself a copy of Weaveworld and intend to get to it forthwith, followed by his other books. This is the best biography I've read (although that's a limited number) and certainly a fascinating look into an author I knew very little about beforehand. I wish Mr. Winter's look at King was as recent, because then it would be high on my list of priorities as well.

A fascinating read.
Reading about Clive Barker's polymathic inclinations, one recalls a scene from his book, The Great and Secret Show.In that tale, postal worker Randolph Jaffe, assigned to the dead letter room, unwittingly finds himself at a spiritual crossroads of America.Uncovering hidden truths by exploring the ramblings of the lost, the lonely, and the mad, Jaffe gets a glimpse of other worlds just under the surface of the "real" one.Read more

Subjects:  1. 1952-    2. 20th century    3. Authors, English    4. Authorship    5. Barker, Clive,    6. Biography    7. Biography & Autobiography    8. Biography / Autobiography    9. Biography/Autobiography    10. Fantasy fiction    11. Horror tales    12. Literary    13. Reference   

Reviews (1)

If You Love Baseball...
...I question that love if you do not have this book. This is the most concise collection of biographies, stats, and information about every human involved with the development, management, and participation in every Negro League that ever existed. Even players whose first name was not known is listed with at least a few words about when they played and for whom. And the players with extensive history is detailed along with stats and other great side stories about them. There is even information on the teams in the Negro Leagues, which I found most interesting. I don't know of any other book that has as much information on the lesser-known players and behind-the-scenes people in the Negro Leagues than this one. If you are a Negro League fan, you probably already have this book. But if you are a baseball fan in general, you MUST have this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. African American athletes    2. African American baseball players    3. Baseball    4. Baseball - History    5. Biography    6. Biography & Autobiography    7. Biography / Autobiography    8. Biography/Autobiography    9. Dictionaries    10. People of Color    11. Reference    12. Sports - Baseball    13. Sports - General    14. United States   

Reviews (1)

Well worth reading!
This is a very good book, not only informative, but it kept me interestedwhere so many other books on the subjects of math or women mathematicianscould be real yawners.It includes lots of information, the biographiesare short and don't drag on, and books like this could be veryinspirational to young women interested in pursuing careers in math.Thebook introduces all sorts of women in math, most of whom I was not familiarwith before reading it.I highly recommend this book to anyone who wantsto know more about math-related careers, the growing importance of women inthe field, or is just looking for some good non-fiction to read.It'sworth it! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Mathematicians And Their Works    4. Physics    5. Reference    6. Science    7. Science/Mathematics    8. Scientists - General    9. Women    10. Women In Science    11. Women mathematicians    12. Biography: general    13. Mathematics    14. Reference works    15. Science / Physics    16. Women's studies   

Reviews (2)

Great Book
Today I had the extrodinary pleasure to meet Mr. Rins. He told his stories much in the way the book is written. With true experience and wisdom but with some humor. This book is a wonderful read and I would strongly recommend it.

Flying High The Story of a Fighter Pilot
This is a wonderful,entertaining book that will keep the attention of anyone who is drawn to either autobiographies or "flight" books. The story is well told with humor,introspection and humility. The writing style is excellent. I found it hard to put this book down. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. General    5. Reference    6. Biography: general   

Subjects:  1. 1869-1948    2. Asia - India    3. Biography    4. Biography & Autobiography    5. Biography / Autobiography    6. Biography/Autobiography    7. Gandhi,    8. General    9. Historical - General    10. India    11. Mahatma,    12. Reference    13. Statesmen    14. Biography & Autobiography / General    15. Biography: general   

Subjects:  1. Chemical plants    2. General    3. Reference    4. Risk assessment    5. Industrial Chemistry & Manufacturing Technologies    6. Reference / General   

Reviews (1)

Walking on the Mountain of Fame
Professor Willis has, in this fine book, made a substantial contributionto the knowledge of Chinese history for those who read in English. Mountainof Fame is an exciting overview of famous persons from China's prehistoricheroes to today's names in the news. The book consists of twenty chapters,most of them dedicated to an individual who embodies some essential aspectof their milieu much in the same tradition as Plutarch's Lives describesthe historic noble Greeks and Romans. Read more

Subjects:  1. Asia - China    2. History    3. History - General History    4. History: World    5. Reference    6. Asian / Middle Eastern history    7. Asian and Asian American Studies    8. Biography: historical    9. China    10. History / China   

Reviews (1)

Intrioduction by the Author (posted by the publisher)
Explaining Explanation Graphics
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Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Design - General    4. Graphic Arts - General    5. Reference   

Reviews (7)

oregonmommy
If you like trivia, you'll enjoy this book.If you have only enough time to read short chapters or a few pages at a time, again, you'll like this book.Each chapter, which is about one first lady, is only a few pages in length -- perfect for bedtime reading for tired moms like me.There was enough information about each first lady to pique my interest, and make me want to find more in-depth biographies about many of the women.

Worth reading!
A very good read!Interesting facts about all the first ladies.It is sure to make you laugh.You will find out things you did not know.Entertaining.

interesting trivia - too bad the typeset is so tiny and feint
Warning: Do not buy this book for an elderly person, people with bifocals or people who wear glasses to read - unless you can get it in LARGE print.
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Subjects:  1. Anecdotes    2. Biography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. First Ladies    5. Historical - U.S.    6. History    7. History: American    8. Miscellanea    9. Presidents' spouses    10. Reference    11. United States    12. United States - General    13. Non-Classifiable   

Subjects:  1. 1922-    2. 1928-1967    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Diaries    7. Friends and associates    8. Granado, Alberto,    9. Guevara, Ernesto,    10. Historical - General    11. Reference    12. Revolutionary    13. Scientists    14. South America    15. Travelers   

Subjects:  1. Baseball players    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Greenberg, Hank    6. Jews    7. Judaism    8. Judaism - General    9. Juvenile Sports    10. Juvenile literature    11. Reference    12. Religion - Judaism    13. Sports - General    14. United States   

Reviews (2)

A Must For Your Reference Library
I have already reviewed this book but I can't find my review anywhere. Where, oh where, has it gone?

A Must for Your Reference Library
Who's Who of Pulitzer Prize Winners is a concise, well-researched and in-depth account of Pulitzer Prize winners from the inception of the awards to the present. The personal profiles are informative andentertaining--never dull.( It's interesting to see how the tastes of theawards committee have changed over the years). The authors have compiledand written a highly commendable book--one that will not lose its patinaover time. No more need be said. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Biography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. General    5. General Biographical Works    6. Literary    7. Pulitzer Prizes    8. Reference    9. Research    10. American English    11. Literary Criticism & Collections / General    12. Literary studies: general    13. Media studies    14. Press & journalism    15. Reference works   

Reviews (2)

Devil's Disciple
This book reads more like a novel than dry non-fiction. I was hooked at the opening paragraph and couldn't put it down. It's one thing to read about a person from an outsider's view, but this author uses Dr. Holmes's own words to allow the reader to delve into the mind of this serial killer and see him for the devil he is. The blood lust of this murderer, combined with his charm and intelligence, can only make a person feel fortunate they never met him. The story is enlightening, creepy, and an excellent read.

Devil's Disciple - Snavely
I don't normally read non-fiction books, but this book reads well and is very interesting. I love the drawings scattered through-out the book. I think it enhances the book. I love the timeline at the back. Helps me to relate to when this psycho was alive and what else was going on when he was doing his dirty deeds. I have recommeded this book to several friends and they have enjoyed it as well. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. General    5. Reference    6. Biography: general   

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. General    3. History    4. History: World    5. Literature - Classics / Criticism    6. National Biographies    7. Reference    8. Teaching Methods & Materials - Workbooks    9. United States    10. History / General    11. Reference works   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (3)

Weschler is a Superb Non-Fiction Writer
The one thing that strikes me most about Weschler's writing is that he allows his subjects to talk. His quotes are long. One good thing about this is that the reader really gets to know the subjects well. It's almost like a Q&A format. Thus, there is very little room for subjective opinions in Weschler's writing; he tells it like it is.
Classic -- at least for me
I bought this collection from Amazon without any knowledge whatsoever of its contents or scope: I had read some Weschler pieces years and years ago with great profit, and after having randomly encountered his "Mr Wilson's Cabinet Of Wonder" recently, wanted to re-acquaint myself with his work.Imagine then my shock and delighted astonishment to find "Wanderer In The Perfect City" to be an almost complete re-issue of his "Shapinsky's Karma, Boggs' Bills," a beautifully made volume (printed by the North Point Press, seemingly defunct now, alas) of beautifully written "passion pieces," so-called in that they're focussed on artists singularly focussed (alternates: obsessed; crazed) upon a visionary (alt. quirky; really quirky) purpose that consumes and sustains their lives, their artistic being.A better review than this one would now list some examples of what I've just written, but unfortunately for you I'm only writing this review; and to be honest, a list of "those kooky artists and their kooky dreams!" would be a disservice to the sympathetic care Weschler employs in these portraits. curious look into eccentric lives
In this book the author writes nonfiction articles about various interesting characters. He talks to an art promoter, a cartoonist and all sortsof others. The art promoter was an Indian who discover an unknownabstract expressionist inNew York, and gets him know in the art world.It'sa strange thing how it works out. There is something funky, andoffbeat about all these characters, but what is really cool about the authors writing, is that it is very easy too imagine what these people arelike. Very cool book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. Literary Criticism    3. Literature - Classics / Criticism    4. Reference    5. Short Stories (single author)   

Reviews (2)

Immensely entertaining as well as informative
This is another in a series of "Profiles of...." volumes in each of which Landrum focuses on exceptional men and women who have achieved great success after having overcome all manner of barriers, obstacles, and adversities. I was especially interested in this book because of the diversity of the 14 subjects examined: Napoleon Bonaparte, Walt Disney, Isadora Duncan, Amelia Earhart, Adolph Hitler, Howard Hughes, Maria Montessori, Rupert Murdoch, Edith Piaf, Pablo Picasso, Helena Rubenstein, Marquis de Sade, Nikola Tesla (more about him in a moment), and Frank Lloyd Wright. Let's pretend. What if you were asked to compile a list of those to be invited to a private dinner and you came up with these 14. Let's assume that there would be no language barriers and each was in her or his prime. What a lively evening that would be! Hopefully all of the guests would survive it.
Good read but...
Good read but not necessarily accurate.Nikola Tesla was ripped off by Edison after Tesla created the AC system of power distribution.This contradicts the title and purpose of the book.Better titled"Profiles of Brilliance".Overall though a facinating book withinsight into some very smart people. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Achievement motivation    2. Applied Psychology    3. Biography    4. Biography & Autobiography    5. Biography / Autobiography    6. Biography/Autobiography    7. Business    8. Case studies    9. General    10. Gifted persons    11. Reference    12. Success    13. Business & Management    14. Popular psychology   

Reviews (6)

Don't waste your money
This is the worst book I have ever read. There is no detailed accounts of any of the situations this man has encountered, only very very brief stories of what happened. I'm still trying to figure out where the funny parts are in this book, there are definately no "laughlines". Don't waste you time or money.

Quick How Do You Dial 9-1-1?:
It was a fun read a little goofy at times but altogether a fun read I would recomend this to anyone who wants to read the lighter side of EMS.

True to life
Randy is as fantastic a writer I have ever had the privilige to meet. Being in the volunteer EMS field I can laugh with him as he meets all the different characters he helps. His sense of humor is a survivor skill in his profession. I hope to see more of his work, is it needed in our work as much as good equipment. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Personal Memoirs    5. Reference    6. Specific Groups - General   

Reviews (6)

Definitive history of the Cartoon voice
This is the encyclopedia of cartoon voice.Details beyond details.Not only does this tell the story of the voices behind the cartoons, but also the obsession of the author (from Central Illinois of all places) to track all of this information down over a number of years and put together a one book history of some of the best loved character voices from our cartoon memories.

Voice-Actor Guide Book
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book from cover to cover!!! I give the book 5 stars BUT they did leave out MANY voice-actors who i felt held higher precedence over others. There is the inclusion of several one show or one character voice actors in here, like Chris Sarandon and Wally Cox in favor of several legends that aren't discussed. Some of the legends missing are Stan Freberg; Hal Smith;John Stephenson; Howard Morris; and Henry Corden. However, the book is still 5 star material because the subject matter is rarely spoken about in many publications and since this book is a 2004 copyright, it's fairly recent. I was earlier complaining about some of the legends being left out which is a shame...BUT there ARE many other legends included in this book, too. There are also write-up's on current voice actors who have tons of credits under their belt already. The voice actors of whom i enjoyed reading about the MOST were my favorites to begin with: Mel Blanc; Daws Butler; Don Messick; Paul Frees; Paul Winchell; and June Foray. Bill Scott is spoken about in here...which is a rare treat. He is typically thought of as a cartoon writer and director instead of a voice actor BUT he gave voice to many characters on the Jay Ward cartoons with "Bullwinkle" and "Dudley Dorite" being his Top-2 popular roles. I learned a lot about Jackson Beck and Nancy Cartwright and i learned some things about Jack Mercer, Charles Adler, Dayton Allen, and several others. The bottom line is, the voice actor rarely gets time in the spotlight and THIS book and others like this go a long way in spotlighting cartoon voice actors. The book gets 5 stars on subject matter and 4 stars on it's not including several key voice actors who made the field into an art form.

The faces behind the voices!
My 13-year-old son loves this book.He had a blast thumbing through the pages and seeing the faces behind the voices of some of his favorite cartoons, both old and new.We were all blown away by a few of these incredibly talented people when we saw the vast array characters in their resumes!Really amazing talent ... would be fun to see a color version of this with more photos of the recording sessions. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Acting & Auditioning    2. Animated films    3. Animated television programs    4. Animation    5. Biography    6. Biography & Autobiography    7. Biography / Autobiography    8. Biography/Autobiography    9. Dictionaries    10. Entertainment & Performing Arts - Actors & Actresses    11. Entertainment & Performing Arts - General    12. Popular Culture - General    13. Reference    14. United States    15. Voice actors and actresses    16. Biography: film, television & music    17. Films, cinema    18. Individual actors & performers    19. Reference works   

Reviews (4)

the grandmother speaks, herself a photographer
I think that for every moment that people love one another, we are ahead. I find this book beautiful, for it captures couples who were in that moment, deeply attached to each other. The book is called Lovers, not Marriage. And the moments caught in this book are priceless. There are a thousand ways to photograph a single individual, and these photos are in rich black and white with dark darks and light lights and strong midtones.
Great coffee table book
This is the type of book that people will actually pick up and delve into. Photo books don't have the same punch, and longer articles aretoo much to invite the casual brouser to read. Each profiled couple is one page worth of commentary and the facing page a black and white photo, so that your guests can read one or two entries easily.Yeah, the Anne Heche/Ellen Degeneras entry is a bust, but most of the rest are classic couples.As a coffee table book it is 5 stars -- among the best -- but I'll take a star off since as a regular book you would probably want more photos and details.

Great Romances? More like, Great Disappointments
For me, I was disappointed in my copy of "Lovers." Mostly, because I consider 'true lovers' to actually stay together. Many of the couples featured in this book became separated or divorced. Sorry, not my idea of true love, or romance either. Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Couples    3. General Biographical Works    4. Love    5. Photo Essays    6. Photoessays & Documentaries    7. Photography    8. Pictorial works    9. Portraits    10. Reference    11. Family & relationships    12. Photographs: portraits   

Features

• Abridged
• Audiobook

Reviews (19)

More bleakness than blarney
I never heard Liam Clancy sing until a couple of months ago, when I found a copy of an album called "The Lark in the Morning" that looked interesting, given its cover and its date of the mid-50s. Growing up, The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem were heard of but not heard by me--I associated them with Aran knit sweaters, hearty shour-an'-begorra singalongs,novelty tunes, and the kind of kitsch that the previous generation had listened to complacently before the revival in the 70s of a tougher trad scene out of Ireland shook it all up again.
"God is good and the devil is not that bad."

Insightful Biography
The Clancy Brothers albums opened by ears to traditional celtic music in the 60s, so it was a treat for me to read Liam Clancy's account of how the group evolved.The family background and his personal development as an student, actor and musician were very enjoyable reading.Read more

Subjects:  1. Abridged Audio - Autobiography/Biography    2. Audio - Autobiography / Biography    3. Audio Adult: Books On Tape    4. Audiobooks    5. Biography    6. Biography & Autobiography    7. Composers & Musicians - Country & Folk    8. Folk singers    9. Genres & Styles - Folk & Traditional    10. Historical - U.S.    11. Reference    12. Biography & Autobiography / General