Customer Reviews:
Persecuted by Fate.......2006-09-03
This is probably the definitive look at the strange horrors of Communist-era Romania, culminating in the 1989 overthrow and execution of Nicolae and Elena Ceausescu. Edward Behr's treatment is both an investigative report into key events, and a historical analysis into the long-term social forces that culminated in Romania's terrible hardships. A history of imperial subjugation and frustrated ambitions steered Romania down the road to dictatorship, in the form of the dim-witted and histrionic Nicolae, and his manipulative and vindictive wife Elena. Behr usefully analyzes the state terror and recrimination fomented by the Ceausescus, to perpetuate their incompetent cult of personality and thoughtless oppression of the people. Also, the Romanian communists were as prone to bitter factionalism and denunciations as their Soviet overlords, while Behr finds that yet another party conspiracy manipulated the popular unrest of late 1989, to force a tragic continuation of the people's suffering under a new regime. This book is a generally excellent political and historical analysis, though there are some problems with Behr's narrative that keep it from being a consistent winner. The travails of the common people are merely alluded to in passing, with almost no examination of the horrifying disease, starvation, and child abandonment that were all over the world news at the time. And more fundamentally, this book was written almost immediately after the 1989 revolution, probably to cash in before public interest in the subject waned. This is a problem because Behr frequently vows to analyze how the Ceausescu dictatorship would leave a sorry legacy in Romania for decades to come, but not enough time had passed for him to make more than thin speculations on those everlasting horrors. [~doomsdayer520~]
Fine history of a dismal 20th Century Romania.......2006-04-28
The 20th Century will forever be remembered as one of supreme cruelty, and few nations can speak to this better than those who fell beneath the Iron Curtain. Romania, a proud Eastern European nation with a mix of Italians, Bulgarians and Hungarians among the native peoples, was a centerpiece to this. At the close of WWII, Communist forces rose up in Romania and neighboring nations, installing a home-brewed oppression under the guidance and repression of the Soviet Union. Romania's Communist experience was punctuated by distinct periods, the worst of which was the Nicolae and Elena Ceausescu rule of the 1970s and '80s.
With this background, Edward Behr does a fabulous job guiding the reader through a social and political history of Romania from its invasions of pre-1000 A.D., to the power-sharing rule under the Turks in later years, to the imported German royal family in the Industrialization of the latter 1800s. The nation was pulled in different directions by various interests - Hungarians, Transylvanians and Bessarabians (Moldovans) looking for dominion. Into this cauldron, Nicolae Ceausescu was born. Behr takes us through his childhood and upbringing, where the uneducated and unintelligent child was little more than a street thug who discovered, and followed without question, the Marxist-Leninist doctrine. He served powerful men within the Romanian Communist Party during the 'dark' years as a forbidden political party, was jailed for several years, and emerged at the end of WWII in the shadow of Romania's Communist rulers. His loyalty gained him titles, priviledge and eventually, the position of First Secretary. As Behr describes it, what began with hopes and indications of a break with Soviet doctrine, dissolved into Ceausescu's fascination with the cult of personality, his fear of betrayal, and Elena's pressures to keep them living at the peak while most Romanians suffered horrendously.
This book is well-written, very readable and an excellent overview of the troubles Romania has faced. While there are several interview snippets with members of the Ceausescu regime, and indications that Behr was given access to files of the Securitate (the Romanian secret police), there is nothing in the way of documentation. However, I have no reason to doubt that Behr traveled repeatedly and extensively in researching his book. Here's hoping that future authors follow this up by providing details on the Romanian Communist central planning function, and its fundamental break with the economic reality of the country.
Excels at recounting the Ceausescus' last days.......2005-10-28
Released in 1991 by Villard, now out of print.
There've been several books released on the Ceausescus so the reader may wonder how to distinguish them?
KISS THE HAND YOU CANNOT BITE has much information on Ceausescu's early years (how he became what he was), and the best accounting I've yet read of his last days and hours before his capture and execution. Also interesting are all the former government officials who now condemn Ceausescu. One wonders, if so many opposed him, why did Ceausescu remain in power for so long? I think many of these officials are rewriting their own personal histories.
By contrast, DOWNFALL: THE CEAUSESCUS AND THE ROMANIAN REVOLUTION by George Galloway and Bob Wylie, excels at recounting the events of '89 Revolution and the six months immeadiately following the revolution (e.g., the miner's revolt of June 1990, etc.). Excellent journalism, with a great many participants interviewed.
RED HORIZONS by Pacepa is a "slice of life" of the Ceausescus that covers several months in 1978, when Ceausescu was at the peak of his world prestige. Very lurid details.
About Ignorance and Leadership.......2005-04-04
I found the book interesting, rigorous and well-documented. Even though it echoes some American cliches about Europeans (like the Romanians' inherent anti-semitism) it outlines the cultural and historical context of Ceausescu's rise to power quite accurately.
I've read books on Ceausescu's lives before, such as Pacepa's "Red Horizons" but I needed a foreigner's take on this subject, a more objective one. Like most other historians, Behr makes a connection between Ceausescus' lack of education and megalomania, which is why I don't understand why he tries to extend this feature to all other rulers, especially the Hohenzollern kings, who were at least literate, if nothing else. Behr exposes Nicolae's personal issues (short stature, stuttering, bad temper, ignorance) as root causes for his vanity and erratic behavior as a leader, as well as Romanians' complacency and historical tendency to compromise, without romanticizing these features like Romanian writers do, most of whom consider them survival tools. He makes a point that I totally agree with: not only was Ceausescu made possible by the culture in which he lived, but he was encouraged to be that way by his peers (especially his wife). A ruling class made up of the most marginal elements of society was brought to power by the Russian tanks (ironically they eventually became fiercely anti-sovietic), which made the most backward features of the Balkan nation, like nepotism, corruption, lack of scrupules, bad taste, etc. the very leadership principles of Romania for 60 years. Ceausescu is bound to happen when the system of values is totally reversed, and Behr makes this clear with detachment and professionalism, without minimizing the responsability of the rest of Romanians.
A history of two evil buffoons who became leaders.......2003-12-29
While there were many indications of severe economic and social problems in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union during the last five years of the 1980's, the sudden collapse of Communism caught nearly everyone by surprise. However, the most amazing thing was the incredible lack of blood that was shed during the transition from the "proletarian dictatorships" to some form of representative government. The only significant deaths occurred in Rumania, where the change was a coup within the leadership class rather than a popular revolt. Since it was a coup, Rumania was the only country where the former leader had to be killed, and Nicolae and Elena Ceausescu were executed very early in the coup.
While this is a history of the Ceausescu regime, it is more so a history of Rumania in the twentieth century. It is an extensive probing of the national psyche, one that allowed a man to control more than was controlled in other east block countries while employing less terror. Although he was applauded in the west for his maverick stance regarding the Soviet line in Eastern Europe, Ceausescu was more of a buffoon than a leader, which is one of the primary reasons why the Soviet leadership allowed him so much leash. Despite enormous natural resources, Rumania is capable of feeding itself and has substantial oil reserves, by the 1980's it was the second poorest country in Europe, ahead of only Albania. Behr comes close to, but does not quite say that had Ceausescu been a capable leader, his challenging of the Soviet line would not have been tolerated and they would have engineered his removal. It is amazing to say that Rumania and the world would have been better off if the Soviets had simply had him assassinated. Furthermore, it most likely would have been applauded inside the country.
In reading through the book, you cannot help but wonder how the Ceausescus were able to control the country for so long. Some form of opposition to the Communist leadership existed in the other Eastern block countries, but was almost totally absent in Rumania. The relentless and ridiculous praise heaped on the Ceausescus by everyone was a façade that everyone except the Ceausescus seemed to be aware of. Behr spends a great deal of time probing for the reasons for this, making some progress, but still not arriving at a satisfactory answer.
Ceausescu has quite accurately been called a Communist Dracula, which is somewhat of an understatement. Dracula merely sucked the blood from his individual victims, while Ceausescu sucked the life essence from an entire nation. In this book, you learn what he did and at least some of the reasons why he was able to do it.
Book Description
Told in his own words, a very personal story from the star of many beloved and classic comedies, including Young Frankenstein, The Producers, and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate FactoryGene Wilder is one of the great comic actors who defined the 1970s and 1980s in movies. From his work with Woody Allen, to the rich group of movies he made with Mel Brooks, to his partnership on screen with Richard Pryor, Wilder's performances are still discussed and celebrated today. KISS ME LIKE A STRANGER is an intimate glimpse of the man behind the image on the screen. In this book, Wilder talks about everything from his experiences in psychoanalysis to why he got into comedy-his first goal was to be a Shakespearean actor-to how a midwestern childhood with a sick mother changed him. He writes about the creative process on stage and on screen, and divulges moments from life on the sets of some of the most iconic movies of our time. He also opens up about his search for love and his marriages, including his marriage to comedienne Gilda Radner. But the core of KISS ME LIKE A STRANGER is an actor's search for truth and a thoughtful analysis of why the choices he made-some of them so serendipitous they were practically accidental-changed the course of his life.
Customer Reviews:
Gene Wilder - Actor, Comedian, Human.......2007-08-21
I am amazed at the negative commentary about this book. I loved Gene Wilder the actor before I picked up the book and love him after having read the book.
We are all a mishmash of polar opposites -we can go from being egocentric, narcissistic, to benevolent, tender and compassionate ... all in a single day. It is as if you are disappointed to find out that Gene Wilder is simply a real human being. Making him something else is about your pathology, not his.
I think it took a lot of courage for him to be vulnerable and revealing. It is a literary voyage alongside a fellow sojourner who gives to us what he may still be searching for. His failures at loving may be different than our own, but don't kid yourself, we all fail. No rocks here, just a "thank you" for the joy he has given, and warm wishes as he struggles toward the very light we all aim for - love.
Great book Jerry!
Audio Version is a MUST HAVE.......2007-07-19
If you're curious about the life of Gene Wilder (and you should be) pick up the AUDIO VERSION of Kiss Me Like A Stranger, read by Gene himself. It is altogether warm, funny, sad, insightful, intelligent and candid. The only problem with it is that I am on disc 4 out of 6 and alreday I am wishing it was longer, I do not want it to end. Otherwise I couldn't be happier with this purchase and will be giving this gem of an audio book as a gift to several people. Go ahead and treat yourself.
I read these reviews---makes me feel like I can't trust reviews in the future!.......2007-07-08
I read Gilda Radner's book, "It's Always Something" which she completed only weeks before she died. And so when I was recently taking a flight, I picked up Gene Wilder's book to read on the plane. Sadly, I DID need another book on the way back. This one won't take you cross country.
There are two camps in these reviews. People who blindly give this book 5 stars and say they love Gene Wilder. But they never actually tell us what they thought was so great about this book. WHY do they give it five stars?
The other group, generously giving this book 2 stars, comments on his narcissism, his unwillingness to feel needed by anyone in his life, his current wife's greatest asset being that she hangs poetry on her refrigerator reminding her she is on her own.
Here's the thing. Gilda Radner loved Gene Wilder unconditionally, even to the day she died. She loved every thing about him, even his insistence on pushing her away. She loved the way he smelled, his looks, his humor, his mind, his character. She loved him totally. Gene Wilder on the other hand, doesn't seem to have loved her at all. He seems at best to have tolerated her---and that not very well or consistently. In one chapter he describes not having had sex with Gilda for about 6 months, (because she had had a grapefruit sized tumor removed from her body, was undergoing chemotherapy and radiation!) and perhaps as a tribute to what he sees as his own nobility, comments that he didn't ask her to "relieve" him in other ways. He then goes on to describe how, as a result of his deprivation he was of course immediately attracted to the woman who became his fourth wife, when he saw her skirts swishing about her legs.
Gilda was sick in bed having chemotherapy, and he is having dinner in a new woman's apartent. And then, when Gilda dies, he discusses with his therapist whether it's too soon for him to get married again, because the tabloids might make him look like a selfish jerk (Because he IS one!).
Look, I am all in favor of celebrity memoirs. Their artistic and celebrated lives create narratives of experience that we don't normally have access to. I like to read the kinds of books that give insight into famous people and in the circles in which they work and live, and I especially enjoy one person's reactions to them. Shelley Winters' three part autobiography revealed so much about the theatre scene of New York in the 50's, so much about her roommate, Marilyn Monroe, and so much about "the method". I felt as though I learned something in reading those books.
Here I learned that a Gilda Radner was sadly mistaken in whom she chose to love, and maybe the best book to read would have been one from HER therapist. I'd like to understand how someone so consumed with love could have chosen someone so consumed with avoiding it. It's pretty easy to understand why Gene Wilder, one of the greatest narcissists ever, would have chosen Gildan Radner---America's sweetheart who adored HIM above all others. When I put this book down, I felt disgust.
Truthful and honest.......2007-04-29
This was one the the best autobiographies/memiors I have ever read. Heartfelt and very touching Mr. Wilder has so many good insights on life. Extremely funny and at times heartbreaking it is a very quick read on which you do not want to put down. Its a must read for any fan.
Hearing him talk abou the book was more fun than reading it.......2007-03-19
I bought this book after hearing Gene Wilder on the radio, and found the book itself less compelling than the interview. I assume part of the blame since it's probably not right to expect people to reveal every detail of their lives simply because they are famous, but then again, if you are famous and you write a memior a certain amount of kiss and tell is expected. It does not have to compromise one's personal life, though. I would like to have known more, for instance, about the writing process for Young Frankenstein, the working relationship with Mel Brooks, how the actor's craft meshes with the screenwriter's, and how that all translates to what happens on the set. After reading this, I am not as well acquainted with Mr. Wilder's talents as I had hoped.
Book Description
KISS is unequaled in the world of concert performance. Over a quarter century's worth of visually spectacular and financially profitable concerts are testimony to that fact. KISS Alive Forever is the must-have reference for every die-hard KISS fan—-a complete archive of well over 1,900 performances, all categorized by tour.
KISS fans will find extensive overviews of each tour, including the number of shows, start and end dates, song pool, opening acts cross-referenced by tour, and average attendance. Entries on individual performances include date of show, city, state, and location of show, opening act, attendance, facility capacity, and promoter, as well as descriptions of the shows themselves.
Entertaining sidebars feature one-on-one interviews with members of the KISS road crew, as well as with opening acts such as Iron Maiden, Rush, Cheap Trick, and Styx. Also included are an index of all 233 songs in the band's catalog, over 560 setlists from shows throughout its career, and over 200 photos chronicling KISS's amazing concert history.
Although KISS stated that its 2001 "farewell" tour would be its last, the tour is ongoing and future performances are planned, topped by a spectacular television "Farewell Show." KISS Alive Forever is sure to be a devoted fan's lasting chronicle of this extraordinary band's complete concert career.
Customer Reviews:
Kind of makes you feel like you were in KISS.......2007-10-01
I read a book by Gene Simmons called KISS AND TELL. I also read a book about KISS called BEHIND THE MASK. After reading KISS FOREVER I noticed something strange happening to my way of thinking in regards to KISS. Before reading these three books I used to think of KISS the way I always had. What songs I liked, which album covers were the best, which costumes were best, ect. After reading this book (and the other two) I know so much about the day to day lives of KISS during the 70s and 80s that now I feel more like I was a member of KISS remembering my days with the band than a fan. As I read this I found it easy to imagine what it would have been like to have been a member of KISS. The book states when someone was sick, when their pants split on stage, when they did store appearances, ect. If you're a KISS fan you should have this book. I was worried I was wasting my money on a book that I wouldn't find interesting but I was wrong. Its a great book.
A ton of info.......2006-11-29
this is a great read. i like to just pick it up and browse. Interesting to see the actual attendence figures because they prove how much money KISS LOST in order to put on a good show. There are many dates that werent even close to selling out (mostly in the 80s), but it also shows that even in their hey day they usually only sold out places with apprx. 8 - 10,000 seats. Being compared to todays standards, that is pretty weak considering the sizeable show they toured with.
The set lists are interesting as well. Though many are the same, now and then you see a song and wish you were there to hear them play it! This book also has a few interesting notes in between tours.
This is one of the best books out there for kiss fans. Gives you a new appreciation for the band as you see how they played to a lot of half empty halls but still stuck with it. the book is also honest in its figures, no sugar coating. a really cool read that must have taken months, if not years, of research. Essential for any Kiss fan as well as rock n roll fans in general.
Great Read.......2006-02-18
Kiss Alive Forever is a must read for any KISS fan. The book is filled with details from all their tours including dates, set lists, and many, many details from each show.
So Much Information.......2006-01-11
This book has all the facts and figures about Kiss concerts that I've never read anywhere else.
It tells you the dates of each show, how much capacity the arena holds, what the attendance figures were, what songs were sung at most shows, in the order in which they were performed. It also has interviews with some touring personnel and their memories of the tour and/or show.
I really appreciated the end of the book that has all the songs Kiss has ever performed, the first and last time they performed the song (Hard Luck Woman was ever only performed during an 11 day period in 1976 and NOT during the three Forum shows that were recorded for Alive II. Some songs were only ever performed once, others only in other countries).
It breaks each tour down by album, tells you the biggest shows by attendance, all of their opening acts, who Kiss opened up for. It is packed with tons of information you never hear Gene and Paul talk about.
A must for any Kiss fan or anyone who enjoys the behind the scenes happenings of a major rock act.
Great Book!! A must for the true KISS fan........2005-11-28
I've had this book for a couple years now and I can't put it down. I read it over and over and find interesting new facts every time. A day to day history of all their tours from day 1.
I Love This Book!!
Average customer rating:
- The examination of seven international authors
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Don't Kiss Me
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ASIN: 1597110256
Release Date: 2006-06-15 |
Book Description
This first comprehensive overview of the oeuvre of Claude Cahun offers a wealth of previously unpublished photographs and drawings, illuminating not only her work but also that of her partner Marcel Moore and establishing for the first time the extent of their collaboration. It also includes the first thorough account of their Resistance operations, trial, imprisonment and attempted suicides during the Occupation. Cahun (1894-1954) is best known for riveting photographic self-portraits that seem eerily ahead of their time and has become the focus of an almost cultlike following. She acted out diverse identities, both male and female, in scenes ranging from severely simple to elaborately staged and was a pioneer of the gender-bending role-playing now seen in works by artists such as Cindy Sherman (born the year Cahun died), Nikki S. Lee and many others. Cahun (a pseudonym for Lucy Schwob) and Marcel Moore (Suzanne Malherbe, 1892-1972) were an extraordinary couple who worked and lived together for more than 40 years. Avid participants in the cultural avant-garde in Montparnasse during the 1920s and 30s, they ultimately moved to Jersey, in the Channel Islands, the only part of Great Britain to be occupied by the Germans during World War II. In Don't Kiss Me, seven international authors examine Cahun's and Moore's lives and art-making; their theatrical, literary and performance activities; their relationship with the Surrealist movement; their writings and Cahun's photographic technique. The extensive illustrations encompass not only Cahun's iconic images but also Moore's drawings and previously unseen photographs, manuscripts and ephemera.
Customer Reviews:
The examination of seven international authors .......2006-11-05
Louise Downie edits DON'T KISS ME: THE ART OF CLAUDE CAHUN AND MARCEL MOORE, pairing essays with a survey of a photographer whose self-portraits seemed unique at the time. Cahun and Moore were a couple who lived and worked together for over forty years: DON'T KISS ME holds the examination of seven international authors who examine their lives, art, and performance activities in light of the Surrealist movement of their times.
Book Description
Bentley Publishers announces the publication and availability of ex-racer and acclaimed motor sports photographer and author Michael Keyser's "A French Kiss with Death: Steve McQueen and the Making of LeMans: The Man, The Race, The Cars, The Movie." This exciting new hardcover book from Bentley is part celebrity biography, part motor sports and part movie making.
This spine-tingling title and the "King of Cool's" intense headshot telegraph the excitement to be found under the book cover. Keyser's observant and engaging storytelling weaves together screen legend Steve McQueen's rugged, individualistic life, his love affairs with motorcycles, cars, racing, partying and women, along with a story of exceptional filmmaking, including the breakthrough, Oscar-winning cinematographic techniques used to capture the visceral essence of racing's most famous event for the silver screen.
Throughout 464 highly charged pages, "A French Kiss with Death" dazzles the reader with the "King of Cool's" roller-coaster life of adventure and accomplishment. The book contains more than 725 photographs and illustrations, most seen for the first time and many shot during the actual "24 Hours of Le Mans." Providing an unforgettable ride, "A French Kiss with Death" pulls readers rapidly into the exotic, heady, cutthroat world of international sports car racing. Keyser's longtime friend and ex-racer Jonathan Williams also contributed to the book.
Customer Reviews:
Not enough McQueen.......2006-07-17
Upon reading the reviews for this book, I was prepared for the extensive information, history, and background of Le Mans. But, I purchased the book because I was a fan of Steve McQueen. I realized for me there was too much info about Le Mans, before it got to the actual parts of the shooting of the movie. I still haven't finished the book and will continue to plow through it.
Fantastic.......2005-02-15
One of my favorite automotive films of all times is Le Mans. Not only is the race itself an epic, but the making of the film Le Mans was also an epic in and of itself. Steve McQueen was responsible for it from start to finish. It was a labor of love for him. But the movie was not well received by the critics... they felt there was too little dialog and very little plot.
For automotive enthusiasts, it's a masterful and unique depiction of the famous event - you'll feel as though you were there because of the very well done in-car sequences. I consider this film as a must-see for all enthusiasts.
This books covers the life and filmography of Steve McQueen as background. The main focus, however, is on the film itself - and the book offers an incredibly detailed view of the making of the film. You'll rarely see this level of detail about any film, much less an automotive racing film! It's surprising that this level of memory even still exists.
And, of course, if you are ever going to go to the Le Mans race itself, this book would be excellent background reading.
It's just like being there!.......2004-11-12
This book is for anyone that likes Steve McQueen, vintage sports car racing, or the movie Le Mans. Of course there's everything there is to know about the movie itself, but there's also a Steve McQueen bio, a history of that era's race cars, AND a history of the Le Mans race too! It's a big book that takes a while to read and once you're done with it, you're gonna want to read it again.
Glad I bought it.......2002-02-03
I'm not a huge Steve McQueen fan but love his LeMans film. I've watched it loads of times and every time I'm more hooked. I've just finished reading the book and looking forward to watching the film again as I know the experience will be even better. The information about the filming and McQueen himself shows the passion and desire for realism with which it was made. It took me a while to get round to getting the book but as a huge fan of the film I'm really glad I bought it.
Three books in one, all superb!.......2001-08-08
OK, I was half way to enjoying this book before I opened the cover...
1) I'm a big motorsports and Le Mans fan, having been fortunate enough to attend the 1999 and 2001 races so far.
2) I loved the film Le Mans.
But the book certainly got me through the other 50%...
What you get in this book is a fabulous scene setting of the history and significance of '24 Heures Du Mans', which is critical to show the importance of the event to Steve McQueen when he was preparing for and making the film - this was definitely a labour of love.
Also there is a brief but by no means lightweight biography of the man himself, again helping to build up an image of the actual person who was making the movie.
Then, in meticulous detail, you get the story of the build up, preparation and filming of 'Le Mans', with plenty of interesting anecdotes and events, particularly on how the fantastic crash sequences were filmed.
In my opinion you will enjoy this book if any of the below apply:
You are a motorsport fan with an interest in the history of the sport.
You are a Steve McQueen fan.
You enjoyed the movie and want to know how it was made.
If you fit into two or all three categories you will definitely be on to a winner!
Book Description
Join Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley as they take you on a wild ride through the early years of kiss
with rock photographer Waring Abbott.
• With 250 photos of the hottest band in the world!
• Rare, behind-the-scenes pics of Gene, Paul, Ace, Peter, and Eric!
• Stories from Gene and Paul about life on the road, makeup tips, publicity stunts, and much more!
Customer Reviews:
KISS The Early Years Waring Abbott.......2005-12-15
I recieved this book yesterday & I must say I am impressed! The book is the a great representation of KISS during their formative & most vibrant years together- It also takes look at the Music From The Elder time period which the band & fans alike respond with mixed feelings. KISS has always been & will remain a visual group. This being said, it is made quite clear through the pages within that the attraction to KISS music is the attitude that the band has sustained for over 3 decades as a band. The commentery from Gene Simmons & Paul Stanley is a nice touch but I do wish they would do a project like this with Peter Criss & Ace Frehley since they were there & lived it with Gene & Paul-
What is with the eyes!.......2004-10-02
I have been a Kiss fan for 25 years,so when I heard about this book I was excited.When I got it I was horrified to find all the photo's had been altered from there original prints.For some unknowen reason they decided to add ink to all of Gene Simmons eyes(blacking out his pupils)It ruined a book that very well could have been the best Kiss photo book to date.
To DIE for.......2004-07-07
This book was really amazing because of its historical and photographic conception. I was really blown away by the quality of this photo book because it makes other bands' books look puny and unimportant. Many times bands put out books that offer either too much boring writing without content or dazzling photos in empty pages. Here Kiss is the focus and the images and content is actually very exciting. It works to their visual appeal and charismatic persona. The quality of the photos is really breathtaking and juicy enough for the viewer to have a glimpse into the backstage lives of America's nuttiest band. Buy this and add it to your collection.
ONE OF TWO WORTHWHILE ROCK BOOKS JUST OUT.......2003-03-05
I have been a Kiss fan since I was a boy in the mid 1970s and what a trip down memory lane this book was. It was pretty cool to see all these pictures from the early years and hear the stories behind them. I have to admit that I was fascinated to see it all for the first time. But would I still buy a new Kiss album...probably not. It was just a little nostalgia. I recommend this one...but the better brand new rock book I've read is "LAYNE STALEY: Angry Chair" about the Alice In Chains singer who died from a little too much isolation for five years and a lot of heroin and depression.
A Must For Any True KISS Fan..........2003-02-10
If you love KISS, you'll love this book. Has many pictures that even the hardcores, like myself, have never seen. Alot of stuff from when the band first started out. When they had little money and were struggling to be the topps in NY. Many photos show the true integrity of the band.
Book Description
You wanted the truth, you got the truth—the hottest book in the world!
Fueled by an explosive mix of makeup, costumes, and attitude, KISS burst onto the music scene thirty years ago and has become a rock institution. The band has sold more than eighty million records, has broken every concert attendance record set by Elvis Presley and the Beatles, stands behind the Beatles alone in number of gold records from any group in history, and has spawned more than 2,500 licenses.
There would have been no KISS without Gene Simmons, the outrageous star whose superlong tongue, legendary sexual exploits, and demonic makeup have made him a rock icon.
KISS and Make-Up is the wild, shocking, unbelievable story, from the man himself, about how an immigrant boy from Israel studied to be a rabbi, was saved by rock and roll, and became one of the most notorious rock stars the world has ever seen.
Before Gene Simmons there was Chaim Witz, a boy from Haifa, Israel, who had no inkling of the life that lay ahead of him. In vivid detail Gene recounts his childhood growing up in Haifa under the watchful eye of his beloved, strong-willed mother, a concentration camp survivor; his adolescent years attending a Jewish theological center for rabbinical studies in Brooklyn; his love of all things American, including comic books, superheroes, and cowboys; and his early fascination with girls and sex, which prompted him to start a rock band in school after he saw the Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show.
KISS and Make-Up is not just the classic story of achieving the American dream through the eyes of an immigrant boy making good, but a juicy, rollicking rock and roll read that takes you along for the ride of your life with KISS, from the 1970s, when they were the biggest band in the world, through the ’80s, when they took off their world-famous war paint, and into the ’90s, when they came back bigger and badder than ever to become the number one touring band in the world.
In his own irreverent, unapologetic voice, Gene talks about the girls (4,600 of them and counting); his tight bond with KISS cofounder Paul Stanley; the struggles he and Paul had with Ace Frehley and Peter Criss and their departures from the group; the new band members and Eric Carr’s untimely death; the enormous love and affection he has for the people who put him there in the first place—the KISS Army and the ever-loyal KISS fans around the world; his love life, including stories about his relationships with Cher and Diana Ross and with Shannon Tweed, Playmate of the Year, mother of his son and daughter, and his companion of eighteen years; and much more.
Full of dozens of photographs, many never-before-seen pictures from Gene’s private collection,
KISS and Make-Up is a surprising, intimate look at the man behind the mask. For the first time Gene reveals all the facets of his complex personality—son, rock star, actor, record producer, businessman, ladies’ man, devoted father, and now author.
Customer Reviews:
Gene Simmons Boring?.......2007-09-10
YES! Gene Simmons book is boring. I was expecting more detail when telling of past relationships. I know Gene lived with Cher and Diana, but that's it?!? I know Gene has had sex with thousands of women, but that's it?!? I know Shannon is the love of Genes' life, but that's it?!? I was expecting a book I couldn't put down. Instead I bought I book I had trouble finishing.
A good read...........2007-08-27
Having been a fan of Kiss for well over twenty eight years...my mouth was watering for this book. This book shares many, many high points and many low points. Several times through out the book I struggled with picking it up and finishing it. The beginning was extremely interesting abouthis mother and his growing up etc.But, once Kiss started touring it got really drowned in too much detail that was at times filled with too many pointless stories that were much like listening to your grandfather that has forgotten he has told you the same story a hundred times already-it became the same repeatative complaining and whining about the same issues and made me lose interest then once he got back onto his personal ife with Cher and Diana Ross meeting Shannon and having the kids it got good again-I am not disappointed that I read it and recommend anyone who is interested in Kiss to read it...but, I wouldn't read it for a second time!!!
It's all about the power........2007-01-10
I've never heard Kiss music; I first learned about Gene Simmons from his "Family Jewels" TV show, which I liked. It showed him to be a loving family man and I was curious to know more, so I listened to his audio book, "Kiss and Make-up." It was fascinating. One needn't be a fan to appreciate his strong hard work and unprecedented success. He was born in Israel and came with his mother to America at age 9. As a lonely boy he loved superhero comic books, because superheros were powerful, and that is what he wanted to be. He had the boundless love and encouragement of his mother and started playing in bands as a teenager. One thing led to another and his Kiss band became a worldwide phenomenon.
He devotes much of the book to his legendary conquests of women, from groupies to Cher and Diana Ross. His relationships with bandmates is also discussed at length. His reading voice is a monotone, but the story is so interesting that one hangs on his every word. A shrewd businessman and tireless entertainer, Simmons has truly acquired the power he always wanted. This is a must for Gene's old fans and for new fans, like me.
Simmons on Simmons.......2006-12-02
Gene's book isn't just his side of the KISS story, but it's an attempt at an honest autobiography. Honest is a relative term here, as Gene's entire life has been about bluster and bluff and the art of deception, and so one approaches this book a little warily but hoping for the best, taking a shot at wading through the giant swamp of ego and self-congratulation that is the Simmons style in quest of some real knowledge.
As regards his take on KISS, I had hoped for a lot more road stories, stuff on the songs themselves, and some kind of honesty about the relative levels of success at various times. He does gripe about Peter Criss and Ace Frehley, as who wouldn't?, but there's not a whole lot of credit for much of the stuff Ace did right. Ace's contribution to the band's sound is brick-on-the-head obvious if you compare the early LPs with anything from the 80s. How sad. But anyhow, Gene's relationship with Paul Stanley, which is now at 40 years and counting, gets very little ink. There is no acknowledgement of just how far financially things had gone south by the late 80s, and nothing about the switching of management and agents. Gene has trouble dealing with people as actual people and not merely tools to be manipulated on his way to his idea of success. So the stuff on KISS was, to me, an incomplete and very shallow treatment, a disappointment.
Gene's writing about his family, on the other hand, was often touching and came off as thoughtful and sincere. Yes, there's the bluster about how no woman will tie him down, yada yada yada, but his love and respect for his mother is noble (but his being raised an only child to a single mother with little money and having to learn a new language in his youth goes a long way to explaining everything since then). Likewise, he treats Cher and Diana Ross and now Shannon Tweed with tact and discretion. Finally, his love for his children, which apparently surprised even him, is uplifting and positive.
There is a bit of self-help advice about work, living soberly andfrugally, taking care of business yourself, and keeping one's eye on the ball at all times. None of this is bad advice. The way Gene dispenses it can be annoying sometimes.
The stuff on the girls over the years is just what one would expect; if anything, Gene takes himself less seriously here than elsewhere, as there are funny stories about the truly ugly or superannuated that often shared his bed or couch or breakfast table or car.
The book was worth reading but frankly could have been much better. Those looking for the definitive story of KISS should look elsewhere.
An interesting biography becomes a slam piece.......2006-11-13
Gene Simmons' autobiography, Kiss and Make-up, starts out as an interesting read but then becomes very frustrating. Anyone familiar with Simmons knows he has a tremendous ego and that ego is in full force here. Born Chaim Witz in Israel, Simmons was born in poverty and was raised primarily by his mother, a strong willed woman who survived the concentration camps that claimed most of her family's lives. Based on this, you could see where Simmons obtained his will to succeed. Simmons, along with Paul Stanley, saw a vision for Kiss and their work ethic, business savvy, and determination are to be commended. Fortunately, Gene doesn't take all the credit as he gives much respect to those who helped them achieve their goal such as Bill Aucoin, Sean Delaney, Neil and Joyce Bogart, Bob Ezrin, and many others. However, the more you read the book, the more it becomes a slam piece against original Kiss members Ace Frehley and Peter Criss. As noted in the book, the band was a democracy as the quartet shared the profits equally. Sure, Gene and Paul carried the load and probably deserved profits more suited to their contributions. However, the continuous slamming of Frehley and Criss makes Simmons sound like a bitter man. He's also off on a couple facts about the band such as Bon Jovi being the opening act on Kiss' 1980 European tour (Bon Jovi didn't form until 1983) and the fact that they followed the hair metal trend of the early 1980's when, in reality, hair metal didn't really take hold until a couple years later. The book certainly is not without merit as the chapters chronicling his childhood, Kiss' early years, his relationships with Cher and Diana Ross, the making of their Destroyer album, and the death of Eric Carr, are very intriguing. All told, Kiss and Make-up is a decent read that would have been better if not for the constant criticism of Frehley and Criss.
Book Description
A Broadway musical about a single man living in Manhattan who's surrounded by married couples? A show about aging chorines haunted by the ghosts of their past? Another performed on a bare stage featuring chorus dancers that lands on Broadway like a juggernaut? Reality came knocking in the 1970s when Company, Follies, and A Chorus Line all taught Broadway a new way to sing. Mordden's latest volume in his history of the musical looks at an era that brought the gritty reality of A Chorus Line, the brilliantly bitter works of Sondheim-Follies, A Little Night Music, Pacific Overtures and Company-and the crowd-pleasers Annie and 42nd St. In the 1970s Broadway both looked to its past and to its future for its blockbusters. With Mordden as our guide to this thrilling era, it's once again 'Curtain going up!'
Customer Reviews:
disappointing.......2007-07-01
There's a lot of territory to cover but he covers a ground-breaking musical like Company in six pages and the writing is so jumbled that you don't get any kind of analysis of what worked and what didn't in the shows. Too much spillover of personal opinions rather than a broad spectrum. He also throws out explanations in a few words, again with no insight or search for the truth, e.g., that Dean Jones quit Company because he was uncomfortable with the role. That's not what most people have said and also sounds like a lame reason for someone quitting a play after a week. He puts in a lot of generalizations without any backup ("some of the players were not that good")--well, explain yourself. Too bad he garnered the monopoly on texts about the Broadway stage. I'm sorry I read it.
A thoroughly-detailed, colorful trip through 1970s musicals........2003-07-07
There's plenty to admire in Ethan Mordden's series of books about the art and craft of American musical theatre, and examples of some of the best of it can be found in his most recent volume, One More Kiss: The Broadway Musicals of the 1970s. In discussing some of the biggest hits (A Chorus Line, 1975), biggest flops (1600 Pennsylvania Avenue), and most groundbreaking (Follies, from which he derived the title of the book), Mordden provides a wild ride through a difficult decade in which the very nature of what made a musical--and what about the musical appealed to the theatregoing public--was changing irrevocably. His writing style is opinionated, yes, but also neat, with an incredible number of facts, and plenty of references to his exquisite knowledge of matters both musical and theatrical.
The book, however, reads very quickly, and is almost over before it's begun. While the length of the book cannot rightly be considered Mordden's fault, still greater detail about the decade's shows would have improved the overall flow of the book, as would have more of the social and showbiz atmosphere that made his earlier books (particularly Comin' Up Roses: The Broadway Musicals in the 1950s) such a joy. He also runs out of steam right at the end, when he really needs to wrap things up and not just... stop. As this is his last planned volume (chronologically), to let so much just drop is somewhat irresponsible, and prevents the book from achieving its full dramatic power and usefulness as a reference book.
Still, it's a highly entertaining read, and a must-have for those who have followed Mordden through previous decades in the Broadway musical's Golden Age.
Recommended With Caveats.......2003-06-09
Ethan Mordden has added another volume to his valuable series of books covering Broadway musicals, decade-by-decade, from the twenties to the seventies. One More Kiss, the Broadway musical in the 1970s, is the most personal of all the volumes. In many ways, this is one of its strong features as the author has personally seen all of the shows and can give an impression of it beyond what the critics have left. This strength, though, can often be the book's weakness as the author's personal feelings spill over all the pages. His political conservatism often shadows his opinions in ways that tell one more about the author than about the shows he is discussing. Still, it is an interesting book, sometimes fascinating and informative, sometimes shrill and bitchy, but always well-informed and particularly strong in its analysis of the major hits (Chorus Line, Chicago, Annie, etc.) and the Sondheim shows. A fascinating, frustrating addition to this series.
Alas, the Last Kiss of All.......2003-06-06
There have been numerous histories of the American Musical and, like that unique art form itself, their quality has varied. Some have been excellent such as Gerald Bordman's "The American Musical", some dreadful (kindness forbids naming names, but you know who you are Mr. Flinn!). And then there is one that is sui generis. Actually, that one is six. Ethan Mordden's six volumes, each covering a decade from the '20 when what we define as American musicals began through the '70's when, as Mr. Mordden mordantly beilieves, it ended. The genius of these works (really only one long work) lies in both its completeness (what other work on the subject would include "Smith", a Don Murray starring fiasco of the early '70's?) and the brilliant evocation of each show in its time and place in American theater and culture. Mordden manages this feat even for shows he couldn't possibly have seen unless he's old enough to make Bob Hope seem a comparative teen-ager. I am not stating anything radical when I say that this is NOT a book to everyone's taste. We can't get people to GO to musicals anymore, let alone READ about them. But for those who care, this is THE one to read.
Average customer rating:
- IF YOU CANt GET ENOUGH OF JAMES BOND
- Essential Companion Book on the Cinematic James Bond
- Great read for those wanting more info on the Bond movies!
- Highly informative insight into making the James Bond films.
|
Kiss Kiss Bang! Bang!: The Unoffical James Bond 007 Film Companion
Alan Barnes , and
Marcus Hearn
Manufacturer: Batsford
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 0713486457 |
Book Description
The unofficial guide to James Bond on screen analyzes every Bond performance, from Sean Connery's pantherish assassin (introduced in 1962 as Dr. No) to Pierce Brosnan's elegant and wry portrayal in The World Is Not Enough (1999). Along the way, we consider actors George Lazenby, Timothy Dalton, Roger Moore, as well as Bond appearances in other films -- such as the spy spoof Casino Royale, starring David Niven. There's a wealth of top secret information for fans of the inimitable 007.
Customer Reviews:
IF YOU CANt GET ENOUGH OF JAMES BOND.......2004-05-02
"Kiss Kiss Bang! Bang!: The Unofficial James Bond Film Companion" by Alan Barnes and Marcus Hearn is a very good book on James Bond info. Even though unofficial it has good information. I like it.
Essential Companion Book on the Cinematic James Bond.......2004-03-03
Alan Barnes and Marcus Hearn's KISS KISS BANG! BANG! is an essential companion book on the cinematic world of James Bond. I like the way the authors choose to take 10 essential elements film by film and critique them. KISS KISS BANG! BANG! is quite insightful and interesting reading. I also enjoy the very handsome layout of the book, which only enhances the reader's interest. The book is also profusely illustrated with very unique photographs not associate with other official books on the cinematic James Bond. This is a well thought out and well-intentioned book. I highly recommend it. If you are a James Bond fan it is quite essential.
Great read for those wanting more info on the Bond movies!.......2001-09-19
If you are wanting more information on the James Bond movies (background stories on how they got made, info on how various actors came to be Bond, ratings of the movies, etc.) then this is the book for you. At over 200 pages, the tome certainly isn't short on information.
The authors definitely have their favorite, and there is room for argument with some of their ratings, which makes the book even more interesting. They rate each Bond movie in a variety of areas (Villains, Women, Plot, Action, Bond, Gadgets, Dialogue, etc.)
I've found this to be a book I go back to quite often. It's great to read right before or after I've watched a Bond DVD. It illuminates some of the background on actors, producers, directors, locations, etc.
Highly recommended for the Bond movie fan.
Highly informative insight into making the James Bond films........1999-01-05
Unlike the "official" James Bond compendiums written before it, "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang" offers a broader, more objective view of the history of the James Bond film franchise. While the finished product could have used a polish from a real editor (there are typos everywhere,) the raw material contained here is worth the read alone. Everything from Fleming's early failed attempts to bring his hero to film, to Saltzman and Broccoli's instrumental casting of Sean Connery as the first James Bond is documented and seemingly well researched. Each film production receives it's own chapter, From "Dr. No" to "Tomorrow Never Dies" including the non-Eon produced "Casino Royale" and "Never Say Never Again." All chapters open with production stories as recollected by the cast and crew and includes initial reviews by film critics (a real plus here) who reflect on the sexual and moral perversion that audiences succumb to when viewing a James Bond film. The authors close each chapter with a 10 point fan-boy rating system, grading everything from the opening sequence and titles to the girls and gadgets. Overall the book is a quite refreshing and insightful companion. There aren't a lot of photos in the book, but the ones that are included aren't ones we've seen before. As a fan it left me thankful that Burt Reynolds was never cast as 007, upset that "Casino Royale" was wasted as a spoof and imagining what the franchise would be today if George Lazenby and Timothy Dalton did more films and if Roger Moore did less.
Customer Reviews:
Outstanding expose of a goverment (ours!) selling out our fighting men to the commies!.......2006-07-21
Mr and Mrs Stevenson have been on hundreds
of radio and TV shows and this very solidly
refferenced book should be on the same shelf
in your library as Col. James Bo Gritz books,
on the same subject [Ex: 'A Nation Betrayed'].
Bravo, Mr and Mrs Stevenson!
An amazing and sad tale.......2006-06-02
I read this book quite a few years ago and was horrified by the thought that American soldiers were left to die in Vietnam. Whenever I discussed the findings in the book with friends they would shrug it off and say that it couldn't be true. They felt that the truth would have had to come out over the years and that even politicians are not that low. Many other reviews on this site also portray the book as false.
I was therefore amazed when I recently read the book Inside the Delta Force by Eric Haney. In that amazing book he discusses that the U.S. government had confirmation of U.S. POW's being held in Laos and that the Delta Force was prepared to go in after them. Two times the mission was scrubbed, and they never again had the opportunity to try again. His views on what occurred and the C.I.A.'s participation in the events are amazing. These facts are hard to dismiss lightly coming from a founding member of the Delta Force.
I now want to go back and read Kiss the Boy's Goodbye again. It is an amazing tale that needs to be told and people need to be held accountable.
Kiss the boys goodbye.......2005-07-03
This tells to whole story...how could we as civilized people forget some of the bravest men Amarica has produced?? I was in the Army, 67-70 and I am totally ashamed to be an American...she tells to facts, and you can decide how it effects you.
Awesome-.......2004-10-31
What an outstanding book, truth always is better than the lies told by our Government having retired from the Government and knowing the inside facts of the fate of our POW/MIA's I testified UNDER OATH at the Senate POW/MIA hearing's and know first hand the truth this is a book for all to read it is History of how our elected "Cowards" run in the face of the enemy. five stars +++++ Truth is better than cover up
total and absolute nonsense.......2004-06-02
This book is useless. Anyone who thinks this book contains a word of truth needs to spend a lot of time reading the MIA Facts website at http://www.miafacts.org -- especially the part about Monika Jensen's other POW book, "Spite House."
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