Book Description
The best-selling textbook in the field, The Last Dance offers an interdisciplinary approach to the study of death and dying. Integrating the experiential, scholarly, social, individual, emotional, and intellectual dimensions of death and dying, the seventh edition of this acclaimed text has been thoroughly revised to offer cutting-edge and comprehensive coverage of death studies. Together with its companion volumes, this new edition of The Last Dance provides solid grounding in theory and research, as well as practical application to students' lives.
Customer Reviews:
WONDERFUL AND ENLIGHTENING.......2007-02-13
I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT THE AUTHOR THIS BOOK DID A SUPERB JOB IN PLACING THE EMPHASIS AND KNOWLEDGE OF VARIOUS CULTURES HANDLING OF DEATH. I HAVE LEARNED SO MUCH FROM THIS BOOK.
Boilerplate plus.......2004-12-22
For those readers who have not done much reading or thinking about death, this book offers an easy to read and thoughtful introduction to looking at death vis a vis topics. In addition, this book provides for the scaffolded reading experience by asking the reader many questions, summarizing the main points of chapters and providing resources for further exploration.
On the negative side is the fact that the topical approach is available elsewehere in other books on death and dying in more encyclopedia form and more complete form.
The authors seem to think that death isnt something that people wonder a lot about or should wonder a lot about the mysterium tremendum of death. The illustrations in the book are sans context and images or illustrations on death are important in their own right for exploration as numerous authors like Robert Lifton have pointed to the importance of images when contemplating mortality. Furthermore the authors could have and should have indicated what complete exploration of death might be-surely the topical approach is just one amongst many approaches to death. So in this regard there is a disconnect between death as a subject of interest to be held at arms length and death as a highly personal vital concern that transcends topical approach.
In concluding if looking at death from arms length as a subject of interest is what youre into this book provides a good enough scaffolded reading experience. If you want something to be or more personal value in dealing or orienting to your own mortality then this wont fit the bill.
excellent.......1999-01-22
This book accomplishes a rare feat--appealing to those who would use it as a teaching guide but also so readable that the average reader will find it fascinating and invaluable. It is packed with illustrations as well as solid advice and history--from ancient funeral practices to today's arguments on assisted suicide. In between is every conceivable question and answer you could want on the subject of dying and death.
This is a wonderfully written and organized text that students will hold on to and not sell after reading it!.......1998-11-12
I will be using The Last Dance for the third year in a course I teach on Death and Dying in Western Culture. This text does a marvelous job of addressing the socio-cultural aspects of death in America and the world. The chapter on suicide is both helpful and haunting. There are so many excellent illustrations and photographs in this book that it really comes alive for the students. It is clear that the authors are very familiar with their subject matter, and that they care very much about those who read this book. I cannot imagine a better general text on the subject of death and dying.
Customer Reviews:
Born O'Hurley.......2007-10-18
Mom and I liked it so much we bought it twice...delightful family story and wonderful characterizations of each member of the family. Good happy ending...
It never Fails.......2007-05-27
Nora Roberts never fails to write a wonderfully creative and entertaining story that sweeps the reader into another world full of wit, humor, romance and love. These two emotionally packed novels show that Nora will always be able to catch a readers heart in the first few lines. With her obvious love of anything Irish, Nora takes the reader on a journey with a single mother of two trying to support herself and her family in the midst of question of he supposed wealth from her late husband in "The Last Honest Woman". Following is an account of a stage actress in "Dance to the Piper" who finds love in an unknown man who may ultimately be responsible for the success or failure of her current acting project. These two come highly recommended and if you are a fan of Nora's family stories, be sure not to miss the two other stories in this series Skin Deep and Without a Trace (found in O'Hurley's Return).
Oldie But Goodie.......2006-10-21
This book contains the first 2 out of 4 stories about the dynamic O'Hurley family.
In the first book, Last Honest Woman, we meet Abby the middle triplet. She is a widow of many years raising two sons on a struggling horse farm. She has consented to let writer Dylan Crosby stay on her farm and write her deceased husbands biography in order to make some money. First Dylan has to decipher whats fact and whats fiction. A good start to the series.
In the second story, Dance To The Piper, we meet the youngest triplet, Maddy. She is a broadway star who is falling for her shows money man, Reed Valentine. These two couldn't be more opposite but you will be rooting for them all the way.
You will fall in love with the O'Hurley's and look forward to the next book that contains oldest triplet Chantel and big brother Trace's stories. This is old Nora, but a great read.
Loved it!.......2006-08-15
In the book "The Last Honest Woman" we meet Abby, the middle triplet, who has had a rough marriage, and is now ready to talk about it. She agrees to be intreviewed on a book being written on her ex-husband who was killed in a race car accident. She opens her home, and the story of her life to sexy, hot Dylan Crosby. Abby is surprised when she starts feeling attracted to him because even though she agreed to tell Dylan Crosby about her rough marriage doesn't mean she's willing to tell the whole truth. As Dylan pushes Abby to tell him her darkest secret she starts to fall in love with him, and Dylan realizes he wont be able to type up the whole truth about Abby's life, for the reasons that he loves her, and can't bare to hurt her sons. This book was amazing, I loved how Nora kept you guessing as to what was Abby's secret, and why she didn't want anyone to find it out.
In the book "Dance to the Piper" we meet Maddy the youngest tripplet, whose is at the top of her career, about to star in a big, hit Broadway production thats being backed by Valentine records, Reed Valentine. Throughout the book, Maddy and Reed develop a relationship, that Reed doesn't want to be any part of. As Maddy falls in love with Reed, Reed has a difficult time believing that love is a real thing. As Maddy stuggles to be patient with Reed, and wonders why he doesn't believe in love, Reed tries to distant himself, not wanting to trust her. The problem with Reed is that he can't trust women after the betrayal he faced as a young kid. The story keeps you captivated and wondering what happen to Reed as a child, that he cant trust women. It also keep you guessing if Reed is ever going to realize he is in love and just accept it, or ruin everything between him and Maddy by pushing her away.
I definitely recomend you read these books, I thought they were great stories and I cant wait to read the other two, because throughout these books Nora dropped hints that Chantel had being recieving creepy calls, and I'm wondering what is going to happen in the third book. Hope you enjoy reading them.
Born O'Hurley.......2006-07-01
I actually read the 2nd set of books 1st & then wanted to read the 1st set. These are really good books. Make sure you get all 4 of the O'Hurley's stories there great.
Book Description
There is no event in sports quite like the Final Four. John Feinstein explores what it means to a school, a coach, and a player to be in the Final Four or even at The Final. There are the moving stories of players and coaches who thought theyd never make it to college basketballs final weekend, the spectacular triumphs of the winning teams, and the heartbreaking defeats for those who missed the cut. Feinstein also brings us inspiring and dramatic stories from the people behind the scenes: from the officials and referees to the scouts and ticket-scalpers. With the unflinching eye of a seasoned reporter and the remarkable skill of a true storyteller, Feinstein exposes the driving forces behind one of the most revered events in American sports.
Customer Reviews:
Disappointing.......2007-08-29
Feinstein is one of the top sportswriters around. This book sadly does not showcase those skills.
The book is about the Final Four and the teams that made it in 2005. We get the usual background on players and coaches, but nothing that makes these stories particularly compelling. When I read a sports book, I want the author to take me there and show me the atmosphere or a unique view of the players' lives .
Sadly, this book is like 99% of the sports books out there. Feinstein may once have been great, but he's slipping.
Great stories to hook less bookish readers........2007-08-15
I am an SAT tutor. One of my constant challenges is finding ways to encourage kids to read who'd rather do anything but. Books they actually like are a great first step. Feinstein's stories are gripping and accessible. They'll hook young readers who are more athletic than bookish, ideally making them a little more the latter. And, for anyone gripped by the love of a good sports contest or even just a good story, it's hard not to like Feinstein's works.
An Inside Look at the Final Four.......2007-04-16
Last Dance is a behind the scenes look at the NCAA Final Four. The book is mostly built on reminisces and interviews with coaches, players, and even some announcers about what it's like to get to the Final Four and win a championship. The primary theme of the book is just how important getting to a Final Four is, and winning a National Championship is, for the players and coaches. It's something that for many players is a once in a lifetime opportunity to be part of team that puts its stamp on college basketball history. Whether a marginal player seeing little action or a star player going on to a successful NBA career, a Final Four appearance and a National Championship are seen as things that are lifetime achievements. And the bitter disappoint of losing in the Final Four lasts a lifetime as well.
For the most part this book is well written and interesting as we hear from players, coaches, and others involved about their experiences in the Final Four. It paints a well rounded picture of what participants go through during the course of the season, but especially during the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. While Feinstein does not go into great depth on the history of the Final Four, its history is told throughout the book.
The one criticism this reader has of the book is it appears to be very Duke and North Carolina centric. While maybe that's because they have been to the Final Four so often, it's a bit off putting to be constantly hearing about these two schools at the expense of others who have made the Final Four. And while hearing different perspectives on the Final Four were interesting, there really wasn't anything new here either.
My two favorite sections of the book were about UCLA coach John Wooden and his wife getting a spontaneous standing ovation from the coaches in the lobby at the Final Four and Bill Bradley's thoughts on his Final Four appearance (Bradley was a Princeton and NBA star, later a Senator and presidential candidate). And the most interesting philosophical discussion was the impact of the tournament and a Final Four appearance or winning a championship on coaches. Would great coaches like Roy Williams of North Carolina have an incomplete legacy if they never won a championship? Fair or not, the answer is yes, even though the coaches don't like to say it. The pressure to win and win big is just as hot in college basketball as it is in professional sports, and coaches with great talent at big schools feel the heat. The impact of this pressure on coaches, while discussed in other areas before, was well done in this book. Finally, the hype and hysteria that surround the Final Four today compared to years ago is also interesting to note and how this sea change in attention and hype have affected players and coaches and those gathering for their Final Four appearance is well done.
This is definitely a book worth reading if you are a college basketball fan.
Some interest, considerable repetition.......2007-03-26
The portions of this book about how the "selection committee" works and about refereeing in the Final Four are interesting, full of information I have not read before. I agree with Feinstein's comments about the favoritism of the "power schools and conferences" over the smaller, lesser-known schools--excuse me, "institutions," in the words of the NCAA. The chapter about the interminable waiting on Sunday and Monday before the championship game is played will have me looking at that day differently this year--though since we're talking about "student-athletes" who are missing loads of school, I wonder if any of them do any studying for their missed classes. . . Yeah, right.
However, the book needed more editing. Mike Krzyzewski's foreword doesn't say anything that isn't said later in the book, offering little insight worth the time to read it. Nothing is said about the academic challenges facing the players who are on the road for days at a time. I, for one, would be interested in seeing something about that. Also, more from the coaches on strategy during the games could have offered insight.
That said, it's full of entertaining stories from the years of the tournament and worth a quick read.
Feinstein's Quick and Superb Read on the Tourney.......2007-03-25
Recommendation: Buy it, Read it, Share it.
"Last Dance" is a robust and insightful analysis of the Final Four which combines classic stories with original interviews and insights. As noted by basically every review to date, this book has a repetitive streak and reuses interview quotes and snippets several times. It's like déjà vu for the reader. Yet, that is Feinstein's only fault (which may fall on his editor).
"Last Dance" avoided the trap plaguing many other contemporary basketball histories; lesser books rehash old stories and repackage statistics without a shred of originality. However, Feinstein thoroughly researched the history of the Final Four and tapped players, coaches, referees, broadcasters, and executives to expand his account. His excerpts from Wes Miller's journal are simple yet offer a glimpse into day-to-day basketball life. Similarly, his chapter focused on referees (and, specifically Hank Nichols) is spectacular. In addition to these journalistic accounts, Feinstein's analysis on the peculiar influence of the Selection Committee, CBS, and the surge of marketing dollars forces the reader to reflect on the current structure and bias inherent in the greatest sporting month of the year.
Average customer rating:
- Superb Finale
- Excellent
- Well Done Sandra Gulland--An Outstanding Conclusion!!!
- Don't forget the rest of the trilogy
- A Standing Ovation
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The Last Great Dance on Earth
Sandra Gulland
Manufacturer: Scribner Paperback Fiction
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ASIN: 0684856085 |
Book Description
The Last Great Dance on Earth is the triumphant final volume of Sandra Gulland's beloved trilogy based on the life of Josephine Bonaparte. When the novel opens, Josephine and Napoleon have been married for four tumultuous years. Napoleon is Josephine's great love, and she his. But their passionate union is troubled from within, as Josephine is unable to produce an heir, and from without, as England makes war against France and Napoleon's Corsican clan makes war against his wife. Through Josephine's heartfelt diary entries, we witness the personal betrayals and political intrigues that will finally drive them apart, culminating in Josephine's greatest tragedy: her divorce from Napoleon and his exile to Elba. The Last Great Dance on Earth is historical fiction on a grand scale and the stirring conclusion to an unforgettable love story.
Download Description
The only novelist invited to appear among a group of noted scholars and experts for a four-hour PBS documentary on Napoleon, Gulland knows her characters so well she inhabits their world, and her novels enable readers to do the same. The Last Great Dance on Earth brings to life Napoleon's grand empire, its rise and fall, and Josephine's greatest tragedy: her divorce from Napoleon and his exile to Elba. Written in a spare but compelling style with finely nuanced characters and vivid setting. The Last Great Dance on Earth is a brilliant feat of historical fiction that is difficult to put down and impossible to forget.
Customer Reviews:
Superb Finale.......2007-02-11
I don't need to repeat what eveyone else seems to be stating in their reviews of this book and the entire Josephine trilogy; the story flows from start to finish.
I very highly recommend this book!
Excellent.......2006-07-11
A perfect ending to a wonderful trilogy. Gulland has clearly done her research and France comes alive through the eyes of Josephine Bonaparte. Compassionate, kind and well-loved in France, Josephine also gives us a very intimate and sympathetic insight to Napoleon Bonaparte. I enjoyed this whole series and would heartily recommend it to anyone interested in the French Revolution, the French Republic and the rise of Napoleon. It is engrossing, humorous and heart-rending. Highly recommended.
Well Done Sandra Gulland--An Outstanding Conclusion!!!.......2006-06-22
I can't express how much I loved this wonderful novel. The most accurate adjective I can think of would be 'interesting'. This book was soooo interesting. Gulland's attention to detail is absolutely meticulous. She used over 400 sources in the writing of this trilogy. I learned so much--not only about Napoleon and Josephine, but also of other historical figures of that time. I also found the daily life of the aristocracy not only fascinating but also exhausting.
Napoleon Bonaparte and Josephine Beauharnais are some of the most intriguing characters in history. Their story is so compelling and Gulland does a wonderful job of presenting it. Her 'Josephine' trilogy tells the story of Marie-Josephe-Rose Tascher (Beauharnais Bonaparte) who was born on the French Caribbean island of Martinique in 1763. She died, as she was still known, as the Empress Josephine at her beloved Malmaison in Paris in 1814. THE LAST GREAT DANCE ON EARTH begins in March 1800 at the Tuileries Palace in Paris and ends at her death. But, Gulland has a special treat for her readers. She ties up all the loose ends by telling us what happens to all the characters in her novel. I loved that! In fact, I was taking a tour a couple of weeks ago in St. Augustine, Florida and the guide told us that this is where Napoleon Bonaparte's brother came to....I now know that it was Jerome. The author also has a chronology with detailed accounts and dates of events in the last fourteen years of Josephine's life. Gulland also used actual letters of the pair in this book. And again, the pages are peppered with footnotes that add credence to this story.
In book three we're treated to more of the deep and abiding friendship of Josephine and Napoleon. The love they had for each other is legendary. Napoleon was a wonderful father to Hortense and Eugene and they also adored him. But Josephine had to put up with her horrid in-laws, their jealousy and constant designs of destroying her marriage, their lies and the constant undermining--geesh, she was more patient than I could have been. They eventually succeeded. Despite going through horrible and archaic treatments for infertility, Josephine could not conceive. As we all know, Napoleon divorced her in order to gain an heir. Even then, they continued their friendship and love.
I have been mesmerized with Napoleon and Josephine since visiting the Lourve for the first time as a college freshman and falling in love with David's "The Coronation of Napoleon." Then, after visiting the famous, albeit headless statue of the former Empress at her birthplace in Martinique, my curiosity became insatiable. We learned that Josephine's head was cut off because she influenced her husband to reinstate slavery. I was hoping to read an explanation in these novels but it was never mentioned (although Martinico is mentioned quite often). Which comes to another point: Gulland mentions that researching the lives of Napoleon and Josephine is addictive; I've already bought two more books, maybe I'll find the answer to my question!
Don't forget the rest of the trilogy.......2003-06-15
While this book stands out on it's own merits, you would be doing yourself a huge disservice if you didn't read the first two books in the trilogy first ('The Many Lives and Secret Sorrows of Josephine B.' and 'Tales of Passion, Tales of Woe'). This is probably my favorite group of books and everyone I have let borrow them feels the same. All are well-written and easy reading (as well as interesting history). I am only sorry that Sandra Gulland hasn't written any other books...yet. I keep hoping.
A Standing Ovation.......2003-02-11
Bravo, Bravo, Bravo!! Oh, how I hated to come to the end of this series. A caution to would-be readers: Do NOT shortchange yourself and skip either of the first two books (Many Lives/Secret Sorrows, and Tales of Passion) - they all flow together seamlessly and offer an indescribable wealth of passion and intellect. Wonderfully written, deeply researched - this trilogy by Ms. Gulland is truly a treasure.
Book Description
Liz Goldwyn's lifelong fascination with the inimitable glamour of classic burlesque inspired her to spend the past eight years corresponding with, visiting, interviewing, receiving striptease lessons from, and forming close relationships with the last generation of the great American burlesque queeens. Goldwyn invites us to step back into an era when the hourglass figure was in vogue and striptease was a true art form.
Meet Betty "Ball of Fire" Rowland, who was known for her flaming red hair and bump–and–grind routines. (It turns out she once sued the author's grandfather, Samuel Goldwyn Jr., for using her stage name and costume in his Hollywood picture, Ball of Fire.)
Meet Sherry Britton, who, with her long black hair and curvy, trim physique, was among the most stunning of the burlesque stars before Mayor LaGuardia outlawed burlesque in New York.
Meet Zorita, whose sexually explicit "Consummation of the Wedding of the Snake" dance (performed with a live snake) and other daring performances earned her legendary status.
Goldwyn draws back the curtain to reveal the personal journeys of yesteryear's icons of female sexuality and power, restoring their legacy to an age that has all but forgotten them–despite today's resurgence of burlesque.
Customer Reviews:
ture love.......2007-03-15
the book is very dazzling ,and it would be my ture love for the passed Age.
A Fine Tribute.......2007-02-28
An artistic design layout provides the reader with lots of photos and scrapbook pages of original costume sketches, fabric swatches, letters, postcards, and lots more. This visual collage is a wonderful piece of film toward understanding the life these women lived. Their attitude and sex appeal as we know it only disguised the reality of their life, tough working conditions and a career contingent of youth and beauty eventually leading these women to fall on hard times and in the end forgotten.
A 'must' for any holding strong in American arts history.......2007-02-03
If the book title sounds familiar, it's because Liz Goldwyn's HBO documentary of the same name aired in July 2005 to much acclaim, covering the history of American burlesque. If you think you've seen it all in the show, think again: the book holds much more! Here are personal stories, career overviews, and biographies of some of the most talented genre stars. Burlesque history comes alive here as in no other collection, making PRETTY THINGS a 'must' for any holding strong in American arts history, from general-interest to college-level libraries.
Highly recommended!.......2007-01-11
An enlightening look at a largely misunderstood/misinterpreted art form, this book combines rigorous scholarship, engaging narrative, rare photos, and well-executed design. Liz Goldwyn's love of the subject matter is clear and infectious. Highly recommended, as is the author's HBO special of the same name.
Proving there's no 'burly' in burlesque.......2007-01-10
"Pretty Things" will make any modernist long for this by-gone era of subtle seduction and skill. The text and incorporated research are as beguiling as the photographs and innovative mix of graphics. A piece to swoon over and share with all.
Book Description
For Ethan Mordden, the closing night of the hit musical, 42nd St. sounded the death knell of the art form of the Broadway musical. After that, big orchestras, real voices, recognizable books and intelligent lyrics went out the window in favor of cats, helicopters, yodeling Frenchmen, and the roof of the Paris Opera. Mordden takes us through the aftermath of the days of the great Broadway musical. From the long-running Cats to Miss Saigon, Phantom, and Les Miserables, to gems like The Producers, he is unsparing in his look at the remains of the day. Not content to scold the shows' creators, Mordden takes on the critics, too, splaying their bodies across the Great White Way like Sweeney Todd giving a close shave. Once more, it's "curtain going up," but Mordden is not applauding.
Customer Reviews:
The truth hurts.......2007-05-20
I recommend this almost as highly as the others in this series. There's nobody better at giving an overview of the Broadway Musical; his musical literacy alone is probably unique among writers on the subject.
That said, you should read one of the earlier books first, because he's naturally using earlier decades as referents. This book is also a little darker than its predecessors, but don't blame the messenger for the bad news. He finds some good in almost every season, and never actually indulges in the despair that the titls promises.
Yes, there are a few jokes that fall flat. Yes, his 'political' opinions are ignorant and cold-hearted -- the exact opposite of his theatre criticism -- but they total perhaps a page or two out of three hundred, and don't seem to influence his theatrical judgement. For example: you may not agree with his take on 'Ragtime', but he doesn't use his deep dislike of one aspect of the story to dismiss the overall production. (Actually, he does do that to 'Zorba', but that's in his book on the 60s.)
Trying too hard.......2005-11-30
Granted, I haven't read Ethan Mordden's series of books on musical theatre...and they have been well-reviewed on this site. I chose this book primarily because I wanted a book that examines the last 25 years of Broadway musicals and is fairly recent. This book surveys the period from 1978 - 2003 on Broadway (and off).
Although I did agree with many of Mr. Mordden's views on various musical projects throughout the last 25 years, I have several misgivings about recommending this book.
1). Mr. Mordden tries too hard to be witty and many of his jokes (witticisms) push too hard to be funny. Some are downright tasteless...example: when he refers to a musical based on "Our Town" that, due to Mary Martin's fatal cancer the project was "killed".
2). Mr. Mordden regularly insults his readers and Broadway audiences, regaling them for their "stupidity" while making numerous factual mistakes of his own in research. He refers to only "four original songs" from the movie Footloose that transferred to the stage version. Wrong! A couple of times, he also assigns roles to the wrong actor in his synopsis of the shows.
3). Mr. Mordden, in attempting to be witty and funny, is quite often just downright mean and bitchy.
4). His pretentiousness is on full display in the use of numerous references to Broadway as "The Street". I've never heard it called this...is this his own invention to try to coin a term and be hip and trendy? Several times, he also get tied up in the syntax of his sentence structure and the overuse of his thesaurus in order to impress. Thus, his meaning becomes muddled and difficult to understand.
5). Mr. Mordden decides that, in writing this book, he has good reason to throw in right-wing political propoganda here and there. I'm not sure why, but he does it regularly which weakens his arguments as he analyzes the shows. He rips "Ragtime" for glorifying terrorism...not only is this analysis ridiculous, but totally out of context for a musical set in the early 20th century.
Although Mr. Mordden is quite astute and dead on in many instances...his insistence on writing in the manner and style he does makes reading the book a disappointing experience in the long run.
A fine writer shoots himself in the foot.......2005-10-02
As other reviewers have noted, Mordden's decade-by-decade series on the Broadway musical has been superb to this point. His wit and genuine love of the form, together with an encyclopedic knowledge of social and cultural history, made his earlier books treasures -- "Coming Up Roses" was the best of a choice lot.
What a disappointment that "Happiest Corpse" turned out so bitter and screed-filled. Specious politics aside, by indulging himself in extended rants against Burt Lancaster, the movie version of "The Producers", "Ragtime", stupid audiences, and so on ad nauseam, Mordden clouds the fact that he's really not reporting on a corpse at all. It's easy to miss among the political outbursts, but Mordden finds many recent shows to praise and wonderful scores to extol. Yet the reader can hardly appreciate the good news when the overall tone of the book is so nasty. It's sad, not to mention ironic, that Mordden has become as humorless and bombastic as the Left he so thoroughly despises.
Two final comments: (1) Mordden's reference to "Patty Lu" is not a mistake but a joke from a previous Mordden footnote, in which he pretends that Robert and Patty's family name is Lu, and Jubilation T.'s last name is Corn. It's a lame joke but Mordden seems more prone to these lately. (2) Mordden can't have seen "Bat Boy" or "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" to dismiss them so snottily. Both were terrific musicals in the classic form, even if their subject matter was outre. Mordden falls all over himself praising "Urinetown" (no Barbara Cook there either, by the way), a good show but not the equal of either "Bat Boy" or "Hedwig".
More irritating than entertaining.......2005-03-06
While I find Ethan Mordden often erudite and highly entertaining,I find his comments often irritating and inaccurate. His new book, THE HAPPIEST CORPSE I'VE EVER SEEN contains inaccurate information on productions which involved both of us, from placing the New Amsterdam Theatre Company's final presentation, Jerome Kern's SALLY, before producer Bill Tynes' death to a cryptic "all was well till someone claimed to have found the Bennett parts at the St Louis Muny" about my restoration of Cole Porter's lost show JUBILEE. If Mr Mordden can't keep the information accurate on matters in which I was involved, I question the accuracy of other areas in his expertise.
To my knowledge, Ethan and Bill Tynes were good friends and it's my memory that Ethan was on the board for The New Amsterdam Theatre Company. Bill's health in 1986 delegated the March production of JUBILEE to Sally Hassenfelt, who became the New Amsterdam Theatre Company's producer at Bill's death in January 1987. SALLY was the only show produced under her regime in January 1988; the late Bill Tynes was still credited as producer.
Bill had wanted to use the March 1986 performances of JUBILEE as a backer's audition to present a major revival, but his health limited his time as producer and Ms Hassenfelt, who had been brought in to assist Bill, asserted her power over casting and director by bullying everyone, from me to the Cole Porter Trust. One "period musicals" authority tried to sabotage my working on JUBILEE by attempting to locate the original scores and parts, but nothing was located. In his latest book, SING FOR YOUR SUPPER, Mr Mordden's comments on JUBILEE, removing Tommy Krasker and me from any reconstruction or revival comments, show that he's been studying the photocopy of my vocal score that I gave him in 1986.
One of the most frustrating reads in quite some time.......2005-02-10
I reviewed this book for Talkin' Broadway [...] I have never been so frustrated reading a book as I was reading this one. While there is no doubt that Mordden is a knowledgeable aficionado of Musical Theater, he also comes across as bigoted, hypocritical and even homophobic (and considering that he is a gay man himself, this is more than a little appalling).
When he sticks to simply writing about the shows, he can be clear and incisive. At those moments he ranks with the best writers of theatrical criticism. Then on a dime he will sideswipe the reader with an absurd blanket statement, such as dismissing "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" and "Bat Boy" due to the fact that "...the farther we get from shows with a valid role for Barbara Cook, the farther we get from what is enjoyable" yet extolling Michael John LaChiusa's "Hello Again" and "Marie Christine" or William Finn's "Falsettos," neither of which contain roles truly suitable for Cook. Comments like "...those who truly love the musical - basically gay men and Frank Rich..." and "The Full Monty tells of married couples and teaches homo tolerance" go beyond eye-rolling into purely offensive. And the inclusion of "The Tap Dance Kid" into a chapter entitled "Why Can't Susan Smith and Timothy McVeigh Have a Musical? Hitler Has One" that explores shows like "Capeman" and "Assassins" is even worse (and including "Movin' Out," constantly called "Movin' On," and "The Full Monty" into a chapter on musicals on the disenfranchised, since he believes that the white working-class male is a minority due to actions by "... special interest groups, lone-ranger spoilers and the ACLU [that] make war on everything from the Pledge of Allegiance to Christmas..." is just plain head-scratchingly wrong.
Most disturbing of all, however, is a frothing rant against "Ragtime" that ends the chapter. While it is perplexing that Mordden can consider "Ragtime" an exultation of terrorism due to Coalhouse's targeting of firehouses but can equate the `losers' in Assassins with "Islamists killing the symbol of the success they can not have," his statement that "Ragtime" "reveals how slavishly Broadway buys snake oil from the wreckers and stooges of the hard left" belongs more in a treatise by Rush Limbaugh or Bill O'Reilly than in a critical essay on an art form.
Customer Reviews:
Must have for stage managers.......2006-10-18
I found this book very, very helpful and informative. I purchased this book when I was stage managing my first musical (community theatre) and read through it again before the last show I did. I have only stage managed three shows so far, but thanks to what I learned in this book I received a great compliment - Thanks for your work, you were so professional, I look forward to working with you again. This is a must have for a stage manager. I feel that as I progress and do more (including hopefully professional jobs someday) I can continue to refer to this book and hone my skills.
Good, In depth.......2004-06-20
As a recent graduate with a BFA in stage management, I have found Kelly's book to the the most in depth look at the craft. It addressed more complicated issues, and most interestingly, new developments, that the other books I've read(Stern, Ionazzi) don't touch on. I agree that it isn't a book for a beginner, but for someone with a little experience, looking to refine their skills, its the best book out there.
Very informative... ish.......2003-01-03
As a young budding director I found this guide helpful in some of things, I MYSELF was trying to achieve. At the same time this book reads like automotive directions in Spanish. Those unfamiliar with theatre lingo this is not a beginners guide!
Best Book in its Field.......2002-08-26
This is the best book on theatrical stage management currently available, for the money. It is well written, well organized, and very comprehensive. Kelly's approach to stage management is outstanding and he communicates it in a clear and interesting manner in the book.
Besides, being such a good book, it is priced very well. The only books that are comparable in content cost at least three times as much.
A must have for everyone seriously interested in stage managing.
don't leave home without it.......2001-02-27
From the minute I picked this book up it has become my "bible". Chock full of helpful tips and funny stories of the author's experiences as a stage manager. Not overly technical - with lots of helpful forms to smooth the way for a production (and the stage manager's nerves)! Have it with you through every show - before, during, after. Bravo! Encore!
Book Description
From the first time a record was played over the airwaves in 1906, to a modern club economy that totals $3 billion annually in New York City alone, the DJ has been at the center of popular music. Starting as little more than a talking jukebox, the DJ is now a premier entertainer, producer, businessman, and musician in his own right. Superstar DJs, from Junior Vasquez to Sasha and Digweed, command worship and adoration from millions, flying around the globe to earn tens of thousands of dollars for one night's work. Increasingly, they are replacing live musicians as the central figures of the music industry. In Last Night a DJ Saved My Life, music journalists Bill Brewster and Frank Broughton have written the first comprehensive history of the mysterious and charismatic figure behind the turntables -- part obsessive record collector, part mad scientist, part intuitive psychologist of the party groove. From England's rabid Northern Soul scene to the birth of disco in New York, from the sound systems of Jamaica to the scratch wars of early hip-hop in the Bronx, from Chicago house to Detroit techno to London rave, DJs are responsible for most of the significant changes in music over the past forty years. Drawing on in-depth interviews with DJs, critics, musicians, record executives, and the revelers at some of the century's most legendary parties, Last Night a DJ Saved My Life is nothing less than the life story of dance music.
Customer Reviews:
Great History, Writing Talent Lacking.......2007-08-18
The only thing that kept me reading this book was that it contained information I didn't know. I found that skimming helped reduce the groaning and eye-rolling caused by poor organization of the material. Much of it was just fine, but parts of the book are difficult to read because the authors couldn't devise a smooth transition from one chapter to another. Other than that minor complaint, this is a great book!
Thoroughly researched, well-written history of the dance/club DJ.......2007-07-17
Written by two former editors of Mixmag (the magazine bible of club culture and dance music), this 400-page book provides a deep, well-researched history of the club DJ. It follows the evolution of the live performance DJ from a human record changer, to a macro mixer of individual platters, to a micro mixer of record segments and sounds, to a full-fledged music producer. In doing so the authors document the impact that DJs had on the music itself, first in selecting what they played, later in demanding what they needed, and lastly in creating what they wanted.
Although the book opens with a short chapter on radio DJs (all of twenty-one pages), this story is about the club DJ's rise to musicianship. The book charts the live DJ's beginnings as a record spinner in large halls, follows the DJ-fueled Northern Soul scene in the UK, threads in the revolutionary work of Jamaican DJ sound systems, and returns to the US for a lengthy exposition on disco, hip-hop, house and beyond.
The disco chapters, though at times devolving into discussion that's more of the music than the DJs, are among the book's most interesting. They explore the movement's organic New York roots, contrasting them sharply to the genre's publicly refuted commercial apogee. One might argue with their contention that the "disco sucks" backlash was a homophobic reaction (particularly when they do such a good job of describing the commercial overexposure that led to disco's mainstream repudiation), but their descriptions of the era's seminal underground clubs and DJs bring context to disco that was completely lost in its mainstream incarnation.
Two chapters on hip hop show both its evolutionary and revolutionary forward steps, with the DJ becoming a producer and musician. Fresh interviews with the major players are skillfully woven into a compelling narrative of the genre's birth and growth. Club music's transitions between house, techno, garage and other variants are layered with reporting on the stage-setting cultural environments and geographic movements of key players. These latter chapters read more as anthropological catalogs than the you-are-there accounts of disco, so while they're informative, they're a bit dry.
A good deal of the text devolves into a history of the music, leaving the DJs temporarily on the sideline. But given the intimate intertwining of DJs and music, and the reciprocal impact they had on each other, this is probably unavoidable. Unless you're an avid dance music fan, some of the authors' points, hinged upon references to specific songs, will fail to resonate.
The authors make a compelling argument for the DJ at the center of the vortex that created disco and morphed it into house, techno, acid house and more. Unlike music that was a product of artists, record companies and radio, dance music is a product of dancers, clubs, DJs and producers, with the latter two categories merging more and more over time. The added element of geographical isolation is shown to have had a major impact on numerous scenes (northern UK, New York, Chicago, Detroit, Europe) and the development of their respective musics, and the commercial needs for starless music created a vacuum into which DJs could step.
Though this is very well written, though there are nits to pick. Their anti-academic disclaimer is unnecessarily reactionary, and not even particularly true given the amount of original research they conducted. Their text on drug influences ignores numerous earlier drug/music interactions, such as in jazz and rock. Their lack of detail on radio DJs is a reasonable choice, but one not explained by the book's title or subhead. Their geography is UK/US-centric, and limited in the US mostly to New York, Chicago and Detroit. Whether or not those three cities were host to the only innovations worth reporting upon is questionable.
Structurally the book follows a linear timelines through the disco era, but later chapters have timelines that overlap. For the unschooled, it's difficult to really see how innovations in different places were influencing each other. The book's appendices include priceless club charts that provide useful guidance in assembling a soundtrack but it's unclear where these charts came from.
Quibbles aside, this is a great read for anyone who wants to learn about the DJ's critical role in the development of dance music. For disco, in particular, the DJ booth point provides an excellent view into the scene's true history. Brewster and Broughton write lively, engaging copy and have based it on thorough original research. Highly recommended! [©2007 redtunictroll at hotmail dot com]
Written With Passion.......2007-05-16
Covering a subject as broad as this is difficult and most readers will take exception somewhere since the author deals with such a subjective subject. However, I enjoyed both the exhaustive research and obvious passion that went into this work. It's a must, not only for DJs, but for any fan of music made for the dancefloor.
Read The Real History Of Disco.......2006-10-25
This book is pure magic and brought back some happy memories.
Wannabe Club DJs please read this and understand how it all really started.
Mobile DJs? Give up and let iPod reign...
Must Read for DJ's, Dancers, Music Heads.......2006-04-05
It is pretty well know that this book is a must read for DJ's, Makers, and Fans of all forms of electronic and dance music.
Excelent histories of Dub, Hip Hop, Disco, House etc. While many of the adherents of these sub-cultures don't necessarily appreciate the others, the histories outlined in this book show how they are all inherently connected.
My only issue with this book is that the West Coast is totally ignored up until the turntablist revolution of the late 90's which the authors regard as mostly mastabatory as the writers' bias is toward DJs as providers of a dance environment.
No matter ...
There are vital histories here.
READ THIS BOOK!
Average customer rating:
- ---
- Awesome Book!
- A sensitive, realistic story of overcoming adversity...
- Considers career, life, and the unexpected changes ill health can bring - as well as the new lease on life it can offer
- You Can't Control what happens to you
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Last Dance
Lurlene McDaniel
Manufacturer: Darby Creek Publishing
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ASIN: 158196031X |
Customer Reviews:
---.......2007-07-10
i love lurlene mcdaniel's books. they are tear jerkers because they hit so close to home for many.
Awesome Book!.......2006-12-14
Rachel Deering loves to dance. She lives in Miami, Florida. Rachel went to school like a normal teenage girl does, she does her homework, hangs out with friends, and most of all loved to dance. Someday Rachel hoped to become a professional ballet dancer. When her ballet teacher tells her that the Christmas Ballet performance was coming up she got so excited she started rehearsing right away. One day when Rachel was at dance she passed out, then she was transported to the local hospital. When Rachel gets there she finds out that she has been diagnosed with diabetes, and thinks that her life has to come to an end until she meets Shawn when she meets Shawn he changes everything. Shawn was so nice to her that he showed her that even though she has diabetes she can still follow her dreams. To find out the rest of the story you should read the book. I really like this book I thought it was a great book.
A sensitive, realistic story of overcoming adversity..........2006-08-21
Originally, this book was entitled "When Dreams Shatter", and was released in the mid-80s. After going out of print for awhile, I'm glad to see that it's made a comeback!
Something is wrong with Rachael Deering. She's constantly thirsty, can't stop going to the bathroom, and she's losing weight. Then after passing out in ballet class and being rushed to the hospital, the doctor delivers a devastating diagnosis, Type I diabetes. Her pancreas has quit producing insulin and as a result, she has to give up sugar, count every calorie, and give herself two shots a day just to survive. Before her diagnosis, Rachael had dreams of becoming a famous ballerina. Now she and her parents aren't sure whether or not she should pursue her dream. When she meets Sean, a fellow teenage diabetic and a soccer player, Rachael might just realize her dream after all...
Knowing that Ms. McDaniel has a son who has been diabetic since the age of three, I believe that the majority of this story is based upon her experiences as a parent. I think she did an excellent job of dealing with such a tough subject, especially tough for a young person to deal with. I have been reading her books since I was eleven and I still continue to enjoy them now, as an adult.
Considers career, life, and the unexpected changes ill health can bring - as well as the new lease on life it can offer.......2006-08-20
Rachel loves to dance and dreams of being a professional someday - and an invite to dance in New York seems to begin her dream, until an incurable illness threatens everything she's worked for. LAST DANCE considers career, life, and the unexpected changes ill health can bring - as well as the new lease on life it can offer.
Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch
You Can't Control what happens to you.......2006-05-18
Rachel Deering is a normal 13 yearold. Wanting to be a ballet star which I can understand I do ballet. Until she passes out in ballet class. When she awakens she discovers that she a life long illness that will change her life forever. Will she overcome her illness to be star at American Ballet Company? You'll have to read Last Dance to find out.
Book Description
"America's best true-crime writer" (Kirkus Reviews), Ann Rule presents an all-new collection of crime stories drawn from her private files -- and featuring the riveting case of a fraudulent doctor whose lifelong deceptions had deadly consequences.
LAST DANCE LAST CHANCE
Dr. Anthony Pignataro was a cosmetic surgeon and a famed medical researcher whose flashy red Lamborghini and flamboyant lifestyle in western New York State suggested a highly successful career. But appearances, as this shocking insider account of Pignataro's tailspin from physician to prisoner proves, can be deceiving -- and, for the doctor's wife, very nearly deadly. No one was safe if they got in his way. With scalpel, drugs, and arsenic, he betrayed every oath a physician makes -- until his own schemes backfired. Now, the motivations of the classic sociopath are plumbed with chilling accuracy by Ann Rule. Along with other shocking true cases, this worldwide headline-making case will have you turning pages in disbelief that a trusted medical professional could sink to the depths of greed, manipulation, and self-aggrandizement where even slow, deliberate murder is not seen for what it truly is: pure evil.
Download Description
"""America's best true-crime writer"" (Kirkus Reviews), Ann Rule presents an all-new collection of crime stories drawn from her private files -- and featuring the riveting case of a fraudulent doctor whose lifelong deceptions had deadly consequences. LAST DANCE LAST CHANCE Dr. Anthony Pignataro was a cosmetic surgeon and a famed medical researcher whose flashy red Lamborghini and flamboyant lifestyle in western New York State suggested a highly successful career. But appearances, as this shocking insider account of Pignataro's tailspin from physician to prisoner proves, can be deceiving -- and, for the doctor's wife, very nearly deadly. No one was safe if they got in his way. With scalpel, drugs, and arsenic, he betrayed every oath a physician makes -- until his own schemes backfired. Now, the motivations of the classic sociopath are plumbed with chilling accuracy by Ann Rule. Along with other shocking true cases, this worldwide headline-making case will have you turning pages in disbelief that a trusted medical professional could sink to the depths of greed, manipulation, and self-aggrandizement where even slow, deliberate murder is not seen for what it truly is: pure evil. "
Customer Reviews:
Keep on Ann.......2007-05-24
I loved this book & have already read it several times. Tragic story about an incompetent, egoistic, narcissic doctor who killed one of his patients and who gave his wife such huge quatities of arsenic that it was a miracle that he did not kill her (even though he tried extremely hard).It appears that even after so many years the "doctor" has not finished with his wife at all & has ways of keeping track of and disturbing his family even from prison. What I want to know is how this guy, Pignataro, was able to review this book. He is in prison, and hopefully will stay there, and should have no access to internet? After seeing how this guy breaks the rules, I believe that his family is afraid of him & I believe that some of the nastier reviews that critise his wife have been put on here by him. A gripping read as are the other true crime cases included in this book. A great book
A MONSTER WHO LOOKS LIKE A HUMAN.......2006-08-14
I could not put this book down. Ann Rule has done it again. It had to be hard to write the chilling tale of torture and attempted murder. The author has made it possible for anyone to see the hideous mask of "Tony". Anyone accept his mother, who has cut off her two grandchildren and still idolizes her son. Unbelievable that she is still working to free him. Ann has put all of this down in such detail that you could almost see 'Tony' as Dorian Gray. The man that looked so handsome 25 years ago and the painting that now showed all of his twisted evil. Thank you Ann for another block buster of a book. I will be a fan for life.
Great Story But Too Slow.......2006-07-21
I was fascinated by the story "Last Dance, Last Chance". I especially liked the section in the middle with all the pictures. Somehow it brought the people in the book to life for me. Although I was fascinated, I had a tough read with the book and my mind wandered like crazy. There are many pieces of it that were not relevant (for me) to the storyline. Actually, instead of the Pignataro story being a small part of the book, I would have liked a single book just about them. And, I would like to hear more about their lives. I didn't like all the chatter about the DA's office. It just didn't matter in the end and took away from the story for me personally. In some places the book could have been longer and in some, shorter. I bought the book because the reviews on this site were very good but sadly I did not agree with those readers in the end. Very dissapointing considering what the book could have been.
Like watching paint dry..........2006-06-18
I agree with some of the readers here. Although the concept of the story line had the capability of being a real page turner, it was spoiled with an extraordinary amount of detail that was not needed. With any true crime story, you must read everything in case some detail plays out with the rest of this story. But this one just took forever to get to a point. All you care about is the latest antics of the doctor and his family and it drones on and on about the district attorney and his family, one of the patient's and her husband and every single detail of their lives. Also, I agree with another reader in that it's very one sided. The doctor obviously mixed in society at some point, but he is made out to be a figure like "Michael" in the "Halloween" movies where he was just a killing machine. Not very believable! The Halloween series was better though at least it scared you.
Ann Didn't "Rule" This Time...........2006-06-01
I have really enjoyed Ann Rule's books in the past. She is a terrifc author who sucks you right in. This subject of this story is great, but I agree with some of the other posts here, it's just too long. Every time I got "into" the details of Anthony and Debbie, the author pulled my attention away to things that in my opinion had nothing to do with the story. The nitty gritty things she told about Frank Sedita and his wife for example. Who cares? And, also, of course you feel horrible about the patient Sara Smith, but the only info I really wanted at that point was about Debbie and Anthony. I was impatiently waiting for her to finish the rambling, and get back to the story SO many times while reading it. She is almost too involved with Debbie and her feelings. Like a relative or something. I think it's hard to give a biased opinion when you are too involved and that's what it felt like to me.
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