Disapppointing and I'm sad about that

Let me start by saying that for me the Kermode/Mayo film programme on the radio is absolutely required listening, by podcast if not live.<br /><br />That is probably why this book is such a disappointment. Yes it's easily readable, yes it's entertaining, yes Kermode writes as he speaks, but this book has a knocked off cobbled together feel which looks more like cashing in than having any merit of its own.<br /><br />What I was hoping for was an autobiography which gave new information about the author. What the book delivers is a series of extended anecdotes, many of which are already familiar to fans of the radio show. The nadir of this is when Kermode repeats his review of Mama Mia. Now when this was broadcast, it was an absolutely jaw droppingly brilliant piece of radio. My better half quite rightly described it as being"one of those moments which make the licence fee worth every penny". Here it is cold and uninspiring, artificially shoe-horned in like the latest single on a greatest hits album.<br /><br />The anecdotes are not, however, without merit. The extended trip to Russia, the shooting of Werner Herzog, and the story of Kermode's first radio broadcasts are all good value.<br /><br />So, a qualified recommendation. It is worth buying, just don't expect too much of it.

Where friendship and art meet.

This is an interesting memoir, especially for fans of Mapelthrope or Patti Smith. For the younger generation who may not be familiar with these two names. Maplethorpe was a photographer with a style that was recognizable no matter his subject (he died of AIDs in his early 40s in 1989) and lets just say he wore his homosexuality proudly (for more on mapelthorpe I recommend Mapplethorpe: A Biography). Smith is the poet singer song writer often referred to as the grandma of punk rock and an activist for many causes to this very day. In this Memoir Smith writes about her relationship with Maplethorpe in the late and early 1970s before they became famous. I thought it was fascinating to read about these two icons before they realized who the were or wanted to be. Its hard not to think of Smith as a poet rebel, guitar in hand or Mapelthorpe as the in your face artist, but Smith's book takes the reader back to when both were"Just Kids." You see Smith and Maplethorpe as young people, not always secure in who they are, groping to find their passions that were burning inside but not fully understood. In this memoir Smith also presents a picture of a New York that no longer exists, and that alone makes this wonderful reading. Not all song writers can successfully write lyrics as well as prose, Smith though has a gift with the written word that is transcendent. Heart felt and honest, like her music, I highly recommend this book. For more honest reading concerning Hollywood Icons in the 1960s I have to recommend"Misfits Country."

AVATAR

this book is great it's got all the info you need to know about pandora, it's inhabitants, the na'vi, the monuments in pandora, the creatures, the machinery and all the other things you didn;t know,packed with information ,colour pages and you get a truly beutiful book

We have heard the chimes at midnight...

I finished this book in two sittings. Not because it's superficial, but because it's positively riveting, at least<br />to music lovers who came of age with the golden age of the NME. Nick Kent may not have the quirkiness of a Lester<br />Bangs, but he wields equal authority, as the inevitable --though always very welcome -- list of favourite albums <br />and tracks at the end confirms. He is also refreshingly honest and suitably circumspect about his personal trials<br />and tribulations. For those yet to discover the true delights of rock/popular music (Stooges, MC5, Beefheart, Can, Al Green,<br />Television, VU, etc.) this will be an education; for those who have, it will call them back to why they love it all so much.<br /><br />

A page turning read

I've loved watching Lynda whatever she's in - All Creatures Great and Small, Faith in the Future, Loose Women etc etc - so I was very excited to hear her autobiography was coming out. Lost and Found had me absolutely gripped. Lynda has been through so much, in particular two bad husbands, a suicide attempt, tracking down her birth mother ... she is so strong to get through all this! I also loved her tales of growing up on the farm, her teenage years with the characters of the 'Dark Lantern', and there are some brilliantly funny stories from her acting career. Lynda has had a rich life, if not always an easy life, and has come out of it a wiser stronger woman. I can't wait to see her in Calendar Girls, but the real emotional story is in this book.<br />

Into a Writers Mind - A Must Read

This is such a fantastic book on so many levels. It is a brilliant charting of the development of the last season of the most recent Dr. Who told through a series of incredibly insighful (and sometimes stress filled )late night emails The creator of this recent series of Dr. Who - Russell T Davis allows an insight into the mind of the genious behind some of the best television we have ever seen. We get to hear his initial thoughts about what are now iconic episodes of the series and it is very interesting to see how these story grow, change and face the test of production budgets and the dreaded tone meetings (oh if only we had seen Russell's original ideas for the Shadow Proclamation)- but what we also get is a virtual masterclass on how to develop story and characters and create and bring this world to life. It is a page turner (will Russell get episode 4.13 done in time) and he allows you to see all the worry, angst and hard work that he put into these scripts. As an American I now want to watch all the episodes of Bob and Rose!!! A must read - I hope we see more of RTD's genius in the near future - and bravo to Ben who is the fanboy questioner who manages to draw out of Russell T Davis these incredible insights (ususally beween 2-4 am in the morning!) A rare treat!!!!

Great easy and interesting listening

As you may expect from Fry and Radio 4 this is a very slick production. The whole thing holds your interest, is full of fascinating details and is exquisitely presented and produced. Obviously, if you don't like Fry or have no interest in Metaphors than this isn't for you. Also it's not an academic approach to the subject, it does draw on a lot of Academia but its very much in a light entertainment style. I just listen to odd bits on the drive to work and am very pleased with it.

guitar for dummies

This is a brilliant book for people like me who have never played a guitar before. It takes you through the basics right from when you first pick up your guitar. After a few minutes you are picking out your first notes.

rubbish

Ithink frankie boyle is a very funny man,i found his book awful,the operative word is in the title!!

Great, but watch out for adult content

Bought this for my son, thinking it is just like 'Where's Wally?'... essentially it is, but there are a few bits for more adult eyes! Suggest for 12+???

A must-have for anybody taking the exam

This book is great for helping pass the Grade 5, I would be lost without it... A must-have for anybody taking the exam

Too good for audiobook only

Ive listened to a few Doctor who audio books recently,and i must admit ive enjoyed them all.<br />The best story had to be Logopolis,which was also the final episode of my favorite Doctor Tom Baker.<br />But having said that Last Voyage is better in one major point,having the doctor the story is about reading the story does add alot to the enjoyment.<br />Overall a really enjoyable story,alittle obvious but still fun and dark in all the right places,would have made a good Tv episode.<br />Any Doctor who fan,especially David Tennant fans should really enjoy it.

Every musician, from beginner to pro, should own a well thumbed copy of this book

Was given this as a present for passing a piano exam..... It is now very very well thumbed and I beg my music students to buy this every year. They love it too and hopefully my new intake will be reading this and buying it too...<br /><br />It is so easy to understand what is often presented in a more complex difficult way. I also find it much more pleasant and 'flowing' to read larger chunks of as well as to refer to when the memory fails.<br /><br /><br />The second, blue book is also an old friend. Buy both and begin understanding.<br />

Wow

If youve seen the film youl know how amazing it looks. This book has a lot of the final designs that went into the film. Most of it is computer generated but me, I dont care they are still absolutely amazing. you get written sections with where the insperation came from and how they got to that final design. Definetly a coffee table book. Own it and own it with pride

Great piano book

Bought for my youngest son to help prepare for his Grade 1 exam. Does exactly what it says on the tin:- Grade 1 exam practice pieces. Bought other books from same range to accompany this one.

This is a superb intro to the various subjects covered

This book starts by teaching the reader a really very basic and uninspiring magic trick involving a coin. It's well written and gripping but the trick is a bit.. well rubbish. And then Derren Brown starts to add touches and finesses which make the trick look a lot better. He explains how to misdirect attention, how to dress up the act and turn a rubbish trick which is barely worth calling a trick into something magical and mystifying. I've done it in bars and in front of friends and people are genuinely amazed. A colleague who is the magic circle confirmed that most tricks are much like this - a very mundane trick dressed up in a lot of fancy showmanship.<br /><br />And if that was all the book did it would be a good read but Brown explores his art and others in similar and related fields. If you have seen and enjoyed his TV series or stageshows this is a great accompaniement and it does explain a lot of what he does in the series - of course it's a long way off everything; he still needs to earn a living.<br /><br />Subjects he explores include mediums and spirtualist (who he rightly abhors), magicians, body language and non-verbal communication, hypnotism (he argues there isn't really any such thing but it is helpful in some circumstances nonetheless), placeboes, NLP, detecting lies (which is really very difficult but is field where many people offer false silver bullets), improving memory and the nature of belief and faith. If you are religious you may well get upset reading this but I would suggest if your faith isn't up to the intelectual and emotional challenge then you don't really believe anyway.<br /><br />There is an element of autobiography in here but really it is mainly an examination of the wider field of magicians, mentalists and charlatans. Where he does talk about himself he is self deprecating and modest (quite in contrast to the image some of his detractors would try and create) and is highly critical of his character as a religiously zealous teenager. <br /><br />A colleague with a maths degree criticizes his portrayal of probability but I'm not best placed to comment.<br /><br />This is a really good book. If you are interested in issues like body language I would strongly recommend that you read more than one book and get a broader persepective but if you are only going to read one then this is probably the one to go for. I have used pieces from this at work quite often and quite successfully but I've also used the party tricks to dazzle and amaze with equal success. Well worth it - and the letters from insane fans and enemies are hilarious.

Hillarious

A truely marvellous book, revealing a lot of interest and unknown facts about Julie (both funny and sad).

brilliant

arrived in good condition in plenty of time and the text has been a great help in my A level English so far

I do love this man

If you love Stephen Fry you will love this book - simple!<br /><br />An honest and endearingly open account of his school days.