Biography: arts and entertainment Books

Book SynopsisBorn into the steam and starch of a Chinese laundry, Anna May Wong (1905–1961) emerged from turn-of-the-century Los Angeles to become Old Hollywood’s most famous Chinese American actress, a screen siren who captivated global audiences and signed her publicity photos—with a touch of defiance—“Orientally yours”. Now, more than a century after her birth, Yunte Huang narrates Wong’s tragic life story, retracing her journey from Chinatown to silent-era Hollywood and from Weimar Berlin to decadent, prewar Shanghai capturing American television in its infancy. As Huang shows, Wong’s rendezvous with history features a remarkable parade of characters, including a smitten Walter Benjamin and (an equally smitten) Marlene Dietrich. Challenging the parodically racist perceptions of Wong as a “Dragon Lady”, “Madame Butterfly” or “China Doll”, Huang’s biography becomes a truly resonant work of history that reflects the raging anti-Chinese xenophobia, unabashed sexism and ageism towards women that defined both Hollywood and America in Wong’s all-too-brief fifty-six years on earth.Trade Review"[A]n incisive guide to the tangle of race, politics, and business that Anna May Wong encountered during her rise to fame... Daughter of the Dragon offers a lively tour through Wong's world and filmography, and the film stills and portraits included throughout are a particular pleasure. Mr. Huang turns the spotlight back onto an important but largely forgotten film icon—one who shone brightly despite the bitter racial bias she faced throughout her long career. " -- Julia Flynn Siler - The Wall Street Journal"With Daughter of the Dragon, Huang is offering something different... a form of reclamation and subversion. Huang is a wry and generous storyteller; the Anna May he evokes stepped out from the limited roles she was relegated to and turned to writing as a way of showcasing her curiosity and wit." -- Jennifer Szalai - The New York Times"Yunte Huang's superb biography of Hollywood's first Chinese American movie star, Daughter of the Dragon: Anna May Wong's Rendezvous with American History, doubles as a reckoning with the country's attitudes about Asian people in Wong's day... tremendously elucidating and moving." -- Nell Beram - Shelf Awareness"Daughter of the Dragon gives us a sense of how difficult it was for Wong to operate amid the legal, cultural, political and social constraints that restricted the roles she could play in the movies and the choices she could make in her life. Yet Huang also lets us watch Anna May transcend those limits, sending witty letters to friends, welcoming reporters, posing for photographers and campaigning for war in relief in China, all the while creating the character that still demands our attention. " -- Ann Fabian - National Book Review"Daughter of the Dragon soars when Huang resists treating Wong as a hapless victim of American history and digs deeper to reveal the shrewd, resilient soul beneath. During her lifetime, Wong's stardom was, for reasons beyond her control, eclipsed by that of her white peers. Thanks in part to scholars like Huang, her legacy won't suffer the same fate. " -- Mayukh Sen - The New Yorker

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Book SynopsisThe beloved star of Star Trek, recent space traveler, and living legend William Shatner reflects on the interconnectivity of all things, our fragile bond with nature, and the joy that comes from exploration with “the insights he’s gleaned over his long, productive life” (Booklist) in this inspiring, revelatory, and exhilarating collection of essays. Long before Gene Roddenberry put him on a starship to explore the galaxy, long before he actually did venture to space, William Shatner was gripped by his own quest for knowledge and meaning. Though his eventful life has been nothing short of extraordinary, Shatner is still never so thrilled as when he experiences something that inspires him to simply say, “Wow.” Within these affecting, entertaining, and informative essays, he demonstrates that astonishing possibilities and true wonder are all around us. By revealing stories of his life—some delightful, others tragic—Shatner reflects on what he has learned along the way to his ninth decade and how important it is to apply the joy of exploration to our own lives. “A refreshingly self-aware portrait of a man determined to live every moment to the fullest” (Publishers Weekly), Boldly Go is an unputdownable celebration of all that our miraculous universe holds for us.

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Book SynopsisIn 2022, my first book, ‘Fire! Fire! The Theatre’s on Fire’, was published. It focused on the devastating effect of theatres impacted by fire. It was nominated for ‘The STR Theatre Book Prize 2022’ which is awarded each year by the Society for Theatre Research. I was delighted with the compliments I received from the many people who bought my first book. Hopefully they will be just as complimentary about my second book! The chosen subject for this book are theatres which are still standing, (just!), but are extremely vulnerable. The majority of these theatres are identified in the official ‘Theatres at Risk Register’ published annually. This was created in 2006 and it records theatres that are in need of considerable help, effort and support from many organisations. If they do not receive this they will be lost forever. Thankfully, having had the much needed support, some theatres are no longer on this list. My first experience of a theatre closure was the sudden demise of my local theatre, ‘Dewsbury Empire’ in March 1955 and the life long effect it had on me, my family, the community, the town and the theatre world in general. As a tribute to all the hard work that the numerous theatre appreciation societies are carrying out, I have selected fifteen theatres and have completed extensive research on their history as well as including the now infamous ‘Did You Know…?’ gossip section! I sincerely hope that the members of the ‘Save the Theatre’ societies are successful in their magnificent efforts and that we see many more ‘Theatres At Risk’ saved for posterity. Thank you to you all for the marvellous efforts you are making in preserving these theatres and I would ask readers of this book to join me in assisting or donating to these good causes whenever possible.Table of ContentsBRIGHTON - HIPPODROME, BURNLEY - EMPIRE, DERBY - HIPPODROME, DONCASTER - GRAND, DUNDEE - KINGS, GREAT YARMOUTH - REGENT, HALIFAX - THEATRE ROYAL, MANCHESTER - THEATRE ROYAL, MORECAMBE - WINTER GARDENS, PLYMOUTH - PALACE, SALFORD - VICTORIA, SOUTHPORT - OPERA HOUSE, STREATHAM HILL THEATRE, SWANSEA - PALACE, WALSALL - IMPERIAL

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Book SynopsisSince his untimely death in 1974 at the age of twenty six, Nick Drake has not only gained a huge international audience, which eluded him during his lifetime, but has also come to represent the epitome of English romanticism. Drake's small but much-loved body of work has evoked comparisons with Blake, Keats, Vaughan Williams and Delius, placing him within a long line of English mystical romanticism. Yet upon closer inspection Drake's work betrays a myriad of international, cosmopolitan influences and approaches that seem to confound his status as archetypal English troubadour. Nathan Wiseman-Trowse unravels the myths surrounding Nick Drake's music to show how audiences have come to think of his work as representing the very idea of Englishness itself. The music itself provides clues, hinting at a specific English landscape that Drake would have wandered through during his lifetime. Yet Drake's interest in blues, jazz, and eastern mysticism hint at a broader conception of English national identity in the late 1960s, far removed from mere parochial nostalgia. Similarly, the framing of Drake's music after his death has done much to situate him as a particular kind of English artist, integrating American counterculture, the English class system and a nostalgic re-imagining of the hippy era for contemporary audiences. Nick Drake: Dreaming England explores how ideas of Englishness have come to be so intimately associated with the cult singer songwriter. Essential reading for any fan of Nick Drake, the book will also appeal to those interested in folk music or English national identity.Table of ContentsINTRODUCTION 1 DREAMING ENGLAND 2 LISTENING TO THE LAND 3 THE COUNTRY AND THE CITY 4 MELANCHOLIA AND LOSS 5 DRAKE'S LEGACY Chronology References Select Bibliography Discography Acknowledgements Photo Acknowledgements Index

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Book Synopsis"Prince: All the Songs is a major achievement...[It] may be the definitive single-volume book about Prince for both its breadth and the way it views his life through the songs that were the true essence of his being." - PsychobabbleSpanning nearly 50 years of albums, EPs, B-sides, and more, read the full story behind all of the songs that Prince ever released. Moving chronologically through his epic back catalogue, expert author Benoît Clerc analyses everything there is to know about each song and session.No stone is left unturned across more than 600 pages, illustrated with incredible photography throughout. From the inspiration behind the lyrics and melody to the recording process and even the musicians and producers who worked on each track, uncover the stories behind the music in this truly definitive book - a must-have for every Prince fan.

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Book SynopsisFor me it begins in such an ordinary way ... with a gorilla, a blonde,and a gun ...Mid- 20th century Hollywood; 'RaymondChandler's LA before Pilates and cell phones'. Clancy Sigal (who would later bethe inspiration for Doris Lessing's 'Saul Green') is just back fromfighting in the Second World War and an abortive solo attempt to assassinate HermannGoering at the Nurenburg trials. Charming his way into a job as anagent with the Sam Jaffe agency, Sigal plunges into a chaotic Hollywood peopled by fastwomen, washed-up screenwriters, wily directors, and starstruck FBI agentstrailing 'subversives'. He parties with the likes of Humphrey Bogart, Barbara Stanwyck, TonyCurtis and an anxious Peter Lorre, who becomes a drinking buddy.But this is the era of the Hollywood Blacklistand Sigal, like many of his contemporaries, is subpoenaed to testify before theHUAC. Will he give up the list of nine names, burning a hole in his pocket, tosave his own skin? Hilarious, touching, intimate and revealing: Sigal'smemoir reads like a forgotten hardboiled detective novel and has all the makings of aninstant classic.Trade ReviewBuzzes with gossip and scandal....This is one of the best Hollywood memoirs ever. -- The Jewish ChronicleSuperblyevokes the Cold War fears of communist subversion, the hidden FBImicrophones, subpoenas, and the naming of names ... What stands revealedis a hypocritical culture and society ... Sigal'sprose style is that of the secret agent in the macho gun-toting sense,with a side-of-the-mouth, shoulder-holster private-eye delivery out ofRaymond Chandler or Dashiell Hammett. -- Mail on SundayThe beauty of Black Sunset, for most readers, will be found in the details, lovingly or painfully described, page after page ... Sigal brings the innocent and guilty back, once more, at close range, and proves himself the liveliest of literary nonagenarians in the process. -- LA Review of BooksSigal stumbles into Hollywood [...] lands the most reviled job in the biz - talent agent - and this milieu is where most of Black Sunset takes place, haunted by the Wink and by a conspiracy of accidents.Black Sunset moves with the express swagger of a Hawks or Wellman picture, although it feels like an Ozu once it's all over and the characters linger in silhouette as if they were a fixture of the freeway system at night. -- CounterpunchGripping ... a great tale of survival. [Sigal is] a terrific writer. -- Literary ReviewHis scapegrace adventures are described with so much vitality and scabrous wit you feel as charmed as one of his serial conquests...[a] marvellous book. -- The SpectatorThis true story of life as a theatrical agent is as good as any Chandler novel, full of intrigue, betrayal and incredible stories of the hard-boiled and hard-drinking seediness behind the glamour. A fantastic read -- Virginia Ironside, author of No Thanks! I'm Quite Happy Standing

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Book SynopsisDon't dance for the audience. Dance for yourself.The basis for a lavish new drama series from Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda, Fosse is the definitive book on one of Broadway's and Hollywood's most complex and dynamic icons.The only person ever to win Oscar, Emmy and Tony awards in the same year, Bob Fosse revolutionised almost every facet of American entertainment. A ground-breaking dancer, choreographer, and theatre and film director, his innumerable achievements include Cabaret, All That Jazz and Chicago, one of the longest-running Broadway musicals ever. Yet his offstage life was equally dramatic, marked by deep psychological wounds and insatiable appetites.In this richly detailed and beautifully written biography, Sam Wasson draws on a wealth of unpublished material and over 300 interviews with Fosse's family, friends, enemies, lovers and collaborators, many of them speaking publicly about Fosse for the first time. Fosse is a book bursting with energy and style, pleasure and pain - much like the man himself.Trade ReviewFantastic... Wasson is the perfect biographer for Fosse. * Guardian *Wasson is a smart and savvy reporter, and his book abounds with colourful firsthand tales. * New York Times *A smart, impeccably researched biography. * Vanity Fair *One of the sharpest showbiz chronicles in years. * Chicago Tribune *

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Book SynopsisStill only in his thirties, he has become one of Britain's great acting exports and has brought both the big and small screen to life for audiences around the world. First emerging on British television and stage - winning the Lawrence Olivier Award in 2008 and appearing in Othello opposite Ewan Macgregor - Hiddleston's breakthrough came when he was cast as Loki in the 2011 Thor film, and again in The Avengers (2012) and the 2013 blockbuster Thor: The Dark World , a role that cemented him as a star. He has since worked with legends of stage and screen, including Woody Allen and Steven Spielberg, and recently won a Golden Globe for his role in the BBC adaptation of John Le Carre's The Night Manager . In this book, Sarah Marshall traces Tom Hiddleston's career to date, from his early introduction to theatre as a child, through to his role at the heart of the blockbuster Marvel Universe and leaves few readers doubting the incredible talent of this modern star.

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Book Synopsis'JOYOUS . . . READERS WILL LOVE THIS FASCINATING BOOK' CATHY RENTZENBRINK'A GODSEND WITH THE PRESENT SEASON APPROACHING' IRISH INDEPENDENT'THE PERFECT GIFT FOR A BOOK-OBSESSED FRIEND' STYLIST, 50 UNMISSABLE BOOKS FOR AUTUMN 2017'EXCELLENT . . . SHOULD BE READ BY ANYONE WHO LOVES BOOKS' EVENING STANDARDAbsence doesn't make the heart grow fonder. It makes people think you're dead.So begins Christopher Fowler's foray into the back catalogues and backstories of 99 authors who, once hugely popular, have all but disappeared from our shelves.Whether male or female, domestic or international, flash-in-the-pan or prolific, mega-seller or prize-winner - no author, it seems, can ever be fully immune from the fate of being forgotten. And Fowler, as well as remembering their careers, lifts the lid on their lives, and why they often stopped writing or disappeared from the public eye.These 99 journeys are punctuated by 12 short essays about faded once-favourites: including the now-vanished novels Walt Disney brought to the screen, the contemporary rivals of Sherlock Holmes and Agatha Christie who did not stand the test of time, and the women who introduced us to psychological suspense many decades before it conquered the world.This is a book about books and their authors. It is for book lovers, and is written by one who could not be a more enthusiastic, enlightening and entertaining guide.'A BIBLIOPHILE'S DREAM' FINANCIAL TIMES'WILL HAVE READERS SCURRYING INTO SECONDHAND BOOKSHOPS' GUARDIANTrade ReviewWell researched and wide-ranging . . . The Book of Forgotten Authors is a bibliophile's treat written with verve and passion. It will have readers scurrying into secondhand bookshops in search of yellowing paperbacks. * Guardian *Full of humour and pathos, Christopher Fowler's survey of authors who have fallen into obscurity is a bibliophile's dream. * Financial Times *A real gem, filled with old favourites and new discoveries, and written in a light, snappy, erudite tone, as satisfying as a full English breakfast at your local art-house cafe. -- Joanne HarrisA joyous saunter through the lives and words of yesterday's big names. Readers will love this fascinating book. -- Cathy RentzenbrinkA sure-fire Christmas gift . . . charged with an irresistible passion for the world of the book. * Daily Telegraph *A treasure trove of trivia . . . Excellent . . . This colourful compendium of literary lives should be read by anyone who loves books. * Evening Standard *

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Book SynopsisThis in-depth biography details Harry's life so far. From his childhood and his journey to fame on the X-Factor to releasing incredibly successful solo music and becoming a fashion icon, this book gets you closer to Harry than ever before.From the start of his career we follow the roller coaster of emotions as One Direction broke up, and we learn how Harry reinvented himself. Free from the shackles of being in a boyband he was able to be the rock star he had always dreamed of being and conquer the US by himself.Not content with being one of the world's biggest popstars, Harry has also cultivated a career as a film star, kicking off with a starring role in box-office hits like Dunkirk before going on to become a member of the iconic Marvel universe and, in 2022, taking the lead in My Policeman and Don’t Worry Darling. Now, as universally acknowledged fashion royalty, he has hosted the Met Gala with Serena Williams and Lady Gaga and regularly models for Gucci. In 2021 he released his beauty brand, Pleasing, and he has even partnered with the meditation app Calm to record a story designed to help listeners drift off. His new album Harry’s House soared to the top of the charts in both the UK and the US, and his 2022 tour 'Love on Tour' has sold out globally. In short, his phenomenal success shows no signs of slowing down. Get to know the iconic singer in greater depth with this book that gets you to the heart of a very modern pop star – a must read for all of Harry's fans.Also available:Ariana: The Biography (9781782439745)Adele: To 30 and Beyond: The Unauthorized Biography (9781789294361)Britney: The Unauthorized Biography (9781789294590)

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Book SynopsisWithout a doubt one of the most important, influential and acclaimed artists since the 1960s, Leonard Cohen is admired by fans, musicians and composers the world over. His death in 2016 at the age of 82 was front-page news globally. The deeply personal nature of his work, and its profound insight into humans and human nature see him revered as a lyrical genius, and for good reason. His ongoing themes of depression, love, religion and relationships struck a chord with fans all over the world and his albums (as well as his books of poetry) sold accordingly.The Little Guide to Leonard Cohen features quotes from the man himself, as well as contributions from many great artists and commentators. Cohen had many celebrity fans, including Bob Dylan, Kurt Cobain, Judy Collins and more. This book contains many insightful, witty and meaningful quotes by and about Leonard Cohen, as well as fascinating facts, song lists and more.SAMPLE QUOTE: 'My reputation as a ladies' man was a joke. It caused me to laugh bitterly through the 10,000 nights I spent alone.' - Leonard CohenSAMPLE FACT: 'Hallelujah' has been recorded by more than 200 artists, in many languages. Many of the cover versions have outsold Cohen's original.Table of ContentsThe Stranger Song: The early years of Leonard Cohen. Famous Blue Raincoat: Cohen's first album is released in 1967 and he gains a small, cult following. Quotes and facts from this era. Everybody Knows: Records keep coming and Cohen continues to write, in his own style and on his own terms. Quotes from celebrity fans as well as the man himself. Hallelujah: Continuing themes are evident in Cohen's musical works. Quotes and facts on the oft-visited subjects of love, depression, religion and politics. I'm Your Man: An enduring subject of Leonard Cohen's work was his relationships with women. This chapter features many quotes on just that subject. Hey, That's No Way to Say Goodbye: A list of Cohen's album releases, from 1967's Songs of Leonard Cohen to the posthumous release Thanks for the Dance.

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Book SynopsisMusic and Mayhem chronicles the life of Keith Donald, a musical prodigy from Belfast, as he navigates the highs and lows of addiction, personal struggle, and groundbreaking success in the golden era of Irish music, culminating in his pivotal role with the Celtic rock supergroup Moving Hearts.

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Book SynopsisJohn Richardson draws on the same combination of lively writing, critical astuteness, exhaustive research, and personal experience which made a bestseller out of the first volume and vividly recreates the artist's life and work during the crucial decade of 1907-17 - a period during which Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque invented Cubism and to that extent engendered modernism. Richardson has had unique access to untapped sources and unpublished material. By harnessing biography to art history, he has managed to crack the code of cubism more successfully than any of his predecessors. And by bringing a fresh light to bear on the artist's often too sensationalised private life, he has succeeded in coming up with a totally new view of this paradoxical man of his paradoxical work. Never before has Picasso's prodigious technique, his incisive vision and not least his sardonic humour been analysed with such clarity.Trade ReviewJohn Richardson's second volume on Picasso confirms what his first suggested: that this is a masterpiece in the making, the most illuminating biography yet written on a twentieth-century visual artist... A continuous pleasure to read -- Richard HughesMagisterial...Richardson's ambitious project dwarfs all previous biographies of Picasso... [He] has a gift for telling pen-portraits and makes vivid an entire gallery of pioneering dealers and early collectors. -- Frances Spalding * Sunday Times *Richardson covers [the] momentous ten years from 1907 to the end of the First World War with great elegance and quiet authority... What makes the two published volumes so outstanding is the sense of Picasso the man emerging - in all his complexity - alongside the superb analysis of Picasso the artist -- William Boyd * Spectator *

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Book SynopsisLONGLISTED FOR THE BAILLIE GIFFORD PRIZE 2023 From the author of Apollo's Angels, the first major biography of the figure who modernised dance: an intimate portrait of the man behind the mythology, set against the vibrant backdrop of the century that shaped him Balanchine's radical approach to choreography reinvented the art of dance and his richly evocative ballets made him a lasting legend. Today, nearly thirty years after his death, the man is still so revered that the mysteries of his biography are often overlooked. Who was George Balanchine? Born in Russia under the last Czar, Balanchine experienced the upheavals of World War One, the Russian Revolution, exile, World War Two and the cultural Cold War; he was part of the Russian modernist moment, a key player in Paris in the 1920s, and in New York he revolutionized ballet, pressing it to the forefront of modernism and making it serious and popular art. His influences were myriad. He considered himself Georgian, yet he did not step foot in his ancestral homeland until he was in his fifties. He was deeply influenced by the cold grandeur and sensuous beauty of the Orthodox Church, but equally absorbed by the new rhythms and dance steps coming out of Harlem in the 1930s. He collaborated broadly, with figures like Diaghilev and Stravinsky. A man of muses, Balanchine was married five times, always to young dancers, and consumed by many other loves in between. The difficulties of his life - personal losses, bouts of ill health, debilitating loneliness and dark moods of despair - resonate in his dances, which speak so poignantly of love and loss, and yet the full implications for his art remain unexplored. Now for the first time we look beyond the myth of 'Mr B' - the mask which Balanchine himself helped to create - to see 'Mr B' the man.Trade ReviewWith unique expertise in dance and what it means to dance, Jennifer Homans shows rare insider understanding of Balanchine's inexhaustible creativity... A magnificent and enthralling biography with an epic historical sweep, inflected by the poignancy and sensitivity of an intimate literary portrait * Marina Warner *One of the best stories of a Petersburger coming to America I've ever read. This isn't dutiful biography, this is literature as vibrant and alive as Balanchine's art * Gary Shteyngart, author Our Country Friends and Super Sad True Love Story *Jennifer Homans has not only resurrected George Balanchine down to the perfumed silk foulard, offering up a life of fairy-tale turns and tenacious demons, of prodigious imagination and impossible standards, of five wives and the slew of almost-wives. She has restored the Russia that disappeared out from behind Balanchine and the lush mirage that endured. More remarkably, she pins dance to the page with the precision, intensity, and range her subject prized. The result is lyrical and commanding, among the most electrifying pas de deux you're likely to find on the biography shelf. -- Stacy Schiff * winner of the Pulitzer Prize, New York Times bestselling author of The Witches and Cleopatra *Jennifer Homans's meticulously researched Mr. B gives us an artist who is as complicated, and even flawed, as he was groundbreaking and brilliant. It is a fascinating read about a true genius and his unrelenting thirst for beauty in art and in life -- Mikhail BaryshnikovNo previous biography of George Balanchine has caught so many of the disparate layers of this superlative choreographer to such revelatory effect -- Alastair Macaulay, Chief Dance Critic * The New York Times *Perfectly calibrated, sympathetic where necessary, fearlessly critical elsewhere, and a much-needed demolition of the Mr. B myths - the flawed genius tropes - that manages, in energetic, evocative prose, to enhance the intellectual and spiritual powers of Balanchine's ballets and the art overall -- Simon Morrison, author of Bolshoi Confidential: Secrets of the Russian Ballet from the Rule of the Tsars to TodayI'm entranced by Homans's chief gifts: her ability to pin a character instantly on the page, bringing to bear the back story and even more distinctively, her own ballet training infusing the story with a rare physicality. Then too there is the deftness of conveying Mr B.'s flaws of cruelty, caprice and autocracy without undermining his art.... Extraordinary -- Lyndall GordonA sensitive, stately and often thrilling new biography of the Russian-born choreographer George Balanchine... Mr B. is a serious act of cultural retrieval, by a writer who knows when to expand and when to collapse, who makes unexpected connections, and who knows when her subject pinches, borrows or steals. The critic, historian and dancer in Homans are nearly always in sync * The New York Times *

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Book SynopsisThe son of a deranged Italian immigrant, Joseph Grimaldi (1778-1837) was the most celebrated of English clowns. The first to use white-face make-up and wear outrageous coloured clothes, he completely transformed the role of the Clown in the pantomime with a look as iconic as Chaplin's tramp or Tommy Cooper's magician. One of the first celebrity comedians, his friends included Lord Byron and the actor Edmund Kean, and his memoirs were edited by the young Charles Dickens. But underneath the stage paint, Grimaldi struggled with depression and his life was blighted with tragedy. His first wife died in childbirth and his son would go on to drink himself to death. The outward joy and tomfoolery of his performances masked a dark and depressing personal life, and instituted the modern figure of the glum, brooding comedian. Joseph Grimaldi left an indelible mark on the English theatre and the performing arts, but his legacy is one of human struggle, battling demons and giving it his all in the face of adversity.Trade ReviewA wonderful book: beautiful, heartbreaking and absolutely fascinating -- Amanda Foreman * * author of The Duchess * *A round of applause is due to this exuberant, impassioned portrait, for bringing the great Grimaldi, 'Joey the Clown', into the limelight again -- Jenny Uglow * * Observer * *Grimaldi's is a story of comedy mixed with pathos, endurance with absurdity. It is exceptionally well told here -- Sam Leith * * Daily Mail * *This interesting and entertaining book gives a real insight into how much professional comedy has changed over the last 250 years, and how much it hasn't changed -- Frank SkinnerAlways vivacious and engaged, Stott's writing is earthed in research that gives resonance to the amplitude of detail he provides, tactfully tucking away documentation of sources in endnotes that are a pleasure in themselves -- Jennie Renton * * Sunday Herald * *A round of applause is due this exuberant portrait for bringing Grimaldi into the limelight again * * Observer New Review * *Splendid * * Sunday Telegraph * *Superb * * The Telegraph Review * *A dazzling yarn * * The Independent * *McConnell Stott's engaging book...presents a fantastic panorama of stage history, tracing how pantomime rose to be the most popular British art form at a time when the rest of Europe was convulsed by the Napoleonic wars * * The Sunday Times * *Full of wonderful descriptions of how this manic yet poignant clown beat off competition ... to be the "supreme comic being, part child, part nightmare" * * Guardian Review * *[A] great big Christmas pudding of a book, almost over-stuffed with rich and colourful life -- Simon Callow * * Guardian 'Book of the week' * *Fascinating, informative and compelling, this is essential reading for lovers of theatre and comedy * * Waterstones Book Quarterly * *As a portrait of London life in all its mutinous and anarchic variety this book would be hard to beat * * Spectator * *The biographer once did a comic turn himself and it animates his account. Stott doesn't just bring the man to painful life but his world as well * * Scottish Review of Books * *Sad though his decline was, his story, as McConnell Stott tells it, conveys an overwhelming impression of verve and ingenuity. . . [McConnell Stott] recounts these wonders with infectious brio -- John Carey * * The Sunday Times * *Rich in detail... [Stott] succeeds in evoking the London theatrical world of the time in all its riotous energy -- Patrick O'Connor * * Times Literary Supplement * *In this attractively written, well-illustrated and well-researched biography Andrew Stott brings this extraordinary genius vividly before us, in the process richly evoking the tumultuous life of the London theatre -- Michael Slater * * Literary Review * *Stott has had fun with this life * * Irish Times * *

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Book SynopsisNo life in popular music touched on as many major musical milestones as that of The Beach Boys' Carl Wilson. While he is often unjustly overlooked as a mere adjunct to his more famous brothers Brian and Dennis, Carl was a major international rock star from his early teens. The proud owner of one of the greatest voices in popular music-one that graced some of the most important records of the pop era, including 'God Only Knows' and 'Good Vibrations'-Wilson was also one of the first musicians to bring the electric guitar to the forefront of rock'n'roll. His musical skills provided The Beach Boys' entree into the music business, from which he then stewarded their onstage journey through the ups and downs of the 60s to their comeback in the 70s and into the role of 'America's band' in the 80s. Along the way, Carl quietly endured his own battles with obesity, divorce, substance abuse, and ultimately terminal cancer, all the while working to protect his family's business and legacy. This major new biography reveals the true story of modern rock'n'roll, lived from the centre of the most important decades of popular music.

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Book SynopsisRonnie Lane's story is that of a working-class kid who started his musical career busking a ukulele at the age of eight. As a young man he signed with legendary manager Don Arden, who paid him in paisley shirts. He then enjoyed a phenomenal 17 consecutive Top 40 singles, womanising and LSD, and fell under the spell of a mystic before joining forces with Rod Stewart. Ronnie was later diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, moved to America, went broke and died far too young. Drawing on extensive research and interviews with friends and family, Caroline and David Stafford unearth the truth and talent of the man behind the music.Trade Review'A spirited and heartfelt account of Ronnie’s amazing life and music’ Charlie Hart, Slim Chance; 'This book captures the man and his incredible musical and personal journey in a celebratory way, but also handles his terribly sad ending sensitively. I raise a glass to both the book and to Plonk and say thank you for both' Mark Baxter, author of Scorcha!

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Book SynopsisPop Rock Icons takes us into the extraordinary world of London, England at the time of the greatest countercultural upheaval that the country has known. A real musical revolution began at the beginning of the 1960s, led by the Beatles, further ignited by the Rolling Stones and many others. The incredible rise of rock music continued until the end of the 1970s, when Punk arrived and launched a new wave of DIY rebellion. In photographs which capture the spirit of the times, [re]discover the optimism of the Beatles; the Stones' dark rhythm'n'blues; the energy of The Who; the innovation of prog rock with Pink Floyd and Genesis, as well as the explosive heavy metal of Black Sabbath and Deep Purple. The 70s gave us the glam rock of T Rex and the gritty pub rock of Dr Feelgood, without forgetting the rock giants: Led Zeppelin, Queen, Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, and the unclassifiable David Bowie.Trade Review"...this lavishly illustrated book is not only a treat for rock fans, it's a veritable study guide for the budding bohemian fashionista." - Zoe Howe, author of Lee Brilleaux: Rock 'n' Roll Gentleman and more; "a very tastefully designed volume with a wide scope that embraces rhythm and blues, pure pop, guitar heroes, 'prog', heavy metal, glam and pub rock... It's a tremendously eclectic gallery of off-duty movers and shakers" - Russell Newmark, The Beat Magazine; "Why collate a photography collection of musicians? The answer is simple because "fashion was driven by music and musicians" in the 60s & 70s. Furthermore, the choice of photographs selected are more than just savvy promotional photo shoots. For instance, The Beatles are captured together playing pitch and putt, looking rather unsophisticated. The alluring presence of the late founder of The Rolling Stones, Brian Jones, came across, and it was a wise choice to include all Rolling Stones images with him in them. There is even a photograph of Jones with John Lennon and Yoko Ono with a nervous-looking young Julian Lennon. Standing in the background is Roger Daltrey.... Best of all, through the forum of music, we see how a diverse generation during the "London's Swingin' 60s & 70s" discover who they truly were."- Michael Barron, xsnoize; "rock fans of every generation will enjoy flicking through photos of stars in their finery given a certain je ne sais quoi in full colour plates." - Claudia Elliott, Classic Rock Magazine; Pop Rock Icons by Philippe Margotin is one of those exceptional photo books every good household interested in rock needs because it showcases rock history through eye-peeling photos captured by some of the best photographers of the era. The book embraces the '60s and 70s era that was probably most fruitful for the genres such as classic rock, pop rock, hard rock, progressive rock, heavy metal, pub rock, and glam rock. Pop Rock Icons explores all these music genres through high-quality photography, longevous preludes into every section of the book, brief information about every band, fun facts, and other trivia you unquestionably need to know about some of the greatest names of the rock scene."- Djordje Miladinovic, Thoughts Words Action; "The book takes you on a wonderful journey into the history of British rock music, specifically focusing on the freedom and trends in the country's capital city, London. It starts and takes you through the 60s with game changers who led the musical revolution in the early 60s, which was marshalled by The Beatles and further erupted by The Rolling Stones, amongst others. Philippe has done a sublime job of collating the best and signature photographs to embody the time for musical significance, culture, and fashion. It takes you on a nostalgic trip, offers an insightful look into the spirit of that time, and demonstrates the crucial milestones of those who set the foundations of rock and metal in Britain. "- Carina Lawrence, Mad About Rock magazine; "Many of the 'icons' such as the Rolling Stones and the Who came from west London and made their names playing clubs in Richmond, Teddington and Ealing, and Pop Rock Icons; London's Swingin' 60s and 70s has pictures of them rehearsing, relaxing, just being themselves as well as the set piece publicity images published to promote their tours and albums. The book starts with the Stones and the Beatles and makes its way through the London of the Mods and the Anglification of R&B to the eras of progressive rock, heavy metal, pub rock and glam rock... I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and looking at the pictures." - Bridget Osborne, The Chiswick Calendar; seizes Zeitgeist of the '60 and '70s almost perfectly. Coffee books rarely are so engrossing. - DMME; "A beautiful book for fans of Rock 60's and 70's. Behind a fairly common brood hides a splendid collection of photographs of rock icons of the 60's and 70's. We meet among others Jimi Hendrix, Keith Richards, the Yardbirds. The books is recommended to fans of British Rock but also to those who are interested in the fashion of the 60's". Rated: ***** - Nicolas Coupannec, Bookseller at Decitre; "A hugely fascinating book. One in which all music fans can find something to lose themselves in." - Craig Campbell, Louder Than War; "Book with nice photos that makes a great Christmas present for my husband"--Valeri c fnac

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Book SynopsisMarina Abramovic has truly pioneered performance as a visual art form. Her work - notorious for its feats of endurance, pain and intense physical encounter - has pushed the boundaries of contemporary art and cemented her reputation as one of the most significant artists of the past 50 years. This book brings her complete practice together into one concise and essential volume.

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Book SynopsisCedric Morris (1889–1982) and Arthur Lett-Haines (known as Lett) (1894–1978) were an extraordinary couple who were at the centre of the Modern British art scene and were hugely influential across the spheres of gardening and cookery as well as art. After studying in Paris in the 1920s, they moved to London, where they gave fabulous parties attended by the cream of creative London. Morris became a sought-after painter of flowers, birds and landscapes, while Lett was hailed as Britain’s first Surrealist. Together they founded the East Anglian School of Painting and Drawing at Benton End in Suffolk, attended by Lucian Freud and Maggi Hambling, where the atmosphere was described as “robust and coarse, exquisite and sensitive all at once, also faintly dangerous”. Lett ran the school and was a superb cook who swapped recipes with Elizabeth David. Cedric Morris became an award-winning plantsman and poppy and iris breeder. He was an acknowledged influence on many gardeners, including Beth Chatto. This biography, revised and updated in this paperback edition, is a fascinating portrait of a unique couple who were hugely influential across the spheres of gardening and cookery as well as art.Trade Review"A fascinating and very British story mixing minor aristocracy and delicious homosexual high jinks, grand country houses and Avant Garde intrigue. The author’s prose flows easily and free of pretension tickling one pink with his sprightly tone." -- Adrian Dannatt * The Art Newspaper *"This book will get me through winter - it's a lesson in how to live and garden with passion and no particular rules but lots of colour and flavour and the savour of food, drink, flowers and oil paint." -- Isabel Bannerman * Telegraph, Best Gardening Books *"The first in-depth picture of Morris's long life." * Telegraph *"A valuable introduction to his subjects’ lives and works, with particularly good chapters on the garden and the food at Benton End." -- Peter Parker * Spectator *"Provides a compelling window onto the British avant-garde and its relationship with similar movements elsewhere in Europe." -- Tim Richardson * Literary Review *"Enjoyably revealing." * Gardens Illustrated *"St Clair paints captivating and delightful portraits of the greatest flower painter of the 20th century and his partner, giving them their rightful place in British art." -- Philip Mould"A well-researched and fascinating read." * House & Garden *

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Book SynopsisThe glittering story of April Ashley, model and trans pioneer, and the divorce case that gripped 1970s Britain and defined transgender rights for a generation. As Britain emerged from post-war austerity and headed towards the Swinging Sixties, no one embodied its newfound spirit of hedonism and glamour like April Ashley. A fashion model and socialite who rose from poverty in Liverpool to the heights of London society via Le Carrousel nightclub in Paris, she was also one of the first Britons to undergo gender-affirming surgery. Ashley was appointed MBE for services to transgender equality in 2012, but her journey towards acceptance was hard-won and bitterly contested. In 1961, a friend sold her story to a tabloid and she feared that she would never work in the UK again. Her brief marriage to Arthur Corbett, the son of a baron, set off a high-profile divorce battle, resulting in a landmark 1970 decision denying transgender women legal status as women and denying Ashley her husband's i

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book SynopsisFew artists’ lives are as inspiring as that of Niki de Saint Phalle. While she started her career as a fashion model, a subsequent breakdown led to her taking up painting as therapy. Entirely self-taught, Niki spent the rest of her years devoted to art that was based in emotional truth and a feminist point of view. This graphic novel follows Niki’s extraordinary career, from her early “shooting pictures,” in which she fired bullets at bags of paint, to the creation of the exuberantly formed life-sized dolls she called “Nanas,” which established her as an international success. The book also looks at her close collaborations with her husband and fellow artist Jean Tinquely; her painting, drawing, assemblage, performance art, and large-scale installations; and her work in film, theater, and architecture. The texts explore how Niki tackled social and political issues and institutions— and shows why her work remains as eloquent and powerful today as when it was first created. Looking beyond her brightly colored sculptures, this book tells the story of a woman who fought for a fairer world; a headstrong outsider, who made a name for herself in the male-dominated art world of the day; and an autodidact, who became one of the greatest artists of her time.

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Book SynopsisCountry''s top cop Ajai Raj Sharma''s journey started with policing small towns of Uttar Pradesh, fighting bandits and goons of the notorious Chambal Valley, taking on the responsibility of politically sensitive and communally volatile districts. He was handpicked to lead the Delhi Police Force at a time when India''s capital was in a crisis. He also stood at the helm of the world''s largest border force, which secures India''s borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh. In the pages of this searing memoir, readers will be treated with the inside story of the creation of Special Task Force, of the elimination of the dreaded Shri Prakash Shukla, the exposing of the match-fixing scandal, the hunting down of ISI terrorist Ghazi Baba and the dynamic response to the 2001 Parliament attack, amongst many others. Biting the Bullet is a trailblazing account of a life full of tackling dacoits, encounters, shootouts and terror attacks, all the while giving an insight into the mind and heart of this police officer as he makes life-changing decisions.

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Book SynopsisPre-order the brand-new paperback from Rylan - fully updated to include stories from the last 12 months! Funny and outspoken, Rylan is one of the UK's most-loved presenters and a true household name. Rylan first emerged on our screens in September 2012 and in the ten years since then has become a one-of-a-kind national treasure.    In this surprising new memoir, Rylan invites us deeper into his world to reflect on all the things he's learnt from a decade in the limelight, whilst also pulling back the curtain on his personal journey. Covering everything from fame and celebrity to his mental health and identity, family and relationships to his love of reality TV, he recounts his life lessons with humour, candour and a huge amount of heart. From the moments that have shaped him to the mistakes that have made him, and the unusual pastimes that have obsessed him along the way.   With unforgettable stories about his rise to fame, his

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Book SynopsisIn 2017 the Salvator Mundi was sold at auction for $450m. But is it a real da Vinci? In a thrilling narrative built on formidable research, Ben Lewis tracks the extraordinary journey of a masterpiece lost and found, lied and fought over across the centuries.In 2017, Leonardo da Vinci's small oil painting, the Salvator Mundi was sold at auction for $450m. In the words of its discoverer, the image of Christ as saviour of the world is the rarest thing on the planet by the greatest human being who ever lived'. Its dazzling price also makes it the world's most expensive painting.For two centuries art dealers had searched in vain for the Holy Grail of art history: a portrait of Christ as the Salvator Mundi by Leonardo da Vinci. Many similar paintings of greatly varying quality had been executed by Leonardo's assistants in the first half of the sixteenth century. But where was the original by the master himself?In November 2017, Christie's auction house announced they had it. But did they? TTrade Review'The story of the world’s most expensive painting is narrated with great gusto and formidably researched detail.' Charles Nicholl, Guardian 'Forensically detailed and gripping investigation into the history, discovery and sales of the painting … Through his fascinating and persuasive account, Lewis remains balanced; the Salvator Mundi might be exactly what its supporters claim it to be, even though it sits in "a pool of theories, surrounded by a tangle of conjecture, suspended from a geometry of clues".' Sunday Times ‘A page-turning tale about the most expensive painting of all time. It’s a story populated by characters straight out of a thriller: the soft-spoken but ambitious art dealer, the Russian oligarch in the middle of a messy divorce, the shadowy Swiss storage king who sidelines as a dealer, the Saudi prince eager to polish his reputation with a cleansing spritz of high art. Mr. Lewis interweaves the many threads of an intricate tale into the story of the dramatic restoration, sale and resale of the Salvator Mundi.’ Wall Street Journal ‘As Lewis chronicles the quest to attribute the painting to da Vinci, he uncovers an astoundingly dysfunctional world of museums, galleries, auction houses, collectors – a Russian oligarch and a Saudi prince among them … Art, greed, and stealth make for a lively tale of intrigue.’ Kirkus ‘Lewis’ portrait of the artist-engineer … as a “dreamer, a doodler, and a dawdler,” is refreshingly compelling … Lively and ultimately sinister sketches from over the centuries amount to the Salvator Mundi’s provenance … A deliciously detailed, satisfying book, that is simultaneously a call for change.’ Irish Times Praise for ‘Hammer and Tickle’: ‘Ben Lewis's book celebrates the brilliance with which jokes exposed the gulf between the Soviet ideal and its brutal reality’ Sunday Telegraph ‘There is a laugh on every page’ John Suchet, Sunday Express

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Book Synopsis'A joy to read.' Sunday Times'Outstanding.' Daily Telegraph'Excellent.' The Spectator'Superb.' Literary Review'Scintillating . . . A gripping, mysterious love story which also sheds light on British culture between the wars.' Financial TimesIn 1922, Cyril Power, a fifty-year-old architect, left his family to work with the twenty-four-year-old Sybil Andrews. They would be together for twenty years. Both became famous for their dynamic, modernist linocuts - streamlined, full of movement and brilliant colour, summing up the hectic interwar years. Theirs was a scintillating world of Futurists, Surrealists and pioneering abstraction, but alongside the buzz of the new, of machines and speed, shops and sport and dance, they also looked back, to medieval myths and early music, to country ways disappearing from sight.

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Book SynopsisIf Alexander McQueen were to give a masterclass on design, creativity and attitude, what wisdom would he impart? Discover McQueen's life, work and legacy in this sharply curated biography focusing on artistic spirit.  Alexander McQueen will go down in history as the most talented and enigmatic 'bad boy' of fashion. But it was his drive and visionary perspective that secured his place in sartorial legend when his defying couture looks sent shockwaves through the fashion landscape.But how did he think? And how was his attitude reflected in his work? What Alexander McQueen Can Teach You About Fashion breaks down McQueen's life and work into memorable maxims – including Don’t be Scared of Fear, Challenge Gender, Add Volume, then More Volume and Show Skin. This book uncovers McQueen’s creative flair, his inspirations, his business acumen and the details that make his designs so a

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Book SynopsisAn engaging and in-depth examination of the work of Guillermo Del Toro, one of the most revered directors working in modern cinema.Trade Review"The book manages to break down Del Toro’s career into a book that is both informative, engaging and easy to dip into. Casual fans will learn all about his biggest films and more, and hardcore fans should love it." * Cryptic Rock *"It’s the type of book that will give you endless “oh, did you know…” ammunition for any conversation on his work...a beautifully put together book that would grace any bookcase or coffee table..." -- Clare Hemsworth * Fandemonium Network *"The photos alone are enough for a fan to covet this fine book (which comes in its own slipcase), but Nathan's essays also help tie together Del Toro's career, making an argument for him as a rare artist with a cohesive, personal vision and style." -- Jeffrey M. Anderson * Combustible Celluloid *"For those looking for examinations of del Toro’s narrative techniques and stylistic and creative choices, they will not be disappointed with critical and honest analysis that Nathan provides." * Conskipper.com *"...this is a terrific book with insightful, eloquent writing from Nathan that fed my artistic soul." -- Michele Galgana * ScreenRant.com *"...full of interesting stories and full-colour stills and behind the scenes photos from the movies. It's a fun coffee table book that would make a good gift for someone interested in Del Toro's work, or filmmaking in general." -- Jennifer Muirhead * WeekendNotes.com *"Despite being unofficial and unauthorized, this comprehensive volume blooms with gorgeous, sometimes grotesque imagery and knowledgeable, occasionally indulgent reverence for del Toro’s estimable body of work." -- Mark Burger * YES Weekly *Table of ContentsCONTENTS INTRODUCTION 1. ONCE UPON A TIME IN MEXICOThe early years & Cronos (1993) 2. TUNNEL VISIONMimic (1997) 3. UNFINISHED BUSINESS The Devil’s Backbone (2001) 4. BLOOD RUSH Blade II (2002) 5. BIG RED Hellboy (2004) & Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008) 6. RITES OF PASSAGE Pan’s Labyrinth (2006) 7. HIGH CONCEPT Pacific Rim (2013) 8. FREAK HOUSE Crimson Peak (2015) 9. THE LOVE AQUATIC The Shape of Water (2017) 10. THE WEAVER OF DREAMS Nightmare Alley & Pinocchio (2021 - TBC) SOURCES & CREDITS

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Book SynopsisCecil Beaton was one of Britain's greatest cultural icons - not just as a photographer capturing some of the most celebrated portraits of the 20th century but also as designer of the iconic sets and costumes for the films My Fair Lady and Gigi. In 1980, Beaton personally chose Hugo Vickers to be his biographer, entrusting him with his diaries and the entire body of letters he had written - both personally and professionally - over the course of his life. Drawing on five years of intensive research and interviews with the likes of Audrey Hepburn, Truman Capote, Princess Grace of Monaco and Sir John Gielgud, Vickers' biography was an instant bestseller upon its publication in 1985. Exploring Beaton's metamorphosis from being the child of a staid middle-class family to an international figure mingling with the glittering stars of his age, the biography also details his great love for Greta Garbo and reveals his private sense of failure that the success he always wanted - as a playwright - eluded him. Republished in a new paperback edition in time for Bright Young Things, a major exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery in 2020, Cecil Beaton is the definitive and authorised biography of one of the world's most fascinating, famous and admired photographers.

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Book SynopsisTHE SUNDAY TIMES ART BOOK OF THE YEAR A Sunday Times Best Paperback of 2022 Christie's Best Art Books of the Year 'Deft and richly detailed ... rescues the artist from John Bull caricature' - Michael Prodger, Sunday Times 'Marvellous ... a vivid and compelling reconstruction of the settings of Hogarth's life and artistic achievements, and of the nature of the man' - Professor Linda Colley, author of The Gun, the Ship, and the Pen 'Full of richness, originality and considered humour, unafraid to shock with thrilling new insight ... terrific' - Dr Gus Casely-Hayford, Director of V&A Stratford & Sky Arts 'The full technicolour panorama of Georgian life laid out in a huge and passionate book' - Lucy Worsley, Chief Curator at Historic Royal Palaces and author of Courtiers: The Secret History of the Georgian Court On a late spring night in 1732, a boisterous group of friends set out from their local pub. They are beginning a journey, a 'peregrination' that will take them through the gritty streets of Georgian London and along the River Thames as far as the Isle of Sheppey. And among them is an up-and-coming engraver and painter, just beginning to make a name for himself: William Hogarth. Hogarth's vision, to a vast degree, still defines the eighteenth century. In this, the first biography for over twenty years, Jacqueline Riding brings him to vivid life, immersing us in the world he inhabited and from which he drew inspiration. At the same time, she introduces us to an artist who was far bolder and more various than we give him credit for: an ambitious self-made man, a devoted husband, a sensitive portraitist, an unmatched storyteller, philanthropist, technical innovator and author of a seminal work of art theory. Following in his own footsteps from humble beginnings to professional triumph (and occasional disaster), Hogarth illuminates the work and life of a great artist who embraced the highest principles even while charting humanity's lowest vices.Trade ReviewAn evocative portrait of the artist ... wonderfully meandering and original * Guardian *William Hogarth is too easily seen as the John Bull of painters, a bluff xenophobe who showed British life in all its earthiness and humour. Jacqueline Riding, however, reveals a far more nuanced and interesting man * Sunday Times *In this marvellous and timely new biography, Jacqueline Riding makes sensitive and imaginative use of a wide range of often difficult and neglected sources, offering in the process a vivid and compelling reconstruction of the settings of Hogarth's life and artistic achievements, and of the nature of the man -- Linda Colley, author * The Gun, the Ship, and the Pen: Warfare, Constitutions, and the Making of the Modern World *If you are not familiar with the particular genius of Hogarth, this is the book through which to discover it. And if you are a fellow Hogarth fanatic then you are in for an exquisite treat. This is a special book that drops you heart first into Hogarth's world - like the great man's canvasses, it is full of richness, originality and considered humour, unafraid to shock with thrilling new insight -- Dr Gus Casely-Hayford, Director of V&A East and Professor of Practice, SOAS[An] excellent new biography ... Riding is particularly good on how the boy who was born into modest circumstances in 1697 spent much of the first half of his life wanting to be a 'proper' artist dealing with grand, historical subjects. -- Kathryn Hughes * Daily Mail *Deft and richly detailed ... rescues the artist from John Bull caricature -- Michael Prodger * Sunday Times *William Hogarth is too easily seen as the John Bull of painters, a bluff xenophobe who showed British life in all its earthiness and humour. Jacqueline Riding, however, reveals a far more nuanced and interesting man -- Michael Prodger, The art book of the year * Sunday Times *An entertaining ... richly worked and varied "progress" ... amid the displays of wounded vanity and cantankerous self-assertion, there remains something hugely impressive, and rather attractive, in the Hogarth who emerges from these pages -- Matthew Sturgis * The Oldie *[Hogarth] was far more than a mere depicter of his age and an artist of skill and talent. He was also a complex and active human being who was living within the society he drew. As such, he is worthy of a thorough and considered biography that captures the man of the time as well as the artist. That is exactly what Jacqueline Riding has brilliantly provided ... [Hogarth] is of the highest value in showing there was so much more to Hogarth than 'Gin Lane', but in also explaining exactly why he was able to create such a lasting image of his times." -- George Goodwin * London Historians *Splendidly vivid, richly informative and remarkably researched ... this comprehensive study must surely be the definitive work on Hogarth. -- Brian Cooper * Church of England Newspaper *Exhilarating ... [Riding] sets out to present to us 'a more rounded Billy Hogarth', and, by and large, she succeeds. There he is, with all his feuds and flarings, his warmth and conviviality, his occasional paranoia ... Only a killjoy would deny the charm of this picaresque narrative -- Ferdinand Mount * TLS *The definitive life of Hogarth. The full technicolour panorama of Georgian life laid out in a huge and passionate book -- Lucy Worsley, Chief Curator at Historic Royal Palaces and author * Courtiers: The Secret History of the Georgian Court *

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Book SynopsisAn in-depth portrait of the life and work of Shoji Hamada, one of the key figures behind the development of studio pottery in the 20th century, and the legacy he left. Shoji Hamada was one of the seminal figures in 20th century ceramics. Along with the British potter Bernard Leach, he was instrumental in the development of the international Studio Pottery movement in the early 1900s. Their dramatic influences are still felt today, particularly in the United States and Great Britain. Hamada, also a major figure in Japan’s folk art revival, was designated a ‘Living National Treasure’ by the Japanese government in 1955 and awarded the Order of Culture in 1968. Shoji Hamada is an ebullient and fascinating portrait of a great potter, tracing his place in the ceramic tradition and revealing a keen perception of his energetic lifestyle, dazzling work cycle, and intriguing specifics about the firing of his kilns. The text and over 200 new colour photographs from Peterson’s stay at Hamada’s compound in 1970 present a wealth of detail about techniques and processes. Equally important are the author’s insights depicting Hamada’s bequest to us: one whose life was concentrated toward the perpetuation and achievement of fundamental, unchanging and universal values and goals. In this completely re-designed and updated version of her classic book, Susan Peterson brings together the East-West connection personified by Hamada and Leach. In a completely new concluding chapter, she assesses Hamada’s ongoing legacy to the world of studio pottery. This is an authoritative account of one of the towering figures in the ceramics world by one of the first people to welcome him to America in the early 1950s. The book is a must for anyone interested in the evolvement of hand pottery and the dynamics of ceramics in general.Trade ReviewThis book covers anything and everything one might want to know about the potter and his work, but even so, it is still an incredibly easy read. The language is accessible to people who have not studied pottery, but also enriching for those that have. The book covers everything from his workflow, techniques, glazes, kilns, family life, and even the way Hamada himself thinks. [...] The photo albums scattered throughout the book are both an enjoyable and invaluable addition to the biography [...] If you are at all a fan of the arts, even just a little, I would definitely recommend this book. -- Ruth Duncan * Union University Library Blog *Table of ContentsForeword By Bernard Leach Acknowledgements 1. The Legacy 2. The Setting 3. The Work The Clay Wheels Throwing Pots The Workers The Household Finishing Pots Reminiscing Enamel Overglaze Painting The Bisque Kiln 4. Glazing And Firing Mixing the Glaze Making Tea Ceremony Bowls Yanagi’s Scroll Glazing Continues Trimming Tea Ceremony Bowls Glazing the Big Bowls Hamada’s Patterns Loading the Glaze Kiln Hamada Tells Stories Beginning the Glaze Kiln Firing Finishing the Fire Hamada and Shimaoka Unloading the Kiln The Ware of the Kiln 5. A New Cycle Hamada’s Museum Thoughts Making Pots For Salt Glazing The Salt Firing Exhibition Appendix Glossary Index

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Book SynopsisKnown the world over for her unique musical style, distinctive look and a voice that propelled her into the charts time and time again, Dusty Springfield was undoubtedly one of the biggest and brightest musical stars of the twentieth century.Never one to be shy of the spotlight, Dusty broke the mould as the first female entertainer to publicly admit she was bisexual, and was famously deported from South Africa for refusing to play to segregated audiences during apartheid in 1964, just a year after the launch of her solo career.Combining brand-new material, meticulous research and frank interviews with friends, lovers, employees and confidants, journalist Karen Bartlett reveals sensational new details about the soul diva's unconventional upbringing, tumultuous relationships and unbridled addictions, including a lifelong struggle to come to terms with her sexuality.Named one of the Sunday Times's best musical biographies of 2014, this is the intimate portrait of an immensely complicated and talented woman - the definitive account of one of music's most legendary figures.Trade ReviewKaren Bartlett's biography sends you back to the music - to the extraordinary, dusky vulnerability of her voice. The Daily Telegraph It's an incredibly sad story but Bartlett gets the balance right, celebrating a talent with few equals. MOJO Bartlett spins the tale adroitly; never surrendering to the impulse to sensationalise... the author's chief concern is to locate the shy frightened woman behind the iconic exterior. Irish Independent A well-researched and revealing biography - Those last few years, however, make for a heartbreaking read, but [are] handled sympathetically and without sensationalism. Record Collector Dusty is a fascinating read, desperately sad and painful though it is to discover its heroine's Californian dark night of the soul. The Tablet

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Alpers’s interest in the ‘unique’ work of Walker Evans is an interest in the ‘making’ of the photographs rather than in their interpretation: her approach is slow, patient, fastidious, detail-oriented, appreciative and illuminating. . . . It is really Starting from Scratch that is a ‘unique’ work: a close reading of classic photographs by a discerning eye (Alpers’s) that conjoins the instructional with the intimate, the scholarship of the historian with the candour of the memoirist. . . . A brilliant and, indeed, thrilling final chapter . . . considers the phenomenon of ‘late style’ as it relates to artists other than Walker Evans"---Joyce Carol Oates, Times Literary Supplement"Warm and sympathetic . . . really a wonderful biography."---Joyce Carol Oates, Times Literary Supplement Podcast"[A] superb book."---Richard Meyer, Artforum"Starting From Scratch is well researched, and Alpers’s heavily quotational approach provides the reader a wealth of material from Evans’s letters, lectures, published texts, and personal writings."---Rahel Aima, The Nation"Svetlana Alpers’s biography takes a chronological approach to the life of an artist. . . . But before the text explores Walker’s aspirations, tastes, travels, career highs and love of the written word, the reader is presented with an uninterrupted 143 full-page reproductions of Evans’s photographs—an invitation to appraise the work before engaging with the man." * Christie's *"[A] brilliant scholar of Dutch painting’s take on an artist whose work has moved and inspired me for years."---Ayad Akhtar, Elle.com"A fresh consideration of Evans’s pictures. . . . Engaging."---Brian Sholis, Aperture"A fresh, scholarly look—complete with more than 200 images—at the seminal American photographer, this time through the lens of fine art and literature. In a lavishly illustrated narrative bolstered by impassioned research, art historian Alpers reintroduces readers to Walker Evans (1903-1975), one of America’s great artistic observers . . . Alpers convincingly presents him as a new kind of poet. . . . Great American photography in a welcome new frame." * Kirkus Reviews *"A comprehensive study. . . . Alpers shows how Evans’s approach differed both from that of other photographers and from conventional assumptions about photography. . . . Intriguing interpretations of Evans’s photos and work process, for both specialists and general readers." * Library Journal *"An entire semester in one volume. . . . [Alpers's] analysis of Evans’ artistic life will not disappoint. . . . This biography affectionately reads like a lecture series, with professor Alpers nudging students to close-read the 143 black/white Evans photos conveniently placed at the book’s beginning."---Jean Bundy, Anchorage Press"In Walker Evans: Starting from Scratch, art historian Svetlana Alpers explores the prominent 20th century documentary photographer’s work and creative process. Though one might usually consider photography to be a graphic art like painting, Alpers examines Evans’ love of text and the relationship between his images and works by writers including Flaubert, Baudelaire, and Faulkner, making the compelling case that literature is at the heart of his work. The book features 170 of Evans’s photos, but the main reason to get Starting from Scratch is to learn more about the artist’s way of seeing the world and rediscover his work with fresh eyes." * Photo Life Magazine *"[Alpers] takes a vivid, fresh look at the remarkable photographer whose well-known work on cities and on American rural poverty resonates today. But there is much more to see, and say. Many of the 143 plates will not be familiar, and Alpers interprets them in the context of international literature and art, inviting 'those who don’t know Evans [to] discover his greatness,' and ranking photographic achievement with literature and painting of the highest quality." * Harvard Magazine *"[Walker Evans] is finely tuned and thoroughly researched, carving out a unique space by focusing on Evans's lifelong emphasis on the art of seeing. . . . Highlighting groundbreaking cultural events, artists, and historical moments, including both world wars, the 1960s, and multiple cultural renaissances throughout Europe and the US, Alpers energetically writes about the people, places, and events that were continuous sources of influence and inspiration for Evans. . . . Highly recommended." * Choice *"This 213-page book provides depth and breadth about Evans’ work. Readers . . . who are curious about what drove Walker Evans to create, and to learn about what influenced him and what distinguishes him from other 20th Century photographers as it evolved will no doubt enjoy Walker Evans: Starting from Scratch. "---Caryn Hoffman, Picture this Post"In this extensive and detailed biography . . . the reader is presented with a new perspective on Walker Evans’s work, rendering the presumed familiar unfamiliar in a decidedly nuanced and enjoyable way." * ARLIS/NA Reviews *"[A] learned, suggestive, and handsome work. Alpers studies Evans’s work employing the techniques used to critique paintings: by assessing how he framed his scenes, in the light of his printed statements and off-the-cuff remarks. Her most illuminating is the theme of detail. She focuses on what Evans focused on."---Allen D. Boyer, Key Reporter"Insightful."---Stuart Mitchner, Town Topics"Alpers’ book on Walker Evans begins, after a half title page, with reproductions of 143 of Evans’ photographs . . . a silently eloquent way to say: the pictures come first. . . . Alpers focuses on [Evans’s] profound connection to French culture, literary in the first place . . . and then photographic . . . to show how 'Evans always viewed his country as if from the outside and often with an ironic eye.'"---Barry Schwabsky, Tourniquereview.com"This is a rich and thoughtful study of Evans’s life and his “furtive, passionate looking”. . . . A wonderfully insightful discussion of Evans’s key role in the creation of a distinctively American photography and the way great photographs can change how we see the world."---PD Smith, The Guardian

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Book SynopsisThe Biographic series presents an entirely new way of looking at the lives of the world's greatest thinkers and creatives. It takes the 50 defining facts, dates, thoughts, habits and achievements of each subject, and uses infographics to convey all of them in vivid snapshots. Each Biographic title is designed to be as entertaining as it is informative. Timelines not only pinpoint significant dates, but set them in the context and culture of their times. Dynamic maps locate biographical events alongside other points of interest. Character traits are illuminated by visual comparisons. Many people know that Jimi Hendrix (1942–1970) was a pioneering guitarist and songwriter whose electric playing and performances were at the heart of Sixties pop culture. What, perhaps, they don't know is that he trained as a paratrooper in the US Army; that his first guitar cost only $5, while the guitar he set light to at the Monterey Pop Festival later sold for $380,000; that the Jimi Hendrix Experience recorded only 3 studio albums; and that he is one of many rock stars to have died at the age of 27. Biographic: Hendrix presents an instant impression of his life, work and fame, with an array of irresistible facts and figures converted into infographics to reveal the artist behind the music.

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Book SynopsisFrom America’s top psychic medium and the author of When Heaven Calls comes a new book that unveils the secrets of the afterlife, the truth about heaven, and inspires “us with his comforting certainty that we never die” (Gloria Estefan). Psychic medium Matt Fraser, author of When Heaven Calls, is back to unpack the number one question folks ask him: “What happens after death?” Although we might expect a complicated answer, it’s actually pretty simple: We never die! Drawing from thousands of conversations with Spirit, Matt pulls back the curtain on life’s hidden revelations: -What happens when we cross over -The beautiful realities of heaven and eternal life -The guardian angels who keep us safe on Earth (including our pets who have passed) -The role of dreams and how souls appear to the living -Love, romance, and soul mates beyond life -Ghosts, hauntings, negative souls, energy vampires, and psychic protection -Destiny, free will, and second chances -Regrets, amends, and forgiveness from heaven -Figuring out your gifts and purpose -Karma, kindness, and living in the divine flow -How to recognize the signs and messages our loved ones send us from heaven As Matt explains, “We all have our own ‘phone line’ to communicate with heaven. All we have to do is figure out how to use it.” Revealed through never-before-told stories, the wisdom in We Never Die “is healing the world by making sure we have a strong emotional and spiritual connection, which is the foundation for a healthy life” (Karamo Brown, star of Queer Eye and author and author of Karamo).

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Book Synopsis The inspiring, long-awaited autobiography of video-game designer and DOOM cocreator John Romero.“DOOM Guy: Life in First Person is…arguably the best non-fiction gaming book of all time, giving a unique insight into one of the industry’s most transformative eras through the eyes of one of its groundbreaking pioneers.”—Forbes John Romero, gaming’s original rock star, is the cocreator of DOOM, Quake, and Wolfenstein 3-D, some of the biggest video games of all time. Considered the godfather of the first-person shooter, a genre that continues to dominate the market today, he holds a unique place in gaming history. In DOOM Guy: Life in First Person, Romero chronicles, for the first time, his difficult childhood and storied career, beginning with his early days submitting Apple II game code to computer magazines and sneaking computers out the back door of his day jo

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Book SynopsisJust as a cello's voice is divided across four strings, each with its own colour and character, this is a journey in four parts, in search of four players and their instruments...'In Cello, Kate Kennedy weaves together the lives of four remarkable cellists who suffered various forms of persecution, injury and misfortune. The Hungarian Jewish cellist and composer Pál Hermann managed to keep one step ahead of the Gestapo for much of the Second World War but was eventually captured and murdered. Lise Cristiani, the first female professional cello soloist, undertook an epic and ultimately fatal concert tour of Siberia in the 1850s, taking with her one of the world's greatest Stradivari cellos. Anita Lasker-Wallfisch was incarcerated in both Auschwitz and Bergen-Belsen camps, only surviving because she was the cellist in the Auschwitz-Birkenau women's orchestra. Amedeo Baldovino of the Trieste Piano Trio was forced to jump from a burning ship with his Mara' Stradivari, losing the cello, and nearly losing his own life when the boat was shipwrecked near Buenos Aires.Counterpointing the themes raised by these extraordinary stories are a sequence of interludes that draw together the author's reflections on the nature and history of the cello, and her many interviews and encounters with contemporary cellists. Kate Kennedy's own relationship with the cello is a complicated one. As a teenager, she suffered an injury to her arm that imposed severe limitations on her career as a performer on the instrument that was her first love. She realised that, in order to start to understand what the cello meant to her, she needed to find out what the cello and, crucially, the absence of the cello had meant to some other cellists, past and present. Kate Kennedy has written an eloquent and multitextured homage to this warmest of stringed instruments part quest narrative, part detective story, part philosophical meditation.

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Book SynopsisA spectacular and comprehensive authorized retrospective of Oscar-winning visual effects master Phil Tippett, founder and namesake of iconic Tippett Studio From Star Wars to Jurassic Park and RoboCop to Starship Troopers, special effects master Phil Tippett has brought his magic to some of the most iconic films of all time. His unparalleled career in visual effects spans more than 40 years, with two Academy Awards, one BAFTA, and two Emmys. This stunning book celebrates Tippett’s career, from early Super 8 explorations through his groundbreaking work with Industrial Light & Magic, DreamWorks, and beyond. While Tippett’s first love remains the stop-motion animation that made him a Hollywood legend, he was present at the birth of big-screen digital effects, and his genius has evolved with the times. In 1984 he founded Tippett Studio, which has come to specialize in digital effects. Packed with over a thousand behind-the-scenes photographs, Mad Dreams and Monsters includes never-before-published stories from the master himself and a veritable who’s who of visual effects luminaries—a must-have for movie fans, film students, and anyone who’s ever been captivated by movie magic.

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Book SynopsisTells the very personal story of the man who changed the face of modern cinema Special-effects superstar Ray Harryhausen elevated stop-motion animation to an art during the 1950s to 1980s. With material drawn from his incredible archive, his daughter, Vanessa, selects 100 creatures and objects, in chronological order, that meant the most to her as she watched her father make world-famous films that changed the course of cinema. Ray Harryhausen's work included the Sinbad films of the 50s and 70s, One Million Years B.C. and Mighty Joe Young, as well as a wider portfolio including children’s fairy tales and commercials. He inspired a generation of film-makers such as Peter Jackson, Aardman Animation, Tim Burton, George Lucas and Steven Spielberg, and his influence on blockbuster cinema can be felt to this day. Some of the objects featured in the book, such as Talos from Jason and the Argonauts, are world famous, while others are less well known but hold special personal significance to Vanessa. Many newly restored works that have never previously been seen are included. This book is published in collaboration with the Ray and Diana Harryhausen Foundation and it will receive a great deal of international publicity. It celebrates the legacy of a filmmaker who changed the face of modern cinema and it is certain to delight and fascinate those who appreciate film, art, science fiction and fantasy. Shortlisted for Saltire Society Scotland's National Book Awards, First Book Award 2021. Scotland’s National Book Awards recognise work across Scotland’s literary and publishing community. [The Saltire Society] is delighted to highlight Scotland’s outstanding talent, raise the profile of writers and introduce audiences to exceptional new works. Trade Review“Harryhausen brought the stories of antiquity kicking and screaming into the film age – or rather roaring, like the cyclops in the 1958 film The 7th Voyage of Sinbad, and hissing like Medusa in Clash of the Titans (1981)… There is no film, however, quite like his 1963 masterpiece Jason and the Argonauts… This is not just great special effects. This is art.” -- The Guardian“Few artists of the 20th century can compete with Harryhausen's illusive brilliance or reach." -- The Spectator“A pioneering, brilliant special effects film-maker whose credits include movie masterpieces.” -- BBC News“Ray Harryhausen was a titan of cinema.. After decades, this is our first glimpse of many of Ray’s movie models painstakingly restored to their former glorious and gruesome selves. So this preview of extraordinary objects, literally on legendary status, charts the rise of Ray Harryhausen the student, son and friend, visionary, director and inventor. A true master of his craft.” -- BBC Arts“The biggest collection of his work ever” -- The Times“The world’s biggest ever celebration of Hollywood special effects pioneer Ray Harryhausen” -- The Scotsman“The largest and most comprehensive presentation of his work to date” -- Metro“Ray Harryhausen’s special effects… are so seminal that, though his early films were made almost 60 years ago, they still hold up today. Harryhausen influenced countless artists after him and took special effects to a new level. His unique vision and memorable creations make the movies he worked on stand out – you always know when you’re watching a movie with a Harryhausen stamp on it”. -- SciFi Now

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