Biography: arts and entertainment Books
Howard Books My Life with Deth
Book Synopsis
£15.30
WW Norton & Co Dietrich & Riefenstahl: Hollywood, Berlin, and a
Book SynopsisMarlene Dietrich and Leni Riefenstahl, born less than a year apart, lived so close to each other that Riefenstahl could see into Dietrich’s Berlin flat. Coming of age in the Weimar Republic, both sought fame in Germany’s silent film industry. While Dietrich’s depiction of Lola Lola in The Blue Angel catapulted her to Hollywood stardom, Riefenstahl—who missed out on the part—insinuated herself into Hitler’s inner circle and directed Nazi propaganda films, most famously, Triumph of the Will. Dietrich could never truly go home again, while Riefenstahl was contaminated by her political associations. Moving deftly between two stories never before told together, Karin Wieland contextualises these lives, chronicling revolutions in politics, fame and sexuality on a grand stage.Trade Review"Newly translated dual biography by German historian provides an illuminating look at two famous, ambitious women who reacted very differently to the Nazis...Via a fluent, often witty translation by Shelley Frisch, Wieland draws the portrait of women who were ambitious to a degree stunning in their day." -- The Guardian"In telling their stories, Karin Wieland has decided to juxtapose their lives without making the comparisons explicit. This can be very effective: she is an evocative scene setter and so it is easy to grasp the implication that both women were created by their time and place." -- Literary Review"Wieland offers abundant – and now and then overwhelming – material and produces a captivating chronological narrative that is rich in sources... The emerging story is fascinating…" -- Times Higher Education"... epic, enthralling tome about two of the 20th century's most compelling artists…" -- The Independent"...classical in scope and style. It [Dietrich & Riefenstahl] puts together cradle-to-grave biographies of two women who hardly met, offering admirably researched accounts that leave barely a telegram or plot summary unturned." -- The Telegraph
£14.24
Bloomsbury Publishing Plc Andrew W.K.'s I Get Wet
Book Synopsis"It's Time To Party," the first track off of I Get Wet, opens with a rapid-fire guitar line — nothing fancy, just a couple crunchy power chords to acclimate the ears — repeated twice before a booming bass drum joins in to provide a quarter-note countdown. A faint, swirling effect intensifies with each bass kick and, by the eighth one, the ears have prepped themselves for the metal mayhem they are about to receive. When it all drops, and the joyous onslaught of a hundred guitars is finally realized, you'll have to forgive your ears for being duped into a false sense of security, because it's that second intensified drop a few seconds later — the one where yet more guitars manifest and Andrew W.K. slam-plants his vocal flag by screaming the song's titular line — that really floods the brain with endorphins, serotonin, dopamine, and whatever else formulates invincibility. Polished to a bright overdubbed-to-oblivion sheen, the party-preaching I Get Wet didn't capture the zeitgeist of rock at the turn of the century; it captured the timelessness of youth, as energized, awesome, and unapologetically stupid as ever. With insights from friends and unprecedented help from the mythological maniac himself — whose sermon and pop sensibilities continue to polarize — this book chronicles the sound's evolution, uncovers the relevance of Steev Mike, and examines how Andrew W.K.'s inviting, inclusive lyrics create the ultimate shared experience between artist and audience.Trade ReviewPhillip Crandall's book about Andrew WK's I Get Wet has been one of my favourites from this wonderful series of books. Fans will love it, sure. But if you're like me, if you didn't quite get the fuss first time around, you'll not only find a funny, sad, fascinating story, you'll find great heart-on-(record)-sleeve writing. -- Simon Sweetman * Blog On The Tracks *Crandall gets at the heart of Andrew W.K. better than any other previous writer. You’ll know this much after reading the first few pages of his book. What you’ll have to ponder after you’ve finished reading is the way in which Andrew connects the dots among I Get Wet, Daydream Nation, Appetite for Destruction, Dr. Feelgood, OK Computer, Slippery When Wet, Loveless… -- Paul Gleason * Caught in the Carousel *Phillip Crandall, an acclaimed music writer and Inverness native, has revisited the release of W.K.’s breakout album in his latest paperback on I Get Wet, part of the books-about-albums series 33 1/3. This insightful look into the album features interviews with some of WK’s closest friends and family, as well as vehement endorsement from the party prince himself. -- Andrew Silverstein * Creative Loafing *Table of ContentsIntroduction: INK 1. JUICE 2. SWEAT 3. BLOOD 4. CHAMPAGNE Afterword
£9.49
The University of Chicago Press Liberace
Book SynopsisLiberace's career follows the trajectory of the classic American dream. This volume reveals Liberace as a complicated man whose political, social and religious conservatism existed side-by-side with a lifetime of secretive homosexuality.
£24.00
Reaktion Books Citizen Warhol
Book SynopsisMore than any other figure throughout art's long history, Andy Warhol has attracted fans, aficionados, enthusiasts, experts, critics, art historians, philosophers and many thoughtful others who have not just reported on the details of his life's work but have struggled to make sense of it as an enigma. Citizen Warhol carries this inquiry forward by unpacking the lasting effects of Warhol's most deep-seated influences - his Byzantine-rite religiosity and its relationship to the retinue of Roman Catholics that starred in his films and staffed his studio, his art training in an institutional crucible dominated by Andrew Carnegie's Gilded Age theory of art, his powerful identification with Shirley Temple's frolic in the adult world under the cover of childhood, his formative dalliance with the guilt-ridden sensibility of arch-decadent and Catholic convert Aubrey Beardsley, and his triumphs as a commercial artist working in a professional world still beholden to the Red Decade ideals of the 1930s as a 'cheaper Ben Shahn', the leading Social Realist artist. Each of these underappreciated influences were fundamental to the life and legacy of the mature Warhol, an artist best understood as the Leonardo of our age who, more than any other, has given formative poetic expression to the epoch of the global consumer.
£999.99
Hal Leonard Corporation Hearts of Darkness: James Taylor, Jackson Browne,
Book SynopsisÊHearts of DarknessÊ is the story of a generation's coming of age through the experiences of its three most atypical pop stars. James Taylor Jackson Browne and Cat Stevens could never have been considered your typical late-sixties songwriters ä self-absorbed and self-composed all three eschewed the traditional means of delivering their songs instead turning its process inward. The result was a body of work that stands among the most profoundly personal art ever to translate into an international language and a sequence of songs ä from Sweet Baby James and Carolina in My Mind to Jamaica Say You Will and These Days to Peace Train and Wild World ä that remain archetypes not only of what the critics called the singer-songwriter movement but of the human condition itself.ÞAuthor Dave Thompson himself a legend among rock biographers takes on his subjects with his usual brio and candor leaving no stone unturned in his quest to shine a light on the dark side of this profoundly earnest era in popular music. Penetrating pointed and laced with vivid insight and detail ÊHearts of DarknessÊ is the story of rock when it no longer felt the need to roll.
£23.51
Hal Leonard Corporation Alma Rose: Vienna to Auschwitz
Book SynopsisAlma Ros©'s tragic story from her birth and youth in the exalted musical circles of Vienna (her father was leader of the Vienna Philharmonic her uncle was Gustav Mahler) to her death at Auschwitz first came to public attention through the 1980 film ÊPlaying for TimeÊ. As leader of the only women's orchestra in the Nazi camps by force of her will and spirit she molded a terrified group of young musicians into an ensemble that became their sole hope of survival. And although Alma herself died of a sudden illness shortly before the liberation of the camps she saved the lives of some four dozen members of the orchestra. In telling her full story for the first time Richard Newman and Karen Kirtley honor her and the valiant prisoner-musicians for whom music meant life.
£25.49
BearManor Media Icon: THE LIFE, TIMES, AND FILMS OF MARILYN MONROE VOLUME 2 1956 TO 1962 & BEYOND (hardback)
£31.35
HarperCollins Publishers Edward BurneJones
Book SynopsisPenelope Fitzgerald, the Booker Prize-winning author of ‘Offshore’ and ‘The Blue Flower’, turns her attention to the remarkable life of the Pre-Raphaelite artist Edward Burne-Jones.Trade Review‘Wise and ironic, funny and humane, Fitzgerald is a wonderful, wonderful writer.’ David Nicholls ‘Of all the novelists of the last quarter-century, she has the most unarguable claim on greatness. [It has been] a career we, as readers, can only count ourselves lucky to have lived through.’ Philip Hensher, Spectator
£12.34
Oxford University Press Clifford Brown
Book SynopsisAlthough he died in a tragic car accident at twenty-five, Clifford Brown is widely considered one of the most important figures in the history of jazz, a trumpet player who ranks with Louis Armstrong, Dizzy Gillespie, and Miles Davis, and a leading influence on contemporary jazz musicians. Now, in Clifford Brown: The Life and Art of the Legendary Jazz Trumpeter, Nick Catalano gives us the first major biography of this musical giant. Based on extensive interviews with Clifford Brown''s family, friends, and fellow jazz musicians, here is a fascinating portrait of a remarkable musician. Catalano depicts Brown''s early life, showing how he developed a facility and dazzling technique that few jazz players have ever equaled. We read of his meteoric rise in Philadelphia, where he played with many of the leading jazz players of the 1950s, including Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker; his tour of Europe with Lionel Hampton, which made him famous; and his formation of the Brown-Roach Quintet witTrade ReviewNick Catalano has done a superb job. This is a first-rate biography that is wonderfully readable. * Yorkshire Post *Table of ContentsAcknowledgments ; Introduction ; 1. The Brown Family of Wilmington ; 2. Boysie Lowery and Howard High ; 3. On to Philadelphia ; 4. The Brink of Disaster ; 5. Rhythm 'n' Blues ; 6. The Month of June ; 7. European High Jinks ; 8. New York and Home ; 9. California Surprise ; 10. Brown and Roach, Inc. ; 11. Back to the East ; 12. Into 1956 ; Epilogue ; Notes ; Selected and Annotated Discography ; Index
£21.49
The Lilliput Press Ltd Denis Johnston: A Life
Book SynopsisThis is the first biography of Denis Johnston, barrister, theatre director, film-maker, pioneering television producer, war correspondent, essayist and celebrated playwright. Johnston was of Ulster Presbyterian stock, born into Edwardian Dublin, where he was briefly held hostage in his family home at Lansdowne Road during the 1916 Rising. Son of a Supreme Court judge, he was schooled at St Andrew’s in Dublin, in Edinburgh and Christ’s College, Cambridge, and at Harvard University. He made the name of the Gate Theatre in 1929 with his astonishing first play The Old Lady Says ‘No!’, created the radio epic ‘Lillibulero’ for the BBC in Belfast, and earned an OBE for his war reporting from North Africa, Yugoslavia and Buchenwald. In 1950 he decamped to New York and taught for many years at colleges in Massachusetts, founding the Poets’ Theatre in Boston. An Irishman of wide horizons and wit, and a prodigal dissenter, his multi-faceted life illuminates the cultural history of the past century. He was turbulently married to the actresses Shelah Richards and Betty Chancellor, and had four children, among them the novelist Jennifer Johnston. In this masterly biography, Adams draws upon Johnston’s copious and intimate diaries, letters and uncompleted autobiography deposited in Trinity College, Dublin, cataloguing the ‘untidy museum’ of his subject’s past. The result is an enthralling narrative of the extraordinary secret life of a complex, self-doubting individual, which brings new light to bear on one of the twentieth century’s most original Irish writers.Trade Review‘Bernard Adams has produced a terrific biography of a truclent maverick’ – Neil Donnelly, Irish Independent ‘This excellent biography will undoubtedly stimulate further interest in the work while providing fitting tribute to a remarkable Irishman.’ – P.J. Mathews, Irish Times ‘A masterly biography. Rarely was a biographer better served by his subject. Johnston was an enthusiastic archivist who left a wealth of secret diaries, autobiographical writings and recordings, scrapbooks and unpublished memoirs in his wake. These sources are judiciously used and amplified by the author’s keen sense of Johnston’s milieu to provide an intriguing narrative of a fascinating life.’ – P.J. Mathews, Irish Times ‘Bernard Adams sets out from a secure base and he tells his story of Johnston’s life fluently.’ -W.J. McCormack, Sunday Business Post ‘Denis Johnston: A Life is clearly a labour of love. It is also a thoroughly good read.’ – Emer O’Kelly, Sunday Independent
£23.75
Random House USA Inc The Memoirs of Hector Berlioz
Book SynopsisHector Berlioz'' (1803-69) autobiography is both an account of his important place in the rise of the Romantic movement and a personal testament. He tells the story of his liaison with Harriet Smithson, and his even more passionate affairs of the mind with Shakespeare, Scott, and Byron. Familiar with all the great figures of the age, Berlioz paints brilliant portraits of Liszt, Wagner, Balzac, Weber, and Rossini, among others. And through Berlioz''s intimate and detailed self-revelation, there emerges a profoundly sympathetic and attractive man, driven, finally, by his overwhelming creative urges to a position of lonely eminence.For this new Everyman''s edition of The Memoirs, the translator--the composer''s most admired biographer--has completely revised the text and the extensive notes to take into account the latest research.(Book Jacket Status: Not Jacketed)
£26.60
Crown Rat Pack Confidential
Book Synopsis
£999.99
Rowman & Littlefield Publishers Gallagher Marriott Derringer and Trower Their
Book SynopsisGALLAGHER MARRIOTT DERRINGER & TROWER THEIR LIVES AND MUSIC
£29.44
Feral House,U.S. I've got something to say
Book SynopsisDanko Jones collects ten years of onstage and backstage stories in this eye-poppingly funny rock-n-roll collection.
£18.89
Rowman & Littlefield Publishers Harpo Speaks Limelight
Book SynopsisHARPO SPEAKS PB
£23.51
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Charlotte The True Story of Scandal and Spectacle
Book SynopsisThe amazing true story of Charlotte Cibber, a child of the theatre who scandalized proper society - whenever possibleTrade Review'Precocious, gifted, charismatic, and eccentric, Charlotte Charke illuminated the eighteenth century with the fleeting brightness of a shooting star. Kathryn Shevelow has written a remarkable book which admirably captures this most elusive of social rebels' Amanda Foreman, author of Georgiana 'Shevelow writes well and wittily, and captures the gamut of the eighteenth-century theatrical world, from its heights in Drury Lane - which went to Charlotte's bewigged head - to its depths among rural travelling players, where she ended up as a result' Sunday Times 'Charlotte is a remarkably learned and even more remarkably entertaining history - not only of a truly fascinating and startlingly-original woman, but also of her times and culture. Kathryn Shevelow brings to life the madness, absurdity and baseness of 18th-century Britain, and the recreates for modern readers the fascinating peculiarities of its theater world. This is a brilliant piece of popular history' David Liss, author of A Conspiracy of Paper 'Quite the spectacle was Charlotte: actress, cross-dresser and general hell-raiser' Washington Post
£7.49
Chicago Review Press Dance of Death: The Life of John Fahey, American
Book SynopsisJohn Fahey is to the solo acoustic guitar what Jimi Hendrix was to the electric: the man whom all subsequent musicians had to listen to. Fahey made more than 40 albums between 1959 and his death in 2001, most of them featuring only his solo steel-string guitar. He fused elements of folk, blues, and experimental composition, taking familiar American sounds and recontextualizing them as something entirely new. John Fahey’s real story has never been told—until now. Journalist Steve Lowenthal has spent years researching Fahey’s life and music, talking with his producers, his friends, his peers, his wives, his business partners, and many others. He describes Fahey’s battles with stage fright, alcohol, and prescription pills; how he ended up homeless and mentally unbalanced; and how, despite his troubles, he managed to found a record label that won Grammys and remains critically revered. This portrait of a troubled and troubling man in a constant state of creative flux is not only a biography but also the compelling story of a great American outcast.Trade Review"Offer[s] a sympathetic portrait of a troubled yet undeniably talented man." Booklist" Dance of Death benefits from astute research and interviews with friends, contemporaries, fellow musicians, and family, painting a vivid picture of a remarkable man." -- Under the Radar"If you have any love for the sound of a guitar and haven't heard him, hustle to your music source and get "The Best of John Fahey" to listen to while reading Lowenthal's book. You won't be disappointed." -- Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel"The fate of the markedly talented and decidedly peculiar, even misanthropic Fahey is told engagingly and with insight by Steve Lowenthal in a compact but potent new biography, Dance of Death: The Life of John Fahey, American Guitarist ." --NewRepublic.com
£14.20
Scarecrow Press Making Music with Charlie Chaplin The Scarecrow
Book SynopsisProviding more than just another musical profile, James details everything from his first encounter with Chaplin to his frequent visits to Switzerland when he lived at Chaplin's Manoir de Ban in Vevey.Trade Review...a fascinating memoirrrrr * Palm Beach Post *...a fascinating memoir * Palm Beach Post *
£57.00
Rlpg/Galleys César Franck
Book SynopsisCésar Franck (18221890), Belgian born and French domiciled, was one of the most remarkable composers of the 19th century. A number of his works are commonly recordedsuch as his Symphony in D Minor, Symphonic Variations, Violin Sonata, and the ever-popular Panis Angelicusand yet 38 years have elapsed since a biography of him appeared in English. Now with César Franck: His Life and Times, R. J. Stove fills this gap in the history of late 19th-century classical music with a full-length study of the man and his music. Drawing on sources never before cited in English, Stove paints a far more detailed picture of this great musician and deeply loved man, whose influence in both his native and adopted lands was exceptional. Stove carefully delves into intimate matters of Franck's life, including his resilience in the face of his exploitation as a child prodigy at the piano, his development from a shy and harassed piano teacher into one of the most sought-after luminaries of Paris's ConservatTrade ReviewNineteenth-century composer César Franck spent most of his career teaching at the Conservatoire de Paris and serving as organist at Sainte-Clotilde. Only late in life did he achieve fame through a handful of important chamber and orchestral compositions, several of which continued to be performed regularly during the first half of the 20th century. Franck's reputation has suffered, however, since the 1960s. Stove (a performing organist based in Melbourne, Australia) has produced a fresh, eminently readable biography of the composer, the first in English to be based on extensive familiarity with (and translation of) the composer's letters and other primary sources. With the goal of inspiring "better comprehension of Franck himself," the author focuses on Franck's life and the critical reception of his music while the composer was alive and in the century since his death. The result is a fine (and often entertaining) introduction to the man, his compositions, and the political, social, and cultural contexts that shaped both Franck and his music....Summing Up: Recommended. * CHOICE *R.J. Stove’s intensively researched biography of Belgian French composer César Franck (1822-1890) has striking merits. Stove writes exquisitely, in periodic sentences, and manages to make detailed discussions of musicology an aesthetic experience for experts and neophytes alike. He also blends his musical discussions with well-told anecdotes, the most appealing of which is his recounting of Franck’s passion for a young beauty with an Irish father, Augusta Mary Anne Holmès. * The American Conservative *Stove notes a resuscitation of interest in Franck starting in 1990, the 100th anniversary of the composer's death, with a flurry on concert performances and new recordings of long neglected works. Never before has his music been so readily available in commercial recordings. * American Record Guide *This book is not quite for the ordinary reader, but having said that, it would be a huge compliment to give someone a copy of it. It would be a way of saying, “You have sufficient general education and interest in music to make this of more than passing interest to your good self. * Quadrant: The Journal of the C.G. Jung Foundation *Stove has done an admirable job in evoking Franck and his world, as well as giving us a fairly balanced appreciated of his life’s work…. Interesting connections made between people and compositions, as well as the author’s own insights, attest to the depth of Stove’s research. * Limelight Magazine *This book will not be the last word on Franck, but Stove presents us with a readable portrait which will certainly appeal to those for whom Franck is still a bit of a mystery. * Salisbury Review *What makes Stove’s biography especially interesting is not just the author’s own musical expertise, which enables him to go way beyond a standard biographer in analysing Franck’s work, but the way he weaves in the historical background… Cesar Franck: His Life and Times reminds us that artistic geniuses don’t have to be tortured souls with problematic personalities. * Spectator Australia *Stove has chosen to eschew scholarly detachment in treating his subject’s life, and the reward in engagement and sheer wit is considerable, while the extensive annotations reveal just how carefully and thoroughly the author has done his research. * Organ Australia *It is the first study of the composer in English for some time, and even an audience already familiar with the subject will welcome its extensive quotation from contemporary sources. * Choir & Organ *Stove has delivered scrupulous scholarship, correcting errors of earlier writers and providing a full scholarly scaffolding of bibliography and endnotes. * classical.net *“This is an admirably thorough and detailed exploration not only of Franck himself, but also of his historical environment and varied connections, done with obvious sympathy and admiration but without failing to present all sides in the critical spectrum” “We get a wide range of opinion about the man and his music and a feeling that the author knows intimately the music he describes care and detail. And we have confidence that he has gone the extra mile to correct little discrepancies and inaccuracies that have been perpetuated in Franck scholarship to date” “It is fascinating reading, and the author has no hesitation in pursuing amusing side stories or interesting political historical settings. Don’t miss the notes which are often very funny” “The book is full of engaging and charming turns of phrase and wry observations.” This is a very rich book, full of surprises and interest and written in a very appealing and lively way. It should reignite interest in works other than the few standard ones and round out our ideas of Franck’s legacy. I strongly recommend it.” * Annals Australasia *Overall I found this a diverting read and appreciated a writer whose turn of phrase and command of English prose never fail to delight, itself an all-too-rare event these days. * Organz News *
£51.00
Gonzo Distributions Ltd Lunar Notes - Zoot Horn Rollo's Captain Beefheart Experience
£13.62
Microcosm Publishing Maps to The Other Side
Book SynopsisAn exploration of American Underground culture.
£14.39
University of Minnesota Press There But for Fortune: The Life of Phil Ochs
Book SynopsisThe life and influence of singer Phil Ochs Phil Ochs burst onto the American music scene just as the popularity of folk music was breaking through on the national consciousness. Along with friend and rival Bob Dylan, Ochs wrote some of the most compelling topical music of his time. In There But for Fortune, Michael Schumacher explores the life and career of a singer, songwriter, and political activist whose music resonates today as much as it applied to a divided country a half-century ago. His politically charged songs were covered by Pete Seeger; Joan Baez; Gordon Lightfoot; Peter, Paul and Mary; and a host of others, and such songs as “I Ain’t Marching Anymore” and “The War Is Over” became anthems of the anti–Vietnam War movement. He seemed to be performing everywhere, from concerts on college campuses to huge demonstrations, culminating with an appearance at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago in 1968.But as this biography illustrates in painstaking detail, Ochs suffered from a dark side that gravely affected his life and music. Diagnosed as manic depressive, he shifted between incredible highs and debilitating lows that ultimately drove him to suicide at age 36. To piece together his life story, Schumacher interviewed Ochs’s friends, family members, and fellow musicians; examined his journals and scrapbooks; and even scrutinized his FBI files. While Phil Ochs’s life might have been plagued by downturn and tragedies, his music is an enduring call to activism and fighting for a better future.Trade Review"A riveting, colorful, and anecdote-rich tale, well researched and finely told."—Boston Globe"Schumacher keeps his eye on the main theme: Phil Ochs wanted to sing the truth."—Chicago Tribune"Through extensive interviews with Ochs's family members, friends and business associates, Schumacher constructs a balanced portrait of the musician's brief but eventful life."—Publishers Weekly"There But for Fortune intensely studies the burgeoning—and surprisingly competitive—‘60s folk scene and Ochs’ place in it. In revisiting the societal and political tumult of the period, following Ochs to the deep South for an education in the Civil Rights Movement and detailing his involvement in the anti-war movement, Schumacher employs the zeal of a journalist searching for the truth and a historian’s passion for the subject matter."—Elmore MagazineTable of ContentsContentsAcknowledgmentsPrologueBook One: I’m Going to Say It Now1. Boy in Ohio2. The Singing Socialists3. Bound for Glory4. What’s That I Hear?5. I Ain’t Marching Anymore6. Changes7. The War Is Over8. Pleasures of the Harbor9. Tape from CaliforniaBook Two: Critic of the Dawn10. Chicago11. Rehearsals for Retirement12. Gunfight at Carnegie Hall13. Travels and Travails14. Here’s to the Sate of Richard Nixon15. An Evening with Salvador Allende16. The Downhill Slide17. Train18. No More SongsAfterwordSource NotesSelected DiscographyIndex
£999.99
Prince Purple Reign
Book SynopsisIn April 2016 the world lost a music legend. This is the biography of the iconic composer, singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist - the inimitable Prince.
£9.74
Backbeat Jaco
Book Synopsis
£17.99
Hal Leonard Corporation A Perfect Union of Contrary Things
Book SynopsisActor performer musician entrepreneur winemaker athlete writer curious adventurer ä Maynard James Keenan is the embodiment of the archetypal artist. Best known as the vocalist in award-winning groups Tool A Perfect Circle and Puscifer he has trusted the path he's followed and heeded his inner voice ever open to synchronicities and unexpected turnings along the way.ÞUntil now fans of Maynard James Keenan ä or MJK as he is often called ä have had access to only an abridged version of his story. In ÊA Perfect Union of Contrary ThingsÊ Keenan partners with his friend of 30 years Sarah Jensen to present a full account of his life and career. From his Midwest childhood to his years in the army to his time in art school ä and from his stint at a Boston pet shop to his place in the international spotlight and his influence on contemporary music and regional winemaking ä the book chronicles the events that led MJK to take one step after the next to change direction to explore sometimes surprising opportunities.ÞIncluded are sidebars in his own words often humorous anecdotes that illuminate the narrative as well as commentary by his family members friends instructors and industry colleagues. It also features a foreword by Alex Grey an American visionary artist and longtime friend of Keenan along with a bounty photos of Keenan from childhood to the present.ÞA comprehensive portrayal of a versatile and dedicated artist ÊA Perfect Union of Contrary ThingsÊ pays homage to the people and places that shaped the man and his art. A ÊNew York TimesÊ Bestseller in hardcover it is presented here for the first time in paperback.
£14.24
Plexus Publishing Ltd Jeff Buckley
Book Synopsis
£13.49
Chronicle Books Julia Morgan: An Intimate Biography of the
Book SynopsisThis new biography—featuring over 150 archival images and full-color photographs printed throughout—introduces Julia Morgan as both a pioneering architect and a captivating individual. Julia Morgan was a lifelong trailblazer. She was the first woman admitted to study architecture at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris and the first licensed to practice architecture in California. Over the first half of the 20th century, she left an indelible mark on the American West. Of her remarkable 700 creations, the most iconic is Hearst Castle. Morgan spent thirty years constructing this opulent estate on the California coast for the newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst—forging a lifelong friendship and creative partnership with him. Together, they built a spectacular and unequalled residence that once hosted the biggest stars of Hollywood's golden age, and that now welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. This compelling biography draws on interviews, letters, and Morgan's diaries, including never-before-seen reflections on faith, art, and her life experiences. Morgan's friendship with Hearst, her passion for California's landscape, her struggles with familial dementia, and her devotion to architecture reveal her to have been a singularly brilliant and determined artist. PREVIOUSLY UNPUBLISHED CONTENT: Victoria Kastner has spent years compiling photographs, interviews, letters, drawings, and diaries—including material never published before—to create the first truly comprehensive portrait of this amazing woman. OVER 150 PHOTOGRAPHS: This book features over 150 photographs, printed throughout the text. These include both fascinating archival images and beautiful, full-color contemporary shots of Morgan's buildings. INSPIRING STORY: By exploring both Morgan's work and her life, Kastner weaves a captivating tale about courage, vision, and resilience. Julia Morgan forged a path for herself against the odds, and her story will inspire contemporary women and creatives. ARCHITECTURAL ICON: Julia Morgan created 700 buildings during her career, from hotels to churches to private homes. Born in San Francisco and trained in Paris, she developed a distinctive aesthetic that now defines certain regions of California. But only in the last twenty years has her contribution to architecture been fully recognized and celebrated. In 2014, the American Institute of Architects' posthumously awarded her its Gold Medal; she was the first female recipient. Perfect for: • History buffs • Students, enthusiasts, and professional architects • Aspiring creatives in all fields • Feminists seeking role models • Visitors to Hearst Castle and Morgan's other buildings • Californians and visitors to California
£23.74
£13.81
Abrams It Was All a Dream Biggie and the World That Made
Book SynopsisCulture journalist Justin Tinsley’s It Was All a Dream is “a deeply reported saga of the ephemeral, yet colorful, life of The Notorious B.I.G.” (USA Today). The Notorious B.I.G. was one of the most charismatic and talented artists of the 1990s. Born Christopher Wallace and raised in Clinton Hill/Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, Biggie lived an almost archetypal rap life: young trouble, drug dealing, guns, prison, a giant hit record, the wealth and international superstardom that came with it, then an early violent death. Biggie released his first record, Ready to Die, in 1994, when he was only 22. Less than three years later, he was killed just days before the planned release of his second record, Life After Death. A fresh, insightful telling of the life beyond the legend, It Was All a Dream is based on extensive interviews with those who knew and loved Biggie, including neighbors, friends, DJs, party promoters, andTrade ReviewIt Was All A Dream is a must-read for any hip-hop fan who seeks to understand the journey of one of the most important artists of the twentieth century. There are a number of important, never-been-told-before stories that Justin Tinsley deftly weaves throughout this biography to create a thorough, brilliant account of the legacy of the Notorious B.I.G. -- Brian Nolan * Executive Vice-President, Motown Records *“Sometimes a legend is larger than life. But the legend without the life is like a hype man with no one to hype. Similar to 'the Black Frank White,' Justin Tinsley has 'got a story to tell.' It is a biographical story that navigates both legend and life with clarity, vision, and supreme focus, acknowledging the monumental legend of Biggie Smalls while guiding us on a VIP tour of Christopher Wallace’s life. It Was All a Dream adds cultural breadth and historical depth to the rich legacy of a 1990s icon who now transcends time.” * Dr. Todd Boyd, aka Notorious PhD, Katherine and Frank Price Endowed Chair for the Study of Race and Popular Culture in the USC School of Cinematic Arts *“I know a lot about Christopher Wallace. More than most. I was blessed to meet him and talk to him on numerous occasions. And yet this book constantly found ways to surprise me. Justin Tinsley has written a classic, one that unlike the whodunit books that have congregated around the Notorious B.I.G. and Tupac, actually focuses on the man behind the mic, his talent and compelling life, and not just on his tragic, infamous death.” * Cheo Hodari Coker, creator of Marvel's Luke Cage and author of Unbelievable: The Life, Death, and Afterlife of the Notorious B.I.G. *“This book accomplishes the impossible because it satisfies both hard-core Biggie fans and casual observers. The writing is beautiful, and personal. Justin takes us on a vulnerable journey and dares us to consider Biggie in a way that is broader, nuanced and more complete.” * Jemele Hill, contributing writer at the Atlantic *“In this soulful, meticulously reported biography, Justin Tinsley captures the tumultuous life of a young Black male, until now, misunderstood. Finally, the world can connect with Christopher Wallace—before he was Biggie. ‘And if you don’t know, now you know.’” * Elliott Wilson, Chief Content Officer, TIDAL; cohost of Rap Radar podcast; and coauthor of Ego Trip's Book of Rap Lists *Revelatory * Rolling Stone *Tinsley’s sleek, effective biography introduces major figures in Wallace’s life, complete with interesting backstories, before we meet the influential rapper, giving readers a solid grounding in the pertinent context . . . . A touching tribute to the Notorious B.I.G. balancing larger-than-life stories with poignant personal moments. * Kirkus *“Meticulously researched . . . . Hip-hop and Biggie fans will appreciate the book’s context of his rise to fame and the reminiscences of those closest to him.” * Library Journal *“A deeply reported saga of the ephemeral, yet colorful life of The Notorious B.I.G.” * USA Today *“There’s no telling where he would have gone, but this book does a fine job of tracing how far he managed to go.” * Los Angeles Times *“This is more than a biography, it’s a snapshot of both the record industry and America itself at crucial junctures for both.” * Vulture, "The 18 Best Books of the Year (So Far) *“If you care about Black people, cities, music, culture, and/or the late great Christopher Wallace, this is mandatory reading for you.” * Christina Greer, New York Amsterdam News *“It Was All a Dream is a full measure of the man himself, going beyond coverage of his shocking, mysterious murder . . . it’s an important book, offering a full–fledged portrait of the late Christopher Wallace.” * Nitish Pahwa, Slate *A brilliant biography. * The Root *Think you know Biggie Smalls? Until you read this book, you have no idea. * Salon *"A humanizing biography. * The Stacks *Well-researched biography ... goes an extra mile. * Esquire *Speaks to a societal perspective. * Teen Vogue *
£16.99
Globe Pequot Press Speaking of Harpo
Book SynopsisSusan Fleming appeared in three Broadway shows and twenty-eight films before she turned her back on a show business career she never really enjoyed or wanted. The role of her lifetime came when she married Harpo Marx in 1936. Together, they raised four adopted children and enjoyed one of Hollywood''s happiest and most successful unions. But their twenty-year age difference made Susan a young widow in 1964.On her path to Hollywood, Susan worked in Broadway musicals produced by Florenz Ziegfeld and George White and befriended a young dancer who would later be known as Paulette Goddard. In Hollywood, she appeared in films with stars like John Wayne, W.C. Fields, and Katharine Hepburn and worked at all the major studios. But it wasn''t until she fell in love with a confirmed bachelor, twenty years older than her, that she found her purpose. Her story is the counterpoint to the beloved and acclaimed Harpo Marx autobiography, Harpo Speaks! Susan''s frank, opinionated perspective pr
£22.50
Contra Fuego Eterno: La Historia de Jerry Lee Lewis
Book Synopsis
£20.23
Hal Leonard Corporation To Hell and Back
Book SynopsisThere have been many books written about Johnny Thunders and the Heartbreakers, but only by people who weren't there. Walter Lure wasfrom the band''s chaotic beginnings on New York''s Lower East Side, through a now-legendary UK tour with the Sex Pistols and the Clash, and on to a yearlong stay in Londoneyewitness and midwife to the birth of UK punk.Now, he tells his story in To Hell and Back, a thrilling ride through the clubs and dives of two continents, in the company of one of the most notorious junkies in rock ''n'' roll history. Drawing from his own contemporary journals, Lure paints a vivid portrait of life in both cities, during perhaps the most crucial musical uprising of the past forty yearsthe music, the characters, the clothes, the fights, the drugs, the orgies, the lot.Lure lays bare his own battle with drugs, and reflects upon his life after the band''s splitrising to become a Wall Street fixture yet still finding time to mak
£14.24
Humanoids, Inc The Seven Lives of Alejandro Jodorowsky
Book SynopsisA definitive look at the life of legendary filmaker Alejandro Jodorowsky and his many wild creative ventures throughout his 90 years on earth.A journey through Jodo’s personal life, his life in the theater, his rebirth as a 70s cinematic cult figure and and, of course, tales of his work on Dune, his unfinished cinematic masterpiece. No biography would be complete without an in-depth look into his life the world of comics, his collaborations with Mœbius, his passion for poetry, Tarot, Esoterism, spirituality, Mythical Cabarets, and the overall Jodo philosophy.Trade ReviewPraise for Alejandro Jodorowsky “No one alive today, anywhere, has been able to demonstrate the sheer possibilities of artistic invention — and in so many disciplines — as powerfully as Alejandro Jodorowsky." * NPR *“Jodorowsky is one of the most inspiring artists of our time.” -- Kanye West“Jodorowsky is our prophet. Our patron saint of imagination. A man with the mind of a god, where universes upon universes swirl and splinter, explode and coalesce, and wither and flower, all at once, all the time.” -- Jason Aaron“Jodorowsky seamlessly and effortlessly weaves together the worlds of art, the confided social structure, and things we can only touch with an open heart and mind.” -- Erykah Badu
£26.99
HarperCollins Publishers BEING WAGNER The Triumph of the Will
Book SynopsisThe perfect introduction to the Master.Trade Review‘Would Callow be able to tell me, in layman’s language, what it is about Tristan that makes it so powerful? The answer, I am happy to say, is yes. The perfect introduction for those, like me, who may not be obsessives but who sense that something profound is going on, and would like to know more. A delightful little book’ Craig Brown, Mail on Sunday ‘A sparkly written, witty, learned and absorbing account, Callow brings The Master vividly to life’ The Times ‘Intelligent, fluent and buoyant’ The Daily Telegraph Praise for Simon Callow’s ‘Charles Dickens’: ‘Simon Callow is not simply a terrific actor who happens to write – you could as well call him a terrific writer who happens to act’ The Times ‘This is the book we have long been waiting for and only Simon Callow could have written it… A marvellous book.’ Michael Slater ‘A comprehensive biography as enthralling as one of his own performances … A great achievement.’Catherine Peters, Literary Review ‘Vivid and exuberant… This book, with its fresh angles and out-of-the-way sources, is the harvest of [Callow’s] dedication [to impersonating Dickens on stage]… His book is a celebration, jubilant, vigorous, imaginative, and, as Dickens might have said, an all-round sizzler.’ John Carey, Sunday Times ‘Callow … writes with great authority and elegant insouciance, which makes this "biography with a twist" very entertaining’ Independent on Sunday ‘By his enthusiasm for his subject, Callow has ensured that his book is a worthy addition to the Dickens studies’ Sunday Express ‘An excellent book’ Andrew Marr, Start the Week ‘Intelligent, fluent and buoyant’ Daily Telegraph ‘4/5… a crisply succinct account’ Sunday Telegraph ‘Colourful, almost salacious anecdotes abound’ Sunday Times
£9.99
Post Hill Press Finding Joseph I: An Oral History of H.R. from
Book Synopsis
£13.60
HarperCollins Publishers Inc Anthony Bourdain Remembered
Book SynopsisA moving and insightful collection of quotes, memories, and images celebrating the life of Anthony Bourdain A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER When Anthony Bourdain died in June 2018, the outpouring of love from his fans around the world was momentous. The tributes spoke to his legacy: That the world is much smaller than we imagine and people are more alike than they are different. As Bourdain once said, “If I’m an advocate of anything, it’s to move…Walk in someone else’s shoes or at least eat their food.”Anthony Bourdain Remembered brings together memories and anecdotes from fans reminiscing about Bourdain’s unique achievements and his enduring effect on their lives as well as comments from chefs, journalists, filmmakers, musicians, and writers inspired by Bourdain including Barack Obama, Eric Ripert, Jill Filipovic, Ken Burns, Questlove, and José Andrés, among many others.These remembrances give us a glimpse of Bourdain''s widespread impact through his political and social commitments; his dedication to travel and eating well (and widely); and his love of the written word, along with his deep compassion, open-mindedness, and interest in lives different from his own.Anthony Bourdain Remembered captures Bourdain''s inimitable spirit and passion in the words of his devoted fans as well as some of his closest friends and colleagues.
£21.25
Thomas Nelson Publishers Me, Myself, and Bob: A True Story About Dreams, God, and Talking Vegetables
Book SynopsisThis is a story of dreaming big and working hard, of spectacular success and breathtaking failure, of shouted questions, and, at long last, whispered answers. With trademark wit and heart, Phil Vischer shares how God can use the death of a dream to point us toward true success.Larry. Bob. Archibald. These VeggieTales stars are the most famous vegetables you'll ever eat. Oops, meet. Their antics are known around the world. But so much of the VeggieTales story hasn't been told. In Me, Myself, and Bob, Phil Vischer, founder of Big Idea and creator of VeggieTales, gives a behind-the-scenes look at his not-so-funny journey with the loveable veggies. From famed creator to bankrupt dreamer, Vischer shares his story of trial and ultimate triumph as God inspired him with one big idea after another.
£16.71
University of North Texas Press,U.S. The View from the Back of the Band: The Life and
Book SynopsisMel Lewis (1929–1990) was born Melvin Sokoloff to Jewish Russian immigrants in Buffalo, New York. He first picked up his father’s drumsticks at the age of two and at seventeen he was a full-time professional musician. The View from the Back of the Band is the first biography of this legendary jazz drummer. For over fifty years, Lewis provided the blueprint for how a drummer could subtly support any musical situation. While he made his name with Stan Kenton and Thad Jones, and with his band at the Village Vanguard, it was the hundreds of recordings that he made as a sideman and his ability to mentor young musicians that truly defined his career.Away from the drums, Lewis's passionate and outspoken personality made him one of jazz music's greatest characters. It is often through Lewis's own anecdotes, as well as many from the musicians who knew him best, that this book traces the career of one of the world’s greatest drummers. Previously unpublished interviews, personal memoirs, photos, musical transcriptions, and a selected discography add to this comprehensive biography.Trade ReviewThis is the best and most complete tracking of Lewis' career.”- John Riley, author of The Art of Bop Drumming and holder of Lewis' chair at the Village Vanguard;This wonderful research work illuminates not only the life and work of Mel Lewis, but in doing so uncovers for the reader a treasure trove of great music.”- John Mosca, Trombonist and Director of the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra;“Mel’s sound and concept were all about the feeling of the music. That was his personal approach, and it was amazing!”- Joe Lovano, Grammy award winning saxophonist and Blue Note recording artist;“Through exhaustive research and numerous interviews with personal associates of Mel Lewis, Smith has produced the first significant retrospective regarding the life of one the most influential jazz drummers of all time.”- Jim White, Drummer and Professor of Jazz Studies University of Northern Colorado;“Mel played with perfect articulation and perfect dynamic support. It’s no wonder he was Buddy Rich’s favorite big band drummer.”- Ed Soph, Drummer and Professor of Jazz Studies University of North Texas;""Smith did a fine job. The research is meticulous and his insights into the music of Mel Lewis are good ones.""- Bruce Klauber, author of World of Gene Krupa: That Legendary Drummin' Man;""I don’t think Mel ever thought of himself as a drummer, I think he probably thought of himself as just a band member. But as it ended up, he was the band!”- Marvin Stamm, World-renowned trumpeter and educator;""[A] superbly engaging portrait of a vibrant musicians's life, passions, and achievements.""- Midwest Book Review;""Chris Smith's The View From The Back Of The Band: The Life And Music Of Mel Lewis is a lot like Lewis' celebrated big band drumming—smart, energetic, empathetic, and inclusive. . . . Smith's impressive skills as a writer, story teller, and jazz scholar make it easy for the casual listener, jazz aficionado, and musician—three of the potential readers to which the author painstakingly builds bridges—to appreciate his account of Lewis' life, music and career. . . . Interspersed amongst the wealth of biographical detail are explanations of Lewis' unique style—these are of importance to musicians, and not beyond the reach of most laypersons—with an emphasis on his philosophy of drumming and jazz in general. Of interest to all parties is a section of tributes from family and fellow musicians, which makes it clear that Lewis was loved and respected in his lifetime, and that his influence as a musician and a mentor continues to the present day.""- All About Jazz
£18.66
Rowman & Littlefield Publishers Conversations with Boulez
Book SynopsisCONVERSATIONS WITH BOULEZ THOUGHTS ON CONDUCTING
£35.39
Rowman & Littlefield Publishers The Musical Dialogue
Book SynopsisTHE MUSICAL DIALOGUE
£19.56
Rowman & Littlefield Publishers Callas at Juilliard
Book Synopsis
£25.49
Taylor Trade Publishing My Story
Book SynopsisWritten at the height of her fame but not published until over a decade after her death, this autobiography of actress and sex symbol Marilyn Monroe (1926-1962) poignantly recounts her childhood as an unwanted orphan, her early adolescence, her rise in the film industry from bit player to celebrity, and her marriage to Joe DiMaggio. In this intimate account of a very public life, she tells of her first (non-consensual) sexual experience, her romance with the Yankee Clipper, and her prescient vision of herself as "the kind of girl they found dead in the hall bedroom with an empty bottle of sleeping pills in her hand." The Marilyn in these pages is a revelation: a gifted, intelligent, vulnerable woman who was far more complex than the unwitting sex siren she portrayed on screen. Lavishly illustrated with photos of Marilyn, this special book celebrates the life and career of an American icon—-from the unique perspective of the icon herself.
£999.99
Primedia eLaunch LLC My Father the Godfather
Book SynopsisMy Father The Godfather is a history changing book, but most importantly Daryl Brown will set the record straight about his dad, James Brown, The Godfather of Soul! Stories that have NEVER been told such as: Did you know that James Brown, The Godfather of Soul was offered over ten million dollars to convert to a certain religion? Daryl Brown believes that his dad James Brown, his brother-in-law and his older brother Teddy were murdered. Susie Brown did not abandon James Brown as the movie Get on Up would have you believe. The relationship turned deadly with a murder attempt. Leaving the child was the only way to preserve both lives. Black police officer Donald Danner believes James Brown was shot at by white police officers because of the color of his skin. 23 shots fired at the truck. Two shots hit the gas-tank in an effort to lawfully murder James Brown. Tomi Rae was stopped by police for being married to a black monkey and the police told her they were going to kill James Brown. Overt racism and threat of disappearing or murder was a challenge for both Tomi Rae and Adrienne James Browns 2 wives. The Inner Circle will include but not limited to: the Mistress, the Limo Driver, the Widow, the Bodyguard, Band Members, Personal Physician, an Arresting Officer and many more!
£14.39
Boy Culture LLC MLVC60 Madonnas Most Amazing Magazine Covers A Visual Record
£60.00
WW Norton & Co Wagstaff: Before and After Mapplethorpe: A
Book SynopsisRecalled as the lover and patron of Robert Mapplethorpe, Sam Wagstaff here takes centre stage as a leading American intellectual and cultural visionary. Philip Gefter traces Wagstaff’s evolution from society "bachelor" of the 1940s to his emergence as rebellious curator. In 1972, his meeting with twenty-five-year-old Mapplethorpe, would lead to his legacy as world-class photography collector and cultural arbiter. Positioning Wagstaff’s personal life against the rise of photography as a major art form and the simultaneous formation of the gay rights movement, Gefter’s absorbing biography provides a searing portrait of New York just before and during the age of AIDS. The result is a definitive and memorable portrait of a man and an era.Trade Review"...striking, sexy biography of a charismatic man in the best and worst of times." -- The Times"...this excellent and overdue biography…" -- The Telegraph"Gefter is very good on New York's gay milieu and his book is full of racy details." -- The Independent"...Philip Gefter tells the fascinating story of art curator and collector Sam Wagstaff, who helped create a market boom when he turned his eye to photography in the 1970s." -- Popular Photography"His [Wagstaff's] role in establishing photography as a major art form is given its due here." -- Apollo Magazine
£15.19
Echo Point Books & Media Rengetsu: Life and Poetry of Lotus Moon
£19.51
Beaufort Books Playboy Swings How Hugh Hefner and Playboy
Book Synopsis
£22.09
