Well, Mr. Peary couldn't have picked a better title--this really is THE guide for the genuine film fanatic! It is a shame that the book is out-of-print. Anyone at all seriously addicted to film should read it (whether or not you always agree with Peary's opinions), so track down a copy any way you can.

I probably picked it up somewhere around 15 years ago, so my copy is really worn. And I'm still checking movies off as I see them. The main 'problem' is that there are, I think, 4200 films listed in the book, all told. I think I still have around 500 to go (the number of movies I've seen -- and this book lists only a fraction of them! -- qualifies me as a genuine fanatic). A large number of this 500 are titles that Peary admits are not 'musts': mostly low-budget horror and porno. Still, a good number are...simply impossible to find! They are not on video (not that I've found, and believe me I've looked) and are never shown on tv.

For example, who the hell knows where to locate 'Cuban Rebel Girls'? I've sent email to Turner Classic Movies, requesting such films as 'Storm Warning' and 'The Chapman Report' but, years later, they still haven't been shown. So, when you get near the end of Peary's list, good luck trying to complete it.

Maybe someone with resources should start a website for film fanatics and put all of these titles on it. Maybe there could be some sort of exchange system for people like myself (obviously I'm not alone here) who have been able to find movies on the list that others haven't.

Danny, are you reading? After all, you got us all into this!

But, seriously...dynamite book. Granted, it includes films that I can't believe I actually sat through but, on the other hand, there's a considerable number that I thoroughly enjoyed and never would have considered watching if this book hadn't introduced them to me.

One more thing: it's interesting that 1986 ends up being the cut-off point for this book, the year movies in general started causing me to hum 'Who Let The Dogs Out?' to myself on a regular basis. Although I'd be curious to see an updated version of this book -- one that would include reviews of such 'gems' as 'Showgirls', other 'must-sees', and those before 1986 that Peary somehow overlooked -- I think the book closes on a significant year.

I'm thrilled that so many people enjoy this book as much as I do. This book was a gift someone gave me as a teenager (that was over 10 years ago) and I still refer back to it at least once a week. In fact I have two copies.

I actually have a little story for fans. Probably about 10 years ago I decided to write a fan letter to Danny Peary. I basically told him how much I loved the book, and that I thought some of his reviews where actually more enjoyable than the movies themselves. I also begged him to write a sequel. To my surprise he wrote back to me! It was a very nice, hand-written letter thanking me and talking to me a little about the other books he's written.

This is a great film book and I would recommend it to everyone. The only complaint I have is that there really should be a Guide 2.

When you see multiple rave 5 star reviews for a book that has been out-of-print for ten years you know something is up. I picked this book up in the bargain bin section of a Waldenbooks many years ago and it eventually became the MOST tattered and abused film book in my library. Literally, pages were missing from the 'checklist' in the back, and the book had peeled away into three separate sections held together by a thread of a binding. Fortunately, I was able to pick up a mint condition copy from an online used book service last year and so I have a perfect copy that's just like new. I enjoy reading Pauline Kael, Stanley Kauffmann, Andrew Sarris, Roger Ebert, David Thomson...all the usual suspects but for sheer agreement, I tend to share Mr. Peary's opinions more often than possibly any other film writer.

An indispensible book!

I was lost. I had just read Al Gore's book, Earth in the Balance, and, of course, I was shocked at what we are doing to the earth, and how it is being destructed. I decided that I wanted to start an advocacy organization. But where to start? I was troubled. In a Las Vegas, Nevada bookstore I found answers to my problems. A book on how to cope with the woes of starting an advocacy organization, that gave tips on anything ranging from student rights to lobbying. This book is highly informative, yet Seo talks about everything with such a great blend of comic satire, that the hard facts never became lectures. All of these tips coming from a master protester and veteran of the business. As a thirteen year old who is highly concerned about the environment I would give this book five stars. As a learned scholar who has read many texts, the rating remains five stars. Whether kid or adult, you are sure to love this Seo "thriller".

I saw Danny Seo on an old re-run of Leeza during a summer-camp break. (We never watch day time TV) & called my daughter to come listen. We then bought the book & read it together. Reading of this book should be a school project or requirement...it will produce softer, gentler more caring kids & transform them into bright young active citizens. I will send this book to school for her second grade class teacher to have a peak at & hopefully she can do something & perhaps create a "learning-sharing project" for the kids....maybe near Thanksgiving or Earth Day??

Rarely do you find a book that talks about ACTION instead of PROBLEMS. Danny Seo's "Generation React" provides inspring ideas and practical information on how to change the world around you, whether you are an activist or not. The author shows that everyone can make a difference, no matter how old you are. The amazing truth is, what Danny has done can be and could have been done by anyone else. To quote Danny's description of starting Earth 2000 at age 12, "Sure, we couldn't drive -- heck, we couldn't even cross the street -- but we had the three things every great activit group needs: dedication, enthusiasm, and tenacity." It's simple. Everyone can do it. So read it, be inspired, take action, and make the world a better place.

"Great Day for Dying" is a pretty fascinating (and bold) idea for a mystery: What if the Grand Marshall of the St. Patrick's Day parade was murdered? This fast-moving (I finished it an afternoon!) and often hilarious book is a must for anyone who's interested in anything Irish -- with some great glimpses of the REAL Irish culture of New York, which Harrington chroniciles with the fine eye of an anthropologist. On top of that, it's a neat little mystery, which had me guessing -- and laughing -- 'till the end.

A first-rate novel here, from all angles. The mystery story twists and turns engagingly. This time Danny O'Flaherty is back in New York, and it's not in wannabe hip circles downtown but far uptown above 200th Street where the work is tough and the people live in fear of the Immigration and Naturalization Service. Harrington moves with authority from the complications of a Dominican neighborhood to the internecine strife of the Irish community. And along the way he offers incisive and often funny characters - Detective Washington, Mr. Zhang, surly Ian Masters, and above all, the opinionated Fintan Conway who, even dead, is larger than life. These creations linger in the mind long after the story is over. The climax is a fitting mix of resolution and tragedy, with a promise of romance to come. Highly recommended.

A GREAT DAY FOR DYING Jonathan Harrington

A Great Day for Dying is a fast-paced, thoroughly enjoyable mystery. In Harrington's two previous books Danny O'Flaherty solved murders while teaching in the quaint, Irish town of Ballycara. In the third book in the Danny O'Flaherty series, A Great Day For Dying, the tone changes somewhat as Danny returns to his job teaching in an inner-city high school in New York. His girlfriend from Ballycara, Fidelma Muldoon, has also come to New York and wants to go to the infamous St. Patrick's Day Parade on Fifth Avenue. Danny hates the parade, believing it is more about politics than Irish pride, but eventually agrees to go. Finton Conway, the Grand Marshall of the parade, is killed right in front of them and Danny is an eyewitness. Clues seem to point to another Ballycara resident and friend, Brendan Grady, who may be mixed up with the IRA. Danny is determined to prove his friend innocent, although Brendan makes it clear he does not want Danny's help.

A Great Day For Dying is spiked with enough Irish history and politics to peak my interest without overwhelming me. I am Irish American and learned more about my ancestry.

The characters in the Danny O'Flaherty series are growing and maturing as the series continues. I really enjoyed A Great Day for Dying, and recommend it.

I liked reading this book here in America because it revealed that lesbians and gays exist in Ireland and that same-sex encounters in Ireland can be as exciting as anywhere else. The stories about our warrior past are as interesting as the present-day stories of life in Dublin. The writing is excellent and the book has beautiful graphic designs based on our Book of Kells. The stories are about pretty boys, drag queens, and the kind of leathermen and bears who belong to LUBE in Dublin. I'd appreciate a volume 2 for reading on my return trip.

This collection of Irish and Irish-American fiction shocked me because it is so brilliantly written. It's also hot. Finally, the Irish come out of the closet. None of these stories--t'anks be-- are stage Irish stereotypes, and there is no sentimental "How Are Things in Gloccamora"--more like "How Are Things In (Sodom and) Gomorrah." Actually, the sex is tasteful, and so arousing Irish papers probably will not review this book, dismissing it as gay, when in fact it's more Irish than they will admit. The cover photo of famed Irish-Brit brat-pack author PP Hartnett is worth framing. Inside, thumbnail glossaries help the Yankee tourist out-on-the-slum with the bits of history and a couple o' Irish words used. If "Chasing Danny Boy" can be this much fun, then what fun "Catching Danny Boy" could be--only there ain't one, but if there were a sequel, that could be its title. I only wish my experience in Temple Bar in Dublin was what it is in the wonderful title story. And God bless that Irish jewel, Neil Jordan, for supporting this important book--without his name on the cover, I might have missed this collection. I'LL NEVER SING "DANNY BOY" AGAIN WITHOUT THINKING OF THIS BOOK THAT REVEALS THAT SONG'S PANTING SUBTEXT!

Chasing Danny Boy is a wonder of a book!This collection of short stories is that rare thing- the combination of intelligent and steamy.The settings of the stories range from modern Dublin, to the mythic past, including some with Irish-American settings and people. Many aspects of the (now) global gay culture are represented.The characters range in age from late teenagers with other teenagers, to men in their forties. There are decorative sketches at the beginning of each story, and brief biographies of each writer.Every time I re-read this book I am startled again, at how very good it is.

Danny Winston embodies the changes so many boomers experienced in the 60s--beginning college, struggling with early career choices, transitions from the small town to the big city. Danny is caught in a welter of the confusion that accompanies those changes: sensitive, tough, independent, dependent, uncertain. As such the vignettes are compelling and poignant recollections from times that shaped our lives. A very good read!

I was given "Danny Winston" as a Christmas gift. This type of fiction is not my first choice in reading, and when I found out that the book is set during the years that my parents went to college, I was even more hesitant to give it a try. But I was surprised at how it caught and held my attention so well right from the beginning. I usually like my stories in movie form, and as I read along, in my mind, I could actually picture the characters and scenes up on the big screen. Someone really should make this book into a movie. I think it would be a great success.

I read a wide variety of literary fiction. "Danny Winston" is eminently worthy of that style and genre. In the book's span of one year, between 1967 and 1968, Mr. DelGrosso has succeeded in recapturing a moment in time that many of us of that generation seemed to have let slip away. If you like excellent writing, strong voice, and well crafted stories, ones that range from the endearing to the almost surreal, I highly recommend that you buy and read this book. If I could offer one small bit of advice to the author it would be this: Please resist the temptation to continue Danny's story with a sequel. Your book will, and should, stand on its own.

I was in a wine shop yesterday and recognized labels and understandood descriptions that would have been foreign to me prior to reading this book a few weeks ago. I have only read this book once with a few cursory reviews for specific information, but the amount of information I retained really suprised me. I did have some prior knowledge of wine, but nothing that would tag me as anything beyond a novice.

I chalk up the fact that I retained so much information to the authors' excellent writing style. I've attempted to read other wine books by noted authors and none was able to hold my persistent interest. This is the only wine book I've read that actually had me looking forward to the next page. The layout and format are such that it's almost impossible not to learn something useful. Information on price ranges vs. expectations, labels to look for, grape/wine type descriptions, and what countries and regions produce what wine is all logically accessible.

the authors have a great sense of humor: reading the book without skipping a word will result in your being unable to control your facial muscles...occasionally.

This is a great book for the beginning wine enthusiast. If you like wine but what to know more this is a great place to start. It is easy to read and contains just the right amount of information without going to exacting detail that will cause you to just go have a good beer instead. I also is addressed to the $10.00 a bottle wine buyer rather than the $100.00 a bottle person. So read it and experiment and enjoy.

My family and I were fortunate enough to get to meet Mr. Schnitzlein at a ceremony at my son's school and hear a live reading of the book. My 11-year old son, one of the oldest kids present, begged for a copy of his own (although it is really written for a younger age group)! We thoroughly enjoyed the book as well as Mr. Schnitzlein's very entertaining presentation and the "writer's workshop" he gave to the children. The characters in his book (even the monster) are as warm and inviting as the author himself. The plot kept even the adults on the edge of their seats, and the laughter never stopped from first page to last. We can hardly wait for the next book to emerge from the very creative mind of this author.

I just bought this book and my son, who's 5, and loved it. He's already requesting it to be read over and over. Loved the rhymes.

Looking forward to the next book by this author.

The rhyme, the subject and the illustrations are a perfect marriage in this book. Children ask for it to be read over and over again. They clamor at the end that there's more monsters waiting for him to trade again. And then they are eager to share just what they'd be willing to trade in order to not have to clean the toilet or eat their liver or whatever disgusts them. It's a great story to break the ice with kids and even to read using voices.
Publishers Weekly has no clue about what appeals to kids- the Lima Bean Monster is a shelf sitter and the illustrations do nothing to excite kids about the story. Use this book instead and your kids will be begging for another story like it. I can't wait to see the new book being published by this author and hope the illlustrator will be right there with him to turn kids into readers.

I'd like to know more about Nightmare Before Christmas.

Although this book is aimed toward the younger readers, it is the original poem of the Nightmare Before Christmas, so no matter if you are a Burton fan or study literature, this is an essential item to add to that collectio

I bought a copy of this book a couple years back, only to find my young nephew (only 5 back then) reaching to look at it often when he visited. I've now decided to buy him his own copy of this book, while it's still in print, because I see this movie's "legend" continuing to grow as an annual Halloween classic. Such is the unique and wonderful world of Tim Burton; his style often does not catch on immediately, but it slowly finds its way beyond "cult" viewing and into the hearts and minds of mainstream audiences. This book features a generous offering of pre-production designs (including many of Burton's own drawings) and behind-the-scenes photos, which are fun to look at again and again. A beautifully illustrated book, and fun to own

I just love this CD! The tunes are catchy, the lyrics are great, the musical quality far surpasses most kids CDs. This is not your typical kids music, but kids love it. After only one listen, my daughter was singing the "La-La" chorus from "It's raining it's pouring". Adults will love this as well, with its eclectic rock feel. A must have for kids!

Every song on this CD has an infectious appeal, and while it's a cliche to say that "kids of all ages" will enjoy it, it's a fact. "Rub-A-Dub-Dub" is my favorite... clever lyrics, catchy music, wonderful vocals. My wife is enamoured with "Calling Africa," and... oh yeah, by the way... did I mention that kids love this CD, too? I guess good stuff is good stuff -- at any age!

The music will get you singing and bopping no matter what your age is! I'd recomend this album to anyone who wants music the entire family can enjoy. With all great songs, it's tough to choose, but I'd say my favorite tracks are "Elliot," "Rub A Dub Dub," and "Surfin' the Net."

Danny Peary, a film fanatic himself, in these series of three books (I'm only dealing with the first in this review) gleefully, critically and passionately celebrates what makes film going the sheer pleasure that it is. In a series of well written, insightful, often humourous and always celebratory essays, Peary explores many classic, weird and wonderful films that raise the pulses of fans.

Many film texts are dry treatises that absolutely drain the rollercoaster vicseral joy that a film can bring. Not so with Peary's excellent series. Peary manages to legitimately relate the true art that is cinema while at the same time exploring what makes so many great films live as a part of our very extistances.

I have read and re-read this book several times and each time, I have discovered a new insight into a favorite film or been directed to a new reference point. Peary is very careful to point to other film scholars and film titles that can enhance a film cutlists experience. In deconstructing each film, he also includes fascinating tidbits of information such as interviews with the film makers, insights into the creative process and backstory history.

Especially fine are his explorations on "It's a Wonderful Life", "King Kong", "Singin' in the Rain", "Rio Bravo" and "A Hard Day's Night". He successfully argues in all those cases that superb entertainment does make great art.

Do I agree with every one of Peary's opinions? Do I enjoy every single film included in these three books? Of course not! But Peary does give vallidation to all of us who could be classified as true film geeks. Since these books are as of this writing all out of print, I with the strongest terms possible urge you all to seek them out. You will not be dissapointed!

From a source that was never revealed I wound up with Mr. Peary's cult movies 2 book as a kid. I read it with great enthusiasm and wound up checking out quite a few movies because of it. The noteworthy ones were A Clockwork Orange and Taxi Driver. After years of looking in the back and seeing the list for the first Cult Movies book, I could stand it no longer. I finally ended up with the book and it is a true treat. Recommended to not read about the films that you have not seen. For those you have this serves as a background check, a detailed analysis and a clarifier. If for nothing else one can appreciate the plot synopsis, cast and credits, and production stills. For the fans of such "classics" as 2001, Forty Second Street, the Searchers, and many others, this is the book for you.

I bought this book when it first came out in the early 80s. I've referred to it so often that it now rests peacefully open on my desk at any given page. It provided me with a "birdwatcher's list" of unique films to seek out and enjoy.

Mr. Peary's approach to cult movies is respectful- this in contrast to other books of the "Bad Movie catalog" bent. At the end of his comments about "Plan 9 From Outer Space", for example, he came to the defense of Ed Wood. He pointed out that Mr. Wood managed to get his message, critical of American nuclear build-up, past the censors and into the theaters. Most other filmmakers at that time just went with the political flow.

Thanks to Mr. Peary's tutelage, I sought out such diverse films as "Aguirre, the Wrath of God" (artsy, passionate), "El Topo" (bizarre, egotistical), "42nd Street" (musical... not my style, but I enjoyed it), "Kiss Me, Deadly" (pure noir), and "Behind the Green Door ('nuff said). If you want to put some excitement in your experience of cinema, this book is a great way to begin.