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Magnum: Fifty Years at the Front Line of History

Published in Hardcover by Grove Press (1998)

Author: Russell Miller

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An honest, well detailed depiction of the agency

Given that I had worked at Magnum as well as for several of the members, I thought that the Miller's book fairly depcited the personalities and management of the agency. Alas the book does not delve into why the new members have difficulty in living off as an associate member, or even tries to look into these problems. The history of photography and the timing of Magnum's incorporation came together fortuitously during the acme of the profession. The days of magazines such as Look, Life, and the commercial business of still photography have disappeared with the advent of color TV and Internet. Maybe they should have looked into Web pages. This is not to belittle their brilliant work in the past (I still consider my days at Magnum as the most influential in my life and still have friends in the agency), but given the original format for membership within Magnum, they should reconsider other options. Maybe such treatment would be out of context of the book, although ! it would delve into the many problems of still photography in today's world.

Heroes, made real and understandable

Russell Miller outlines the history of the world's greatest photo agency from its founding shortly after World War II until its advancement into the 90's. He includes personal stories about many of the photographers. The book also charts a course between many of the conflicting visions held by the members for the purpose of the agency. As you read the book, you have to remind yourself that Magnum is a "cooperative," because rarely do the members show this spirit. At its start, Cartier-Bresson wanted pictures with artistic vision. Capa wanted hard core reportage. In later years, Martin Parr's overtly critical portrayals of his subjects tested the agency's humanistic mission. All along, the great photographers prove to be fantastically poor businessmen. Russell Miller's history of does a lot to humanize some of the gods of photojournalism. As someone who has spent several years in graduate school, I enjoyed hearing that not all of these people were perfect. It is genuinely funny to learn that Eugene Smith's seven year Pittsburgh project was actually only intended to be a two week assignment. What beginning photographer hasn't made the same kind of mistake, deciding that a story was worthy of far greater time than budgeted for by your teacher or editor? Miller's account of Smith probably goes so far as to provide a cautionary tale to aspiring photographers about the need to draw boundaries to your work life. This book would be a good addition to a college photography course. It covers its subject expansively, but it tells the story in a chronological narrative that keeps the reader turning pages quickly.

A wonderful book about the passion of art and photojournalis

This is a wonderful book about people who are passionate about their craft. Miller takes us on a journey into one of the worlds premier photo agencies, showing the reader its inner workings, along with the in-fighting. It is an in depth story of some of the worlds best photographers (past and present)and the agency that represents them. It is a wonderful read, detailing the hows and whys of some of the most enduring images in history. This book is highly reccommended to anyone intrested in photojournalism.

Perspectives on American Methodism: Interpretive Essays

Published in Paperback by Abingdon Press (1993)

Authors: Russell E. Richey, Kenneth E. Rowe, and Jean Miller Schmidt

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Collection of essays

The advantage of this piece is that Richey, Rowe, and Miller Schmidt put into one volume thirty-two essays, some of which are hard to find. Eight the essays were first published in Richey's 1985 edited volume, Rethinking Methodist History; six of the essays came from the journal Methodist History. Essays are grouped chronologically into three periods- the founding period, nineteenth century, twentieth century- and one topical group: reforms. There are no surprises and nothing new.

An impressive collection

This volume is the single best collection of essays regarding American Methodism. It includes scholars such as Richard Heitzenrater, Leland Scott, Russ Richey, and Don Mathews. All of the essays included in the volume are helpful in getting at some of the key themes and issues that have permeated American Methodist history. The volume, however, is not a "history of American Methodism." It is, therefore, only accessible to those persons who already have a background on the subject matter.

Bare-faced messiah : the true story of L. Ron Hubbard

Published in Unknown Binding by M. Joseph ()

Author: Russell Miller

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An excellent bio of one the century's greatest con artists.

L. Ron Hubbard, "founder" of Scientology, has the true story of his life laid bare in this book by Russell Miller. The book proves that Hubbard was a remarkable man... Though not at all in the way Scientologists are taught.

Hubbard, who wrote science fiction for pulp magazines at a penny-a-word in the 40s, hit upon the realization that "the way to make real money is to start a religion," leading to the birth of Dianetics and Scientology. This book tracks the amazing life of Hubbard- from his humble beginnings which he felt compelled to embellish upon; through a disastrous stint in the Navy, where he later claimed to have been the first U.S. serviceman wounded in WWII; to the jailing of his wife and nearly a dozen of Scientology's top management in the early '80s for illegal break-ins and infiltration of government agencies; and, finally, to his death in 1986 in a trailer in the desert- addicted to drugs and delirious.

Bare Faced Messiah is required reading for anyone even vaguely aware of the controversies that have surrounded the man, and his "church," since its beginning.

Read This Instead of Dianetics

If you are thinking about reading Dianetics or any such LRH book, or even (gasp!) joining Scientology, I urge you to read this book first. It exposes Hubbard for who he really was (or is, as some would say). He was not a war hero, a nuclear physicist, or any of the other multitude of things that he claimed to be. Such fanatical claims are to be believed (unlike the Scientology bull) because the book is exhaustively researched, with an extensive bibliography and with many footnotes. Seriously, L. Ron Hubbard was an evil, paranoid, and highly complex individual, although unquestionably a brilliant man. Many of the things that he did are disturbing, it is amazing that people would eat all of his dogma and do all of the ridicilous things that he asked. A brilliant read.

Well Documented

I've read Miller's book once and reread several chapters to use in countering claims by Scientologists as to Ron's great accomplishments. The book was not as attacking as Paulette Cooper's Scandal of Scientology. It simply states what he believes happened based on many thorough taped interviews with personal aides and associates of Ron. Also he uses government documents to back up his description of Ron's checkered military career and sleazy attempt to get government handouts. I was a Scientologist for 15 years and I appreciate his tracking this beast's movements across the United States , through Mediterranean ports, across the U.S again to his quietly paranoid end in California. It is a great read and should be a bible for any anti-Scientology advocates.

A Piece of Blue Sky: Scientology, Dianetics and L. Ron Hubbard Exposed

Published in Hardcover by Carol Pub Group (1990)

Authors: Jon Atack and Russell Miller

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Important and Revealing work.

I believe it is important for everybody to learn the truth about Scientology before they are trapped by a front organization. At some point in your life you very well may be scammed by Scientologists, my family lost $20,000 to them, and thus I think it is imperative to read this well-researched and well-written book.
Negative reviews are invariably written by Scientologists who see it as their duty to stiffle any criticsm of their church. That is their right, but it is important that you not be put off reading objective works about Scientology merely because of their attacks on the works.
By all means I would also suggest reading L. Ron Hubbard's original works as well--I know I have enjoyed reading them. It is important, though, that you read his books with the understanding that they are fiction--that includes the 'non-fiction' works like 'What is Scientology'.
At some point in your life you may yourself be caught up in Scientology or one of their many fronts, so educate yourself about them now.

The glaring truth about this "religion" and it's "Church"

Jon Atack is a hero to me for his courage in exposing the insidious organization of charlatans known as the "Church" of Scientology. The only things this sinister bunch worships is greed and power, and it's obvious that they will do whatever it takes to acquire both. David Miscavige and Mike Rinder are the true "spiritual" heirs to the throne vacated by L. Ron Hubbard. After reading "A Piece of Blue Sky", I think it's reasonable to characterize that unholy trinity for what they are-- evil personified. Josef Stalin certainly would've rejoiced to have had these 3 hombres protecting state security for the notorious KGB.

Think I'm exaggerating on that analogy? Don't kid yourself! Read the detailed descriptions of the smear campaigns regularly conducted by the "church's" Guardian's Office and see how closely they parallel the actions of the KGB. Clandestine infiltration of U.S. government agencies and theft of documents having anything to do with L. Ron Hubbard and his phony church-- it's all there for those who dare to seek the TRUTH about the REAL "Church" of Scientology. Truly if there is a hell on earth, you'll know it if you ever become a target of Scientology's litigious wrath. It is richly ironic that those of us here in America who fully understand the "doctrines" of Scientology now have to look to the German government for guidance in how to properly deal with this worldwide societal cancer that poses as a religion. To think that Scientology finally got it's coveted tax exempt status about 10 years ago is incredible beyond belief, and scarier still.

Excellent book on cults & brainwashing inside Scientology

I have been doing a lot of research on scientology, and who/what they were on. After reading several other books, several websites, and talking to multiple different people, I decided to sit down and read Mr. Atack's book.

He is an excellent author who is able to clearly set forth his experiences within the Church of Scientology and the experiences of other ex-members and critics of scientology.

I think that most of the reviews of this book can be summed up well to fall into 2 catagories.

The first catagory is the group of people who are interested in finding out the truth, or at least a book that can point them in that direction (The Bibliography in this book is immense, and people who claim that the book is full of lies either are severly misguided or do not understand how to do research for themselves using a bibliography.)

The second catagory I believe would fall under a quote that I thought was one of the best quotes I have read in a long that was in the book:

"As soon as one's convictions become unshakeable, evidence ceases to be relevant - except as a means to convert the unbelievers. Factual inaccuracies... are excusable in the light of the Higher Truth." -P.H. Hoebens

If you are looking for facts about the religion around the Church of Scientology, and their leader, L. Ron Hubbard, then this book is for you. If you are looking to learn how to practice Scientology, or want to be lead into the cult of Scientology, I recommend you read something else, like "What is Scientology" by L. Ron Hubbard, although once you read this book and understand the motivations and thought proccess that went through LRH's head while writing, you may quickly discover the "real" truth about Scientology.

Behind the Lines: The Oral History of Special Operations in World War II

Published in Hardcover by Secker & Warburg Ltd (2002)

Author: Russell Miller

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Aweful -- not worth reading! Slapped together oral history

This book seems like a real rush job. There were no maps and no narrative to tie the stories together. It's hardly complete the most important campiagns such as Germany are missing.

OSS is given short shift to compared to SOE

Flow is aweful and very disjointed even for an oral history.

Flawed but fun

This book had its flaws, but it was a fun read. The balance between male and female agents was the real charm. Recommended!

Terrific oral history

This is exactly what it purports to be, a compendium of personal narratives of World War II era spies. The previous reviewer's opinion might be given more weight if the word "awful" were spelled correctly. Five stars to help balance the previous negative review: real rating, about 4 stars.

Bunny : the real story of Playboy

Published in Unknown Binding by Michael Joseph ()

Author: Russell Miller

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Book shows Hefner to be a rube

The book should be put in print if only because it effectively undermines Hefner's carefully cultivated image as a suave and debonair sophisticate, showing him to be an arrested adolescent and a rube. What do you call a man who for years and years would sleep until four in the afternoon and live on speed and cola? Is it a sign of a sophistication to hire best chefs of Europe just to make fried chicken and ham sandwiches? Miller's book is chock full of these kind of details about Hefner's life and together the paint a picture not of an urban Ladies' Man but of an eccentric, childish, and pathetic hermit. I wish that Mr. Miller had focused more on the moral damage Hefner and his Empire have inflicted upon this nation. He does show how the Playboy Philosophy has devastated the lives of individual women, and tells in great detail how the Bunny Lifestyle is really quite the opposite of its publicised image; far from liberating and joyful, it is enslaving and grimly exploitative. The Bunnies are made to live in quarters just a little more comfortable than the barracks at boot camp while their bosses live in plush and guady opulence. But Mr. Miller never explores the impact of the Playboy lifestyle on the culture at large, but it is unfair to ask that a piece of factual journalism engage in culture criticism. Russel Miller punctures another Playboy myth, that the Playboy Empire is an Empire of Wealth. It isn't. Actually, Playboy Inc. is very sick financially, and this because of Hefner's breathtaking financial irresponsibility. As Russel Miller details, Hefner would rather spend his money on a staff to edit out the commercials from the tapes of his favorite sitcoms than to make sound business investments. The costs of his lavish parties that are thrown for the most frivolous reasons are constant and dangerous drains on the company's coffers and actually threaten the solvency of Playboy Inc., but Hefner seems to be a man quite willing to fiddle (or play video games) while his Rome burns down. To be sure, Miller's book came out sixteen years ago just as Playboy was entering the cable tv business, but the financial irresponsibility that plagued Playboy back then plagues it still today. Hefner still spends small fortunes on ephemeral decadence while his stock drops like a stone. Miller's book is not a comedy, drama, or adventure. It is merely a work of competent and sober journalism, and that is exactly what is needed to puncture the evil glamour of Playboy to reveal the utterly pathetic banality underneath.