Harry Cohn willed Columbia Pictures to become a major Hollywood studio, arising Phoenix like out of the muck of "Poverty Row" mediocrity in the Thirties by producing some of the Silver Screen's great triumphs. Columbia films won 52 Academy Awards during King Cohn's reign including Best Picture Oscars for IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT, YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU, ALL THE KING'S MEN, FROM HERE TO ETERNITY, ON THE WATERFRONT and BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI.

Cohn, a transplanted New Yorker born to immigrant parents, was the quinessential Runyonesque character--crude, commanding, ruthless but possessing a "heart of gold" beneath the tough veneer. He was the inspiration for Willie Stark in ALL THE KING'S MEN and Harry Brock in BORN YESTERDAY. Cohn played the role of mogul as tough guy to the hilt.

Veteran entertainment journalist, biographer and Hollywood observor Bob Thomas recreates the man and his times with a lively anecdotal prose style and an insider's eye that discerns between the real and the hype.

Cohn has long endured a bad rap hung on him by the "creative community" that passed through Columbia's portals and over which he often rode roughshod. Frank Capra, Howard Hawks, Leo McCarey, George Stevens, Barbara Stanwyck, Jean Arthur, Rita Hayworth, Kim Novak, Cary Grant, Jimmy Stewart, Glen Ford and many, many others bemoaned Cohn's crassness, tyrannical interference and bullying ways but did their best work under his "oppressive," "untutored" and "uncouth" dominion.

Columbia, under Cohn's supervision and control, invented the screwball comedy, perhaps the American cinema's most significant contribution during The Great Depression, and remained the pre-eminent producer of this genre until the outbreak of World War II.

Cohn understood and felt a kindredness with his plebian audience that many of his patrician "creative" employees did not. Thomas' excellent biography goes a long way toward rehabilitating the "Ogre of Gower Gulch" with those who believed Cohn to be the undeserving and unappreciative beneficiary of Frank Capra's genius.

This updated version of Bob Thomas's biography of Columbia studio chief Harry Cohn is very enjoyable reading. Since its original publication, anonymous sources have come forward and new facts and anecdotes have been incorporated. The brusque, outspoken Cohn appears to have been only concerned with Columbia's most important productions, and Thomas's text reflects this bias. If you're looking for details about Columbia's bread-and-butter product, including its popular "B" pictures, westerns, short subjects, serials, and cartoons, you won't find anything here, and even some of the studio's "A" pictures receive only passing mention. Thomas keeps the spotlight on the colorful Cohn, with some incredible stories and quotes. A great read for movie buffs.

"I am the king here. Whoever eats my bread sings my song". (Harry Cohn).

"I don't have ulcers - I give them". (Harry Cohn).

"I kiss the feet of talent". (Harry Cohn).

This is a marvellous and outstanding book that everyone with an interest in Hollywood should read. Once started it is hard to put down! Harry Cohn was the notorious head of Columbia Pictures from 1924 until his death in 1958. It is a remarkable story of the former song plugger who became the feared chief executive of Columbia Pictures during the "Golden Years of Hollywood". Harry Cohn was a very reclusive man who seldom gave interviews so Bob Thomas has done an exceptional job in putting together this account of Cohn's life. He put in hours of efficient research for this book and spoke with many people who knew Cohn and the stars and directors who worked for him.

Harry Cohn's brother Jack was the first to go into the film business but Harry soon joined him. Jack was based in New York dealing with the business and financial side and Harry was in charge of film production in Hollywood. There was no love lost between the two brothers and they were constantly arguing with each other. Columbia could not compete on an equal footing with the other major studios such as MGM, Paramount, Warner Bros. and 20th Century Fox and initially made cheap westerns and second features to begin with but Cohn was ambitious and wanted to produce more prestigious films. His luck changed when he had the enormous good fortune to persuade director Frank Capra to join Columbia who made a series of first rate quality films for the studio. The Capra films were box office successes (and Oscar winners) and brought in the much needed dollars to expand the studio and purchase important screenplays, and hire other talented writers and directors etc. The name of Columbia then became recognised and its films obtained a wider audience.

Columbia did not have a large roster of stars under contract like the major studios so they had to discover new talent and develop their own stars. One of Harry Cohn's discoveries was a dancer named Margarita Cansino - he cast her in a few Columbia features and loaned her out to other studios and then the big build up started. Cohn decided her name should be changed so she became Rita Hayworth and went on to become one of Columbia's top stars.

Columbia's biggest box office success in the 40's was the biographical musical "The Jolson Story". This was not an easy film to get off the ground as the New York office were convinced that Jolson was a "has been" whose career was finished and that the American public would not be interested to see a film about his life. Another problem was the casting - James Cagney and Danny Thomas both turned down the leading role and other actors were considered including Jose Ferrer and Richard Conte. Jolson desperately wanted to play himself in the film but in his 60's was obviously too old. The eventual casting of Larry Parks in the role of Jolson was a masterstroke - he was absolutely brilliant - in fact we can't now imagine anyone else doing it as he is so identified with the two Jolson films.

In 1949 Marilyn Monroe was signed to a contract at Columbia for $175 a week. She appeared in a B picture called "Ladies of the Chorus" but when her six months contract was up Harry Cohn ordered her to be dropped - "She can't act", he said. Some of his associates at Columbia never allowed Cohn to forget he had dismissed Marilyn Monroe who as we all know went on to become a major Hollywood star!!

Harry Cohn was responsible for creating another star at Columbia when he signed Kim Novak to a contract. He tried her out in small budget pictures such as "Pushover", "Phffft", and "Five Against the House". Cohn was not initially impressed by her acting but she did well enough in these films for him to agree to cast her in a major production with top stars - "Picnic" - featuring William Holden, Rosalind Russell and Cliff Robertson. "Picnic" established Kim Novak as a star and she went on to make several other successful films.

The 50's brought even more success to Columbia with films such as "Born Yesterday" (1950) which won the Best Actress Oscar for Judy Holliday. Even more popular was "From Here to Eternity" (1953) which won the Best Picture Oscar and seven other awards. ("Eternity" became the biggest money maker in Columbia's history and Harry Cohn was very proud of the film). "Bridge on the River Kwai" (1957) was another Columbia success winning the Best Picture award and six other Oscars.

To sum up "King Cohn" is a marvellous book, full of interesting anecdotes about the stars and "behind the scenes" information what it was like to be in charge of a busy Hollywood studio and with such a fantastic character as Harry Cohn running things there are many wonderful stories to tell. Harry Cohn had the reputation of being something of a monster and tyrant at the studio but this book reveals that he did many kind acts often helping out his employees and stars when they were in financial trouble (sometimes giving them substantial amounts of money) and visiting friends who were in hospital. He enjoyed his image as a tough boss and did not want these stories to be publicised. "King Cohn" is a fascinating read. Buy it - you will enjoy every chapter!

This was quite an exciting book,in parts. The most enthralling part was john crawling along a foot wide ledge with a broken leg. At this point I couldn't put the book down until I knew what was going to happen at the end. Other parts were quite different, like the chapters spent on John asnd Elzevier in the cave. I thought these chapters were never going to end it just seemed to go on and on. The book over all was like this it seemd to go on for a while but then start to get molre interesting.......it took a long time for the story line to pick up. Like the escape from the prison and the boat ride which climaxed at the storm where the ship they were travelling was nearly wrecked. Although I would probably never read this book again I'm not saying I didn't enjoy it. Some parts did keep you gripped and interested others were about as interesting as watching paint dry. I would rate this book 6.5/10 because of its adventurous,in parts story line.

I have read Moonfleet quite a few times since I was twelve years old (over thirty years ago) Apart from being a great read, it is further enhanced by being set in real locations (on a map, look for Fleet, near Portland in Dorset) in the South-West of England, which I used to visit while on family vacations in that area.
I can recommend this book to anyone, whatever their age, who wants a real adventure story, without the modern day space monsters and laser weapons. Start reading it when you have nowhere to go, because you may just read it cover to cover without putting it down!

A truly wonderful tale of smugglers and wrong-doing, friendship and sacrifice. This book, which seems to have fallen out of fashion in the last twenty years is as much a classic as Treasure Island or Kidnapped.
It rips along at a fantastic pace with fortunes reversing almost page by page. The ending is such a beautiful joining of the circle that it leaves you breathless with admiration for the writer's genius while it moves you to the point of tears with the strength of the writer's story.
Though written for children, this book can be enjoyed by anyone over the age of eight and perhaps read to children even younger.

Great book. Well-written, humorous, well-plotted. I look forward to more books in what could be a well-done series. I'm a big fan of John Morgan Wilson's Justice series and while this is not as dark as those can be, it is well worth the read.

Blue Moon is one of those rare pieces I read in one sitting. The authors craft a story with good pace (the celluloid runs through your mind during the car chase to the Golden Gate Bridge) Having been interested in the Duchin story for years, the authors play with Peter Duchin's personal history and use it to wonderful effect. Just as Philip Damon prefers of his music, the book "swings".

Society bandleader Peter Duchin and Edgar Award winning author John Morgan Wilson team up and give us a smoothly written little mystery in "Blue Moon."

Set in the San Francisco of 1963, they blend history with fiction in an action packed noirish plot.

Celebrities and pop icons of the day from Joe DiMaggio to Andy Warhol---Jackie Kennedy to Jack Kerouac---Truman Capote to Willie Mays pop up along with a major part for Herb Caen.

It has the feel of Archy McNally meeting up with The Thin Man---snappy dialogue, complex plot, lotsa characters with agendas, many cocktails, dead bodies and an alto sax playing San Francisco Inspector who sits in with the protagonist's (Philip Damon) band.

It is an excellent amateur sleuth whodunit peopled with intriguing characters. The atmosphere of sixties San Francisco is truly captured.

There are many laughs along the way. "Blue Moon" is big fun.

This is a dream read for tennis players who want to understand WHAT is going wrong when things aren't going right on the court. You will learn how to coach yourself, as well as some of the most simple, logical, and effective advice you will have ever received. This book should enhance your enjoyment of the game, thus truly making tennis a game that you can, and will want to play for the rest of your life. Enjoy!!

This book is one of many tennis books I have read over the years but, it is truly the only book I was ever able to finish. Many of the other books were not only boring but, often the mechanics, theories and strategies were confusing.

The beauty of this book is that it allows for individual styles. Many times we are taught or forced to copy an individual stroke or strategy but, tennis is a game not a mathematical problem.

I found myself being able to relate and felt as if the "old school tennis" chains were released. Burwash allows the freedom to be an individual player with their own flare. Thank goodness!

I took the advice of the previous reviewer, and decided to order the book from the number on the web site. Sure enough, the people at Peter Burwash International were eager to help, and I received the book soon after calling.

In short, the book was excellent. Every area/stroke of the game was covered with simple yet effective information, including such topics as understanding the game, how to gut out a match, how to play on clay, and even how to beat left-handers.

I have played tennis most of my life, and even taught the game on occasion, and I have never come across a book as useful as this one. No matter what level you are as a player or coach, this book will raise your level immediately.

Tennis for Life will be a very strong addition to anyone's tennis book collection.

Though author Katherine Black aims her outrageously funny "Women May be from Venus, but Men are Really from Uranus" at Dr. John Gray's inane "Venus and Mars" relationship self help series, her target could in fact be the whole of the self help industry. Granted, Black is taking aim at an enormous and very slow moving target, but she possesses the rhetorical equivalent of a howitzer in the way she blasts every aspect of Gray's psycho-babble to smithereens. It is sort of like what would happen if George Carlin took on Dr. Phil in a no holds barred debate.

Black structures her book just like any self help tome you see on the shelves. The chapters are short, lest she test her (daytime television watching) audience's short attention span. There are plenty of meaningless "lists" and the print is nice an large so you can feel like you've accomplished something by reading lots of pages in a short amount of time. The book is also peppered with a generous portion of amusing illustrations by Peter J. Welling. Even if you've never read a self help book before and can't imagine ever reading one, you'll find plenty to laugh at.

Overall, a quick and humorous read that is a perfect and long overdue satire.

I'm not much of a fan of John Gray so I thought I would see what this book had to offer. It's very funny (probably one of the funniest books I have ever read), the jokes and one-liners are original, and I find myself continually picking it up to find reference to something Ms. Black wrote -- that's not something I ever did with a John Gray book!

Another issue is price versus value. I was a little hesitant to spend ... on a book like this from an author whom I've never read but I did spend ... on a book from John Gray, which wasn't worth anything close to what I paid. I have no regrets spending ... for this book because it's worth it. As a former editor with a now defunct magazine, I pay particular attention to how books are written. Dr. Gray's books, sadly, are poorly edited. However, Women may be from Venus...but Men are really from Uranus is very well edited. Only a couple of mistakes and they were very minor. All in all, this is just a great value, which I highly recommend.

I have a new favorite author! This is one of the funniest books I have ever read! I have already read it four times because it's so funny. Every single thing Dr. Gray has ever written is made fun of in this book and that's what makes it so hilarious. I can actually compare this book to any one of John Gray's books and see right down the line where this book makes fun of what he says. It's absolutely brilliant and I can't wait to give it as a gift to many of my other friends who also don't like John Gray. You won't be disappointed if you buy this book!

The previous editions of this book contained a lot of reference information and illustrations for both novice and experienced home carpenter. This edition has changed the emphasis to students primarily, with larger type but less specific reference material such as hanging doors, special framing problems, etc. Disappointing.

This book shows anyone the technical aspects of home construction in very clear terms. The formulas are excellent for figuring the costs of a project. The format is very simple to learn and the tests at the end of each chapter summarize the material well.

This is *the* book, wheither you are a novice or a master carpenter! It contains plenty of helpful and informative charts, diagrams, pictures and examples - how to calculate materials and costs, board feet, compares different materials and specifies the applications. It starts from the basics of hand tools and power tools with clear instructions their use, maintenance, and even some repair. You're guided from planning and preparing the building site all the way to completion of construction. I didn't see where anything was left out. My father was a building contractor for 56 years. This book is like having his knowledge at my fingertips!

I am an advanced player who has been training everyday for several years. This is an excellent overview of tennis. It does not get very detailed into anything, but it covers everything. What do I mean? For example, when it talks about forehand, it shows you basically how to hit it but doesnt include much more information like about open stance, semi-open stance, hip rotation, etc. It does include the very basic information. It also gives you information about the pro tour, how the tournaments work, and grand slams. I also like a few creative pages of information like "a day in the life of a pro" and "mommy, where do pros come from?" I recommend it for any beginner to intermediate player and it could even add one or two tips to the knowledge of the advanced player (afterall, no one knows everything!).

I think it's a good and well-written book for a beginner. I wish it had more detailed pictures when authors are explaining techniques of the game . It has some, but the majority of techniques described in words rather then pictures. However, I wasn't able to find much better book with regard to visual explanations. On the other hand, when it comes to keeping in mind a novice, you can't beat the Dummies books.

This is a great book for people who know little or nothing about Tennis. It is complete and very explanable. I understand things, a lot more with the help of this book.

It is a good written book. It explains things very well in general. It is not as complicated as other genetic textbooks

i have read this book once but i am very keen to read again this book so i want to read this book and for that i want to see the review of this book.

If you are looking for a book that describes classical genetics in great details, this book is not for you. To me, the main effort of the authors is to focus on the modern idea of how geneticists think and work. The organization of the text is nicely arranged so that readers can understand the concepts in one chapter that lead to the more advanced one in the next chapter. The materials presented are not too "introductory", and it is not too difficult for a typical undergraduate student to understand either. Also, It can properly serve as a good reference for a graduate student, like myself, when a time of need in some genetic concepts!

this is a comedy only in the sense that the play ends well - ie, noone dies, most everyone is happy. else, there's little humor in this comedy, save for the knave, lucio. like others here have pointed out, this is actually a pretty serious play that takes a pretty hard look at human weakness, particularly lust. there are some fine, impassioned speeches by claudio and his sister, who pleads for his life. worth a read. but don't expect any laughs.

One of Shakespeare's lesser read and lesser performed plays, Measure for Measure profoundly explores the themes of justice and mercy. This exploration compensates for the defects of the play: the unbelievable resolution, the Duke's refusal to interfere early on (which causes pain to the characters), the inconsistency in the application of morality (Isabella considers it wrong for the betrothed Claudio and Juliet to have sex but justifies--and even helps to arrange--it between Angelo and Mariana), and the unexpected suddenness of the Duke's proposal to Isabella. The play seriously weighs the concerns of justice and mercy, and although it ultimately favors mercy, it recognizes the complexity of the issue. How can one practice mercy and yet restrain vice? How can one "hate the sin" yet "love the sinner?" Mercy seems to be the necessary choice over justice because man is too fallen to bear the brunt of justice. "Judge not lest ye be judged. For with what measure you mete," said Christ, "it shall be measured unto you." If you hold a high standard for others (as does Angelo for Claudio) and yet fall short of it yourself, you will be judged by the same standard. Since we seem destined to fall short of righteousness, it is best to practice forgiveness, so that we too may be judged lightly. And yet there is a concern that such practice of forgiveness will lead to a laxity that permits vice to flourish (which is the reason the Duke leaves Angelo in charge in the first place). Though mercy and forgiveness are favored, the arguments in favor of justice are not simply dismissed.

Quote: "Condemn the fault, and not the actor of it?
Why, every fault's condemned ere it be done.
Mine were the very cipher of a function,
To fine the faults whose fine stands in record,
And let go by the actor." (II.ii.38-42)

Measure for Measure is seldom read, and not often performed in the United States. Why? Although many of Shakespeare's plays deal bluntly with sexual issues, Measure for Measure does so in an unusually ugly and disgusting way for Shakespeare. This play is probably best suited for adults, as a result.

I see Measure for Measure as closest to The Merchant of Venice in its themes. Of the two plays, I prefer Measure for Measure for its unremitting look at the arbitrariness of laws, public hypocrisy and private venality, support for virtue, and encouragement of tempering public justice with common sense and mercy.

The play opens with Duke Vincentio turning over his authority to his deputy, Angelo. But while the duke says he is leaving for Poland, he in fact remains in Vienna posing as a friar. Angelo begins meting out justice according to the letter of the law. His first act is to condemn Claudio to death for impregnating Juliet. The two are willing to marry, but Angelo is not interested in finding a solution. In despair, Claudio gets word to his sister, the beautiful Isabella, that he is to be executed and prays that she will beg for mercy. Despite knowing that Isabella is a virgin novice who is about to take her vows, Angelo cruelly offers to release Claudio of Isabella will make herself sexually available to Angelo. The Duke works his influence behind the scenes to help create justice.

Although this play is a "comedy" in Shakespearean terms, the tension throughout is much more like a tragedy. In fact, there are powerful scenes where Shakespeare draws on foolish servants of the law to make his points clear. These serve a similar role of lessening the darkness to that of the gravediggers in Hamlet.

One of the things I like best about Measure for Measure is that the resolution is kept hidden better than in most of the comedies. As a result, the heavy and rising tension is only relieved right at the end. The relief you will feel at the end of act five will be very great, if you are like me.

After you read this play, I suggest that you compare Isabella and Portia. Why did Shakespeare choose two such strong women to be placed at the center of establishing justice? Could it have anything to do with wanting to establish the rightness of the heart? If you think so, reflect that both Isabella and Portia are tough in demanding that what is right be done. After you finish thinking about those two characters, you may also enjoy comparing King Lear and Claudio. What was their fault? What was their salvation? Why? What point is Shakespeare making? Finally, think about Angelo. Is he the norm or the exception in society? What makes someone act like Angelo does here? What is a person naturally going to do in his situation?

Look for fairness in all that you say and do!

Good to see this book is coming back onto the shelves. Had to scrounge around recently to find my copy. Recommended to me by a JS pro. Purchased two other books previously that will soon collect dust in the used book store.

The Kent brothers REALLY explain JavaScript and and provide a good introduction to the nuances (= annoyances) of object based syntax. If you think you have to buy four or five bad references to find a good one, this is the ONE good one on JS. (Better than anything in the O'Reilly catalog.)

This is THE book many developers turn to in lieu of sharp objects and alcohol when fumbling with JavaScript. Why? It's in English and is well organized. Plus, instead of clunky CDs, you can access/copy the book's scripts over the web as you read the book.

Out of a large library of JavaScript books, this one is the only one that never gets shelved. I've seen novices find out how to do all the things they were looking for, and I've personally used it to expand my own knowledge. If I were to own just one JS book, this'd be it.

I have purchased many books that claim the word beginner. This is by far the best yet. These guys should write more books about other topics. As you start to advance this is also an excellent reference. If you want to learn the fundamentals of javascript, this is the purest start that you will find.