This is one of the best books ever written on the performing arts. By focusing in on Barrymore's Shakespearean acting only, Morrison manages to show how a second-rate light comedian turned himself into a great artist by sheer hard work -- and then, horrifyingly, how an artist transformed himself into a clown through laziness and dissipation. Through the use of the actor's playbooks and impressive research, Morrison does the impossible and brings Barrymore's stage performances as Richard III and Hamlet so vividly alive you'll swear you're in the theater watching them (I was holding my breath at the end of "Hamlet"). Along the way there are vivid portraits of the idealistic, progressive theater in the 1920's and, a decade later, the ancestry of today's poisonous and envious celebrity culture. Once you read this book you'll never look at Barrymore the same way again.

Michael Morrison's book fills a much needed gap in the large Barrymore biographical canon: it tells the story of Barrymore the artist. Many of the other great biographies of the man and family (Margot Peter's THE HOUSE OF BARRYMORE, anything by James Kotsilibas-Davis, to name only two of many excellent others) understandably short-shrift the details found here, in favor of the fabulous "bon mots" and the large tragic arc of his life. Morrison, if it's possible to believe, makes that tragedy all the more heartbreaking by detailing the hard work that Barrymore put himself through to transform himself from a light comedian into the greatest tragic actor of his generation - and arguably the last great tragic actor of the American theatre.

The detailed recreations of Barrymore's acting in RICHARD III and HAMLET are facinating. They provide all of us who have come after some small picture of what it must have been like to actually see him on stage. It helps, I suppose, to be familiar with his film work, to have heard at least some of his Shakespearean recordings, in order to fully visualize Barrymore's "flashing, rapier" genius at work - but it's probably not necessary. A must for all Barrymore fans, actors, and theatre lovers, this book is a treasure. But beware, its story could break your heart.

Michael Morrison has provided us with a stirring portrait of one of America's greatest actors, John Barrymore. His book is a vivid account of Barrymore's innovative approach to Shakespearean acting and subsequent rise to fame. This book is required reading for Shakespearean scholars and Barrymore enthusiasts alike.

A nicely written biography of a great champion. Isenberg begins with a scholarly discussion of the Irish-American background in which Sullivan was born and extends to the bare knuckle society were he reigned supreme for twelve years. The thorough coverage of Sullivan's career is full of interesting anecdotes of many of the great fighters of the era and you gain real insight into the America of Sullivan's time. But, most importantly, in the end you become genuinely familiar with the man-John L.-himself.

An interesting account of the champion from Boston. Exhaustive research makes for an excellent read. I enjoyed it.

As a boxing writer and historian, I have read hundreds of books on the sport and even authored one. Isenberg's book on the Great John L. is among the best boxing books ever, a very well researched work that dwells into the smallest details of Sullivan both as a fighter and a sociological phenom of his time, the first blue collar sports hero in America.. To end with a cliche: This book is a must read book for fistic fans --Enrique Encinosa

This great little book is the perfect pocket guide to Marc Anthony! Johns displays everything you've rever wanted to know about Marc Anthony in this great 80 page book. Though it is an older publication (and much has happened to the singer since, like his second english album entitled "Mended", and the birth of his son) it contains some great info about how the crooner began his amazing career. It also contains some wonderful photos that you just can't find on the net! A must-have for ANY Marc Anthony fan!

I have known about Marc Anthony since he first started and he only keeps getting better. I have enjoyed his music as well as finding out about how he got to where he is! He's a lovely man and I wish him the very best! Loved the book!

Who doesnt love him? his music is sensational, his songs are meaningful, and not to mention....he's gorgeous! this book is wonderful because it tells all about his childhood and family. he is a very great man, with a great heart. and you can definetly tell that in this book.

since i saw "holy grail" 6 years ago, (i was 10) i have been hell bent on finding everything the pythons ever did. unfortunately most of my friends don't share my enthusiasm for british comedy, but i think it should be known that the occasional american recognizes comedic genius when she sees it. for all those who live in areas where mention of the pythons is scarce, this is a must have. you'll be quoting them in your head at school, at work, on the bus, wherever. just ignore the people who turn and look when you burst out laughing.

Well, what CAN be said? It is good to see humour spelled with a pair of U's (per the King's English). Whilst doth contain numerous funny bits, perhaps the American palate is not suited for wit which possesses intellectual subtleties.

For our American friends I recommend Rosanne Arnold, fluorescent plaid sport-coats (with matching white 5cm/2" belt), premium Wisconsin 3 week old processed cheese slices, Napa Valley's finest blush and a domestic rum tipped Colt cigar.

A hilarious book! Definitely worth reading over and over. This book is ideal for Python Maniacs and was hard to find up until this point. This is even funnier than "Wenn ist das Nunstuck git und Slotermeyer? Ja! Beirhund das Oder die Flipperwaldt Gersput" (Whatever that means) If you haven't read the Pocketful of Python Series yet, What in the bloody hell are you waiting for? Attention, Python Maniacs... Read this book. You'll love it!

This book pointed out many design problems that I just met before. Designer could avoid many of them by following the guidelines in this book. I think it would help me a lot in my design work. Thanks to the authors.

The guidelines are not difficult to understand, and you may have the pieces here and there. But this book has a broad coverage. I got this book by luck draw at SNUG. Didn't pay attention at first until I read it. Very well organized, very accurate description of the real feelings of doing a real chip. The methodology it talks about is not limited to "reuse". I suggest the auther change the title for next edition.

I really liked this book and found its rules and guidelines very useful. Many of the guidelines are common sense, but it is still very appropriate to have them codified in a single textbook. Practitioners of full-custom approaches to IC design will complain that this is an "ASIC" book. It does have some rules that folks from that background will find hard to swallow (eg, no latches, no gated clocks). But 70% of the book is still applicable to full custom design and will result in faster re-use of full custom cores. The book gets off to a fairly wooly start but becomes substantial with the RTL Coding Guidelines chapter. From then on, its really solid stuff. This is a good book for the times. With much discussion of design re-use and transferable intelectual property in the chip industry, it has all the hallmarks of becoming a 'bible' book for IC designers of all stripes.

I work in data communications and until I read this book I found the folks at the phone company baffling.

This book captures well the technical culture of the phone company right before the Internet took off.

A lot of really great explanation of how things like analog modems work- with a lot of great pictures.

This book covers physical, information theoretic, and electronic issues in data communication. While the book is a bit dated, the classic material really hasn't changed that much. Pierce and Nolls give a masterful treatment of this material at an introductory to intermediate level. If you are looking for a book packed with equations and proofs or a book devoid of such things you will be disappointed. Rather, the book is heavy on qualitative understanding, with some analysis and equations following from the qualitative understanding.

When I got this book, I picked it up in a bargain bin, and thought that it was worth a ...gamble that it might have some content (it looked a little too accessible, not deep). After reading this book and Pierce's (same author) Introduction to Information Theory: Signals Systems and Noise, I have a new appreciation. Pierce is the kind of guy who can get a point across, and give an understanding of some deep concepts. This book is great, and I'm really glad I have it.

Given that electronic signals are central to both artificial computers and biological nervous systems, this easy-to-read reference on electronic signals may prove useful to readers of many backgrounds.

This book is a summary of the 97-98 Utah Jazz season; and even as a diehard Jazz fan, I didn't know of some of the sticky situations that went on in their season and what a miracle it was that they made the finals. The whole state of Utah (they're all Jazz fans, right?) needs to read this book; along with any other Jazz fan.

I just finished this book and I can't say enough about it. It describes the Jazz's season perfectly! If you get 1 book this year make it this one.

I bought this book recently and I must say that I love it! The author is honest about the team, writing about the good times, bad times and how players react to all kind of distraction. I strongly recommend this book for all the Jazz fans out there. This is a well written book which alows the reader to travel with the team, hear what they have to say and see how they react to reporters for example. Just buy it.

I wasn't sure what to expect with this anthology, but I found myself enthralled from beginning to end. Nnedi Okorafor's "Crossroads", Seth Lindberg's "Atropos", and James Dorr's "Madness" were special delights.

A great mix of chilling, horrifying, and otherwise entertaining stories.

This is a great compilation of magic, madness, culture and creativity. All of the stories were pretty satisfying, some of them terrifying! There are some writers here that are going to go places. Watch for the authors of the two longest pieces, Nnedi Okorafor (her story is called Crossroads) and James S. Dorr (he wrote a story called Madness).

I liked all the case studies, it makes it easier to learn. Also it was interesting to read and

well writen.

I read this book when I was a year two social work student. This book provides us a detailed examples and explanation for each type of mental disorders.

"Africa" is the companion volume to the recent PBS series of the same name, and like the series, is organized into eight parts, each one focusing on a particular geographical region of the continent. In clear, concise language, John Reader gives us the historical and geographical background of each area, the current economic and social structure, and the problems affecting the particular region. The photographs are mind-blowing; they are so gorgeous that they almost dominate the excellent text. The one disappointment, for one who has also seen the PBS series, is that the book doesn't follow the individual stories of people in depth as the PBS production did; however, no one who hasn't seen the TV production will miss it, and it in no way detracts from the overall value of the book. This is one book about the "dark continent" that does the continent, and its people, proud.

This is an excellent book for anyone who might find Reader's earlier book "A Biography of the Continent" too much of a good thing. "Africa" explores many of the same themes and issues, but the information is arranged differently and there are more illustrations; this book is aimed at the educated lay-reader. Still it is an important and outstanding book. Reader is a good writer and his research and grasp of a myriad of disciplines related to his subject is impressive.

The story is told by geography: Savanna, Desert, Rain Forest, Mountains, Sahel, Great Lakes, Coast, Southern Africa. Being a "companion" to the PBS/NGS TV series there is some (but not much) focus on the people who appeared in the television documentaries. Mostly Reader tells the stories behind the story; his history of Africa is as much about the environmental, geographical, and physiological as merely chronological. For example, Reader tells why bananas and plantains are so important in African history; what makes camels so invaluable in the Sahara, how sickle cells and malaria are related, even the advantages and disadvantages of walking upright. Of course there is some in-this-year-such-and-such happened, but that is kept to a minimum. This "Africa" is not only an outstanding introduction to Africa, it should also be of interest to any Africanist.

The photographs by Michael Lewis are good enough to be a book of their own; they combine with Reader's well organized and informative text to make "Africa" an excellent portrait of the continent. Reader's "Biography of the Continent" is also highly recommended.