I found this book to be revealing and enlightening about one of my favorite singers. Nat King Cole had a voice like no other before or since. With his calm demeanor you'd never think that he endured so much hell in his life. No wonder he smoked as much as he did. This book is one of the best I've ever read about the life of Nat Cole, but like some of the previous reviewers, I found little errors, too. I also felt that it had a strong sympathetic bent towards Nat's widow Maria, as if she were the heroine of the story. That isn't any wonder; this book was written in full cooperation with the Cole family, so I'm sure Mrs. Cole would have had to come out of it looking good, or she wouldn't have cooperated. Also Epstein says that shortly before Cole died, that he and his wife reconciled after Nat's torrid love affair with a twenty year old chorus girl. According to many other sources, though, they never did reconcile their differences. But this is what Maria Cole wanted people to believe. But still this book is very interesting. It reads like a juicy novel, but it's better, because it's a true story. It's engaging and will definitely hold your attention. You will feel like you knew the man personally. For anyone who loves Nat and his music, this book is a must.

I finally got around to reading Nat King Cole, and like the previous reviewer, I, too, caught a few mistakes such as the one about Elvis. At least Mr. Epstein did have the family's approval to write this book, and to be interviewed by him as well. Like most baby boomers, I grew up listening to NKC's music but never really knew much about the man other than the fact that his wife's name is Maria, his daughter is Natalie Cole & that he died of lung cancer at age 45. This book enlightens us on Nat King Cole not just as a singer and musician but as a man. I really felt for the Cole family when they were subjected to prejudice while moving into their home in Hancock Park. I also felt anger while reading of how a group of radicals attacked NKC while performing onstage in Alabama, planning to kidnap him. Mr. Epstein also periodically mentions the warnings about cigarette smoking throughout the book, as it is heavy smoking(several packs a day)that eventually killed NKC. The book is still highly recommended for all fans of one of the greatest singers of romance, bar none.

This biography lets us view this gentleman and his music from his early days on the Chicago jazz circuit to mega star status as a pop singer, film and television artist. Daniel Mark Epstein, the author has been thorough in his research. We meet Maria and Natalie and a litany of Nat's friends, JFK, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Joey Bishop, Bobby Darin Buddy Greco and George Shearing. There is even an item about Marilyn Monroe. Nat's public image was one of poise and elegance. The author captures the hidden side of Nat's personal turmoil and anxiety. Nat died at age forty-five. So young, so talented, and very very unforgettable. I can still almost hear his trio and his smooth vocals crooning "Blue Velvet", "When Sunny Gets Blue" and of course, "Unforgettable". I liked this book. If you get a chance, listen to John Pizzarelli's version of "Straighten Up and Fly Right", a Nat King Cole favorite. It's on John's CD, "Dear Mr Cole." I liked this book and the CD

"How can you print a piece of your own soul," Dickinson, p. 51

This is the 2nd in the Krull and Hewitt's "Lives of ..." series. The book contains 19 chapters on 20 writers in birth order: Murasaki Shikibu (973?-1025?), Miguel de Cervantes (1547-1616), William Shakespeare (1564-1616), Jane Austen (1775-1817), Hans Christian Andersen (1805-1875), Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849), Charles Dickens (1812-1870), Charlotte & Emily Bronte (1816-1855 & 1818-1848), Emily Dickinson (1830-1886), Louisa May Alcott (1832-1888), Mark Twain (1835-1910), Frances Hodgson Burnett (1849-1924), Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894), Jack London (1876-1916), Carl Sandburg (1878-1967), E. B. White (1899-1985), Zora Neale Hurston (1901?-1960), Langston Hughes (1902-1967), Isaac Bashevis Singer (1904-1991)

This is a perfect book for young adolescents and pre-teens who as they grow and mature frequently feel awkward. Krull introduces us to the idiosyncrasies of the literary. Some of the authors were loners, eccentric, a wee bit peculiar. Michael Jackson's behaviors might seem normal when held in comparison. Some retreated into themselves. Some sought out adventures. Some as adults were unsuccessful at the ordinary.

Some worked at a young age to support the family. Some took daily walks, very long daily walks. Some were not healthy and therefore wrote in bed. There were some similarities and some differences, but they all shared a singular conviction to write and write they each did well.

Hewitt's delightful portraits of the writers are precious. My favorite portrait is of Frances Hodgson Burnett of "The Secret Garden" fame. Her hat is the secret garden.

Given the high price of the book, I was surprised that Krull did not include a list of the authors' books and/or poems and the publication years. END

This book is a fun and informative book. The pictures are filled with humorous meanings and hidden information. The book keeps the reader's attention by keeping the included information short and simple, but also makes sure that the reader gets as much possible about the author. This book is great for kids and students to use as a report source as it is filled with great information. Kids would rather use this book as an information source rather than an encylopedia since the information is easy to understand. Authors in there are some you may not know, ( Murasaki Shikibu) and some well know ones ( Charles Dickens). I am glad I purchsed this book. I really liked the pictures which are so vibrant with color. This would make a great buy.

This book is the perfect thing for all fans of the animated series. Not only does it have a truly entertaining plot, but is also more like a file than a book. I loved it, and the illlustrations are wonderful. The only negative side was when I finished the book and I wanted much much more! If you're a fan, you have to have it! The book gives you some backround info on other episodes that helps a lot to know. Very nice book! Hinks mynx, the old witch winks...

There is never enough Aeon. Ever. I have the pvc statue, the 3 vhs set and the DVD. I've dressed as her for halloween 2 times and probably will again some day with improvied outfits. This is a must for any Flux fan, lots of cool pictures, it's a case file on her and gives a little insight into the story, but not too much.

I have read the other customer reviews and none of them really say what I think about this book. It is a vision to the Flux world via book instead of Tv. It provides a great deal of useless facts which you would like to know about Aeon. I found it very fun to read actually. It is so unlike a comic book, except for the last few pages, and is just fun to flip through. For instance did you know Aeon has bullet fragments in her left leg and a nipple ring? Hopefully you'll enjoy it has much has I did

In this lavishly illustrated little book, Mark Brend offers brief critical bios of several of the most influential 60's singer/songwriters, nearly all of whom have fallen under the radar of the contemporary music scene. Most are now deceased, and of the living only Tom Rush continues to tour, although his recording output in recent years has been sparse. But all of these troubadours had real influence in their prime, and Brend does a terrific job of explaining just what that influence was. He is obviously a real fan of these artists but is able to view their lives and careers objectively. I have seen most of them perform and for me this book revisits an important part of my life and the music that has mattered to me.

this book has chapters on some of the best songwriters of the era, ranging from the, more or less anyway, fairly well known ( like tim buckley and phil ochs)to the undeservedly obscure, like david ackles. these artists do vary in quality, but the stories are always at least interesting, and often fascinating. there are lots of fine pictures of the performers in the book as well,if anything the work is a little short. people who enjoy the writings of richie unterberger and vernon joynson probably will like this as well

Mark Bergo's updated edition -Blonde Ambition- book will guide you from Madonna's early beginnings all the way until the year 2000. The author takes you on a chronological timetable to help you learn more about how Madonna climbed to the top by describing the people she met, the choices she made, the ups & downs, her contributions, and how she dealt with it all.

What I most enjoyed was how he described all the different albums, movies, plays, concerts, and videos including their release date, success in the charts, and ratings-- The appendix also has a list of her albums, films, videos, concerts, plays, and movies to enjoy or gain knowledge of. There are great descriptions of all her producers, lovers, friends, childhood acquaintances, Hollywood contacts, grandparents, and family members.

There is even a picture of Mark Bergo on the inside of the book, which shows Madonna and him talking. There are other photos from her childhood, daily life, screen playing, films (A Certain Sacrifice), performances, videos, meeting with fans, posing with Jellybean Benitez, concerts, movies (Desperately Seeking Susan), pose with Sean Penn, with ex-Beatle George Harrison, paparazzi fight, a day with 1 of her trainers, a pose with Sandra Bernhard, "The L* Kiss", Madonna as Marie Antoinette, and other AIDS benefit events.

From all the books I've read I found this one to have a very nice description of Madonna--although making her look a bit too calculating and manipulating at times. There are lots of descriptions about how she was introduced into the music business, the struggles she underwent to be heard, and how she came up with her songs. Her collaborators were also mentioned as well as many of her close friends who died of AIDS. There are times in the book where you can sense Madonna's emotions, sorrows of her mother's sad death, struggles raising her brothers and sisters, conflicts with her step mother, fights with her dad, and even personal accounts of her first boyfriend.

There was a lot of stories on Sean Penn to make the reader know just how much Madonna was in love during that 3rd making of her album "True Blue". There were plenty of accounts on her different affairs throughout her life but not gory or scandalous like other books I've read. The author maintains professionalism, class, and quality. Guy Ritchie was only mentioned in the last chapter very briefly. This would be a great book for someone who isn't too familiar with Madonna. Already fans will enjoy this as an added compliment to there already collection of popular books. I like how the author ends saying, "Singer, actress, record company president, erotic sex goddess, mother, spiritual guru, and media icon, she never seems to tire of astounding the public." Excellent buy and highly recommendable!

**Note: There were a few spelling errors and 1 wrong year date (release of Like A Virgin says 1994 instead of 1984 in the appendix) on this book but it doesn't change the fact it was a fantastic purchase.

If you are a Madonna fan, you already know most of what you'll read in here regarding Madonna's career history, but the material is presented in a nice, chonological format that makes for a good night of reading.

I think that the author must be a little "square" of a person, given such mistakes as the misspelling of Charles Barkley's last name (here, he spells it "Barclay"). I'm no basketball fan, or sports fan for that matter, but I picked up on that error right away.

In his updated editorial since the original printing, he seems to have soured his attitude towards Madonna. He is a lot harsher on her, and makes her every career move since the Like a Prayer era to be calculated and cynical.

There were a couple of items of Madonna trivia here that I didn't know, but I'll let you find that out for yourselves.

All things considered, this is a worthwhile read for a Madonna fan.

I always liked Martha Reeves - until I read this book. It's easily the most self-absorbed, preening, everyone's-at-fault-but-me autobiography I've ever seen. Every hit the Vandellas had is entirely credited to her (she even claims to have helped write every single through 1967) while every flop is attributed to Motown's bad promotion. Reeves catalogs her myriad hospitalizations for drug overdoses and frequent changes in personnel while blaming the collapse of her career on a Diana Ross/Berry Gordy plot. Martha, did it ever occur to you that while you were taking every pill that came near you, Diana was working on her career? Plus, Reeves seems not to have noticed that she lost her voice circa 1968. I won't even start ripping into the Hallmark-style poems that open each chapter. Whoever the hell Mark Bego is, he's no fact checker: among the numerous errors, James Jamerson is alleged to have died in 1974 rather than 1983, and Idi Amin is mentioned as being in charge of Egypt (which Reeves toured in the late 70's) rather than Uganda. It must be said that there is a decent amount of background info on obscure Motownies like Richard Morris, great pictures and a solid discography. Of the multiple Motown tell-alls I've read, though, this is the only one that left a sour taste in my mouth.

This was my first Motown book and I am glad to say that. I enjoyed Dancing in the Streets more than I did Mary Wilson's books. Now we all know that all of the spurned Motown artist feel burned and are out to get what's owed them, but in reading this book, I did not feel like that was the driving force behind its conception. Martha tells it like it is! I commend her for this effort! I hope she writes another one!!

I highly recommend this one!

Martha Reeves is about as far from Diana Ross as can be. She's always been in love with the music while Ross so often has seemed consumed with being endlessly reassured she is the best, she is the greatest star who ever lived, she is a living legend but, on the other hand, has never been bright enough to see that if you have to tell people to call you "Miss Ross" so you'll get the respect you deserve all you're getting back is people going through the motions (which, in the end, is indeed the respect you deserve). All this has never been part of Reeves' life. She's enjoyed her success, she's enjoyed the fame but she's never needed to constantly gobble up adoration. This has freed her to be down to earth, realistic and truly soulful as both a performer and a person. If you've ever met Martha you know she is intelligent, articulate, wise and humorous and she long, long ago left behind all about Motown that might have made her an angry old woman. In fact, there is nothing old about her--Martha looks great, sounds great and is still full of enthusiasm for her work. In England and Europe she is big big star, greatly adored. Wherever she works she is a consummate professional--she always looks terrific and gives a great show. This book is interesting start to finish--you get the Motown story for real. And, true to her own life, Martha is dignified beginning to end. No cheap shots or dirty gossip here. Martha can be VERY proud of this very successful book.

For years, I have searched for the ultimate Bette Midler biography - one that is chock full of never before heard or told anecdotes, a fresh perspective and insights into oft told situations or tales.

Mark Bego's book is the closest thing we've got right now to a definitive, somewhat linear bio, but it still leaves much to be desired.

I do appreciate that Bego (clearly a fan in his own right) takes the time to go in depth with Midler's albums, making sure every track is commented upon and giving us loads of quality info about the recording process. I love hearing about why certain songs were chosen, discarded, arranged the way they were, et cetera.

The most in depth album commentary in this book is in regards to Bette's *Songs From the New Depression.* The more I read about this lost possibility, the more curious I am to hear the material. It genuinely sounds like it could have led Midler's career in a completely different, more upward musical direction. I do hope Atlantic Records gives Klingman the master tapes back.

No other book has given me a clear picture of what Bette's days at the Continental Baths were like, and I am grateful for that. Such a vivid description of the place and the time. It must have been a ball.

This is also the first telling of Bette's life that gives an indication that Aaron Russo (Bette's manager in the 70's) and Bette were never romantically involved at all. However, the narrative seems fuzzy on whether or not that is entirely accurate.

The aspect of Bette's career that seems to get shortest shrift is her movies. Each one is given a full plot synopsis, which in my opinion, isn't a good idea, for it ruins the movies for newer fans or people who have not seen them. These plot synopses seem to be masking some glaringly obvious missing information. No 'tales from the set' are told. No comments from co-stars or directors (except in the Jinxed section) on what it was like to work with Bette beyond your standard "press-kit" comments.

Even so, there are still some interesting tidbits spread out here and there. One of them is that Anne Archer and Donna Mills where considered for the role of Hillary Whitney in Beaches!

One rather odd thing is the use of numbers in parenthesis after every single quote. I've never seen a device like that in a book, and it made me feel like I was reading a college term paper. Although, on the flip side, I appreciate the quotes are there -- it ensures a degree of accuracy and if I ever want to look up these articles, it's a good resource.

Also, there is serious need for a fact-checker / proof-reader here. Too many noticeable spelling errors, character or actor names misprinted or mis-spelled, etc. I don't want to blame the writer entirely, because this stuff should be checked before going to press.

All in all, I recommend this book, but more for the fact that there really isn't a quality Midler bio out there to compare it to. Perhaps there never will be, unless Bette decides to tell her own story.

After all this time you'd have thought someone would have informed Mr Bego that Billy Cunningham was a musical director more so than a piano player and that when he stopped playing for Ms Midler at the Baths he didn't exactly exit . Even after writing Cher If You Believe, he still doesn't know who Kenny (Claude )Sasha was and why the off Broadway run of French Dressing at the Village Gate (Top of the Gate) and Cher's Act had a lot more to do with the drag bar scene in "The Rose" than Bette' s wanting to be a legendary movie star. The sad part is by the time he revises the book again even more of sources he should have interviewed the first time around won't be with us.

This book which was first released in the 1980s by author Mark Bego gets updated and reworked here. It is impressive to see such a comprehensive scaling of the Divine's long career. Want to hear about some current projects like Bathhouse Betty and her films such as DROWNING MONA and the like, this is the book. I am someone who enjoys reading about others' perspectives on some of my favorite artists. I especially like to read and hear about recent endeavors. Because there has not been a Bette biography since 1997's spectacular BETTE MIDLER SCRAPBOOK and 1995's BETTE by George Mair, that was a long period of no coverage of some of Midler's material. Well, here goes. Even if one is not a Bette fan, one could still enjoy this biography which provides various aspects of the entertainer in a unique form.

As someone who has grown up in Oklahoma City and graduated from high school the year that the collapse had happened, I knew of some of the persons involved through other people.

The red piggy bank logo belonged to Sooner Federal Savings and Loan, and sat on top of 50 Penn Place.

Penn Square Bank had built what is now known as The Tower a couple of blocks down the street. They never moved into it, they were shut down while they were still inside the north end of Penn Square Mall, and the building was finished out after the closure.

Singer has relatives here in Oklahoma in the oil business, so he had some insight into the things that had happened.

If you want more detail, Belly Up goes into much more greater detail and is harsher in it's treatment of the characters involved.

Growing up in Oklahoma my only real memory of the Penn Square Bank failure was when they pulled down the red-piggy-bank logo from the top of the building. It was something that was talked about on the national news every evening, but it wasn't well understood just how such a small local bank could cause such a ruckus.

Mr. Singer's book explains what was at the bottom of all of the trouble, how Penn Square fell from grace, and in the process of doing so provides interesting commentary on Oklahoma culture, as well as some history and other facts pertaining to the oil business. The book is very well written and quick paced, providing just enough detail to be considered in depth, while not languishing on unnecessary detail.

It is interesting to remark that the same conditions that caused everyone to say oil at $100 per barrel was a no-brainer are those that caused people to put forth the indestructible nature of internet-retailing. The Okiesmo of wildcats in pursuit of oil bears striking resemblance to the aggressive idiocy of venture capitalists fighting to put money into business plans that ignored common sense.

This book is satisfying on a lot of levels, the depth of information on the figures behind the bankruptcy, the environment that spawned and incented those figures and also the culture, both nationally and locally, which created this collapse. This is a very interesting book, and I highly recommend it.

Singer, an Ivy Leaguer from Oklahoma, gives us a pretty good look at how the failure of Penn Square bank nearly took several much larger ones with it back in 1982.

Where Singer's portrayal contrasts with that of others is that he speaks from personal and cultural acquaintance with many of the primary characters. This does not stop him from having a little fun at the expense of what he calls 'Okiesmo', the wildcatting and high-living ethic of the oil and gas industry, but it does mean that he sees his subjects as being (in most cases) basically decent human beings who made bad assumptions and boneheaded business decisions.

The only thing Singer lacks is a deeper exploration of the factors at the upstream banks (Seafirst, Continental, Michigan National, Chase, and more) that allowed Penn Square to balloon out of control. As someone who has seen a few related documents that he can't say much about, I can tell you with certainty that the 'wild and crazy guy' ethic was not limited to Penn Square, and that without the eager participation of larger banks, the whole affair would have been relatively insignificant. Good book for those interested in Oklahoma history, the gas drilling industry or (naturally) the Penn Square failure.

"Whenever you read a good book, it's like the author is right there, in the room talking to you, which is why I don't like to read good books." -Jack Handey

No, this wasn't a good book, but it often felt like the author was there talking to me, which is why I found this book annoying. It seemed Mark Bego can't end a paragraph without verbally winking at the reader. Once he concluded with "Oh that Cher, always so practical!" Please, sir, just tell it like it is. This book could have done without the constant reminders that the author is there.

I love this CD and Recommend it to everyone who likes to have fun and dance. Cher is simply the greatest female performer since Patsy Cline.

I think this If you Believe is fantastic and recommend it to everyone who likes to feel good. Is fun fast and makes you want to Dance.

I couldn't agree more with the other customer reviewers of the awe that Corelli inspires in his listeners, and what a disappointment this bio is of the great tenor. I am a magazine editor and book author, and unfortunately often have to edit (or more often reject) inept manuscripts. How did this "author" get into print, or better yet, how did the editors/publishers allow it? As for the included CD, I didn't have a problem with the sound of the prompter; it was a side of opera I have never heard "live." And the singing is great, of course. Corelli was a true artist; there's very little I can add to the other reviews here about that topic. Nevertheless, $ is a little steep for a one-disc opera recital, even by Corelli, since that was all that this package offered that was any good.

There's little I can add to the reviews previously given. I also felt that the author spent too much time "explaining" Corelli. How sad I felt for this man who couldn't enjoy the gifts he had been born with. A man who brought so much joy to those of us who heard him and still doubted himself as a performer.

I respect his privacy but would have liked to have known more about his private life, does he have children, being married to a soprano, etc. No one need ask what toll all that stress has taken on him. The last pictures of him in his 70's clearly demonstrate it.

I love the CD despite the prompting heard in the background. That and the picture album are worth the price alone.

The book is ok as a source of first information. It is written by someone who definitely loves Corelli. Yet we lack another book about this great singer and personality, more psychologically written. There is the same problem as with everything nowadays:

Really interesting material that is not destined to be bought by a great lot of people but only by "some" interested ones is not sold any more by the great companies (neither by amazon.com!). This concerns good books (eg even the not so famous ones of truly famous authors) or rare recordings (eg Corelli and Tebaldi Met Gala for Rudolf Bing, singing Manon Lescaut...). It just shows that "culture" is constantly diminishing to "mass- and subculture". O tempora...