The man behind the legend
347078
For greatest enjoyment I'd definitely recommend approaching The Fry Chronicles after reading Fry's first autobiographical volume, 'Moab Is My Washpot'. The two dovetail perfectly, with The Fry Chronicles picking up the story as Stephen starts university.

The book provides an interesting insight into the formative years of the man who is perhaps the greatest living embodiment of the BBC's mission: to educate, inform, and entertain. The self-effacing way that Stephen writes about himself seems authentic which, given the broad range of his accomplishments, is an extremely endearing quality, and one that's not too common among 'celebrity' autobiographies.
4481631
How often do we find that the man behind the myth isn't all he's cracked up to be? Well, that most definitely is NOT the case in this loving biography of the world's best-known vet, James Herriot, by his son Jim Wight. (If you're wondering about the different last names, it's because James Herriot was actually a pseudonym for James Alfred Wight, known all his life as Alf.) This is a tribute to a cherished father and, as the author notes, best friend who always considered himself "99 parts vet and 1 part author," which must be why he remained the decent and down-to-earth individual he was, unspoiled by fame and fortune that would have turned the head of a lesser man. I was moved to find that the individual was as nice if not nicer than portrayed in his books and as appreciated by his friends and family as he was by his fans. Anyone who loved the other main characters in the series, namely Siegfried and Tristan, will also enjoy discovering more about them as well. This is a wonderful, heartwarming, well-written biography of a remarkable human being by one of those who knew him best.
2175211
This is a book about Michael Jackson, who is arguably one of the most widely recognized singers and performers of all time. It includes details on his rough childhood, how he was famous along with his brothers at a very early age, and how he came to be a star in his own right.  There are also details on things that happened in his later life, including his plastic surgeries, being accused of harming children, and becoming a family man. There are additional facts on his final album and tour, as well as his death.  I think this would be a good read to anyone that is a fan of Michael Jackson.
2774653
I have had this story before in several pieces but Mr. Cutler ties it all together with more information that I hadn't heard. It is a fair appraisal of the controversial Colonel who was a mixed bag of good and evil. This book tells the story of a human being who achieved lasting fame and infamy for his actions in a frontier, with dynamics never faced before or since. One wonders if the War Between the States might have been shortened if Wright had received a command. I drive by Horse Slaughter Camp almost every day and try to picture how it must have been then. Donald Cutler has given me a clearer window on the past.
264151
I just finished reading Andy Martellos wonderful book - The King of Casinos, Willie Martello and the El Rey Club. Its the real life story of a casino entrepreneur whose imagination knew no bounds and for who no idea was too large nor unattainable. What I learned about Willie was that he was an innovator on par with Las Vegas legends such as Steve Wynn, Jackie Gaughan, Jay Sarno, Bob Stupack and Bennie Binion. Only he was doing his magic in Searchlight.

Prior to reading Andys tail of an incredible life, I knew little about Willie Martello other than knowing his picture was on the El Rey chips. The book brought him to life.

While Andy shares a last name with Willie, you need to read the book to find out if they are related. I can tell you that Andy relates the story of Willie and the El Rey in a very personal and passionate manner.

For those interested in Nevada gaming history this book is a must read. But its also a book that would be enjoyed by those interested in a compelling story about an American businessman. And thats without mentioning his relationships with Las Vegas casino owners, Harry Reid, the Searchlight community, the mob and maybe some women for hire.

Thanks to Andy Martello for writing this book, sharing his passion and helping to preserve gaming history.
3141245
There are probably thousands of stories behind the making of the Oxford English Dictionary.  This is probably one of the stranger ones.
According to "The Professor and the Madman", one of the major contributors to the OED, with over 10,000 entries to his credit, was a certifiable madman, locked up in an insane asylum just outside of London.  What is even more incredible is that the people who put the first edition of the OED together were unaware of this for close to twenty years.
Simon Winchester has put together a small gem of historical fact in the story of Dr. William Chester Minor, an American in England just after the Civil War, who killed a man for no apparent reason (at least, no reason any sane individual would understand) and was therefore confined to the Broadmoor Criminal Lunatic Asylum for most of the rest of his life.
How Minor came to be a major contributor to the OED is a story that must be read to be believed.  Winchester has put together a compulsively readable account of both Minor and the history of the OED.  The rating might have been higher but for Winchester's tendency to drone on at times about how each entry was put together.
3142431
See my review of Novo Clavis Esoterika by Timothy Hogan (aka Chevalier Emerys), the same applies to this book.  For those who are avid readers of fringe topic historical investigators such as Graham Hancock and Robert Bauval, this book will be a very entertaining and informative read.  I don't agree with every theory being presented in this book, but then again I am the first to admit that I do not have the life experience or the initiatic experience of Chevalier Emerys.  He may be right or he may be wrong, it is now up to my initiative to determine the truth of the ideas that are presented.  Regardless, Revelation of the Holy Grail has given me a new appreciation of the Holy Grail legends, and has sparked an interest in Alchemy, a subject that I once scoffed at as being primitive and deceptive.  For that alone I thank the author.  There is nothing more detrimental to the Human Spirit than a civilization that answers every occult mystery with scientific skepticism.  This book has reawakened a spirit of adventure and inquiry in a psyche that was otherwise laid indolent by materialist certainty.  Ancient myths and legends were indeed explanations of phenomenon, as we were taught in grade school.  But rather than being a pathetic attempt to explain the unexplainable, as contemporary scholastic circles would have us believe, instead we are slowly awakening to the realization that ancient myths and legends were descriptions of advanced scientific principles that were veiled in allegory to prevent the ignorant masses from abusing the power that comes with advanced technology.  Our governments do the same when they encrypt the secrets of nuclear technology, in order to prevent those secrets from getting in the wrong hands.  The present situation (2013) with North Korea or Iran is a case in point.  The legend of the Holy Grail is just such an example.  For societies that were deeply influenced by story telling, as almost all ancient cultures were, there was no better way to preserve information than to clothe it in a legend.  The preservation was guaranteed, and unless an initiate had been given the key to the greater meaning of the legend, the information stayed hidden.  All religious texts, all myths and legends were developed according to this principle.  The legend of the Holy Grail is no different.  Chevalier Emerys has provided us with the key that unlocks the legend.  If not that alone, the book is also a well written and adventurous journey through dark and middle age history.
2964229
I read this biography because I was fascinated by the story of the man who lived without speaking to another human being for 27 years. The book was well written. The author documents his relationship with the subject well; how he got to know him. He also did some research on hermits and related topics; e.g., effects of social isolation. Most importantly, he seems to genuinely care about his subject, and with representing him well, rather than dwelling on the sensationalism of the story.
1888371
A very interesting insight into a remarkable man. I was lucky enough to see him play bit was unaware of his demons which looking back makes his achievements all the more remarkable. It's well written and you feel as if he's sitting next to you telling his story.
1220023
A picture book biography of the little-known Scottish man of the late 1700s who invented line graphs, bar graphs, and pie charts.

If youve never heard of William Playfair, don't feel bad. Hes not well known. Even during his own time he was more likely to have been known for his numerous failed business ventures and schemes than for inventing these charts we now consider everyday items. But someone had to come up with the idea first, and he just happened to be the man. It makes you wonder who today will be the inventor none of us recognize but 100 years from now will have a daily impact on how information is presented? Despite the mans lack of business smarts, inability to hold a job, and possibly shady dealings (theres more info on him and his charts in the back of the book), this is still a good book for math classes and will arm readers with some interesting math/science/infographics history tidbits to wow friends and relatives. I bet you they won't believe just one man invented all three of these graphs or that you know his name. Will recommend the elementary library purchase because engaging math history picture books are hard to come by.

I received an ARC of this title from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
4931271
I am a jazz guitarist and lifelong fan of Django Reinhardt. As with other guitarists, I was deeply moved by Django's recordings, but Django, the man, was always shrouded in mystery. Truly the stuff of legends. As such, I had always read that a definitive biography could never be accomplished. Michael Dregni, with this book, has achieved the seemingly impossible. Perhaps it just took someone with the passion and diligence to unearth the story, but this truly is an amazing and very scholarly work. It's also a genuine plus that Mr. Dregni is a very articulate and colorful writer that has a tremendous gift for telling the story, and tell it he does with the obvious love and affection that so many guitarists, as myself, have for Django. What I didn't expect was the fascinating glimpse I'd receive into the world of gypsies. It's now clear that no understanding of Django, the man, can be achieved without an immersion into gypsy culture. The book also paints a rich and vivid picture of Paris in the 1930's and during the Nazi Occupation, which, in my opinion, should make the book a very enjoyable read for a much broader audience than just guitarists. For guitarists everywhere, I say thank you Mr. Dregni for this wonderful gift.
2645551
Usually when I think about legends in the world of professional baseball I think of the players who for one reason or another left their mark on the game. This book was a hit with me because it brought to the forefront the life and legend of big league owner Bill Veeck who owned several clubs over his long and celebrated career and managed to become a local legend through his association with both the Cubs and White Sox.
This book is crammed with information about Veeck from his birth and childhood in Hinsdale Illinois, growing up as the son of a sportswriter turned club investor, his two very different marriages, his large family which made me feel like he was aiming for his own family team, his stint in the WWII military, the amputation of his leg, his innovations on and off the playing field, and his part in integrating baseball which at one time consisted of white leagues and black leagues. Part businessman, sports enthusiast, impressario, and promoter, Veeck comes off as an extremely colorful character in a sport that is populated with interesting figures. If he seemed like a larger than life public figure it wasn't an illusion. Veeck was always at least one step of his contemporaries. His promotions were legendary. People around here still talk about the time he had the diminutive Eddie Gaedel playing ball.
Toward the end of his life, Veeck dealt with a lot of health problems but still was hoping to renter the business. I remember him holding court at a loop waterhole Millers Inn where he could be found frequently watching the game. Curiously, at a time when most people might have retired from public life, he was out there and always willing to share his experiences with people.
Veeck was an amiable man who managed to always look toward the next opportunity and had ample opportunity and imagination to see his dreams come to fruition. This book was rich with anecdotes, interesting, and as varied as the man himself. It was thoroughly researched and well written.
3204584
I chose this book as I love history and learning about people that we think are "untouchable". This book and the author gave wonderful insight, not opinions. I like to learn about historical figures and the Queen is a living legend, still beautiful and most capable of doing her job. As I read this book, so many myths about the Queen and her family were brought to light and many dispelled. A wonderful read.
4059970
The man, the legend, Jim VanBebber. Love him or hate him (I love him) he's a interesting fella with a fantastic body of work. This is a great documentary about the mans life and work. It's packed full of entertaining interviews, behind the scenes shots, entertaining moments from conventions etc. If you are a fan of his work at all or independent/underground cinema I highly recommend buying this and checking it out.
1939257
An enjoyable read for fans who want more of this famous story.
1531374
More than a coin book,its an amazing insight into history from a legend himself.

Get this one before you spend an RDB penny.

CS09
4367294
Being quite new to the Manson phenomenon, I have spent the last 12 months buying all his C.D's, VHS's and books, this book however stand's out from the crowd. There are many things in this highly informative document that many people will identify with. Be warned though, he does not pull any punches and puts scathing attacks on authoritive figures such as his teachers and other religious people. It would be far to easy to say that he does what he does just for effect, there is a highly intelligent man behind the make-up. This book show's the 2 sides of manson that make him so compelling to fans like me, It reveals how he was a loner and outcast at school and was regularly teased about his appearance by the girls he liked. It documents in detail his early music performances with the spooky kids, everything is included in this book, from drugs, sex, abusing groupies, family revelations and his own morals by which he lives his life. He has never forgot the harsh treatment he recieved while growing up and this shows in all of his work and makes him the ultimate spokesman for the large and ever growing band of non religious people worldwide. This book also tells of his painfull transformation from a quietly spoken gentle guy from Ohio to the the all seething all raging rock icon of today. Don't miss this one.