New Stories from the South 2001: The Year's Best (New Stories from the South)

Book Description

It would be easy to describe the stories in this year's collection as typically Southern, if we only knew what that was. As Lee Smith writes in her engaging and provocative preface, the South is both as it always was and profoundly different. Some things have stayed the same: "As a whole, we Southerners are still religious, and we are still violent. We'll bring you a casserole, but we'll kill you, too." And some things have changed: many a Southerner spends more time in the mall than the kitchen, and many a Southerner is really a displaced Northerner. Still, there's something about life below the

Mason-Dixon line that leads to evocative, hilarious, moving, authentic, rip-your-heart-out stories.

Maybe it's true, as Lee Smith says, that "narrative is as necessary to us as air." Maybe narrative is in the air. This year's collection ranges from small vacant towns to thriving Southern cities, tracking the likes of a violent paperhanger, an ambitious fiddler, a failed adman, and a boy who kidnaps his schoolbus driver.

Nineteen standout writers make appearances in this year's volume: John Barth, Madison Smartt Bell, Marshall Boswell, Carrie Brown, Stephen Coyne, Moira Crone, William Gay, Jim Grimsley, Ingrid Hill, Christie Hodgen, Nicola Mason, Edith Pearlman, Kurt Rheinheimer, Jane R. Shippen, George Singleton, Robert Love Taylor, James Ellis Thomas, Elizabeth Tippens, Linda Wendling.

Each story is followed by an author's note. Readers will also find an updated list of magazines consulted by Ravenel and a complete list of all the stories selected each year since the inception of the series in 1986.

Book Description

They are skilled in the ways of seduction and deception, magic and curses...They are masters in the trade of fine silk, and in the fatal art of poisoning...They are villains and heroes, outlaws and lovers, dreamers and schemers...Legend will call them gypsies.

The Silken Magic saga begins...
In her full-length fiction debut, short story writer ElizaBeth Gilligan sweeps readers away to a dazzling 17th-century Sicily-and to a mythical kingdom across the water known as Tyrrhia. It is a world in which magic has the power to shape the course of history-and love has the power to unravel it. Where religions rise, governments fall, and the only thing more powerful than a gypsy's passion...is a gypsy's curse.

Customer Reviews:

fascinating realm.......2003-04-12

In the mid-eighteenth century, Tyrrhia is a haven for all races and religions including the Romani, who are vested in magic and control the silk trade. Luciana, the Duchessa di Drago, is a powerful mage who knows that her beloved sister died at court before official word came. She learns that a practitioner of the dark arts stole her sister's body and Alessandra's spirit knows no peace because it is used in evil spells.

Luciana needs to find her sister's body and release her spirit so it can pass on. To do so she must locate the wizard who killed her sister and take her revenge on him. When her husband, her one and only love, joins her at the court those who want to replace the present king and queen (Stefano's sister) drag them into regal intrigues, but the plotters are the reason Alessandra was murdered. By thwarting them, Luciana avenges sister and makes sure the Romani have a home. When Luciana tries to find her sister's body on the palace grounds, she faces an enemy she never expected to exist.

The imaginary country of Tyrrhia is situated where Sicily now exists only this kingdom is much larger and stronger than Sicily ever was. The romance of the estranged Duc and Duchessa is pivotal to the story line as the two star-crossed lovers try to find their way back to each other. The religious and racial tolerance that exists in Tyrrhia is another reason for many to want a strong Roman Catholic nation like France or Spain to annex the country. Elizabeth Gilligan has created a fascinating realm that readers will want to revisit in future novels.

Harriet Klausner

Wow - great book!.......2003-04-02

This is a great book written by a new author of true talent. The action's well paced and the suspense created by the mystery just tense enough. I really liked the level of magic in this alternate reality, especially since it didn't take center stage over the plot or characters.

Good job and I'm looking forward to reading the rest in the series.

Book Description

In this futuristic novel it is 2038, a century since the last invasion from the Red Planet, and humanity has studied the confiscated Martian technology and found new uses for it. One of these uses is to create giant robots piloted by men and women dedicated to protecting the planet. With these super robots, the inhabitants of Earth think they are ready for the invasion, but the Martians have made a number of improvements on their technology over the last century. Megawar of the Worlds is a giant-robot adventure.

Customer Reviews:

Mega What?.......2007-06-29

The War of the worlds was real. So were other alien encounters. A special team of the military's best are on hand to deal with the alien threat. Now some new Martian pods have landed on an island in Lake Michigan and the crew is off to put a stop to them. The team is armed with the latest in technology, much of it taken from other alien incursions. But while we have been improving on the technology, so have the aliens. The team is not really prepared for what they run into. They are immediately on the defensive and in need of backup. Things are not going well for the home team at all.

No matter what humans throw at the aliens, the aliens meet them and are better. There seems little hope of the team doing any more that causing a slight distraction. Soon their mission is one of simple survival while waiting for stronger forces to arrive. But just before all is lost a new plan is devised. One that has a slight chance of success before they are all killed. Will the plan work? Will the alien cement their foothold on out planet? Read and find out.

I generally love stories that continue the works of H. G. Wells or Jules Verne. This book proves to me that a story needs more than just some references to a Victorian classic. At its heart, this is simply military science fiction. But if you like David Drake and S. M. Stirling you will quickly see where this one is lacking. It reads like an updated scene from the George Pal movie War of the Worlds. More lead in would have helped but it really just jumps to the fighting and provides little else. A small attempt is made to flesh it out by involving a civilian reporter in the confrontations but it is not enough. To top it all off, there are typos galore. I was really put off when a ditch was repeatedlt referred to as a "troth". It is probably best to skip this one.

I want my money back.......2006-09-08

The back cover blurb is misleading - the giant robots are there for the first encounter alone, then they're gone for the rest of the story. The book was riddled with spelling and grammatical errors as well; I have no idea what the editor was thinking, or even if there was one.

And the writing! I've seen fan fiction on the 'net that reads better than this. Save your money for something else.

Not very mega.......2006-03-11

I was most disaponited in this book, It reads like what it is. A qwicky attempt to cash in on the latest ( disaponting ) War-of-the -worlds movie.

Average customer rating:

Megawar Conspiracy
Howard H. Schack
Manufacturer: Spi Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1561713902

Average customer rating:

Field Guide to Produce

Disappointed

Has its moments, but ...

Dreadfully over-rated

quick & handy

Field Guide to Produce: How to Identify, Select, and Prepare Virtually Every Fruit and Vegetable at the Market
Aliza Green
Manufacturer: Quirk Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Fruits | Cooking by Ingredient | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
General | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
Reference | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
Vegetables | Vegetables & Vegetarian | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
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Field Guide To Meat: How To Identify, Select, and Prepare Virtually Every Meat, Poultry, and Game Cut

Field Guide to Herbs & Spices: How to Identify, Select, and Use Virtually Every Seasoning at the Market (Field Guide To...)

Field Guide to Seafood: How to Identify, Select, and Prepare Virtually Every Fish and Shellfish at the Market

Vegetables from Amaranth to Zucchini: The Essential Reference: 500 Recipes, 275 Photographs

Melissa's Great Book of Produce: Everything You Need to Know about Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

ASIN: 1931686807

Book Description

Produce: It's not just apples and oranges anymore. Today's supermarket shelves are stocked with strange, exotic, and delightful items such as quince, jicama, kumquats, amaranth, yuzus, and wing beans. But you don't need a degree in botany to make sense of it all -- just carry along Field Guide to Produce! This practical guide to the world's most popular fruits and vegetables features more than 200 full-color photographs -- plus detailed descriptions, selection tips, and guidelines on peeling, blanching, cooking, and eating.
Award-winning chef Aliza Green describes everything you're likely to find at your local grocery store and farmer's market -- from common cabbages and coconuts to more adventurous fare like chayote and cherimoya. Grocery shopping -- and dinner -- will never be the same again!

Customer Reviews:

Field Guide to Produce.......2007-06-26

The Pros to this book: good info on description of fruits/veggies, when in season, tips for purchasing & what to avoid, storage, preparation and serving suggestions and flavor affinities, as well as a section in the center with photos.

The Cons: No nutritional information at all and tomatoes are classified as a vegetable, which is an odd mistake to make for a reference book, since tomatoes are technically a fruit.

Disappointed.......2007-05-09

This book gives good, basic, brief information about a variety of fruits and vegetables. I feel it pales in comparison, however, to Elizabeth Schneider's books on produce because her books are more detailed. I would say that if you like brevity you will like this book by Aliza Green, were it not that I feel your hard-earned money is better spent on the more detailed Schneider books.

Has its moments, but ..........2007-04-29

So much of the advice in here is purely common sense ... and some of it is rather weird. Are there really readers out there who need to be told, when selecting fruits/veggies, to not buy things that are moldy or bruised or rotten? I was hoping for something a bit more profound.

And I couldn't believe my eyes when I read that apples should be kept in the fridge, because they'll go 'mealy' within 48 hours on the counter! Am I the only person in America who keeps apples on the counter for weeks without difficulty? (Well, assuming they don't get eaten up first.)

There is some interesting info on different varieties and cultivars, but even that is available elsewhere, and most of the content is a waste of time/money for anyone who already knows more than the basics.

Dreadfully over-rated.......2007-04-11

When you make claims like that you'd better be able to back them up. Ms. Green does not. I live in Portland, Oregon, a fairly cosmopolitan city but no New York, Paris or Singapore. We have little Russian specialty stores and big pan-Asian supermarkets such as Uwajimaya and Fubon. Off the top of my head I can name a couple dozen vegetables which are perennially on the shelves at these two places from shen choy and bitter melon to gingko seeds, padan and pea sprouts. These are all commonplace in East Asian cooking. None even gets a mention.

It's good as far as it goes, so it doesn't get one star. It doesn't even come close to its brag, so it gets no more than two.

quick & handy.......2006-09-09

The Field Guide to Produce is exactly what it claims to be. Roughly CD-jewel-case sized and about 2 in. thick, it's perfect for keeping in your car or reusable shopping bags for those random grocery trips. Without this book, I would never have had the courage to try fiddlehead ferns (fantastic sauteed with butter) or dinosaur kale - though I would often find unusual items such as these in the produce section. Now, I no longer get to stare curiously as I get another head of broccoli, but am forced to break out of mediocrity and try something new and exciting. Yay! The other side: This book is honest, at least - it doesn't step a hair over covering produce. (You need to get the 'Field Guide to Herbs & Spices" for that - no kidding.) The other morning, I was amazed to not find "chives" listed and realized that it doesn't cover any herbs at all. A pity, really, as it would be perfect all in one.

Book Description

This best-selling reference has been completely revised and updated by two outstanding professionals who know how to communicate the veterinary information nonprofessionals need to maintain their horse's health. Doctors James Giffin and Tom Gore address such basic health-care and management issues as the latest medicines and immunizations, wounds, illnesses, parasites, nutrition and supplements, and reproduction. Just inside the covers, the horse owner can easily access the index of Signs and Symptoms, since responding quickly to an emergency can literally mean the life or death of a horse. Anyone who looks after a horse—whether owner, trainer or groom—can rely on this authoritative book to get them through emergencies and well as routine events.

Customer Reviews:

a must have for any horse owner.......2007-10-07

No book is a subsitute for a licensed veterinarian. Now having said that...

I've had this book for years and wouldn't be without it. It got me through my first foaling and also caring for that foal (including vaccinations). While I've not read this book front to back, the signs & symptoms section in the front is invaluable. The chapters are easy to read, yet they are informative and allow you to ask intelligent questions of your veterinarian when it becomes necessary for them to be there.

My mother recently bought her first horse and this book was the first thing I told her to go get.

Should be on every horse owner's bookshelf!.......2007-07-19

This is a well-organized, easy to undertand book for all horse owners. When I saw the size, I was daunted, but have found it to be helpful in understanding and tending to health issues with our horses. This should be on every horse owners bookshelf!

Good reference book if you own a horse(s).......2007-01-12

This book is a good reference book if you own a horse(s). It is easy to read and covers a wide variety of condition and diseases.

WOW.......2006-11-24

This book is awesome. I knew nothing about my horse but now I just go to the part of the body with the problem like leg and then read all about all of the leg issues and I can determine somewhat what i think she has and call the vet if I need to. Sometimes it is just a minor thing and the book tells you how to solve it in simple ways. I think everyone should have one of these and I love mine. I was calling the vet everyday and now I can treat her myself and call only when I have to!!

A Must Have For Every Horse Owner.......2006-09-06

This Handbook is quick and easy to use. Packed with symptoms, diagnosis, and treatments, its index and contents help horse owners to quickly locate information when its needed most. Although the book only has black and white photos, they clearly demonstrate how tos, anatomy, and display common physically symptoms. The book also has charts and diagrams on every day equine topics such as worms and necessary vaccines. The last few chapters are designated to reproduction and are equipped with useful information for an owner thinking about breeding.

This is required reading for every horse owner. It helps determine whether or not you need to call the vet out for a medical problem.

Veterinary notes for horse owners: A manual of horse medicine and surgery

Average customer rating:

Veterinary notes for horse owners: A manual of horse medicine and surgery
M. Horace Hayes
Manufacturer: Hurst and Blackett, Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: B00088JC3K

Veterinary Notes for Horse Owners: An Illustrated Manual of Horse Medicine and Surgery

Average customer rating:

Veterinary Notes for Horse Owners
Fantastic... It's a Must Have
Fabuolous book!
A must have book for all horse owners
An outstanding book!

Veterinary Notes for Horse Owners: An Illustrated Manual of Horse Medicine and Surgery
Horace Hayes , and Peter Rossdale
Manufacturer: Prentice Hall
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Animal Care & Pets | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Equine Medicine | Veterinary Medicine | Medicine | Subjects | Books

General | Veterinary Medicine | Medicine | Subjects | Books

Reference | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books

Animal Husbandry | Agricultural Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 013941956X

Book Description

Captain M. Horace Hayes's Veterinary Notes for Horse Owners has been the standard work on equine health care for more than a century. The seventeenth edition of this "bible" is fully revised by one of England's leading veterinarians, Peter D. Rossdale, Ph.D., F.R.C.V.S., with the help of leading veterinary specialists.

A totally comprehensive manual of horse medicine and surgery, it explains the symptoms and treatments of every disease or injury that the horse owner is likely to encounter. Written in a straightforward manner that will appeal to both novices and experts, the book contains detailed sections on the organ systems, the musculoskeletal system, the reproductive system, infectious diseases, medical and surgical advances, management and husbandry, exercise physiology, the purchase of horses, legal and medical certification, and up-to-date information on the veterinary service itself. Also included are invaluable Sections on nutrition, determination of age, proprietary medicines, prohibited substances, and notifiable diseases. This latest revised edition has entirely new illustrations and photographs.

Clear, concise, and authoritative, Veterinary Notes for Horse Owners saves horses' lives.

Customer Reviews:

Veterinary Notes for Horse Owners.......2007-01-11

The information is well organized, thorough and informative. I have used it to identify and verify situations with my three horses. The photos are great and give you additional info to consider. I would recommend this book to the horse lover who is concerned about her animals health.

Fantastic... It's a Must Have.......2002-09-25

This book is beyond words, it is definately a MUST have.

Fabuolous book!.......2000-10-20

I bought this book last year, and have nearly worn it out!! I am studying towards vet school, and this book is invaluable to me when I work as a vet assistant in an equine hospital. I would reccomend it to people with more than an average interest in equine medicine, and with basic knowlledge of horse anatomy and veterinary terminology.

A must have book for all horse owners.......1999-10-13

I received this book as a birthday gift 6 years ago and it has been close at hand ever since! It is helpful for all horse owners from novice to advanced levels of veterinary knowledge.

An outstanding book!.......1999-04-09

This book is a must for all horse owners. It is an invaluable reference tool. I bought my first edition of this book 18 years ago, and it is the single most useful book I have ever purchased.

Average customer rating:

The Horse Owner's Veterinary Handbook
Tony Pavord , and Rod Fisher
Manufacturer: The Crowood Press Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Horse Owner's Veterinary Handbook Second Edition

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Horse Owner's Veterinary Handbook Second Edition
James M.; Gore, Tom; Giffin James M., M.D. Giffin
Manufacturer: Howell Book House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000J4U6V0

The horse-owner's guide: Containing valuable information on the management and cure of the diseases incident to horses : more particularly that very fatal ... called glanders : with many esteemed recipes

Average customer rating:

The horse-owner's guide: Containing valuable information on the management and cure of the diseases incident to horses : more particularly that very fatal ... called glanders : with many esteemed recipes
Thomas Smith
Manufacturer: Goyder, Printer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Magner's standard horse and stock book: A complete pictorial encyclopedia of practical reference for horse and stock owners,

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Magner's standard horse and stock book: A complete pictorial encyclopedia of practical reference for horse and stock owners,
D Magner
Manufacturer: Werner
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Veterinary | Encyclopedias | Reference | Subjects | Books

General | Veterinary Medicine | Medicine | Subjects | Books

Animal Husbandry | Agricultural Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B00087QB8A

The standard horse and stock book: A complete pictorial encyclopedia of practical reference for horse and stock owners

Average customer rating:

The standard horse and stock book: A complete pictorial encyclopedia of practical reference for horse and stock owners
D Magner
Manufacturer: Magner
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Veterinary | Encyclopedias | Reference | Subjects | Books

General | Veterinary Medicine | Medicine | Subjects | Books

Animal Husbandry | Agricultural Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B00087QE50

Book Description

With its mirrored silver surface and sleek shiny appeal, antique silvered mercury glass is distinct among the many types of art glass produced here and abroad. From its very beginnings in the forests of central Europe, the creation of silvered glass has long been misunderstood. The mystery of mercury glass has been part of its allure, as secret silvering formulas and complex decorating techniques were carefully guarded. This glass appeals to a broad spectrum of collectors with interests in historic Americana, Victorian collectibles, and the formal American and European art styles. After years of research, a comprehensive and authoritative reference book has been written in a true pictorial style to help the reader understand how to determine the approximate age and origin of, and to provide a relative value for, each piece. With hundreds of photographic illustrations and accompanying text, Pictorial Guide to Silvered Mercury Glass will delight collectors. Each item is individually showcased to provide both visual and factual information appropriate for both the new and advanced collector. The complex production history of silvered mercury glass is explored extensively in the beginning of the book, and includes detailed information about decorating techniques. The chapters are arranged by form and style, and include sections on vases, compotes, goblets, globes, tableware, and specialty items.

Customer Reviews:

Disappointing pictures.......2007-07-25

I haven't seen a great deal on this subject, so interested readers may want this. At least they can get some idea of the variety and beauty of these pieces. Many of the pictures are extremely blurry, as though either the camera or the object was shaking. Perhaps it has to do with the difficulties of photographing highly reflective surfaces, but some of the pictures are very good, so that's a doubtful hypothesis.

Book Description

It’s like something out of a Hollywood potboiler: start out in the mailroom, end up a mogul. Only for dozens of Hollywood’s brightest, it happens to be true. Some of the biggest names in entertainment—including David Geffen, Barry Diller, and Mike Ovitz—began as trainees in musty talent agency mailrooms. Now, in this fascinating new book, veteran Hollywood writer David Rensin travels behind the scenes and through sixty-five years of show business history to tell the real stories of the marvelous careers that began—and in some cases ended––in the mailroom.

Based on more than two hundred interviews, Rensin unfolds the never-before-told history of an American institution––in the voices of the people who lived it. Through seven decades of glamour and humiliation, lousy pay and incredible perks, killer egos and a kill-or-be-killed ethos, you’ll go where the trainees go, do what they must do to get ahead, and hear the best insider stories from the Hollywood everyone knows about but no one really knows. The kids in The Mailroom have done it all: from hanging out with Elvis to delivering a senior agent’s urine sample to the doctor; from pouring drinks for Sinatra to sending ice to Johnny Carson on the Nile; from crashing the Academy Awards ceremony to hoping to deliver more than just the mail to sexy actresses’ homes.

The Mailroom reveals why Harvard MBAs fight to turn down secure six-digit corporate salaries to start work at a major agency for less than $400 a week; what it takes to appease impossible bosses, outsmart the competition, and “agent” the agents; and how a hungry, star-struck kid can become the next Geffen or Diller by sorting mail, eavesdropping on crucial conversations, and trying anything to get noticed.

Full of revealing stories and delicious dish, The Mailroom is not only a non-stop, engrossing read, but a crash course, taught by the experts, on how to succeed in Hollywood through hard work, shrewd manipulation, and a hell of a lot of nerve. The Mailroom is classic Hollywood—a vibrant and complex tapestry of dreams, desire, exploitation, power, and genuine talent. If you want to know who rules Hollywood and how they got their power, if you want to know how to start with nothing and get ahead in any business, this is the book you must read.

Customer Reviews:

Read this book before heading to Hollywood.......2006-04-30

I'm a former talent agency trainee. I worked at one of the majors. This book tells it like it is, and I wish this book was published before my talent agency stint. If you have ever seen the show "Survivor", you can get an idea of what it's like to climb the agency, or Hollywood ladder. There are very few spots, and there many people clambering for those spots. And those people who want it the most will do whatever it takes. It's very cutthroat. An agency with 100 agents, has 100 assistants, all of whom want to be agents. Maybe 10 of them will make it. Family members of Hollywood VIP's most probably WILL get promoted to agents (but after that it's still sink or swim..you'll read the story of Peter Guber's daughter in this book...she sunk). Same goes for Harvard grads...deep Harvard connections in Hollywood. Many trainees quit. The attrition rate is huge. It's a crazy business, and nearly impossible to have a balanced life as a trainee (or agent, or for anyone else in Hollywood). It's no walk in the park for new agents either. They start with a tiny salary (although more than a trainee)and must perform or they're out.

Before going to Hollywood, be real with yourself and determine if you're cut out for it. This book gives you a good glimpse into those who make it. Unless you are highly extroverted, and an extremely high energy person, than don't choose this career. If you are a person who needs downtime to collect their thoughts, than don't choose this career. If you are a person who needs their 8 hours of sleep a night, than don't choose this career (you may never sleep again!). If you aren't a highly social person, than don't choose this career (i.e. does your phone ring off the hook in your personal life?). Are you politically savvy, or do you put your foot in your mouth? Can you handle egomanic clients? (and agents). Can you handle being screamed at on a regular basis? Can you handle the pressure of doing more work in one day than most people accomplish in two weeks, including juggling several hundred phone calls? I'm convinced that those agents that make it to the top, are people who'd make a fortune in any business. They're natural salesmen, born with charisma; have endless energy, and can win people over with a glance.

Also, determine if your morals/values are congruent with Hollywood. You might have to do some nasty things to people on your way up the ladder to success. In Hollywood, nastiness is embraced, not frowned upon. In Hollywood, real world morals and values are turned upside down. Believe it or not, many people in Hollywood are so egomanical that they consider people who don't work in Hollywood to be, "losers", or "the little people" (unless you're an internet billionaire or the equivilent). They believe they are the chosen ones. Even if you made a couple mil a year manufacturing cardboard boxes, they'd turn their nose up at you. It's a very snobby club.

Does all this bring people happiness? For some I guess. It seemed to me that many agents were very unhappy and perpetually stressed out.

Although my experience was interesting, had I realistically assessed my personality, which I would have, had I read this book, I would never have set foot in Los Angeles. Other than that, this book is a very entertaining read on the ins and outs of a ruthless business.

Hollywood History from the Bottom Up.......2005-01-07

You don't get what you deserve in life, you get what you negotiate.

This is the first quote in the book and I cannot tell you how many times I have used this in the past month. This book looks at the entertainment industry from the earliest days of William Morris (1930') through the collapse of the studio system, to the "young turks" of CAA until today. The author speaks to a varied group of people who went through the system. Many survived and stayed in entertainment business and some moved on to other things. What I most enjoyed about this book was that it didn't just cover the famous (Geffen, Diller, Ovitz) who rose out of the mailroom, but it also covered those who helped create the system that these people who control what we watch today came out of. For the number of people interviewed and covered, this book was excellently edited for flow and did not double up too much on stories. Very readable and informative. After reading this I pulled out my copy of "Swimming with Sharks" and watched it again with the new feeling of an insider.

Wild Amazing Real Stories of working for the Agents.......2004-08-02

I listened to the book on tape of The Mailrooom. Different mailroom employees from different Hollywood & New York Agencies give their stories of what it was like to work in the Mailroom and learn to be an Agent. The book starts with some of the older Agents who began way back when Agencies were first formed. Interesting stories about the stars of the 1950s all the way up to present times.
I really liked the stories of the pranks some of the mailroom employees would play on eachother. And some of the horror stories when they made mistakes on the job are really amazing.
The Mailroom is an interesting and amusing book about the inner workings of the Entertainment Business. The stories of how the mailroom employees make it to the top to become Agents are a real lesson in how the industry works.

I'd rate this one 15 stars if I could!.......2003-11-10

If you have an interest in the entertainment industry, this is an absorbing must-read, absolutely fascinating from cover to cover, the kind you don't want to put down. Can't recommend it highly enough!

SO?????????.......2003-07-04

A Studs Terkel-like verbal history of the role of the talent agency in Hollywood; with a particular focus on the Mailroom where the movers and shakers get their start. The book is a never ending compilation of interviews with the men who made it after paying their dues in the servitude of the Mail Room. For those in the industry it is probably fascinating lore. For me, it was one big bore.

The Mailroom: Hollywood History from the Bottom Up

Average customer rating:

The Mailroom: Hollywood History from the Bottom Up
David Rensin
Manufacturer: Ballantine Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OVV586

Book Description

Billy Graham made a dramatic decision to go against the grain of the segregationist era in the church: he opened his ministry to people of all races. Dr. Howard O. Jones became Dr. Graham's first African-American colleague, thereby helping him integrate and broaden his ministry. Readers from all backgrounds will be inspired, informed, and challenged as they read Gospel Trailblazer. Even if Dr. Jones isn't a familiar name, this book will help readers more fully appreciate the triumphs and failures of the 20th Century evangelistic movement.

Customer Reviews:

Great Book!!!.......2003-06-18

I was really encouaged and challenged by Gospel Trailblazer. It tells the life story of Howard O. Jones, who has been described as the "Jackie Robinson of evangelism." The book is incredibly well-written, and the anecdotes and stories reveal the real face of America -- warts and all -- during the 1930's through 1960's, before civil rights were given to African Americans. I highly recommend this book.

Gospel Trailblazer: An African-American Preacher's Historic Journey Across Racial Lines (Billy Graham Library Selection)

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Gospel Trailblazer: An African-American Preacher's Historic Journey Across Racial Lines (Billy Graham Library Selection)
Howard O. Jones
Manufacturer: Moody Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 1593280696

Product Description

God calls the church to overcome racism in the world. God called Howard Jones to overcome racism in the church. From his early challenges in a white Bible school to his triumph as the first black evangelist to conduct Crusades in Africa, this is a moving account of Howard Jones--a man who understands the power of prayer, and the absolute necessity of following God's call wherever it leads. In these pages, you'll get to know one of the most inspirational men you've ever met--an authentic model of what it means to be not just an African-American leader, but a true trailblazer for the kingdom of God.

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