Editorial Review

One would not anticipate a conventional memoir from Bob Dylan--indeed, one would not have foreseen an autobiography at all from the pen of the notoriously private legend. What Read more

Reviews (230)

Recommended, but With Several Reservations
I have always been a huge fan of Bob Dylan's music, and am now probably a bigger fan than ever. As I listen to his older music, some of it for the first time, and compare it to the tripe from other acts that record companies "manufacture" these days, Dylan's music is a true treasure.
Tangled up ...
I had always wondered about the gal on the cover of Dylan's second album, "The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan." I had read elsewhere that she was Dylan's girlfriend soon after arriving in NYC. Reading "Chronicles I," you getDylan's take on Suze Rotolo, the girl on the cover, and her role in his life. Dylan gives you a small sense of her as a love interest, a muse, a girl of the sixties. More importantly, Chronicles offers a jumbled, messy, non-chronological, but insightful view of Dylan's life, the trappings of fame, and his attempts to recoil from expectations by the adoring fans. The chapters detailing his earlier periods seem more interesting probably because of our greater familiarity with the music he released then. I found it useful to have a listen to the album Oh Mercy!while reading the chapter devoted to putting the album together in New Orleans with Daniel Lanois.
Can't wait for Bob Dylan's next book (hurry Bob!)
Not many books hold my attention.They sit around my house half unread. Add to that my short attention span and that I don't want to bother reading any fictional words from an unknown somebody's book.I'm old enough to be Bob Dylan's daughter and have never owned one of his albums.Of course I know his music classics that other people have covered over the years...many I didn't know Bob had written until reading this book. I came to this book with an open mind, not a 4 decades follower of Bob Dylan like many of the other reviewers.With that background info in mind......I started Bob Dylan's book Chronicles Volume 1 and could not put it down.It opened a door into the sixties and Folk music era that took place when I was a wee toddler but have always been very curious about. It provides real, personal moments as Bob talks and you sense his enthusiasm or other emotions all intertwined.His words and phrasing bounced my mind around on the page and into different years and descriptions in each sentence.I learned about the music world then, his contacts, friends, desires, wishes, ups/downs, a life event here and there, and I was spellbound by the the visual imagery he succinctly provided thru a few words when telling of places, events, people, his journey and personal moments in his life - one after another.I thought many of his ways/wordings were very salt-of-the-earth "Midwestern" that someone not raised in the Midwest wouldn't recognize or be able to smile about while reading...I should know since I'm from Missouri. I laughed several times. He's funny as well. Bob, please write your next book soon.I'm waiting for it impatiently.Until then, I purchased my first Bob Dylan album and listened last night (Modern Times).Songs 4 and 7 made me cry. The words & images in both his songs and book are intriguing, beautiful, real, unexpected. The tunes can grip the mind. Thanks to Bob Dylan for opening up the door to his life after all these years.He didn't have to and could've just faded away like so many others. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1941-    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Composers & Musicians - General    7. Composers & Musicians - Rock    8. Dylan, Bob,    9. Personal Memoirs    10. Popular Music    11. Singers    12. United States    13. Biography & Autobiography / General   

Reviews (5)

What A character
The early interviews are best.Dylan was pretty outrageous when putting on the interviewer.There is quite a bit of repetitive information in the writer's introduction prior to the interviews.

Never dull.
Bob Dylan may be one of the most loquacious enigmas of all time.As lovingly presented here by Jonathon Cott, Dylan goes on and on and on to all sorts of interviewers, sometime comedian, sometime huckster, sometime philosoher, sometime preacher, but always fascinating.

Dylan remains the enigma, even after this book
Let me just say that I am a big Dylan fan, and intruiged by his personality. I loved Dylan's "Chronicles Volume 1" autobiography, even if it did brought about more questions than answers. But then, isn't that the Dylan way?
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Subjects:  1. 1941-    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography And Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Composers & Musicians - General    7. Dylan, Bob,    8. Entertainment & Performing Arts - General    9. General    10. Genres & Styles - Folk & Traditional    11. Genres & Styles - Rock    12. Interviews    13. Rock Music    14. Singers    15. United States    16. Biography & Autobiography / Entertainment & Performing Arts   

Subjects:  1. 1901-1966    2. Animators    3. Biography    4. Biography & Autobiography    5. Biography / Autobiography    6. Biography/Autobiography    7. Disney, Walt,    8. Entertainment & Performing Arts - Movie Directors    9. General    10. Historical - U.S.    11. Individual Directors And Producers    12. United States    13. Biography & Autobiography / General   

Reviews (3)

I want John Canemaker's privileges
Once again John Canemaker has made me envious of his access to such beautiful artwork. The behind-the-scene stories of the personalities who created the characters we grew up with is wonderful. A gorgeous book with illustrations that make it worth the money all by themselves.

Nine Lives
So much has been written and said about several of these nine legendary Disney animators that I very much doubted a lot of new ground was going to be broken, especially in a Hyperion release, but Canemaker rises to the task here, and then some.I was most interested in artists like Les Clark and Johnny Lounsbery, who have received less attention than some of the others. Canemaker not only brings them vividly to life with meticulous research, but he also manages to bring new information and fresh insight to all nine of his fascinating subjects.No matter how well you thought you knew the Nine Old Men and their work, there's plenty here for you.This book reveals the lives and personalities of these men, analyzes their contributions extraordinarily well, and also their working and personal relationships with each other, and presents great new visual material from their lives in and away from the studio.The Kimball stuff is a special treat. Discovering the Genius Of Exactly What Made Disney "Disney"
John Canemaker has given readers the Disney animation book that's been missing for decades. Only it's the Readers Digest version. Canemaker is forced to compact nine amazing biographies into one book. Each of his nine subjects - the core group of gifted animators who defined the look and feel of Disney animation from the 1930's through the 1970's - is deserving of far more time and space than a single volume can deliver. Nevertheless, he's done an amazing job, and he introduces us to these men with the same careful critical objectivity he did in "Before the Animation Begins", Canemaker's marvelous 1996 book focusing on the great Disney visual development and story artists. Read more

Subjects:  1. Animation (Cinematography)    2. Animators    3. Biography    4. Biography & Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Children's Books/Young Adult Biography    7. General    8. United States    9. Walt Disney Company    10. Animation    11. Biography & Autobiography / Artists, Architects, Photographers    12. Biography: film, television & music    13. USA   

Reviews (11)

Living the oridinary extraordinarily: Reminiscences of a Catholic convert.
The Long Loneliness by Dorothy Day has long been held to be an important social document as well as a meaningful written Catholic memoir, because it delves deeply into the intimate conversion experience whereby there is a moving epiphany that changes that person so completely and totally. And The Long Loneliness illustrates that point quite clearly. Even before the Catholic Worker was ever founded by Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin, their approach to religious activism was almost on par with other lay Catholic social orgaizations, mirroring the motto of Catholic Action, founded in 1868, the best, whose battle cry is: Prayer. Action. Sacrifice. However, what makes this memoir so appealing is that it is outlined in a belief framework of pragmatic thought and a consistent work ethic, like Opus Dei. Dorothy Day, in the recounting of her conversion and the afteraffects of it, is not given to flights of supernatural fancy or prone to self-created mystical experiences or visions, which, when people do have them, are psychosomatic or psychotic, at best.
Enriching Exploration of the Discovery of Faith
"The Long Loneliness," is one of the most enriching testimonies of an individual's search and discovery of faith that I have ever read, although I found the first 60 pages a bit slow (about her background and coming of age). I am very happy I persevered, because it only got better and more inspirational, as she began to perceive glimpses of God and tried to learn how best to follow Him.
The Long Loneliness
This book is Dorothy Day's own autobiography. I know she was a remarkable woman. Everything that I have seen and heard about her has been outstanding. I was excited when I found this book.
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Subjects:  1. 1897-1980    2. Biography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Catholic converts    6. Church And Social Problems    7. Day, Dorothy,    8. Political    9. Religious    10. United States    11. Biography & Autobiography / Religious    12. Day, Dorothy    13. Modern fiction   

Editorial Review

Let's get one thing straight: Carl Hiaasen doesn't like the Walt Disney Company. Whenever the giant entertainment conglomerate stumbles, as it did with its proposed Civil War theme park in Virginia, Hiaasen cheers. When a rhinoceros mysteriously dies at Disney's new theme park, Animal Kingdom, Hiaasen secretly hopes for the worst, because, as he writes, "no scandal is so delectable as a Disney scandal." Read more

Reviews (94)

Fundimentally flawed, but a fun think piece.
In Team Rodent, Carl Hiaasen delivers an honestly entertaining picture of his own reservations at what he sees as the Disney Corporation's attempts at becoming a culturally omnipotent force.This piece is more of a political pamphlet in format: it's too long to be considered a simple essay, but it's certainly short enough to be read in a single sitting.
A quick, fun read for Hiaasen's fans
Not much to add beyond the title of this review. Yup, Carl despises Disney.A very lucid and well written diatribe.

Carl Hiaasen Takes on the Mouse
In this essay-style book, Hiaasen takes on Disney and all its decadence from the point of view of a true Floridian. Very funny and full of disturbing Disney facts (including one about the mysterious torture and death of an Animal Kingdom rhino; ties between Disney and the destruction caused by Hurricane Andrew; and all the yucky deals made between the rat and the state of FL's government). Good read, highly entertaining for Floridians, tourists, and anyone who loves Hiaasen. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Commerce    5. Corporate & Business History - Strategies    6. Entrepreneurship    7. History Of Specific Companies    8. Public Relations    9. Walt Disney Company    10. American English    11. Biography: general    12. Business & Economics / Entrepreneurship    13. Cultural studies    14. Essays, journals, letters & other prose works   

Reviews (3)

Disney Fans Must Have
This is a must have for the Disney fan.This book gives in depth detail into the man who created the "happiest place on earth", from the people who knew hime best.His family, friends, and employees.I have read many books on Disney, and this ranks in the top 2(along with Imaganineering).It tells the stories of his triumphs as well as his tragedies.I highly recommend this book.

NIce story about a true genius
This book is not a complete and detailed biography, but is a nice tribute to Walt Disney. It has a lot of photos, and the most interesting parts of the book are "personal side" sections.

Proof That Walt Disney Was The Original Dream Worker!
Walt Disney is well on his way to becoming the most written about creative talent in American film.Read more

Subjects:  1. 1901-1966    2. Animators    3. Biography    4. Biography & Autobiography    5. Biography & Autobiography - Performing Arts    6. Biography/Autobiography    7. Children's 12-Up - Biography / Autobiography    8. Children's Books/Young Adult Biography    9. Disney, Walt,    10. Performing Arts - Film    11. Rich & Famous    12. United States    13. Biography & Autobiography / Entertainment & Performing Arts    14. Disney, Walt   

Editorial Review

Created as a companion piece to Martin Scorsese's PBS documentary Read more

Reviews (27)

A must for a Dylan fan
If you're not a dyed in the wool Dylan fan, move along quickly, as you will feel cheated out of your money. If *A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall* is on your iPod, get this. (It's far cheaper on Amazon than any brick and mortar store, so get it here.) It is filled with little things that make you say *Oooooooo* and *wow*. I looked through it for over an hour before I even read a single page. I even ordered a copy for my EX-husband because he's such a huge fan! Please don't listen to those that say its a waste of money. If you're a fan, its a must.

Wow!
Having been a Bob Dylan fan/enthusiast for over 40 years, this scrapbook was a wonderful surprise!I was expecting a fairly simple book... it is anything but.I love the way it is put together. It's an actual "scrapbook", filled with many items of fun and informative memorabilia... very creatively done.
Must have for Fans of Dylan or the 60s
The book shows a truly unique view of Dylans past and his rise to fame. It is done in a very intimate way and is full of surprizes. The book is very good at making the past come alive with Ticket stubs, autographed album covers, passes to MLK speeches and many other items. Truly a unique book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1941-    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography And Autobiography    6. Biography/Autobiography    7. Composers & Musicians - Rock    8. Dylan, Bob,    9. Entertainment & Performing Arts - General    10. Folk Music    11. General    12. Genres & Styles - Rock    13. Music    14. Singers    15. United States    16. Biography: film, television & music    17. Music / General    18. Rock & pop    19. USA    20. c 1945 to c 1960    21. c 1960 to c 1970   

Reviews (11)

Bought it despite... and liked it!
Well, after a few of the reviews below I fully expected this to be a big disappointment, but, as one of the negative reviewers put it, the book had to be owned. I'm a big fan of Mary Blair's work.
Swell introduction
Although I note some of the other reviews of this book arenot too favorable, for me it's a very cool introduction to an artist of whom I had never heard.
Good reference Book for the Illustrator
such a nice Book of Mary Blair.
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Subjects:  1. 1911-    2. Americana    3. Animators    4. Antiques & Collectibles    5. Art    6. Artists, Architects, Photographers    7. Biography    8. Biography / Autobiography    9. Blair, Mary,    10. History    11. United States    12. Walt Disney Productions    13. Women    14. Animation    15. Art / Individual Artist    16. Blair, Mary    17. Comic book & cartoon art    18. USA   

Reviews (26)

Corporate puff piece
Published by the Disney Corporation, not exactly an objective source for a biography of Walt Disney. You'll learn more about the man just wandering his parks and watching his films than you will from this extended press release, which completely ignores key individuals and events that helped shape Uncle Walt. The photos aren't very interesting either -- pass on this one.

the world of disney
A very good overview of the life of the master that tells all the general reader needs to know of walt's life and work. Highly recommended, despite the occasional faux pas which does not detract from this informative work.

An Incredible Look at an American Legend
This is a must read on Disney's life. Detailed, yet fast paced, it details the classic American story of Disney's rise from nothing to the innovative genius he was. Always looking forward, and always on the edge of financial disaster, Walt and his brother never gave up. Is vision for parks was unique and is still unmatched. Anyone who has enjoyed his films and parks should read this account of Walt's life. As the leadership of Disney Co. changes, I hope all who work for Disney read this book to remind themselves of Disney's vision. It should be the Bible for all who work there. Even if you've never been a Disney fan, you will be after reading this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1901-1966    2. Animators    3. Biography    4. Biography & Autobiography    5. Biography / Autobiography    6. Biography/Autobiography    7. Disney, Walt,    8. Entertainment & Performing Arts - Movie Directors    9. General    10. Historical - U.S.    11. United States    12. Biography & Autobiography / General    13. Biography: film, television & music    14. Films, cinema    15. Sport & leisure industries    16. USA   

Features

• Illustrated

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Entertainment & Performing Arts - Actors & Actresses    5. Entertainment & Performing Arts - General    6. Rich & Famous    7. Biography & Autobiography / Entertainment & Performing Arts    8. Biography & Autobiography/Rich & Famous   

Editorial Review

In a stunning feat of meticulous reportage, Pulitzer Prize winnerRichard BenCramer ultimately puts to rest the "Where have you gone, Joe DiMaggio?"question with iconoclastic bravura. In Cramer's evaluation, the hero Americaheld onto so desperately for so long was really a creation of a nation'scommunal imagination. The Joe DiMaggio that America tried so hard to believe inwas never really here at all.Read more

Reviews (115)

One-half of a good biography
Other reviewers have mentioned in detail the facts covered in this book - DiMaggio's phenomenal beseball career, together with his often seedy and less-than-heroic private life. I would only add that I quite enjoyed the book up through DiMaggio's retirement from the Yankees. Cramer did a masterful job of portraying his subject as a complex individual and often unique talent. Above all, Cramer gives the reader insight into the motivations that drove DiMaggio in both his public and private life.
A great insight into a great player
Never saw him play but my father did and I've heard all the stories so I recently picked up this little gem and was introduced to the story behind the legend. And its a tragic story in many ways. Cramer presents Joe D as a sad man, angry, lonely, aloof and uncomfortable in the spotlight but somehow needing the spotlight as well. Well researched and detailed "The Hero's Life" is a powerful and compelling look at what makes (and breaks) a hero. I certainly came away with a deeper respect for DiMaggio and Yankee's history. It would be great if he'd do a book on Gehrig or the Babe because few books have actually captured their lives the way this book has captured DiMaggios.

A Great Biography about the True Greatest
Richard Ben Cramer can't be said to be a Joe DiMaggio fan which makes this book extremely interesting because DiMaggio comes across as the greatest baseball player who ever lived - despite his many eccentricities.
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Subjects:  1. 1914-1999    2. Baseball    3. Baseball - History    4. Baseball players    5. Biography    6. Biography & Autobiography    7. Biography / Autobiography    8. Di Maggio, Joe    9. DiMaggio, Joe,    10. Sports    11. Sports - Baseball    12. Sports - General    13. United States    14. Biography & Autobiography / Sports    15. Biography: sport   

Reviews (13)

Two Books in One...Touching, Inspiring and Captivating
This is one of the best investments of time and money that I've made all year.How To Be Like Walt is a superb biography of a beloved American hero, but Pat Williams takes the biography one step further by adding a section to each chapter on how we can apply Walt Disney's experiences to our own lives.Although written with the permission of the Disney family, Walt Disney's character is fully examined, faults and all.
Very moving!
This book is one of the best Disney biographics that I have read. I had me laughing, crying and thinking! The concept of the book is excellent and has a great point! Not quite finished with it yet, but I will be sad when it is over for the first time

A book that should be read by all!! :)
If ever there was a book that should be read by all, it's this one. This book saved my life, literally. At the time I read it, I had just come out of a very bad situation and thought everything was over for me. My dreams seemed as far away as ever. Then I was looking through the last few pages of a Disney Magazine(one of the last issues published) and saw this book advertised. Being a Disney fanatic, I collect everything Disney, so of course I had to have this book. From the moment I started reading it, I couldn't stop. I'd read a lot of book about my hero(Uncle Walt) over the years but never one like this. Not only did it tell me the incredible story of his life but it gave me lessons based on what had been discussed in the chapter that I could apply to my life. I especially benefitted from the chapter dealing with living out your dreams and becoming the person you were born to be. The lessons were so personal, it was like having a conversation with Uncle Walt himself in some instances. This book allowed me to rededicate myself to my dreams and realize I had so much potential to do great things. I can honestly say my life has changed for the better and I owe all to Uncle Walt and this great book.So to all who haven't read it, READ IT!!! You won't be sorry. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1901-1966    2. Animators    3. Biography    4. Disney, Walt,    5. Entertainment & Performing Arts - General    6. History    7. Inspirational    8. Motivational & Inspirational    9. Personal Growth - General    10. Personal Growth - Happiness    11. Personal Growth - Success    12. Self-Help    13. United States    14. Walt Disney Productions    15. Self-Help / Personal Growth / General   

Reviews (8)

Must Have for any Bob Dylan Fan
Besides Chronicles and the Bob Dylan Scrapbook, this is by far one of the best books about Bob Dylan I have seen. It has a whole bunch of information that I haven't seen anywhere else and the pictures are amazing. I absolutley love this book and bought it just because of the reviews that I read on Amazon so I thought that I would praise this book as well because it truly is great.

Great book, thoroughly enjoyed
Been a Dylan fan for a long time and this book came pretty close to answering the questions that have popped up over the years, you know questions you just can help asking...like what was Sara like and what happened to the marriage. None of my business but I can't help wondering. I thought the pictures were excellent and think if you're a Dylan fan, you'll like it too!

Dylan:Visions, Portraits, & Back Pages
This is a superb book.For those, like me, eager for more information on the ever-enigmatic Dylan, this is the book to read.It is a montage of recollections from musicians/photographers/friends, etc. over the years, which is about as close as one is likely to get to a true picture of Dylan's life to date.It is a bit confusing because the essays often cover similar periods of time, but from different eyes, but this also increases the veritas. The chronology also becomes a bit jumbled, but that is inevitable in this sort of format.I highly recommend the book if you are a Dylan fan. To my knowledge, there is nothing else like it "out there." ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1941-    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography And Autobiography    6. Biography/Autobiography    7. Composers & Musicians - General    8. Composers & Musicians - Rock    9. Dylan, Bob,    10. Folk Music    11. Rock musicians    12. United States    13. Biography & Autobiography / Composers & Musicians   

Editorial Review

David Hajdu (pronounced HAY-doo), the prizewinning author of the magisterial jazz biography Read more

Reviews (56)

The 60's As I Would LIke It Remembered
Although this is not a new book, I just recently got around to reading it - not coincidentally, after getting a copy of Bob Dylan's "Lyrics" and going nearly nuts tring to find a Dave Van Ronk songbook - there isn't one!As I read through it (almost hypnotically over a three day period) I realized that it was filling in many gaps in information I had (or thought I had) about the four key people David Hajda focuses on in this amazingly estute, descriptive, personal and revealing bio-social-history.Joan Baez, her sister Mimi Farina, Mimi's husband, Richard (Remember: "Been Down So Long It's Beginning To Look Like Up To Me?") and Bob Dylan (nee Zimmerman)were more than 'folk singers.' Dylan's protestations to the contrary, they cut a path through and into the fibre of the American consciousness in the early 1960's. Though Richard died you and Mimi followed just a few years ago, I think they would all agree that this is one heck of a good read!
Excellent piece of counter-culture history ...
After being caught a bit offguard at the slow beginning (the Baez family background), I couldn't put it down until the end. If you're a fan of any of these folks (or, like me, all of them), you'll enjoy this fine book. Don't expect to agree with all the conclusions because the author is opinionated and does take a stand on some issues. But you'll learn a lot and most likely you'll find yourself going back and listening to some of the great music these artists created. It was a wonderful time and this is a refreshing look at it."
Reads like a novel!
You don't have to be a rabid fan of folk music to enjoy David Hajdu's remarkable narrative of Dylan, Richard Farina, and the Baez sisters set against the rich tapestry of the American folk revival of the early Sixties. In Positively 4th Street, Hajdu offers a fascinating account of the individuals and the music of those times based on his prodigious research. The author avoids the usual hagiography when it comes to Dylan and Joan Baez and what results is a less flattering and more realistic portrait. You get the sense that you are reading about real people as opposed to archetypes and icons. As you read Hajdu's book, you'll find yourself appreciating and sympathizing with Mimi Baez while the more talented Dylan, Joan Baez, and Richard Farina all seem to demonstrate varying amounts of ambition, egotism, selfishness, and calculation. Positively 4th Street is definitely worth your time. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Baez, Joan &