Fall River Dreams: A Team's Quest for Glory, A Town's Search for Its Soul

Book Description

In this deeply felt, unforgettable book, Bill Reynolds journeys with a high school basketball team through the past and present of an American town. Fall River, Massachusetts, is a once-prosperous industrial center haunted by its history, the Durfee High School basketball team begins its annual drive for a state championship: a quest that inspires and sometimes consumes kids, coaches, families, teachers, and all of Fall River.Fall River Dreams is the story of one season's quest-a classic book about sports, youth, time, hope, and memory in American today.

Customer Reviews:

More than a basketball book.......2007-01-02

As a Fall Riverite, I am ashamed to have taken so long to read this book. This book is so accurate that it is scary. While the actual writing does lack some luster, it is certainly accurate weaving the city's history with key people, with the history of Durfee High School, and the politics that are still as evident in 2007 as they were in 1993. Chris Herren's basketball career at Durfee is chronicled with foresight as to what eventually did happen, evident to me that the author really did get to know the characters he wrote about because we all know what eventually happened to Chris, the dream that never really came to fruition, almost as if Fall River is cursed and has cursed its residents. Jeff Caron, the kid who was overlooked, according to the author in the book, is currently the coach of Durfee and its AD, taking the place of the everfamous Skippy Karam. Again, after reading the book, Caron's role in Fall River now seems exactly scripted the way Reynolds depicted Fall Riverites, destined to never leave, yearning always for the past. It's a good sports book, it's a good history book, it's a good story. There are some editing issues--spelling errors and misnamed places, but it's mostly annoying if you know that Columbus Park is not "Columbia Park," etc. If you are from the area, you must read! But even if you are not, if you know anything about Chris Herren, you will forever feel for him and his plight. I wish Chris would actually do an autobiography, it could be a lesson for all kids that nothing is a given.

Probably Doomed to not meet my expectations.......2005-03-31

I'm clearly not alone in having read "Fall River Dreams" after reading "Friday Night Lights." Several other reviewers have mentioned as much in their own reviews. Clearly, I had some expectations that it would be a basketball version of FNL, which it was, but it just didn't have the bite that FNL was able to dish out. Not that this was a bad book at all, but I think I was doomed from the start to always have that hanging over my head.

From a book standpoint, it was an enjoyable read, with a good amount of real life ups and downs mixed into it. I hate reading fairy tale non-fiction books, and fortunately this doesn't turn into one. Having read this over a decade after its first printing, I wish there was a new version with author commentary as there was with FNL. My interest in the players, especially Chris Herren, took me to the internet where I found quite a large amount of depressing post Fall River information. In some ways, it made the book more vivid. Reynolds might do well by refocusing on a few players with a re-release.

Overall a 3/5, mainly the 3 coming from a lot of repetitive commentary throughout. This book could have used a better editor.

fall river dreams.......2004-07-27

i thought this was a pretty good book. as a sports fan, i did get bored at times with all the descriptions of the city and it seemed repetitive after awhile. but overall, i did find myself not wanting to put the book down in order to find out what the outcome was going to be for durfee and chris herron.

Great characters, great book.......2004-07-12

This was one of the best sports books I've read in a while. I really enjoyed Friday Night Lights, and think that this book is it's equal. Thought I am slightly biased, growing up in the Fall River area, and personally watching several Durfee games. But no one can deny the honest and genuine nature of the emotionally charged characters in this story. The relationship between Skippy Karam and Chris Herren is one of a kind. Skip being the living legend trying to go out on top one last time, and Chris trying to live up to all the expectations put on him by the media, colleges, and his family, even though he cleary isn't ready to grow up. The interaction between these two is usually confrontational, but often hilarious as Chris continues to push Skippy to his limit.
Another great character that seems to almost get lost in the mix is Jeff Caron. Jeff is the second best player on the team, but would be a stand out at any other high school in the area. He seems a little jealous at times, but always remains a team player. He is a sort of an outsider among his teammates and the book does a fine job of telling his story.

grew up in fall river.......2004-05-27

This book was well written and told a good story. But i grew up in fall river and know the herrens personally - in other words there is alot more to the herren brothers and fall river than what was mentioned in the book (if you can believe it) but whatever. last I heard Christopher was married with children and doing well. big deal he screwed up. i have. chances are you have. he was a teenager. The one thing i dont get is that 75% of fall river never even heard of chris herren. The author makes a big deal about how important basketball is to the city but its a bunch of crap. good story though if youve never been to fall river. dont get me wrong the majority of the story is true but the man is trying to sell books. you know what ?christopher no longer lives in fall river and thats a dream for most fallrivians itself. basketball got him out of there - thats almost as good as a 25 milliuon dollar NBA contract. good for you chris

Fall River Dreams: A Team's Quest for Glory-A Town's Search for Its Soul

Average customer rating:

Fall River Dreams: A Team's Quest for Glory-A Town's Search for Its Soul
Bill Reynolds
Manufacturer: St. Martin's Griffin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OT1XYO

Book Description

Mention the comic strip "Zits" to teenagers and parents and they'll eagerly list their favorite strips that have made it to refrigerator doors, bulletin boards, or office walls. It's a phenomenon that takes place daily all over the world as teens and their parents thrust the latest exploits of Jeremy and his parents in front of each other and say, "This is so you!" "Zits" is one of the fastest growing comic strips in history, entertaining readers in more than 1,000 newspapers. It has a long list of accolades and awards, including the National Cartoonists Society's Best Comic Strip of the Year two years in a row, and the Max and Moritz Award for Best International Comic Strip. "Zits" also has eight popular book compilations and three successful day-to-day calendars in its solid history of widespread appeal and exceptional sales. The next installment in the "Zits" franchise, the Zits 2004 Day-To-Day Calendar, contains the story of Jeremy and Hector's first ride in the van (no license, no wheels, and no idea how to drive a standard), another of Jeremy's botched Valentine's Days (his brilliant idea: an engraved blackhead remover), and many other hysterical adventures sure to keep filling up refrigerator door space.

Book Description

With a new Introduction by Martin Scorsese.

If Stanley Kubrick had made only 2001: A Space Odyssey or Dr. Strangelove, his cinematic legacy would have been assured. But from his first feature film, Fear and Desire, to the posthumously released Eyes Wide Shut, Kubrick created an accomplished body of work unique in its scope, diversity, and artistry, and by turns both lauded and controversial.
In this newly revised and definitive edition of his now classic study, film critic Michel Ciment provides an insightful examination of Kubrick's thirteen films--including such favorites as Lolita, A Clockwork Orange, and Full Metal Jacket--alongside an assemblage of more than four hundred photographs that form a complementary photo essay. Rounding out this unique work are a short biography of Kubrick; interviews with the director, as well as cast and crew members, including Malcolm McDowell, Shelley Duvall, and Jack Nicholson; and a detailed filmography and bibliography.
Meshed with masterful integrity, the book's text and illustrations pay homage to one of the most visionary, original, and demanding filmmakers of our time.

Customer Reviews:

An excellent overview of entire Kubrick's career.......2004-01-11

With Stanley Kubrick dead and his final film released, Michael Ciment had the opportunity to update his biography/analysis of the great director's career. Rather than rewrite the entire book, he's decided to update it with new interviews and an additional chapter or two on Eyes Wide Shut. (The previous edition was updated to include Full Metal Jacket.) He's also added a lot more photographs --- stills from the films and images of Kubrick at work. The photos of Kubrick working on EWS are particularly interesting.

Early in the book, after a short biographical chapter, Ciment goes through a list of common motifs in Kubrick's films. These include the use of masks, actors in dual roles, character playing games such as chess and cards within the film, circular set design, and a close shot of a main character's eye. Because this section was not updated to include Full Metal Jacket or Eyes Wide Shut, you can decide for yourself if these motifs were carried on in the those two films. (In my opinion, many of the motifs are not found in his last two films.)

This is followed by an essay on 'Kubrick and the Fantastic,' a dull and pretentious piece that doesn't add much. It leads to the best part of the book, the second half, in which Kubrick and his collaborators are interviewed. Kubrick responds to questions with answers that are full of information, but he's evasive when he describes his own films. Later on, the author explains why: Kubrick felt his movies should be self-explanatory (after multiple viewings) and didn't like the "What's this movie about?" question.

The interviews with actors, set designers, co-writers, and costume designers are very good. Everyone has the same reaction: Kubrick exasperated them as he demanded their best work . . . but they wouldn't trade that experience for anything in the world. It's a testament to Kubrick that he choose people who were not petty. (The only sour note is Frederick Raphael, the co-screenwriter for Eyes Wide Shut. He seems smart, but not in Kubrick's league.)

If you're a casual Kubrick fan, this book is a worthwhile introduction. The photos are very good and, as an overview, it's excellent. It is, however, pretentious at times in the analysis of the films. For the hardcore Kubrick fan who has read (or is planning to read) everything on the director, this book ranks third or fourth. Read Baxter's and Herr's books first.

We were waiting.......2003-08-19

This book has been held in high regard ever since it first appeared. Earlier editions were becoming collectible and were always disappearing from libraries.

I guess it was safe for a reappearance following the passing of Stanley Kubrick and the completion of his body of work. The book has been reworked beautifully, including all of the amazing color photos, essays, and interviews from before plus some new additions, namely chapters on Full Metal Jacket and Eyes Wide Shut chapters. There are additional interviews with various collaborators.

In short, in the wake of Kubrick books that sprouted up following the director's death in 1999, Ciment's Kubrick ranks right at the top. It's a gorgeous volume, and the interviews (done by Ciment following Clockwork Orange, Barry Lyndon, and The Shining) are some of the most enlightening words from the director.

Highly recommended for the Kubrick fan and the film buff. Also recommended is Thomas Allen Nelson's Kubrick: Inside a Film Artist's Maze.

DEFINITIVE, INDEED!.......2001-12-01

I am glad Mr. Ciment waited until Kubrick's oeuvre was completed before updating what is, indeed, the very last word on this very unique artist's films. Everything is here from the first edition which was out-of-print for quite awhile plus the films that were made after. With Stanley Kubrick's death we now have the very best study of the themes, techniques and recurring visions of a very singular artist. Anyone who wants to understand the evolution of Stanley Kubrick can disregard all the other flawed books out there and put this one on the shelf as a keeper. With detailed analysis and tons of pictures, any serious fan of his films will appreciate this as only the subtitle says it is - the definitive edition.

Most precious visual book about Kubrick........2001-01-02

I have this book. 5,6 years ago, I bought this at second hand book store. So book I have is second handed one, and Japanese special edition. As other reviewers say, it's very very great pity that this book is out of print now. I think some publisher had better make new edition title, added to a visualy wondeful film-Eyes Wide Shut!! If you have found it at bookstore and you are a Kubrician, you must take it, buy it, bring it your home, and enjoy these so many precious fotos or very important his interviews in this book. I have various books about Kubrick, but this Michel Ciment's Kubrick is the best book in published ones ever I think. Do your best for finding one!! All your efforts for this book would not be wasted, EVER!

Glad to see this back and in such fine form........2000-04-21

It's a pleasure to see this book back in print. Although Ciment's analysis is a little heavy on the semiotic side, he does an interesting job of illuminating the various thematic threads in Kubrick's work. Profusely illustrated, the book juxtaposes various stills to show the recurrance of visual motifs in each and every one of Kubrick's films (though he manages to miss my absolute favorite -- the imaculate bathroom). There are roughly two essays in the book, one dealing with Kubrick the modernist and the other on Kubrick's use of the fantastic. However, the real gems of this tome are the various interviews, three conducted with the man himself (four if you count a Q&A conducted by mail) following the releases of Clockwork Orange, Barry Lyndon and The Shining. Somehow the author got Stan to open up in a way, that I've never seen him do in any other interview (the exception being the one for Playboy in '68). This edition also contains some fine interviews, some recently added, with Ken Adam, Jack Nicholson, Malcolm McDowell, Diane Johnson and Marisa Berenson. There is an added chapter on Eyes Wide Shut (which in part explains why it took him so long to do the film) and a memorial essay which gives a fine and tender goodbye to a great director and good friend.

Book Description

This digital document is an article from The Antioch Review, published by Antioch Review, Inc. on March 22, 1997. The length of the article is 1700 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Monopoly Television: MTV's Quest to Control the Music.(Brief Article)
Author: Katherine Gantz
Publication: The Antioch Review (Refereed)
Date: March 22, 1997
Publisher: Antioch Review, Inc.
Volume: v55 Issue: n2 Page: p238(2)

Article Type: Book Review, Brief Article

Distributed by Thomson Gale

Monopoly Television: Mtv's Quest to Control the Music (Critical Studies in Communication and in the Cultural Industries)

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Inspiring

Monopoly Television: Mtv's Quest to Control the Music (Critical Studies in Communication and in the Cultural Industries)
Jack Banks
Manufacturer: Westview Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

General | Music | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

General | Television | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

History & Criticism | Television | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

General | Foreign Languages | Reference | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Performing Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Media Studies | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0813318203

Customer Reviews:

Inspiring.......2001-06-22

The research behind this look at MTV is solid and groundbreaking...it's a shame the book went out of print..it is timeless.

Average customer rating:

Cleaver and fun

The best I have found....

Hours of fun

New York Magazine Crosswords, Volume 7 (NY Magazine)
Maura Jacobson
Manufacturer: Random House Puzzles & Games
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Spiral-bound

General | Crosswords | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
General | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
Look Inside Entertainment Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Crosswords | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
General | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
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New York Magazine Crosswords, Volume 6 (NY Magazine)

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Chicago Tribune Sunday Crossword Puzzles, Volume 5 (Chicago Tribune)

The New York Times Easy Crossword Puzzles Volume 8: 50 Monday Puzzles from the Pages of The New York Times (New York Times Easy Crossword Puzzles)

ASIN: 0812936841
Release Date: 2006-03-14

Book Description

"Maura Jacobson and her puzzles are a national treasure."
—Will Shortz, crossword editor of the New York Times

Introducing the next volume of New York Magazine Crosswords, featuring 50 lighthearted Sunday-size puzzles from Maura Jacobson.

Difficulty: Easy to Meduim
Style: Middle-of-the-Road

Customer Reviews:

Cleaver and fun.......2007-03-18

I prefer the really hard stumpers like the NY Times Sunday crosswords, so these aren't as challenging. Yet they show imagination and are still fun. Occasionally I have to look up something to get an answer. They're not easy crosswords.

The best I have found...........2006-12-29

I do Maura Jacobson's crossword puzzle every week in New York magazine. Some of them are really clever, and most of them make me smile. I have all of her books, and am now waiting for the next one......... I have read that she is very well respected in the crossword puzzle society and lots of her clues elicit a groan of laughter when they are figured out. They are not difficult or ridiculous, like a lot of crossword puzzles are.

Hours of fun.......2006-08-25

This book has a great variety of puzzles that are at various levels. I would say they range from about a 3-6 on a scale of 10 in terms of difficultness.

Book Description

For 19 days and nights in April 2003, 9 celebrities swapped their lavish lifestyles for an eye-opening experience in one of the world's most inhospitable climates. With basic rations of rice and water, a hammock for a bed in a jungle clearing, and neighbors of venomous snakes and deadly spiders, the celebrities had to fend for themselves. Witty, gossipy and compulsive, this book will take viewers behind the scenes on the most talked-about show of the year, and reveal who really thought what about whom, why, how and when.

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I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here!
Jane Cornwell
Manufacturer: Andre Deutsch
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OPFMVS

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