Book Description
Here is a magnificent presentation of the Mexican artisans and their creations displayed in 484 beautiful color photographs. The chapters present the master designers and silversmiths whose reputations have grown to international fame with an intimate look at one of the principal designers, Hctor Aguilar, and the personnel at this workshop. Valentin Vidaurreta, Los Castillo, William Spratling, Antonio Pineda, Hubert Harmon, Enrique Ledesma, and many more craftsmen are represented by their exquisite designs.
Customer Reviews:
A good biographical book on Hector Aguilar and his influence.......1999-09-04
This book is well done. But, it is not a Morrill and Berk book on an overview of Mexican Silver and Taxco. It is more narrow in scope that its title would suggest concentrating in depth on Hector Aguilar and making him much more a personna than Morill and Berk do in their book, where he is dwarfed by Spratling. The photos in this book are of homes and people. The photos there are of silver of the Taller are good but do not again expect the detail to the Morrill and Berk book. This is a supplement and to lovers of Aguilar and those who wish to know more about the man and his life both personal and professional.
Book Description
The Ultimate Guide to Shopping and Caring for Clothing will change your shopping habits forever. It de-mystifies the art of shopping, caring for, and cleaning clothing, while revealing information not always shared by clothing retailers, manufacturers, or dry cleaners. Our clothing is an extension of our personality. We spend endless hours driving, shopping, and deciding on the right clothing, and then altering, washing, and drycleaning our wardrobe. No one wants to replace clothing; shopping is somewhere between a passion and a chore—and both require time and money. Learn shopping secrets through in-depth interviews with personal shoppers from Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, & Bergdorf Goodman. This book teaches you how shop to like an expert; how to care for your clothing; what to do in the face of a "stain emergency," and how to select a dry cleaner that can offer you a perfect fit. This book will save you time, money, and frustration!
Customer Reviews:
Wow!.......2002-11-12
This book has really changed the way I think about clothing. I typically waste a lot of time and money shopping for clothing, but The Ultimate Guide to Shopping and Caring for Clothing has really helped me find ways to preserve the clothes I have and has taught me a few tricks about making wise purchases.
Wonderful book!.......2002-11-12
I recommend The Ultimate Guide to Shopping and Caring for Clothing to anyone who wears clothes. The first-aid tips for stain removal have come in handy and I have finally learned how choose the right tie for my husband.
Great Bridal Gown Advice.......2002-11-12
I purchased The Ultimate Guide to Shopping and Caring for Clothing mainly because it includes a section dedicated to bridal gowns. I have to say that before reading this section, the long-term care of my bridal gown was the furthest thing from my mind. I'm really glad that I picked up this book because it helped me choose the right gown that I will be able to enjoy for years to come. When the big day comes, I will heed to Steve Boorstein's advise on the cleaning and preservation of my newly-purchased heirloom.
Finally, a book from a clothing expert that everyone can use.......2002-11-12
This book is an absolute must for everyone. In today's economy we have to make smart purchases. Steve Boorstein covers how to care for your wardrobe and how to make it last. What a great book. I especially love the section on first aid for stain emergencies, with little ones running around it is almost impossible not to get something on my favorite blouse!
Indispensable to layman and professional alike!.......2002-10-25
This book covers it all - plain and simple. If you want to have a good grasp of the realities of wardrobe development and maintenance, there is not a single salient topic that is not given its due.
From the planning, to the purchase, to the wearing and finally the cleaning and/or storing of your wardrobe - you are given a healthy dose of do's and don'ts that wil save you time, money and heartache.
The book is laid out so that it can be just as easily read in bits and pieces, or cover to cover.
I especially liked the section which explained the concept and benefits of a personal shopper. I had always thought that this service was only available to the VIP who spent mega-bucks. Not so.
Required reading for anyone who has a substantial investment in their wardrobe ... or who wants to protect their more modest investment.
Average customer rating:
- "relatively" good
- Excellent
- A Must Read!
- funny as hell
- Very Compelling
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Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot
John Callahan
Manufacturer: Vintage
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Similar Items:
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The Best of Callahan
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MOVING VIOLATIONS: WAR ZONES, WHEELCHAIRS, AND DECLARATIONS OF INDEPENDENCE
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Get Down!! Dog Cartoons
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Levels of Insanity: Cartoons by Callahan
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Will the Real John Callahan Please Stand Up?: A Quasi Memoir
ASIN: 0679728244
Release Date: 1990-04-14 |
Book Description
Is it possible to find humor -- corrosive, taboo-shattering, laugh-till-you-cry humor -- in the story of a 38-year-old- cartoonist who's both a quadriplegic and a recovering alcoholic? The answer is yes, if the cartoonist is John Callahan -- whose infamous work has graced the pages of Omni, Penthouse, and The New Yorker -- and if he's telling it in his own words and pictures. But Callahan's uncensored account of his troubled -- and sometimes impossible -- life is also genuinely inspiring. Without self-pity or self-righteousness, this liberating book tells us how a quadriplegic with a healthy libido has sex, what it's like to live in the exitless maze of the welfare system, where a cartoonist finds his comedy, and how a man with no reason to believe in anything discovers his own brand of faith.
Customer Reviews:
"relatively" good.......2007-08-21
Full disclosure: My brother is married to John's sister. I recommend this book to all of my friends who have never heard of John. How can anyone say anything against a book that is both pornographic and inspirational at the same time?
Excellent.......2006-08-14
Callahan is where it's at. Wonderful story of strength, grit, perserversance, and recovery. Of course the belly laughs along the way were fun also. Some of those cartoons ! Geez, Calahan, thanks. P.S. Write another story about you. Sharon L.
A Must Read!.......2004-10-30
John Callahan is my favorite crippled cartoonist! He's honest and hilarious! I've been a fan for years and have most of his cartoon books. I'm glad I added this to my collection!
funny as hell.......2003-08-14
it's brutally honest, funny as hell. i never thought his cartoons were very funny, but this book is one of the funniest i've ever read. it's definitely got sections that some prissy types might find "offensive" etc, but if you can handle, say, R-rated cable TV, you should be ok.
Very Compelling.......2000-12-04
I didn't pick this up strictly to read the autobiography of a quadriplegic, or to read a journal of a man's struggle with alcoholism. Rather, I was interested in the the life story of a man who has produced some of the most raw, funny, and disturbing cartoons I've ever seen. I ended up with all three.
The stories are very compelling; beginning with the car accident that left Callahan crippled and moving back (to his upbringing in an adoptive Irish Catholic family in Oregon) and forth (to his search for his biological mother), with keen insights along the way (such as the irony of how our welfare system discourages the handicapped from trying to become productive members of society -- with specific examples) and ending with a day-in-the-life snapshot. All throughout, we are treated to Callahan's illustrations and cartoons.
The narrative is every bit as raw as his cartoons. He doesn't sugar coat his alcoholism; nor does he shirk from talking about his relationship with The Big G as he tried to kick the bottle (uh... figuratively speaking, of course). He describes unflinchingly the bad things he'd done as well as the good; there is no sense of self-pity or holier-than-thou coming through. This is one of the few books I've picked up lately that demanded my full attention.
John Callahan emerges from this book as a very interesting man; a flawed hero worthy of our attention. I highly recommend it, and I'll be reading his follow up (Will the Real John Callahan Please Stand Up?) next.
Average customer rating:
- Fun for Wrestling Fans and Anyone with a Sense of Humor
- Funniest Book Ever on Pro Wrestling
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Body Slams!: In-Your-Face Insults from the World of Pro Wrestling
Glenn Liebman
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill
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Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 0658017624 |
Book Description
The best verbal takedowns from the world of pro wrestling!
Professional wrestling, or sports entertainment, has exploded out of the ring and onto bookshelves and television. Every week, millions tune in to watch WCW's "Nitro" and WWF's "Raw Is War," while thousands more turn out for live events put on by the big "federations" as well as independent circuits. These fans know why pro wrestling is popular; it's not so much the moves and the grappling, but the humorous insults and the colorful taunting from the larger-than-life characters of the squared circle.
Body Slams! is a collection of more than 1,000 slams, insults, and jeers from some of pro wrestling's most flamboyant, brutal, witty, and powerful stars from the past and the present. With entries from old-school wrestlers such as Gorilla Monsoon and Freddie Blassie to today's biggest stars such as Diamond Dallas Page and Stone Cold Steve Austin, no pro wrestling fan will want to be without a copy of Body Slams!
Customer Reviews:
Fun for Wrestling Fans and Anyone with a Sense of Humor.......2002-02-08
Well, I'm not Glenn Liebman nor do I know him. But this has got to be the funniest book I've read in a long time.
For the wrestling fan, it will bring back many memorable moments. For the non-fan, it's still a great read. You can't help but admire the creativity of the people who came up with these one-liners, whether it was the wrestlers themselves or their writers.
I'm sure I'll find it handy the next time I'm in an argument!
Funniest Book Ever on Pro Wrestling.......2001-12-27
If I could give this book, ten stars, I would. Of course, I'm biased because I'm the author. I loved compiling the quotes for this book. I always knew pro wrestlers were funny, I just had no idea how funny! Let me give you a few:
Jerry Lawler on Rikishi--"His belly button doesn't have lint--it has sweaters."
Jerry Lawler on Mankind--"He's not too smart, but he leads the league in nose hairs."
Vince McMahon on Boxing--"The trouble with boxing is that it lacks credibility."
For 998 more funny one liners about pro wrestling, I urge you to buy this book. For more info about my books, contact me at glennliebman.com. Thank you and enjoy the book.
Book Description
The fascinating memoir of a Hollywood life and an inside look at a life-changing role and the groundbreaking film trilogy that captured the imagination of movie fans everywhere
The Lord of the Rings is one of the most successful film franchises in cinematic history. Breaking box office records worldwide, capturing numerous Academy Awards, the trilogy is a breathtaking cinematic achievement and beloved by fans everywhere.
For Sean Astin, the call from his agent about the role of Samwise Gamgee couldn’t have come at a better time. His career was at a low point and choice roles were hard to come by. But his 18-month experience in New Zealand with director Peter Jackson and the cast and crew of The Lord of the Rings films would be more than simply a dream-come-true—it would prove to be the challenge of a lifetime.
Though much has been written about the making of the films, the real story of what took place on the set, the harrowing ordeals of the actors and the unspoken controversy and backstage dealings have never been told. More than a companion guide to the Rings films, There and Back Again is filled with stories from the set and of the actors involved that have never before been revealed—an eye-opening look at the blood, sweat, and tears that went into the making of one of the most ambitious films of all time.
Customer Reviews:
There and Back Again and Again and Again.......2007-05-25
As a serious Lord of the Rings fan (both of the books and the films), I eagerly picked up this book by Sean Astin to gain some insight into the filming of the magnificent trilogy. Unfortunately, the actual stories of the movies are few and far between, while we get an overabundance of Sean's observations in a repetitive manner. And while there are some redeeming things about this book, I have to admit that at times I nearly put it down because frankly, I felt like I'd been there, and back, before.
Sean Astin is indeed a gifted actor, and at times his fun personality shines through the writing. It is great fun reading about the little conversations between the actors, and how the filming progressed and changed over time. Sean gives a good view of Peter Jackson's vision, and he is nothing but fair in describing his relationships with his fellow actors. Unfortunately, at times he is over-reaching in his need to show how he really, really, really does have respect for his friends; he says something negative and then spends the next five paragraphs explaining why it's not necessarily true. Sean also spends a good deal of time overanalyzing himself, though this is probably a by-product of his upbringing. A good editor might have helped Sean stay on subject over the course of a few pages and would have added cohesiveness to the story.
True fans of the Lord of the Rings will enjoy this book, and I did. The photos and tales of the filming are indeed a joy, and you do feel as though you are there amid the cast and crew. But the casual reader hoping to increase his/her knowledge of this fantastic cinematic journey will come away disappointed, and even fans may have a hard time pushing through Sean's neuroses. Overall, I enjoyed it, but I didn't love it.
Abit Bombastic but altogether entertaining and informative........2007-05-13
After thoroughtly enjoying The Lord of the Rings Trilogy and while taking a second look...(a read of all the good Tolkein books) a secind play of the extended versions, including all the commentaires what a nice find this is, something coming from one if the cast members...a very human telling; something like sitting down at the local Shire Hobbit Pub there and having abit of a good go over chat with the son of the Old Gaffer himself ...SO, all you critics take the weight off, put up a good mug and perhaps even a pipe if one be so inclined and enjoy. And if one o'there them Hobbits ever wats ta have a good chat well then go on and give a a knock on the internet door.
Sean Astin Audiobook Critic:.......2007-04-29
I don't have to much time so i'll make this short.
Not just is Sean Astin a great actor ( yes, he is i think. ) but he is a great entertainer and most of all narrator!
If you have listened to the Cast Audio Comment on the LotR Parts you'll probably already have realized this. I think i can say it's a real pleasure to listen to him remembering so many details so many anecdotes from the film making process. ( Of course the other actors are great story tellers too ;) )
This Audiobook isn't just entertaining but also aducating in terms of the process of filmmaking, film history etc.
You realise that Mr. Astin is a guy who really knows film, quoting on many films, giving examples of the industry behind the magic and just simply giving people who are not in the film industy a look insight.
He does that in a way that offers unequaled. The honesty, the love for detail, the commitment makes you enthusiastic. It is this very enthusiasm, this power from the actors which was one of the most important reasons why lotr became such e great epic masterpiece i think. And not at least why pete ( jackson ) picked him for the role of sam.
It is this very "new zealandish" "can do" approach to films as some may call it. It is true, honest and commited film making and just the love for film itself.
By having written this book Mr. Sean Astin didn't just report about an actor's life but much more created a really entertaining wonderfull documentary about the process of making lotr and gives you a great look insight filmmaking in general.
Furthermore i am very pleased to see THAT the lotr continues in form of various media; book, audiobook, internet sites etc.
I don't think - as some people do - it is sheer money making - but much more keeping such a masterpiece as lotr alive - be it books by the actors, be it documentarys, be it extra dvd's etc.
Lord of the Rings shell live on and on - in the hearts and minds of the people.
I want to comment on the critics on Mr. Astin:
Apparently there are some people who think of him as an 'arrogant, selfish, other poeple interupting' person. As they source they name the LotR Audio commentary. ( Which is insufficient to rate a person )
I don't hink he is arrogant at all - he's much more enthusiastic and really infects other people with his passion.
If he interrupts other people on the Audio Commentary than it is ridicolous to imply he's a arrogant person. He's much more the enthusiastic little boy who loves films if you want so.
And that's a good thing.
More inside LOTR movie information then you will get anywhere else.......2006-12-08
I picked this out of a bargain bin while stuck in a weather layover a couple of months back and found it to be a pleasantly pleasing little book. I am a Lord of the Rings nerd, not at the speaking Elvish level, but a nerd none the less who was smiling throughout this book.
Sean tells of his own journey from a young Hollywood actor, with famous parents, through the LOTR movies and all that came after their success. He does tend to drone on, in an honest self-serving kind of way at times, but is completely honest and open about his foot-in-mouth transgressions and occasionally self-engrossed shortcomings.
The only thing you can fault him for after reading this book is being a bit too Hollywood. I guess when you see him on the screen in movies such as Rudy, Goonies, and as Sam, you unrealistically expect a good natured underdog always willing to sacrifice himself for others while never hesitating to do good. The other reviewers who gave this book negative reviews based on his personality seemed to not realize that Sean is human, does work in a tremendously (at times) contemptuous business, where your value is based solely on your popularity. So those reviews are both unfair and naïve.
I would suggest this book for any LOTR fans who would live to hear the stories of what it was like backstage, during tapings, rewrites, filming (pre and post)... of the movies. It is also an honest little autobiography into Sean Astin.
I should have known...........2006-09-10
I should have suspected, hearing the commentary on the exteneded versions of the LotR trilogy dvds and how Sean Astin is forever interrupting everyone else, talking louder in order to drown out the others, and pontificating on and on and on, often losing his original point (if he even had one in the first place), like a pompous, self-important, meandering windbag. That's just how he comes off in this book, only far more whining, negative, and just downright petty and insecure to the point that he has to put everyone else down to feel better about himself. Everyone else involved with the LotR project was so excited and grateful to be there, while at the same time not denying that it was probably the most daunting, difficult and exhausting task they'd ever undertaken. All Sean Astin focuses on in this book is the constant downsides. It's so wearing, and forced me to look at Sean Astin in a far different, and much less fond light.
I wish I hadn't read this book. I wish that someone else involved in the movies had written the same type of book, and talked about the same things, someone with a healthier and more generous outlook on movie making, and himself, and life in general. Because Sean Astin is a very very unhappy person, and I think Lord of the Rings was very inconsequential to that. Sean, get some therapy, get some Prozac, stop living in denial, learn to appreciate what you have, because the lifelong victimized, underappreciated diva personality you display in this book is just not working for anyone.
No actor could be farther in genuine character from the heroic, self-sacrificing and sweet Samwise Gamgee.
I won't even mention that this re-print of the book still has typos.
Average customer rating:
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The Day the Music Died (Plexus): A Rock 'n Roll Tribute
Various
Manufacturer: Plexus Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 0859650588 |
Customer Reviews:
"Much To Chew On".......2003-08-27
I don't know how long I have had this book now, but I would say it has been AT LEAST a month ... I purchased very shortly after it became available. (The release date was like June of this year, but they may have come out with it a little early.)
First you should know I am a LIFE-Master at chess, for many years now I have made my living by teaching chess on the Internet, building chess web pages, and writing about the game. (You will find a deeply annotated game in this line on my web site.)
The next thing I should tell you is that if you are a beginner or have played chess less than 1-2 years, DON'T buy this book!
But let's say you are not a beginner, and you feel experienced enough to tackle a book of this kind. There are still a lot of things you should know.
First off, the King's Indian Defense is an EXTEMELY complicated and difficult opening. I played my first chess tournaments in the 1960's but did not begin playing frequently until the very early `70's. I purchased the giant book on the K.I.D. (the hard-back one by Barden, Hartston, & Keene); and I began to study. I memorized literally hundreds of the lines in the book. But when I played this difficult opening in tournaments, I usually lost, and often lost badly. (Eventually I abandoned the opening entirely - or at least gave it up for over 20 years.) And I have heard of similar experiences by other players who went on to become experts or even masters at chess. AFTER I broke Master, I bought a few books on this opening and began studying again. And although I did better than before, my experiences with this opening were less than perfect. (I relate this just so you will understand what a difficult opening the "King's Indian Defense" really is.)
This is not to say that the King's Indian is unplayable ... far from it!! Geller, Boleslavsky, Bronstein - and many other Soviet players of that generation mapped this dynamic opening out. ("Before E. Geller, we did not understand the King's Indian." - Mikhail Botvinnik.) And of course Bobby Fischer used the K.I.D. so much ... it was really his "meat and potatoes." And Garry Kasparov has also used the King's Indian quite a bit ... and won many beautiful and brilliant games with it. (Many modern GM's use this opening today.)
The next thing you will want to know is that this is a high-quality book, by a publisher (Batsford), which has a lot of experience publishing chess books. Nice and sturdy flex-cover, a good job of translation, good editing, a good font, excellent diagrams, pages with little bleed-through, a very solid job of organizing, etc.
The author, Svetozar Gligoric - who is getting older and is probably past 70 now - was once one of the best players in the World. (FIDE rated him as being in the top ten in the world in the late 50's and early 60's. `ChessMetrics' says he was in the `TOP 50' in the world from the late 1940's ... all the way until 1980!!! His peak seems to have been in '58 or '59 when he was ranked as # 6 in the world with a rating of 2682. ChessBase's player database says his best ELO was in January of 1976, {he was 52}; with an official rating of 2575.)
But don't let my discussion of this man's age throw you off. While his best playing days might be behind him, this guy has probably forgotten more about chess than most of us will ever know. He has faced such titans of chess as Botvinnik, Fischer AND Kasparov over the chessboard. He has won the Championship of his country - Yugoslavia - many times. He was an official Candidate for the World Championship numerous times as well. He was once the strongest player outside of the USSR and is also one of the pioneers of this opening. (I very fondly remember his "Game of the Month" in the `Chess Life' magazine. It was my favorite column for years!) He has written dozens of highly acclaimed chess books in Europe and is also a recognized and revered chess teacher.
So are we ready to talk about the specifics of this particular book now?
This book is ONLY about ONE opening, The King's Indian Defense. Further, it is ONLY about a sub-system of this opening known as "The Mar del Plata Variation." (Really none other than Fischer pioneered this system - he above anyone else is the player whose sparkling victories inspired others to play this line.) This line occurs after the following moves: 1.d4, Nc6; 2.c4, g6; 3.Nc3, Bg7; 4.e4, d6; 5.Nf3, 0-0; 6.Be2, e5!; 7.0-0, Nc6; 8.d5, Ne7. THIS is the Mar del Plata system ... and nothing else! (Black's position looks cramped, but he has many dynamic possibilities.) The very first game of the book on page # 12, is the contest: GM M. Najdorf - GM S. Gligoric; Mar del Plata, 1953.
This book is laid out in three main sections, a total of 14 chapters. There is a list of illustrative games, a historical introduction, the main part of the book, and a very good index of variations.
I have spent many hours with this book. I have looked at least 15 of the games; several I have analyzed in detail. In a few of these, I have checked every line and note with a strong chess computer program. (Fritz 8.0) I have found one or two (minor) errors ... and one line where it appears a move pair was left out. But overall the quality of this book is extremely high. Very good analysis and explanations as well. Some of the illustrative games are superb!
[Now in case you think I am blowing smoke: here are a few of the books I own on this line ... and I won't even mention much older books:
and
both by Nunn and Burgess;
by GM J. Gallagher;
by Colin McNab;
by Margeir Petursson;
by Graham Burgess;
by GM A. Soltis;
by IM John Watson;
by M. Thomas; several INFORMANT monographs on this opening, etc. I also own all five of "The Encyclopedia's of Chess Openings," and many INFORMANTS to boot.] So when I say I have seen a few books on this opening, you should take my word on it.
This is a high-class book with fantastic analysis by a world-class expert on this line. My only really valid criticism of this book? Since the late 1980's or early `80's, the "Bayonet Variation," (9.b4!?) has dominated GM Praxis in this line. But this variation is the last chapter in the book, and the book is dominated by analysis of 9.Ne1. (The author has also chosen many of his own games, when a perusal of NIC Year-books would show other games are more important.)
Now let me give you some advice: If you are not a Master, you should get the following books: Nunn's Chess Openings; Modern Chess Opening's, 14th edition by Korn and de Firmian; and one other all-round book on the King's Indian. If you are a really serious competitor, you might need both of the books on this opening by Nunn and Burgess. If you are below 1500, you will probably need at least one good "How To Play" the King's Indian. I also recommend you take at least a few lessons from a teacher in your area to insure you understand the basic ideas of this line. (Barring this, find a player who is at least rated higher than you who might be willing to be your study partner.)
In closing, let me say this is a great book. My only regret was that it was not around when I first started playing this line! And if you are a postal player, this book is a MUST!!
Amazon.com
Owen Linzmayer's Apple Confidential is subtitled The Real Story of Apple Computer, Inc., and while nobody will ever know the complete, "real" story about Apple, Linzmayer's is probably as close as they come. Having covered Apple news since 1980, he offers extensive insider details about Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, John Sculley, Gilbert Amelio, Bill Gates, and other major players whose lives were (and are) intertwined with Apple's history. And along the way, we also learn about lesser-known figures whose stories have remained hidden in the Apple myth: Ronald Gerald Wayne, for example, who was actually a partner with Wozniak and Jobs in the original incarnation of the company, but who sold his share when he realized he would be financially vulnerable if it should fail.
Linzmayer's tale does have a few drawbacks. Because he mixes a chronological narrative with chapters that focus on key points in the Apple story, he sometimes repeats himself. Case in point: the chapter "Big Bad Blunders" makes a great record of Apple's failures, but the story of the exploding Powerbook 5300s is duplicated at later points. Nonetheless, Apple Confidential is rife with gems that will appeal to Apple fanatics and followers of the computer industry. Especially enjoyable are the revelation of "Easter eggs" that are hidden in several versions of the Mac operating system; the many screen shots, timelines, and telling quotes from Jobs, Gates, Wozniak and others that populate the margins and concluding sections of each chapter; the "Code Names Uncovered" section that makes public the monikers of several secret Apple projects; and Bill Gates's 1985 letter to John Sculley and Jean Louis Gassee pleading for Apple to license Mac technology and develop a "standard personal computer." --Patrick O'Kelley
Book Description
Apple Confidential examines the tumultuous history of America's best-known Silicon Valley start-up--from its legendary founding almost 30 years ago, through a series of disastrous executive decisions, to its return to profitability, and including Apple's recent move into the music business. Linzmayer digs into forgotten archives and interviews the key players to give readers the real story of Apple Computer, Inc. This updated and expanded edition includes tons of new photos, timelines, and charts, as well as coverage of new lawsuit battles, updates on former Apple executives, and new chapters on Steve Wozniak and Pixar.
Customer Reviews:
Not too bad........2007-08-24
Don't just buy the book because you love Apple or the review is good. Go to local book store and see the book yourself first before buy one.
Really thorough.......2007-03-29
This is the most thorough book on Apple's history that I've ever seen, can't wait for Apple Confidential 3.0
well-written and well-researched.......2007-03-27
After reading the insufferable iWoz, I wanted a book about the early days of Apple that didn't suck. A friend gave me Apple Confidential 2.0 for my birthday, and it was just what the doctor ordered. It emphatically didn't suck.
This is a well-written account of Apple, from the early pre-Apple blue box days through the book's 2004 publication. Instead of taking a traditional day-by-day walk through the company's history, Linzmayer arranges his chapters by topic. This makes following the individual threads of Apple much easier. Extra quotes and notes are included in the margins, which add colour and depth to the story. Jef Raskin, who unabashedly called himself the father of the Macintosh, said that this book was the most accurate depiction of how the original Mac was created.
Each chapter mostly stands alone. Since each chapter covers only one topic (say, the development of the Newton), some of the chapters in the tumultuous 90s are a bit hard to follow if you're not already aware of certain pieces of Apple history. Many topics are referenced without a word of explanation, just an occasional pointer to the later chapter. The most glaring examples of this are the references to Be, the Star Trek project, and Copland.
The chapter about the Star Trek project is a great example of another problem of the book. It's too early to talk about more recent developments. Star Trek was the project started in 1992 to bring the Mac OS to Intel. According to this book, the project was shelved in 1993. Typing on a MacTel today, it's obvious that the project was resurrected. I know that I'm not alone in wondering how this actually came about.
Even with those complaints, I recommend the book. The early days of Apple are interesting indeed, and understanding them is critical to understanding Apple today.
Excellent source of Apple history and still very enjoyable........2007-01-10
Second edition contains all of new additions to iPods to new Mac OS X versions, codenames and features. It is also very fond memorabilia for old Apple users!
Jed Davis, Athletic Director/Girl's Basketball Coach, Filmmaker.......2006-04-23
This book is a very detailed and thorough history of Apple Computer. Two major points come out of thie book: First, for those of us who live by the Mac, it is shocking to read the journey of Apple in terms of how close they came to extinction in the discordant years when Michael Spindler and Gil Amelio were at the helm. Extinction, liquidation and absorption almost happened so many times that you really begin to believe that maybe there was some devine intervention. This is because like many people, I can't imagine a world without Apple. Second, Apple is a company of innovation and thinking out of the box. In order to survive and prosper, Steve Jobs is the only type of person that can make this happen. For whatever rumors you may hear, he is the right person to run Apple and I hope he is around a long time.
I always feel that if you know the history of something you value, you appreciate it that much more. Especially, if there was some struggle to survive along the way. This book will take you on a ride that began in the 1970s. It is a fun and exciting ride.
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