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Post by Fading Fast on Nov 3, 2022 10:56:08 GMT
Little Men, Big World by W. R. Burnett published in 1950
The Godfather's skillful blend of fact and fiction creates an operatic underworld of larger than life characters and stories. In the novel Little Men, Big World, author W.R. Burnett hews closer to reality as he narrows the field of vision on the underworld to one large post-war Midwest city.
It's a revealing look at how a crime syndicate really works; hint, it's messier and less organized than in the movies. Burnett brings the atmosphere and zeitgeist of this sordid world alive, while personalizing the story from all its angles: the cops, gangsters, reporters and politicians.
In this unnamed city, "Arky" runs the local mob, while staying almost behind the scenes. He plays the role of a humbly dressed small-time bookie, while his "front man," wearing loud suits and driving a flashy car, is the "face" of the mob to the press and public. The seventeenth ward, with its dilapidated buildings and slums in one part and demimonde nightclubs and bars with all but in-the-open gambling in the other, is Arky's world.
He's a taciturn farm boy who found his way to the city. Years later, he very quietly runs his empire by leveraging his long-nurtured connections to the police - the ward's top cop all but works for Arky, and is well paid for it. Arky also has a relationship with an unknown, even to Arky (they only speak on the phone), "Mover," who has incredible pull in all aspects of the government.
We get to know Arky well. He loves his "big blonde" of a longtime girlfriend, but doesn't quite know it. He lets her decorate his apartment and move in. He all but adopts her relative's abandoned baby to make her happy, yet he comes to kinda love the kid. It all shows that gangsters have complicated domestic lives like many of us.
As always with illegal businesses, there are great risks and threats, especially with a newspaperman, an old school reporter, now a columnist with an ulcer, sensing that the corruption runs up to some very high levels in the government.
There's also an honest reformer serving as Director of Public Safety tasked with rooting out corruption. Finally, Arky has the "big boys" from the national syndicate trying to squeeze him out.
With that set up, the rest of the novel is watching Arky trying to keep his world together as his police connections get nervous because the new Director of Public Safety is serious about cleaning up the city, while the national syndicate begins taking over some of his businesses.
There is some violence in Little Men, Big World, but it's a small part of the story as the game played here is more like human chess: Arky tries to influence people with opportunities to make money or with fear of exposure, more than with force.
At the top of the political house, it's all chess as the dirty politicians try to entice the reformer into taking a more prestigious and career-advancing judgeship to get him out of the reform business.
Almost everybody has family and financial pressures and mixed motives and morality, which get revealed when this complex nexus of crime, government and media comes under stress.
This is where author Burnett shines as the story feels real because it's not a heroes and villains tale, but one of regular and flawed humans: a reporter misses a story because of his ulcer, a mobster goes on the lam too quickly because he scares easily and a corrupt cop won't confess until talking to his minister first.
The climax (no spoilers coming) in Little Men, Big World is gripping, but the true value in the book is its revealing look at the people who populate the crazy, dangerous but always-with-us world of corruption that touches so many aspects of society.
It is a more granular and believable look at mob activity than the incredibly captivating and operatic The Godfather story.
One even senses that movie director Quentin Tarantino might have read some of Burnett's work before making his very mobsters-are-real-people-too movies. And it's not like Burnett's work missed the movie opportunity either as several of his novels - Little Caesar, High Sierra and The Asphalt Jungle - became successful Hollywood pictures.
For us today, Little Men, Big World is a detailed and engaging look into a post-war American city where corruption is part of its fabric. Until the time machine is perfected, contemporaneous fiction, that didn't have the constraints of the Motion Picture Production Code to contend with, is some of our best time-travel to these now lost worlds. |
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Post by ando on Nov 11, 2022 4:32:27 GMT
 Loren Eiseley Collected Essays on Evolution, Nature and the Cosmos, Volume Two
I'm still in the middle of this one. I picked it off the shelves of my local library quite randomly, though on purpose, as I really enjoy the hardcover presentation of classic works in The Library of America series. Anthropologist, naturalist, poet, Eiseley is new to me and I immediately opened the book to his essay, Man In The Autumn Light, and was charmed enough to take it out. Then I went looking for some actual footage of Eiseley on YouTube, mostly to put a face to the work, and found a talk he gave in '68 which was something like a literal transcript of the above essay that I first encountered! Funny. His decriptions of the natural world are beautifully decriptive. Often compared to Emerson and Thoreau, Eiseley has his own expansive, haunted, particulary Westerner view, which is often self-relexive and aware of its dire limitations. I say dire because there seems to be an implicit sense of, not only inievitable, but impending doom in Eiseley's vision and preoccupation with human race. It almost seems to fuel his explorations. The tone rarely shifts. It can be transfixing - as the spell hasn't broken yet - and, as I said, I'm only halfway through the volume but would, nonetheless, recommend the essays to anyone interested.
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Post by Andrea Doria on Nov 18, 2022 13:58:54 GMT
I just read, "We Begin at the End." It has a total of 100,000 reviews on Amazon and Goodreads combined, most of them 5 stars.
Mark my words, there will be a movie version.
The protagonist is a 13 year old girl who describes herself as an outlaw and is out to avenge the death of a family member. Sound familiar? Yes, she's a lot like, "True Grit's Maddie Ross. I didn't love it quite as much as my book club did, Maddie is still my favorite, but it was s a very good mystery.
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Post by Fading Fast on Dec 1, 2022 11:04:02 GMT
So Well Remembered by James Hilton originally published in 1945
Most famous for his mystically romantic novels (and their subsequent movies) Lost Horizon and Random Harvest, author James Hilton writes of life more pragmatically in the novel So Well Remembered, his look at England from the end of WWI through WWII.
Hilton drops you into a small depressed mill town and uses a few local characters to explore how England saw itself during that time, how it was changing and how it planned to face its second post-war rebuilding effort in only three decades.
As in all Hilton novels, though, the characters drive the story. In So Well Remembered, he introduces us to George Boswell, a man of modest upbringing with youthful ambitions of an Oxford education and a role in national politics, but circumstances force him to settle for a life of self education and positions in local government.
Boswell comes to see his life's work as bettering the small town he grew up in, which represents the many similar small towns and villages of England, of that era, that were populated by working and middle-class men and women.
Boswell's well-ordered life would not be worthy of a novel if he hadn't married Lavia, the enigmatic daughter of the town’s now-disgraced former mill owner. If George is staid and proper working/middle-class England, Livia represents the decline of the once respected ruling class.
Yet George and Livia are not merely symbols as they come alive in Hilton's hands. George is a kind man who wins his local political arguments by persistence combined with compromise, wrapped inside a sense of morality; whereas, Livia is obdurate and tribalistic - if it's good for her or those she cares about, she wants it, whatever the cost to others.
After a tragedy ends their brief marriage, George stays on in his hometown doing the pragmatic work of making it a better place to live. Livia disappears for most of the middle of the novel only to reappear toward the end during WWII.
An accidental meeting between George and Livia's adult son, a severely wounded RAF pilot, brings Livia back into George's life. We learn that Livia's life hasn't been uneventful as, after marrying the second son of a Lord (meaning her husband won't inherit the title), Livia faced a real-life version of the trolley problem (how do you choose whom to let die when your only options are to let one or another group of people be killed).
Her harsh no-apologies response, followed by the upheaval of the war throws an even more enigmatic and hardened Livia back into George's life where George, Livia and the wounded son represent different approaches to England's post-war future.
So Well Remembered is a journey, not a destination book. Hilton ambles along showing you England in the interwar years through the life of George Boswell's provincial village, while bringing up small and large national and philosophical issues almost randomly.
Hilton also, as always, creates complex and believable characters, while drawing you into a beautifully-limned time and place. However, lacking a well-defined plot, you will either enjoy just experiencing life in England at this time or be frustrated that there isn't "more" to the story.
For new-to-Hilton readers, the suggestion would be to read Lost Horizon and/or Random Harvest first to see if his style and approach are to your liking. If those books deeply resonate with you, then So Well Remembered will probably be an enjoyable journey. If you only kinda like those novels for their mystic and romantic stories, then So Well Remembered will probably disappoint. |
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Post by jinsinna13 on Dec 1, 2022 21:06:36 GMT
I recently read Graham Nash's autobiography Wild Tales: A Rock and Roll Life.
Graham talks about his time in The Hollies and his friendship with lead singer Allan Clarke, who is his childhood friend. He also goes into the drama during his time in Crosby, Stills and Nash/Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. Graham is an accomplished songwriter and goes into detail behind many of the songs he wrote. It's a good read if you're a fan of The Hollies or of CSN/CSNY or if you like 60's music in general.
"On a Carousel" written by Graham while in The Hollies:
"Just A Song Before I Go" written by Graham while in CSN:
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Post by Lucky Dan on Dec 2, 2022 6:39:42 GMT
So Well Remembered by James Hilton originally published in 1945
Interesting that you posted this because Tuesday, Hilton's Lost Horizon was discussed on "The Great Books" podcast. I just pulled it up - the podcast - and noticed it, just hours after reading your review. Quel coinkydink. I'm going to listen to it now.
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Post by marysara1 on Dec 8, 2022 8:26:02 GMT
On TCM there was a movie with Ron Ely based on Doc Savage so somebody on Ebay was selling all the books about the character on disc, so I bought it.
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Post by Fading Fast on Dec 8, 2022 12:02:19 GMT
Christmas in New York by Daniel Pool published in 1997
Christmas in New York is a fun, short and eclectic look at New York City during the holiday season showing how New York's experience of Christmas, in the late 1990s, had evolved from its past.
The 1997 publication date is important as it was right before the mainstream introduction of the internet, a few years before the 9/11 attack and a couple of decades before the Covid pandemic, all of which would meaningfully change New York City.
It was, perhaps, the last time New York would experience a pre-digital-age Christmas. So, author Pool serendipitously picked a historically delineating year for his brief purview of a New York City Noel.
Breaking his book into chapters on the Thanksgiving Day Parade, Fifth Avenue shopping, the museums, the theater, holiday shows, etc., Christmas in New York is a breezy trip through the city at Christmas in the late 1990s, but with fun historical anecdotes about how its traditions had evolved.
You learn neat tidbits like how the original Dutch settlers of New York, owing to an old Dutch tradition, exchanged presents on New Year's Day, not on Christmas Day. It was a tradition that continued well into the 1800s.
More recently, we learn that it was only in 1984 that the popular (giant and well-lit) seasonal snowflake decoration that is suspended over the marque intersection of 57th Street and Fifth Avenue was first installed. Amazingly, the sponsor was able to get the necessary consent and participation from the four different companies that owned the intersection's corner buildings.
Restaurants, the theater district, Times Square - which got its name because The New York Times built its pioneering skyscraper in 1904 in that then "remote" area - early television and the Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall are all touched upon.
Also explored are the traditions of some of New York City's famous thoroughfares, like Park Avenue's holiday lighting of the trees on its center median with only white lights, a tradition which continues to this day.
Christmas in New York is not comprehensive, nor was it trying to be, but if you like your history in small bursts, it is a fun and easy Christmas time read. Plus, there's a little bit of a time-capsule feel as the book captured New York City at a moment right before many historic technological and geopolitical changes and shocks were about to hit the famed metropolis. |
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Post by Fading Fast on Dec 18, 2022 11:49:38 GMT
Christmas Eve by Alistair Cooke published in 1952
Christmas Eve is a collection of three Noel-themed essays that were originally broadcast on Christmas week in the early 1950s on Alistair Cooke's long-running radio program Letters from America.
The essays, all still-entertaining reads today, are a blend of Christmas-time whimsey, wit and mirth, with a touch of wryness mixed in that provide a nice, but not-treacly mid-century view of the holidays.
The first - the story of a banker wiped out in the Great Depression in the 1930s, who now lives in a state retirement home while also working as a department-store Santa during the holiday season - has a "Miracle on 34th Street" charm-mixed-with-sadness feel.
The second - a tale about the travel hassles incurred by a Hollywood set designer trying to fly east on Christmas Eve to visit his sister, but really to experience a white Christmas - will feel familiar to any modern-day holiday flier traveling home with mixed emotions.
The final and most seasonal-evocative tale is about the fictional Dutch family the Van Dams living in New York City in the 1700s whose stern father, in order to save face, creates a providential myth around the gifts he gives his deserving daughters at Christmas. This, it is not-seriously avered, was the spark that led to the creation of Santa Claus.
Our culture today is proud of its cynicism, so most modern adult Christmas stories are dark, or snarky or bitter (or some combination of all three), but Christmas Eve reminds us there was a time when adults could see, with clear eyes, the commercialization of Christmas, but also its joy and deeper meaning. |
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Post by Newbie on Jan 18, 2023 18:56:29 GMT
A follow up: I cannot find the Photos thread but LuckyDan, I believe, had posted pictures from Jump Book by Halsman. The photographer would ask subjects to jump at the end of photo sessions disarming the subjects. I just got a copy of the book yesterday. Halsman goes into great detail about the different styles of jumps, "jumpology ," and his experiences shooting various famous jumpers. One of my favorites is Peter Ustinov, with a whimsical jump complete with cigarette in mouth and reading a book or script. Grace Kelly seemed to bring enjoying herself but it's not a flattering picture, her face is scrunched up, looking smug. Marilyn Monroe is adorable. Eve Marie Saint, William Holden, Oppenheimer, Jack Carson, Duke and Dutchess of Windsor all got into the spirit of things. A fun book to browse if you can get a copy. Thanks for posting, LuckyDan (if that was you)!
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Post by jamesjazzguitar on Jan 18, 2023 19:02:21 GMT
A follow up: I cannot find the Photos thread but LuckyDan, I believe, had posted pictures from Jump Book by Halsman. The photographer would ask subjects to jump at the end of photo sessions disarming the subjects. I just got a copy of the book yesterday. Halsman goes into great detail about the different styles of jumps, "jumpology ," and his experiences shooting various famous jumpers. One of my favorites is Peter Ustinov, with a whimsical jump complete with cigarette in mouth and reading a book or script. Grace Kelly seemed to bring enjoying herself but it's not a flattering picture, her face is scrunched up, looking smug. Marilyn Monroe is adorable. Eve Marie Saint, William Holden, Oppenheimer, Jack Carson, Duke and Dutchess of Windsor all got into the spirit of things. A fun book to browse if you can get a copy. Thanks for posting, LuckyDan (if that was you)! The photo thread is under the sub-forum Art and Leisure. |
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Post by Newbie on Jan 18, 2023 20:09:50 GMT
A follow up: I cannot find the Photos thread but LuckyDan, I believe, had posted pictures from Jump Book by Halsman. The photographer would ask subjects to jump at the end of photo sessions disarming the subjects. I just got a copy of the book yesterday. Halsman goes into great detail about the different styles of jumps, "jumpology ," and his experiences shooting various famous jumpers. One of my favorites is Peter Ustinov, with a whimsical jump complete with cigarette in mouth and reading a book or script. Grace Kelly seemed to bring enjoying herself but it's not a flattering picture, her face is scrunched up, looking smug. Marilyn Monroe is adorable. Eve Marie Saint, William Holden, Oppenheimer, Jack Carson, Duke and Dutchess of Windsor all got into the spirit of things. A fun book to browse if you can get a copy. Thanks for posting, LuckyDan (if that was you)! The photo thread is under the sub-forum Art and Leisure. Ah, Ok. Thank youl |
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Post by Newbie on Jan 30, 2023 23:45:42 GMT
Take a Girl Like You by Kingsley Amis.
I recently watched the 1970 film based on this book with the unlikely pairing of Hayley Mills and Oliver Reed. The film is fairly close to the book although the time is moved ahead by about 10 years from the beginning of the 1960s to the end. Mills plays Jenny Bunn who moves to town to start a new teaching job. She's living in a boarding house run by Dick Thompson, a pathetic local politician, and his unhappy wife. She meets another tenant, Anna, a more experienced worldly young woman. Anna plays a bigger part in the book,looking to be more than just a friend to Jenny. None of that is in the movie. Oliver Reed plays Patrick Standish who comes by to visit Anna. You get the idea that Anna is convenient and willing but neither takes their occasional get togethers too seriously. Soon, Patrick and Jenny go out on a proper date. At the end of the night Patrick discovers that Jenny is a virgin and plans to stay that way. This becomes a deal breaker for Patrick not used to such obstacles. He moves on to other women but can't forget Jenny. In the movie and book, he goes back and starts to take her out on more dates and outings, getting to know her better. We also meet other mates of Patrick's:Graham, a smart sensible fellow who girls like as a friend but not a lover; And Julian, a rich playboy. Both men are very kind to Jenny, fancying her in their own way and knowing that Patrick probably is not the right guy for her.
I wasn't crazy about the end of the movie which had a bit of surprising twist. Reading the book, the movie ending is decidedly upbeat in comparison. In both endings, Jenny wises up losing some of the idealism that she had come to her new life with.
There is a recent tv version. I'd be curious to see which ending they chose. I never would have read the book had I.not seen the movie. I didn't know either existed until recently. It is always interesting to compare the book to how it was adapted for the screen.
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Post by Unwatchable on Feb 13, 2023 3:46:44 GMT
Madly, Deeply, The Diaries of Alan Rickman. Just got this from the library. It's a little odd. The book reprints excerpts from Rickman's diary: "... the extraordinary and the ordinary, flirting between worlds and witty and gossipy, while remaining utterly candid throughout. "
I always enjoyed Rickman even in less successful movies. He was the best thing in that clunky Kevin Costner Robin Hood movie. He was wonderful as Col. Brandon in Sense and Sensibility. You get a sense of the man through the excerpts. Its also an interesting glimpse into the life of a working actor. The travel, the schedule, the disappointment at the screening of a movie he had high hopes for. Famous people he worked with. Movie roles he turned down (The Madness of King George).
One of my favorite parts is his honest reviews of new movies he's seen. I could read a whole chapter of just these. After watching Forrest Gump he writes: "I had sworn I wouldn't go. I went and it was as horrific as I had thought but in a totally different way. A clear attempt had been made to dilute the sentimentality, but along the way the film has its cake, eats it and spits it out with Vietnam, "unnamed viruses", etc."
His obituaries highlighted his popular role as Professor Snape. In a story I've heard before, Rickman never let anyone pick up a check. If anyone protested he'd reply, "Two words. Harry Potter.".
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Post by kims on Feb 14, 2023 19:40:32 GMT
I've read several autobiographies of people in entertainment industry. One I didn't read after seeing the excepts was Frank Langella, seems he hated everybody. Most of these books eventually leads to the ego and criticism of others in the industry, which I expected because are needed in highly competitive industries. I have two to offer for your consideration because these two seem to like everyone, and seem to have pursued their craft intending to improve themselves without trying to upstage everyone else.
Carol Channing's JUST LUCKY I GUESS and Eli Wallach's THE GOOD THE BAD AND ME. They continued to plug along, maybe without a need for the fame and had long careers.
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