5 comments about Posh & Becks.

1. Morton must receive his praise for putting together all the dirt there was on Posh and Becks. Is it morally wrong? By no means. Instead of digging through old glossy magazines you can check one book with a glossy cover.
   One question which this book fails to answer is how a player who is apparently past his prime and a girl who never was a good singer could become and continue to be such celebrities world-wide. But this is not a question which has anything to do with this charming couple but with us.



2. Andrew Morton is presented as the something between the devil incarnate and the Brit version of Kitty Kelley but this book, Posh and Becks isn't that bad actually. In fact, it's pretty fair. He makes it clear that the whole Girl Power thing that the Spice Girls had going was actually crap. They were invented by two busnessmen and their careers were guided by their male manager. They were a business venture first and musicians second. But hey, they entertained a whole lot of people and they all got rich so who can complain?
   
   Morton says that the Adams/Beckham wedding was tacky. Well, that's a mater of opinion but the pictures of the wedding did provoke more derisive laughter than envy in most people who commented publicly.
   
   Morton presents Beckham as a nice guy who let's his wife make the decisions... that could said for most happily married men. Morton also brings up a few alleged affairs but he makes it clear that the women involved all told their stories to the media so their actions have to be suspect.
   
   As for Victoria Beckham herself, Morton spent less time talking about her relationships before Beckham than she did in her own book. She complains bitterly about Morton in her book but all in all, Posh and Becks isn't a hatchet job and seemed rather mild to me. Pity about Beckham's soccer career though.



3. I have read many books this is the second time and last time I ever read a book from this author. I happen to like the Beckhams, and feel that every single public personality deserves a key word privacy. When you cannot trust your nannies, cleaning people that is really sad, especially since they are a normal couple with children that fight and have their difficulties like everyone else in the world, they are the upper 3% of the world with money, they worked hard for it and deserve every single penny if we buy into them and their branding..and strong family values.
   I am sad if David did have affairs on his wife because that is a lack of respect for her and his boys and if they even have an agreement to an open marriage it is still no ones business but their own. there is a saying men like blueberry pie, once in awhile they like a little apple but than they return to the bluebuerry pie men love history they never leave their wives!
   To Victoria if you want your fashion sense to soar like an eagle think globally not locally to size 0.,go larger bring your books sell it all and than use some of it for charity or a training school for homeless teenagers to get them off the streets.
   I would go QVC or Shopping channel with your fragrances and clothing and sunglasses the more units you sell the more you make it is simple math. Do Jewlery too and anything you can brand your name on because Beckham sells because everyone wants a piece of you it represents wealth and abundance.
   You go Beckhams and when the press hate you it is because you are doing well. No one wants your sucess it is a famous saying. Andrew Morton can you never write a book that is pleasant I challenge you to do it my gosh man you are a negative and jealous writter and no better than the thousands of papparazzi that chase these people daily for their fix!



4. this book didn't tell me anything i didn't already know. i guess i was hoping it would go more into friendships and events these two had been involved with but it seemed to just skim over their life with the bare minimum of details. i wasted my money.



5. The simple introduction here would be, "Liked him but didn't like her." Of course, he has that warm, winning smile that makes him both attractive and seemingly approachable--while she favors a frowny pout that is very off-putting. (The book contains 16 pages of photographs, most of them in color.) But more importantly, he has real talent that he has worked all his life to cultivate, while her skills might be charitably described as modest and haphazardly developed. Morton makes the point that Posh has always pursued success rather than proficiency: "Victoria's supreme ambition, the goal she had had since childhood, was to be famous and admired . . . [and her] success was achieved quickly and in spite of, rather than because of, any real talent she could demonstrate." I am also not keen on promoting anorexic role models for today's youth, and there are many pages in this tome devoted to her slenderizing habits.
   
   For a change of pace (although not a sports buff), I took the time while reading this book to watch clips of David's action on the soccer field. I was amazed at what I saw, both in terms of skill but also, and unexpectedly, in terms of joy--this man loves to play! Yet he is described as "nice but dim," and his wife is a high school dropout.
   
   Morton provides his own analysis of this couple: "He seems content to be who he is, secure in his skin, a talented footballer doing what he has always wanted. On the other hand, Victoria is driven by the demons within; a woman who is at once dauntless, intrepid, and dynamic, and yet insecure, vulnerable, and needy." But they have found each other, they love their kids, and they have been successful at promoting "Brand Beckham." Maybe it will all work out in the end . . .

No comments about Mi Hermano Pablo.

5 comments about The Fortunate Pilgrim.

1. It is a very good book, and although that its not as good as The Godfather or The Last Don, it is a very intertaining book.



2. THIS A VERY GOOD BOOK. SHOWS HOW HARD WE ITALAIANS HAD IT IN THOSE DAY WHEN OUR PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS HAD TO COME OVER HERE. VERY GOOD ENDING!



3. Enjoyed THE FORTUNATE PILGRIM by Mario Puzo, written before
   THE GODFATHER . . . this one also looks at the Italian-American
   experience, but from the perspective of a family where the woman
   holds the power.
   
   I was moved by the story of Lucia Santa and her journey from the
   mountain farms of Italy to the streets of New York . . . she hoped
   for a better life, but instead found herself living in Hell's Kitchen
   and in a bad marriage where she had to raise six children
   on her own.
   
   Their lives also fascinated me, as did Puzzo's description of
   what like was life in the twenties, thirties and forties . . . it made
   me feel like I was actually there--right with the characters.
   
   After the novel was over, I wondered how come it never was
   made into a major movie . . . I did found out that THE FORTUNATE
   PILGRIM was instead made into a TV mini-series in 1988, starring
   Sophia Loren and Edward James Olmos . . . so I now know what
   I'll be watching when I rent my next DVD!



4. Although it doesn't have the most compelling start, it doesn't take long to warm up to the family in 'The Fortunate Pilgrim'. This is a sad account of early 1900s America, when being an immigrant was noble instead of criminal. Mario Puzo truly brings their suffering and hardships to life. If you've read 'The Godfather' you could be forgiven for thinking this will be a story of a family's fierce loyalty to each other, despite their shared poverty. Not so. Relationships are strained, affections grow and wither, bonds are strengthened and severed. Like animals, they have to keep fighting the cruel uncertainty of poverty. Puzo dispenses with all sentiment; in order to be sentimental, there has to be some good times along the way. And time is not kind to many of these characters. I've read a couple of entertaining but ultimately shallow Mario Puzo novels ('The Fourth K' and 'Fools Die'), but I won't soon forget the sadness of 'The Fortunate Pilgrim'.



5. I suppose like a lot of other people I started reading Mario Puzo book the Godfather and just loved the story. I wasn't happy with "The Silician", but I was surprised by this book: "The Fortunate Pilgrim". For a brief summary, this is the story of Lucia Santa an immigrant from Italy living in New York City during the 1930's. Lucia has six children and a bad marriage. Mario Puzo descriptions of the section known as Hells Kitchen are amazing and his detail of the city and hardships that Lucia must endure is awesome. Overall, this book turned out to be one of my favorite Mario Puzo novels and I would highly recommend it.

3 comments about A Romanov Fantasy: Life at the Court of Anna Anderson.

1. A Romanov Fantasy is the story of the most famous royal pretender of the twentieth century: Franziska Schanzkowska, a Polish peasant woman who claimed to be Grand Duchess Anastasia Nicolaevna, daughter of Tsar Nicholas II, for some 64 years. It is also the story of the many devoted and eternally patient friends who sheltered and supported Franziska, better known as Anna Anderson, throughout that time.
   
   Franziska was a highly intelligent woman with a gift for drama. Unfortunately she also seems to have been mentally and emotionally troubled from an early age, so that she was unable to use her abilities positively. Her charm and her ability to pick up information enabled her to pose so successfully that even some of Anastasia's close relatives and former servants and associates were unable to either denounce or accept her. She used her magnetic personality to gather a crowd of supporters who, despite being exasperated by her time and again, seem never to have stopped believing in and trusting her.
   
   Frances Welch's biography concentrates primarily on Franziska's life and on the problems her supporters had dealing with her. The crucial last bit of the story, the DNA testing that ultimately proved Franziska was not Anastasia, is barely discussed. While it would be nice to read a fuller biography of Franziska, she was so unaccountable and so bizarre that it would probably not be possible to write one.



2. The book is not bad, but what put a damper on it for me is that the author had her photos mixed up, she identified the wrong sister as Anastasia a couple of times... You would expect she would at least get that one right. Maybe it was the publisher's fault. Some other minor mistakes and a few somewhat shifty sources, but on the whole a good read. For a change a non-fiction book about Anna Anderson as who she actually was: a mentally ill woman posing as a Russian grand duchess, as well as about the phenomenon of her dogmatic followers.



3. As a former Anna Anderson supporter, I dreaded reading this book. For over a decade I have studied the claim's Anna Anderson's to be the Grand Duchess Anastasia Romanov, and while I no longer believe that she was actually the Grand Duchess I still respect and am fascinated by those individuals who spent years of their lives trying to support and aid this very fragile (mentally and physically) woman. Yet, I was pleasantly surprised by the author's ease of maintaining the dignity of the participants while showing quite accurately the circumstances of Anna Anderson's life.
   
   For those unfamiliar with this case the story proves as fantastic as any fictional novel and just as entertaining. For those who are already familiar with Anna Anderson I believe there are enough new tidbits of information that will help to clarify some of the remaining mysteries of this case.
   
   Both readable and informative, I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in the mysteries surrounding this most famous of Anastasia claimants.

No comments about Legacy: Cecil Rhodes, the Rhodes Trust and Rhodes Scholarships.

5 comments about Driven from Within.

1. Learn about Michael Jordan's life and how his inner drive helped him succeed in basketball, business, and life. You'll be inspired and motivated.



2. The product came in a timely fashion and delivery was not a problem. I was a little disappointed in the quality of the book when it came. The inside was nice but the outside jacket looked as if the book had been used. I don't know if it moved around a lot in shipping but it did not have the newest look.



3. I gave this book to my little brother who loves both basketball and Michael Jordan and he loved it!! It was full of stories, pictures and inspirational quotes. The best part about it is that it was written by Jordan himself. I would highly recommend this book.



4. Through captivating vocabulary usage the already stunning story of basketball legend Michael Jordan comes to life in "Driven from Within". This well written hardback includes a multi-perspective look into the life and times of the former Chicago Bull. The majority of the story is told of course by Jordan himself but with most of his recollections comes the outside standpoint of someone who was either close to Michael back then or close to Michael today. This provides the reader with a second opinion, so to speak, on all of his experiences and achievements. It also helps the reader to perceive Michael as a reliable source to "tell it like it is" due to the fact that he has many of his close friends and relatives explaining their own angle on what happened during Michaels seemingly never-ending journey to superstardom.
   
   "Driven from Within" discusses Jordan's work ethic both on and off the court. In the beginning Michael talks about his childhood, growing up in North Carolina. He discusses how he began playing basketball and how hard he worked at it in high school. It then briefly touches upon college before going into the really fascinating portion of his life. The bulk of the book is dedicated to the stories of his Brand Jordan products and how they were imagined, created, and marketed. He frequently talks about how the elements of his "game" influenced his shoes during the design process. It is repeatedly stressed how it was really important to him that each new shoe he put out was better than the last. One of the more intriguing parts of the book is when he tells his people at Nike that high tops are goods for ankle support but too heavy and low tops are light but have no ankle support at all. They came up with the revolutionary mid top basketball shoe now used by most NBA professionals.
   
   With most retired professional athletes turning to others to write about their former experiences Jordan takes it into to his own hand being the primary author of this well-written and greatly entertaining book. Michael Jordan is obviously a sports Icon and "Driven from Within" does him a great justice. It's a great read for any sports fan and anyone who enjoys a book about hard work, dedication, and achievement.
   
   - Written by Greg Tavares



5. This book overall was pretty good, the only pitfall are the pages where they talk about brand Nike. They overembellish the brand/product a bit. Other than this there is some good stuff on the MJ persona in this book. I enjoyed reading some of the stories about him and also his personal views on many things. Good read for any Jordan enthusiast.

5 comments about The Eccentric Billionaire: John D. MacArthur--Empire Builder, Reluctant Philanthropist, Relentless Adversary.

1. Couldn't put it down! Very interesting look at the insurance business. Excellent detail and research.



2. "Love this book. And the author's writing style matched MacArthur's quirkiness. I really think this is a winner."
   
   V. S. McKay
   Indianapolis IN



3. Nancy Kriplen, already proven to be an excellent biographer (buy her book on Dwight Davis - it's beautifully written), has done it again with her excellent book on John D. MacArthur. She has obviously done an incredible amount of research, yet she has the rare talent to be able to extract from her interviews and secondary research a summary of the best and most interesting information, giving us, as a result, a book of rich details.
   As a result, she both entertains and educates us about a fascinating, yet very unlikable -- and eccentric! - subject.



4. How many times following a performance on PBS have you seen, "Produced through the generosity of The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation"? I never knew who they were or how he became a billionaire.
   
   Now I do, thanks to Nancy Kriplen and her well-written book! Follow MacArthur from Chicago to Palm Beach. Get to know this man, who was extremely frugal throughout his life, and whose legacy now enriches us all.



5. When Nancy Kriplen puts pen to paper, something magic happens.
   In this case I refer to her new book "THE ECCENTRIC BILLIONAIR".
   This long overdue, well researched biography is the quintessential rags to riches story of one of this country's wealthiest, yet little known self made men. Kriplen paints with her well toned writing skills a never before seen picture of the good, bad and the ugly side of John Donald MacArthur.
   This book is a must read and a true treasure and will remain so for many years to come...
   Bob Sanford
   Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

5 comments about Annabel: An Unconventional Life.

1. I couldn't help becoming fond of this thoroughly interesting woman - a Lady by birth in the British aristocratic system, and having experienced every advantage, yet not of course immune from her share of misfortune. She is likable because, although high-born, she appears very down-to-earth, humble and even accessible.
   
   There is absolutely nothing that I have in common with her, but because there is no sign of airs and graces or name-dropping, (for example, although having met royalty, she doesn't claim to have been close to them, although she probably is actually on friendly terms) Annabel's humility actually elevates her in a strange way and evokes my admiration for her. In other words she is not a snob, although she probably has every right to be, which is how her story can even appeal to an non-aristocratic member of a colony on the other side of the world. She is a "class act" without her having to big note herself. She just presents herself as who she is. Fascinating.
   
   One aside, I loved looking through her family photos, and couldn't help noticing an undeniable and uncanny resemblence of her two youngest sons to the late Diana, Princess of Wales. This was my only disappointment: that any connection to Diana by ancestry wasn't mentioned.



2. I loved this book and believe it is not to be missed. She comes across as being a very warm being, and while most people who write their autobiographies portray themselves as being good and kind people, I prefer to give Lady Annabel the benefit of the doubt. I feel the fact that she and her first husband spontaneously decamped to Austria to help Hungarian refugees in 1956 to speak for her selflessness alone. The jaded and cynical might say this was an act of fleeting youthful idealism (Lady Annabel and first husband Mark Birley were only twenty at the time, this was fifty years ago, and her autiobiography refers to no other grand acts of altruism since), but again I prefer to give her the benefit of the doubt. After all, what does it matter when and why someone does something good as long as they do it? Lady Annabel does refer to holiday homes in Spain and vacation villa's in Italy as if this something everyone can afford to do, but I think that's the point of the book, and is what makes it so interesting.



3. I absolutely adored this book. I have read it twice. Although I have little in common with Annabel Goldsmith, I feel that I learned a lot from the way she has lived her life. A few thoughts, in no particular order: Despite having a title and hundreds of millions of dollars in the bank, she comes across as a truly down-to-earth, self-deprecating, and genuine person. She identifies with all types of people, and seems to be totally at peace with her position in life (not ridden with guilt) and yet you get the feeling that she has never tried to nickel and dime her staff or deny someone a tip, because she has enough class to have an understanding for working people. Also - her perspective on fidelity and relationships is fascinating. She is a woman who has always put her family and children first, yet she is far from a boring housewife. In fact, I would love to settle down with Annabel for a cozy chat some day.



4. Annabel: An Unconventional Life
   
   A unique life shared without shame or too much regret. An exceptional example of living life fully with care and understanding and with deep unconditional love. A true women warrior of it's times and indeed timeless.



5. Reading this, I admired Annabel's easy, natural way of writing her life story. She sounds like a great person to know, too - warm and friendly, with a great heart. By no means has Annabel had a charmed life -- although she has been extremely fortunate regarding her financial situation, her various homes, and in the general good health of her children.
   
   I was a little disturbed by her dependence on men, and the importance she (I think subconsciously) has given to the men in her life, throughout her life, particularly in her involvement and eventual marriage to Jimmy Goldsmith later on. (Putting up with his constant infidelity; the importance she gave to his whims and his desires; his insistence they have children before they married, etc.) The one time, it seems, she stood up to Jimmy and put her foot down was when he tried to insist that she move their family to America, because HE was tired of being brickbatted by the media in England. (Also, apparently, because his newest mistress lived in New York!)
   
   It doesn't appear, at least to me as a reader, that JG was worth the anxiety and heartache that he undoubtedly put Annabel through -- but, I didn't know the man, and, well, Annabel's of a different generation (of women who were trained to give men the upper hand). Also, love is undoubtedly blind and dumb sometimes. There were times, reading about some of Jimmy's demands, when I wanted to tell her, "oh, just tell him to go -- himself! you'll make out fine!"
   
   I was touched when Annabel wrote about the death of her oldest son, Rupert. A real feeling of loss came through and the letter of his that she includes gives you a sense of his charm and intelligence. (He's also the one child of Annabel's who really looked a great deal like her, at least, from the photo she includes.)
   
   I admit, I'm shamelessly addicted to behind-the-scenes stories of upper-crust British society, and Annabel's life story is almost that of a heroine in one of those big, splashy novels that used to be written a few years ago: the kind that take a reader through more than a few decades of love, sex, divorce, some bad decisions, and painful loss.

5 comments about Gordon Ramsay: The Biography.

1. i got the book really quick and it was in very nice shape i would buy from this person again. thank you. jan



2. Truly an excellent book. This book opens your eyes to the hard work it takes to become a great Chef.
   I recommend other Gordan Ramsay books.



3. I would consider myself a fan of Gordon Ramsey, I think his theories on management and what it takes to be a success could be a lesson to all. Also he has led what seems like a fascinating life, rising up from a rough part of Glasgow, dealing with the issues of a broken family and a promising football career ruined by injury. Sadly this book is written in little better than tabloid tidbits for those with a very short attention span. His childhood and motivations that led him to being a world class chef are glossed over and given about 30 pages. His troubled relationship with his father and its impact is mentioned several times in the book but never really elaborated on sufficiently. His early years as a chef are dealt with in about 15 pages and his years in Paris are given even less coverage despite Gordon's belief that they were absolutely central to him becoming the chef he is today. The author seems more interested in making constant references to Gordon's notorious foul mouth and his relationship with the tabloid press. What a shame there are so many more interesting facets to his life that could have been explored here.



4. This was a great book. It really gives you insight to his behavior. (which is not bad) It was a page turner, and I finished it in a weekend.
   He really had alot of disappointments in life but turned it all around. It gives you inspiration.
   If you like Gordon,this is a must read.



5. I agree with previous reviewers. This is short attention span writing. It jumps from one topic to another topic without going into depth. It felt like reading People Magazine and not a book.

4 comments about As I See It: The Autobiography of J. Paul Getty.

1. Good book out of print Amazon copy received was in near mint condition. 351 pages,30 pages of photographs. Not as mean as he was portrayed yet it is evident the author was a bit vain. he is obviously an interesting read. You learn "what makes him tick". If you are looking for a guide to riches this is not for you but if you are interested in learning about the richest man of his time then read this.

   RANKING OVERALL 7/10 BIO INFO 8/10 USEFUL INFO 5/10




2. This is Getty's autobiography, written in the 1970's not long before he died. One of the founders of Apple Computer advised me to read this book years ago, and so I did. I've studied many books on finance and business, but this was the first time I had read an account of a billionaire's life (and as I would later discover, the world's richest man).
   
   Getty wrote this book to give the public a glimpse into his very private life; seemingly knowing he was about to die, that he did not desire to die such a secretive/reclussive man. Inside this book, you'll read about how he developed a strong work ethic at a young age -- working hard-labor in the oil fields that he would later own; sneaking out his parents car in the middle of the night to take girls out on dates (hah!); accumulating wealth and looking out for employees; laying everything on the line for great opportunities; the tragedy of his grandson's kidnapping; and a very nice retort for all those people who called him a stingy old man -- that all of his wealth/money was invested in his business.
   
   Oh yeah, and you read about how he hung out with Hugh Heffner back in the day. His original books were published by Playboy Press, including my copy of his autobiography (an original 70's hardcopy). :-) Yeah, Getty lived the life I would like to be living now -- 'cept for all the divorces; poor guy just couldn't keep a lady around and it's depressing to read sometimes. And in a way, reading this book gives me inspiration for staying on track, aiming your sights on what's important in life and not letting go. Getty had a fun life and he was handsomely rewarded for it. Since reading Getty, I've seen the same drive in all the other Billionaires whose autobiographies I've read -- Branson, Dell, Schultz. And also Ray Kroc (although technically I don't think his stock was yet worth $1B when he died).
   
   You will love reading this account of Getty's life if your aim is to: have fun in life, be wealthy, learn from others, have a personal mentor from the grave, accomplish great things, and read autobiographies.
   
   Getty, thanks for sharing =)



3. I felt kind of lame after reading this book, Getty really lived a full life. Reading the book, you feel like you're having a conversation with him about his life and what's on his mind. He seems very down to earth.
   
   This isn't necessarily a quick read business how-to book though you learn a lot by reading it. You get his life story that includes details on his family, friends, business associates, charity work and art. You also get interesting stories about the famous people he knew, eg his friend the Duke of Windsor that met with Hitler trying to avert WWII. Also there are chapters lovingly discussing his parents, children, and even his 5 ex-wives. He also defends his reputation for being cheap, eg payphone in his mansion. You really get inside his head by reading this book. My favorite chapter is his random thoughts chapter he wrote on Thanksgiving day, less than a year before he died 1976.



4. I bought this book (for full price, should have saved $7 ordering through Amazon) at the Malibu Getty museum, initially to read after tiring before my wife of art-admiring. I read it the following week, and here are my impressions.
   
   The book is very readable, Getty is to-the-point and clear, he wanders a bit, no surprise for an 83-yr-old writer, but maintaining a good train of thought and addresses the topics one would want to hear. The pictures bring some personalities to life, and the large print helps the pages speed by.
   
   Some sections are fascinating, for example, the ways he dedicated himself to business at the cost of his five marriages, his hi-jinks as a youth, conversations with top leaders, Hollywood people and pesky hangers-on as the richest man in the world.
   
   Other sections can be tedious. He often argues that he is not a hermit, not miserly, and had great relations with his parents. Much of this comes across as protesting too much, in fact, I tried to find an unauthorized biography to contrast with his official version, as I suspect some facts don't align with his narrative, but have not yet succeeded. He also assumes a superior vision across the realm of art and humanity, which I do not value as highly as his views on business.
   
   My top gripe is the apocalyptic view of the world falling apart, mainly because there are fewer capitalistic businessman and more leftists than were dominant during his youth. The topic only comes up sporatically, although I thought of tossing the book midstream when his peculiar point of view went astray to the point of assaulting the concept of welfare and advocating capital punishment. He went so far as to claim (p. 172) that the US might well, probably before now, have to flush the unemployed out of the inner cities onto plots of countryside land to fend for themselves.
   
   Overall, however, the book was worth reading, both as an historical document and as an engaging personal history that took a very strong and astute personality to write.