1 comments about The Wonderful and Surprising History of Sweeney Todd: The Life and Times of an Urban Legend.

1. If you are a Devotee of the legend/story/history/you-name-it of Sweeney Todd you should devour this book. Notice the capital "D". At times Mack gives us just a bit too much info, but then again it's all interesting. Of course, discourses on the general subject of cannibalism are a necessary part of the story. What's nice is that although it was published just before Johnny Depp added his interpretation for the benefit of the public at large, Mack touches on the story behind this latest film production...quoting Sondheim and Depp among others. A must-read starts on page 108 when the classic original story "The String of Pearls" is summarized.

5 comments about Varney the Vampire; or, The Feast of Blood.

1. Varney The Vampire is an important leader in the vampire legacy. And here is the ultimate critical edition. I am so excited about the extras in this book. There are some arcane references in the original text that are finally footnoted and explained. I highly recommend this edition. A+++



2. This is a true lost classic that reveals the beginning of the great character of Dracula. The editor's notes add to the interest of the book and build knowledge on the times and elements of Varney. I recommend this reading for any Dracula fan or a fan of interesting reading. A+++ to Herr for bringing this hidden treasure back to the world of literature.



3. I absolutely love this book! An excellent relic from the golden (or shall I say black) age of Gothic Lit. Why this gem has remained hidden for all these years is a mystery to me, but Mr. Herr has finally revived this old Penny Dreadful and brought a new light to this style of writing. A wonderful Gothic novel by the same author who originated the Sweeney Todd story. A must buy!



4. I have been following Mr. Herr's work for years and I truly appreciate this edition of Varney the Vampire. If you are new to the genre, this is a great place to start!



5. Ignore all the talk about Dracula in other reviews, that book and this one are two uniquely different entities. Legends about vampires existed outside of Transylvania, and even Europe for that matter, long before the Victorians tightened their first bodice. My impression of this book is that the writing is closer to Robert E. Howard in its great forward momentum; another apt comparison might be to the movie serials of the '30s-'50s. Thrills and more thrills! The style may be a little underwhelming, but if you can read Ann Radcliffe you can certainly read this. And incidentally, I think the ungrammatical and linguistically oafish reviews for this book are very appropriate for a book written at top speed and with little editorial supervision. Take a trip back in time to a very different world - read this book!

5 comments about Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (Applause Musical Library).

1. I though this would be a book version of the musical, but instead it is just the script of the musical.



2. While I do like this book and will keep it, it's not what I thought it was when I ordered it. This is not the sheet music for Sweeney Todd, it is the dialogue and lyrics only.



3. Great collection, with the right keys and all music for show. Including the cut 'judge's song.'



4. I became upsessed with this show when I saw the DVD with Angela Lansbury and George Hearn. Now I am so happy to have the enire show in my lap. It arrived today, and it already has an honored spot in my script library (right next to Hairspray)



5. I received the wrong item from Amazon, though I was billed for this one. Instead of the all-inclusive book ($100), I received the 30 page "musical selections" book ($12). It seems that the wrong label was affixed to the item. Even though Amazon took it back, be careful. Try to make sure that you are going to receive the correct item.

1 comments about Sweeney Todd - Vocal Selections.

1. After taking a part in this show in the fall of 1998, I fell in love with each character within the show. I desperately wanted the score to the show, but realized that this idea was out of the question because it would cost me (too much money). In theater class, i was searching through scripts and came across this rather thin but thourough script of Sweeney Todd. It's definitely a keeper with all of the rare pictures and drawings that are included in it. Buy it!

5 comments about Cold Streak.

1. This book was every thing I knew it would be it started fast and stayed that way. it keep me guessing till the very end.As a new writers work,it great!!. the story held you all the to the end. Cant wait for the next one.Lewis keep it up!! Blessed Be Juli



2. I had a difficult time getting into the book. The language seemed a bit stilted at first, but after a while, it began to get gripping and I had a hard time putting it down. It definitely gives you something to think about.



3. The author grabs your attention at the beginning of the book, and he keeps you interested throughout the end. The book starts out with a woman receiving the news of her family's murder. She then begins a roller coaster journey through the darkest of human emotions. At times she seems to lose her identity to these emotions. She travels down paths that introduce many characters and sub plots that vary from humorous to despicable. Eventually, though, she faces the reality of the situation, and she is forced to deal with it. Her journey is vividly depicted, and you find yourself connecting with her on multiple levels. As the journey nears it's end a Christian element is introduced, and you begin to realize that she is impacting everyone she comes into contact with in a positive way. The ending gives you a good feeling and brings closure to the journey. All elements of the story tie together beautifully. I would highly recommend this book to everyone. I am looking forward to more works by Lewis Aleman in the future.



4. I loved this book from the very beginning. Lewis Aleman writes beautifully and really draws the reader into his story. As a mother myself, I found Laura's story eliciting all kinds of emotions I never thought I could feel with a book. It was heart wrenching and wonderful all at the same time. And I truly loved the whole religious feel to the story. Many people may have issues with that, but I think it made the story completely believable. I have recommended this book to all my Book Club friends and look forward to other books by this author. What a great author and book!



5. Laura finds her world turned upside down one evening when she receives news that her husband and two daughters have been brutally murdered. After this tragic event, Laura is sent on a dark journey to seek vengeance for the crimes committed against her and her family.
   
   Laura is wanted for more information about her family's murders, with Detective Andarus and his partner, Irene, on the case. Laura's journey takes her through chilling and dark moments, and there's the ever-present question of whether her quest for vengeance will consume her.
   
   Mr. Aleman takes the reader through a dark and disturbing journey along with Laura. While some moments are gory and send chills up the spine, the cute bickering between Andarus and Irene create the comic relief that the story greatly needs. Alemen's unique writing style captures the reader from page one.
   
   This book is a good read that will open the reader's eyes to the life of those who lose everything and have to deal with what happens afterwards.
   
   Reviewed by: Steph

5 comments about The String of Pearls (Wordsworth Mystery & Supernatural) (Wordsworth Mystery & Supernatural).

1. What a colorful history this work has. From the cover (mostly): Originally published as a weekly serial in 1846 - 47 by Edward Lloyd, the King of the Penny Dreadfuls. One of the earliest detective stories, it became an important source for Stoker's Dracula. Later, of course, it became a Broadway musical starring Angela Lansbury and Len Cariou. A distraught Johanna Oakley wanders the streets of London seeking news of her missing fiance, Mark Ingestrie. She is befriended by Colonel Jeffrey, who is searching for his lost friend Thornhill, last seen in Sweeney Todd's Fleet Street barber shop. Todd's apprentice, Tobias Ragg, is struggling to break free from his terrifying and sadistic master, while the barber himself is frantically trying to sell a string of pearls. Meanwhile, just around the corner in Bell Yard, the enigmatic Jarvis Williams has landed himself a fine job - making the most delicious pies in London, to Mrs. Lovett's secret recipe. Classic horror. Intro and bibliography by Dick Collins.



2. When I first purchased the OCR soundtrack of Stephen Sondheim's "Sweeney Todd," back in 1979, I discovered, through the liner notes, that the story's origins lie in a serialized novel entitled "The String of Pearls," published in 1846-7. I searched for that Victorian era penny dreadful, in bookstores and libraries, with no success. Nearly thirty years later, on a whim, I searched Amazon and, to my delight, found that the book was available, along with an explanation as to why I was never able to find it before. It had, for all intents and purposes, vanished from the public eye, until Wordsworth Classics published it, complete and unabridged, in 2005.
   
   The novel, in part, tells the story of Johanna Oakley, who is desperate to discover the fate of her intended, Mark Ingestrie, when he fails to return to her, as promised, after a long voyage at sea. It also focuses on the (mis)adventures of Tobias Ragg, the boy who works in the barber shop of Mr. Sweeney Todd. There is quite a large cast of characters and, when reading, one must remember that the story was published in installments, so it may not have the flow one is accustomed to when reading a novel, and, as Dick Collins points out in his informative introduction, there could have been as many as three authors penning the tale, "hack" writers with varying degrees of talent. Overall, however, the story is a gripping yarn; there were a good number of tightly written chapters, true page turners, that spurred me to read on, anxious to discover what happened next.
   
   Anyone familiar with Sondheim's musical will already know the "secrets," but I recommend this nonetheless. In fact, knowing the musical will add to the enjoyment of the novel. There are several characters and events in "String of Pearls" which made it into Sondheim's masterpiece, in one form or another (which came from its source material, the Christopher Bond adaptation, sadly unavailable). I could not help but smile when reading Sweeney's brief exchange with a young woman named "Lucy," or when Mr. Fogg relates the story of a perfectly sane girl committed to his asylum, or the other female inmate who sings endlessly in her cell. Unlike the Bond play, or the Sondheim/Wheeler opera, Todd is not a tragic anti-hero; he is a cold, murderous, villain, through and through, and yet, a wickedly enjoyable one. A reader almost admires his cunning, blackguard though he is. It should be pointed out that Mrs. Lovett, although present, is a very minor character here, the story centers around Todd. I hesitate in revealing specifics of the plot, as it would amount to nothing but spoilers, and ruin the experience for any would be readers. I will say there is romance, mystery, deductive reasoning, daring plans, and, pardon the pun, close shaves with danger.
   
   Despite the, at times, quaint vernacular and occasional unevenness of a chapter here and there, "String of Pearls" is a must read, for both Sweeney fans, or those who enjoy Victorian era mystery/thrillers. It took just shy of three decades for me to get this into my hands; don't let the opportunity to own this intriguing tale pass you by.



3. [The following review refers to the Wordsworth Classics edition of "The String of Pearls."]
   
   The famous story of Sweeney Todd, "demon barber" of the Fleet Street and Mrs. Lovett's delicious meat pies need no new introduction. Like any well-told urban legends, the figure has become part of our culture with several filmed and musical adaptations. But what is the "original" story after all?
   
   Now you have the original tale of Sweeney Todd, lurid novel published as a weekly serial in 1846-47 published by Edward Lloyd, one of the entrepreneurs of "Penny Dreadfuls," cheaply priced magazines featuring mostly pirated stories of other popular writers for the working teenagers or pre-teens eager to read any bloody tales. Unfortunately the author (or perhaps authors) of "The String of Pearls" is still unknown, according to Dick Collins, editor of the Wordsworth Classics edition, despite some claims that it was written by James Malcolm Rymer. (Read the book's introduction for more details.)
   
   The story of "The String of Pearls" is a blend of blood-curdling Victorian horror and pure melodrama. It is nothing like Stephen Sondheim musical based on Christopher Bond's play. In this novel Sweeney Todd is just a despicable, (delightfully, I might add) villainous figure, whom no one would feel sympathy with. It is closer to a 1936 British film featuring much-underrated Todd Slaughter with exaggerated mannerism which is fun to see.
   
   [TWO VERSIONS] The story, whoever wrote it, is generally fast-paced and largely gripping, but there is one thing you should remember. There are two versions of "The String of Pearls" published by the same Edward Lloyd -- original 1847 version and extended 1850 version. Wordsworth's edition (that comes with "Preface to the 1850 edition") seems to be based on the 1850 version while, it is curious, the ending editor Dick Collins refers to in the introduction of the book is clearly that of the other one. And as he rightly says, the 1850 edition slows down with several unnecessary sub-plots, and its ending (which you will find in the Wordsworth edition) is a little disappointing. Probably you should look for somewhere else if you want to read the story in the original form.
   
   Still "The String of Peals" is readable and surprisingly entertaining in its own way. Anyone who is interested in pop culture or Victorian novels should not miss it. And the brief as it is, the introduction is very informative.



4. Is this a masterpiece? Hardly. It is unabashedly hack writing in the fustian style of Victorian popular fiction. What surprises here are the touches of sly humor and occasional passages of nice writing. Aside from its interest as a curiosity, it's fun to read. Sweeney Todd and the String of Pearls



5. I'm a BIG fan of the musical and have found it interesting to check out the different versions of the story that exist. This being THE original source, I was very curious about it, and quite enjoyed reading it. Every version of the story - including movie versions - is radicallly different from the other, none gives much of a 'back-story', but this novel, which is the original Penny Dreadful version from 1840's, is bloody enough while being also atmospheric and even (relatively) psychological, at least for the other characters besides Sweeney and Mrs. Lovett. There's a good introduction to the Penny Dreadful concept and reality, amusing insight into the plagiaristic world of cutthroat (sorry) publishing of these single-chapter literary 'epics', and it's also interesting to read about the story being a sort of 'precursor' to 'Dracula', in its structure and episodic nature.
   I'll have to take their word for that. All in all a very absorbing read, and it will whet one's appetite for the Burton 'vision' to be sure.

5 comments about Sweeney Todd: The Real Story of the Demon Barber of Fleet Street.

1. While I'm grateful anyone wrote a book on the topic, this is a numbing look at the "facts." It's hard to believe such a slim book on such a rich topic is this dry and uninteresting. Half the problem is that the three or four antecendents of Sondheim's Sweeney Todd are awash in weak indistinguishable characters and developments that do not benefit from close study. The details of melodramas like "The String of Pearls" et. al. just do not engage me.
   
   Haining himself is tight-lipped and emotionally indecipherable. Just try to figure out what his tone is. It's not a good late-night tale of murder, it's not a crime dossier, it's not thrilling or even disturbing. There is no dramatic arc to his writing. You get the sense that he would have preferred the whole story composed as a giant chart of figures, or that his actual task was to trick readers into belief by sinking them in made-up citations.
   
   It was an enormous effort to pick this book up after each pause, and continue.



2. I found some of the facts mentioned in the book interesting. Those that had nothing to do with sweeney todd but, the history of London. It was a very slow and painful read. I wish there was a way to return all the wasted time i spent trying to get through this book.



3. 
   It seems that the previous reviwers who slaged this book and author wanted all this deep insightful detailed facts when in fact the author from the begining stated their were very few hard concrete facts !!! I too wanted all sorts of detailed facts but the author stated early on that after years of research on Mr. Todd amd Ms. Lovett there was very little documented information on Sweeney Todd and Ms. Lovett their arrest,her suicide and his hanging !!!
   
   The Author clearly tells what is fact and what is fiction and what is conjecture and leaves it to reader to decide for themselves what is a reasonable conculsion with the information that is available !!! Again the Author just gives you the information he could dig up and by his own admission there is more stories then facts....but there are some facts...he can not be held reasponsable because the actual facts are very little....and he also explains why there is such little information on these two people.
   
   The author does not hold back anything....he gives you all the stories past and current....stage plays or bedtime....and how some of these stories stem from some of the actual accounts that are known about Sweeney Todd and Ms. Lovett....the exploits of Mr. Todd have been sensationalized for entertainment purposes to be sure...but those stories do not change the fact there was in fact a serial killer barber and a psychopath pie maker....how did they met!? No one knows....how long they do these evil deeds...again no one knows....The author tell you that !! He does not give you something thats just not there !!!
   
   So....just read the book...take it for its worth...its not the bible nor does it claim to be....but I liked it....and found it very informative....its all good !!!!!



4. Even while you are reading this, you realize, that while Sweeney is PROBABLY based on some actual events or person, he really never existed, certainly not to the degree he is protrayed as. The story is good though. You can tell that the author REALLY wants the Sweeney of legend to exist. There was a good historical geography lesson of old London in here with the author's attempt to authenicate Sweeney, but to no avail. We can be GLAD that he didn't though. That was one MEAN serial killer!!!!



5. Well-written and entertaining (as is most of Haining's work), makes a pretty plausible-sounding argument that Sweeney Todd was a serial killer who actually existed, and was not simply a character inspired by a "penny dreadful." I'm not entirely convinced, because some of the "evidence" is impossible to validate, and some of the arguments Haining presents are a bit of a stretch, albeit well presented. Despite the typographical errors, it's an entertaining and interesting read, even if it doesn't leave you completely convinced of Todd's actual existence.

5 comments about Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, US & Canada Ed..

1. I'm a huge Tim Burton and Johnny fan and can't wait for the movie to come out, and a friend of mine said the book was worth checking out.
   
   The Verdict? The book was really spellbinding. The plot twists kept me guessing and I was anxious for the next page - and there was some lively humor in there too. It had a rich Gothic mood, like Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, yet was thrilling and a fast read. And unlike some 19th century stories, the book is not a chore for the modern reader.
   
   I hope the movie can match up!



2. This novel is an example of the "penny dreadful" genre that was so popular in Victorian England, and it is an easy, fun, enjoyable read, even today, over 150 years after its first publication. I have never seen the musical version by Stephen Sondheim and don't know how close it is to this one, but whether you are a fan of the musical or not, you will likely enjoy this book.
   
   I do have a few problems with this edition, though. First, the book's title is "The String of Pearls"; this edition calls it "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" (presumably to capitalize on the musical's success). Also, the back cover and the introduction give away almost any surprise there might have been in the book for those not familiar with the story. If you do not already know the whole plot of the book, I suggest you avoid reading the introduction or back cover until you have finished the novel.
   
   Finally, I found the edition's use of annotations rather annoying. These are indicated with an asterisk (*) in the text and are given in the back of the book. Some of them are absolutely asinine. For example, on page 148, "Hamlet's grave-digger" is annotated as follows: "a reference to Hamlet's exchange with the gravedigger in Hamlet." Thank you, Captain Obvious. Or, for the line "his month is up today, and I must get rid of him," the editor tells us, "Oakley has obviously engaged Sam to work in his shop as a mere employee, and for a trial period." For "cacchinatory", we have, "i.e. cachinnatory"; "tip-top" is given as "excellent"; and fortunately we are notified that "Madagascar" is an "island located off the south-eastern coast of Africa."
   
   Not that the idea of endnotes in general is bad, but there are too many unnecessary ones here, which interfere unnecessarily with an otherwise great read.



3. I rather with they had went with a better cover.
   
   It's a movie tie-in book, but something that emphasized the fact that the story is actually called "A String of Pearls" would've been lovely. When I first saw this book in the fiction section, I wasn't quite sure: is this one of those cheesy movie adaptations that I always try to avoid?
   
   Fortunately, it wasn't.
   
   I'm sure that there's some disappointed people out there. It seems to be human nature these days to only go for the familiar -- deviations from the comfort zone in the realm of entertainment is rarely accepted. This book really has very little in common with the movie. Of course, as the introduction explains, the musical was based on another theatrical version of the story -- but, knowing how many people I've been acquainted with react, they would absolutely hate this.
   
   Can I deal with trickery to get them to read a classic? Maybe.
   
   Despite the lack of the book's title on the cover and over-emphasizing the movie tie-in, I do enjoy the edition. If only it were available in hardcover.
   
   The introduction is a great history of Sweeney. I know the author wrote an extensive history of Sweeney Todd, but after reading that introduction, I'm not sure if I would want to read more. It seems that all I wanted to know was included in that introduction.
   
   As for the annotations, I wish they were not in the back of the book. It's such a chore to go back that many pages when the bottom of the page would've worked just as well -- most of these annotations aren't so long that they wouldn't fit in a quarter page or less. I do disagree with the other reviewer on these annotations. Despite the sound, most of the annotations are rather helpful to the modern reader. Sure, there's a few that should be common sense (especially if you're old enough to be reading a book like this), but most of them actually do help -- and sometimes, the ones that explain plot points are rather helpful.
   
   It's easy to get lost in what's happening at times. This was a "penny dreadful," so it was probably read by the middle to lower class citizens. Therefore, you really get the sense that it was written in a way to make the reader feel that they got the most words for their money. Dialog is often over-dramatic and repetitious. It's probably a bit of an acquired taste for this type of writing, but it does serve as a great historical curiosity.
   
   That's one of the things that are the key to enjoying the work of all the writers that joined to create this story: historical appreciation.
   
   Actually, I find Sweeney Todd to be the best-written character of the book. Reading his lines and actions, it's easy to see why Johnny Depp was a great choice. Other characters were hit or miss in characterizations.
   
   As I said, the book has little to do with the movie. The book was in the 18th century, the movie in 19th century Victorian England. Sweeney Todd was a lot more sinister -- he was clearly a villain. Johanna has a mother and a father - neither were Sweeney Todd. Mrs. Lovett is quite a hike from Sweeney Todd's, not so conveniently below the shop.
   
   Many modern readers who are only reading this because of Johnny Depp may be disappointed with other details. For example, Sweeney Todd, while being the focus of the story, doesn't play out as the main character. The story is about Johanna and her lost love, not Sweeney Todd (or his vengeance). They also may be disappointed in a lot of passages about sailing and other flashbacks that don't really move the plot along. Or numerous plot points that get started and never finished.
   
   So, remember -- if you're not familiar with the book and why it's written the way it is, read the introduction first.
   
   I am very happy that they didn't try to cheap out by merely giving us the text. Historical notes and essays are a must when it comes to works such as this.
   
   Overall, I'm happy with the book. It's not going on my top list, but it does (usually) hold my interest. Since it was a serial, it's a great book to read when you don't have much time to read.



4. When I first saw this book I was happy seeing so many pages thinking it was an extended version of the movie with Johnny Depp. It even has the cover from the movie and all.
   Instead it was very different and much of the book was spoiled because of the Introduction and all.
   I didn't like all the asterisks popping up in my face.
   I'm trying to read and get into the mood for Pete's sake.
   
   I will be keeping this book, but I will be buying the other one done by Mark Salisbury and Tim Burton.
   
   I would recommend it but I seriously think the title and cover should be changed so as not to confuse any other readers



5. This is one of the 1800's Sweeney Todd stories, originally titled, "The String of Pearls". It has 39 chapters, and although a good story, different from the Sondheim version. The Johnny Depp movie poster bookcover is very misleading. You can get this story free online because it is in the public domain.

1 comments about Sweeney Todd- Movie Selections- Piano,Vocal.

1. When I saw Sweeney Todd, I tried to find sheet music for it. I was able to find both the original "Vocal Selections" book (the one with the white cover and drawing) and the full score/piano reduction version at local libraries. I was sadly disappointed by both. The original Vocal Selections book has stripped down versions of the songs that were probably rushed out to cash in on the success of the musical. "Epiphany", the song I was most interested in, is notably missing. And some of the music sounds disappointing and flat to me in its original keys (e.g., F minor in "The Ballad of Sweeney Todd").
   
   The full score, aside from being extremely bulky, has a lot of extraneous music designed to stretch out the length of the original. Quite a bit of it is little more than filler. I tried playing the Final Scene as it was in the movie, but in the score it is dragged out and broken up by filler material. And the accompaniment seems a little thin in places, as the musical was written for a small Broadway pit orchestra.
   
   The new book (Sweeney Todd: Movie Selections) is exactly what I was looking for: All the major songs from the film; in their entirety (including interspersed dialogue, intros and outros); in the exact same keys as in the film; and with a full, lush piano accompaniment reduced from the newly enlarged orchestral score. The only minor drawback is that, while the cover says "Piano - Vocal - Chords", I can't find any chords printed in my copy. Seeing as I'm playing it on a piano (and not a guitar), this isn't a problem for me.
   
   The book contains the following songs:
   
   - No Place Like London
   - The Worst Pies in London
   - Poor Thing
   - My Friends
   - Green Finch and Linnet Bird
   - Johanna (Anthony)
   - Pirelli's Miracle Elixir
   - The Contest
   - Wait
   - Pretty Women
   - Epiphany
   - A Little Priest
   - Johanna (Anthony, Todd, Beggar Woman)
   - God, That's Good!
   - By The Sea
   - Not While I'm Around
   
   I would have liked to see the Final Scene in the book as well, but as it stands it's great the way it is. If your first exposure to "Sweeney Todd" was the movie, and you don't have any attachment to the original musical, this is the sheet music book to get.

5 comments about Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.

1. This soundtrack was amazing! I don't think it is possible for any producer to have done a better job. It has all the songs that are in the movie, and each one is played exactly how it was in the movie as well. My favorite part is how there is some dialogue between the verses and lyrics of the songs. It really is like a quick summary of the movie.
   I absolutely love it!



2. I have had no problem with the CD it self, and the music is wonderful. It's like reliving the movie every time you listen to it. Every time you listen to the music you find more reason to love the movie.



3. What a great conversation piece to have set out on your coffee table. Very well put together and very interesting. Again, if you are a Johnny Depp or Tim Burton fan it is a must have.



4. This is the greatest book ever. That is if you liked the movie of SWEENEY TODD! This is a great book for any movie buff. Especially if you like to know how movies are made. Definately worth buying



5. It was something else to watch and it was another thing to see how the masterpiece was made. The book goes over the characters, how the actors made the role, the music, sets, costumes and has part of the original script. Plus, it gives great insight on Tim Burton and other artists' decisions into developing the scenes, climax, music, and characters.
   
   The thing that makes this book is the pictures. It's hysterical to see a laughing Sweeney sharing a joke with Tim Burton. Plus, you get to see interesting behind the scene shots and the original set and costume designs. I'm very glad I bought this book and I still look at it even though it has been almost half a year since the movie came out. Five stars!