Product Description
Charming, debonair, and impeccably attired in a black tuxedo, Dean Martin was coolness incarnate. His music provided the soundtrack of romance, and his image captivated movie and television audiences for more than fifty years. His daughter Deana was among his most devoted fans, but she also knew a side of him that few others ever glimpsed.

In this heartfelt memoir, Deana recalls the constantly changing blended family that marked her youth, along with the unexpected moments of silliness and tenderness that this unusual Hollywood family shared. She candidly reveals the impact of Dean’s fame and characteristic aloofness, but delights in sharing wonderful, never-before-told stories about her father and his pallies known as the Rat Pack. This enchanting account of life as the daughter of one of Hollywood’s sexiest icons will leave you entertained, delighted, and nostalgic for a time gone by. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (34)

Great company!
The book arrived sooner than I expected and in perfect condition.I also appreciated the note from the senders that explainedtheir commitment to excellence.

Deana Martin Memories Are Made Of This
I found this book very interesting as I am a Dean Martin fan from way back. Also I found it very hard to put down
Pete

Loved it!
Fantastic book.Well written.I felt like I was with Deana Martin through the journey of her life.

very enjoyable
a great insight into the martin family and their famous friends as well as the unpredictable nature of deans personality.

Gift Item Memories Are Made of This
I bought this book for someone who loves to read about Dean Martin. She was thrilled when she received the book. ... Read more

Product Description
This is a DVD in which Dean Martin and his famous pals insult, put down and make fun of honored guest Frank Sinatra, "the greatest pop vocalist of the 20th Century," at a banquet in 1978. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

Good condition
The DVD was in good condition.I received it just in less than a week after ordering it.

Sounds like a bad copy
The product seemed to be like someone put it together themselves. Sound quaility was poor. You have to put the volume way up just to hear it. The packaging seems like someone is making copies of the original and selling them.

Roasted Ol' Blue Eyes
From 1965 to 1974 Dean Martin hosted his own televison variety show, the last year of which featured a segment called "Man of the Week Celebrity Roast," in which celebrities gathered on a banquet dais to lob funny insults at the featured roastee. This segment proved to be so popular that, after Dean's show had quit the air, the roasts continued to broadcast as a series of television specials. This one, featuring Frank Sinatra in the hot seat, aired in 1978 and happens to be a very funny roast. Staged in the MGM Grand Hotel, it oozes that swinging Vegas vibe so identified with the Rat Pack, with everyone smoking cigars, drinking booze, and trading zingers. One gets the feeling that, afterwards, all these folks (except maybe for Jimmy Stewart) reconvened someplace and just kicked it up another notch, in some sort of wild and kooky afterparty.

I do like watching the crop of roasts which nowadays pops up on Comedy Central, but, watching those, one gets desensitized a bit, what with all the cussing that goes on. One tends to forget that sometimes comics don't have to resort to the explicit to elicit laughter forceful enough that snot bubbles spew out the nose. The star-studded panel for Sinatra's "dinner" shows you how it's done back in the day, as these folks (even Redd Foxx) keep it clean. But that doesn't mean that the put-downs lose their raunchiness or edginess (just check out some of the barbs thrown out by Milton Berle and Don Rickles). Some of the best and most famous comedians of that era and several all-time great actors (Orson Welles, Jimmy Stewart) show up to zing Ol' Blue Eyes. And there's even a U.S. President (although Ronald Reagan wasn't yet, back in '78). Matter of fact, if you've seen a few of these Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts, most of the guests here make up a huge chunk of the recurring cast. Back then, there were some serious celebrities on the dais. Nowadays, we get Greg Giraldo, Jeffrey Ross, and friggin' Carrottop.

Dean Martin, as ever, is the convivial roastmaster, laying it on well with his ease and his trademark inebriated act and the fact that he's having such a ball. Not all the celebrities are funny, and, no, not all the celebrities are celebrities (just who is Ruth Buzzi?). Gene Kelly does ramble on with movie clips of him and Frank dancing. But, man, those who happened to be "on" that evening, they slayed the audience. Ronald Reagan's warm and unassuming tribute showcases his humor. Orson Welles demonstrates yet again that not only does he have a way with words but also a wonderful delivery of them. And, even though his time on the podium drags on a bit too long, Peter Falk is surprisingly effective in his bit as his rumpled television character Lt. Columbo.

Of the professional comics, Uncle Milty, Red Buttons, Jonathan Winters, Charlie Callas and Don Rickles absolutely kill. To me, Red Buttons' "Never Got A Dinner" routines are hits or misses, but he knocks this one out of the park, the best lines being his first one and his last. Jonathan Winters, a talented improvisationist, comes up with nonsense after nonsense that cracks everybody up. One of the best things about these roasts is watching all the other celebrities bust up laughing, and it's especially priceless seeing Sinatra and Martin's cracking up to Charlie Callas's bodyguard routine. And Don Rickles, Mr. Warmth himself, is the final act and he predictably tears down the roof (although he's not as funny as when he ragged on Ronald Reagan and Bob Hope in other roasts).

Not that there's ever any doubt as to how tight Dean Martin and Sinatra were as pals, but hearing Deano's intro to Frank and then Frank's touching comments regarding Deano emphasize even more how very, very close these two guys really were, although I don't know that they ever flew together in a cropduster, as Jonathan Winters alleges.

Two last things. One, where were the rest of the Rat Pack? And, two, even though I knew better, when watching this again on dvd, I couldn't help but keep a lookout for Jeffrey Ross, who it seems to me has been put on this planet just so he can show up in every one of these things (that could be a compliment, or not).

Cheaper elsewhere
You can buy the whole series of ALL the roasts for the same or less than this price! Shop around! I own a few of these and they are all pretty funny some more so than others

The Sinatra Roast is a Classic
In 1977, Dean Martin hosted the "Dean Martin Celebrity Roast" series (which ran on NBC Thursday nights in the 1970's and 1980's). Of the many roasts produced in this series, this episode is especially entertaining as it focuses on one of America's greatest crooners of all-time, Frank Sinatra.

The roasters are of course a who's who of the Hollywood Golden Age.I especially enjoyed a video clip of Sinata and Gene Kelly performing dancing routines in three of their movies from the forties and early fifties. Old Blue Eyes was an accomplished dancer!Old George Burns begins the roasting followed by Ronald Reagan, Jimmy Stewart, Dom Deluise and Jonathan Winters, Milton Berle, Flip Wilson, LaWanda Page and Redd Foxx. Peter Falk makes a "surprise" visit as Lt. Columbo (a bit long in my opinion).Ruth Buzzi appears as Gladys Ormfby and proceeds to wallop just about everyone on stage.Ernest Borgnine surprises everyone with a rendition of his role as "Fatso" in "From Here to Eternity".There are other "star roasters as well, including Telly Savalas, whom I never found particularly funny. Don Rickles is hilarious as usual and gives Sinatra a full kiss on the mouth!

It's all good (mostly) clean fun.There simply is nothing like it today.The Comedy Channel is too profane for family viewing, and comedians today feel the need to shock their audiences with profanity-laced "jokes". Not so with the Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts. These are adult oriented shows, certainly, but the jokes and gags are camoflaged enough so that little ears are not offended.

Want to laugh until your belly aches? Get this in VHS or DVD!

Jim Konedog Koenig
... Read more

Product Description
They were the unlikeliest of pairs—a handsome crooner and a skinny monkey, an Italian from Steubenville, Ohio, and a Jew from Newark, N.J.. Before they teamed up, Dean Martin seemed destined for a mediocre career as a nightclub singer, and Jerry Lewis was dressing up as Carmen Miranda and miming records on stage. But the moment they got together, something clicked—something miraculous—and audiences saw it at once.

Before long, they were as big as Elvis or the Beatles would be after them, creating hysteria wherever they went and grabbing an unprecedented hold over every entertainment outlet of the era: radio, television, movies, stage shows, and nightclubs. Martin and Lewis were a national craze, an American institution. The millions (and the women) flowed in, seemingly without end—and then, on July 24, 1956, ten years from the day when the two men joined forces, it all ended.

After that traumatic day, the two wouldn’t speak again for twenty years. And while both went on to forge triumphant individual careers—Martin as a movie and television star, recording artist, and nightclub luminary (and charter member of the Rat Pack); Lewis as the groundbreaking writer, producer, director, and star of a series of hugely successful movie comedies—their parting left a hole in the national psyche, as well as in each man’s heart.

In a memoir by turns moving, tragic, and hilarious, Jerry Lewis recounts with crystal clarity every step of a fifty-year friendship, from the springtime, 1945 afternoon when the two vibrant young performers destined to conquer the world together met on Broadway and Fifty-fourth Street, to their tragic final encounter in the 1990s, when Lewis and his wife ran into Dean Martin, a broken and haunted old man.

In Dean & Me, Jerry Lewis makes a convincing case for Dean Martin as one of the great—and most underrated—comic talents of our era. But what comes across most powerfully in this definitive memoir is the depth of love Lewis felt, and still feels, for his partner, and which his partner felt for him: truly a love to last for all time. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (110)

A Very Good Read
I think the book was a great read and well written.I found it interesting and had a hard time putting it down.Because of this book I wanted to learn even more about Dean.Maybe I also just didn't want the book to end.Although there are wonderful stories within the book, this book is rare in that it's really a Hollywood love story written about one man's love for another man and they are both straight. One would have to admit that this is rare for Hollywood.

Buy the book.I promise you will enjoy it and will learn things about both Dean and Jerry that I bet you never knew.

One of the best. A rollercoaster of emotions.. Plus some great pictures.
This is the story of Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis. One of the highest paid comedy act's of the 50's. For a decade they charmed audiences all over the world with wild antics, live skits and some great songs. The duo starred in sixteen movies and several different radio and television spots during their time together. They were more than just a comedy team though, they were friends. Dean, nine years older than Jerryplayed the straight man and singer, while Jerry was the crazy man-child. The combination was a hit and they skyrocketed to fame and gained a fortune.

This is the tale of the two from Jerry Lewis' point of view. His account on what happened during their ten years and in this very emotional, revealing and wonderfully written memoir. He tells how they came to be and what broke them apart a decade later, but each chapter is chock full of details which are easy to imagine and see in your mind. It's a great story and should be read by fans of either Dean or Jerry, or any Martin and Lewis fan.. It's personal and very amusing, plus there are some fantastic pictures from Jerry's personal collection.

It's a joyful, sad tale with everything a reader could want or hope for and then some. I highly recommend this for any fan. You won't be disappointed!

excelent boock
this book is excelent told the history of two big persons, like all the clown they have their diferences....just amazing

Jerry 2005 vs. Jerry 1982?
If you've read both of the Jerry Lewis autobiographies you can't help comparing the 1982 autobiography (Jerry Lewis in Person) to this 2005 one. In both Jerry is honest, even very honest at some almost sub-textual level, but he's always a show biz, WWII-era, not so introspective kind of guy, basically: expect that kind of 'honesty'.

So, both auto-bios honest and straight as far as he was concerned, but he's just so much happier in the newer one! And, overall and for most of us, I think that's more true to the real Jerry, the absurdly successful stage and film comedian of the 40s to the early 60s. Strangely, the 1982 Jerry was a longer way away from the salad days than the 2005 one is, in part I think because in 1982 he was still suffering terribly from a lower back injury he'd suffered in 1965. And maybe in 1982 he was still not recovered from a very long but badly ended first marriage.

Anyway, this auto-bio focuses on the crazy good times, lots of the laughs and the pranks, of the Dean and Jerry years. The 2005 Jerry also, and unlike the 1982 Jerry, is honest about the girls girls girls of those good times. It's a crazy testament to his love for his now deceased buddy and 'big brother' Dean that it brings out Jerry's very best side. Or maybe it's a second marriage that is having a fine mellowing effect on him, but here we get a sweetheart, understanding Jerry in sharp contrast to the judgmental, defensive Jerry of 1982. But both of them, I strongly suspect, are the real Jerry, neither of whom provides us the real Dean.

Faaantaaastik!
This book will keep you on the edge of your seat. Hilarious! Definitely a book I will keep and read again. I'm going to let my daughters read the book, so they will know how comedic movies originated. I let my sister and my dad borrow the book, too. If you like Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis or just a good, funny story, you will love this book!
... Read more

Product Description
A revealing and affectionate biography of the legendary Dean Martin by his daughter Deana. From the outside Dean Martin had it all - after a series of popular albums and films, he had the trappings of wealth and success and yet, sometimes, to his daughter Deana, he seemed like the most solitary man in the world. In Memories are Made of This Deana reveals how her father's relationship with her mother broke down. She describes his partnership with Jerry Lewis, who idolized Dean in a way that suffocated him, and the huge part that Sinatra played in their lives. She evokes the glamorous world of Dean and Sinatra: as part of the Rat Pack, Hollywood and Vegas were their playground, filmstars and the Kennedys their playmates. But Deana also reveals the real man behind the image of the laid-back stage drunk - a man who worked relentlessly, a loving father and husband to his second wife who nevertheless had a string of affairs, who was kind, generous and sometimes too trusting. Packed with rich anecdotes and new information, Memories Are Made of This has the kind of insights only someone who knew Dean intimately could give. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Could Not Put It Down!!
Very informative. Read it in one sitting. If you love Dean and his daughter, it is a must read! ... Read more

Product Description
Martini Man goes beyond the simple caricature of the boozy lounge singer with a penchant for racy humor to reveal the substantive man behind that mask. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (15)

Dean Martin was the man
excellent book that reviews Dean's life in Steubenville and Cleveland in his earlyu days, as well as his first, second and third marriages. BUT the guy loved his wives,kids and fans

He truly was a classic. He is a legend -God doesnt make these kind of guysm no more.

Author Apparently Wants to Be Roger Ebert
I read this book thinking I'd pick up some interesting insights on Dean Martin, his partnership with Jerry Lewis, and his friendships with people such as Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr. While "Martini Man" does present some interesting information about the aforementioned subjects, too much of the book, as other reviewers have noted, contains endless movie reviews of Dean's movies. I mean, do we really need every plot turn of every movie Dean ever made? I think the reader would have preferred to read about Dean's relationships, and, while some of that is there, the bulk of the book seems devoted to detailed story descriptions of Dean's movies.
There is very little discussion about Dean's recordings, and his career as a singer. Dean, when he wanted to, could really sing, and it's a shame Schoell did not spend more time discussing Martin's music.

Vancouver wash does not Know talent!!!
While the book is a bit of a dissapointment, and does not really discuss the things one would want to truly know about Dino,I am more amazed that one of the people that wrote a review for this book called Dean an "Overrated talent" and that TWO BIT HACK Jerry Lewis a genius. Other than the partnership with the truly GIFTED Dean Martin what has that arrogant no talent ever done that would be considered worthwhile, and please dont mention the Nutty Professor because he even admitted that the suave version of the professor was him doing a POOR Dino imatation,and the best thing about his telethon is when he is not on screen.If I were you I would also get my facts straight on the music of Dean because the song list is endless Volare ,aint that a kick in the head,oh marie,return to me,welcome to my world ,the things we did last summer,kiss,your nobody till somebody loves you,memories are made of this,imagination,Please dont talk about me when im gone,All of these in addition to the ones you mentioned and I could go on and on.The same goes for his movies academy award nominations for The young Lions,and Rio Bravo and criticaly acclaimed movies such as Kiss me stupid(something YOU probably hear often....then again NOT)and Some Came Running,and of course Ocean's 11.The man was also a civil Rights activist,and received an award for donating huge somes of money to charitable organizations.All this just to say Martini Man was not a great book but still more interesting than anything written about Jerry Lewis and the guy from Vancouver Wouldn't know talent if it jumped up and bit him on the ass.

A straightforwardly presented life story
Superbly written by William Schoell (the co-author of "The Rat Pack"), Martini Man: The Life Of Dean Martin is an informed and informative biography of the famous celebrity and entertainment legend Dean Martin (1917-1995). One result of this authoritative biography is to dispel the public image of Dean Martin as a ladies' man and hard drinker who casually used and tossed aside comrades, colleagues, associates, and ladyfriends alike. Martini Man also defends Dean Martin's memory against allegations that he was a "Mafia singer" claiming that Martin's contact with gangsters was inevitable and unavoidable as they owned the best clubs and most popular casinos of the day. Martini Man is an upbeat, detailed, thoroughly researched, and straightforwardly presented life story that is a "must read" for the dedicated legions of Dean Martin's fans.

A good look
This book is a nice, basic look at Dean Martin's life. I am a Frank Sinatra fan and of course became interested in Dean as well. I watched several biographies of Dean Martin and so I had a good overview of his life. This book helped with some details, mostly his movies. The author talks a lot about Dean's movies and I found this helpful, but had I already known all of Dean's film roles I probably would have found it tiresome after a while. However, I'm glad I read the book. It was helpful on dates and smaller details that are glossed over in television biographies. I recommend this book for new Dean Martin fans. If you are a diehard Dino fan, this stuff won't be news to you. Its an easy read. ... Read more

Product Description
Ricci Martin takes readers on a tour through his childhood, from the star-studded parties to the exploration of three marriages, eight kids, one family, to the treasured one-on-one time he shared with his father. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (19)

That's Amore
This is a must read for any Dean Martin fan.The book arrived in great condition and in a timely manner.

A tribute to Dean and also a nod to old Hollywood
I'll start out by confessing that I don't know if I can write a wholly objective review of this one. I wanted to love it. I DID love it. Even after noting that, I have to add that Ricci Martin did not sugar coat this memoir and he revealed plenty of his father's flaws, including the pain and confusion during Dean's divorce from Jeanne Martin (there is an incident with a policeman during that time that reveals much of the pain Ricci was possibly going through).

I am trying to be very careful not to reveal anything that would spoil this for readers. The photo section is wonderful. Also, there are some facts about racial relationships that I found very revealing in this book, especially since Sammy Davis, Jr was a part of the notorious "Rat Pack". I found Ricci's insights and childhood experiences to be very revealing about that side of things.

There are also some secrets revealed, ones that might not surprise those who already know every detail of Dean's life that can be found at various fan sites but I honestly did not know some of the information about Shirley Maclaine that was included in the book. If your imagination is going wild about that, let me add that you'll probably be surprised and perhaps intrigued by the info included but it probably won't be what you expect. Enough said about that. Yes, I'm really, really against lurid details and spoilers so if you're finding that disappointing, I'm sure someone here has written a more explicit review. If you want spoilers, just post a comment to me and I'll fill in any details for you, gladly. But not in this review.

Another part of the book that was enjoyable? Learning about what it was like to grow up in "old Hollywood" before the Sharon Tate murders and other incidents made people lock their doors and hire more security. It was truly a different era, a time when the Martin kids could sell items to tourists from their front lawn (can you imagine the look on the tourists' faces?) or even give some lucky fans a tour of the house.

This is a very personal look from one son's perspective. I recommend reading Deanna Martin's book as well because it gives a whole different view of growing up as the child of Dean Martin and reveals more about Dean's first wife. Ricci clearly adored his father and it shows. Deanna was more critical about him. Both books present a rounded picture of Dean Martin.

Dean's later years
This book is written by Dean's son from his second marriage, Ricci. Simply because Ricci was born later in Dean's life, it doesn't cover as much about Dean as I would like. What is covered is the life Ricci had with his parents and siblings, four of whom were from Dean's first wife and who had seen little of their father for a number of years before he took custody. I am happy to know that Ricci has mostly good things to say about his dad, but his was a different experience then the one his four half siblings had with their dad. You have to read Dina Martin's book also to get a more balanced view of Dean as a parent. There were lengthy descriptions of Ricci's toys and exploits that really didn't involve his father at all and for me, could have be left out of the book.

Loving Tribute from a son.
Necessity for the Dean Martin fan to read. Lots of personal pictures and a view of personal family life.

Certainly worth the money
This is certainly a book for Dean Martin fans. I have read memories are made of this by Deana and although this book is nowhere near the quality or caliber as her book, I would recommend this book. This book was pretty much just info. He didn't delve into much emotions as Deana did but it makes me wish some of the other kids would put their thoughts to paper as well! Enjoy this good book! ... Read more

Product Description

30 timeless classics from this famed Rat Pack member arranged for piano/vocal/guitar: Ain't That a Kick in the Head • Everybody Loves Somebody • Memories Are Made of This • You're Nobody 'Til Somebody Loves You • That's Amoré &b

... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Music book
Really good scoreing.Does not matter if you are buying this for singing or playing an instrument. The complete score an verse are there.

Good Collection
A good collection of music notes and lyrics for a good price. Of all Dino's classics in one single book. Good deal!

Bringing back memories
I am a big Dean Martin fan and have several of his cd's. That got me thinking about playing some of his songs on the keyboard. Of the 30 songs in this songbook, at least 18 were ones that I really liked and wanted to learn to play.I really enjoyed "You Belong to Me", "Volare", "On an Evening in Rome" and "Ain't That a Kick in the Head". I have been looking for some of these songs for a while so it was nice to see them in one spot.
It has the chord symbols above the staff for those who can't read piano sheet music.
I have found some songbooks have a lot of songs that I don't like, just to get to the ones I do like. In this case the book was well worth the money as I enjoyed well over half the songs. ... Read more

Product Description
1970s era tv show with dean martin as emcee and featuring comedians of the era poking fun at greats: george burns and jack benny...the jack benny roast is from 1974...the george burns roast from 1978 ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Dean Martin Roases
Excellent seller.Fast shipment, product exactly as presented. Would highly recommend and purchase from them again!

dean martin celebrity roasts
These are hilarious.As a child of the 70's it was really great to see all of the old-time comedians together again.Mu daughter even enjoys them.They are a lot of fun.

entertaining
Enjoyed rewatching the Dean Martin Roasts.Watched them orginally in the seventies.Laughed all the way through them. ... Read more

Product Description
This book lets you peek behind teh curtians at all the fun, friendship,a nd occasional star tantrums that went inot making this top-rated variety program. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (15)

Entertaining Stories about Dean Martin's Television Series
This year-by-year account of the making of the Dean Martin Show may be too much on the rah-rah, "everyone was great" side, but there is a large amount of detail regarding the hundreds of stars and sketches.Written by the man who was the show's special music coordinator, it helps that he was also Martin's stand-in during rehearsals, which leads to some inside-stories about the stars.

There isn't a lot of dirt here--most every celebrity is praised and Dean treated like a revered icon--but the stories keep the book humming along quickly.There are a couple minor errors and a few times the author goes off on a tangent in the middle of a season, but there is so much material covered that (like the show) even with some weaker material the good stuff shines through.

One complaint would be that we never really get to know anyone, especially Dean--and that's because the author never really knew Martin despite working with him for years.Since Dean only showed up for a few hours once a week, it was difficult to get to know the star.So if you are looking for insight into Martin, you won't find it here.But if you enjoy reading about 60s and 70s stars and the production of a TV variety show, it's an enjoyable read.

Here is a different perspective.....
I read the other reviews and was really looking forward to reading this book.I was very disappointed.After you have read one chapter, you have read the whole thing.Let me summarize for you:Dean is super talented and didn't like to, or need to rehearse.Greg Garrison is a genius.All of the guest stars were wonderful and were amazed that Dean did not rehearse.All the women loved Dean.The end.I just saved you several hours.

Backstage at the Dean Martin Show
Enjoyed the book very much. Had alot of pictures of guest,and a year by year acount of when they were on.

Dean Martin Show Book is excellent
This book is very detailed and it goes behind the scenes to tell you really what happened on this great old Thursday night program. Dean worked very hard....LY!

Nevertheless, it's a magical ride thru great television lore.
Dean Martin was one of the greatest entertainers ever placed in Hollywood. He will long be remembered for these shows as well as the Roasts ( that gets reviewed as well in the book).

PERFECT BOOK FOR THE MARTIN FAN!

Adding to the Dino Enigma
I buzzed through this book and was completely fascinated by the backstage comedy/dramas of putting on "The Dean Martin Show." I'm still floored by a Jimmy Stewart quote on page 131 of the hardback edition: wow.Thank you, Lee Hale, for naming names.

If you were around to see Dino's shows or the roasts, this book will open your eyes to a lot of what happened behind the scenes and give you some insights into many celebrities who showed up on these stages.
And at the center is the enigmatic King of Cool himself, the star who breezed in and out only for the show's taping, kept a photo of himself with Cardinal Spellman over his dressing room bar, kept even the closest people guessing whether that was apple juice or liquor in his glass.
The more you learn about Dino, the less you knew him--and the cooler he seems for it. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (3)

Barely informative, terribly written
I thought this book must have been a rush job, written to capitalize on Martin's death-- it reads like it was thrown together in a week.

The writing is awful-- sentences that are almost incomprehensible, non-sequitors abounding, a smarmy tone in an attempt to sound jaunty, many facts questionable if not downright wrong (The Lewis/Martin reunion was on the MD telethon not the "Frank Sinatra Show"-- whatever that was) . Save your time and money-- read "Martini Man" for a good bio.

dean martin biography
i own alot of dean martin biographies, this is one of the ok ones. most of the book is spent on deans partnership with jerry lewis and thru out the whole book in my opinion is discussed too much. they also dont even mention his son dying in a plane crash until the next to last page and then its back to jerry lewis again.

Dino deserves a better biography than this
Dean Martin, one of the most successful entertainers in history, deserves a better biography than this hastily written, poorly edited, work of pulp. ... Read more

Product Description
"This is the story of what happended backstage and behind the scenes in those joyful years when Dean was such a success. It is also the story of three distinctively different men who worked closely together in the production of that show." ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

excellent
The book came as promised with little delay..It was in perfect condition as described....easy to deal with

Just Plain Fun
Ole Dino has never left a person without a laugh.Even when he is serious, he makes one chuckle.This book takes his show, year by year and tells of all the great stuff that goes on back stage.Dean never liked to rehearse which is why there are so many mistakes in the show, only to be played up the the ultimate pro, the great Dean Martin.Good read.And dat ain't no apple juice in dat glass. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

terrific book, great photos, nicely writte4n
great book!!! fun read, lots of terrific unique BIG pictures....several two page shots....can make a fan out of anybody.

The ultimate James Dean book.
Beautiful picturs, 45-year-old articles, and movie logo's are the highlight of this quentissential James Dean book. By far it is one of the best I have ever read, while it's not really a biography, it tells of Deans childhood, the relation and impact made by the characters Dean played and the legacy he left to us. If there was only one book on Jimmy I could have, this would be it. After all this time this book shows that James dean has not lost his appeal. And I'm pretty sure, Jimmy will be even bigger in 2005 when he receaves the honerary academy award, this book will occupy me until then.

lots of great pics
This James Dean book is Awesome, it has sooo many great photos to look at I looked at this book for hours! james Dean is the best actor ever!!!!! this book gives all the information and pictures for his whole life's story, its great, you should buy it right away if you want to know and see James Dean!

Great if you're looking for pictures!
This is perhaps the best Dean book out there for those of us that are interested in the photographs.Some hard to find and exclusive pics are inthis one.Keep in mind it's not a biography if that is what you're lookingfor, but in terms of photos, this one can not be beat!

Good book but lacks
This book was good, had alot of pics. But at some parts of the book they had news paper clippings that were not compleat. I.E. One part is an interview with Passenger of the Fatel Crash. Half way into the interview,it cuts off. All and all a pretty good book if you like pics. ... Read more

Product Description
Robbing the Jews reveals the mechanisms by which the Nazis and their allies confiscated Jewish property, demonstrating the close relationship between robbery and the Holocaust. The spoliation evolved in intensifying steps. The Anschluss and Kristallnacht in 1938 reveal a dynamic tension between pressure from below and state-directed measures. In Western Europe the economic persecution of the Jews took the form of legal decrees and administrative measures. In Eastern Europe authoritarian governments adopted the Nazi program that excluded Jews from the economy and seized their property, based on indigenous antisemitism and plans for ethnically homogenous nation states. In the occupied East, property was collected at the killing sites - the most valuable objects were sent to Berlin, items of lesser value supported the local administration and rewarded collaborators. At several key junctures robbery acted as a catalyst for genocide, accelerating the progression from pogrom to mass murder. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Stealing from the Victims
The confiscation of Jew property served Nazi policy at several levels. As Martin Dean demonstrates through the extraordinary breadth of his research, Jewish property symbolized the active presence of Jewish influence at all levels of society. Local and regional Nazi functionaries often exceeded the legal implications and demands from Berlin. However, when local actions verged on a chaotic destruction of Jewish assets, state authorities attempted to curb the violence. Paralleling the ideological issue, Dean suggests a more base motivation behind the confiscation process. Climbing the economic ladder, corporate decisions to remove Jewish members from the lists of executives appears more complicated. As Peter Hayes and Harold James revealed in their works, corporate executives may have resisted the exclusion of Jews from their administrative boards but caved in under pressure. While readers may detect a parallel with Gotz Aly's emphasis on financial gain as the primary motive behind Nazi policy towards Jewish property, Dean leaves the field more open to a diverse collection of motives while still recognizing the centrality of Nazi ideology. ... Read more

Product Description
His brilliant imagination and startling novels have captured the attention of the American pubic and won the praise of critics natonwide. This first ever look at the author and his career includes an exclusive interview, his first published short story, a complete annotated guide to his work, and more. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Entertaining book
I enjoyed this book, as I learned much more about my favorite author, Dean Koontz, than I knew before. I didn't know, for example, that he grew up in my own state of residence: PA. And I didn't know the circumstances of his youth. I skimmed through a couple of the chapters, though, where Dean gave his opinion of some other writers. I was mainly interested in what was said about him, not what he thought of other authors. If you purchase this book, you'll get to read Dean's very first story ever published. When he was a child, he wrote a short story that wound up getting published in a magazine. (The end was predictable, but then, he was just a kid, and it was very well written.)

One of the best advice books out there
this is one of the best writers "how to" books that i have ever seen.he actually tells you how he does it.fantastic.highly recommend.

Needs a revision...
This book was really good.I am a big Dean Koontz fan, and was wicked excited to see this book.However, this book has it's flaws: one major flaw is that it tells WAY too much stuff about his novels, i.e. secretsthat you learn in the climax of the suspense are told throughout the book. What's more, it was made in 1994, it has missed a lot of newer books sincethen, including Dark Rivers of the Heart, Intensity, TickTock, SoleSurvivor, Fear Nothing, Seize the Night, and False Memory.It should berevised every time Koontz comes out with a new book.There is plenty moreI need to know about Koontz than is told here, therefore it could standsome improvements.Oh, well.All in all it was good.

The story-behind-the-man-behind-the-stories!
Anyone who enjoys Mr Koontz's work should get a real kick out of this book.You come to know the forces that shaped him into the writer we have all come to love. If you're curious about what impact the grep had in his life, this book will tell you the answers (actually, it wont tell you anything...you have to read it...unless you get the book on audio cassette, then it will tell you)Seriously, this is a book I would highly recommend to anyone who would like to read a story of one mans struggle to recieve a paycheck for something he loves (an what a paycheck it must be!!) And he must be a hell-of-a-guy for his wife to do what she did for him.PLEASE BUY THIS BOOK AND ENJOY.

This book kicks! Funny man!
If you are a Dean Koontz reader, you must be curious where he got his unique imagination and peculiar style.This is a funny and creative explanation of his life and work.It is not just a chronological biography, but a creative touch of this and that.FULL OF HUMOR! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

dean martin, a collecting guide
this book is in print and available from the publisher.it is a comprehensive discography (a listing of the recordings) of Dean Martin and includes information on videos and sheet music as well.there is an eight page color section illustrating various record jackets.a comprehensive index is included. ... Read more

Product Description

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is one of the most celebrated figures of the twentieth century. A crusader for nonviolent social justice, he led African Americans in their demands for equality through peaceful protests during one of the most tumultuous times in recent history.

Set against key moments in the civil rights movement, here is the story of the powerful, eloquent spiritual leader and his belief that nonviolence could be used to overcome racial discrimination.

Walter Dean Myers's moving narrative and Leonard Jenkins's compelling paintings portray a vivid and striking image of the man who moved American society closer to the ideals of freedom and fairness. Dr. King's dream that all Americans would be judged by their individual actions and character is one we still cherish today.

Customer Reviews (2)

great balck history month read
This is a book about Martin Luther King Jr.We learn that he stood for peace not violence. He wanted everyone to be treated equally no matter what color their skin was.Some people did not like the way Dr King went about things.They sent him mean letters and he even ended up in jail.Dr King never gave up or gave in to violence.He always stood strong in his beliefs.

I learned a lot from this book.I knew a little about Martain Luther King Jr but this story taught he much more.

This book would be helpful to elementary students when writing reports Martin Luther King Jr.There is a helpful time line with dates of important events listed in the back of the book.This is a great book to read during black history month.

Learning about One Man's Dream
Walter Dean Myers has created a good introduction to the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in his book I'VE SEEN THE PROMISED LAND.Through the story, children are presented with his basic biographical information beginning with his birth in 1929 and ending with his assassination in 1968.In addition, children are briefly introduced to the Civil Rights Movement, Rosa Parks and Malcolm X.Myers also shares some of the highlights of Dr. King's work in the movement and some of the personal sacrifices he made to do the work.

Overall, this book serves as a pleasant introduction to the life of Dr. King.The illustrations were enjoyable and really enhance the story.My biggest criticism is that it seems to define the Civil Rights Movement as a whole and Dr. King's life as synonymous.While Dr. King did have a major impact on the Civil Rights Movement, it was much bigger than King alone and included countless other heroes and sheroes throughout the nation.This book is by no means comprehensive, but as an introduction the author doesn't do a bad job presenting the information in a way that very young (his target audience) children will be able to grasp.

Reviewed by Stacey Seay
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers
... Read more

Product Description
Originally published in 1910.This volume from the Cornell University Library's print collections was scanned on an APT BookScan and converted to JPG 2000 format by Kirtas Technologies.All titles scanned cover to cover and pages may include marks notations and other marginalia present in the original volume. ... Read more