Archive for Items Categorized 'Other Genres', only excerpts shown, click title for full entry.

3-D Movies

by R.M. Hayes

The “hyperhaptic visuality” in Avatar in 2009 may have created a lot of hoopla—only to then fizz out again—but the 3D film process was already over a hundred years old by then! From specific movies to how they’re made and on what equipment, this book by an industry insider is a good overview.

A Grand Complication

by Stacy Perman

This gripping social commentary and fine character study pins two men against each other who yearn to add the most complicated watch ever to their collections.

Superman, The High-Flying History of America’s Most Enduring Hero

by Larry Tye

Little Orphan Annie and Oliver Twist have more in common with the Man of Steel than you might think and this is only of many surprising connections this book makes.

Decoding Dylan

by Jim Curtis

The most elusive, enigmatic, inscrutable and problematic songwriter of the Rock era—is it really possible to decode Bob Dylan’s songs? Is Jim Curtis, an academic, up to the task? Read our review and decide for yourself. Decoding Dylan is like untangling a closet full of clothes hangers.

Want To Hold Your Hand / This Boy

The Beatles

All right, so it’s a record.. . . There’s more to life than car books, dontchaknow, and we are, after all, inquisitive folk. So read this. Or don’t.

Building the Star of India

by David M. Cox

Would you be able to tell from the cover photo that this is a 22″-long model?? With thousands of parts, many fully functional? You do have to be a rocket scientist to build these things—or you have to know the fellow who wrote this book and can build yours.

Space Odyssey

by Michael Benson

The movie is still fantastic. It has aged very, very well. Michael Benson tells the story of its conception, gestation and birth. He did his job so well that our reviewer was too involved and engrossed to actually write a proper review, but, please, check out his attempt . . .

Orbiting Ray Bradbury’s Mars

by Gloria MacMillan, editor

Bradbury is on the A-list of classic sci-fi literature. This book examines his work through various prisms—literary, sociological, scientific. It also deals with how Bradbury was adapted to film and television. It will satisfy both Bradbury fans and Bradbury scholars

The Watch Book

by Gisbert L. Brunner & Christian Pfeiffer-Belli

Sure, smartphones tell time—but that’s not what the engineering marvels and artworks that are the mechanical wristwatch are about. This book showcases 18 makers and highlights of their work.

Gone With The Wind on Film

by Cynthia Marylee Molt

It was the highest-earning film for a quarter century. It set records for the total number of Oscar nominations and wins at the time. You’ve seen it, probably more than once. Before you watch it again, read this book!

Psycho, The Birds and Halloween

by Randy Rasmussen

Three classic horror films. Rasmussen’s prose takes us scene by scene into their terrors and madness. A diverting book. Light your candle on your great-grandmother’s skull, swipe away the cobwebs and, dear Speedreaders readers, read all about it.

The Rooster Bar

by John Grisham

A tale of law students growing disillusioned—about their chosen profession, their mediocre school, crushing student loan debt. The students hatch a plan, and as so many plans hatched over a drink or three, things go a bit off the rails.