Book Review of "Make 'Em Laugh" by Laurence Maslon and Michael Kantor

Make 'Em Laugh: The Funny Business of America. [Hardcover]

by Laurence Maslon and Michael Kantor

384 pages, $45.00

ISBN-10: 0446505315

Nonfiction

Review by Steven King, MBA, MEd

Who doesn't love a good joke? Television programs and radio specials have proven one thing: people love to laugh. It has long been contended that laughter is the best medicine. Laughing, or at least finding the humor in not-so-obvious places, drives us all. As Mark Twain famously opined, "Against the assault of laughter nothing can stand."

Laurence Maslon and Michael Kantor have written a phenomenal book in Make 'Em Laugh: The Funny Business of America, which is a companion to the PBS series by the same name. In their introduction, these two witty authors assert that they are on a quest to discover what has made America laugh for the past 100 years - and, more importantly - why. In about 365 pages, you'll read why comedy has exploded in America in about five decades. It is refreshing to read a close dissection of comedy and the comedians who made us collectively laugh.

Masterfully divided, these two comedy surgeons have something for everyone (and every age, too), whether you define comedy as the zany antics of Lucille Ball; the parody of Billy Crystal; or the comic mastery of Robin Williams. Perhaps the most refreshing read, however, deals with their analysis of comedians from yesteryear: such as W.C. Fields and Charlie Chaplin.

During your meanderings through this book, you will unveil interesting facts:

* Charlie Chaplin's salary with Mutual Film Corporation was $670,000 in 1916, making him the highest paid performer in human history.

* Jim Carrey, whose comic brilliance approaches gargantuan proportions, was originally part of a sitcom that tanked in 1984 called The Duck Factory.

* Carol Burnett broke into comedy by wooing President Eisenhower's Secretary of State, John Foster Dulles, with a song professing her adoration of him.

The lore contained in this book will keep any trivia buff enthralled for a long time.

You won't read this masterpiece in one sitting, it's too big - table book big. Instead, you'll read it in bite-size portions, maybe three to six pages at a time. In that way, you'll get a very thorough look at comedy and the personalities behind it. Who knows? Maybe liberal readings of this book will prove the maxim that laughter truly is the best form of medicine.

It's sprinkled with jokes, too. You won't stop laughing...

Book Review - The Elements of Style by Strunk and White

Most of us do not like to write. Writing is a skill and not something you are born with. Initially, I did not like to write. I found it cumbersome and even difficult to put my thoughts into writing. Currently, I love to write. Writing has become a means of expression. It is the best way to organize your thoughts and convey meaning.

There are many books on writing and on technical aspects of writing such as punctuations, spelling, etc. There are few books on the style and proper flow of writing. One book stands above all books. It has also been around for awhile. That book is "The Elements of Style" by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White.

The authors are also writers themselves. E. B. White wrote the classic children's book, "Charlotte's Web". Their principles on the style and proper usage in writing is generally accepted by anyone and everyone (educators, writers, teachers, etc.).

The book, "Elements of Style", should be one of those books that students and writers should have a copy of. As a student, you will learn principles that will make your essays and papers convey effective meaning (and earn an "A" at the same time). As a writer, you will be able to make your writing flow purposefully and your ideas come across as organized and effective. This is what you want your writing to be.

The English language has its own code. The book, "Elements of Style", will enable you to "break that code" in your writing. That code includes how to use punctuations, active tense, composition, expressions, and style. Here are the topics that are covered by this reference book:

* Elementary rules of usage
This includes how to properly use parenthesis, commas, colons, dashes, etc. It is also discusses using the proper possessive form, proper use of pronouns, phrases, etc.

* Elementary principles of composition
This includes choosing a design in your writing, paragraphs, active voice, statements in positive form, using definitive (rather than useless words), loose sentences, keeping related words together, use of tense, placing emphatic words at end, etc.

* An Approach to Style
This includes writing naturally, writing with nouns and verbs, revising, rewriting, cardinal sins such as using foreign languages or excessive opinions, being clear, over explanation, etc.

* A Few Matters of Form and Words and Expressions Commonly Misused.

This will benefit anyone who needs to write to a wider audience. Unless you want to write in fragmented thoughts or in a haphazard way, then this book is not for you. Otherwise, you will need this book, "The Elements of Style", to be a reference for all your writing.

As an author, Pascasio Felisilda recently published the book "Nanay: Lessons from a Mother". This is a very inspiring book. Its simplicity empowers the message and story about a legacy that is worth living. The book is available through http://www.amazon.com/ or through http://www.ebookstand.com/book_details/Nanay_Lessons_from_a_Mother_PAPERBACK_VERSION

An Easy Guide to Online Genealogical Research

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There are many things to learn about genealogy, and with the advent of new technology the amount of information available on this topic has literally exploded. The internet has blossomed overnight with increasingly updated data about a wide range of topics - genealogy included - and with this super-nova like expansion, many people who are interested in genealogy, neophytes and experts alike, got sucked into this fascinating world of kinship, lineage and ancestry.

That's one problem solved. Tracking down data used to be a huge problem because of the lack of resources as well as its inaccessibility. Now, the problem isn't how much data you can mine from the internet, but how you can filter it and make sure you've got correct and accurate information that is clearly distinguishable from fraudulent material.

To help professionals as well as beginners negotiate the vast world of online information to aid them in their genealogical research, authors April Leigh Helm and Matthew L. Helm another book about online genealogical research that is the latest in a slew of "Dummy" books designed to be easy guides to some of the most fascinating yet complicated topics in the world.

A five part book, it starts off with the easy stuff, guiding beginners through an introduction to the topic that includes helpful tips for starting their research on the internet. Parts 1 and 2 cover valuable nuggets of wisdom about surnames, government records, ethnic research and geographical locations.

Part 4 then delves into one of the most important sections of the book, where a lot of online resources are found and sorted into accessible chunks of information. In this part, the authors list down their top ten for all things genealogical: ten internet genealogical publications, ten guidelines on how to design a genealogy web page, ten genealogy beginner's sites and ten guidelines for a smooth sailing genealogical research. Also included are yellow page listings on various sites and descriptions to aid your search for genealogical information.

The directory provided by the book doesn't just make the search for information easier but also makes it a lot more fun. All the sections in the book that detail information about search engines allows readers to acquire the most important information provided by search engine bots called "spiders". The thing to know is that the better researchers understand how the online search process works, the easier their work will be and consequently, the more fun it'll be. By following the guidelines provided by the book, users can avoid common mistakes most beginners make, which is to pick a random search engine and just type the surname they are looking for. This method yields millions of web pages of information, but unfortunately, doesn't really narrow down the search.

Another notable thing about this book is that it provides a database of land patent from the previous GLO or General Land Office provided through the Bureau of Land Management's Eastern State Office or BLMESO. Readers have a chance of downloading copies of their ancestors' land patents through this service. Because of this, a lot of people have found the book a good source of information for aspiring genealogists as it covers not just content found on websites but also tips on how to obtain important genealogical skills.

For true techies, the book is also available in CD format, which allows them to access the same information found in the book through their laptops, however, it is worth noting that books are simpler to use and are more accessible.

Rated "cool" and "informational", the book seems to be a hit among genealogy readers, among whom, this "Dummy" book has truly found its niche and a resounding applause of appreciation.

Bill Turnbull has been studying genealogy for 15 years and in that time has discovered the secrets to building family trees effortlessly online. For more great information on Genealogy [http://www.voodoogenealogy.com] visit Build Family Tree Online [http://www.voodoogenealogy.com/build-family-tree-online/]

Historical Dictionary of Hong Kong Cinema

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Filmmakers and film fans interested in more than a century of Hong Kong cinema can find what they're looking for in this new reference book. Stokes, a humanities and film professor who also wrote "City on Fire: Hong Kong Cinema," includes enough background information to educate newcomers, while also adding plenty of scholarly insight to enlighten devoted film buffs, industry professionals, and even Hong Kong filmmakers.

This extensive reference begins with a chronology that traces the area's history back to its 1841 occupation by the British to the 2005 Hong Kong Entertainment Expo, which brought together eight creative events including the Hong Kong International Film Festival and the Hong Kong Film Awards. A fascinating introduction follows the chronology, in which the movers and shakers in Hong Kong cinema are highlighted, in addition to economic, social, and political factors that influenced filmmaking there over the years.

The bulk of the book, of course, is the dictionary itself, which describes as well as defines the directors, actors, writers, films, production companies, genres, and other significant people, places, and things that surround Hong Kong Cinema. For example, let's say a reader wants to learn more about filmmaker Stephen Chiau, whose recent film Kung Fu Hustle broke box-office records in Hong Kong and enjoyed critical and economic success in the United States. Besides brief mentions in the front matter, his listing under "Chiau" provides his name in various languages, birth date, personal and professional background, a listing of his awards, partial listing of numerous television and film credits, descriptions of his acting/directing style, and insider information about his two big international hits Shaolin Soccer and Kung Fu Hustle. Readers also learn that he is called "The Chinese Jim Carrey" because of his slapstick and pratfalls. Boldfaced items listed under each dictionary entry (in the case of Stephen Chiau: Tony Leung-wai, Danny Lee, television, Golden Horse Awards, Michael Hui, Ng Man-tat, kung fu, martial arts, and Hong Kong Film Awards) represent cross-references with their own listings.

In the center of the book, a brief section is included with photographs of films and filmmakers cited in the text. "Historical Dictionary of Hong Kong Cinema" concludes with a bibliography that lists online, magazine, journal, and book sources used in compiling the text.

Stokes writes in the preface that her goal is to provide "a comprehensive and detailed overview of the immense contribution of Hong Kong to film culture." She surely succeeds in this endeavor, as the book will serve fans, filmmakers, and scholars ready to delve into the intricacies and peculiarities of Hong Kong cinema.

Copyright 2007

For more movie news and reviews visit: http://home.roadrunner.com/~lesliehalpern Central Florida entertainment writer Leslie Halpern wrote the book "Reel Romance. The Lovers' Guide to the 100 Best Date Movies" (Taylor Trade Publishing), which reviews date movies and suggests romantic ideas inspired by these films. She is also the author of "Dreams on Film: The Cinematic Struggle Between Art and Science" (McFarland & Company), an analysis of representations of sleeping and dreaming in more than 125 movies.

By Lisa Odham Stokes
Publisher: Scarecrow Press, Lanham, MD
ISBN: 978-0-8108-5520-5
2007, Hardcover, 590 pages, $99.00

Writing-World's Guide To Paying Markets For Fiction and Poetry - Book Review

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Writing-World.com's Guide to Paying Markets for Fiction and Poetry by Moira Allen, is more than just a book of data for writer's submissions. The author includes only paying markets of periodicals (E-zines, magazines and a few newspapers). The author created a highly valuable section entitled "About this Guide", that explains what each section of details listed under the publications means. She even goes as far as describing the various rights that are often required by periodicals. I learned within the first 17 pages that I had been addressing envelopes incorrectly for international shipping by placing the country in mostly small caps beside the state or province. And what a surprise that was for me - I had no idea there was a protocol for shipping out-of-country! This important chapter also discusses common issues and problems with email and online submissions. Moira's discussion on literary magazines was also very informative and interesting.

Listing markets for short stories, poetry, fiction, fantasy, horror, Christian, adult and many other genres from romance to mystery - this book is sure to help authors market their books and freelance writers sell their articles. Author Moira Allen, goes a step farther and sub-groups markets into smaller categories, such as Children/Christian and Flash Fiction, to make the selection easier for writers.

Reference books like these tend to be dry and boring to read, but Moira's book is written personably - which is difficult to do when listing data. Each listing has numerous helpful tips and information including what kind of material the publication accepts submission for, what the publication's pay rate starts at, what rights are requested and contact information (including emails and website URLs).

This book has definitely found a spot on my writer's reference shelf in my office!

Publisher: Writing-World.com
Available at: http://www.writing-world.com/bookstore/index.shtml

~ Lillian Brummet: co-author of the books Trash Talk and Purple Snowflake Marketing, author of Towards Understanding; host of the Conscious Discussions radio show (http://www.brummet.ca/)

Book Review - Collecting Costume Jewelry 202

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Author Julia C. Carroll's "Collecting Costume Jewelry 202? follows her comprehensive first volume, Collecting Costume Jewelry 101

This identification and value guide covers the basics of dating jewelry from 1935-1980. It's full of hundreds of photographs and drawings, plus patent information and designer profiles.

Six methods for dating costume jewelry are explored in detail, with illustrations and examples, to help collectors answer the question, "How old is this piece?"

1. Dating jewelry from the maker's dates of operation and the maker's signature

Knowing when a manufacturer or designer produced their jewelry places the piece within a specific date range. A manufacturer and marks chart in an appendix at the back of the book provides dates of operation for most collectible costume jewelry.

The copyright symbol, ?, was used after 1955, when Trifari won a lawsuit against a company that had pirated one of Trifari's designs. After 1955 most manufacturers ceased their prior practice of patenting designs and instead began copyrighting them.

Jewelry makers sometimes changed the design of their signature, or used a completely new signature. For example, "KTF" is an early Trifari signature from 1935 to 1938, when it was discontinued - but in 1954 "KTF" was used again, this time with a crown over the "T". Variations in the signatures can be valuable tools for dating costume jewelry.

Sometimes makers added the year of manufacture or inventory numbers to their pieces. During World War II some makers used sterling silver since other metals were needed for the war effort. Pieces made between 1943 and 1948 are signed with the maker's mark and "sterling".

2. Dating jewelry using patent information

Utility patents were issued for the mechanics and practical aspects of jewelry. Design patents were used to protect the designer's creation of the piece of jewelry. Both contain detailed illustrations, and each type of patent is numbered and dated. The extensive appendix to the book has a Designers Chart that lists well-known jewelry makers and the designers who created jewelry for them. If you can find a patent number or date on your piece of jewelry, you may be able to date it using the chart.

3. Dating jewelry by reviewing vintage advertisements

Vintage advertisements are a wonderful way to date vintage costume jewelry, and it's fun to read through them. This book contains over 160 advertisements for dozens of makers, spanning the years 1943-1982. These beautifully illustrated ads not only show of the jewelry, but also show how it was worn. Vintage ads can be found in books, old magazines and catalogs, and can also be purchased individually on line. If you're lucky enough to find your jewelry in a vintage advertisement, you'll know for sure when it was made, or at least when it was sold. You can also look for pieces that are similar to or coordinate with yours.

4. Dating jewelry by the style or design of the piece

Less efficient than the first three methods, using the style or design to try to date jewelry is described in general guidelines. The use of rhinestones, the various types of metal or plastic are used, the type of hardware and construction, and the theme of the piece can sometimes be used to get an approximate age. There is a great deal of detail in this chapter, with lots of tips and illustrations.

5. Dating jewelry using books and the internet

If you haven't started a collection of books about vintage jewelry, you will no doubt start one very soon. There are hundreds of books out there, and an online search will bring up many tempting titles. The internet provides a virtually endless supply of information, and it's updated almost constantly. The author recommends that accuracy of information the internet be carefully checked for accuracy. Vintage ads can often be found for sale on the internet.

6. Dating jewelry by provenance

"Provenance" means the origin or source. Dating jewelry by provenance can be done by talking to people who actually bought and wore the jewelry back in the day.

Most of this book is taken up by detailed charts and illustrations of costume jewelry the most prolific makers - Coro, Boucher, Hattie Carnegie, Eisenberg, Hobe, Lisner, Weiss, and many many others. The manufacturer and Marks Chart show describe the many signatures found on vintage costume jewelry.

I'm Deena O'Daniel, an artist, writer and entrepreneur from Austin, Texas, by way of California.

Please visit my web site, http://www.oakhillboutique.com/ for a large array of costume jewelry, china, pottery, collectibles and gifts.

You can also become a fan of Oak Hill Boutique on Facebook and be the first to see what's new. For more articles about jewelry, please visit my blog at http://www.oakhilljewels.com/.

The Ultimate Cigar Book Review

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Are you thinking of joining the ever growing group of individuals who love to smoke fine cigars? Or, are you already an avid cigar smoker looking to learn more about the hobby you've grown to love? Whether you're new to the wonderful world of cigar smoking, or a seasoned professional, The Ultimate Cigar Book by Richard Hacker offers you a wealth of knowledge on cigars that any cigar smoker can appreciate.

In The Ultimate Cigar Book, Hacker researches and reviews all sorts of non-Havana cigars, by describing production outside of Cuba. If you're an American looking for a practical book on cigars, the non-Cuban approach Hacker uses is sure to prove useful. As all good American cigar smokers know, it's hard to come across a cuban cigar that isn't illegal to have. Real hard. In fact, it's impossible with U.S. laws.

Not only will you find numerous reviews of fine cigars from all over the world inside The Ultimate Cigar Book, but also Hacker doesn't shy away from including reviews of some of the cheaper, factory made cigars, such as the Phillies.

Along with reviews, Hacker will turn you into a cigar expert, teaching you how cigars are made and what to look for when choosing the right cigar for you or a friend. Although Hacker does make some ill-advised generalization about the makeup of a cigar, like stating that a lighter shade wrapper will indicate a milder tasting cigar, for the most part Hacker is dead on.

Whether you're a seasoned pro or just a beginner, I suggest you check out The Ultimate Cigar Book. Before you start dumping money into this expensive hobby, you should definitely consult this book.

As one of the few cigar books out there, I give this book a 9/10 rating.

Darin is an avid smoker of fine cigars. To learn more about The Ultimate Cigar Book and read some user reviews, click here.