-Titulo Original : 30 Days Of Creativity Draw, Color, And Discover Your Creative Self-Fabricante : Penguin Books-Descripcion Original: The creator of the worldwide bestselling coloring books is back with a new book to unlock that inner creative lurking in us all, a guide that encourages comfort, pushes us to experiment, and above all, empowers us to discover joy in our own livesIn 30 Days of Creativity, colorist Johanna Basford takes you on a journey of imaginative prompts and inspiring ideas that will kick-start your creativity. A mix of whimsical doodle pages, expert artistic advice, and simple step-by-step drawing guides, the book celebrates the things that bring us comfort and joy, from scrumptious ice cream cones to flourishing potted plants. And of course, theres plenty of pages to color when you find yourself in flow and want to remain in the creative bubble a little longer. For those of us who struggle to make time for self-care, the prompt to pick up your book each day will soon become a creative habit that allows a little calm into your life. About the Author Johanna Basford is an illustrator and ink evangelist who prefers pens and pencils to pixels. Her intricate, hand-drawn illustrations are loved the world over by those who have colored in (sometimes more than once) her bestselling books Worlds of Wonder, How to Draw Inky Wonderlands, World of Flowers, Ivy and the Inky Butterfly, Johannas Christmas, Magical Jungle, Lost Ocean, Enchanted Forest, and Secret Garden. Johanna is a graduate of Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design in Dundee. She likes sugar mice, floral teacups, peonies, and bumblebees...

-Titulo Original : On All Fronts The Education Of A Journalist-Fabricante : Penguin Books-Descripcion Original: “On All Fronts takes the reader on a riveting journey of storytelling. . . From Russia to China to Syria, [she] navigate[s] the most intense of human experiences while finding the tools to stay emotional.”-Lynsey Addario, author of It’s What I Do: A Photographer’s Life of Love and WarThe recipient of multiple Peabody and Murrow awards, Clarissa Ward is a world-renowned conflict reporter. In this strange age of crisis where there really is no front line, she has moved from one hot zone to the next. With multiple assignments in Syria, Egypt, and Afghanistan, Ward, who speaks seven languages, has been based in Baghdad, Beirut, Beijing, and Moscow. She has seen and documented the violent remaking of the world at close range. With her deep empathy, Ward finds a way to tell the hardest stories. On All Fronts is the riveting account of Ward’s singular career and of journalism in this age of extremism.Following a privileged but lonely childhood, Ward found her calling as an international war correspondent in the aftermath of 9/11. From her early days in the field, she was embedding with marines at the height of the Iraq War and was soon on assignment all over the globe. But nowhere does Ward make her mark more than in war-torn Syria, which she has covered extensively with courage and compassion. From her multiple stints entrenched with Syrian rebels to her deep investigations into the Western extremists who are drawn to ISIS, Ward has covered Bashar al-Assad’s reign of terror without fear. In 2018, Ward rose to new heights at CNN and had a son. Suddenly, she was doing this hardest of jobs with a whole new perspective.On All Fronts is the unforgettable story of one extraordinary journalist-and of a changing world. Review “In On All Fronts, [Ward] combines grace, authority, and a humor so dry it evaporates on contact. Whether Ward is fending off the dissolute, lecherous Saif Gadhafi, son of the brutal former Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi, in a Moscow Mercedes, or confronting a jihadist leader with video evidence of an execution carried out by his men, she gives off the impression that the story is, above all personal considerations, sacrosanct . . . Ward shows an enduring faith in the power of reporting.” -Annalisa Quinn, NPR“A candid, heart-pounding look into [Ward’s] life as a war correspondent . . . it’s how she tells the stories of the people on the inside, especially the children, that will stay with you. I walked away astounded by the bravery of this woman.” -Jill Hazelbaker, SVP of Public Affairs and Marketing at Uber, Bloomberg“Ward’s journalism skills shine, putting readers on the front lines. Readers interested in the life stories of intrepid women journalists and the nature of investigative, international journalism will be captivated by this engrossing account.” -Library Journal “[Ward’s] descriptions of her experiences at all the sites are vivid and precise . . . A thoughtful account of the excitement and pitfalls of war reporting.” -Kirkus “Ward details her often harrowing career in this page-turning memoir . . . Readers will come away with at least a basic understanding of multiple international conflicts. This is a wonderful addition to the list of recent titles about women working in war-torn lands.” -Booklist “Ward, CNN’s chief international correspondent, recounts her life in journalism in this insightful memoir . . . She details her often harrowing experiences that eventually took a toll on her physical and mental well-being . . . But it’s the connections she made with the civilians that really tell the story of these war-torn regions and demonstrate an empathy that makes Ward’s work so accessible . . . Ward surprises in this affecting insider view of international reporting.” -Publishers Weekly “On All Fronts is funny, fascinating, heart-breaking and heroic. Clarissa Ward doesn’t just take us to the front lines of the world’s most dangerous places, revealing the pain and pleasur...

-Titulo Original : Mike Nichols A Life-Fabricante : Penguin Books-Descripcion Original: One of Peoples top ten books of 2021 *An instant New York Times bestseller * Named a best book of the year by NPR and Time A magnificent biography of one of the most protean creative forces in American entertainment history, a life of dazzling highs and vertiginous plunges-some of the worst largely unknown until now-by the acclaimed author of Pictures at a Revolution and Five Came BackMike Nichols burst onto the scene as a wunderkind: while still in his twenties, he was half of a hit improv duo with Elaine May that was the talk of the country. Next he directed four consecutive hit plays, won back-to-back Tonys, ushered in a new era of Hollywood moviemaking with Whos Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, and followed it with The Graduate, which won him an Oscar and became the third-highest-grossing movie ever. At thirty-five, he lived in a three-story Central Park West penthouse, drove a Rolls-Royce, collected Arabian horses, and counted Jacqueline Kennedy, Elizabeth Taylor, Leonard Bernstein, and Richard Avedon as friends.Where he arrived is even more astonishing given where he had begun: born Igor Peschkowsky to a Jewish couple in Berlin in 1931, he was sent along with his younger brother to America on a ship in 1939. The young immigrant boy caught very few breaks. He was bullied and ostracized--an allergic reaction had rendered him permanently hairless--and his father died when he was just twelve, leaving his mother alone and overwhelmed.The gulf between these two sets of facts explains a great deal about Nicholss transformation from lonely outsider to the center of more than one cultural universe--the acute powers of observation that first made him famous; the nourishment he drew from his creative partnerships, most enduringly with May; his unquenchable drive; his hunger for security and status; and the depressions and self-medications that brought him to terrible lows. It would take decades for him to come to grips with his demons. In an incomparable portrait that follows Nichols from Berlin to New York to Chicago to Hollywood, Mark Harris explores, with brilliantly vivid detail and insight, the life, work, struggle, and passion of an artist and man in constant motion. Among the 250 people Harris interviewed: Elaine May, Meryl Streep, Stephen Sondheim, Robert Redford, Glenn Close, Tom Hanks, Candice Bergen, Emma Thompson, Annette Bening, Natalie Portman, Julia Roberts, Lorne Michaels, and Gloria Steinem.Mark Harris gives an intimate and evenhanded accounting of success and failure alike; the portrait is not always flattering, but its ultimate impact is to present the full story of one of the most richly interesting, complicated, and consequential figures the worlds of theater and motion pictures have ever seen. It is a triumph of the biographers art. Review “A pleasure to read and a model biography: appreciative yet critical, unfailingly intelligent and elegantly written . . . a shrewd, in-depth reckoning of the elusive man behind the polished facade. . . . [Harris’s] marvelous book makes palpable in artful detail the extraordinary scope and brilliance of [Nichols’s] achievements.” -Wendy Smith,The Washington Post “Wonderful . . . [Harris] is in top form here. His command of the theater world and the film industry and his smart and engaging writing (he calls the profligate Nichols ‘a rich man who enjoyed living like an even richer man’) make the book a pleasure to read.” -Christian Science Monitor“Hugely entertaining . . . Harris is a talented storyteller.” -Louis Menand, The New Yorker“Immersive . . . a book to savor, full of juicy industry details, nonstop name-dropping and insights from scores of Nichols’ famous friends. It truly feels like stepping into Nichols’ world.” -NPR’s 2021 Books We Love “Gleaming . . . fortified with a wealth of interviews that make the acknowledgments a red carpet roll call (Candice Bergen, Robert Redford, Meryl Streep…), Mike Nichols: A Life is a midcentury fairy...

-Titulo Original : Fundamentals Ten Keys To Reality-Fabricante : Penguin Books-Descripcion Original: “Fundamentals might be the perfect book for the winter of this plague year. . . . Wilczek writes with breathtaking economy and clarity, and his pleasure in his subject is palpable.” -The New York Times Book ReviewOne of our great contemporary scientists reveals the ten profound insights that illuminate what everyone should know about the physical worldIn Fundamentals, Nobel laureate Frank Wilczek offers the reader a simple yet profound exploration of reality based on the deep revelations of modern science. With clarity and an infectious sense of joy, he guides us through the essential concepts that form our understanding of what the world is and how it works. Through these pages, we come to see our reality in a new way--bigger, fuller, and stranger than it looked before.Synthesizing basic questions, facts, and dazzling speculations, Wilczek investigates the ideas that form our understanding of the universe: time, space, matter, energy, complexity, and complementarity. He excavates the history of fundamental science, exploring what we know and how we know it, while journeying to the horizons of the scientific world to give us a glimpse of what we may soon discover. Brilliant, lucid, and accessible, this celebration of human ingenuity and imagination will expand your world and your mind. Review A gorgeous and inviting overview of the fundamental facts of physical reality.” -Steven Pinker, author of Enlightenment Now“This is an exuberant, gorgeously crafted, and intellectually thrilling book, written by one of our greatest living scientists yet hospitable to all. To be reminded that time and space, mystery and order, are so much stranger and more generous than we can comprehend-this is a gift to public life and moral imagination in a young century where what is visible and tangible feels chaotic and constricting. This book is also unexpectedly spiritually thrilling. Wilczek makes the remarkable move of picking up and evolving the classic scientists’ faith that their investigations would reveal the mind of our maker, as well as Einstein’s self-described ‘cosmic spiritual sensibility.’ What began as an exposition, as Wilzcek writes, ‘grew into a contemplation.’ The result is a profoundly enriched understanding, accessible to the religious and non-religious alike, of what it means to be human-and what we might be pointing at when we use the word God.” -Krista Tippett, host of On Being and author of Becoming Wise If you were to go back just two hundred years and tell people what we knew, from the origins of the universe to the molecular basis of life, and how weird and unintuitive nature is at the atomic scale, they would think we were crazy. But if you showed them what we have created with that knowledge, they would think we were magicians. In this engaging and highly accessible book, Frank Wilczek shows how the vast edifice that is modern science was constructed with only a few ingredients and assumptions, but depended crucially on a way of thinking-about the nature of evidence and how it applied to the world around us. Anyone interested in the underlying basis of the complexity of today’s science will enjoy this book.” -Venki Ramakrishnan, winner of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry and author of Gene Machine How is the universe put together? Beneath the bewildering clamor of the world around us, there lies a hidden realm of subtle mathematical beauty, a bedrock of fundamental principles in which all of nature is grounded. Few living scientists have accomplished more than Frank Wilczek in helping unveil that deeper layer of existence. With poetry and fervor, Wilczek takes us on a breathtaking journey to the frontiers of physics, and reminds us of just how privileged we human beings are to glimpse the foundations of reality.” -Paul Davies, Regents Professor at Arizona State University and author of The Demon in the Machine Fundamentals reflects Frank Wilczek’s extraordinary intellectual ran...

-Titulo Original : The Absolute Book A Novel-Fabricante : Penguin Books-Descripcion Original: A bewitching epic fantasy about a revenge killing, a mysterious scroll box that has survived centuries of fires, and the book that changed everythingIntricately plotted and gorgeously written, The Absolute Book is a cinematic tale that is by turns dark and dreamlike, yet ultimately hopeful. --Deborah Harkness, New York Times bestselling author of A Discovery of Witches An instant classic . . . It is everything fantasy should be. --The GuardianTaryn Cornick believes that the past--her sisters violent death, and her own ill-conceived revenge--is behind her, and she can get on with her life. She has written a successful book about the things that threaten libraries: insects, damp, light, fire, carelessness and uncaring . . . but not all of the attention it brings her is good.A policeman, Jacob Berger, questions her about a cold case. Then there are questions about a fire in the library at her grandparents house and an ancient scroll box known as the Firestarter, as well as threatening phone calls and a mysterious illness. Finally a shadowy young man named Shift appears, forcing Taryn and Jacob toward a reckoning felt in more than one world.The Absolute Book is epic, action-packed fantasy in which hidden treasures are recovered, wicked things resurface, birds can talk, and dead sisters are a living force. It is a book of journeys and returns, from contemporary England to Auckland, New Zealand; from a magical fairyland to Purgatory. Above all, it is a declaration of love for stories and the ways in which they shape our worlds and create gods out of mortals. Review Named a Best Book of the Year by the New York Times and Tor“Blends numerous genres with a skillful and inquiring hand . . . Reading [The Absolute Book] is like holding folds of shot silk to the light, finding green flash in something that looks purple, and appreciating how thoughtfully the warp and weft embrace each other. . . Im in awe of . . . its precision and care, and its wry, understated humor.”-Amal El-Mohtar, The New York Times Book Review“Majestic, brain-bending . . . Every once in a while, as a reader, you run into one of those books that is just too big for your mind to entirely take in. . . . Its quite bracing to come up against the hard edge of your own imagination as you try to pursue a visionary author through the limitless expanse of hers. This is all to say that the experience of reading the New Zealand writer Elizabeth Knoxs contemporary fantasy novel The Absolute Book reminded me of how I felt reading Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell or The Left Hand of Darkness or His Dark Materials or, to move out of genre, Life After Life or The Underground Railroad. I felt that my position in relation to the books capacious intellect and imagination and moral purpose was a vertiginous one. It was thrilling and frightening. . . . Each time I thought the book was done surprising me, Knox flexed her own golden gauntlet and opened another gate and flung me through it.” -Dan Kois, Slate“The Absolute Book has the feel of an instant classic, a work to rank alongside other modern masterpieces of fantasy such as Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials series or Susanna Clarke’s Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell. It is everything fantasy should be: original, magical, well read. Its language is assured, lyrical yet never overwrought, and in its surprising twists of fate, its deft characterization and constant forward momentum, it is both accessible and compelling. At 600-plus pages, a book makes demands on the reader simply at the level of how much time they are prepared to devote to it. Yet that very ambition, the sweep and heft of its ideas, ensure that effort expended is amply rewarded.” -The Guardian“Full of intrigue, mystery, magic, and history, this is a fascinating read that, despite its length, is hard to put down.” -BuzzFeed“At once sad and enticing.”-The Wall Street Journal“A marvelous argument for stories. There are Norse gods, r...

-Titulo Original : Dolls! Dolls! Dolls! Deep Inside Valley Of The Dolls, The Most Beloved Bad Book And Movie Of All Time-Fabricante : Penguin Books-Descripcion Original: A blissful treasure trove of gossipy insider details that Dolls fans will swiftly devour.--Kirkus ReviewsThe unbelievable-but-true, inside story of Jacqueline Susanns pop culture icon Valley of the Dolls--the landmark novel and publishing phenomenon, the infamous smash hit film (the best worst movie ever made), and Dollss thriving legacy today Since its publication in 1966, Jacqueline Susanns Valley of the Dolls has reigned as one of the most influential and beloved pieces of commercial fiction. Selling over thirty-one million copies worldwide, it revolutionized overnight the way books got sold, thanks to the tireless and canny self-promoting Susann. It also generated endless speculation about the authors real-life models for its larger-than-life characters. Turned in 1967 into an international box-office sensation and morphing into a much-beloved cult film, its influence endures today in everything from films and TV shows to fashion and cosmetics tributes and tie-ins. Susanns compulsive readable expose of three female friends finding success in New York City and Hollywood was a scandalous eye-opener for its candid treatment of sex, naked ambition, ageism, and pill-popping, and the big screen version was one of the most-seen and talked-about movies of the time. Dolls! Dolls! Dolls! digs deep into the creation of that hugely successful film--a journey nearly as cut-throat, sexually-charged, tragic, and revelatory as Susanns novel itself--and uncovers how the movie has become a cherished, widely imitated camp classic, thanks to its over-the-top performances, endlessly quotable absurd dialogue, outre costumes and hairdos, despite the high aspirations, money, and talent lavished on it. Screenwriter-journalist-film historian Stephen Rebello has conducted archival research and new interviews to draw back the velvet curtain on the behind-the-scenes intrigue, feuds and machinations that marked the films production. In doing so, he unveils a rich, detailed history of fast-changing, late 1960s Hollywood, on screen and off. Review With great detail and heavy research, the book is as heady and colorful as the pulsating Pucci prints Susann so famously wore. It’s everything you could have ever possibly wanted to know about the book history loved to hate. - Vogue Full of surprises and even suspense - revealing how cutthroat and puerile Hollywood can be. . . . A book to simply enjoy, especially after seeing the film, which I strongly recommend you do. - The Washington Post Through extensive research and interviews, Rebello draws back the curtain on Susanns soapy saga, offering insight into the behind-the-scenes secrets in bringing the book to the big screen. - The Hollywood ReporterRebello is a skilled writer and shrewd observer of Hollywood. . . . If gossip is your doll, Rebello has the hookup. - Los Angeles TimesThis book is light as a Maribou Teddy and I really recommend reading it in the tub. -Rachel Syme, via Twitter “ Dolls! Dolls! Dolls! offers an entertaining behind-the-scenes look at the movie’s bumpy creative process.” - The A.V. Club Anyone seeking nonfiction escapism will be well served by Rebello’s loving dissection of a camp classic’s print and screen incarnations. - Publishers Weekly A blissful treasure trove of gossipy insider details that Dolls fans will swiftly devour. . . . Written with a cinematic excitement and giddiness bordering on satire, this is an indulgent treat for Dolls fans. . . . Memorable reading for die-hard devotees and those seeking to relive all the breathless histrionics. - Kirkus ReviewsRebello packs tons of information into this loving look at a cultural and cult phenomenon, sprinkling gossipy bits among the stats. . . . Indulge yourself. Fans will love! love! love!, and newcomers will enjoy the Hollywood insider aspect. - Library Journal About the Author Stephen Rebello is a screenwriter and author of the bestsell...

-Titulo Original : Postcards From Vogue 100 Iconic Covers-Fabricante : Penguin Books-Descripcion Original: A collection of 100 postcards, each featuring a striking cover from American Vogue. From early aspirational illustrations to modern celebrity photography, this is a stunning selection of Vogues most dazzling images. Since its launch in 1892, Vogue has brought sophistication to its readers around the world. Early illustrations from artists including George Wolfe Plank, Olive Tilton, Pierre Brissaud, and Eduardo Garcia Benito saw ethereal figures of fantasy develop into red-lipped flappers, and as colour photographs began to appear, the women transformed again: from Surrealist images by Horst P. Horst to women in the life of the moment, captured by Irving Penn. From the fifties onwards, Vogue women became more accessible still, as models and stars like Elizabeth Taylor, Goldie Hawn, Cindy Crawford, and Cher, with their own distinct personalities, appeared through the lenses of Richard Avedon and Snowdon. Vogue covers now are the epitome of style and beauty, with such illustrious photographers as Mario Testino, Annie Leibovitz, Steven Klein, and Patrick Demarchelier photographing stars like Lady Gaga, Kirsten Dunst, and Kate Moss, celebrating female icons across modern culture...

-Titulo Original : Five Came Back A Story Of Hollywood And The Second World War-Fabricante : Penguin Books-Descripcion Original: Now a Netflix original documentary series, also written by Mark Harris: the extraordinary wartime experience of five of Hollywoods most important directors, all of whom put their stamp on World War II and were changed by it forever Here is the remarkable, untold story of how five major Hollywood directors-John Ford, George Stevens, John Huston, William Wyler, and Frank Capra-changed World War II, and how, in turn, the war changed them. In a move unheard of at the time, the U.S. government farmed out its war propaganda effort to Hollywood, allowing these directors the freedom to film in combat zones as never before. They were on the scene at almost every major moment of America’s war, shaping the public’s collective consciousness of what we’ve now come to call the good fight. The product of five years of scrupulous archival research, Five Came Back provides a revelatory new understanding of Hollywood’s role in the war through the life and work of these five men who chose to go, and who came back.“Five Came Back . . . is one of the great works of film history of the decade.” --Slate“A tough-minded, information-packed and irresistibly readable work of movie-minded cultural criticism. Like the best World War II films, it highlights marquee names in a familiar plot to explore some serious issues: the human cost of military service, the hypnotic power of cinema and the tension between artistic integrity and the exigencies of war.” --The New York Times Review “Mr. Harris has a huge story to tell, and he does so brilliantly, maintaining suspense in a narrative whose basic outcome will be known ahead of time. Five Came Back is packed with true stories that, according to the proverb, are stranger than fiction. Mr. Harriss story of five particular directors at one particular moment of history tells us much about the motion-picture industry, about the nature of filmmaking and, more generally, about the relation of art to the larger demands of society . . . [A]n inspirational, if cautionary, tale of the triumph of the individual over the collective, of personal vision over groupthink, and ultimately of art over propaganda.” --The Wall Street Journal“Five Came Back . . . is one of the great works of film history of the decade.” --Slate “A tough-minded, information-packed and irresistibly readable work of movie-minded cultural criticism. Like the best World War II films, it highlights marquee names in a familiar plot to explore some serious issues: the human cost of military service, the hypnotic power of cinema and the tension between artistic integrity and the exigencies of war.” --The New York Times “Five Came Back, by Mark Harris, has all the elements of a good movie: fascinating characters, challenges, conflicts and intense action. This is Harris’s second brilliant book about movies. Both books demonstrate meticulous research and exceptional skill at telling intersecting and overlapping stories with clarity and power.” --The Washington Post “A splendidly written narrative.” --The New Yorker “Cant-put-it-down history of World War II propaganda film.” --San Francisco Chronicle“Meticulously researched, page-turning.” --The Los Angeles Times “Definitive. In these lush, informative pages, Harris indeed reaffirms his commitment to writing the old-fashioned way, the way that evinces profound respect for his craft, his material and his readers.” --Cleveland Plain Dealer “It’s hardly news that the movies affect and are affected by the broader canvas of popular culture and world history, but Harris-perhaps more successfully than any other writer, past or present-manages to find in that symbiotic relationship the stuff of great stories. Every chapter contains small, priceless nuggets of movie history, and nearly every page offers an example of Harris’ ability to capture the essence of a person or an event in a few, perfectly chosen words. Narrative nonfiction that is as gloriously readable as it is unfailingl...

-Titulo Original : Tammy Wynette Tragic Country Queen-Fabricante : Penguin Books-Descripcion Original: From the New York Times bestselling biographer-the first book-length portrait of music legend Tammy Wynette. Known for his acclaimed biographies of Neil Young, Russ Meyer, and Andy Milligan, Jimmy McDonough now delivers an emotional and revealing exploration of the life of the Queen of Heartbreak. Based on dozens of interviews, McDonoughs book unveils a life of profound extremes, from Wynettes impoverished youth in Mississippi, to her meteoric rise after meeting legendary producer Billy Sherrill, to her star-crossed marriage to music legend George Jones. What emerges is an unforgettable view of a Nashville that no longer exists-and a woman whose life mirrored the sadness captured in her music. About the Author Jimmy McDonough’s biography of Neil Young, Shakey, was a critically acclaimed New York Times bestseller. He has also written biographies of Russ Meyer and Andy Milligan, and has written for publications including The Village Voice and Variety. He lives in Portland, Oregon. Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. Virginia’s in the HouseI believe you have to live the songs.-Tammy WynetteOctober 1968. The Country Music Association Awards. After a peppy introduction by Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, Tammy Wynette wafts to the mic like she’s in a trance. Skinny as a matchstick, wearing a fancy, futuristic housecoat dress, Tammy looks like her ratted-out beehive and big lapels might consume her at any second. “Just a country girl’s idea of glamour,” explains Dolly Parton. “Tammy didn’t have any more fashion sense than I did, really. I always say me and Tammy, we got our clothes from Fifth and Park-that was, the fifth trailer in the park.”Wynette’s a striking woman, with an elegant neck, beautiful lips, and a stunning profile, but one with an extreme, elongated face set beneath feline, close-set eyes. Unimaginative types who don’t savor esoteric looks might be dim-witted enough to consider her a tad homely. Hell, head-on Wynette looks like a Siamese cat in a wig hat. Not that Tammy was particularly vain. As she told Alanna Nash, “my neck’s too long, my nose has a hump in it, my boobs are too saggy and the kids call me ‘weenie butt’ ’cause I have no rear end.”“Tammy never had the movie star looks of her lesser rivals, but she had a tough beauty, a no-messin’ allure,” wrote the KLF’s Bill Drummond, who would collaborate with Wynette near the end of her life on a wacky and improbable dance hit, “Justified and Ancient.” Only twenty-six, Tammy already seems a bit shopworn. The mountain of makeup can’t completely hide the worry, the fear, the dark circles lurking below tired eyes. She stands so stiff you’d think the hanger was still in the damn dress.And then this tiny, troubled wisp of a human being opens her mouth, and out comes an atom-bomb voice. The band’s playing too fast, which only accentuates her odd phrasing. “Our little boy turned four years old . . .”The particular song she’s singing tonight is a cockamamie number called “D-I-V-O-R-C-E,” and its content is a bit much-a mother spelling out “the hurtin’ words” so Junior can’t understand that Mommy’s split with Daddy “becomes final today.” But Wynette invests the song with such feeling that anybody with half a heart would have to acknowledge the sheer conviction on display, the utter reality of her pain. For when Tammy sings, as her longtime producer Billy Sherrill once said, there is “a tear in every word.”When she gets to the chorus, Wynette belts out the words with the force of an air-raid siren, yet barely bats an eyelash. There’s zero body language-the drama’s all in the voice. She doesn’t act out the song or punch her fist in the air; in fact, she barely moves an inch. Tammy the statue. Until a Tinseltown choreographer teaches her some questionable dance steps in the mid-eighties, Wynette will remain frozen onstage. The anti-style of Tammy’s wax-figure performances absolutely mystified Dolly Parton. “I coul...

-Titulo Original : The Making Of Pride And Prejudice (bbc)-Fabricante : Penguin Books-Descripcion Original: The Making of Pride and Prejudice reveals in compelling detail how Jane Austens classic novel was transformed into the stunning television drama starring Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle. It vividly brings to life every stage of production of this sumptuous series. About the Author Sue Birtwistle is the former director of the Royal Lyceum Theatre in Education Company in Edinburgh and founding director of the Nottingham Playhouse Roundabout Company. Susie Conklin is currently a drama script associate at Granada Television...

-Titulo Original : In Montmartre Picasso, Matisse And The Birth Of Modernist Art-Fabricante : Penguin Books-Descripcion Original: A lively and deeply researched group biography of the vibrant figures who invented modernist art in bohemian Paris at the dawn of the twentieth century When the young Pablo Picasso first arrived in Paris in 1900, the most progressive young artists all lived and worked in the seedy hillside quarter of Montmartre, in the shade of the old windmills. Over the next decade, among the studios, salons, cafes, dance halls, and galleries of Montmartre, the young Spaniard joined the likes of Henri Matisse, Andre Derain, Maurice de Vlaminck, Georges Braque, Amedeo Modigliani, Constantin Brancusi, Gertrude Stein, and many more in revolutionizing artistic expression. Blending exceptional scholarship with graceful prose, Sue Roe paints a remarkable group portrait of the men and women who profoundly changed the arts of painting, sculpture, dance, music, literature, and fashion. She describes the origins of such movements as Fauvism, Cubism, and Futurism, and reconstructs the stories behind immortal paintings by Picasso and Matisse. She shows how daily life in Montmartre-which brought artists together with acrobats and dancers, prostitutes and clowns-provided an essential cauldron for artistic experimentation and for the colorful relationships, friendships, loyalties, and feuds that gave rise to some of the most pathbreaking and lasting works of the twentieth century. In Montmartre is a thrilling account of an extraordinary group of artists on the cusp of fame and immortality that brings vividly to life one of the key moments in the history of modern art. Praise for In Montmartre: “A lively and concise account . . . [Roe is] very good at synthesizing and distilling complicated art movements and ideas without getting bogged down in technical details or jargon. And she offers up plenty of juicy tidbits about the artists’ love affairs, infidelities, opium parties, and eccentric habits. . . . Roe’s book is a great introduction to one of the most pivotal periods in 20th century art. Even those familiar with the era will likely find that it broadens their understanding of key players and events.” -Associated Press Review Associated Press: “A lively and concise account...[Roe is] very good at synthesizing and distilling complicated art movements and ideas without getting bogged down in technical details or jargon. And she offers up plenty of juicy tidbits about the artists love affairs, infidelities, opium parties and eccentric habits…Roes book is a great introduction to one of the most pivotal periods in 20th century art. Even those familiar with the era will likely find that it broadens their understanding of key players and events.” Minneapolis Star Tribune: “Bold, bright and entertaining… Full of life and color…[Roe] is particularly gifted at describing paintings, conjuring them up in bold, strong strokes…Roe brings an equal incisiveness to her discussions of art, explaining the overlap among painting, music, literature, couture and dance and the driving forces behind the explorations that artists in all these fields were engaged in.” Christian Science Monitor: “Engaging and insightful…Roe assembles the complex, disparate developments of the decade into a compulsively readable, fascinating story.” Dallas Morning News: “[IN MONTMARTRE] reads at times like a novel…[and] has scholarly heft…The prose is lively and clear…Anyone who has stood before a work of art and wondered about the artist’s inspiration - particularly modernist art, which can be provocative and challenging - will appreciate Sue Roe’s ability to draw back the curtain on this critical period.” Sunday Times (London): Lively and engaging….[Readers] will find a fresh sense of how all these people-the geniuses and the hangers-on, the wealthy collectors and the unworldly painters-related to each other…..In [Roe’s] entertaining, ingeniously structured account Roe brings Montmatre’s hedyday back to life. Financial Times:...

-Titulo Original : Forever Liesl A Memoir Of The Sound Of Music-Fabricante : Penguin Books-Descripcion Original: The magic of The Sound of Music lives on in the minds and hearts of everyone it has touched. Now, Charmian Carr, who in 1965 captivated moviegoers as Liesl Sixteen Going on Seventeen von Trapp, tells what it was like to be a part of the film that has become a cultural phenomenon. Its all here: from how she got the role (and why she almost didnt) to romances on the set and wild nights in Salzburg; from the near-disaster during the gazebo dance to her relationships--then and now--with her six celluloid siblings. Charmian offers stories from fans and friends and a treasury of photographs. And she reveals why she left acting, what she learned when she met the real von Trapp children; and how The Sound of Music has helped her get through stormy times in her own life. Forever Liesl celebrates the spirit of the movie and what it stands for: family love, romance, inspiration, nostalgia, and the joy and power of music. Review Plenty of behind-the-gazebo tidbits. -- Entertainment Weekly Just as heartwarming as the movie. --Chicago Sun-Times About the Author Charmian Carr was 21 years old when she played Liesl von Trapp in The Sound of Music. Now an interior designer, Carr continues to promote the movie on special occasions. She lives in Encino, California...

-Titulo Original : How Music Got Free A Story Of Obsession And Invention-Fabricante : Penguin Books-Descripcion Original: Soon to be an Apple TV documentary seriesOne of Billboard’s 100 Greatest Music Books of All TimeFinalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, the J. Anthony Lukas Book Prize, and the Financial Times and McKinsey Business Book of the YearA New York Times Editors’ ChoiceONE OF THE YEARS BEST BOOKS: The Washington Post * The Financial Times * Slate * The Atlantic * Time * Forbes“[How Music Got Free] has the clear writing and brisk reportorial acumen of a Michael Lewis book.”-Dwight Garner, The New York TimesWhat happens when an entire generation commits the same crime? How Music Got Free is a riveting story of obsession, music, crime, and money, featuring visionaries and criminals, moguls and tech-savvy teenagers. It’s about the greatest pirate in history, the most powerful executive in the music business, a revolutionary invention and an illegal website four times the size of the iTunes Music Store. Journalist Stephen Witt traces the secret history of digital music piracy, from the German audio engineers who invented the mp3, to a North Carolina compact-disc manufacturing plant where factory worker Dell Glover leaked nearly two thousand albums over the course of a decade, to the high-rises of midtown Manhattan where music executive Doug Morris cornered the global market on rap, and, finally, into the darkest recesses of the Internet. Through these interwoven narratives, Witt has written a thrilling book that depicts the moment in history when ordinary life became forever entwined with the world online-when, suddenly, all the music ever recorded was available for free. In the page-turning tradition of writers like Michael Lewis and Lawrence Wright, Witt’s deeply reported first book introduces the unforgettable characters-inventors, executives, factory workers, and smugglers-who revolutionized an entire artform, and reveals for the first time the secret underworld of media pirates that transformed our digital lives. An irresistible never-before-told story of greed, cunning, genius, and deceit, How Music Got Free isn’t just a story of the music industry-it’s a must-read history of the Internet itself. Review “The richest explanation to date about how the arrival of the MP3 upended almost everything about how music is distributed, consumed and stored. It’s a story you may think you know, but Mr. Witt brings fresh reporting to bear, and complicates things in terrific ways. . . . [ How Music Got Free] has the clear writing and brisk reportorial acumen of a Michael Lewis book.” -Dwight Garner, The New York Times “Taut, cleareyed. . . . Witt, a first-time author, comes from the world of finance, and his old-fashioned, connect-the-dots reporting presents a nuanced depiction of an issue usually reduced to emotional absolutes. . . . [A] complex, groundbreaking story.” -The New York Times Book Review “[W]hip-smart, superbly reported and indispensable.” -The Washington Post“A lucid, mordantly funny account of the rise of digital music piracy, starting with the story of a worker in a North Carolina CD-pressing plant who personally leaked more than 2,000 albums over eight years.” -Time magazine “Witt’s book is more than just a simple history - or defense - of file sharing, a development most people associate with Napster, but which, according to Witt, involved a much more wide-ranging-and fascinating-story.” -The Seattle Times “A must-read on the rise of privacy. . . . Suspenseful, entertaining. . . . Essential reading for all students of the music business.” -Billboard “Incredible, possibly canonical. . . . A story thats too bizarre to make up, but needed to be told. . . . Even if youre not a music geek, How Music Got Free is one of the most gripping investigative books of the year.” -Vice “ How Music Got Free doubles as a detailed ode to the MP3 as it tells the story of three men grappling with digital compression technology and its widespread fallout. . . . According to Witt’s ...

-Titulo Original : Difficult Men Behind The Scenes Of A Creative Revolution From The Sopranos And The Wire To Mad Men And Breaking Bad-Fabricante : Penguin Books-Descripcion Original: A revealing look at the shows that helped TV emerge as the signature art form of the twenty-first century In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the landscape of television began an unprecedented transformation. While the networks continued to chase the lowest common denominator, a wave of new shows on cable channels dramatically stretched television’s narrative inventiveness, emotional resonance, and artistic ambition. Combining deep reportage with cultural analysis and historical context, Brett Martin recounts the rise and inner workings of a genre that represents not only a new golden age for TV, but also a cultural watershed. Difficult Men features extensive interviews with all the major players, including David Chase, David Simon, David Milch, and Alan Ball; in addition to other writers, executives, directors and actors. Martin delivers never-before-heard story after story, revealing how cable television became a truly significant and influential part of our culture. Review [A] wonderfully reported and thoughtful exploration… Difficult Men is grand entertainment, and will be fascinating for anyone curious about the perplexing miracles of how great television comes to be. -Wall Street Journal Martin is a thorough reporter and artful storyteller, clearly entranced with, though not deluded by, his subjects… In between the delicious bits of insider trading, the book makes a strong if not terribly revelatory argument for the creative process. -Los Angeles Times Martin offers sharp analysis of the advances in technology and storytelling that helped TV become the 21st centurys predominant art form. But his best material comes from interviews with writers, directors, and others who dish about Weiners egomania, Milchs battles with substance abuse, and Chases weirdest acid trip ever. -Entertainment Weekly Enjoyable, wildly readable. -Boston Globe An engaging, entertaining, and utterly convincing chronicle of televisions transformation… Martin operates with an enviable fearlessness, painting warts-and-all portraits of autocratic showrunners such as David Milch ( Deadwood), David Simon ( The Wire) and Matthew Weiner ( Mad Men)… Anyone interested in television should read this book, no matter how much or how little they know about the shows it chronicles. -Newsday Difficult Men, with its vigorous reporting and keen analysis, is one of those books that crystallizes a cultural moment and lets you savor it all the more. -Dallas Morning News Martins analysis is intelligent and his culture commentary will be of interest to fans of many of todays better-written shows. -Christian Science Monitor Masterful… unveils the mysterious-to-all-but-insiders process that takes place in the rooms where TV shows are written. -New Orleans Times-Picayune Difficult Men delivers what it promises. Martin had good access to actors, writers and producers . . . Difficult Men is an entertaining, well-written peek at the creative process. -Fort Worth Star Telegram A vastly entertaining and insightful look at the creators of some of the most highly esteemed recent television series… Martin’s stated goal is to recount the culmination of what he calls the Third Golden Age of Television. And he does so with his own sophisticated synthesis or reporting, on-set observations, and critical thinking, proving himself as capable of passing judgment, of parsing strengths and weaknesses of any given TV show, as any reviewer who covers the beat… in short, the sort of criticism that must now extend to television as much as it does to any other first-rate art. - Bookforum [Showrunners are] as complex and fascinating in Martin’s account as their anti-hero protagonists are on the screen… Breaking Bad, The Shield, and Six Feet Under have dominated the recent cultural conversation in the way that movies did in the 1970s…. Martin thrillingly explains how and why that conversation mig...

-Titulo Original : Argo How The Cia And Hollywood Pulled Off The Most Audacious Rescue In History-Fabricante : Penguin Books-Descripcion Original: The true account of a daring rescue that inspired the film ARGO, winner of the 2012 Academy Award for Best Picture On November 4, 1979, Iranian militants stormed the American embassy in Tehran and captured dozens of American hostages, sparking a 444-day ordeal and a quake in global politics still reverberating today. But there is a little-known drama connected to the crisis: six Americans escaped. And a top-level CIA officer named Antonio Mendez devised an ingenious yet incredibly risky plan to rescue them before they were detected. Disguising himself as a Hollywood producer, and supported by a cast of expert forgers, deep cover CIA operatives, foreign agents, and Hollywood special effects artists, Mendez traveled to Tehran under the guise of scouting locations for a fake science fiction film called Argo. While pretending to find the perfect film backdrops, Mendez and a colleague succeeded in contacting the escapees, and smuggling them out of Iran. Antonio Mendez finally details the extraordinarily complex and dangerous operation he led more than three decades ago. A riveting story of secret identities and international intrigue, Argo is the gripping account of the history-making collusion between Hollywood and high-stakes espionage. Review “It’s a fast-paced, straight­forward, and gripping story full of drama and compelling characters….For history buffs and Affleck fans, ARGO the book, provides added insight into a wild, if not widely known, incident in the history of American foreign policy and the CIA.” - Boston Globe “Besides being a talented spy, Mendez is also a gifted storyteller…His latest book is a page turner…” - Associated Press “Fascinating story…This book is an exciting read.”- Deseret News “ ARGO is a mesmerizing book; a fast-paced, irresistible read thats equal parts politics, history and espionage.” - Shelf Awareness “This is an amazing and dramatic story of intrigue and deception set against the backdrop of international tension.” - Booklist “Fresh and engaging…A solid choice for fans of thrillers and international intrigue.” - Kirkus “[A] fast-paced account of a 1979 rescue operation during the Iran hostage crisis of 1979-1981… Details of this dangerous operation inject strong suspense and excitement into the closing chapters.” - Publishers Weekly “One of the most daring and courageous clandestine operations during my career involved efforts to rescue Americans taken hostage in Tehran after our embassy was seized on November 4, 1979. Six Americans managed to escape the U.S. compound and flee to the Canadian embassy, where they were hidden A very brave CIA officer, Tony Mendez, using commercial cover, entered Iran with false identities for the six and, using techniques that ought to remain secret so they can be used again, managed to get them out of Iran.” -Robert M. Gates, former Director of the Central Intelligence Agency and former U.S. Secretary of Defense, in his book From the Shadows “This is a fascinating story about how Tony Mendez and the CIA used a bit of technical expertise and a lot of daring and courage to rescue American hostages in Iran. Tony is emblematic of the extraordinary men and women of CIA. Most of their stories cannot be told -but fortunately, in ARGO, Tony has been able to lift the veil of secrecy -just a bit.” -George J. Tenet, former director of Central Intelligence Agency “James Bond’s Q comes to life. This gripping, true story of a white-knuckle operation by a little known part of the CIA reads like a thriller. Full of authentic detail and characters, of bravery and drama, it’s a must-read for all spy enthusiasts and CIA watchers.” -Dame Stella Rimington, former general director, MI5, British Intelligence “The CIA and Hollywood in cahoots, a painter turned spy, an impossible rescue mission with no guns and only one chance at success- ARGO has everything. This remarkable white-knuckle spy story is torn from the page...

-Titulo Original : All We Shall Know A Novel-Fabricante : Penguin Books-Descripcion Original: A breathtaking and redemptive novel from the award-winning and Man Booker nominated author Donal Ryan Melody Shee is alone and in trouble. At 33 years-old, she finds herself pregnant with the child of a 17 year-old Traveller boy, Martin Toppy, and not by her husband Pat. Melody was teaching Martin to read, but now he’s gone, and Pat leaves too, full of rage. She’s trying to stay in the moment, but the future is looming, while the past won’t let her go. It’s a good thing that she meets Mary Crothery when she does. Mary is a bold young Traveller woman, and she knows more about Melody than she lets on. She might just save Melody’s life. Following the nine months of her pregnancy, All We Shall Know unfolds with emotional immediacy in Melody’s fierce, funny, and unforgettable voice, as she contends with her choices, past and present. Review So fine is this novel, and so purely told, that it establishes Mr. Ryan as the heir apparent to the late, great Irish stylists John McGahern and William Trevor… There are countless passages… that are so sculpted and beautiful that one’s lips begin to shape their words unbidden, the way a song can move a crowd to its rhythm.- Wall Street JournalA dwarf star of a novel: small, dark, impressively dense... All We Shall Know makes a novel about the heaviness of existence into something that is even, and easy - and, at times, perfect, and right.- Boston Globe [A] haunting, beautifully written story.” -Cleveland Plain Dealer “An extraordinary portrait of adultery, loneliness and betrayal . . . One of the finest writers working in Ireland today . . .in the great tradition of tragic fiction, his lonely adulteress coming to grief in the same shadowy spaces as Emma Bovary or Anna Karenina.”-John Burnside, Guardian“[ All We Shall Know] is a novel of self-sacrifice, penance, and circumscribed possibilities for happiness, narrated with great compassion and written with elegant lyricism. . . Emotionally intense, deeply engaging, and profound.” -Kirkus “A lush and lively novel that fascinates from its opening words to its tender last lines.”- Publishers WeeklyRich in the cadence of both the rural Irish vernacular and the Traveller mash-up of English and the Cant. [ All We Shall Know] captures the turbulence of marriage, love, sex, class and violence--while leaving room for the big Irish heart that lies behind so much great literature in English.- Shelf Awareness “A joy to read, for all that it breaks your heart . . . builds on [Ryan’s] reputation for cramming generations of grief and disappointment into less than 200 pages of beautiful prose. . . . He has also created two female character - cussed and brave, vulnerable and cruel - who come together to repair the past and stitch together a possible future.”-Katy Guest, Independent “Ryan’s language is poetic, powerful and heart-rending - this short novel has a beautiful economy and control.”- The Times (UK) Stunning. - The Bookseller (London) “ All We Shall Know is a new and ambitious departure . . . exerts a powerful grip. . . . the novel, written at white heat in sentences that sometimes flow for a full paragraph, reads compulsively and is delivered with an impressively disciplined power. Ryan’s rise to prominence may have been meteoric and his output dizzyingly prolific, but he is a writer who is very far from being a flash in the pan.”-Roy Foster, The Irish Times “A consummate artist . . . The denouement offers a satisfying element of redemption . . . a great writer whose steady maturation proceeds apace.”- The Sunday Times “Raw, radiant prose . . . [a] wonderful novel.”- Sunday Express “ [A] gem of a novel. With a sure sense of place, and a convincing portrayal of life lived at the edgy margins, it vividly plots the landscape of the heart en route to a gripping and ultimately redemptive finale.”- Daily Mail About the Author Donal Ryan is the author of The Spinning Heart, The Thing Abou...

-Titulo Original : In Paris 20 Women On Life In The City Of Light-Fabricante : Penguin Books-Descripcion Original: If the Internet could create its version of the perfect girl, Jeanne Damas would probably be her. . . . Shes nailed that French girl je ne sais quoi. --VogueA window on the worlds most stylish city, with more than 100 full-color photos and profiles of 20 diverse and inspiring Parisian women, by the coolest, most beautiful French girl in France (GQ) and a former editor in chief of French ElleWeve always been crazy in love with this city. . . . We love its arrogance, its clumsiness, its simplicity. And especially the women who live here.Two quintessential Parisian women--model and fashion designer Jeanne Damas and journalist Lauren Bastide--shine a spotlight on twenty real-life women of Paris, dispelling the myth that theres only one type of Parisian woman and introducing us to the city that real Parisiennes live in. Theyre booksellers, singers, writers, activists, and antique dealers; they live in small studios, spacious apartments, or houseboats; their ages range from fourteen to seventy . . . and all embody the effortless chic and insouciant spirit of the legendary Parisian woman. In Paris takes us into these womens lives, telling us about their careers, families, favorite nightlife spots, shopping habits, and beloved books and films. Full-color photos taken by Jeanne herself accompany charming lists of advice on the French art de vivre--from the best places to people-watch with a glass of wine after work to the perfect Parisian playlist to the ten things that a French woman would never, ever post on . Witty, elegant, and modern, In Paris is an ode to Paris through the eyes of its eternally cool women--for everyone who has ever dreamed of one day living in Paris. Review “A love letter to Paris . . . sprinkled with quirky, authoritative guidelines on Paris living.” -The Wall Street Journal“A portrait of Paris itself emerges . . . in these tributes to a fabled city . . . reminding armchair travelers that if we can’t all be Parisians, maybe we can at least go there someday.” -BooklistAcclaim for Jeanne Damas“Jeanne Damas is the epitome of It Girl. . . . [She] is also the epitome of a French Girl-a wine-drinking, sexy in a low-key way, European sophisticate. Women of all ages love Damas because she exudes that elusive French insouciance. . . . [She is] a treasure trove of the kind of information [about Paris] only a true native can provide.” -GQ, “Jeanne Damas Is the Coolest, Most Beautiful French Girl in France Right Now”“For many admirers, it is Ms. Damas who represents the ultimate in French girl chic.” -The Wall Street Journal“Jeanne Damas is the epitome of ‘French Girl Cool.’ ” -Man Repeller“In 2017, the year where everyone and their mother is honing in on how to really accomplish that whole ‘couldn’t care less’ French style, Damas has emerged as the perfect spokeswoman.” -The Observer“Damas has become a digital force to be reckoned with.” -Citizens of Humanity“If you wonder what ‘effortlessly chic’ looks like . . . it’s French model and designer Jeanne Damas.” -Glamour About the Author Jeanne Damas is a Parisian model, fashion icon, actress, designer, and photographer. She recently launched her own fashion line, Rouje, and starred in the film Rockn Roll alongside Marion Cotillard. She has collaborated with many international brands, including Gucci, Mango, Nina Ricci, Macys, and &otherstories and is one of Forbess 30 Under 30.Lauren Bastide is a French journalist who has previously been the editor in chief of French Elle and a columnist on the famous French television show Le Grand Journal. She currently hosts the feminist podcast La Poudre, Frances top independent podcast, in which she interviews inspiring women from diverse backgrounds...

-Titulo Original : Playing To The Gallery Helping Contemporary Art In Its Struggle To Be Understood-Fabricante : Penguin Books-Descripcion Original: Grayson Perry’s book will overturn everything you thought you knew about “art”Now Grayson Perry is a fully paid-up member of the art establishment, he wants to show that any of us can appreciate art (after all, there is a reason he’s called this book Playing to the Gallery and not Sucking Up to the Academic Elite). This funny, personal journey through the art world answers the basic questions that might occur to us in an art gallery but that we’re too embarrassed to ask. Questions such as: What is “good” or “bad” art-and does it even matter? Is art still capable of shocking us or have we seen it all before? And what happens if you place a piece of art in a rubbish dump? Review Praise for Playing to the Gallery“[Grayson Perry] deftly analyzes a lot of subtle, sophisticated issues in a clear and readable fashion, throwing in many fascinating observations and anecdotes along the way.”-The New York Times“Perry’s sharp wit and artistic acumen combine for a delightful tour through the issues facing contemporary art world in this series of essays… He displays considerable insight into the state of mainstream art, focusing on basic ideas of taste and democratic appeal…Perry’s fun and wonderful book is a necessary addition to a world that must continue to ask difficult questions of art.”-Publishers Weekly (Starred review)“Well read but not pretentious, skeptical but not cynical, this book will have anyone interested in (or puzzled by) contemporary art laughing as they ponder major issues that define how we think about and experience art.”-Library Journal (Starred review) “Hugely entertaining...delightfully non-elitist...[Playing to the Gallery is] a thing of pleasure: petite, luxuriously printed, a mischievous little hymn to 21st-century inclusivity.”-The Times (UK) “Full of thought-provoking ideas that make you want to pause on every page and say: ‘Discuss.’ I have never read such a stimulating short guide to art. It should be issued as a set text in every school.”-The Sunday Times (UK) “Acute and funny at the same time....[Playing to the Gallery has a] conversational tone and lively intelligence.”-The Telegraph About the Author GRAYSON PERRYs first art prize was a large papier-mache head he awarded to himself as part of a performance art project at college in 1980. Since then he has won many other awards, including the Turner Prize in 2003. He is now one of Britains most celebrated artists and has had major solo exhibitions all over the world. His 2013 BBC Reith Lectures were the most popular lectures since the series began. He won a BAFTA for his Channel 4 documentary on the creation of six new tapestries entitled The Vanity of Small Differences, All in the Best Possible Taste, for which he was also awarded Best Presenter at the Grierson British Documentary Awards...

-Titulo Original : Harley Loco A Memoir Of Hard Living, Hair, And Post-punk, From The Middle East To The Lower East Side-Fabricante : Penguin Books-Descripcion Original: “Terrific. . .Rayya’s stories blew mine away.” - Elizabeth Gilbert “A classic, blood-stained love letter to bohemian NYC.” - Craig MarksWhen she was seven, Rayya Elias and her family fled the political conflict in their native Syria, settling in Detroit. Bullied in school and caught between the world of her traditional family and her tough American classmates, she rebelled early.Elias moved to New York City to become a musician and kept herself afloat with an uncommon talent for cutting hair. At the height of the punk movement, life on the Lower East Side was full of adventure, creative inspiration, and temptation. Eventually, Elias’s passionate affairs with lovers of both sexes went awry, her (more than) occasional drug use turned to addiction, and she found herself living on the streets-between her visits to jail.This debut memoir charts four decades of a life lived in the moment, a path from harrowing loss and darkness to a place of peace and redemption. Elias’s wit and lack of self-pity in the face of her extreme highs and lows make Harley Loco a powerful read that’s sure to appeal to fans of Patti Smith, Augusten Burroughs, and Eleanor Henderson. Review “Elias’ spiky, punky memoir takes us from her idyllic Syrian childhood to her plunge into sex, drugs, rock’n’roll, and more drugs in New York City’s East Village.”-Elle “More than a memoir, Elias’ tale -from Syria in the 1960s to New York in the 1980s - offers a street-level snapshot of some of history’s most critical time periods. Through her intimate storytelling, we get a glimpse into the highly personal struggles of addiction and the powerlessness of those caught in its grip.” -Bust Magazine“Much more than a recovery memoir, this big-hearted, funny book is a truthful American story.” -Piper Kerman, author of Orange Is the New Black, in The Week “Rayya Eliass life reads like Huck Finn on heroin. Her story of fleeing Syria as a child, growing up in Detroit and spending her young adulthood trolling around the East Village is as American as they come, including as it does immigration, addiction and hard won deliverance. Through it all Eliass voice burns fire hot and is completely engaging.”-Darcey Steinke “Rayya’s writing doesn’t come out on the page feeling like it was squeezed from a standard-issue literary toothpaste tube. Instead, her stories are like tough little stray creatures, born in the lowest hollows of the dirtiest street corners, which then - as you watch, breath held - fight their way to rapture.” -Elizabeth Gilbert “Rayya Eliass Harley Loco grabs you by the throat on the very first page, and then never stops shaking you -- even after youve closed the book. Its a punk song disguised as a memoir: raw, slashing, gritty, and shot through with all the wild confusion of youth. But its also wise, unpredictable, and relentlessly affecting.” -Jonathan Miles About the Author Rayya Elias was born in Aleppo, Syria, in 1960 and moved to Detroit in 1967. She is a musician, hairdresser, filmmaker, and also sells real estate to make some extra scratch. She lives in New York City and Little York, New Jersey...

-Titulo Original : On The Black Hill A Novel (penguin Ink)-Fabricante : Penguin Books-Descripcion Original: The “spellbinding” (Los Angeles Times) second novel by the acclaimed author of The Songlines and In Patagonia Lewis and Benjamin Jones, identical twins, were born with the century on a farm on the English-Welsh border. For eighty years they live on the farm--sharing the same clothes, tilling the same soil, sleeping in the same bed. Their lives and the lives of their neighbors--farmers, drovers, clergymen, traders, coffin-makers--are only obliquely touched by the chaos of twentieth-century progress. Nevertheless, the twins world--a few square miles of countryside--is rich in the oddities, the wonders, and the tragedies of the human experience. In this extraordinary novel, Bruce Chatwin has captured every nuance of the Welsh landscape and of the lives and souls of the people who live there. Review Totally alive . . . a spellbinding portrayal of the unbreakable link between nature and the human spirit.--Los Angeles Times Book Review“A masterpiece, a chronicle of ordinary lives told with extraordinary insight.” -St. Louis Post-Dispatch“Scene after scene is brought to life with an enraptured attention that causes them to glow with an almost visionary light.” - The New York Times Book Review“Remarkable…like a beautiful old quilt, made up of bright vivid patches, with scenes that surprise and delight and seem absolutely true.”- People“A rare book, one of those splendid evocations of place made so justifiably famous by masters of the British novel in the past century: George Eliot, Hardy, Lawrence.”- Houston Post About the Author Bruce Chatwin (1940-1989) was the author of In Patagonia, The Viceroy of Ouidah, On the Black Hill, The Songlines, and Utz. His other books are What Am I Doing Here and Anatomy of Restlessness, posthumous anthologies of shorter works, and Far Journeys, a collection of his photographs that also includes selections from his travel notebooks...

-Titulo Original : Lost Ocean An Inky Adventure And Coloring Book For Adults-Fabricante : Penguin Books-Descripcion Original: From the creator of the worldwide bestsellers Secret Garden and Enchanted Forest, a beautiful new coloring book that takes you on a magical journey beneath the waves. With this coloring book for adults, Johanna Basford invites color-inners of all ages to discover an enchanting underwater world hidden in the depths of the sea. Through intricate pen and ink illustrations to complete, color, and embellish, readers will meet shoals of exotic fish, curious octopuses, and delicately penned seahorses. Visit coral reefs and barnacle-studded shipwrecks, discover intricate shells and pirate treasure. Secret Garden and Enchanted Forest fans and newcomers alike will welcome this creative journey into an inky new world. For Lost Ocean, Johanna picked a crisp ivory paper that accentuates and complements your chosen color palette. The smooth, untextured pages allow for beautiful blending or gradient techniques with colored pencils or are perfect for pens, allowing the nib to glide evenly over the surface without feathering. Filled with stunningly detailed illustrations, Lost Ocean is a blissful and relaxing at-home activity for people of all ages. Review PRAISE FOR JOHANNA BASFORDS COLORING BOOKS The colorists have a queen, and her name is Johanna Basford. - New York Magazine Consider trading in your yoga mat for a set of markers and peruse the gorgeous gardens of Basfords imagination. - Huffington Post Artist Johanna Basford is at the forefront of the grown up coloring trend. Her whimsical artwork just makes us want to drop all our responsibilities and color forever. - Hello Giggles This is a breathtakingly beautiful coloring book, full of detail, whimsy, and possibilities. Inspiration invades at the turn of the first page and is guaranteed to capture the imagination and attention of any artist young and old. - The Childrens Book Review About the Author Johanna Basford is an illustrator and ink evangelist who prefers pens and pencils to pixels. Her intricate, hand-drawn illustrations are loved the world over by those who have colored in (sometimes more than once) her bestselling books Johannas Christmas, Magical Jungle, Lost Ocean, Secret Garden, and Enchanted Forest. Johanna is a graduate of Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design in Dundee. She likes sugar mice, floral teacups, peonies, and bumblebees. Visit her online at johannabasford ...

-Titulo Original : Ivy And The Inky Butterfly A Magical Tale To Color-Fabricante : Penguin Books-Descripcion Original: An all-new iteration of the adult coloring book-a gorgeously hand-illustrated storybook for readers to color and cherish, both an enchanting tale and a one-of-a-kind keepsake From coloring book queen Johanna Basford comes a new spin on the world of adult coloring: a lavishly illustrated fable about a little girl named Ivy who stumbles upon a secret door leading to the magical world of Enchantia. Ivy embarks on a quest through its many realms in pursuit of her inky butterfly, meeting whimsical characters and discovering many wondrous things along the way. A charming story that interacts playfully with beautiful, colorable artwork in Johannas signature style, Ivy and the Inky Butterfly is a one-of-a-kind adventure for readers of all ages to customize, color, and cherish. Printed on specially selected ivory paper. This paper has been specifically created for Johanna Basford’s coloring books. It has a medium tooth which is perfect for creating beautiful colored pencil effects or chalk pastel backgrounds but also wonderful for pens, which will glide effortlessly over its surface. Review PRAISE FOR JOHANNA BASFORDS COLORING BOOKS “The colorists have a queen, and her name is Johanna Basford.” - New York Magazine “Consider trading in your yoga mat for a set of markers and peruse the gorgeous gardens of Basfords imagination.” - Huffington Post “Artist Johanna Basford is at the forefront of the grown up coloring trend. Her whimsical artwork just makes us want to drop all our responsibilities and color forever.” - Hello Giggles “This is a breathtakingly beautiful coloring book, full of detail, whimsy, and possibilities. Inspiration invades at the turn of the first page and is guaranteed to capture the imagination and attention of any artist young and old.” - The Childrens Book Review About the Author Johanna Basford is an illustrator and ink evangelist who prefers pens and pencils to pixels. Her intricate, hand-drawn illustrations are loved the world over by those who have colored in (sometimes more than once) her bestselling books Johannas Christmas, Magical Jungle, Lost Ocean, Enchanted Forest, and Secret Garden. Johanna is a graduate of Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design in Dundee. She likes sugar mice, floral teacups, peonies, and bumblebees...

-Titulo Original : Poking A Dead Frog Conversations With Today’s Top Comedy Writers-Fabricante : Penguin Books-Descripcion Original: A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER NAMED A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR BY NPR Amy Poehler, Mel Brooks, Adam McKay, George Saunders, Bill Hader, Patton Oswalt, and many more take us deep inside the mysterious world of comedy in this fascinating, laugh-out-loud-funny book. Packed with behind-the-scenes stories-from a day in the writers’ room at The Onion to why a sketch does or doesn’t make it onto Saturday Night Live to how the BBC nearly erased the entire first season of Monty Python’s Flying Circus-Poking a Dead Frog is a must-read for comedy buffs, writers and pop culture junkies alike. Review “A series of rich, intimate conversations about the ins and outs of turning funny ideas into real-world art….[Sacks] dives deep with everyone from Saturday Night Live lifer James Downey to Cheers creator Glen Charles to Mel Brooks, and every interview is refreshingly candid. Sacks asks the right questions…to inspire lively conversations….As a sort of expert witness to comedy’s history, he’s reverent, though his subjects are also clearly chosen because they understand the absurdity of their own vocation. He pokes and prods just enough to reveal some guts, and most of the time they’re just as fascinating as what’s on the surface.” - A.V. Club, The Onion “A fascinating look into the ways stand-up comedians, directors, and even short stories authors write funny….An absolute must.” - Flavorwire “A greater look into the craft and business of comedy writing than you can find anywhere else….A comedy nerd bible.” - Splitsider “Filled with intelligent conversations… Even if youre not interested in a comedy writing career, at least youll get great suggestions for your Netflix queue.” - NPR, 2014’s “Great Reads” “[A] pleasingly thick work, born to be well thumbed.” - Los Angeles Times “[Mike Sacks’] conversations with humorists poke at some fundamental concepts of comedy without chloroforming any frogs. More revealingly, the book examines what kind of person comes to make a living putting funny words on paper.” - Wall Street Journal “Short chapters offering ‘Ultraspecific Comedic Knowledge’…should be of particular interest to anyone thinking about pursuing a career in comedy. The longer interviews should be of interest to pretty much anybody.” - The New York Times Book Review “The true usefulness of Poking a Dead Frog to an aspiring comedy writer is in its clear-eyed picture of the gritty inner workings of the comedy industry….Reading about how a joke goes from the mind of a writer to an episode of Community is like watching a magician reveal his secrets: Sure, it dispels some of the magic, but it inspires new reverence for the real skill that went into producing the effect.” - Slate “An effort to understand what elicits the guffaw [and] an investigation of the comedic mind and how it works…. Poking a Dead Frog also surprises as a how-to-get-in-the-business kind of book, a thread that holds valid entertainment value….Amid these [stories of] wild successes, we get insights into what is funny, why it is funny, and just how hard it is to write the perfect joke….If you have members of your family who dream of being a comedy writer, give them this book.” - Paste “Unusually insightful…Sacks teases deep wisdom from comedy titans.” - Departures “[These] intimate discussions of comedy in all its forms are engaging, and Sackss obvious passion is contagious. Whether writers themselves or just fans of funny, humor-loving readers will relish Poking a Dead Frog.” - ShelfAwareness “Fascinating interviews with some comedic heavy hitters…full of great moments that are funny, thought provoking, and poignant. If a casual humor enthusiast can appreciate the work this much, the book is going to be snapped up by comedy writers and aficionados.” - Library Journal, starred review “[An] excellent book…[Sacks] once again displays his ability to get fascinating and honest interviews from comic luminaries.” - Pub...

-Titulo Original : Eminent Hipsters-Fabricante : Penguin Books-Descripcion Original: A witty, candid, sharply written memoir by the cofounder of Steely Dan In his entertaining debut as an author, Donald Fagen-musician, songwriter, and cofounder of Steely Dan-reveals the cultural figures and currents that shaped his artistic sensibility, as well as offering a look at his college days and a hilarious account of life on the road. Fagen presents the “eminent hipsters” who spoke to him as he was growing up in a bland New Jersey suburb in the early 1960s; his colorful, mind-expanding years at Bard College, where he first met his musical partner Walter Becker; and the agonies and ecstasies of a recent cross-country tour with Michael McDonald and Boz Scaggs. Acclaimed for his literate lyrics and complex arrangements as a musician, Fagen here proves himself a sophisticated writer with his own distinctive voice. Review Praise for Eminent Hipsters “[An] excellent. . . and satisfying memoir. This is less about Fagen’s career than about his tastes. . .He writes insightfully about music, films, and books. . .with this remorseless, hilarious book, Fagen reveals himself as a first-class grump. . . Eminent Hipsters is also a convincing testimonial to the honing effect of a lifelong devotion to the culture of misfits, weirdos and cranks.” -Rolling Stone “Fagen is utterly charming when he describes other performers. . .he defends TV and film composer Henry Mancini from charges of fuddy-duddyness. . . his essay on Connie Boswell is the kind of top-notch, incisive cultural critique you ain’t gonna get from the likes of Keith Richards. Just like the lyrics he penned for the Dan, Fagen’s writing here is charged with a zingy, acerbic intelligence.” -Slate “As you would expect from someone who has been one of the most consistently sardonic voices of rock, Fagen can write.” -GQ About the Author Donald Fagen’s writing has appeared in Premiere, Slate, Harper’s Bazaar, and Jazz Times. He lives in New York City. Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. **This excerpt is from an advance uncorrected proof.** In the Clubs I started going to jazz clubs in New York when I was twelve or thirteen, first with my older cousins Mike and Jack, and then later on my own. I remember seeing the mighty Count Basie band at a matinee at Bird-land, with the great Sonny Payne on drums. When the whole band pumped out one of those thirteenth chords, you could feel the breeze on your face. Once upon a time, the jazz club was a mythic place that signi­fied urban romance, free-loving hipsterism and the Dionysian rites of the Exotic Black Man: in short, the dread possibility of ecstasy. As a survivor of many nights in actual jazz clubs, I can testify that the image was only partly correct. Like most of the finer things in life, jazz is an acquired taste. As a suburban youth, I would often ride the bus up the New Jersey Turnpike through the industrial wasteland that must be crossed before the island of Manhattan is won. The combined sum of several weeks’ allowance would be burning a hole in my pocket. After docking at the dependably sinister Port Authority terminal, I’d take the AA train to Waverly Place in the West Village, which by then had pretty much completed its transformation from bohemia into Bohemia Land. Tourists nursed espressos at the Cafe Wha? and the Cafe Bizarre. At Figaro’s coffee shop on Bleecker and MacDougal, I’d order a burger and listen to my heart pound as I watched the exquisite, joyless waitresses slink around the room in black leotards. An epigraph on the menu read “Where the Beat meet the Elite.” By the early sixties, jazz, having already been displaced as America’s dance music of choice by rock and roll, was facing another crisis. College kids, after a brief flirtation with bop and cool jazz, had chosen “folk” music as their official enthusiasm. Unlike gnarly post-Parker jazz, guitar-based roots music was totally accessible and irony f...