Books Reviews - Page 15

What are the 50 best TV shows of all time? How about the 50 worst? The 20 top Bugs Bunny cartoons? Greatest guest stars? Most shocking soap-opera deaths? Nuttiest TV neighbors? Strangest moments in televised sports? Even if you’re not a TV junkie, you’ll find it hard to turn off this oh-so-browsable collection of more than 150 lists covering a dizzying array of shows, episodes, stars and commercials.
—Neil Pond, American Profile

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Most of us have never gone to a dinner or other formal affair at the White House. This elegant, uniquely themed coffee-table book, subtitled “200 Years of Dining and Diplomacy,” is the next best thing: A sweeping history of the American presidency from George Washington to George W. Bush, as told through the ornate invitations and customized menus that defined each Chief of State’s social scene. No tuxedo required!
—Neil Pond, American Profile

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Collected by the editors of Cabinet magazine, these 100-plus drawings, scribbles, squiggles and cartoons offer a fascinating glimpse into the wandering minds of George Washington, Andrew Jackson, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan and dozens of other Chiefs of State. On pieces of scrap paper, in the margins of official reports and on official White House stationery, these unguarded self-expressions reveal worlds of hidden personality, peculiarity and purpose behind some of the world’s greatest leaders.
—Neil Pond, American Profile

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Don’t let the page count scare you. This compelling history of America’s Apollo space program, which sent a succession of men to the moon beginning in 1969, races along with dramatic urgency and dynamic detail provided by 23 of the astronauts who have—quite literally—been there, done that.
—Neil Pond, American Profile

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An information-rich owner’s manual for the human body, this illustration-rich, easy-to-understand overview from a group of science writers covers just about everything between our heads and our toes. With fascinating side trips into maintenance tips, medical breakthroughs, body trivia, modern-day health concerns and other fun, lively and often essential topics you won’t find in most run-of-the-mill, dry-as-dust reference books, it’s a fascinating, authoritative resource that will captivate anyone who’s ever wondered just what makes us tick.
—Neil Pond, American Profile

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Spider-Man, The Fantastic Four, The X-Men, Daredevil and dozens of other colorful superheroes sprang to life on the pages of Marvel Comics. Spanning more than six decades and packed with reproductions of rare original sketches, rough drafts, fan-club collectibles and other delightful do-dads and pullouts, this scrapbook-style collection is like having a comic-book convention at your fingertips.
Neil Pond, American Profile

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From sea to shining sea, the majesty of the United States unfolds in spectacular photographs of 100 natural wonders, man-made marvels and other awe-inspiring landmarks chosen by the editors of LIFE magazine as sites all Americans should visit. Half the fun is sponging up the breathtaking detail of the images; the other is finding out the “whys” behind the “wheres.”
Neil Pond, American Profile

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A woman loses her three adult siblings in a series of heartbreaking events, but finds courage and inspiration in her family’s tradition of saddling up on horseback to bring home the perfect Christmas tree each year. Based on real events in the life of Hand, a best-selling author, TV personality and celebrity chef, this uplifting little novella offers a cozy, quick-read dose of hope in its poignant story of a gift of love that defines the holiday spirit.
—Neil Pond, American Profile

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From “juvenile delinquent” dramas of the 1950s through today’s blockbusters, Hollywood has been fascinated with—and often fueled by—rock ’n’ roll music. Pointing out the rockin’ showbiz synergy behind American Graffiti, Jesus Christ Superstar, Grease, Footloose, Hairspray and more than 225 other films spanning half a century, this is one totally rockin’ A-to-Z reference book way too groovy to gather dust on a bookshelf.
—Neil Pond, American Profile

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Several world-weary characters find their lives interwoven and transformed in this heartwarming holiday tale by the author of The Christmas Shoes and The Christmas Blessing, both best-sellers which were made into network-TV movies. Promise has the pedigree and the potential to become another Christmas classic.
—Neil Pond, American Profile

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