history

This book by Bruce Catton follows Volume 1 in his famous Civil War Trilogy covering the Army of the Potomac. In this well written text, Catton covers the footsteps of the army dealing with the loss at Fredericksburg, following Burnside, then Hooker, Chancellorsville and then finally Gettysburg. Catton isn't truly descriptive of the battles and quickly covers the basics, though Catton loves to present the politics involving Union leadership and basically the war itself. While covering the end of 1862 and a majority of 1863, Catton's coverage brings the readers insight to popular sentiment, northern industrialization, the struggles facing the Lincoln administration, the perils of war and much more. Catton never dwells too long a subject and keeps things moving while bringing a bit of humor to uncommon situations or oddities of the war. Catton's books are never boring and either is this one. This is must read for any fan of the Civil War!

This is the second volume of Bruce Catton's Civil War trilogy. I've read the last "A Stillness at Appomattox," his Pulitzer-Prize winning final installment to the series. Like "Stillness," "Glory Road" is a masterpiece of history and writing.

Catton has the rare ability, similar to Shelby Foote and Barbara Tuchman, to write well researched history as prose. While thoroughly covering the trials of the Army of the Potomac in its middle period (post McClellan, pre-Grant), he paints an excellent human picture of those who guided and fought the battles. Liberal use of diary and contemporary accounts from field officers and privates portrays a gritty depiction of army life and battle conditions. He also is very adept at finding the color that bring characters such as Burnside, Hooker, Meade and a host of others to life.

The history is plentiful and solid. The stories of this transitional period for the Army of the Potomic are well told. Fredricksburg, a folly of planning and execution, tested the mettle of the army. Chancellorsville revealed its ability to act decisively (although the inability of Hooker to keep going set it up for spectacular defeat) as a well organized offensive war machine. Gettysburg gave it what it craved for two years -- an important victory over the Confederate forces.

The battles are well explained from both a strategic point as well as in execution. The evolving organization and professionalization of the army is well told. In this period (and primarily as a result of Hooker's reforms), cavalry was made an effective service, logistics were brought up to snuff, moral was given its proper weight in the care of the army. Many of these non-battlefield stories had great impact on the eventual success of this army and Catton does them justice.

Bruce Catton has here an excellent history that is also a wonderfully told story. Both the casual and involved Civil War fan will find much to enjoy in "The Glory Road."

Bruce Catton's "Glory Road" was published in 1952 as the second volume of a trilogy on the Army of the Potomac. Unhappily, the book is now out-of-print, but it remains an outstanding, accessible study of the Civil War and of the Union's largest army.

"Glory Road" covers the period from the Battle of Fredericksburg in late 1862 through the Battle of Gettysburg in July, 1863 and concludes with President Lincoln's Gettysburg Address in November, 1863. The primary battles during this period were Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and Gettysburg. The Army of the Potomac had a different commander in each battle, Burnside, Hooker, and Meade, to face Confederate general Robert E. Lee, who had already assumed almost legendary stature. Catton captures these battles well, in a rhythmic and readable prose without getting bogged in the detail of many more minute battle accounts. He also does well in tying the courses of the battles together, something more specialized accounts frequently fail to do. The reader wanting a basic understanding of the battles will find it here.

But there is much more to this book than a description of combat. For me, Catton made the Army of the Potomac come alive. He tells the story of how the Army survived its many defeats and came through as a strong, tough fighting force lacking illusions. The Army survived a series of weak commanders and took control of itself.

Catton also does an excellent job of weaving the military course of the War with political and social history. He discusses the politics within the Lincoln administration and the activities of the Copperheads -- Northerners sympathetic to the Confederate War effort. He also gives a fine account of the origins of the United States Sanitary Commission -- a private organization which played a great role in improving medical care for the wounded of the Civil War. Catton's history shows how the United States kept growing almost in spite of itself during the war years, and he captures the transition from a government based on the states, in both North and South, to a strong national government.

The book is well-written, easy to follow, and has moments of real eloquence. I was moved by the discussion of Pickett's charge on the third day of Gettysburg and by the discussion of Lincoln's famous address. There is real feeling in this book for the war and for the troops that fought it, with a focus on the Union side of the line. Virtually everything covered in this book has been written about with more detail by others. But for a basic account of the Civil War and of the ebb and flow of its course, Catton's account remains a gem. I learned a great deal from it. I also enjoyed reading the comments of the other Amazon reviewers who have discussed this book.

ok the movie is not very good but the book are the best book about Haunted Mansion have never seen...

With 4 Haunted Mansions in existance as rides, and another existing on the silver screen, it's hard to find a book that encompasses all of these, let alone one that goes into such great detail as "The Haunted Mansion: From the Magic Kingdom to the Movies"

I have been a Mansion Fan ever since the opening of the Disneyland one was broadcast on TV. I have been through the two USA Mansions, but living in Australia, have as yet to see the movie.

Jason Surrell has masterfully woven facts, behind-the-scenes tales and even a little fan folklore to come up with this, the definitive Disney Attraction Book.

Previous reviews have mentioned many of the delights contained within, however it's wonderful to see so much of the "Blue Sky" phase and the richly detailed imagineering models, maquettes and artwork from the rides and the movie alike. Yes, it's like being able to X-ray the goose that laid the golden eggs, but you don't have to kill the goose to do it - you come away from this book wanting to go on the rides or see the movie again just to check out more of the minutae.

At 132 pages long, you get plenty of "bang for buck" with this book, and even when you have finished it from cover to cover, it is the sort of book you can happily take up time and time again, to re-read, and to show others.

Mansion Fans - Don't miss this one.
Disney Fans - A valuable addition to any Disney book collection.
Anyone Else - Read this, and you will be longing to visit a Haunted Mansion near you, I guarantee !!

....Hurry back..... Hurry back....

This is EXACTLY the kind of Disney's Haunted Mansion book I actually dreamed of having as a kid. This book is excellent
in every way. Get this true gem of a book before it goes out of print. Til' then, enjoy.

This is a very compelling book. As the son of a Second World War veteran of the European phase of the war, in reading Mr. Wellum's account, I want to thank him for helping to make real in my mind, the stresses that war places on you. In particular, while reading the chapter in which Mr. Wellum describes his chase of a Junkers 88 bomber in foul weather and his subsequent efforts to return to his airbase, I felt as if I were the cockpit with him, hoping that I'd get down safely and in one piece!

Having read other books by and about the famous RAF aces (Bader, Tuck, and Paul Richey), I recommend this book very highly. It's very well-written and will give you a deeper appreciation for the sacrifices made by the Second World War generation. Thank you, Mr. Wellum, for your service and for this book. There are many more people than you may realize who are grateful for what you have written. Thank you again.

I picked the English edition of this book up in London two weeks ago (it's Number Four on their best-seller list now). As a student of the Battle of Britain, this book was a real treat. I read it in conjunction with "Fighter Boys" (out now) and found the two works complimented each other very well. Wellum was the youngest operational Spitfire pilot in combat during the Battle, and his accounts of training and flying combat missions in the fall of 1940 are first-rate. His description of flying head-on into a formation of Heinkel 111 is the stuff of adventure novels -- only these events really happned and he lived to tell the tale.
The book falters a little toward the end. Although there are clues given that Wellum was sufferering from combat exhaustion, he tends to gloss over that portion of his service. The book ends rather abuptly as well. This is a shame because the bio tells us Wellum went on as a test pilot for Hawker Typhoons and Meteor jets. Given the author's success in detailing flying sequences, I would have loved to read more about his adventures in the cockpits of these rare airplanes.

As other reviewers have noted, there have been enough books written about the Battle of Britain to fill several warehouses. Some good, some not so good. This is one of the most personal and satisfying accounts that you will ever read. Geoffrey "Boy" Wellum was in the thick of it, and brings the reader along for the ride. In the beginning you feel the excitement of flight training (and the ever-present danger). By the end you experience the mental and physical exhaustion that left this veteran pilot certain he would never survive the endless combat missions over his home country and eventually over occupied France. And when he was finally released from operational flying... he "rested" by teaching others to fly and as a test pilot! My only disappointment in this book is that it ended. It's hard to believe that in the past 6-7 months we've been given two great reads on the Battle: "Fighter Boys" and "First Light."

First, and most obviously and most crassly, it shows how other United States Presidents have enjoyed (and could enjoy) their leisure-time in less controversial ways. Secondly, it's a lot of fun. Along with the fish-tales and other anecdotes, the book is filled with wonderful political cartoons from long-ago. The issues keep changing, but the presidents keep on fishing! Lastly, it introduces the reader to the tip of the iceberg that is fly-fishing literature. Three presidents have enjoyed the art of fly-fishing so much, they have been moved to write books on the subject. Hundreds of other authors have rhapsodized, philosophized and just plain instructed on fly-fishing, that this book will serve as a good primer for the person just wading into this pool of literature.

Mr Mares has managed to combine two of my personal passions, history, and fishing in this book. An engaging account of Presidential fishing habits, starting with George Washington. He has collected quite a bit of anedcotal information, and interspersed it with political cartoons appropriate to the period. My personal favorite is a photo of a very sour-looking Richard Nixon being taught the rudiments of fly-fishing by Eisenhower. A very worthy follow-up to his other book, "Out: The Vermont Secession Book"

Mr. Mares now teaches at my high school, in fact he is my Western Civilization teacher (and U.S. Foreign Policy next year). I must say that I am quite impressed with Bill Mares, both as an author and as a man. His resume is longer than one would expect. The result is an excellent book and, more importantly, an excellent educator. He is a graduate of Harvard, part of the United States Marine Corps, photojournalist, adventurer, marathon-runner, and statesman.

As for the book; it is intelligent and enjoyable. I often found myself belly laughing at what I, as a typical American teenager, would find disinteresting

These are merely some thoughts that came to mind while reading the book and shortly thereafter and are in no particular order. This is a detailed account with complimentary diary excerpts providing an excellent glimpse into the man and the ace fighter pilot. A hall mark of a well written biographical account in my opinion is one that depicts the person, not just his/her accomplishments. Military biographies generally do this. I detected no attempt to smear anyone or organization as some lesser works. The book is supported by solid research and timely use of primary and secondary sources, especially interviews and personal rememberances of Preddy. The use of personal recollections makes the book read like an oral history instead of a typical biographical sketch. A particular strength of the work is the use of 'real' photographs, not the well publicized and over used images commonly found in biographical accounts. The gun camera stills bring a certain sense of immediacy to thebook. What better way to visualized the chaotic, swirling dogfights over Europe than with the same images Preddy saw, taken from his own gun camera. I personally like the clear, logical manner of organziation in the book. The writing seemed dynamic and vibrant instead of staid and flat. I never thought the material presented was out of scope in the chapter in which it appeared. Your own close family ties with George did not prevent you and Sam from capturing the man George was. The writing stayed focus on Preddy's life and did not become a dry operational history of the 352nd during Preddy's service. This certainly held true in the first part of the book with Preddy serving in the Pacific. So often in WWII literature, if the subject served in the ETO and PTO authors commonly short shaft the PTO since it does not carry the same appeal. Your book is proportionally balanced. Well done.

These are just random thoughts I had. I enjoyed reading the book. This book does not require prior knowledge like some biographies.

This is an interesting story of a young man in World War II. It is detailed and well researched. General John C. Meyer is quoted as saying: "George Preddy was the greatest fighter pilot who ever squinted through a gunsight; he was the complete fighter pilot". The book is also an accounting of the man himself (apart from his war efforts) and his family. It is written by a man who knew George Preddy as a child and looked up to him.

Reviewer: John Edwards from United States February 29, 2000 These are merely some thoughts that came to mind while reading the book and shortly thereafter and are in no particular order. This is a detailed account with complimentary diary excerpts providing an excellent glimpse into the man and the ace fighter pilot. A hall mark of a well written biographical account in my opinion is one that depicts the person, not just his/her accomplishments. Military biographies generally do this. I detected no attempt to smear anyone or organization as some lesser works. The book is supported by solid research and timely use of primary and secondary sources, especially interviews and personal rememberances of Preddy. The use of personal recollections makes the book read like an oral history instead of a typical biographical sketch. A particular strength of the work is the use of 'real' photographs, not the well publicized and over used images commonly found in biographical accounts. The gun camera stills bring a certain sense of immediacy to thebook. What better way to visualized the chaotic, swirling dogfights over Europe than with the same images Preddy saw, taken from his own gun camera. I personally like the clear, logical manner of organziation in the book. The writing seemed dynamic and vibrant instead of staid and flat. I never thought the material presented was out of scope in the chapter in which it appeared. Your own close family ties with George did not prevent you and Sam from capturing the man George was. The writing stayed focus on Preddy's life and did not become a dry operational history of the 352nd during Preddy's service. This certainly held true in the first part of the book with Preddy serving in the Pacific. So often in WWII literature, if the subject served in the ETO and PTO authors commonly short shaft the PTO since it does not carry the same appeal. Your book is proportionally balanced. Well done.

These are just random thoughts I had. I enjoyed reading the book. This book does not require prior knowledge like some biographies.

There is absolutely no doubt that Hugh Thompson, Glenn Andreotta, and Larry Colburn did an unbelieveably heroic thing on March 16, 1968. Let there also be no doubt that Trent Angers should be commended for his research and efforts to bring yet another angle to this horror known as the My Lai Massacre. I have just one criticism, and unfortunately it is decisive: It is a poorly written book.

I am not suggesting that one not read the book, because it does perform as a vehicle to bring to light the events surrounding the massacre, its aftermath and Colburn's and Thompson's return to My Lai 28 years later. However, it takes form more as a children's book than it does as an examination of an important historical event, or even as a third-person narrative intended for adult reading.

Don't expect an abundance of three or more syllable words, inspired imagery, or thought-provoking passages. For instance, page 77, "He seemed to take a particular liking to the older woman." Seemed to who? Could you tell the reader how this was apparent? No indication whatsoever is offered in the text. Or, page 102, describing an American casualty as being "blown to bits." Is that what was written on the After Action Report? If so, there's another book in there somewhere. Or, page 103, "The cows were mooing to be milked." For a minute there I thought I had opened "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" by accident.

There is never a mention of exactly what kind of helicopter Hugh was flying...a Kiowa? Cayuse? Defender? Souix? Loach? The first indication of this simplistic approach to the subject matter is right on the dust jacket, as it is a simplistic, amateurish illustration of Thompson in an exaggerated heroic pose (arms outstretched, shirt unbuttoned, no flight helmet, no flak jacket, dog tags swinging in the wind, in front of a small huddled mass of Vietnamese). It looks much like the artwork that adorned the Harcourt Brace Jovanovich children's books published in the late '70s.

One more note: if you're going to write a book wherein the principle character is a helicopter pilot, at least have the courtesy to refrain from calling helicopters "choppers," as most pilots despise the term. Unless, of course, you're writing for children, who find it analogous - for obvious reasons.

Anyway, you get the picture. Still, I say God bless Hugh, Larry, Glenn and Trent.

But Trent, at the very least, get a new copy editor.

If you liked the movie "Saving Private Ryan", you will love this book. The only important difference is this one is a true story! It will restore your faith in the courage of three ordinary soldiers who risked their lives to save innocent women, childern, and elderly civilians during a barbarous killing rampage at My Lai in 1968. Hugh Thompson, the helicopter pilot, who directed the ad hoc rescue operation, also endured nearly 30 years of criticism and indifference from many of his peers in the armed forces. At long last, the heroic actions of Mr. Thompson, Larry Colburn, and Glenn Andreotta have finally been recognized and appreciated by the government of the United States. This book proves that it is never too late to correct a wrong and that true American heroes live among us. Every parent concerned about the dangerous effects of peer pressure should buy this book as a gift to their childern.

From what I have seen written on the pages exhibited, I am asking our librarian here in Sandwich, NH to purchase this book. Hugh Thompson has always been a hero to me, and represents the helicopter pilots who were in Vietnam quite well. We were all brash, and ballsey, and would stand up to a lot of things we didn't think too swift. His deed outshines us all. I flew UH-1D's in the Delta, and have written about my experiences there in OUTLAWS IN VIETNAM.
Being a helicopter pilot in this war was the best job one could wish for--it was the best year of all of our lives! Hopefully, more of these excellent aviators will be profiled in the future.
My librarian finally purchased the book after these initial notes, and I have been reading it nonstop. This should really shed some light on the horror of the Americal Division higher-ups who authorized this bloodletting by Lt. Calley and others of Charlie Company that day. They had been ordered to commit the atrocities we all know about today, and as I continue the book, it is interesting to me to experience the angst that Hugh Thompson and his crew felt that terrible day at My Lai. He is most human, and painfully so. The author discloses all this helicopter crew went through then and since; well done!!

James W Walker presents you with the story of his time in Vietnam and allows you to be transported there as if you were watching yourself.

He starts the story by describing how he managed to get to the States - via Hull, UK and through various schools in the area before moving with his mother to the USA, volunteering for the Army and shipping out to Vietnam.

Walker's description of his time in Nam is written so clearly that he betrays the fact that so many years have passed between the Tour and the book. His writing is not in the style of a list - like so many other books in this genre - but of a well-structured novel by a clearly talented author.

Fortune Favours the Bold - Walker was certainly bold. A number of tales in this book must have taken sheer courage to undertake. But Walker does not flaunt this - there is no ostentatious hint that he was the best, nor did he even think he was anything other than an average young man.

The book has, as all Nam books do, a fistful of photos taken of the author and his friends. The dipped head of Walker in one of the photos underlines my earlier statement - Walker is a real person. One with whom you can associate and befriend.

Being British myself it could be understood that out of the endless Vietnam books I have read this one would stay in my mind more than others, but Walker has a style that allows you to become him, to understand him and to like him. I would recommend anyone to read this book, regardless whether they are interested in Vietnam, war, fear and courage or not because it is a good read that will transport you from noon to night as you glide through the book, living your own war. I think you should buy this book - you will read it, love it and recommend it to your friends.

Mr Walker, Sir, when will you bless us with another book?

Limey's account as a 101st Airborne LRRP in Vietnam will keep you riveted to your seat and you immediatly feel yourself being transported to the action! Fortune Favors the Bold is extraordinary. Step into the lives of tough, rugged, professionals who performed their jobs well and with pride,under extremely difficult conditions. One you start this book, be prepared - you can't put it down!

I have read quite a few of the abundant LRRP books out there, all of them very enjoyable. If i were forced to pick favorites it would have to be this one, also 'war story' by jim morris, and 'gone native' by allan cornett. (on a slightly different subject SOG by john plaster is incredible) One of the reasons is walker's great sense of humor as he had me cracking up regularly thoughout. These were indeed special men and it remains a tragedy that this war was lost through ticket-punching officers, bureacracy, politics etc....

Too often the political process is something that takes place far outside our own lives, which is why voters tend to be either emotional partisans of their celebrity heroes or apathetic or cynical. Frank Kelly's understanding of one very human and accessible man, Harry Truman, made me rethink what the American Presidency is about. By interweaving his own lifestory with the Truman presidency, Kelly creates an absorbing drama into which we are all swept. He sees politics not as a game, but as the means to realizing a nation's highest potential. Yes, he is an idealist, but we have too few of those. Kelly's vision of one president and his world-changing decisions is transferable to every presidency. As we prepare to elect a new man to that office, there's no more appropriate reading for us than Kelly's book.

Here is a most readable and interesting first-hand account and association with one of America's great presidents. Frank Kelly's book reveals the integrity and strong character of this man. As one of his speech writers, he had personal contacts with Truman and tells much about his life which could only be told from the intimate contacts he had with the President. He participated in the day to day presidential campaign which led to one of the most surprising and stunning victories any president ever had.

Kelly served as an assistant to the majority leader of the senate in 1949 and the early fifties and brings an accurate and authentic character study of Truman from inside the political realm. If you want to know close-up about this remarkable and able president from someone who was there, this book tells it all.

Some of us know that Frank Kelly is a national treasure. He was a speech writer for President Truman and he continues his gift to us in his latest book, where he rekindles the hope and excitement of the Truman era.

Kelly brings to life the remarkable story of how an ordinary man, Harry Truman, became a memorable leader by rising to meet the terrifying challenges that he faced and conquered from 1945 to 1952. Kelly reminds us how much each generation has benefited from the Truman legacy with its enabling vision of the global human family. And how each of us can help all of us to..."achieve a decent, satisfying life that is the right of all people..." as Truman said in his 1949 inaugural address.

It was my great pleasure to read and re-live the Truman era through Frank Kelly's delightful and insightful prose. All of our politicians can learn much about how to be leaders and public servants from this excellent book.

I bought this book because its title made me think that it would help me learn about the contemplative experiences of these two spiritual heavy weights. It did, and it also inspired me to read their testamonies written in their own hand. But I wasn't aware until I got into the book that Fr. Dubay would use their testamonies as a device for espousing a contemplative practice that he teaches. I don't have any difficulty with his approach to contemplation. What works, works! But I'm not a Catholic, and follow a slightly different way so his claims of exclusivity for his method put me off.

I give the originals written by St. Teresa and St. John six stars, but marked this book down because of Father Dubay's claims that his brand of contemplative prayer is the only one that works. If you want Father Dubay's advice about contemplative prayer, buy this book. If you want to learn about how St. Teresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross communed with God, buy a good translation of their books.

This is a wonderful book for those interested in Christian mysticism and/or Carmelite spirituality. My faith in the Lord, understanding of the Gospel and of contemplative prayer has deepened as a result of reading about the lives and teachings of Saint Therese and Saint John of the Cross. This book served to inspire and motivate me to to relinquish everything that gets in the way of love of God, and to devote my entire life to this end.

This book is a must for anyone who desires a closer relationship with God. It is literally a life-changing book and shows how deep contemplative prayer is possible for anyone in any walk of life. It dispels many misconceptions and objections about contemplative prayer: that it is impractical, takes too much time, is esoteric or has nothing to do with everday life and relationships. The author, basing himself squarely on two great masters of prayer, St. Teresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross, emphasizes that contemplative prayer is a gift of God; we cannot "earn" it or merit it in any way, though we have to make ourselves open to it by trying to live more and more according to Jesus' gospel. It does not depend on techniques (despite what many people think), but God will not give it unless we really want it. Contemplative prayer, a deep imersion in God, as Fr. Dubay so passionately puts it, is the "one thing" of the gospel, the "pearl of great price", yet God wants it for everyone. I don't come across many books that have changed my outlook on life, but this is one.

This is a great book that showcases the talents of MGM fashion designer Gilbert Adrian. Here we read about his early days as a designer and his successful tenure at MGM during its glory years, 1928-1941. The book initially begins with the birth of MGM and how Adrian's arrival helped to transform the fledgling studio's wardrobe department into the epitome of Hollywood style and sophistication. There are in depth chapters on Greta Garbo, Joan Crawford and Norma Shearer, three of MGM's biggest stars. There are detailed descriptions and sketches of the clothes they wore in some of their best known films including Garbo's "Camille", Crawford's "Letty Lynton" and Shearer's "Marie Antoinette". There is also an entire chapter devoted to the costumes that were designed for the 1939 hit "The Women". The final chapter describes Adrian's last days at MGM before embarking on other successful endeavors. This is a terrific book filled with rare sketches and numerous photos of other major MGM stars including Jean Harlow, Katharine Hepburn and Rosalind Russell. The sole focus of this book is strictly on the women's fashions at MGM, but there are also photos of Adrian and pictures of stars like John Barrymore, Melvyn Douglas and Rudolph Valentino posing with their leading ladies. Howard Gutner did an excellent job of compiling these wonderful photos and informative descriptions. This is a superb book and a recommended purchase!

On the surface tackling a subject like fashion designer Adrian might seem like an easy project. However, it becomes very apparent that this could not be further from the truth. The Adrian touch was imprinted on virtually all costumes designed for MGM films during his lengthy tenure at the studio.
Aside from the obvious consideration that the clothes he designed had to showcase MGM's roster of stars, this book accentuates the subtleties that cinema fashions require to place special emphasis not only on the actor/actress, but the parts they are playing.
Howard Gutner manages to cover a lot of ground by providing detailed descriptions of costumes designed for specific actors and the challenges which Adrian encountered. I found myself falling in love with the exquisite details of specific gowns such as those designed for the production of Marie Antoinette. I was also amazed by the sheer volume of costumes the studio (under Adrian's guidance) produced. Gutner's review of Adrian's work and his careful and caring research made this book a delightful read as well as a delight for the eyes. By the end of the book, I came to appreciate and understand the field of costume design and see it as an integral part of movie production. It certainly validated the awarding of Oscars for this category.
Adrian's artistic gifts and his sensitivity toward his subjects gave me an appreciation for his work.

This is an exceptional book that covers an amazing era in Hollywood films. The book obviously has been extensively researched and is extremely well written. The author has gone to great lengths to bring the costumes of Adrian alive, both in the text and in the extraordinary photographs. It is a book that should be read by those interested in costume design for film, Hollywood of the twenties and thirties, and in particular, the unique talent of Adrian. Adrian set a standard in costume design for film that, arguably, has not been matched, and the author has done him a great service with this beautiful book.